Shanghai has formally decided that September 22 will become its annual car free day.

Through the move, the city aims to encourage people to use public transport to reduce traffic pressure and protect the environment.

The city's transport bureau has taken the lead, announcing that bureau officials will be required to take public transport on the 22nd of every month.

Before Shanghai, Beijing was one of the few Chinese cities to officially promote the idea of a car free day on September 22, World Car Free Day.

Starting from last year, it launched a price-cut initiative to encourage people to take buses as their major means of transport.

The country's two biggest cities have set an example in promoting public awareness of "green transport" and environmental protection.

The emerging Chinese car market has expanded rapidly in recent years. While this strong growth momentum has gladdened carmakers, the increasing number of cars on the street has resulted in serious traffic and environmental problems.

As more and more cars clog major cities' streets and people choke on the filthy air as a result of rising exhaust emissions, we have few choices other than to call for the reduced use of cars at least in the short term.

Although this will not solve the problem, it will ease the situation and bring home to people the seriousness of the challenges we are faced with.

In Beijing and some other cities, unofficial car free day activities have been organized. These signify people's strong desire to do something about the environment.

However, government bodies have yet to become fully involved in these car-free day activities.

Shanghai and Beijing have made a good start, and other cities should follow suit.

What has made Shanghai different from Beijing is that it has required its transport bureau officials to leave their cars at home for a day every month, something that is an established practice in a number of other countries.

More government officials in both Shanghai and other cities need to personally participate in the movement to show the government's commitment to environmental protection. Action will be more persuasive.