On Dec 5, the LNG (liquefied natural gas) buses, in which the Dandong Municipal Government invested over 54 million yuan ($8.53 million), were put into operation.

In recent years, China has attached great importance to the promotion of clean energy buses. In February, the Liaoning provincial government nominated Dandong to be the pilot city for the LNG Bus Project.

The LNG Bus Project includes purchasing new buses and supporting gas filling facilities. The municipal government held meetings to make arrangements. Participants included the Dandong Transportation Bureau, Development and Reform Commission, Safety Supervision Bureau, Environmental Protection Bureau and other departments concerned in the city.

In early April, Dandong organized a delegation in Zhangjiagang where the LNG Bus Project had been successfully implemented and held a project demonstration and review meeting in Beijing.

"Public transport is the critical infrastructure in urban areas but is also a social factor concerning the people's welfare. Promoting new energy vehicles and developing green transport is important for the popularization of energy saving and emission reduction, the development of low-carbon economy and the creation of a national environmental protection model city," said Shi Guang, the city's acting mayor.

According to Jiang Yongchun, general manager of the Dandong Public Transport Corporation, the municipal government decided to purchase 100 LNG buses worth 54 million yuan after negotiating with the SG Automotive Group. On Nov 15, the government also signed an agreement on natural gas supply with Dandong China Resources Gas Group Co Ltd.

Compared to regular buses, an LNG bus costs an additional 100,000 yuan. Jiang Yongchun explained, "Though the initial investment is considerable, the amount of harmful gases emitted by LNG buses is 85 percent less than petrol-powered vehicles, with little environmental pollution."

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Rakhee