THE BEIJING AUTHORITIES have reportedly already made initial plans to collect a congestion charge in Beijing, and they might start collecting the fee this year. A congestion charge won't ease the traffic, says a comment on cb.com.cn:

The authorities claim that many metropolises, such as London and Singapore, have been collecting a congestion charge for years and they can copy the successful example of these cities. But the situation is totally different in Beijing.

In cities such as London, the middle class accounts for a high percentage of the whole population, and the majority of the cars running on the roads are privately owned. That's why charging a congestion fee is effective.