Cities near Shanghai are crying out for stricter controls on the increasing number of Shanghainese coming to them to apply for car number plates. Private plates cost much more in the metropolis.

In an attempt to control the number of private cars registered in the city to improve traffic conditions, Shanghai authorities raised the price for issuing plates to 38,500 yuan (US$4,652), reports Oriental Morning Post.

In response, car owners have turned to nearby Suzhou and Hangzhou to buy plates.

During the first six months of this year, 2,286 Shanghai residents acquired plates in Suzhou alone.

Shanghai officials defended their decision, saying too many cars have caused the traffic situation in the city to worsen.

The Suzhou government has just implemented a new policy to deal with the influx of Shanghai drivers by requiring anyone applying for plates to produce a temporary resident ID.

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