China’s central budget will provide public transportation operators with subsidies to offset the impact of a hike in oil prices. Urban public transport, taxi, rural passenger transport, inter-island and rural water passenger transport will be covered by the subsidy. The subsidy period started from January 1, 2010 and will be paid before June 30. The Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance will launch the subsidy for the public transport operators if the price of gasoline rises above 4,400 yuan (US$644.49) or diesel fuel above 3,870 yuan (US$566.81) per ton. If oil prices drop below these levels, the subsidy system will be stopped. (February 9, 2010)