Traffic control is not something that was recently adopted by the authorities; it has a long tradition. Every year during Chinese National Day, the annual national meetings, or if there is a big event, strict traffic controls test the endurance of motorists. In big cities, especially in Beijing, every time high government officials pass by on the street, ordinary motorists have to sit and wait. Highways are turned into parking lots, the honking of horns is like a symphony orchestra, and car exhausts happily pipe out greenhouse gases to help warm this bleak planet.

Beijing has recently begun shifting gears on this issue. This year, for the first time, the traffic authorities began releasing "road forecasts" to inform the public about traffic conditions during the meetings. The forecasts are transmitted through the media, the Internet, and roadside LED displays. But since traffic jams are concentrated on the capital's main thoroughfares at rush hour, it's almost impossible for drivers to avoid them even if they know about them in advance.

The government has said it wants to prioritize happiness over economic growth. But one of the most important things is for citizens to feel that they are treated with respect, not as underlings of high officials. As the capital of China, Beijing needs to handle these situations better. Imposing traffic controls and demanding citizens' cooperation, is no way to go about things. Instead of telling motorists to stay away from the main streets, it would be easier to reschedule the meetings and avoid the need for traffic controls at rush hour.

China's capital shouldn't just be the country's cultural and economic center. It should also set an example of how to build a happier China.

The author is a China researcher for foreign media in Beijing.

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