Chinese government officials have urged the general public to reduce their dependence on automobiles in an effort to reduce smog and air pollution before a preparatory meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in the coming weeks.

The group will also reconvene for the official economic summit this November in Beijing.

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Although China's economy continues to grow and expand, critics suggest that the growing crisis of air quaity in the region is a serious issue that may keep potential businesses away. 

Authorities are revisiting a plan devised in 2008 before the Summer Olympics amid concerns that the heavy smog in Beijing would deter visitors and impair athletes from performing at their maximum levels.

Now, officials are hoping to repeat the same to improve the country's air quality.

For the next two weeks, car usage will be drastically reduced to clean up the air and to ease traffic congestion before the preliminary APEC meeting.

Beijing has become infamous for its extremely high amounts of air pollution, which comes from automobiles, factories and industrial production facilities.

Beijing government officials have also placed restrictions on the purchase of cars until after the APEC meeting has ended.

Several factories that will be closed to reduce the amount of smog in the air while other factories will be allowed to reduce production instead of a complete shutdown.

Leaders from the 21 APEC member economies will be present for the November meeting.

Scheduled to attend are Russian President Vladmir Putin, U.S. President Barack Obama and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, among others.

The specific date for the November meeting has not yet been disclosed.