In an attempt to stamp out spitting ahead of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games the city is launching a campaign and a $5 dollar fine.
Zhang Huigang, director of Beijing’s Capital Ethics Development Office said Wednesday, “this year we will intensify our law enforcement efforts in this field. We will require law enforcement officials to step up the frequency of fines”.
The Associated Press reports that tourists visiting Beijing often are startled at how many people spit or blow their noses onto sidewalks.
The crackdown is part of efforts to raise “ethical and cultural” standards in advance of the 2008 Games.
Zhang said officials will launch an advertising campaign on radio, television, the Internet and mobile phones to “teach people the right way to spit”.
Zhang said her office has organized a small army of volunteers who are hitting the streets of Beijing handing out small “spitting bags” and wearing bright orange uniforms with the Chinese character “tan” – “mucus” – printed in yellow on the back.
The second worst offence is littering which will also be enforced. Number three is pets fouling the streets.
