Anti-Spitting Campaign To Clean Up Beijing's Image

6 June 2003 - 1:00pm

Beijing officials, hoping to clean up the city and as well as prevent the spread of SARS, have made spitting in public a crime.

"Despite Officer He's blue uniform with silver epaulets, he is not a policeman or even a security guard. As a member of Beijing's anti-spitting team, he is on the look-out for offenders. "If we catch people spitting we fine them 50 Yuan and make them clean it up," he said. The fine is about $6 - more than half a week's income for many people here. But China's anti-spitting campaign is not just about cleaning up the streets and fighting SARS, it is about image."

Source: BBC News, May 30, 2003
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