(CN) New rules to keep capital clean

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http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2002-07-24/79185.html

China Daily

(LI JING)

07/24/2002

 

Beijing will revise a regulation on the city's appearance and environmental

hygiene to improve its image for the 2008 Olympic Games.

A draft of the new regulation was made public on Monday, and officials will

seek comments from residents in the next two weeks.

 

The draft, which was debated last week at the 35th session of the Beijing

Municipal People's Congress, covers a wide aspect of the city's visage and

sanitation, including garbage disposal, public toilets, billboards and night

lighting.

 

By yesterday, the congress had received 550 phone calls, 17 letters and 154

e-mails from locals. One person even visited the office to express his

opinion.

 

Their comments focused on various topics, such as pigeon raising, garbage

disposal and posters distribution, said Lu Laishun, an official with the

congress, the city's legislative body.

 

According to the draft, residents are not allowed to put pigeon sheds on top

of houses, on balconies or outside windows. Violators could be fined between

50 and 200 yuan (US$6 and US$24), the draft states.

 

More and more people have been raising pigeons as pets in recent years. But

the pigeons' droppings, noises and unpleasant smell often annoy nearby

residents, said Zhang Zhijian, vice-director of the congress legal

committee.

 

Some congress deputies and residents suggested that the government better

manage pigeons raising rather than simply restricting the sheds.

 

The draft also prohibits any work unit or individual from distributing

promotional material in public places without authorization.

 

Posting ads on buildings such as wire poles and bus stations is also banned.

 

If the posters contain telephone, mobile phone or pager numbers,

administrative officials have the right to suspend their use, the draft

states.

 

But some legal experts questioned whether this clause violates the right of

free communication safeguarded in the Constitution.

 

Many residents also suggested that the draft should include clauses

restricting dog raising, which is also a big headache for nearby residents

because of barking and biting, Lu said.

 

The municipal congress will revise the draft based on the public's comments

and put the draft into deliberation at the next session of the Standing

Committee of the congress in September.