Beijing has identified five impolite and uncultured behaviors that will be targeted in 2006 in a new civility campaign.
Named the "Five Boorish Behaviors", they are:
1) Spitting in public places;
2) Throwing rubbish on the streets;
3) Pushing to get onto buses;
4) Jaywalking in heavy traffic;
5) Pets defecating and urinating on the street.
Beijing plans to place wastebins every 100 meters along the city's main thoroughfares.
Special plastic bags, that were popular during the SARS crisis, will also be distributed for free to allow poeple to dispose of spit.
Beijing residents have been told to build toilets for pets in their communities and new laws will be passed this year to levy harsher penalties on those who do not obey the rules.
In the past, Beijing had a slogan translated as "A Bit More Civilized!" that was used on banners and stickers plastered around the capital city. The slogan is still often heard as an admonishment when one person sees another doing something rude or impolite.
