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New Clean-up Regulation for Scruffy Beijing

A Beijing regulation on the city's appearance and environmental hygiene is being revised to help improve the capital's image for the 2008 Olympic Games. A draft of the revision was made public on July 22, after which officials said they would seek comments from residents.

The new draft, debated at the 35th session of the Beijing Municipal People's Congress, covers wide aspects of the city's visage and sanitation, including garbage disposal, public toilets, billboards and night lighting. An example of the draft is that residents will not be allowed to put pigeon coops on top of houses, balconies or outer windows. Violators could be fined between 50 and 200 yuan (US$6-24).

Also proposed is the prohibition of any work unit or individual from distributing promotional material in public places without authorization. Posting ads on buildings such as metal poles and bus stations is also to be banned. If the posters contain telephone, mobile phone or pager numbers, administrative officials would have the right to suspend their use, the draft states.

The congress will revise the draft based on the public's feedback. The draft will be further deliberated at the next session of the congress's standing committee in September.