|
One of the Olympic slogans in Beijing in the run-up to the Beijing Summer Games has been "Be an enthusiastic and polite Chinese person". The government and Beijing residents are trying their best to put the capital city in the best light possible. They want to present a Beijing that is on its best behavior as host of the Games. Our reporter Xu Zhaoqun took a tour around the city, and shows us some of the ways Beijing is showcasing its new image.
Ten years ago, no one would take offense at a shirtless man on the street on a sweltering hot day. After all, Beijing can be a hot and humid city during the summer. But what was once not considered a problem might seem quite inappropriate now.
"With the Olympics just around the corner, people in Beijing are behaving themselves better. The pictures we've just seen were very difficult to capture, and we had to spend almost the entire morning looking for poorly behaved residents. Everybody in Beijing has the feeling that the city is abandoning some of its chronic bad habits, and is ready to welcome guests from around the world."
The Olympic Games will likely attract more foreigners to China than any one single event so far in the country's history. To help spruce up its image, Beijing is promoting a campaign to discourage spitting, littering and queue jumping.
Lao Zhang has been a cleaner in Huichengmen for nearly ten years. He says he's noticed how the streets he works on in the capital city have become more tidy.
He's delighted to see that many people now make the effort to throw rubbish into public trash bins. Now, he often spends the majority of his time picking up withered leaves.
Lao Zhang said "The environment is getting much better now. The passers-by are very nice. Very few of them throw dirty things here and there. So many guests are coming, why not show them a tidy Beijing."
A tidy Beijing is also the goal of the government. Even though it is hard work, the municipality is pleased to see the growing enthusiastic support from its residents.
Mr. Feng, one Beijing citizen said "A good event deserves good manners."
Ms. Liu, another Beijing citizen said "All the garbage is gone. It would be a big shame if some people kept on littering."
The government and Beijing residents are trying their best to put the capital city in the best light possible. They want to present a Beijing that is on its best behavior as host of the Games.
Many Beijingers are aware that exhibiting polite manners in public is part of the responsibility that comes with being a host city for the Olympics. But they also realize their patience and efforts will benefit everybody in many ways.
Mr. Chen, one airport staff said "Some people still ignore traffic lights. But I would say the majority are good. I belong to the majority."
Another benefit the Games are bringing to Beijing is the new restrictions on smoking. NO SMOKING signs now can be seen in most restaurants.
Ms. Hu, one Beijing citizen said "I hate to dine in a foul atmosphere. Without the policy, it would be difficult to keep people from smoking in public places. Now I feel much more comfortable."
The non-smoking policy has also been implemented among the city's 70 thousand taxis.
Mr. Qin, one taxi driver said "Smoking passengers put out their cigarettes before they get in. I don't have to tell them. We should all be well mannered, especially during the Olympics."
"What would you do if you want to smoke?"
"I stop the cab and smoke outside the car."
The organizers of the Beijing Summer Games are also concerned about encouraging well mannered spectators at the Olympic events -- who are to be on their best behavior at all times.
Cheerleaders have been trained to use positive slogans and gestures to encourage spectators to mind their manners while they watch the events.
BOCOG officials say the Beijing Olympics are a perfect opportunity for local residents and visitors from outside of town to abandon bad habits and out-dated customs. But they admit it will NOT be easy to keep the positive momentum to preserve this self-discipline once the global spotlight turns away from the Beijing Olympics.
However, it's said that well begun is half done.
(CCTV August 5, 2008)
| .jpg){kind=logo}
