Posted on 04/24/2002 6:05:49 PM PDT by Hopalong
Xinhuanet 2001.08.15 15:11:56
BEIJING August ¨Xinhuanet--Flush with cash to provide the city's toilet facilities Beijing plans to improve every lavatory at all its tourist attractions by the end of 2002 according to today's China Daily.
A pot of 240 million yuan US$29 million has been set up by the municipal government to build or fix toilets, a movement prompted by constant public complaints.
Already 70 toilets have been constructed or renovated at five major historical sites including the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven, Beijing tourism official Zhou Shuyu said.
"We also stepped our efforts to make the appearance of toilets harmonious with the scenic spots," Zhou said. "The toilets that sit amid ancient architecture must also be in the ancient style."
Zhou, who oversees public toilets, noted all facilities at historical and scenic sites will be free of charge.
Foreign tourists have complained vociferously about unsanitary toilet conditions in China.
"Of the 206 tour-related complaints received during last October's week-long National Day holiday 20 per cent mentioned that there were few good toilets at tourist attractions, " said Yang Weiyuan, an official with the Beijing Consumers' Association.
But the improvements that have already been made have prompted immediate results.
"We have not received any complaints on toilets this year," Yang said.
The new bathrooms have improved odors and better overall hygiene.
"Our goal is to make things convenient for our tourists, whether you are a man, woman, baby, child, senior citizen or a person with a disability," Zhou said.
One key improvement is equipping toilets with flushing devices that do not require human touch. The infrared trigger reduces the chance of tourists contracting bacterial infections, officials said.
Women's lavatories will be 20 per cent bigger than men's to provide bigger space for women to make up. In the pastthey were half the size of the men's rooms.
The ladies' rooms also will have desks, beds or chairs to diaper babies and make mothers more comfortable while feeding.
Special lavatory pans designed for the disabled and for children will be provided.
Zhou said workers will receive special training to ensure optimal loos.
Tourists, too, may need some potty training. At the Summer Palace, two infrared devices have been destroyed through misuse, park officials said.
More money for this effort is likely to be poured in as more toilets are built and renovated before the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.
Best regards. S&W R.I.P.
Me always wondered why Chinaman wear braggy pants and sandals.
Beats hanging on to the door handle, if there is one, eh?
Best regards. Hop.
If I recall correctly there was a definitive study some many years ago about the many health benefits of squatting. Can't remember if it was Japanese.
If one is lucky enough to get old, for example, one remains perforce pretty limber.
I also recall a study about the Russians toilet training their children in eight months on average. Baby, it's cold outside, and old traditions die hard, especially when there are hidden advantages.
Best regards. S&W R.I.P.
Ha ... :) where did you learn that? Have not heard the expression since I was out of kindergarten.
National Daily Republican News Archive TOKYO DESK - Chinese authorities in Ziang have reportedly built a throne, of sorts, for the first lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton. It is a portable "regal restroom" for her use during the China trip.Friday June 26, 1998
Chinese offer 'throne' for first lady's use
By Tatsudo Akayama, Asia Correspondent for Daily Republican Newspaper
According to Liz Sly who is in Beijing this week, the water closet's $23,000 price tag even exceeds by about 30 times the average annual income of the typical worker in Beijing. Zhao Chen, vice bureau chief of the Badaling Great Wall Cleaning Supervision Department, told Sly that the Chinese people provided the water closet for the first lady '...to show how much we honor and respect her visit.'
Detailes of the portable water closet contraption include a Western-style self-contained privy with all the necessaries, including a porcelain toilet bowl, seat, and air-conditioning.
The gesture apparently is not being extended to president Clinton by the Chinese people, however. President Clinton is not holding any press conferences on this China trip and he could not be reached for comment.
Copyright © 1998 Daily Republican Newspaper, Inc. All rights Reserved.
"Where Zhu embraces international trade and welcomes globalization to China, Hu has inexorably risen over the past four years by playing the card of xenophobic nationalism. It will be surprising if he does not purge Zhu and his many associates in key positions, particularly if the long-feared financial collapse finally sweeps the Shanghai banking sector."And Hu has not even "succeeded" yet, hehe. By the way, just whom is who succeeding anyway?
Regards to all. S&W R.I.P.
Best regards. S&W R.I.P.
Either of the Clintons making plans to to travel to the Czech Republic again perhaps?
Best regards. S&W R.I.P.
Best regards. Hop.
Regards to all. S&W R.I.P.
A friend of his, perhaps.
(#37):"Seems like a lot of trouble I know, but depending on where you are, you can now get up quickly and run somewhere else if you have too, and still have your trousers if you need them."
Best regards. S&W R.I.P.
Best regards. S&W R.I.P.
S&W R.I.P.
Re: #52
Sounds like a shell game.
heee hee....*grin*
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