Selfish commuters new target of Olympic campaign

Beijing - Selfish commuters who refuse to give up their seats to pregnant women and the elderly are the new targets of a Beijing government campaign to "civilise" residents ahead of this year's Olympics.

The 22nd of each month has been designated "Seat-Giving Day" to encourage people to give up their seats to those in greater need, who also include the disabled and children, the China Daily reported Friday, citing city officials.

To kick off the campaign, 1.2 million promotional cards, reading "Please offer your seats to those who need it more", will be distributed to commuters on Friday.

Selfish commuters are the latest in a long list of social problems that Beijing authorities have targeted for improvement before the world's spotlight shines on the city in August for the Olympics.

Last year, the 11th of each month was designated "Queuing Day" in an effort to end the curse of people shoving in front of each other on buses and trains.

Anti-spitting, anti-littering and civilised driving campaigns are also ongoing, and classes are being held to teach people how to be good spectators at the Olympics.

However, a harder edge to the drive is seeing beggars being kicked out of popular thoroughfares and tougher restrictions being placed on rural migrants who for years have done the physical work behind Beijing's modernisation.

Last year, in a speech marking the 12-month countdown to the Games, China's chief Olympic organiser Liu Qi made clear he believed the manners of Beijing residents were a problem.

"We must carry out a campaign for a civilised environment and thoroughly resolve rampant spitting, dumping of garbage and other uncivilised behaviour... as over four billion people will be watching Beijing," he said then. -- AFP

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with