In the 1950s, flies, mosquitoes, rats and bed bugs were known as the "four pests" in China.
Now, spitting, queue-jumping, smoking and bad language are the new no-no's.
With the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games approaching, these are the "new four pests", according to Zi Huayun, a CPPCC member.
"Compared with the remarkable construction of the Olympic venues in the city, good manners and proper behavior in public lack far behind," Zi said. "Although those 'new four pests' seem to be tiny things, they are stubborn diseases that stain the image of the capital city."
Zi has put forward a proposal on how to raise these standards, and education and heavy fines were the key.
"The promotion of good manners is weak less than the promotion of some pop contests," Zi said.
"It is urgent for us to work out relative regulations to impose a fine for such improper behavior - like punishing drunk drivers."
Zi pointed to one example in China where people who litter are shamed for their actions.
At the Huangshan Mountain scenic spot in Anhui Province, anyone who litters over the cliff, will be met by many looks of disdain as a cleaner in safety gear repels down the cliff to collect their unwanted trash.
"We should also set up some moving cleaners on the streets in Beijing who will collect garbage and wave it in the faces of those who litter," she said.
Legislators have welcomed moves to clean up the city.
"Hosting of the Olympic Games has raised the bar for the administration of the city construction and environment," Chen Wenzhan, an official from the City Construction and Environment Commission of Beijing People's Congress, said.
"We have amended the 'Regulations on Hygienic Management in Public Places' and the new regulations will be released soon. Some strict measures, like financial penalties, will be included in it."
Officials said a non-smoking Olympic Games was still under consideration.
"BOCOG is discussing with the Health Ministry to set aside special smoking areas in the Games venues to ensure most areas are smoke-free," Liu Jingmin, vice-major of Beijing and also the executive vice-president of BOCOG, said.
A tobacco-free Games was always a top priority for China's preparations for a green Olympics.
In May last year, the Ministry of Health promised to ban smoking at all hospitals by the end of 2007. The ban will also be extended to public transport and public buildings, specifically places offering services to children, the ministry said.
(China Daily 03/13/2007 page5)
