Beijing to watch Chinese travelers abroad to keep them in line
Chen Yi-chun & Staff Reporter
2015-01-24
A screenshot from CCTV showing a male passneger opening the emergency door of a plane for more fresh air before the airplane was to take off. (Internet photo)
A child climbs on statues to take a photo at the National Flower Park in Xuchang, Henan province, Sept. 27, 2014. (File photo/CFP)
A tourist plays on the statue at the Temple of Heaven, Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing, Oct. 6, 2014. (File photo/CFP)
To rectify a rash of incidents where Chinese tourists have displayed uncivilized behavior while travelling abroad thus tarnishing the national image, the Chinese government plans to put such behaviors on record, according to the "Management Measures for Uncivilized Behaviors of Travelers" being drafted.
Chinese tourists, both during domestic and overseas travel, have gained notoriety for their rude and uncouthe behaviors, including engraving or painting on parts of tourism sites, littering, disregarding signs that ban the taking of photos, smoking in nonsmoking areas, disrespecting noise levels, urinating in inappropriate places, and cutting in lines.
Such behaviors made international news when on Dec. 11, 2014, a Chinese couple quarreled with a flight attendant over hot water on a flight of AirAsia from Bangkok to Beijing, resulting in the male passenger throwing trash in the aisle while cursing and the female one pouring hot water on the flight attendant.
The Chinese government has decided to rectify such uncivilized behaviors, in view of the growing popularity of travel. In the future, authorities will accept complaints in the form of photos or videos of uncivilized behaviors by Chinese tourists from airlines, travel agencies, hotels, and even common citizens before posting them on official websites. In serious cases, the offenders may even be penalized.
