The public's bad habits should be corrected as part of
preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games, says a signed article in
the Oriental Morning News. An excerpt follows:
Beijing Mayor Wang Qishan said he was more worried that the
opening ceremony might be hit by a storm.
"That (weather) is really beyond my control," he said. Wang is
confident in the local people because Beijing has successfully
organized large activities before and Beijingers have warmly
welcomed guests.
Yet, this is not adequate for the success of the Olympics next
summer.
With about 30,000 journalists, registered or not, swarming into
the city to cover the games, they will certainly describe
everything they see for their readers and audiences.
What they will report is going to include not only the
hospitality of local people but also the details of the lives of
the Chinese they meet. In other words, the whole world will be
looking at the real Chinese.
In our daily life, several habits may taint this image, like
spitting and leaving chewing gum in public places. It is definitely
unpleasant to see the gum pollution in parks, on streets and in
squares.
These details should not be ignored by the organizers or the
government for they could destroy efforts so carefully made.
If the decision-makers could find a way to correct the public's
bad habits in preparation for the games, the Beijing Olympics will
be an even greater success.
(China Daily February 2, 2007)