Beijing will revise a regulation on the city's appearance and environmental hygiene to improve its image for the 2008 Olympic Games.

A draft of the new regulation was made public on Monday, and officials will seek comments from residents in the next two weeks.

The draft, which was debated last week at the 35th session of the Beijing Municipal People's Congress, covers a wide aspect of the city's visage and sanitation, including garbage disposal, public toilets, billboards and night lighting.

By yesterday, the congress had received 550 phone calls, 17 letters and 154 e-mails from locals. One person even visited the office to express his opinion.

Their comments focused on various topics, such as pigeon raising, garbage disposal and posters distribution, said Lu Laishun, an official with the congress, the city's legislative body.

According to the draft, residents are not allowed to put pigeon sheds on top of houses, on balconies or outside windows. Violators could be fined between 50 and 200 yuan (US$6 and US$24), the draft states.

More and more people have been raising pigeons as pets in recent years. But the pigeons' droppings, noises and unpleasant smell often annoy nearby residents, said Zhang Zhijian, vice-director of the congress legal committee.

Some congress deputies and residents suggested that the government better manage pigeons raising rather than simply restricting the sheds.

The draft also prohibits any work unit or individual from distributing promotional material in public places without authorization.

Posting ads on buildings such as wire poles and bus stations is also banned.

If the posters contain telephone, mobile phone or pager numbers, administrative officials have the right to suspend their use, the draft states.

But some legal experts questioned whether this clause violates the right of free communication safeguarded in the Constitution.

Many residents also suggested that the draft should include clauses restricting dog raising, which is also a big headache for nearby residents because of barking and biting, Lu said.

The municipal congress will revise the draft based on the public's comments and put the draft into deliberation at the next session of the Standing Committee of the congress in September.

(China Daily July 24, 2002)