Bilingual signs will soon sprout across the capital before September to remind people to "watch your behavior" as they tread close to areas with surveillance cameras, in a move following on from a lively debate about the right to privacy, according to the Beijing Public Security Bureau.

These signs intend to act as a reminder that people should be mindful of their behavior and be aware of the presence of security cameras, reads the newly-released Beijing Public Security Image Information System Regulation.

Beijing currently has 263,000 surveillance cameras in place, not only trained on main roads and highways but also on alleys, banks, markets and even certain campuses and hospitals. Certain illicit acts, such as robbery, will be captured immediately and trigger an alarm.

The regulation will also mean that businesses and institutions must keep their cameras and their perimeter within the confines of their property or work place, with a fine of up to 30,000 yuan (US$3,971.41) awaiting violators. The general public will be prohibited from putting up their own surveillance cameras near roads, squares and other public places.

The city is looking to upgrade its surveillance network and establish a three-grade system covering the city, surrounding counties and outlying townships before the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

(China.org.cn by Huang Shan, July 25, 2007)