Beijing is planning to build 200 public toilets in an 800-meter perimeter of its main streets and downtown areas.
The new government-sponsored toilets will be open to citizens free of charge.
Early this year, the capital has started renovating existing public toilets located in the ancient city's back alleys, or hutongs, since many of them were built half a century ago and werenot up to health standards.
However, that was not enough. According to a report in the Beijing Daily, tourists and residents have repeatedly complained about shortages of public toilets.
The new public toilets are expected to be finished next year.
Meanwhile, new restaurants in Beijing are required to build their own bathrooms, which must be open to customers. Restaurant owners who violate this regulation will forced to close.
( Xinhua News Agency November 28, 2001)
