Beijing to ‘civilize’ citizens ahead of Apec summit

BEIJING — China’s capital Beijing on Tuesday launched a new effort to “civilize” its residents by clamping down on queue-jumping and smoking ahead of a summit for Asian leaders later this year.

The campaign, labelled “Embracing Apec Wonderful Pekingese-Citizen Civilized Behavior Promotion,” also promises to crack down on jaywalking, drink driving and drivers refusing to stop at zebra crossings.

The Beijing municipal government said in a press release that it aims to encourage “civilized orderly and courteous transport, to improve people’s overall quality to display (their) wonderfulness.”

It follows a similar campaign ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which saw authorities target spitting, littering and disorderly lines for public transport.

Beijing government Civilization Office spokesman Han Longbin told reporters that the Olympic campaign had achieved results, but “people are still running red lights.”

“We still need to promote better queueing, and we will depend on promoting civilization and also legal measures,” he added, without giving details.

Residents will be encouraged to tackle Beijing’s chronic smog by taking part in a “clean atmosphere blue day action,” which involves taking public transport and buying “green” products.

Other behaviors due for censure include “making a racket,” smoking in public places and eating while on public transport.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum, which includes China and the United States, will see leaders from more than 20 countries and economies descend on Beijing in November.

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