{"id":11154,"date":"2007-02-09T10:34:03","date_gmt":"2007-02-09T17:34:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chinadigitaltimes.net\/2007\/02\/09\/spits-out-polish-in-mei-fong\/"},"modified":"2007-02-09T10:34:03","modified_gmt":"2007-02-09T17:34:03","slug":"spits-out-polish-in-mei-fong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chinadigitaltimes.net\/2007\/02\/spits-out-polish-in-mei-fong\/","title":{"rendered":"Spit’s Out, Polish In – Mei Fong"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n<\/a>From Wall Street Journal (photo: a “Don’t Spit” campaign during SARS, via wsj.com):\n<\/p>\n \nOn the streets of the country’s capital, spitting — often complete with loud throat-clearing, gurgling and an arc of phlegm — is a frequent occurrence. The deeply ingrained habit is found among young and old and crosses class lines.<\/p>\n <\/span>Now Chinese officials are mounting a renewed campaign to abolish this custom and other less-than-appealing practices — including cutting in line and littering — all to get the city camera-ready for the 2008 Games.<\/p>\n <\/span>This week, Beijing city authorities announced they will step up efforts to fine spitters as much as 50 yuan, or $6.45, when they are caught doing the act in public — a hefty sum by Beijing standards and equivalent to a day’s wages for many laborers. Laws against spitting have existed for years, but haven’t been strictly enforced. [Full Text<\/a>, subscribers only]\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n