CHINA PLOTS A REVO-LOO-TION

The People’s Republic of China wants tourists to come — and “go” — in peace. Hence, the government has reiterated its commitment to upgrading the nation’s public-toilet facilities. While unsavoury ablutions have long been a thorn in tourism’s side, state-run newspaper the People’s Daily reported that the country had installed or upgraded 68 000 toilets at tourist destinations by the end of October this year, including 5 000 in the capital, Beijing.

CNN calls Chinese President Xi Jinping a “bathroom aficionado”, owing to his frequent visits to inspect facilities after he launched his “toilet revolution” in 2015.

He believes clean toilets are the cornerstone of a civilised society and will help boost travel to China as well as improving the hygiene of the masses.

Jack Sim, founder of the World Toilet Organisation, said despite China’s myriad attractions, “the lack of clean toilets made tourism impossible to be promoted as the tour agencies always get bad reports and complaints after the tour — as the stench, filth and terrible condition of many

Chinese toilets horrified foreign visitors”.

Authorities now are taking the issue so seriously that Yunnan province held a competition last year to select the most outstanding toilets in tourist attractions.

The National Tourism Administration plans to install or upgrade 64 000 more toilets by 2020 — no doubt a big relief to locals and travellers alike.

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