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China's Toilet Revolution To Punish Bad Bathroom Etiquette

Shocked?
Shocked?

BEIJING — It may be facing a major economic slowdown, a demographic crisis and widespread government corruption, but China has nevertheless found time to launch what we might call a "toilet revolution."

"Toilet civilization has a long way to go in China," Li Shihong, deputy chief of the China National Tourism Administration (NTA), tells state newspaper China Daily. Specifically citing tourists, the sweeping plan aims to root out bad behavior in public restrooms and bring facility standards up to the expectations of international travelers, the country plans to blacklist people who exhibit bad behavior in public restrooms.

"Many people spend a lot of time getting dressed, but they do not spare a second to flush the toilet," Shihong says.

A potential blacklist would target "uncivilized behavior," apparently modeling the NTA's efforts to publicly call out Chinese tourists traveling abroad who don't represent well — whether by getting drunk and unruly on flights or assaulting people. In fact, 16 Chinese tourists are currently listed on the NTA website for just such behavior.

Tens of thousands of new public toilets will be constructed, and old toilets will be renovated, for a total cost of more than 12.5 billion RMB ($1.9 billion). The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have pledged to sponsor a contest for the most innovative waste and toilet designs from around China.

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Society

Tales From A Blushing Nation: Exploring India's 'Issues' With Love And Sex

Why is it that this nation of a billion-plus has such problems with intimacy and romance?

Photo of Indian romance statues

Indian romance statues

Sreemanti Sengupta

KOLKATA — To a foreigner, India may seem to be a country obsessed with romance. What with the booming Bollywood film industry which tirelessly churns out tales of love and glory clothed in brilliant dance and action sequences, a history etched with ideal romantics like Laila-Majnu or the fact that the Taj Mahal has immortalised the love between king Shahjahan and queen Mumtaz.

It is difficult to fathom how this country with a billion-plus population routinely gets red in the face at the slightest hint or mention of sex.

It therefore may have come as a shock to many when the ‘couple-friendly’ hospitality brand OYO announced that they are “extremely humbled to share that we observed a record 90.57% increase in Valentine’s Day bookings across India.”

What does that say about India’s romantic culture?

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