If you lock yourself outside home, small posters advertising unlocking companies glued on corridor walls, stairs and even right on your apartment door may help you.

"If you call the number on one poster, a lock opener will come to your home immediately and open the door in just a few minutes, without any request for checking your identity but only for a payment of dozens of yuan," said Sheng Zhongguo, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Sheng, also a famous violinist, used to find some unlocking companies after being locked outside his home, but was quite upset by their "efficiency".

"They told me that there were no locks they could not open, which made me worried more," Sheng said.

Sheng has been to many countries and regions for musical performances, but has never heard that there are companies offering unlocking services. The locked doors are just pried open.

"Although it's not so convenient, you feel much safer," he said.

According to his research, lock opening has become an industry in China and even some grocery stores offer such services. It is said that some Web sites have started selling special tools for opening locks.

"We can have lock-opening companies, but not so many. And it's more important that they must be subject to strict supervision from the government," Sheng said.

"Otherwise, such as business may threaten people's property and life security," he said, adding that the government should set detailed qualifications for unlocking companies and restrain the spread of lock-opening tools on the market.

(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2007)