Since the beginning of the month, residents in all districts have been mobilized by a dozen departments such as public security and administration of industry and commerce to clean up the city, including removing illegal advertising signs found all over, including underground pedestrian crossings, power-supply poles and bus stop signs.

A special office has been set up to deal with improving the appearance of the city and correcting violations.

An official with the office said that they have decided to award citizens for reporting damaging actions to them via the hot line.

The municipal government has also been working to regulate the city's urban appearance, environment and hygiene. It has detailed requirements and listed punishments for violations.

In the past several days alone, law and regulation enforcement officers from different districts of the city detained more than 200 people who were responsible for putting up illegal ads, busted 42 illegal ad-making dens and seized 330,000 pieces of illegal ads.

An improved awareness of the need to protect the general appearance and environment of the national capital is leading to a growing number of volunteer workers.

Li Yinghua, 83, who has been busy removing illegal ads on the streets for three years, and Liu Yuzhen, 65, who has been cleaning up Tian'anmen Square since 1994, are busier than ever. And more people have been following suit.

(eastday.com September 11, 2002)