China issues "public shaming" policy against those who vandalise tourist spots

World+Biz

TBS Report
08 April, 2020, 03:55 pm
Last modified: 08 April, 2020, 04:03 pm
According to the Chinese media, a visitor was reportedly caught on camera defacing the historic site with a key on the reopening day

The Great Wall opened its door for the visitors after the country is allegedly risk free of coronavirus. But after witnessing vandalism at the world's one of the wonders made the Chinese authority issue a letter of "public shaming" against the notorious tourists.

According to the Chinese media, a visitor was reportedly caught on camera defacing the historic site with a key on the reopening day.

The news quickly went viral, enraging Chinese netizens. A hashtag which translated means "Great Wall vandalized the first day it reopened," became a trending topic on Weibo, China's most popular social media platform.

In response, the Great Wall Office, which is responsible for the administrative and public affairs within the Badaling special tourism zone, has implemented a series of new disciplinary measures against vandalism starting from April 6.

They said in a statement, "We will impose administrative penalties on seven types of vandalism towards cultural relics including carving and other intentional damages."

Misbehaving tourists will be added to a blacklist that will be announced to the public regularly to "increase awareness and apply pressure [on tourists] with public opinion."

Offenders will reportedly face restrictions when they attempt to purchase online tickets to the Great Wall in the future, though the announcement doesn't specify what those are.

Meanwhile, the Information Office of the Beijing Municipal Government said Yanqing County is considering banning blacklisted tourists from entering other tourist attractions in the district. If they've committed a criminal offense, violators will also be handed over to law enforcement agents.

Both netizens and the media welcomed the new regulations.

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