A Chinese man walks past a beggar sleeping on the street in Beijing. [Reuters/file]

Nearly half of the citizens surveyed in the three cities won't give money to beggars although they often encounter them on the streets, according to a recent survey.

More than half of the respondents also say beggars damage their cities' image and environment and want the government to do something. Some rejected panhandlers turn violent and hang on to people until they give money.

Residents' sympathy is challenged by the growing number of beggars on the streets, in the subways and other public places. Many citizens don't know if beggars are legitimately in need of help, or trying to cheat them out of their money with a pathetic disguise.

The survey, conducted by the Market Expert (Shanghai) Consulting Co, interviewed a total of 1,653 people in the cities. Comparative figures on street giving were not available.

Of those surveyed, 45.5 percent believe nothing should be given to beggars, while 27.8 percent think they should help with money or other things. The rest were neutral.

"I won't give anything most of the time after reports that many are actually cheating money by taking advantage of our sympathy," said a woman surnamed Mi from a big cake company.

There have been frequent reports of organized beggar groups sending children into the streets to beg. Some are given a daily quota of money.

Some beggar-masters even have made a fortune from the "business," and are richer than many of those who give them money, reports said.

Mi said she seldom gives although she used to be generous, especially when she was with her daughter and met a poor child begging. Once she gave 100 yuan (US$12) to a young man who said he was a university student from another province but lost all his cash, bank and ID cards.

Gu Bin, a magazine editor in his 20s, said that it depends on whether the beggar looks really pitiful and needy, though he is sure some are cheating. He mostly helps the elderly not children.