Proposal to charge fees to tourists stirs debate

A proposal to charge ecological resources protection fees to tourists visiting the Dianchi Lake in Kunming, capital of Yunnan province, has caused a heated debate.

Tourists may have to pay 10 yuan ($1.57) per person per day, according to Dianchi administration officials.

The fees will apply to visitors from hotels within the Dianchi Lake area, which is about 3,000 sq km.

This proposal triggered controversy among netizens. Most consider the fees ridiculous and irrational.

"It is actually an excuse for local government, in the name of ecological protection, to pass on the environmental responsibility to tourists," a micro-blogger named "Zhujianping 2012 year of dragon" said on Sina Weibo.

"The fee is conducive to strengthening public awareness of the protection of Dianchi Lake," Liu Wei, director of Dianchi Lake Administration, was quoted by China News Service as saying.

In a news conference on Aug 6, Kunming officials confirmed that this plan will be submitted to the Department of Finance of Yunnan Provincial Development and Reform Commission and related departments for approval after soliciting the views of the public.

"So far, it is just a tentative idea," said He Lichuan, deputy secretary-general of Kunming government. "It will not be implemented immediately."