Xi'an keeps in step with public comments

When the legislative body of Xi'an invited the public to comment on its proposals to curb noise pollution, Zhang Guoqing made a telephone call to express his views about the punishment for those making noise by square-dancing and other physical exercises.

"I do not square-dance, but I do exercise with a spinning top, which was also listed as a noisemaker," 65-year-old Zhang said on Tuesday. "I telephoned the city government to tell them that the spinning top should not be listed as a noisemaker and that I play with one for a limited time."

The law committee of the People's Congress of Xi'an recently issued a draft of the Xi'an Environmental Regulations on Noise Pollution Prevention to the public for comments.