2017 deadline for improving China's toilets looms

China's National Tourism Administration expects all public toilets at scenic spots to meet its "three-star" standard by 2017. The process requires restrooms to be at least 60 square meters, with separate units for men and women, and round-the-clock free toilet paper rolls, among other measures.

Toilets may get fancy, but they will still need a dedicated team of manual cleaners, government officials say.

According to government estimates, more than 1 million cleaners are currently employed at more than 10,000 public toilets in Beijing.