New rules to help Chinese tourists behave well

During the recent Tomb Sweeping Day holiday, tourists both at home and abroad hit the headlines for the wrong reason: their uncivil behavior. News of tourists climbing historical monuments and trees at scenic spots in China is nothing new. But this time three Chinese male tourists were arrested in Japan for alleged sexual harassment, and face severe punishment according to Japanese law.

For years, the majority of the public could only watch or read news about Chinese tourists' uncivil behaviors especially while traveling abroad and only feel ashamed. But the regulation issued recently by the National Tourism Administration could help cure the malaise that afflicts some Chinese tourists.

According to the regulation, uncivilized behavior by tourists such as violating order in public transport vehicles, damaging public property or historical relics, ignoring social customs at tourism sites, and being involved in gambling or prostitution could all be put on record - to be kept by provincial and national tourism authorities for up to two years.