Technology key to toilet revolution in countryside

China's "toilet revolution" is shifting its focus to reducing the disparity in sanitation conditions between urban and rural areas, aiming to reduce infectious diseases and boost the development of rural tourism, a top tourism official said.

"We started the revolution with tourist toilets. It's time to channel efforts to promote clean toilets to public places and rural families to ensure residents a clean and healthier living environment," Li Jinzao, vice-minister of culture and tourism, said in an interview with China Daily.

Li said he is concerned that people in the countryside commonly use pits as toilets, without flushing water or modern hygiene equipment, which can cause odor and diseases as the human waste isn't properly treated.