"Residents Boiling Over China's Policy 'Fines for Not Cleaning Own Homes'"

Fine Policy Based on Residential Hygiene Status
14 Items Priced from 3 Yuan to 20 Yuan

A local government in China has sparked controversy by deciding to impose fines on residents if their hygiene conditions, such as cleanliness, are poor.

On the 14th, according to local media including Beijing Qingnian Bao (Beijing Youth Daily), the local government of Puge County in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China, announced a policy to impose fines on the cleanliness and hygiene conditions of residences within its jurisdiction.

The "New Rural Beautiful Farming Action Excellent Living Environment Standards," which appears to have been created by the local government, regulate the hygiene conditions of different areas such as the kitchen and bathroom, living room and bedroom, courtyard, and entrance path.
[Photo by Baidu]

The "New Rural Beautiful Countryside Action Excellent Living Environment Standards," apparently created by the local government, stipulates hygiene conditions for different areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, bedrooms, courtyards, and entrances.

The fine categories consist of a total of 14 items. Depending on the hygiene condition, fines ranging from 3 yuan to 20 yuan (approximately 500 won to 4,000 won) will be imposed. If there is no improvement after the fine is imposed, the fine amount can be doubled.

Specific cases include situations where spider webs are hanging inside or outside the residence, bedding is not organized, or the bathroom hygiene condition is poor.

"A Preventive Measure for Residents' Health," Local Government Explains

Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in China is known as a region with poor infrastructure such as transportation, water, and electricity, resulting in a low standard of living for its residents.
[Photo by Baidu]

Since the inauguration of Xi Jinping's government, China has held events such as the "Hygiene and Health Conference" and has been striving to "comprehensively guarantee the health of the people." The "Toilet Revolution," aimed at modernizing unsanitary rural Chinese toilets, is part of this effort.

However, recently, some local governments have been embroiled in controversy due to corruption such as false reporting and embezzlement of related subsidies provided by the central government. Moreover, issues such as foreign substances in student cafeteria food and the "beer urine scandal" have repeatedly occurred, leaving public trust in food hygiene at rock bottom.

Amid this, the local government stated that it is implementing this measure to improve the living standards of residents in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, where infrastructure such as transportation, water, and electricity is poor even within China.

A local government official explained to local media, "Some residents live in environments where health problems are likely to occur due to hygiene issues in their residences. This is a preventive measure," adding, "Implementation varies by town, and the fines collected will be used to improve surrounding facilities such as purchasing trash bins, washbasins, and tables."

Regarding this measure, Chinese netizens engaged in heated debates online. Those opposing argued, "It is an invasion of privacy," and "Salaries could be entirely taken away as fines."

On the other hand, some netizens expressed support, saying, "It is an adjustment of regional measures according to local circumstances."

As the controversy grew, a local government official clarified, "The purpose is not to collect fines but to urge improvement of the hygiene environment. The fine amounts are not high, and no fines have been imposed yet."