多城禁止光膀上街 As summer heats up, cities tell residents to keep their shirts on

Many cities in China are campaigning(活动 huódòng) to stop(禁止 jìnzhǐ) people from walking around shirtless in public as part of efforts to curb what they are describing as uncivilized(不文明 bù wénmíng) behavior(行为 xíngwéi).

Shirtless pedestrians walking along a street in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, on June 19, 2010. [File photo: IC]

In Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province, the municipal government has been stepping up efforts to keep an eye on whether people are naked(裸露 luǒlù) above the waist(腰 yāo) in summer in public areas.

As part of the campaign, it released a regulation(条例 tiáolì) in March, "Promoting Civilized Behavior in Jinan", that the government says is helping it crackdown on so-called uncivilized behavior.

"In recent years, some 'uncivilized' behaviors, such as people going topless, have been rapidly reduced," said an official from the Jinan Civilization Department. "We punish(惩罚 chéngfá) those who violate(违反 wéifǎn) the regulation in order to draw public attention towards the issue."

Cities including Tianjin, Shenyang, and Handan are also fighting back against displays of bare flesh.

Tianjin adopted a regulation in May that allows city authorities to fine people who go topless up to 200 yuan (about 29 U.S. dollars).

Shirtlessness was targeted by authorities in Shenyang in 2015. People who are caught will be reported to their employers, and their colleagues will be lectured about their behavior.

These moves have triggered heated debate among Chinese netizens. Some strongly support the new rules, while others think it's futile trying to stop this kind of behavior.

重点词汇 Key Word:

光

• <名词 n.> light; ray
  E.g. Zhè zhǒng dēngpào fā lǜ guāng.
  这种灯泡发绿光。
  The bulb gives a green light.

• <名词 n.> honour; glory
  E.g. Tā tōu rénjia dōngxi,jiārén liǎnshàng yě wúguāng.
  他偷人家东西,家人脸上也无光。
  His stealing brought disgrace upon his family.

• <形容词 adj.> used up; gall gone
  E.g. Yī tǒng yóuqī yòng guāng le.
  一桶油漆用光了。
  A tin of paint was used up.

• <动词 v.> be bared/naked
  E.g. Zhè háizi yīnián sìjì guāng zhe jiǎo.
  这孩子一年四季光着脚。
  The child goes barefooted all year round.

• <副词 adv.> only; merely; barely
  E.g. Tā de gōngzī guāng gòu chīfàn.
  她的工资光够吃饭。
  Her salary is just enough for food.