China's Civilization Campaign

China's efforts in building a more "civilized" society started way before its bid to put on a civilized face for the 2008 Olympic Games.

In Jiangsu province's (江苏省) Zhangjiagang (张家港) way back in the mid-1990s, nouveaux rich were told how to speak properly, how to apologize, and how to address their neighbors, relatives and others by their proper names.

Peasants were told not to gape at foreigners or crowd around in amazement. They were also instructed to wash their hands before eating and after going to the toilet, to bathe frequently, to cut their nails, and not to spit because doing so spreads germs.

Indeed, any Zhangjiagang citizen caught smoking on the street is fined and has to stand on the street wearing a yellow garment until he catches someone else violating the regulations.

According to one Zhangjiagang official then, "the model we want to follow is Singapore, not Hong Kong. Singapore is very orderly and clean but Hong Kong has too much crime, gambling and prostitution."