There we go. “I told you so” – as predicted in my seminars… Beijing Today announced another set of “plans” for 2008.
Beijing will clean up the nightlife ahead of the 2008 Olympics to stamp out drugs, prostitution and under-age drinking. No need to explain – all pretty common over here. They will give rating A, B or C according to the results of inspection – closures and fines are on the map. Once again, as from 1 August newly arrived customers after 2 am will not be served. (really?)
I wish them luck. Anyway, taking the drugs off the street would be a good thing – the drug trade is so open in Sanlitun that I don’t understand why nothing is being done.
I just wonder how that process is going to be (if you understand what I mean…). And – in the local slang – will you still be able to “go to church” after 2 am? (Only the insiders here understand that code…).
My real fear is rather that Beijing will sanitize the whole city. We could end up with a sterile entertainment world, not to say a whole sterilized city, banning “outside people”, cars (except the “special” number plates), closing offices, closing entertainment venues, prohibiting drying clothes outside, etc. There is a thin line between a “safe and clean environment” and letting visitors enjoy their stay.
The jury is out.