More than 500 restrooms in the buildings of government agencies and private businesses along the main streets are now free and open to the public in Jinan, capital of Shandong province.

The municipal urban management and law enforcement bureau established a 'public toilet alliance' on Nov 28 to ease the city's shortages of public restrooms.

"We set up the alliance since many residents and tourists often complain about their difficulties in finding the right place to answer the call of nature in the city," said Liu Yanbin, an official of the bureau.

Jinan has a population of nearly 7 million, but there are just about 600 public toilets on the streets, he added.

The alliance has attracted over 50 members, including Sinopec Shandong Petrochemical Co Ltd, Shandong Jiahua International Travel Agency, as well as some local urban management departments and neighborhood committees.

"We will give these members unified signs and they will put it up atconspicuous places to welcome passers-by to use their restrooms," Liu said.

By Wangqian