Chinese city to promote "toilet chiefs" for better management

XI'AN -- The northwestern Chinese city of Xi'an, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, is to appoint "toilet chiefs" this year, the city tourism bureau said Sunday.

The city aims to make all public toilets and those in restaurants and entertainment venues meet national standards in terms of sufficient numbers, and cleanliness. All public toilets should also be free of charge.

The city will attempt to contract management of toilets to private enterprises and individuals, with cleaning companies maintaining toilets more professionally.

The condition of toilets will be included in the assessment of tourist attractions and restaurants.

China is in the midst of a three-year "toilet revolution," building 33,500 new toilets and renovating 25,000 by the end of the year, according to the National Tourism Administration.