Toilet Of The Week (13)

I’ve not been to China but one thing that made me consider it as a holiday destination is the wave of posh conveniences that are being constructed as part of Xi Jinping’s programme, started in 2015, to improve the quality of public toilets.

But the programme is being stopped in midstream, I read this week in a story part-written by Christine Wei – you couldn’t make it up – because of fears that huge amounts of public money are being flushed away as cities vie to build the most grandiose carseys.

One boasts a toilet paper dispenser which uses facial recognition – it is said to be convenient (natch) and saves on paper – while one in Menyan, costing some 2.7 million yuan, offers its users flat screen TVs to while away their time and others boast fridges packed with drinks, microwave ovens and high-tech air conditioning. Who needs to waste money on hotel rooms?

Director of the China National Tourism Administration, Li Jinzao, has called a halt, reminding local authorities that all that is required are “practical public facilities based on local conditions that are accessible and convenient.”

Spoil sport and another country falls off the bucket list.