bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Angry comments on the “uncivilised” behaviour of the Chinese flooded the nation’s blogosphere on Wednesday after state media revealed that five tonnes of rubbish had been left by 110,000 observers at a flag raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square in the nation's capital on Tuesday, China’s 64th National Day.
A debate on the true meaning of patriotism began as harsh criticism was directed at the “unpatriotic” participants who had come from all parts of China and braved the rain to attend the ceremony.
“Are these people really being patriotic? Why would you do this if you really cared about your country?” one commentator wondered.
“But it’s really about social morality rather than patriotism,” argued a commentary published by Beijing News. It suggested that the government should hand out free rubbish bags in the future.
The state-owned Xinhua news agency also chimed in, calling the littering a “disgrace”.
“If one can’t take care of their rubbish, how can they be expected to be a selfless patriot? ” it added.

Other bloggers compared the mess with photos showing a clean Taipei street following its occupation by more than 300,000 Taiwanese protesters in a recent demonstration.
“The civilisation standard of our citizens is falling behind that of the Taiwanese. Let’s admit it and catch up,” one wrote.
But according to a popular microblogger “Zuoyeben” (translated as “homework book”), the Chinese have actually improved their behaviour.
Older news headlines shared by Zuoyeben on Sina Weibo showed that eight tonnes of rubbish were left in Tiananmen Square following National Day celebrations last year. On the same public holiday in 2005, the Chinese left a total of 19 tonnes of rubbish.
"Let's consider this significant progress," he said.
Read more SCMP China Insider stories by Amy Li or follow her on Twitter


Hong Kong’s high-value tourism pivot makes sense for the city

Chinese flight bookings rise by 20% ahead of April holiday break despite soaring airfares

China’s airlines add 2,900 flights to Europe as Russia access pays dividends

Visa-free travel, rising foreign visitors boost luxury hotel growth in China

Chinese tourists

Anger over five tonnes of garbage left by Tiananmen Square visitors

Visitors stand before the national flag on Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Photo: AFP

Other bloggers compared this with photos that show a clean Taipei street. Photo

Beijing criticised over Tiananmen Square's psychedelic-style vase costing 570,000 yuan

Workers install a giant vase containing fruit and flowers as part of the upcoming Chinese National Day celebrations at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Photo: AFP

Anger over five tonnes of garbage left by Tiananmen Square visitors

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Commentators question the ‘patriotism’ of Chinese visitors

Commentators question the ‘patriotism’ of Chinese visitors