Bilingual signs will soon sprout across the capital before
September to remind people to "watch your behavior" as they tread
close to areas with surveillance cameras, in a move following on
from a lively debate about the right to privacy, according to the
Beijing Public Security Bureau.
These signs intend to act as a reminder that people should be
mindful of their behavior and be aware of the presence of security
cameras, reads the newly-released Beijing Public Security Image
Information System Regulation.
Beijing currently has 263,000 surveillance cameras in place, not
only trained on main roads and highways but also on alleys, banks,
markets and even certain campuses and hospitals. Certain illicit
acts, such as robbery, will be captured immediately and trigger an
alarm.
The regulation will also mean that businesses and institutions
must keep their cameras and their perimeter within the confines of
their property or work place, with a fine of up to 30,000 yuan
(US$3,971.41) awaiting violators. The general public will be
prohibited from putting up their own surveillance cameras near
roads, squares and other public places.
The city is looking to upgrade its surveillance network and
establish a three-grade system covering the city, surrounding
counties and outlying townships before the 2008 Beijing
Olympics.
(China.org.cn by Huang Shan, July 25, 2007)