BEIJING'S NEWLY revised regulations on mass fitness will be introduced next month. It will strictly regulate any exercise activities in public places that might create a disturbance. Beijing Youth Daily commented on Thursday:

In recent years, many local governments have issued regulations to try and end the disturbance caused by keep-fit dancing in public places, something that is particularly popular with retirees. But these regulations have not been strictly implemented.

Now the attitude toward public dancing has polarized, with supporters claiming it is a healthy way to enrich the lives of elderly people living in cities. Opponents, on the other hand, say the dancing is too noisy and obstructive and not suitable for residential neighborhoods.

The disturbance caused by the dancing has become a new governance issue for the authorities in some cities.

Such dancing is not prohibited by law. But it breaks the law if the music is louder than the decibel limit for public spaces set out in the law on preventing environmental noise pollution.

And in urban places such as streets, squares, parks and other public spaces the use of audio equipment must comply with the provisions of the local public security organs.

Since there is already such a provision, why the public dancing still creates a disturbance is because, in the final analysis, the supervision and enforcement of the urban management regulations are very weak.

Hopefully, Beijing will implement its own regulations to the letter for the good of public order.