Hangzhou will fine spitters 50 yuan (US$6.66) from next month as the city tries to become the cleanest city in China, Today Morning Express reported yesterday.

The city yesterday revealed punishments for polluters in an announcement to tighten a crackdown on spitters and those who litter.

The regulation will take effect from November 1 to December 31.

Those who dump trash such as paper, cigarette butts and beverage cans will face a fine of 30 to 50 yuan. Those who spit, urinate or defecate in public, spit chewing gum or dump used batteries will be fined 50 yuan, the announcement said.

Discharging household garbage, wastewater and excrement, dumping animal bodies or burning leaves and garbage randomly will lead to a 100-yuan fine, the report said.

Hangzhou's cabbies will be equipped with garbage containers and notices to remind passengers to behave properly, the report said.

The relaxed lakeside city is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations.

(Shanghai Daily October 24, 2007)