Xi presses 'toilet revolution' in countryside

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Chinese president Xi Jinping urged for a "toilet revolution" in rural areas on Monday, as the country has made progress in upgrading the facilities in tour spots.

The president has called on a campaign to address the much-complained-about issue that has threatened to damage the reputation of China's tourism industry.

Xi applauded the achievements in renovating toilet facilities in tour sites over the past two years, and called on efforts to improve the facilities in rural areas.

He said toilet facilities are important in improving people's standard of living in countryside.

File photo shows women queuing‍ for temporary toilets outside Guangzhou railway station. /AFP Photo

In January 2015, China’s National Tourist Administration pledged to build 33,500 new public toilets around the country, focusing on tourist sites. An additional 25,000 were slated for renovation under a three-year plan.

By April 2017, the country's top tourism authority said nearly 36,000 new public toilets had been installed in the country while another 15,000 had been renovated, completing almost 90 percent of the target set by the campaign.