Experts have suggested that the government give licenses to those beggars in this city who cannot survive except by begging to differentiate them from the so-called professional beggars.

They based their suggestion on the findings of a recent survey that said most of the beggars in Guangzhou beg as an occupation and only a very few of them really depend on begging for survival.

A research team from Guangzhou University's public administration school recently surveyed 135 beggars in downtown Guangzhou and found that only 5 percent of them were physically disabled and needed to beg for survival. The other 95 percent begged to earn money.

Professional beggars have become so common in this city that many citizens and visitors to the city have turned numb to sight of someone asking for money. The situation has made life for the real beggars increasingly miserable.

"The government should consider giving licenses to needy beggars so that those who beg to survive can attract the attention of passers-by and get more alms," said Tang Xiujuan, a lecturer at the school who has involved in the survey.

However, such a suggestion has aroused heated debate, with supporters and opponents divided fairly evenly.

"Granting licenses to really needy beggars is a feasible way for the government to manage beggars. People who beg just to make money will be condemned and deserve no sympathy. A licensing system for beggars will make civilized begging possible."

Du Jian, an official with the Guangdong personnel department

"Many developed countries have established mechanisms for licensing and providing relief to beggars. The local government of Guangzhou could develop a system based on the different models available. Licensing and helping needy beggars while driving away other beggars who have other ways to make a living will be good for the city's image."

Peng Xiaofang, a senior English major at Jinan University

"Licensing beggars will neither make it easier for Guangzhou to manage its problems, nor will it help needy beggars resolve theirs. The government should instead do more to improve the relief system for needy people."

Wang Xuyang, a lawyer with Guangdong E-Time Law Firm

"I don't think having a license will help real beggars at all. For one reason, I don't think people will ask beggars to produce their licenses before giving them alms. For another, I don't think needy beggars would apply for such a license. You know real beggars are always more self-respecting than those who beg as an occupation."

Peng Sheng, a researcher with the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences

"The licensing system will not work at all. If it happened to work, professional beggars could just make up fake licenses. Do you think almsgivers will have the time or inclination to check whether a license is real or not? Or do you think government officials will launch special campaigns to crack down on fake begging licenses?

Ling Linyun, manager of a toy-making firm in Guangzhou

Editor: Yan