During the period of Establishing a National Civilized City, Guangzhou practiced strict enforcement of pedestrians violating the traffic rules. Foreigners were no exception. Starting from August 17th, the Guangzhou Traffic Police joined the Entry and Exit Bureau to punish foreigners violating traffic rules when crossing streets. The Xiaobei Road crossing, Xiatang Road crossing and Xiaobeijiaochang Road crossing were confirmed as key enforcement crossings.

The relevant principal with the Yuexiu District Traffic Police Brigade said that there were several wholesale markets in the neighborhood of the Xiaobei Road crossing, including the Tian Xiu Building, Bei Xiu Building, etc., where there is also a densely foreign populated area just like the Liuhua area. An earlier survey found that it was a common phenomenon for foreigners to violate traffic rules when crossing streets, especially from 3 to 6 o'clock in the afternoon.

The traffic police would conduct a strict inspection over foreigners violating traffic rules. "Daily management might be a problem due to the language barrier. However, the traffic signs such as zebra crossings are globally universal, the violation of which would be punished. Foreigners are no exception."

The traffic police authority said that like Guangzhouers, the foreigners violating traffic rules would also be punished for the second time by their working units (if applicable) advised by the traffic police authority, in addition to a fine and watching traffic rule education videos.

The Guangzhou Entry and Exit Department reminds foreigners in Guangzhou that foreigners staying or residing in Guangzhou shall bring their stay permits, residence documents and passports for possible checks. Foreigners who are unable to hand in their stay permits for checks, do not bring their passports or residence documents or refuse document checks by policemen may be served a warning or a fine not exceeding RMB 500; and those whose offenses were serious at the same time may be ordered to leave the country within a specified time.

Editor: Yan