Comment on "A beautiful China must start with clean air" (China Daily, Jan 19)

Besides clean air, a beautiful China can also be built by educating people not to throw rubbish everywhere, to give up smoking and stop harming themselves and others, and not to spit everywhere.

These three terribly bad habits can be largely eliminated by continuous education in schools. The lesson should start with teachers, who are model citizens, with the right education policies and guidance.

As a frequent visitor to China, I have noticed that fewer women than men spit or smoke in public, or throw rubbish. If women can cultivate these good habits, I am sure men can too, even though it would take time.

Wai ren, on China Daily website

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(China Daily 01/30/2013 page9)