Chinese City Suburb Pays Residents For Dead Flies

A Chinese city suburb has set a bounty on dead flies in an attempt to promote public hygiene.

The suburb of Xigong paid out more than 1,000 yuan ($125) for about 2,000 dead flies on July 1, the day it launched the scheme.

"I and colleagues believe it is the best way to push residents to do more for their living environment," office chief Hu Guisheng says.

The payment scheme is the first of its kind. But critics have questioned the benefits of paying 0.5 yuan (seven U.S. cents) per insect turned in.

One citizen said that although the office had good intentions, the action itself had made the district a laughing stock.

"The key point is the government should encourage residents to clean up the environment so that no flies can live there, instead of spending money on dead flies," he said.exhaustion.

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