Law on noise pollution may include square dancing

China's top legislature on Friday passed an amendment to the country's Law on the Prevention and Control of Noise Pollution, expanding the scope of the law to problems such as square dancing.

Following a second deliberation, the amendment was adopted in a session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress that concluded on Friday.

Square dancing－in which people, especially seniors, dance to the accompaniment of loud music in public squares and parks－has been increasingly complained about by the public. The activity is especially popular in the evenings during summer and other warm periods.

The amendment makes it compulsory for both managing authorities of public areas, where square dancing could take place, and participants in the exercise to take measures to avoid noise pollution, according to Liu Haitao, an official with the top legislature's Legislative Affairs Commission.

It rules that the administrators of streets, squares and parks should specify permissible areas and time periods for the activity, as well as the acceptable decibel level of the music participants play, he said.

The adopted version has yet been made public, but according to a draft amendment published earlier this week, individuals who violate the rules on square dancing and refuse to rectify their misconduct after being warned shall be liable for fines of up to 1,000 yuan ($157). The fines for organizations range from 2,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan.

Liu said the amendment also expands the application of the law to other problems of high public concern. For example, it bans people from making noise by driving modified motor vehicles, including those that have no or damaged mufflers and those with added exhaust pipes.

In addition to specifying the amounts of fines for different types of violations, the amendment also introduces new penalties for construction companies, Liu said. Company operations can be suspended if the buildings they construct fail to meet design standards for sound insulation.

The new amendment will take force on June 5.

In a news conference on Thursday, Liu Youbin, spokesman with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said the ministry will hammer out a special action plan after the new amendment comes into force to enhance local government's responsibility in noise pollution control.

He said the ministry also plans to introduce a permit system for noise polluters as it strives to ensure a quiet living environment for the public.