2010-07-15 07:52

SHANGHAI - Young people are discovering new methods of avoiding long queues at the Expo by using the easy-access entrances designed for the convenience of the disabled and elderly.

People over 75 are permitted to use the easy-access gates accompanied by one other person.

In some cases, the seniors are being paid.

"There are several cases a day," said Li Chenghu, a security guard at the Australia Pavilion. "Sometimes we can remember and recognize them if the seniors have already visited the pavilion that day."

But Gao Yanfeng, a security guard at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, one of the most popular structures in the Expo Garden for which normal waiting time may take up to five hours, said, "there are hundreds of thousands of visitors using the easy-access entrance a day, so it is hard to remember people."

People cheating the system are not only found at the pavilions, but in some cases are found outside the Expo Garden.

"Some young people approach seniors doing exercises in the morning and ask the elderly to accompany them through the easy-access entrance of the Expo Garden," said Zhang Binglong, a resident in a local community close to Gate 5.

Some people are even looking for seniors online.

A netizen called "Three mice", wanting to visit the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, posted a message on Shanghai-based website liba.com looking to hire a senior and promised to cover all travel costs, and provide a ticket and meals.

The post attracted a lot of public criticism and most people were not happy with the netizen's plan.

"No one can take responsibility if the elderly person gets sick or hurt in the Expo Garden," said a netizen named Zuozuo Beiyong Xiaobeixin.

In an attempt to combat this new way of cheating the system, Li said they would verify identification cards and ask some detailed information about the seniors.

"We may ask the young people to give the name and age of the seniors," said Li. "They will be asked to leave if they cannot answer the questions correctly."