Performance Disturbs Tourists and Nearby Residents

　　There have been a growing number of complaints by people leaving near Beijing's public parks about performance groups making too much noise.

 

　　This has prompted new calls for the government to regulate the activity.

 

　　CRI's Xie Zhao explains.

 

　　It's not uncommon¹ to walk through a park here in Beijing and hear a group of seniors performing classic Chinese songs.

 

　　And while the group music sessions are a way for elderly people in Beijing to socialize and get some exercise, not everyone is thrilled.

 

　　Male: "The seniors can not bear the noise, which will affect their hearts severely²."

 

　　Female: "If there is a large number of people singing in the morning in the park, I think it's kind of environmental pollution."

 

　　However, the seniors who perform in the groups have a different take on the situation.

 

　　"The park should be full of people. The more people there are, the more thriving the park is."

 

　　"The park is an entertainment place. The sound volume can be big or small."

 

　　Many of those in the groups point out that if they're banned from parks, they won't have anywhere else to perform.

 

　　Authorities running Jingshan Park to the north of the Forbidden City received 108 complaints about noise within the course in just one month.

 

　　In the wake of this, Park managers have come to an agreement with more than 50 of the performance groups, imposing³ a 90-decibel cap on the noise they make.

 

　　Groups caught breaching⁴ the agreement three times will be publicly reprimanded.

 

　　Those found disturbing the peace five times will have their performance certifications taken away.

 

　　Groups that are caught breaking the rule 10 times will be banned from the park altogether.

 

　　Chen Zhiqiang with the Beijing Parks Administration says parks have to be for everyone, but certain regulations are required.

 

　　"If there are relevant laws or regulations or punishment standards, the park can enforce their management. Thus, when the people come to the park to perform, they will be restrained and guided."

 

　　Several cities in China have already put together rules regarding noise in parks.

 

　　For example, the parks in Hubei's capital Wuhan forbid visitors from playing musical instruments.

 

　　Given the growing complaints about noise in public parks, a number of experts are also suggesting new recreational centers could be established to give Chinese seniors a new place to gather.

 

　　For CRI, I'm Xie Zhao.

1 uncommon   

adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的

参考例句：

• Such attitudes were not at all uncommon thirty years ago.这些看法在30年前很常见。
• Phil has uncommon intelligence.菲尔智力超群。

2 severely   

adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地

参考例句：

• He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
• He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。

3 imposing   

adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的

参考例句：

• The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
• He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。

4 breaching   

攻破( breach的过去式 )； 破坏，违反

参考例句：

• The company was prosecuted for breaching the Health and Safety Act. 这家公司被控违反《卫生安全条例》。
• Third, an agency can abuse its discretion by breaching certain principles of judge-made law. 第三，行政机关会因违反某些法官制定的法律原则而构成滥用自由裁量权。