The Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone (PCPZ) in Fujian province will conduct a large-scale sanitary examination across the area on the 20th day of every month, according to a working meeting held by PCPZ’s administrative committee on Oct 20.

The move aims to improve the urban environment as well as to create a long-term mechanism on environmental hygiene, said officials.

Based on the plan, the local environment authority has set up four teams responsible for sanitary inspection in urban and rural areas. The inspectors will carry out on-site examinations, hear reports on environmental efforts by local officials and grade them accordingly.

In its first sanitary overhaul, the teams found inadequate cleaning on streets, and some merchants lacked hygiene awareness, according to inspectors, who said they would order them to improve their behavior and conform to related standards.