China Issues 57 Rules For Olympic Visitors

And keeping with the proud Olympic tradition, the rules are sponsored by Heinz. HONG KONG -- The Beijing Olympics organizing committee issued a detailed handbook of ground rules for foreign visitors to this summer's Games. The 57 points address behavior from public drunkenness to political statements, a message that China won't be letting down its guard during the Games. Most of the guidelines issued Monday, phrased in a question-and-answer format -- and only in Chinese -- are restatements of existing laws and regulations. They stipulate that foreign visitors to China should carry passports and other official documents at all times. Visitors who plan to stay with friends or relatives in Beijing must register with local police within 24 hours. Some of the guidelines are less weighty. Entertainment venues have to be closed between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. Another guideline reminds visitors that "it is prohibited to sleep in public places," including airports, train stations and parks. On sensitive issues such as public speech and protest, the rules offer no guidance beyond the vague prohibitions the government has offered in the past. At major public venues, behavior that "disturbs order" is prohibited, the rules say. Inside Olympic venues, it is illegal to display "any religious, political, and ethnic slogans, banners, and other items." (H/T - The Wall Street Journal) Wow, it looks like everyone will be able to party like it's 1499! A word to the wise: if you're planning to attend, you might want to leave your Whoopie Cushion at home. Lousy humorless bastards.