such stains of chewing gum, stale oil or some worse blemish have remained a constant pain for city cleaners since the square ＇was re-opened a few months ago after renovations to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the people＇s republic of china.
few renovation project planners likely foresee this discouraging outcome. originally, they merely intended to give the city a facelift. the square was indeed impeccable when new: the-white terrazzo surface not only looks clean but it was made with materials that help prevent it from becoming slippery.
however, as time goes by, the virtue becomes the vice: the surface attracts and accentuates dirt. as a result, china＇ s most high profile site has to suffer the indignity of being paraded daily efore thepublic in a humiliation state.
while the tourists who litter should bear the bulk of the blame, the renovation designers should also have learned something: including the square＇s sanitary maintenance issue into their consideration.