Chinese tourists warned over behaviour abroad

A senior Chinese Communist Party official has called for Chinese tourists to behave more politely when travelling abroad.

Wang Yang, one of China's four vice-premiers, said the "uncivilised behaviour" of some Chinese tourists was harming the country's image.

Among problems he singled out were talking loudly in public and spitting.

However, the BBC's Celia Hatton in Beijing says some Chinese complain they are treated badly abroad.

Foreign travel is becoming ever more popular among China's increasingly affluent citizens.

Chinese tourists spent $102bn (£67bn) overseas last year, up 40% on the year before, and the UN World Tourism Organisation says China is now the single biggest source of global tourism income.

Mr Wang's words were published on the website of the People's Daily, the Chinese Communist Party's main newspaper.

"Improving the civilised quality of the citizens and building a good image of Chinese tourists are the obligations of governments at all levels and relevant agencies and companies," he said.

Mr Wang advised authorities to "guide tourists to conscientiously abide by public order and social ethics, respect local religious beliefs and customs, mind their speech and behaviour... and protect the environment".

Mr Wang's criticism has brought a mixed response on Weibo, China's version of Twitter, our correspondent reports.

"It's time to send a warning to ourselves," one user posted. "As Chinese people get richer, our behaviour gets worse."

However, others argue that a senior member of the Communist Party - which is dealing with a raft of corruption scandals - is not in a position to judge the behaviour of others.

Many in China say they are treated like second-class citizens when they travel abroad and local media is full of stories of Chinese tourists who have been robbed, our correspondent adds.

Earlier this year, officials in China's eastern province of Jiangsu warned citizens against carrying large amounts of money with them or flashing expensive jewellery.