Start swatting them flies

BEIJING (AFP): The southern Chinese city of Guangzhou has launched an intensive campaign against flies, stipulating heavy fines of 2,000 yuan (235 dollars) for every insect discovered.

The municipal government took the decision to introduce the fine as part of efforts to rid the booming city of flies, the Beijing Daily said.

It cited two recent cases of restaurants being punished after flies were discovered in the establishments, apparently before the introduction of the standard rate.

The Huangsha restaurant was fined 15,000 yuan and ordered to clean up its act when dozens of flies were found hovering on live fowls kept in cages by the door, and at least 10 were discovered in the kitchen, it said, adding that the Yuyuan restaurant was forced to pay 10,000 yuan for just two flies.