Beijing reinstates swimwear restriction as urban areas enforce rules against 'uncivilized conduct'
In parts of China, a common practice among older men during sweltering summers involves rolling up their shirts to expose their stomachs, often referred to as the "Beijing bikini" or bǎngyè[1][2]. This informal cooling method, also known as the Beijing bikini, has recently come under scrutiny, with some cities banning or discouraging the practice due to concerns over public decency and urban image management[5].
The Beijing bikini symbolizes a longstanding informal custom rooted in practicality and comfort amid often oppressive summer heat[3][4]. It represents a casual, grassroots expression of adapting to the environment and climate, physically manifesting how local populations cope with urban heat. However, authorities view the exposed bellies as indecent or untidy, prompting campaigns or rules against the behavior in public spaces[5].
These bans can be seen as a tension between traditional informal behaviors and modernizing urban policies that seek a certain public decorum or aesthetic. The bans could potentially push more people toward energy-intensive cooling methods, increasing environmental footprints in cities. In a broader context, such policies highlight urban governance challenges of balancing social norms, environmental sustainability, and citizens’ comfort in fast-developing megacities[6].
Online debates surrounding the Beijing bikini have been heated, with some users arguing that going shirtless to cool off is better for the environment than using air conditioning. Meanwhile, others criticize the practice as outdated and unseemly[7]. The trend has even spread beyond China, being spotted in cities like New York, London, and Paris due to global heatwaves[8].
In some cities, the ban includes going shirtless or "wanton exposure of body parts". For instance, in Tianjin, police have fined shirtless men around 50 yuan (roughly €6.40) for breaking the rules[4]. In Handan, Hebei Province, authorities have launched publicity campaigns aimed at shaming offenders of the Beijing bikini ban[6].
The practice was initially banned during the pandemic as part of a broader campaign to improve public hygiene. However, whether exposing one's midriff has any real impact on virus transmission remains debatable[9].
In summary, the ban on the Beijing bikini arises from social and civic image concerns, while the practice itself reflects practical responses to urban heat, entangled with cultural identities and environmental considerations[1][2][3][5]. The ongoing debate highlights the complexities of urban governance in fast-developing cities, where balancing social norms, environmental sustainability, and citizens’ comfort is a constant challenge.
References: 1. China's "Beijing Bikini" banned in parts of the country 2. The "Beijing Bikini" and the Battle Over Urban Heat 3. China's "Beijing Bikini" is a symbol of male camaraderie in the summer heat 4. China's "Beijing bikini" banned in Tianjin for indecency 5. The "Beijing Bikini" Ban in China: Balancing Tradition and Modernity 6. Handan authorities launch campaign to ban "Beijing bikini" 7. The "Beijing Bikini" debate on Weibo 8. The "Beijing bikini" spreads across the world 9. The "Beijing Bikini" and the COVID-19 pandemic
- The Beijing bikini is a traditional, casual local expression of adapting to the extreme summer heat, rooted in practicality and comfort, often seen as a symbol of Chinese culture.
- The ongoing debate surrounding the Beijing bikini in public spaces highlights the tension between maintaining urban image and decorum, as imposed by modernizing city policies, and preserving centuries-old customs and lifestyles.
- As the Beijing bikini trend expands globally, affecting fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden choices in urban environments, it raises concerns about balancing cultural, social, and environmental considerations in fast-developing megacities.
- Some cities have implemented bans on going shirtless or the Beijing bikini, including fines for offenders, citing public decency and hygiene, yet others view it as an energy-saving approach compared to air conditioning use.
