Despite the establishment of noise regulations in China, Guangchang Wu (square dancing in Mandarin) still seems to be a prominent activity that many elderly dancers engage in, disrupting the everyday lives of residents with their deafeningly loud music (Zhang, 2021).

But why is that the case? Perhaps it’s time for us to look into some of the underlying issues surrounding this local problem.

In 1997, the Law of Prevention of Environmental Noise of People’s Republic of China was enacted (Standing Committee of the China People’s Congress, 1997), with other noise-associated local legislations and guidelines implemented consequently. This year, the Chinese government is looking to implement new noise regulations that introduce penalties and fines for unwarranted noise. For instance, social activities in public areas will be restricted to certain timings, locations, and volumes, with a potential fine of between 200 to 500 yuan for those who refuse to comply with these rules (Kuo, 2021; Zhang, 2021).  

Nevertheless, noise pollution is still an untackled obstacle in the public spaces of China due to the complexities involved in enforcing these rules (Zhou, 2014).

To begin with, there are no organisations in place to enforce these rules in a consistent manner (Zhou, 2014). While noise complaints are usually brought up to the local police force, these departments lack the instruments to detect and determine environmental noise levels to take necessary action (Zhou, 2014).

These complications are further accentuated by China’s poor urban land use management and lack of amenities for the elderly (Sun, 2017). For instance, many public spaces are built within densely populated regions and residential zones of Chinese cities (Zhou, 2014). Furthermore, China’s large population has made it a challenge to meet the huge demand for sports amenities (Zhang, 2006), leading to many of these “dancing grannies” using any available public space near residents’ homes to exercise and socialise (Zhang, 2021; Zhou, 2014).

With that, many residents have taken things into their own hands, with neighbours throwing stinky tofu, paint and even faeces at them (Chi and Davidson, 2021). Others have resorted to a less abrasive approach, purchasing speaker disabling devices in a bid to curb noise pollution without confrontation (Chi and Davidson, 2021).

In light of these underlying issues, how then should we approach the noise pollution associated with Guangchang Wu? Are there more efficient solutions that could better tackle this increasingly salient problem head-on?

Find out more in the next entry of What’s That Noise?

Until then, stay safe and stay woke! 🤔

 

References:  

Chi, H.L., & Davidson, H. (2021). China’s noisy ‘dancing grannies’ silenced by device that disables speakers. Retrieved 1 February 2022, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/08/chinas-noisy-dancing-grannies-silenced-by-device-that-disables-speakers

Kuo, L. (2021). The jig is up for China’s dancing grannies under new noise pollution law. Retrieved 1 February 2022, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/12/17/china-dancing-grannies-noise/

Lijun Zhou (2014) Music Is Not Our Enemy, But Noise Should Be Regulated: Thoughts on Shooting/Conflicts Related to Dama Square Dance in China, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 85:3, 279-281.

Standing Committee of the China People’s Congress. (1997). China’s Environmental Noise Pollution Control Act.

Zhang, P. (2021). Square dancing gets new regulation – China – Chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 4 February 2022, from https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2017-11/14/content_34508493.htm

Zhang, Y.-C. (2006). Present situation and development counterplan of stadium in China. Journal of Shandong Institute of Physical Education and Sport, 22(3), 16 –19.