Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

Beijing Would Crack Down on Topless Men

Aired July 19, 2002 - 14:56   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: We have a follow up on a story that we brought you last week: a crackdown on topless men in Beijing, China. Why, oh, why? They still want to go shirtless.

CNN's Andrew Brown decided to get the skinny on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREW BROWN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Beijing, they're called "bangye," which means half-naked man. Recently, an official newspaper published photos of them flaunting their flab. The images are meant to shame shirtless men into being more discreet about their appearance.

In summer, many manual laborers take their tops off because they get sweaty, or like to saunter along the sidewalks topless. Some residents say it's a disgrace.

People feel they are not decent, she says.

The effort to reform the bangye is meant to improve Beijing's image ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games. So the issue is taken seriously.

Beijing is the capital, so you shouldn't walk along the street with your top off, this designer says.

Or should you?

(on camera): In Hong Kong, many office workers walk around in shirts and ties, or suits, even in the middle of summer, when the temperature reaches to 33 degrees Celsius -- that's more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. And some people say it's one big act.

(voice-over): You won't find anyone dressing up in the back streets of Kowloon. People here let it all hang out, or wear towels around their neck, or adapt their clothing to the weather conditions. In July, it's mostly hot, often wet.

When he's working, Ma Hom Kwong (ph) doesn't dare wear a shirt: People will scold me and say are you trying look aristocratic? Ma (ph) assured us the true face of Hong Kong is naked above the waist.

As for really smart attire, if you wear a suit, people will say you're crazy, one worker told us.

In this neighborhood, that is considered a bare fact.

Andrew Brown, CNN, Hong Kong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com