China to correct English on sign boards in Beijing

Beijing will correct English on posters and signboards to "improve the international language environment" in the city, as part of China's efforts to raise the international status of its capital, according to a media report.

The campaign will be mainly carried out in the Central Business Districts (CBD) and Jinrongjie areas where multinational companies and research institutions are based and foreign citizens live, the city foreign affairs office said.

The volunteers have been asked to spot incorrect English in these areas and report to the office. Public and media participation are also welcomed, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The campaign is aimed to raise the international appeal of the capital and prepare for important events such as the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

The Chinese capital started displaying English signboards for streets, metro and other transport stations all over the city since 2008 Olympics, introducing for the first time a foreign language other than Mandarin, the report said.

Also, English is steadily catching up in China as most schools teach it as a subject besides efforts by parents to encourage their children to learn English to enhance their chances to study abroad, it said.