Special report:   2008 Olympic Games 

    BEIJING, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Jaywalking, queue jumping, littering, spitting and dirty words are becoming less and less in Beijing, making the capital city a better host of the Olympic Games.

    According to China Daily, a report by the Renmin University of China, commissioned by the capital ethic development committee, was quoted as saying, "The behavior of Beijingers in public places is definitely improving."

    Zhang Huiguang, director of the committee - a Beijing government etiquette group, said, "This trend is a result of patriotism and widespread participation in preparing for the Olympic Games."

    In 2007, Beijing's "civilization index", which provides a gauge of the behavior of Beijing residents was 73.38 (out of 100), up 4.32 points on 2006 and 8.17 on 2005, according to Sha Lianxiang, a professor at Renmin University and head of the research team.

    Between 2005 and last year, the survey monitored 320 public places, and interviewed 10,000 locals and 1,000 foreign residents.

    Of the people observed at public locations, the number of jaywalking fell from 11 percent in 2006 to 2.5 percent last year, litters from 5.3 percent to 2.8 percent and spitting cases from 4.9 percent to 2.5 percent. Instances of not queuing at bus stops also dropped from 15 to 5 percent.

    One of the reasons credited for the changes in attitudes was the use of the stick, as well as the carrot.

    Last year, the city introduced fines of up to 50 yuan (7 U.S. dollars) for anyone caught spitting in the capital.

    Also, "Queuing Day", which takes place on the 11th of each month, a time when all city residents are encouraged to stand in line rather than push in, has been introduced.

    As a result, the survey indicated, more residents have been and there are now far more queues than there are fights to get on buses.

    "I am quite impressed by Beijingners' kindness." Zhu Yalin, a student from Shanghai, said, "People always give up their seats on buses or subways to the elderly or disabled."

    She said she had got quite detailed directions when asking ways during her two-week stay here.

    Li Wei, 25, who works in marketing and was brought up in the city, said she had noticed the change in people's behavior.

    "Many of my friends no longer litter and they are also more aware of the need to separate garbage from things that can be recycled.

    "We are Olympic hosts and should give visitors from home and abroad a good impression," Li said.