CRI听力:Performance Disturbs Tourists and Nearby Residents

It's not uncommon to walk through a park here in Beijing and hear a group of seniors performing classic Chinese songs.

And while the group music sessions are a way for elderly people in Beijing to socialize and get some exercise, not everyone is thrilled.

Male: "The seniors can not bear the noise, which will affect their hearts severely."

Female: "If there is a large number of people singing in the morning in the park, I think it's kind of environmental pollution."

However, the seniors who perform in the groups have a different take on the situation.

"The park should be full of people. The more people there are, the more thriving the park is."

"The park is an entertainment place. The sound volume can be big or small."

Many of those in the groups point out that if they're banned from parks, they won't have anywhere else to perform.

Authorities running Jingshan Park to the north of the Forbidden City received 108 complaints about noise within the course in just one month.

In the wake of this, Park managers have come to an agreement with more than 50 of the performance groups, imposing a 90-decibel cap on the noise they make.

Groups caught breaching the agreement three times will be publicly reprimanded.

Those found disturbing the peace five times will have their performance certifications taken away.

Groups that are caught breaking the rule 10 times will be banned from the park altogether.

Chen Zhiqiang with the Beijing Parks Administration says parks have to be for everyone, but certain regulations are required.

"If there are relevant laws or regulations or punishment standards, the park can enforce their management. Thus, when the people come to the park to perform, they will be restrained and guided."

Several cities in China have already put together rules regarding noise in parks.

For example, the parks in Hubei's capital Wuhan forbid visitors from playing musical instruments.

Given the growing complaints about noise in public parks, a number of experts are also suggesting new recreational centers could be established to give Chinese seniors a new place to gather.

For CRI, I'm Xie Zhao.