Beijing Postcard: It's not such a Hoot here

CHINESE Premier Wen Jiabao is a man prone to big promises.

"The smiles of 1.3 billion Chinese will be reciprocated by the smiles of people all over the world," he vowed, when he held court with foreign media earlier this year.

But if you're looking to win gold, silver or bronze in Olympic partying - you might just be disappointed.

Killjoy inspectors have flooded into the city waving little books of rules and regulations that are designed to confuse and frustrate.

One Italian restaurant was banned from serving salads and desserts because its license lists its business as noodles.

D22, a nightclub that is popular with the trendy expatriate crowd, musicians have been told to put their drum kits away because there was a spelling mistake on their performance licence. The 2am closing time law - which has been flouted for years - is now enforced with zeal.

China is a country where forms, often in triplicate, need to be completed and completed correctly.

But the rules are often so confusing that those who enforce them simply turn the other cheek because they don't understand them either.

Beijing's edition of Time Out, the listings magazine, has even fallen foul of regulations.

Visitors looking for the lowdown on the hottest bars, restaurants or clubs that are open, will have to look elsewhere.

The magazine's June edition was impounded by the General Administration of Press and Publications - while officials looked at 'licencing issues'.

"They want to make sure everything looks clean and goes smoothly," said magazine editor Tom Pattinson. "They're not so interested in making sure that everyone learns what a great vibrant exciting city Beijing is."

China is tightening all rules across the board as the Games countdown ticks ever louder.

It is increasingly difficult to obtain a visa. Many foreigners are being forced to leave - which leaves those bars that are open feeling a little empty. Younger expats have felt the main force of the clampdown - and they are the main clients for the city's not so buzzing nightspots.

Olympic tourists who partied hard in Darling Harbour eight years ago or downed ouzo by the gallon under the shadow of the Acropolis in Athens, might need to think hard about where they get their après-Olympic kicks.

However, Hooters - with its trademark scantily clad waitresses - will remain open throughout the Olympics.

Just a short walk from the Bird Cage, you can expect to queue.

 

DANIEL SCHOFIELD in Beijing