Bicycling in bikinis is once again prohibited in Beijing as authorities take action against perceived inappropriate conduct.
The Beijing bikini, a summer tradition among some Chinese men who roll up their shirts or go shirtless to stay cool, has been a topic of debate in recent years. This practice, known as bǎngyè, has been met with controversy and even banned or fined in some Chinese cities, primarily due to concerns about public hygiene and social decorum.
In China, cities like Tianjin and Jinan have implemented crackdowns against this trend. In Tianjin, shirtless men are fined around 50 yuan for breaking the rules, while Jinan aims to 'rectify uncivilised behaviour' and improve the city's image by reinstating the ban. The municipal government of Beijing had previously discouraged the practice, especially in preparation for the 2008 Olympics, promoting more "civilized" behaviour such as covering the belly and queuing.
The Chinese government has cited hygiene concerns, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a reason to issue restrictions against the practice. Authorities and state-affiliated media have framed the behaviour as uncivilized or improper public conduct, viewing it as a breach of traditional social norms and aesthetics.
However, proponents argue that the Beijing bikini is a practical method for men to cool down during the hot summers, especially for older men who find it comfortable and effective at lowering body heat quickly. Some outside observers or participants see it as a simple and pragmatic response to extreme heat.
Despite its practicality, the Beijing bikini faces official disapproval framed around public decency. It is sometimes seen as inappropriate or embarrassing, undermining efforts to promote a more "civilized" image domestically and internationally, particularly in times of heightened political scrutiny such as pre-Olympics periods or during pandemic controls. Some local governments have attempted heavy-handed enforcement, comparable to campaigns against other informal street fashions.
The debate over the Beijing bikini continues online, with netizens divided over whether it should be defended as a harmless tradition or mocked as outdated and unseemly. Some argue that going shirtless to cool off is better for the environment than using air conditioning. On the other hand, the impact of exposing one's midriff on virus transmission remains debatable.
The practice has also spread beyond China, appearing in cities like New York, London, and Paris due to global heatwaves. Whether the Beijing bikini has any origins in traditional Chinese medicine is debatable, with some suggesting that it may help circulate warm qi energy around the internal organs when one's midriff is exposed.
In Handan, Hebei Province, authorities have launched publicity campaigns aimed at shaming offenders of the Beijing bikini. Despite this, the father in a short film from Handan agrees to wear a shirt and hat following a series of similar incidents. The trend has sparked complaints from both tourists and locals, with many expressing disapproval of the practice.
As the debate continues, it is clear that the Beijing bikini is a practice that divides opinion. While some see it as a practical and environmentally friendly way to stay cool in the summer heat, others view it as a breach of social norms and a threat to public health. Whether the practice will continue to be banned or accepted remains to be seen.
- The Beijing bikini, rooted in local Chinese traditions, has become a topic of global discussion, especially in cities like New York, London, and Paris, due to the ongoing global heatwaves.
- Some supporters of the Beijing bikini argue that it offers a simpler, more eco-friendly cooling solution compared to air conditioning, while others speculate that it may have origins in traditional Chinese medicine, aiding in the circulation of warm qi energy around the internal organs.
- Despite these arguments, enforcement against the practice can be seen in cities such as Tianjin and Jinan, where shirtless men are fined or even shamed for breaching social norms and damaging the city's image.
- Officially, the Beijing bikini is met with disapproval due to public decency concerns, and its impact on public health – such as virus transmission – remains debated among authorities, tourists, and locals alike.
