The thriving Dongmen area in Shenzhen’s Luohu District is leading the way in cracking down on littering in the region. The standard punishment is a fine of 50 yuan but can reach up to 1,000 yuan for those who throw litter out of places of residence or business, the Southern Metropolis Daily reports.

The latest drive to enforce the “Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Environment and Hygiene Regulations” and “Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Civilized Behavior Regulations” began on June 1 and saw around 100 officers despatched in four teams.

As with all such crackdowns, law enforcers didn’t always meet with cooperation from the public. Some offenders objected, one even threw two cigarette butts to the ground after being caught.

He eventually paid an on-the-spot 50 yuan fine.

The nine people punished paid a combined total of 500 yuan.

The fines are still modest compared to those in Hong Kong, which (as of 2003) range from 600 to 1500 Hong Kong dollars.

A litter bug being forced to eat humble pie in Dongmen

Dongmen, whose claims to fame include that it is the site of the first McDonald’s in China, is not the only place in the PRD to be ramping up its anti-littering laws.