An “error spotting” program that invites the public to report wrongly spelled foreign language signs scattered in public spaces in Beijing has recently been launched by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality on its official WeChat platform.
Due to Beijing's highly international character, the new mechanism was designed to provide better information services, particularly for international visitors in the city.
Local citizens are invited to take photos of incorrect information, including wrong spelling and expressions on signboards, that they come across in public spaces like museums, shopping malls, and railway stations. The mini program has a designated page that allows these photos to be uploaded for further review and improvement.
The new design has been praised by netizens on China’s Twitter-like platform, Sina Weibo, calling it not only “thoughtful and friendly” but also a demonstration of Beijing as a “true global city.”
Prior to the introduction of this mechanism, instances of wrong spelling or inappropriate Chinese to English translations, such as misinterpreting "Xiao Xin Luo Shui" (lit: be careful not to fall into water) into “Fall into water carefully,” were hot topics discussed by netizens, with many of them calling for a change.
