BEIJING : When China opened its doors to the world decades ago, there was one area that was crucial to modernising its image - its public toilets.

Toilets in China used to be so notorious that potential investors were rumoured to have fled the country in horror.

At one point, one-third of all tourist complaints were about smelly toilets, according to the Beijing Tourism Administration.

In the 1990s, Beijing poured in millions of dollars to upgrade its public toilets in a bid to win the right to host the Olympic Games and improve its international image.

And Beijing is aiming to ensure that no toilet jam will tarnish one of its biggest shows ever - the 60th National Day celebrations. Half a million people are expected to gather at Tiananmen Square for the October 1 celebrations.

So how do you cater to the needs of 500,000 people to answer the call of nature at any one time? Beijing may just have found a solution.

More than 100 blocks of temporary toilets were built around Tiananmen Square and Chang'an Ave, providing 3,000 toilet seats for all personnel and participants on the big day.

The toilets are designed to look pleasant and work efficiently. The urinal space can take up to 60 men a minute, and the walls can be removed to let more people in if it gets too crowded.

"To improve ventilation, these toilets are built with big entrances and exits, ventilation fans, shutters and gaps between shelters and walls. Automatic air fresheners are also used," said Hou Yajun, design manager of Tsinghua Unisplendour Taihetong Envirotech.

The high-tech toilets show how far China has come in flushing away its poor toilet habits, but the quest to meet its people's most basic need is far from over.

More than half of China's cities are facing water shortages, which create a demand for eco-friendly and water-free toilets.

"A lot of investment and resources need to be put in to change people's toilet habits. Water-free toilets have yet found their way into homes. Even in the public toilet sector, there's still a lot of room to grow," said Yang Yixin, GM of Tsinghua Unisplendour Taihetong Envirotech.

It will be another long march ahead. - CNA /ls