Beijing removes 14,000 signs to declutter urban environment

About 14,000 signs have been removed from rooftops to create a "better urban public space environment" in Beijing, the city management authority said Friday.

According to a new regulation issued in September, all signs and billboards attached to roofs must be removed, and the number of signs permitted on buildings has been limited in order to create an urban skyline that is visually clear and bright.

However, some residents have complained about the inconvenience of the signs being removed as the replacement of new approved signs has been very slow, according to Beijing Municipal Commission of City Management, which said it has stepped up efforts to minimize the impact of the program.

The program also includes relocating overhead power and telephone lines inside the second ring road underground, which will be completed by next year.