"If they can fabricate votes for something as petty as a national tourism day, then they can fabricate many other things"

An online poll to solicit public opinion on a date for "national tourism day" has received a staggering 4.2 billion votes, giving rise to speculation that local governments are "forging fake support" for their recommendations.


Jiangsu province's Wuxi, wants the national tourism day to fall on March 29, the day famous Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) tourist Xu Xiake started traveling.

Zhejiang province's Ninghai, suggested May 19, when Xu started writing his travel books.

Meanwhile, Hunan province, proposed Dec 26, the day late Chairman Mao Zedong was born.

And Sichuan province, wants the day to fall on either July 5 or 15, when prominent leader Deng Xiaoping made important speeches about tourism.

Wuxi is the birthplace of Xu, who first mentioned Ninghai in his maiden travel book, while Chairman Mao was born in Hunan province and Deng in Sichuan.

Others said June 6, which, when said in mandarin, sounds like "let's stroll", was an easy date to remember.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-01/22/content_9359801.htm
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-01/15/content_9323359.htm