中國欲清理整治洋地名

China is planning to introduce new restrictions on place names because of concerns that too many fail to reflect national culture.

擔心越來越多的地名未能體現中國文化，中國政府擬規範地名亂象。

The country's civic affairs minister, Li Liguo, wants anyone naming sites such as bridges, buildings and roads to take inspiration from Chinese history, instead of opting for foreign names like "Manhattan Plaza", Beijing News reports. Existing names which fall foul of the requirements will also be changed, according to the paper.

據《新京報》報道，民政部部長李立國希望人們在給路橋建築起名字時，能夠從中國歷史中汲取靈感，儘量避免出現像“曼哈頓廣場”這樣的洋地名。

Mr Li says cleaning up place names will strengthen and standardise cultural protection, and promote China's cultural heritage. He's in charge of a State Council survey of geographical names, an effort which started in 2014 and has another two years to run.

李立國表示，清理洋地名會加強對中國文化的保護，弘揚中華文明，有利於推廣文化遺產。他領導的國務院小組，2014年起開始對全國地名進行普查，此次地名普查將持續到2018年。

According to the Xinhua news agency, the first places to be renamed will be any that "damage national dignity" or conflict with core socialist values, as well as those which have attracted the most public complaints. Places which promise more than they deliver are also in the government's sights—so anywhere adopting Venice as part of its name will need to have more than just a pond, the agency notes.

根據新華社的報道，首批需要接受整改的包括那些“有損民族尊嚴的”，與社會主義核心價值觀衝突的，以及引發公衆極大爭議的地名。同時，那些過分誇大配套功能的也需要改名。該報道舉例稱，比如一個自稱“威尼斯”的地方，只有一個池塘是不夠的。

Social media users are divided on the issue, with some pointing out that foreign names are often chosen as a way of celebrating ties with other cities or countries. There's plenty of support, though, with one person writing: "They really should change, or else we'll feel there are no Chinese historical elements!"

社交媒體用戶對此褒貶不一。有的說，洋地名就是爲了顯示自己跟別國或別國的城市有些關聯。但也有不少支持的網友。其中一人說道：“是應該改改了，不然我們還以爲中國就沒有什麼歷史古韻呢！”