Kite fans have united in a call for the city to designate five
open-space areas for the enjoyment of both enthusiasts and the
public in Shanghai.
They believe better supervision will lead to increased
safety.
Leaders of the city's kiting clubs reportedly told Youth Daily
that they are lobbying government authorities. Their preferred
sites are beaches in Fengxian and Jinshan districts, the Daning
Greenland in Zhabei District, the Century Avenue in Pudong, and the
youth outdoor activity center, Oriental Land in Qingpu
District.
The kiting leaders told Youth Daily they are confident the plan
will be approved before June.
The fans' association said it planned to hold competitions and
festivals at the venues.
The number of kiting lovers in the city has been increasing
rapidly over the years as booming downtown reconstruction programs
create more open squares and greenery areas.
However, the sport received a blow in October of 2002 as the
city banned kiting in parks.
"Crowds of tourists were kiting in the park then," said Sun
Jiayi, an official with Century Park in Pudong. "Some of them just
left the lines twisted in the tree branches and left after the
kites broke and fell, causing damage to the plants."
She said the kiting lines are also a potential danger. "A line
connected to pull a large flying kite could be as sharp as a
blade."
(Shanghai Daily January 30, 2007)