5 rules turning life upside-down for the Universiade Shenzhen

The Universiade Shenzhen starts August 12 and city residents have long been anticipating the opening of this massive inter-university event nicknamed "Little Olympics."

More than 9,000 athletes are traveling from all over the world to compete in 24 sports. The scale is unprecedented and it is the city's chance to prove it is no longer Hong Kong's sidekick.

But everything has a trade-off. After the success of the Beijing Olympics, the government is even more determined to put up a good show for the rest of the world.

The cost? Shenzhen residents' daily routines. Five unusual rules specific to the Universiade Shenzhen have been implemented citywide.

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1. Leave your place, but also leave your lights on

Shenzhen Nanshan sporting district committee announced that during the opening ceremony of the Universiade, residents living opposite the main stadium must leave their home for five hours. During that time, lights must be switched on, People's Daily reported in June.

By doing so, the committee believes Shenzhen will leave spectators a good impression, though they said it's for safety precautions, for many of these homes have windows directly facing the rostrum and box seats for VIPs.

Residents determined to stay home during the five hours will be visited and accompanied by special agents.

So what do you call the opposite of curfew?

2. Register your knife

Like purchasing guns in the United States, Shenzhen residents now have to show their ID when buying a knife.

According to Nanfang Daily, the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau has decreed that any purchase of kitchen knives, butcher's knives or knives that can be deemed dangerous must go through an identification and sales registration process.

Stores must keep a record of the purchaser's name, the type of knife and the amount sold. Failure to do so may result in a fine of up to RMB 5,000.

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3. Eliminating 80,000 "dangerous" individuals

Shen Shaobao, undersecretary and spokesperson for the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau, said in April that in preparation for the Universiade, 80,000 "dangerous" individuals who might have posed a threat to Shenzhen's social order had been removed from the city.

Little has been said about the bureau's methodology during the eviction mission. The line between "safe" and "dangerous" was unclear.

Some evicted individuals were former convicts, drug addicts and extremists, others were prostitutes, unemployed individuals and residents suffering from mental illness.

In any event, few people know where these "dangerous" individuals have gone and whether they will be allowed back in the city when the Universiade Shenzhen ends.

4. Exclusive roads 

Over 77 kilometers of the city's roads have been designated for the Universiade to cater to the thousands of participants and spectators. A total of 28 roads, including many of the major highways such as Binhe Road and North Ring Road, will be solely for vehicles going to and from the Universiade Shenzhen venues.

The news department of Shenzhen City government announced that until August 24 no unauthorized vehicles may use these roads between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.

A Shenzhen netizen, user name "Simple Happy," ranted on weibo: "The Universiade is causing us severe trouble. I guess everyone will have to fly to commute?"

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5. The good news: a week-long holiday

Possibly the most anticipated part of the Universiade Shenzhen, a seven-day holiday is perhaps the government's way to balance out the poorly conceived implementations mentioned above. So far so good, as Shenzhen residents aren't complaining.

In line with the opening ceremony, public holidays will run from August 11 to 14. The remaining three days holiday will be from August 22 to 24, when the event ends. 

See details of the Universiade 2011 Shenzhen at www.sz2011.org.