IN THE "IT MUST BE FRIDAY" CATEGORY: The Chinese capital, notorious for its smelly lavatories, will show off its ambitious plan to improve them during the fourth annual World Toilet Summit later this month, the Beijing government said Friday.

Beijing has already invested more than 200 million yuan (24 million dollars) since 2001 on upgrading and building more than 700 new public toilets to prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games, he said.

"The toilet problem at many scenic spots is a major concern both at home and overseas and is a main focus of complaints," Yu said.

During the summit, Beijing will host an exhibition on toilet design, show the video "Beijing public toilet" and arrange for participants "to see the achievement of toilet constructions in Beijing in recent years".

Issues to be discussed at the summit include toilet design and management, and the popularization of energy-efficient and environmental toilets.

The Singapore-based World Toilet Organization, which promotes itself as a global body for coordinating and promoting sanitation issues, said Beijing had been chosen to host the summit to highlight its efforts in transforming its toilets.

-- Sort of gives you a different perspective on the acronym "WTO" . . .