Beijing's public washrooms may soon be considerably cleaner if a new rule set by the city's administration has any effect.

According to new regulations, no more than two flies will be acceptable, and there can be no more than two discarded objects left uncollected for any longer than half an hour in public toilet areas.

The Beijing Municipal Commission of City Administration and Environment issued the new standards Monday, media reports said, covering public toilets in parks, tourist areas, subway and train stations, hospitals, shopping centres and supermarkets.

"Beijing public toilets are not known for their welcoming appeal," the BBC reported. "People often smell them before they see them."

The new targets are not compulsory, however, and only aim to improve the environment of public toilets, Xie Guomin, head of the sanitation management division, told the Beijing Evening News.

Several media reports cast doubt on whether the guidelines could be enforced, however.