By Zhang Hui

The Chaoyang government in Beijing plans to remove the English slogan on the new "Civilized Chaoyang" billboards after they received numerous complaints regarding the translation.

The new billboards are expected to replace the present ones across the district before the New Year, Zhao Hongyu, official of the Office of Civil Enhancement Committee of Chaoyang district, told the Global Times Monday.

The new billboard will have two slogans, only in Chinese. One is the present slogan, "Civilized Chaoyang, Magnificent with Me," and the other, roughly translated as "Happy Chinese New Year, Culture is in Fashion," to express good wishes for the New Year, Zhao said.

"We removed the English translations in order to avoid any confusion," Zhao said.

The Chaoyang government received many calls from both Chinese and foreigners asking for explanations and offering suggestions regarding the current translated slogan, according to Zhao.

"I've complained about the slogan many times to the Chaoyang government, but they never listened," David Tool, an English teacher at Beijing International Studies University and, told the Global Times.

The Global Times reported on July 7 saying the English version of the slogan had confused many foreigners.

"We appreciated the support and concern from foreigners about our district," Zhao said, "but because of cultural differences, foreigners might interpret the slogan differently." He denied the current translation is inappropriate.

The billboard design company, Magic Mall, a Hangzhou-based animation company, outsourced the translation of the current slogan, however the company was unaware whether the company has a native English speaker to proofread their translation work.

"But we consulted many foreigners and Chinese overseas," Zheng Ying, vice-director of Magic Mall, told the Global Times.

Some foreign residents have mixed feelings about leaving out English translations in such an international district.

"It must have an English translation if [the district] wants to promote itself," said Michael Timperley, an English teacher.