An official with the capital city's reeducation-through-labor bureau said on Saturday that it is the first time that the bureau has provided flowers for every room of the jailed inmates in such a center.

The potted plants, including azaleas and Chinese flowering crabapples, were well received by the women inmates, who were still immersed in the happiness brought by China's traditional Spring Festival which fell on February 1 this year.

One such young inmate, surnamed Li, said that the flowers not only tell her that spring is coming but encourage her to try her best to remold herself so as to shorten her term.

The official said that as a new measure taken by the bureau, asking the women to plant flowers is helpful in fostering and training their sense of care, outlook on life and responsibility as well as to beautify the environment of the center.

In China, those who commit misdemeanors are usually put into reeducation-through-labor centers instead of being given prison terms.

(Xinhua News Agency February 10, 2003)