A group of 20 young people in Guangzhou who wanted to call attention to environmentalism by taking off their trousers on the subway has caused metro operators here to ban any such action in the future.

In response to the group of young people who rode the subway without trousers three days ago, metro operators released a statement saying the event "posed threats to riding safety and social order".

Some 20 young people riding on Guangzhou’s Subway line 2 without trousers had environmental slogans and words written on banners and on their underwear or shorts.

One organizer of the event, said it was aimed at promoting a low carbon lifestyle and an environmentally friendly Asian Games, which will open in the city in November this year.

A press official with Guangzhou Metro Corporation, said this unusual happening angered officials with the company after it was reported the next day.

"We did not notice the event on that day since they slipped off their trousers after they entered the coaches,"

"Their behavior angered not only us, but many parents who have complained to us," he told China Daily.

The company will take every measure possible to stop such unusual events from happening in the future.

"Any event should be conducted in accordance with regulations and should be accepted under social ethics. Riding without trousers in public areas such as subways is not acceptable by the majority of people."

Sources with the company said anyone riding in the subway without pants would be punished in accordance with civil regulations.

The event on Sunday was one of the many that has already taken place in some 44 cities across 16 countries and regions. It was believed to be the first of its kind in China.

"It will bring about negative impacts to some people, specially senior citizens and parents. They hardly know relations between no-pants riding and environmental protection," said one student.

Participants should take Chinese culture into consideration when they take part in such events, she said.

"Many Chinese people, even us college students, can hardly accept such a move in public areas," she told China Daily.

One mother with a 7-year-old daughter said the move had nothing to do with environmental protection.

"I don't see any relation between such a move and a lower-carbon lifestyle. Trousers are ncessities we need every day," she said.

She and her daughter were among hundreds of passengers to witness the campaign on Sunday.

"I covered up my daughter's eyes. A young man quickly took off his trousers after he entered the coach. It made me very embarrassed," she said.

Questions:

1. How many many students participated in the subway ride?

2. What was the message the students were trying to get across?

3. How did metro authorities react to the trouser-less riders?

Answers:

1. 20.

2. Environmentalism.

3.They banned it, saying if it happened in the future,people would be charged with civil law.

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（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）

Todd Balazovic is a reporter for the Metro Section of China Daily. Born in Mineapolis Minnesota in the US, he graduated from Central Michigan University and has worked for China Daily for one year.