While local counties in the U.S. debate restaurant inspection disclosure and avoid gun control, China has embraced the A, B, C system.

The ratings are also published on bjhi.gov.cn, the official website of the Beijing Health Inspection Institute (BHII), which is responsible for the rating work. Citizens can use the website to learn the hygiene ratings of any restaurant, clinic, swimming pool or other public place by searching for it by name or address. 

Inspections are conducted in accordance to the evaluation standards made in 2011 by the government, with criteria concerning the hygiene management, construction, cooking materials, environment and operations. 

If the restaurants break the rules, there will be a corresponding score deduction off the total.

This year, all the old signs will be replaced by the new, nationally unified design by the end of June. In the new design, A-level restaurants receive a laughing face, B’s a smiley face and C’s an apathetic, flat-lined face.