The draft of a new regulation on urban bus transportation in Nanning, capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, was posted on the website of the city's legislative affairs office on Sept 24, for public comment until Sept 30.

The draft requires that all passengers should offer seats to the elderly, infirm, sick, disabled and pregnant. Bus drivers and conductors can refuse to provide transportation services to passengers who violate the rule.

The regulation triggered debate among the public. Supporters believed it was a symbol of social progress.

But those opposed to the measure said refusing to offer seats to people who need them is a moral problem, which could not be legislated for.