It’s official! According to an investigation conducted by Beijing officials, up to 85 percent of all beggars are professional. The officials concluded that more attention must be paid to both control and assist the homeless. They also pointed out that beggars in Beijing come from about 22 provinces, mostly from areas with underdeveloped economies.

Professional beggars are fast becoming a major problem. According to a police report, only about 15 percent of the beggars surveyed were actually willing to receive government aid, while the other 85 percent did not and a large percentage also looked to begging as the most effective way to make a living.

The beggars have many methods to get both attention and money including wailing and crying in public, begging under the pretense of disability or physical disfigurement, street performances, being persistent with or holding on to a potential benefactor’s leg and becoming very aggressive towards passersby.

The report by the officials suggests that all beggars in public areas who disturb the peace should be brought to justice and punished. The report also suggests setting up areas that prohibit beggars in areas such Tiananmen, foreign embassies and military installations.