The graffiti incidents have occurred despite the notices warning against such behavior which are placed near the management office of the square.

The management of Haiyu Square in Pingtan county are aiming to put a stop to graffiti on stone sculptures in the area.

The beachside square – which is popular with local residents and tourists – was targeted by what the Pingtan Times referred to as the "uncivilized behavior" of graffiti vandals, who also wrote obscenities on the sculptures.

The graffiti incidents have occurred despite the notices warning against such behavior which are placed near the management office of the square.

Lin Yan, an employee at the square, said that the vandals previously used markers but now use spray paint, and they have tried to erase the graffiti – but without success.

Lin called for the public to help protect the city's resources, and Lin Tinglan, a local resident, echoed her views, saying that the graffiti was "rude", and that tourists would get a very bad impression of Pingtan as the square is well-known.

The graffiti incidents have occurred despite the notices warning against such behavior which are placed near the management office of the square.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Niva Whyman