According to Beijing Environmental Sanitation Engineering Group, Beijing's public restrooms will be upgraded to become "the fifth space", Beijing Morning Post reported.

The restrooms will be a multi-functional public space, which will have wifi coverage, ATM, charging devices for mobile phones and electric vehicles.

Meanwhile, basic physical examination items, such as measurement of blood pressure, heart rate and urinalysis, could be done in the restroom.

An official from Beijing Environmental Sanitation Engineering Group told the reporter that the public restroom will become "the fifth space" besides the family space, work space, leisure space and cyber space, and the sign of the restroom will be changed from "WC" to "5". 

In most people's mind, the restroom is a dirty and smelly place. However, in the future, the public restrooms in Beijing will not only have the basic function as a toilet, but will provide a series of public service, from paying utilities fees to charging mobile phones. 

"We will learn Japan's experience to provide basic physical examination in the restrooms, such as blood pressure, heart rate and urinalysis," the official said. The restrooms will also provide special service to seniors, the disabled and the blind, as well as parents with babies.

In order to guarantee the sanitation of "the fifth space", Beijing Environmental Sanitation Engineering Group will issue a new construction and service standard for the public restroom this November. With advanced automatic cleaning equipment, the smell and sanitation condition of the restroom will be greatly improved.