BEIJING, July 24 -- Beijing social workers are discouraging residents from giving money to "professional" beggars in a bid to clean up the city's image.

"Professional beggars will disappear if you stop giving them money," said Zhao Changlin, director of the Haidian Aid Center for the Homeless, in a public letter to the Beijing Morning Post.

"In the duration of a red light, they can get about seven yuan (90 US cents) and their daily income could reach 200 yuan." College graduates in white-collar jobs earn about the same.

Some beggars had turned their livelihood into a profession, the newspaper said. Instead of giving cash, Zhao suggested the public should persuade the needy to turn to his center for help.

"The indulgent behavior of generous people might risk triggering crimes such as theft or robbery if the beggars are refused," Zhao said.

However, public opinion is divided on the issue. Eight out of 10 passers-by interviewed by the Beijing Morning Post said they had never given beggars money and supported government-backed initiatives to help beggars at shelters.

Others remained dubious about distinctions between "professional" beggars and genuinely needy people.

One interviewee surnamed Yang said the initiative might encourage people to show indifference to the needy. She said she often gave food instead of money to beggars.

A survey by a sociology professor at the Renmin University of China said 44.2 percent of the beggars surveyed were unwilling to accept places in government-funded aid schemes.

"Professional beggars will not give up just for three meals a day at the aid center," Professor Li Yingsheng said.

Zhao said: "The main reason professional beggars stay away from aid centers is that they can't earn money there, but can earn a lot elsewhere."