A high school in Fujian Province that has issued rules banning boys and girls from walking together or even chatting to each other has got netizens talking on social media.

福建省一所高中最近出台了一些规定，禁止男女生一起走路、甚至还不能互相说话，这使得网民们在社交媒体上议论起来。

According to authorities at Zuohai High School, a private institution in the city of Fuzhou, the new rules aim to keep students from developing romantic relationships. The rules made the rounds on social media last Sunday.

据左海高中（福建一家民办学校）校方表示，这些新规的目的是为了防止学生谈恋爱。这些规定上周日在社交媒体上引起了热议。

The headmaster of school, surnamed¹ Lin, defended the strict conduct code, which he said are common at private schools.

该校林校长辩称说，这些严格的行为守则在民办学校很普遍。

"Though the school rules are a little strict, our aim is to keep students safe," said Lin.

林校长表示：“虽然学校的规定有一点严格，但是我们的目的为了保障学生的安全。”

He cited² examples such as Hengshui Middle School of Hebei Province, known for its high scoring students and military-like management.

他还特意举了河北衡水中学的例子，该校以高分学生和军事化管理而著称。

Lin said his school's regulations have so far won support among parents. A student said it's reasonable for the school curb³ dating, but the rules go too far.

林校长表示，学校的规定目前为止已经取得了家长们的支持。不过该校一名学生表示，学校防止学生谈恋爱是合理的，但是这些规定有些太过了。