Beijing, May 19 (IANS) One may be mistaken for a luxury suite, but an air-conditioned lounge and a LED TV screen are some of the features of a public toilet in China. The 100-square-metre toilet in Jinan in eastern China's Shandong province also has sofas, a water dispenser and a tea table.

The luxurious toilet which cost 300,000 yuan ($43,940) has sparked controversy soon after its opening Friday, Xinhua reported.

"The decorations are much better than those in my living room," said a local resident who declined to be named. "But who will enjoy drinking tea and watching TV in a toilet?"

Many citizens have blasted the expense as a waste of taxpayers' money, saying only cleanliness and tidiness are necessary for a toilet.

Wang Yan, another local resident, said the money should have been used on more important things, like healthcare and education.

"This waste of money highlights the loopholes in public management and may damage the government's credibility," said Wang Zhongwu, a professor from Shandong University.

However, an official surnamed Zhang at the local environmental sanitation bureau defended the luxurious toilet, saying it was a face-lifting move.