Migrant payouts reach 100b yuan

People who relocate due to reservoir work received nearly 100 billion yuan ($16 billion) in subsidies between January and October, the Ministry of Finance said on Wednesday. The amount paid to those moving due to large and medium-sized reservoirs being built is 11.3 percent more than for the same period last year. China has been providing 600 yuan a year as a follow-up subsidy to each migrant since July 1, 2006. The subsidies are due to last 20 years.

Limits suggested for hospitals

A medical industry report has suggested that for-profit private hospitals should account for 20 to 30 percent of the nation's total, the Health News reported on Wednesday. The newspaper cited the Development Report on Private Hospitals in China (1984-2012), which states that 50 to 60 percent of China's hospitals should be public, with nonprofit private hospitals accounting for 25 to 40 percent and for-profit private hospitals accounting for 20 to 30 percent.

Airport to get 80 million passengers

The annual passenger volume of Beijing Capital International Airport exceeded 70 million on Tuesday, and the figure is expected to reach 80 million by the end of 2012, the airport said. The airport is the second-busiest airport worldwide since 2010, after Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which has 88 million annual passengers.

Rain, snow drive up produce prices

Rain and snow in North China have led to slight increases in farm produce prices in 36 large and medium-sized cities, the Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday. In the week ending on Sunday, the wholesale price of 18 types of vegetables rose 0.7 percent from a week earlier, the ministry said.

Sympathizers pay woman's pet debt

A woman received a suspended sentence after Internet users helped her repay the 220,000 yuan ($35,000) she embezzled from her company to feed stray dogs and cats. A court in Beijing's Huairou district sentenced the 50-year-old Guan to three years of imprisonment with a three-year suspension. Guan has been adopting stray dogs and cats since 2000 and regularly fed more than 70 of them at her home.

Hunan

7 killed as bus and truck collide

A bus and a truck collided at noon on Wednesday in Ningxiang county, Hunan province, killing seven people and injuring 15. Most of the victims were from the bus, which was carrying 27 passengers. The cause of the accident is being investigated.

Jiangxi

25 detained for smoking in public

A total of 25 people have been detained for smoking in public places in Xinyu city, Jiangxi province, Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday. The fire department from the local public security bureau launched a fire control campaign in June 2011, focusing on the downtown district of Yushui, where there is a high risk of fire.

Guangdong

Guard arrested over alleged attack

A kindergarten security guard in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, has been arrested for allegedly molesting a 3-year-old girl at the kindergarten, Yangcheng Evening News reported. The security guard, a 61-year-old male surnamed Yin, was alleged to have sexually assaulted the girl when he was escorting her at around 9 am on Oct 23.

Hunan

Subsidy given to leukemia patients

The health department of Hunan province has given rural children with leukemia a subsidy up to 150,000 yuan ($24,000), Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday. The policy is aimed at strengthening support in treating rural children with the disease under the new rural cooperative medical care system.

Zhejiang

Students to take college courses

High school students in Zhejiang province will have the chance to take college courses and earn credits as part of the latest efforts by local education authorities to push education reform. The province's educational authorities will deepen curricular reform in high schools and start optional courses for students from this semester under four categories: knowledge extending, vocational skills, hobby development and social practice.

Hong Kong

Canadian prime minister set for visit

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper will arrive in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Sunday for an official visit, the Hong Kong government announced on Wednesday. Chief Executive C.Y. Leung will meet Harper in a bilateral meeting at Government House.

Fujian

Ceramics festival to be held

The 2012 Quanzhou Ceramics Culture Festival will be held from Friday to Sunday in Quanzhou city's Dehua county, Fujian province. Blending ceramics and tourism, the event will feature various exhibitions, sales, hands-on programs and folk performances.

China Daily - Xinhua