Express delivery speeds drug trade

Express delivery has become a major channel for drug traders to transport drugs, according to Shanghai Customs officials. They said more than 90 percent of drug cases cracked this year were transacted through express delivery. In November alone, they cracked seven drug cases and confiscated more than 5.6 kg of drugs, including marijuana, heroin and cocaine.

Hainan

New marine station set up in Sansha

A marine environment monitoring and forecasting station has been established in Sansha, South China's Hainan province, the State Oceanic Administration said. The station will be operated by 25 crews, who will manage the construction of other marine monitoring stations in Yongxing, Nansha, and other islands in the country's newest city. The station will also conduct marine environment surveys and monitoring projects.

Beijing

Huge ice chunks seen in Bohai Sea

The National Marine Forecasting Station on Thursday reported large chunks of sea ice floating near Liaodong Bay in the Bohai Sea for the first time this winter, warning fishery and port businesses to be wary. The station said the ice spans 10 nautical miles, and sea ice has also been seen in the northern Yellow Sea.

Nation steps up yellow fever fight

China's top quarantine watchdog on Thursday urged intensified efforts to prevent yellow fever from Sudan entering the country. A total of 329 suspected cases, including 97 deaths, have been reported in Sudan as of Nov 11, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said in a statement on its website, citing a World Health Organization report.

E-govt services reach more cities

E-government services are now available in more than 90 percent of China's cities and 80 percent of its towns, Vice-President of the Chinese Academy of Governance Hong Yi said on Thursday. All central government departments and provincial-level governments have established websites, as have 99.1 percent of city governments, Hong said at a two-day forum on Chinese e-government services.

Honor bestowed on aviation highflier

The State Council on Thursday conferred the posthumous title of Heroic Model in the Aviation Industry on Luo Yang, head of production of China's new J-15 fighter jet. Luo died of a heart attack on Nov 25 after observing aircraft carrier landing tests featuring the jet. Luo devoted himself to aircraft design, research and production for 30 years, according to a statement from the State Council.

More unhappy with food safety levels

Chinese are becoming increasingly concerned about the quality of their food and the environment, according to a survey released by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The survey, conducted among 8,070 people, found that services covering environmental protection and food safety scored less than three points on a five-point scale, showing that security incidents and food-safety scandals have reduced public confidence in recent years.

Guangdong

Cross-Straits date for economic talks

The Chinese mainland and Taiwan have agreed to convene the fourth regular meeting of the Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Committee on Tuesday in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province. The arrangement was made according to a provision in the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, a wide-ranging cross-Straits economic pact signed in 2010, Xinhua learned on Thursday from the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits.

Xinhua-China Daily