Defense minister meets Polish guest

State Councilor and Defense Minister Liang Guanglie met with visiting Polish Navy Commander Tomasz Mathea on Tuesday, and both expressed the desire to promote closer military cooperation. Mathea said Poland looks forward to more exchanges with the Chinese armed forces in various areas. It was the first time the Polish navy has visited China.

Non-communist party elects leader

Wan Exiang, 56, was elected chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, one of China's eight non-communist parties, on Tuesday. The party concluded its 12th national congress on the same day. The new leader is currently justice and vice-president of China's Supreme People's Court. He holds a doctorate in law.

China open to Syrian political plan

China is open to any political settlement plan that is widely accepted by Syrian parties, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Tuesday. Hua's comments came as Syrian Vice-President Farouk al-Sharaa said neither the government army nor opposition forces can secure a definitive victory. Al-Sharaa called for a negotiated political settlement to the crisis.

People unhappy with 2013 holidays

Most people are not satisfied with the arrangements for holidays next year and want more breaks, according to a survey by China Youth Daily. The survey, which polled 2,068 people, found 73.4 percent were unsatisfied with the arrangements for holidays in 2013, released last week by the State Council, China's cabinet, the newspaper reported. About 66 percent suggest better implementation of paid leave for employees so they can arrange their holidays.

Expo promotes 3-D technology

The China 3-D Technology and Creation Expo was held on Tuesday in the Chaoyang Museum of Urban Planning to provide a platform for international exchanges in the 3-D industry. The expo will also offer a 3-D equipment exhibition and 3-D short films roadshow. The expo is held by the Ministry of Culture, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, the General Administration of Press and Publication, and the Beijing municipal government.

Hebei

Mayor implicated in corruption

A mayor in Hebei province has become entangled in a corruption scandal with an accusatory letter in the name of 29 local officials causing a stir online. Liu Daqun, mayor of Xingtai, is alleged to have taken huge kickbacks on land sales and construction projects and kept a mistress, according to the letter posted online recently. There has been no response from the provincial discipline inspection authorities.

Shaanxi

Translator donates writer's materials

An Wei, a 70-year-old translator, donated 304 pieces that were owned by the US journalist and writer Helen Snow to the Memorial Hall of the Eighth Route Army Liaison Office in Xi'an on Sunday. The material includes books, newspapers, photos and video tapes. Snow was the wife of American writer Edgar Snow, whose best-known book was Red Star Over China. She met An for the first time in 1978 when she visited China.

Fujian

Suspects returned to mainland

Two suspects accused of fundraising fraud have been returned to the Chinese mainland from Taiwan, police in Xiamen said on Monday. It marked the first time that economic crime suspects have been returned to the mainland from Taiwan through the cooperation of both sides. The suspects are accused of illegally raising 920 million yuan ($146 million) from eight people, promising them high returns.

Liaoning

Resources market opens in Dalian

Dalian Renewable Resources Market went into operation on Monday in Dalian. The market provides a nationwide electronic transaction platform for renewable resources, farm and sideline products, and agricultural production materials. It is expected to upgrade the traditional transaction pattern and promote the recycling of resources in these fields. The market has attracted more than 200 registered members.

Guangdong

Guangzhou govt issues new notice

The Guangzhou city government has recently issued a notice requiring its departments and bureaus to make their expenses public on an annual basis. The notice said the budgets and final accounts of government expenses on official receptions, vehicle purchases, and overseas trips should be open to public scrutiny and supervised by the public and media. The move aims to prevent corruption, the notice said.

Charges laid over factory fire

Prosecutors in Shantou have laid charges against Liu Shuangyuan relating to a fire he allegedly set in an underwear factory, sources with the Guangdong Provincial Procuratorate said on Tuesday. Liu, a 26-year-old man from Hunan province, was detained earlier this month for allegedly setting the fire out of revenge for his wages being delayed. The blaze on Dec 4 in the factory in Shantou killed 14 workers under the age of 20.

Tianjin

Primary school teaches yinglian

Yinglian, or Chinese couplets, have become a featured course at a primary school in Tianjin, the Bohai Morning Post reported. Scholars from the Yinglian Society of China recently observed a class on yinglian culture in Zhongxinzhuang Primary School, which has been taught at the school since 2000 to promote traditional culture. The class requires students to master the use of traditional brushes and the calligraphic arts.

China Daily - Xinhua