9 rescued after ferries run aground

Nine people were rescued by a helicopter after three ferries carrying nine passengers were stranded for more than 28 hours on the Songhua River in Jilin province, local authorities said on Monday. The rescued people were taken to a local hospital and are in stable condition. The helicopter was sent on Sunday after the vessels ran aground near the cities of Jiutai and Dehui. Strong winds made the rescue difficult.

Liaoning

20 people injured in gas explosion

More than 20 people were injured in an explosion caused by a gas leak at a construction site for an underground commercial street in Shenyang on Monday, according to the city's information office. Five people suffered head and facial injuries, though none is life-threatening. The cause of the accident is being investigated, according to the office.

Heilongjiang

FAO recognizes reference center

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on Monday designated an animal influenza lab in Harbin as a reference center for animal influenza. The lab is the first FAO-recognized reference center in China and the second in the world, after the Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, operated by the Friedrich Loeffer Institute in Germany. The center will provide data on epidemiology and influenza virus evolution in Asia.

Beijing

Vice-premier urges closer Taiwan ties

Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang said on Monday the political foundation for the peaceful development of mainland-Taiwan relations should be strengthened. Zhang made the remarks while participating in a panel discussion at the annual session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee. Zhang said cross-Straits cooperation and exchanges should be sustained to accomplish the goal of the reunification of the motherland. The one-China principle must be upheld and attempts to advocate "Taiwan independence" must be opposed, Zhang added.

Official vows to keep corruption in check

Wang Qishan, a top Party anti-corruption official, vowed on Monday to fight corruption at all levels of power and use regulations to keep power in check. The secretary of the CPC's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection made the remarks while participating in a panel discussion with political advisers from two non-Communist parties at the annual session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee. Wang said punishing and preventing corruption are important tasks that are promoted by restricting power and pushing for institutional building.

Aging population should be priority

China should take its aging population into account when introducing its national strategy for industrial reconstruction, Hu Xiaoyi, vice-minister of human resources and social security, said on Monday. Speaking on the sidelines of the annual session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Hu expressed his concerns about the potential effect that an aging population will have on China's consumption.

CIC saw 10.6% investment return

China Investment Corp, China's sovereign wealth fund, registered a 10.6 percent return rate on its investments last year, said Liang Xiang, executive vice-president of CIC, on Monday. Liang described the performance as "comforting amid the backdrop of a complicated economic situation and financial markets last year". Liang said that real estate will not be a major target for CIC's investments but will continue to be a part that provides sound returns.

Guizhou

7 injured after ground gives way

Seven students were injured after ground near a secondary school building collapsed on Monday morning in Guizhou province, the local government said. The incident occurred outside the school in Kaili. An initial investigation indicated that the cause of the accident was improper construction under the school. The seven injured students were hospitalized, and another 30 students were sent to a hospital for observation.

Chongqing

Escaped lions put back in cage at zoo

Two lions that escaped from their cage at a zoo in Chongqing were captured and returned to the cage under anesthetic. The two lions got out of the cage at about 8 am on Monday, according to the Chongqing government's micro blog. Police, snipers and anesthetists were called to the scene, the micro blog said. The lions were anesthetized and returned to the cage by 11:40 am.

Hainan

Mayor: Tourism needs regulation

Wang Yong, mayor of Sanya, a well-known city in Hainan province, said tourism in the city is facing many problems and the local government will implement more measures to regulate the industry, Southern Metropolis Daily reported on Monday. Wang said the government has already noticed the phenomenon of commissions on sales, and investigated and prosecuted major offenders. The government is working on a regulation with price transparency as top of the agenda, Wang said.

Xinhua - China Daily