Ushering in the New Year

2016-02-13 02:34:20

Chinese New Year is without doubt the most important occasion in the year for most people in China. Such is its importance that millions of Chinese people from all over the country willingly endure the hardships suffered during the long journey back to their homes. The lucky people who are able to secure air tickets during this period get away just with huge crowds at the airports. Those who can only afford to take a train or ride their motorcycles back to their homes in the more remote regions of China have to endure days of traveling before they get to see their loved ones. But ask any one of them why they go through this hardship and you’re most likely to get this answer: family.
The most significant aspect of the Spring Festival is not simply about celebrating the start of a new year according to the Chinese Zodiac. Rather, it is a time when families unite under one roof to eat, drink and be merry. 
This winter may be China’s coldest in 30 years, but one can rest assured that familial bonds, celebratory toasts and sumptuous home-cooked food during this festive period will no doubt provide some much needed warmth. 

Smog incentives hard to introduce

2016-02-13 02:23:02

A survey that found majority support for issuing incentives for people working outdoors on smoggy days reflects growing approval for improving worker conditions.

Home-buying sentiments peak in city

2016-02-13 00:40:07

Heated property trading in 2015 has elevated the home-buying intentions of consumers in Shanghai to a six-year high, according to a report jointly published by the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and the national financial information center under the Xinhua News Agency.

New policies to aid Belt and Road business ventures

2016-02-04 03:30:20

Several policies will be adopted by the Foreign Ministry to help the flow of personnel between China and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, a senior diplomat said on Wednesday.

A 'police father' with 39 'left-behind' children

2016-02-04 07:45:37

Liao Yifeng, a police officer who works in a village of Huangpi in Wuhan, Hubei province, is a "father" to 39 "left-behind" children, whose parents are working far away from home and rarely spend time with them.

Kindness walls bringing extra warmth to the needy

2016-02-04 07:30:11

Everything on the "Wall of Kindness" is free to those who need it, giving the city's homeless and impoverished residents a chance to dress themselves in warm clothes amid the recent cold.

Stallholders bid farewell to capital

2016-02-04 07:45:37

A once popular market area near the Beijing Zoo closes on Thursday, bringing an end to the must-go destination.

Stranded passengers at Guangzhou station evacuated

2016-02-04 10:36:52

Most of the 50,000 holiday travelers stranded by bad weather in and around Guangzhou railway station in south China have departed aboard trains thanks to authorities' evacuation efforts.

Zika curbs to include mosquito mass extermination

2016-02-04 07:44:58

As the weather turns warmer and China faces a higher risk of local transmission of the Zika virus, the top virus-prevention authority plans a large-scale extermination of mosquitoes to cut off transmission of the virus.

Taking a scalpel to hospital ticket scalpers

2016-02-04 07:45:37

High demand for medical services has provided golden opportunities for unscrupulous gangs to fleece unsuspecting patients at some of the nation's major hospitals. Despite an official crackdown, the law-breakers continue to operate.

Railway transportation sees travel peak as Spring Festival draws near

2016-02-01 07:32:27

Railway transportation witnessed a travel peak as the Spring Festival draws near.

Veteran, reformist dies at 99

2016-02-01 07:56:11

Yuan Geng, a prominent figure in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45) and a pioneer of China's reform and opening-up, has died. He was 99.