Zhejiang

Seven killed in rental housing fire

Seven people have been confirmed dead in a fire in a building in Zhejiang province on Thursday, local authorities said. The fire broke out at around 1:10 am in a three-story building of rental housing units in Wayao, Rui'an city. The victims were tenants living in rented rooms in the building, sources said. The fire was put out at 1:50 am.

Shandong

Suspect detained for hostage-taking

A man who held his boss hostage for more than an hour on Thursday at Shandong provincial health department offices in Jinan has been detained by police, China Central Television reported. The suspect, surnamed Zhang, 24, who works at an instrument and equipment factory in Qingdao, took his boss, surnamed Jin, hostage at knifepoint at about 2:30 pm. Jin had accompanied Zhang to the health department for an occupational disease assessment. Zhang quarreled with her before the incident. Police rescued Jin at 4 pm.

Beijing

Rewards put up for emission reports

Companies in Beijing could receive a reward of 120,000 yuan ($19,600) from the municipal government if their carbon-emission reports are graded as excellent, the government said on Tuesday. More than 500 companies must submit their carbon-emission reports to the government before Aug 16, the Beijing Commission of Development and Reform has announced. The companies are also required to invite a third party to inspect their carbon-emission reports by early September.

Solar plant set to join power grid

The first tower-type solar thermal experimental power plant, under independent intellectual property rights in China, is ready to be connected to the power grid, Qianlong.com reported. With a capacity of 205 megawatts, the plant has an annual output of about 1.95 million kWh. Launched in 2007 and finished in 2012, the Badaling solar thermal experimental power plant in Beijing's Yanqing county covers 19,200 square meters. Compared with a traditional thermal power plant, the solar plant can save 663 tons of coal equivalent annually.

Giant duck debut still unconfirmed

Although speculation suggested a giant rubber duck would make its debut at the Summer Palace on Sept 16 and then appear at the ninth International Garden Expo, details have still to be confirmed, the Beijing Design Week organizing committee said on Thursday. The floating art form was designed by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman with the aim of reminding people of their childhood memories. The duck has appeared in 14 cities so far, including Amsterdam, Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Hong Kong.

Henan

Man dies trying to rescue grandson

A man in Xincai county, Henan province, died while trying to rescue his grandson who had fallen into a four-meter-deep gap next to an abandoned well, Henan Business News reported on Thursday. The boy, 1, was rescued by firefighters on Tuesday morning. Duan Shuyou, who hung upside down for more than 10 hours while trying to rescue his grandson, died of hypoxia and brain injuries, the report said. His grandson was only bruised.

Liaoning

Good Samaritansto be rewarded

Authorities in Liaoning province are to reward and protect good Samaritans with a maximum reward of 1.2 million yuan ($196,000), news portal people.com.cn reported on Thursday. An ordinance will be implemented on Nov 1 in the province to further promote social justice and encourage and support courageous acts. The reward to those who are rewarded will be exempted from personal income tax.

Tibet

Calligraphy scroll sets global record

A 206-meter scroll of Tibetan calligraphy was included in Guinness World Records as the world's longest. The award ceremony was held in Lhasa, the Tibet autonomous region, on Thursday. Gnyan Shul Dorje Dondrub and Gomong Jampal, both renowned Tibet calligraphers, started the project in February 2009. The scroll contains 177 Tibetan font styles. The scroll also includes the evolution of Tibetan letters and Tibetan calligraphy theory.

World's highest wind farm built

Major wind farm developer Longyuan Power said on Thursday it has completed the installation of five wind turbines on a farm about 4,900 meters above sea level in Tibet, making the farm the highest in the world. The company plans to install 33 wind turbines at the farm, which is in Naqu prefecture. The farm is scheduled to be connected to the power grid at the end of the year.

China Daily - Xinhua

(China Daily USA 08/09/2013 page2)