Suckling pigs becoming a high-cost festival roast

The cost of a roasted suckling pig has gone up 40 percent in the past year to 668 yuan ($110) in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province.

Zhao Liping, a senior executive at Guangzhou Restaurant Group, said the price hike was due to rises in wholesale and production costs, chefs' salaries and seasoning.

As well as being a major feature of Cantonese cuisine, roasted suckling pigs are popular at this time of the year with local people who offer them as sacrifices to ancestors during the Qingming Festival on April 4.

(Guangzhou Daily)

Saunas app too steamy for residents in delta city

A software application called "Dongguan Sauna Information" has been taken off the market after residents complained that it sullied the reputation of the Pearl River delta city.

The application offered information on saunas and hotels in Dongguan, Guangdong province, but also included provocative photographs and other prurient material.

Apple Corp's AppStore did not reply to inquiries, but the application was no longer available on Tuesday.

(Southern Metropolis Daily)

Better late than never paying decade-old hospital bill

A migrant worker from Hubei province has finally paid a hospital for emergency treatment he received 10 years ago.

In 2002, Deng Changcai, was rushed to the hospital in Dongguan, Guangdong province, suffering acute appendicitis. Although neither Deng nor his fellow workers could pay for the operation, the hospital decided to save the 32-year-old's life. He left five days later, owing 1,529 yuan ($240).

Back home Deng often talked of his debt to the hospital and always hoped to pay the health bill. Last week, his son went to the hospital and settled the account. The hospital has praised Deng for his integrity and honesty.

(Nanfang Daily)