Theater revenue

China's futuristic National Grand Theater reported earnings of 3.5 million yuan ($437,500) during its test show period from September 25 to October 13. The revenue came from 23 performances of seven operas, dramas and ballets including China's classic ballet The Red Detachment of Women, the drama Teahouse, the ballet Swan Lake and the opera Sister Jiang, according to the Beijing Times newspaper. These test performances were not open to the general public, instead to migrant workers and residents relocated to make way for construction of the egg-shaped theater.

Working minor crackdown

The education officials have joined forces with employment authorities to investigate reports of agencies and individuals luring minors to work, the Ministry of Education said on Thursday.

Education authorities across the country will join officials with law enforcement powers in labor departments and commerce and industry administrations to intensify supervision and management to halt the illegal employment of minors, it said.

(China Daily 10/19/2007 page4)