Biz Scene: Biz Unusual

Heavy price

Payment from clients is generally cause for relief for businesses. But for a company making lubricating oil in Jinan, Shandong Province, it turned out to be a real headache as its client paid its due 320,000 yuan - in coins. Weighing 65 kgs in all, the coins were sent in 32 bags. The company had to send tens of its staff members to deposit the coins in the bank.

Fresh air

Rented air? Sounds odd, but that's what some hotels in Beijing are planning for the coming Olympic Games. Air-purifying equipment provider Yadu plans to rent its purifiers to these hotels keen to inject fresh air into its rooms in keeping with the spirit of the "green Olympics".

Giant water spinach

It seems rice goes really well with water spinach. Mao Jianguo, a 74-year-old man in Yueyang, Hunan Province, planted water spinach at his home this May. Much to his surprise, the plant has yielded a 9-meter water spinach.

Mao said he doesn't know much about cultivating vegetables and only gave the plant the water he used for washing rice every day. Mao plans to sell the water spinach at a high price.

(China Daily 11/08/2007 page15)