China Scene: Central

Deep-pocketed chief helps lonely hearts find love

Qiao Zongwang does not regret having shelled out more than 3 million yuan (about $423,000) to help villagers since he agreed to serve as village chief in Xinzheng, Henan province.

Qiao's only wish now is to help single villagers find spouses.

The former entrepreneur has been feted by the farmers in Taishan village, in the city's Longhu township, ever since he gave up his business to become head of the village, also known as "the village of bachelors", in August 2006.

Many male villagers have struggled to find mates because they are so poor.

Their millionaire village head now works in a 5-sq-m office and often eats instant noodles so that he has enough money to lead his village fellows down the road of prosperity.

(Dongfang Jinbao News)

Reporters stranded as tigers closed in

A press junket nearly ended in disaster when a vehicle taking 10 journalists on a tiger safari tour caught fire at the Jiufeng Forestry Wildlife Park in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, on Wednesday.

The journalists were trapped on the vehicle for 10 minutes, surrounded by tigers.

The bottom of the purpose-built vehicle caught fire as the tour entered "Tiger Mountain".

Park staff had to rescue the journalists in a tractor equipped with iron bars. The tigers were brought a live pig to distract them as the journalists swapped vehicles.

(Wuhan Evening News)

Villagers search for money to pay for lightning rod

Residents of Dumu village in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, are seeking financial support so they can install a lightning rod on a 1,200-year-old tree.

The rod will cost an estimated 15,000 yuan ($2,100).

Xia Jianxin, the village chief, said the ancient tree is considered a good luck charm in the village, though frequent lightning strikes have left it struggling to stay alive.

He said the poor villagers have struggled to come up with funds to pay for the tree-saving improvement.

(Chutian Metropolis Daily)

(China Daily 03/25/2008 page6)