China Scene: North

Wariness prevents elderly from accepting a free ride

After observing how difficult it is for some elderly people to find a place to sit on buses, Wang Xiaohui, a security guard from Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei province, bought a car and put up a sign reading "free bus for the seniors above 70".

During his first couple days on the job, few people took him up on the offer as they dared not believe someone would help them.

Over the past two months, he has only managed to help eight old people who were waiting for bus at a stop near his home. Still, he refuses to scrap the service and looks forward to the day when people will welcome his assistance.

(Shijiazhuang Daily)

Moment of clarity raises woman's hopes

Feng, a woman from Changchun, Jilin province, burst into tears last week when her husband, who had been in a coma for several years, told her that he loved her.

"His words meant everything to me, and I'm confident that he will recover if only I continue to look after him as I have done for past four years," she said.

She has doted on her husband, surnamed Fu, for the past four years, talking to him and looking after him. Her neighbors have all applauded her selfless devotion to him.

(City Evening News)

Dog owner to pay for wandering pet's sins

A dog owner surnamed Zhang from Beijing's Shunyi district was ordered to pay 25,000 yuan (about $3,500) to a motorcyclist who was seriously wounded during a traffic accident caused by his pet.

Zhang was walking his dog one day last summer when it darted out into an intersection. To avoid killing it, Li, the motorcyclist, fell to the ground, fracturing his ribs and saving the dog. Li then sued Zhang for compensation.

Hearing the case on Monday, judges said that as the owner of the dog, Zhang must take the major responsibility for the motorcyclist's injury since he had failed to control his pet.

(Beijing Times)

Migrant worker learns to keep joy to himself

After winning 100,000 yuan (about $14,200) in a sports lottery on Sunday, a migrant worker in his 60s was so excited that he waved the ticket in the faces of everyone at the inn in Beijing where he had a room.

Unfortunately, his extreme joy turned to sorrow when someone snatched the ticket and ran off into the night.

Ying, the worker, called the lottery center for help but was told that he must find the ticket within 28 days or forfeit the prize. Police are hunting for the robber in the hope of returning the ticket.

(New Culture View)

Polyglot cabbie chatters away with foreign guests

A studious cab driver in his 50s from Tianjin municipality has learned 10 foreign languages, including English, Japanese, Thai, Korean and Arabic.

Mu Huanwang began his love affair with foreign languages four years ago when he picked up a Korean, but could not understand what he said. He has devoted every free moment since then to studying foreign languages.

He is now able to chat with passengers in English, Japanese and Arabic.

"Besides, I'm now studying Russian, German and French," he said on Wednesday. "I have served quite a few foreign passengers over the years thanks to the foreign languages I have learned," he said.

(Daily Update)

Driver told to turn himself in after dragging police

A young taxi driver in his 20s dragged a traffic police officer for 50 m down a street in Changchun, capital of Jilin province, before he was stopped by another car on Wednesday.

The police officer had been checking his license.

"The taxi driver stopped, but then drove off until his was blocked by another car," a witness surnamed Lu said.

The driver then fled the scene.

Fu Ya, the policeman, has been hospitalized for treatment.

Police have called on the driver to turn himself in.

(East Asia Economy and Trade News)

Scientist's family files record-setting suit

Relatives of Xu Ligen, a well-known scientist, sued a property management company for a record 5 million yuan (about $712,000) in compensation after he died in an accident.

As he was walking home with members of his family on Jan 24, he tripped over an iron chain that the company had set out in a residential area in the Haidian district of Beijing. He died as a result of his injuries.

The case got underway on Monday, when Xu Ge, a Chinese American, filed the paperwork. The case is expected to be heard soon.

(Beijing Times)

(China Daily 04/01/2008 page6)