China Scene: Central

5-year-old rescues parents after robbery

Police are investigating a burglary in Wuhan, Hubei province, on Wednesday in which a couple were tied up by the thieves and then rescued by their 5-year-old daughter.

Wang Jinghua and Zhang Yanfei run a tire store in Qingling township. Six burglars broke in at about 3 am and tied up the couple.

They stole more than 200,000 yuan ($28,571) worth of tires and 50,000 yuan in cash. As soon as they left, their daughter found a pair of scissors to cut their bindings and the couple phoned the police.

(www.hannet.com)

Police and forestry staff had to subdue a wild ape after it went on a six-hour rampage in Jiaozuo, Henan province.

The rhesus monkey was first spotted in a tree in the city's Xifengfeng village at about 9 am. It then jumped onto several houses, damaging the tiles and windows. It even took the mess inside after climbing through several windows.

Police and forestry officials were called to scene and after a six-hour chase, they finally knocked the monkey out and brought it to Jiaozuo zoo.

(Dongfang Jinbao News)

Elderly lothario winds up in court over comments

A 92-year-old professor surnamed Liu who recently made headlines by searching for a spouse through the media is now defending himself in a court in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province.

He is being sued by a 58-year-old woman surnamed Lin whom he accused of being a swindler after they separated.

Lin said she went to court to protect her reputation because she is not a con-woman. She asked Liu to apologize and pay her 20,000 yuan (about $2,900) in compensation.

Lin had a brief relationship with Liu after seeing his lonely hearts advertisement early last year.

Wuhan's Hongshan District People's Court held a public hearing on the case on Tuesday, but has not ruled yet.

(Changjiang Commercial News)

Ancient flower tree proves it's still got what it takes

A millennium-old peony in Wangling Park in Changsha, capital of Hunan province, has surprised residents by blooming.

The old tree's flowers are said to have a delicate fragrance, and the blooms are expected to last for a month.

The 3-m-tall plant is believed to be more than 1,000 years old.

The park's gardener, Yang Xikun, said it is also the tallest peony tree in the country.

(Xiaoxiang Morning Post)

Team effort to get huge 208-m kite airborne

Song Zhufeng has spent two years perfecting a massive kite to mark the Olympic Games in August.

The Changsha, Hunan province, resident has crafted a colorful 208-m kite that needs a team of helpers to fly.

The kite was sent skyward on Wednesday with the help of many onlookers, who watched it soar high above the city's Xiangjiang River.

(Xiangxiang Morning Post)

(China Daily 04/02/2008 page6)