China Scene: South

Elderly residents of Guangzhou's Tianhe district have applauded the efforts of Wu Hongdong, 57, ever since he built a mountain path with his own hands over the last few months.

Wu, an associate professor at a local university, began building the path last September after he heard some elderly people had fallen down and hurt themselves while doing their morning exercises on the mountain.

After six months of efforts, he completed a 1-m-wide and 1-km-long mountain path last week, offering convenience to local residents.

(New Express Daily)

Farmer showers love on adopted daughters

Liang Jiu, 60, has inspired the people of Jiushi township in Deqing county, Guangdong province, with his selfless devotion to his adopted daughters.

Liang, a resident of the township's Xiaxu village, earns about 400 yuan (about $60) a month picking up scraps, but that has not stopped him from adopting three abandoned girl babies.

Liang must also look after his wife, who has a serious mental disease, and his old mother.

Despite the financial strain, Liang has promised to look after his three adopted daughters until they have graduated from university. And the family is living a harmonious and happy life.

(Nanfang Daily)

Hitchhikers take advantage of friendly driver

A kindhearted man surnamed Pang just wanted to help other people, but ended up losing 2,300 yuan ($328.57) to extortionists in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province.

Pang met three men on the roadside when he was driving back home at bout 9 am on Sunday. He offered them a ride after learning that their destination was on the way to Pang's home.

One of Pang's passengers then pretended to hurt his head in the car on the way and asked Pang to take him to a hospital for treatment. He was then forced to help pay for the medical fees because the man injured himself in Pang's car.

(Yangcheng Evening News)

(China Daily 04/04/2008 page6)