China Scene: West

Fruits of retiree's travels released to public

Guo Jiyan, 66, a retired engineer in Baoji, Shaanxi province, who has visited more than 30 countries in the past three years, recently published her travel diaries.

Guo has always enjoyed traveling and her retirement gave her time to realize her dream of traveling around the world. She set out in May 2005 and has since visited 11 European countries, four Asian countries, Canada, the United States, Mexico and Australia, as well as countries in South America and Africa.

She published some 300,000 words from her travel notes earlier this month.

(Chinese Business View)

Asian elephant tooth found in Sichuan

Researchers have unearthed the first Asian elephant fossils to be found in Sichuan province.

About 10 days ago, a farmer in Guanghan city found an animal fossil while working in his field. He sent it on to Zhang Rubai, a noted animal expert in Chengdu, the provincial capital. After a few days' research, Zhang and other experts determined that the fossil is a molar from an Asian elephant.

"The fossil shows that Asian elephants used to live in the area," one of the experts said.

(Chengdu Daily)

A court has ordered a dog owner to pay 200 yuan ($29) to cover rabies shots for a businessman the dog attacked in Fufeng county, Shaanxi province.

The dog attacked Ren on March 30. He fell to the ground and the dog started mauling him. But Ren retaliated by biting one of the dog's ears. It scampered away in pain.

(Chinese Business View)

Centenarian gets red carpet treatment

Lu Zhihui, a 102-year-old resident of Guiyang, capital of Guizhou province, enjoyed first-class services during a recent flight.

The old lady lives with her 77-year-old son in Guiyang, but she wanted to visit her hometown Liping, another city in the province, for the Tomb-Sweeping festival. On Thursday, she traveled to the airport accompanied by her sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren and was warmly received by airport clerks. The careful services continued throughout the voyage.

According to information from the civil aviation bureau, only two people older than 100 have flown in China. It said old people who want to travel by air should have a medical examination before boarding.

(Guizhou Metropolis Daily)

Hi-tech call center to help elderly people stay in touch

A special call center for elderly people has been set up in Yunnan province and will start offering services after completing a trial phase.

The center targets elderly people who live alone in Kunming, the provincial capital, relying on a calling network and GPS. Rao Yuehui, director of the civil affairs bureau in the city's Panlong district, said the center will use special telephones and GPS to help elderly people in distress. Callers will be able to press a button on the telephone, automatically alerting the center to their identity and location.

(www.shxb.net)

(China Daily 04/10/2008 page6)