China Scene: Central

Calligrapher with a special ability

A disabled man Yang Xingdong has become a well-known figure in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, for being able to support his two children through university.

Yang, 51, lost his arms in an accident eight years ago. He uses his feet to do calligraphy, which he sells in various cities.

In recent years, Yang has sold his calligraphy in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Despite his disability, Yang, who comes from a poor family in Anlu county, supports a family of five.

Yang said his biggest wish is to settle down in the central metropolis and live a peaceful life.

(Changjiang Commercial News)

Son drinks himself to death at father's funeral

A 36-year-old man in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, died on Thursday after drinking too much at his father's funeral.

Shao Kaicang, a businessman, returned to Wuhan from Shenzhen on April 18. He toasted every relative and friend during his father's funeral ceremony the next day.

After putting away about 250 grams of alcohol, Shao fainted and had to be taken home so that he could sleep off his drunkenness. His wife took over the duty of toasting the guests.

When he failed to wake up the next morning, Shao was taken to Tongji Hospital. He died after spending six days in a coma.

(Wuhan Evening News)

Woman too foxy for ex's kidnap-extortion attempt

A woman surnamed He escaped the clutches of her ex-boyfriend after secretly alerting a bank teller that she had been kidnapped in Zhengzhou, Henan province, on Thursday morning.

He's ex grabbed her and took her to a bank, saying that she should pay him 60,000 yuan (about $8, 600) for breaking up with him. She had already given him 5,000 yuan the previous day. The boyfriend also took a gold necklace from her.

When it was He's turn to approach the teller window she passed the bank's staff member a note saying she had been kidnapped and asked for help alerting the police.

Upon reading He's note, the bank staff secretly called police, leading to the arrest of He's exboyfriend.

(Dahe News)

(China Daily 05/06/2008 page6)