China Scene: Central

Retired official makes the most of rubbish

Zhu Ziming, a 70-year-old retired township government official in Liuyang, Hunan province, has over the past 26 years supported 58 poor students by recycling rubbish.

To date, he has given more than 150,000 yuan ($21,400) to needy kids.

The former vice-chief of a local township started picking up scraps when he retired at the age of 60.

He lives a poor life, although he receives a monthly pension of 1,890 yuan.

Of the students Zhu has financially supported, 14 have gone on to university.

(Xiaoxiang Morning Post)

Scenic spot hosts minority folk song festival

The First Zhangjiajie China Folk Song Festival took place in Zhangjiajie in Hunan province last week.

More than 1,000 folk singers representing China's ethnic minorities took part in the festival organized by the Ministry of Culture.

The event aims to promote the long tradition of Chinese folk singing.

In addition to folk song competitions, special seminars were organized to showcase Chinese folk song culture. A "king and queen of folk songs" were selected during the festival.

Zhangjiajie is home to many minority people.

(www.chinanews.com.cn)

(China Daily 05/07/2008 page6)