China Scene: Central

Price hike on wedding banquets complained

An investigation into how much retailers can charge for pre-booked wedding banquets is underway after a soon-to-be groom complained about rising prices.

Luo Wei made the complaint to the local industry and commerce department after he was forced to pay an extra 7,700 yuan ($1,100) for his wedding banquet in Wuchang, Hubei province.

At the end of last year, Luo had booked 50 tables at a local restaurant for his May wedding. He paid the 3,000 yuan deposit after the menu decision was finalized.

But, due to this year's rising prices for meat, vegetables and related products, Luo was required to pay an additional 140 yuan per table.

(Changjiang Commercial News)

Zhengzhou Zoo welcomes newborns

The Zhengzhou Zoo in Henan province has broken a record this past month with the birth of more than 20 animals.

The newborns include golden monkeys, mandrills, baboons, hippos, elephants, black swans, wild geese and wild ducks.

The drawback is the high number of births has caused an accommodation shortage at the zoo.

Zoo staff are also expecting more births as several other animals have been pregnant for some time.

(Zhengzhou Evening News)

(China Daily 06/04/2008 page6)