China Scene: South

Power suspended after man scales electric tower

More than 10,000 residents were without electricity for hours after a man climbed a local high-voltage tower in Nanning, the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

On Monday afternoon, the middle-aged man scaled the electrical tower - and then took a nap there.

Police, fire fighters, medical staff and personnel from the electricity department were immediately dispatched to the scene.

Three hours later, the man climbed down on his own accord. Police then brought him in for questioning.

But, it is still unknown as to why the man climbed the tower in the first place.

(Nanguo Morning Post)

Artists draw from quake to help victims

One hundred famous painters from Guangdong province are collaboratively working on a masterpiece that will feature the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan.

Titled Earthquake, the painting will be first displayed in Guangzhou after it is finished in roughly one week. It will then be exhibited in Sichuan.

The painting will be auctioned off and the funds raised will go towards helping quake victims rebuild their homes.

Thirty-three meters of the 52 m-long painting has already been completed.

Artists are publicly working on the painting in the provincial capital at the Guangzhou Tianhe Sports complex.

(New Express Daily)

(China Daily 06/05/2008 page6)