China Scene: North

Migrant worker settles case, heads home

A migrant worker from Beichuan, Sichuan province, has been released from custody after agreeing to pay 17,000 yuan ($2,452) in compensation for injuring another worker.

Zhang Guangwen had been held for several months after intentionally harming a worker in the Changping district of Beijing.

A Changping prosecutor decided not to prosecute Zhang after he and the injured party were able to agree on a settlement.

The prosecutor also donated 500 yuan to Zhang, to help him travel home to find missing family members from the May 12 earthquake.

(Beijing Times)

Volunteers get smokers to butt out for a day

No-smoking monitors worked to stop over 1,000 smokers from lighting up at public places in Shenyang, Liaoning province, on the 21st World No-Tobacco Day.

About 30 volunteers, varying in age, worked towards the butt-free environment on Sunday.

"We are so glad to have the volunteers work with us for the no-smoking campaign in public places," Li Weiping, an official in charge of the campaign said. "For the first time, we've issued former certificates for the civilian admonitory to persuade smokers to give up the habit in public places."

Li rallied locals to join the fight against smoking in public places - and to work towards making the city a no-smoking area in the future.

(Liaoshen Evening News)

Cabbie catches dangerous thief with local help

A cab driver, who was stabbed five times by a robber, was able to catch the thief with help from locals in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning province.

Lu Guodong went to hospital after being seriously injured by the knife-wielding robber.

At the hospital, the 55-year-old cab driver saw the robber standing outside the same consulting room.

People in the room heard Lu's cries for help, and came running to help hold back the robber. The robber was later handed over to local police.

(Chinese Business Morning View)

Disabled newlyweds help quake victims

Twelve newlywed disabled couples have chosen to donate their wedding gift to victims of the Sichuan earthquake.

The group received 6,000 yuan ($865) from the Shenyang Disabled Federation in Liaoning province.

The money, intended to help the couples to start a new life, was presented to them Sunday.

But, to the surprise of the guests, the couples turned down the money - and instead offered it to help quake victims in need.

(Shenyang Daily)

Old man returns money wrongly allotted to him

An old man's honesty has been rewarded with gifts from a local bank.

The retiree surnamed Zhao from Yangcheng county of Shanxi province, returned 3,000 yuan ($432.7) of bank interest he received in error.

When Zhao withdrew his savings Wednesday morning, he thought he had received too much interest.

To be sure, he let his son verify the amount, which was indeed incorrect.

Later that afternoon, Zhao and his son went to the bank to return the money.

The bank called Zhou the next day to thank him and presented him with gifts for his family.

(Shanxi Evening News)

(China Daily 06/06/2008 page6)