China Scene: West

An unwilling partner in crime receives punishment

In December 2005, a migrant worker in Chongqing municipality surnamed Zhang had dinner with a friend who asked him to take part in a robbery.

Initially Zhang refused. But his friend, surnamed Yuan, twisted his arm. He told Zhang that he had been poisoned at dinner and would receive treatment only after becoming an accomplice in the crime. Reluctantly, Zhang agreed.

Earlier this year, the two men were arrested and both were sentenced to two years in prison.

(Chongqing Times)

Homeless man given a job for his generosity

Wang Mingsheng, a homeless man who donated his meager savings to help earthquake victims, was given a job on Tuesday by a local company in Chongqing municipality.

Wang is a resident of Linyi, Shandong province in eastern China. On May 26, he donated 180 yuan ($26), the total amount of his savings over seven years, to assist children in Wenchuan.

His generosity made him a local hero, and a local company returned his kindness by offering him employment.

(Chongqing Evening News)

(China Daily 06/10/2008 page6)