China Scene: South

The latest in 'bike parking' technology

In Zhuhai special economic zone, Guangdong province, cyclists can now use an automated "bike-parking" machine.

Located in the city's Haibin Park, the device is available for use by residents free of charge.

Cyclists ask park administrators for a special smart card that activates the machine. The bikes are automatically lifted and locked, then returned to the ground when owners swipe the smart cards.

City officials say the machine employs advanced anti-theft technology and has the capacity to hold 10 bikes.

(Guangzhou Daily)

More male babies means more lonely bachelors

The numbers are stacked against them.

More than 4.6 million young men in Guangdong province will have trouble finding wives over the next twelve years, family planning officials recently warned.

In the province, 110 male babies are delivered for every 100 females.

They blamed the unbalanced sex ratio on the traditional preference for male heirs and illegal gender testing of fetuses with ultrasound, especially in rural areas.

(Guangzhou Daily)

According to an old Chinese proverb, "You cannot do two things at one time."

But Ye Shijin, a man in Guangdong province, has become a local tourist attraction by proving otherwise.

Ye, 57, has taught himself to write and work math problems, wielding pens with both hands and both feet. Meanwhile, he recites Tang dynasty poems.

Locals have nicknamed him "Superman Ye."

(www.chinanews.com.cn)

(China Daily 06/13/2008 page6)