PhD students see books turn black

Universities pay more to ease living pressure on city's doctoral candidates

More than 40,000 PhD candidates attending 35 universities in Beijing should find it a little easier to concentrate on their studies this year after learning they will benefit from the sharpest increase in stipends for 30 years.

The government said it wants the academics, who are sponsored by various ministries, to focus on their studies without worrying about financial burdens.