Chinese critical responses

History and time traveling to the past are favorite themes in recent publications that cater to the taste of the popular books market in the country.

Two writers and a marriage made in literary heaven

Chongqing-born writer Hong Ying, whose influential works have been published in foreign languages since the 1990s, first met Adam Williams at a friend's party, when he was caught up in the excitement of the publication of his first novel.

Unbreakable bond

Li Yuankang, a 65-year-old retired mechanical engineer was awoken by a call from his former boss at midnight on Sept 5. "A very important personage will mention you, buddy," said the voice on the other side. That person was none other than President Xi Jinping. In a speech at Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Sept 7, he told the moving story of a Chinese son reunited with his Kazakh mother and elder sister after 55 years of separation.

Thirsty work

Real ale fans have made a business out of brewing quality local beers for Beijing's drinkers

The first place to be called the 'Middle Kingdom'

About 1.8 million years ago, the ancestors of Chinese people began to use fire and stone tools on this land. About 5,000 years ago, they learned how to extract salt from water in this area. More than 4,000 years ago, the early Chinese emperors Yao, Shun and Yu successively made this place the capital cities during their reigns.

Abbott likes Indonesia's plan for farm investment

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Tuesday threw his support behind Jakarta's plans to invest in Australian cattle farms to help end a trade dispute that has devastated his country's cattle industry and boosted beef prices in Indonesia.

Seoul shows off new missiles in parade

The Republic of Korea showed off on Tuesday new missiles designed to target Pyongyang's artillery and long-range missiles and vowed to boost deterrence against its neighbor.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

India, Pakistan pledge to work for peace

The leaders of India and Pakistan have pledged to restore calm on their disputed border in Kashmir, with New Delhi demanding action before any improvement in relations.

US government faces possible shutdown

Lawmakers have just one day to try to prevent the first US government shutdown in 17 years, but a deal appeared remote on Monday as congressional leaders showed little intent to compromise.

Knox's second appeal trial for murder opens

US student Amanda Knox's second appeal trial in the murder of her British roommate opened on Monday, but the star defendant was absent.

'Rouhani should not have taken Obama call'

The commander of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards has said President Hassan Rouhani should have refused to take last week's purported telephone call from his US counterpart Barack Obama.