Running through the haze becomes first Chinese lesson

As a former champion runner back in the United Kingdom a few years ago - OK, many years ago - I learned the importance of timing. I didn't have to be a Usain Bolt wannabe to realize that you can lose a middle-distance race by one hundredth of a second, just as easily as a sprinter can in 100 meters. My friends and acquaintances would race to say that it's a shame that my recognition of the tyranny of the stopwatch did not stretch to a respect for the clock, since I was frequently late for meetings. My excuse remains that winning or losing by a hairsbreadth meant that I needed a bit more latitude off the track.

The perfect blend

Alina Y. Qiu has come a long way since stumbling into the shoes of a producer by accident. She shares her views on combining Chinese and Hollywood productions with Liu Wei.

Building a dream factory for Shanghai's creative set

Former factories in Shanghai are set to be transformed into a cultural and entertainment center that aims to be a hub of creative life in the city.

The coupons collector

Li Santai is famous in Liuzhou city of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region for his collection of nearly 50,000 rationing coupons, a hobby he cultivated since the 1960s.

Expert taps safe water for Africa

Li Fengting gets excited when he talks about Africa. He has formed profound feelings for the continent over the past decade.

Smoke without fire

Electronic cigarettes may not help people quit smoking, a new study suggests. But experts say broader research is key, Andrew M. Seaman reports in New York.

Diabetes rates continue to rise

Lifestyle changes have led to growing rates of diabetes among Chinese, and more needs to be done to reverse the trend, according to diabetes specialist Xu Zhangrong.

IN BRIEF (Page 22)

The education of Tie Feiyan

Tie Feiyan carries herself with a confidence far beyond her 22 years. She appears more mature than her peers, having spent the past year as one of China's top legislators.

Greeks enjoy sounds of Chinese music

Two renowned virtuosos of traditional Chinese musical instruments, Zhou Wei and Yang Jing, performed with the City of Athens Symphony Orchestra in the Greek capital on Thursday evening.

What's new

Film awards

Raising poseidon, changing history

It sounds like the plot of an underwater thriller: A British submarine collides with a Chinese cargo ship off Weihai, Shandong province, in 1931 and sinks, prompting some of the crew to risk a potentially suicidal dash to the surface using experimental proto-scuba gear.