Scientist puts smog, and himself, under a microscope

It has been two years since China Daily last interviewed 31-year-old Zhang Chao. The Beijing-based micrograph enthusiast still wears the same hair style, even the same coat.

Snowy owls surprise Chinese bird-watchers

It has been over a month since Tian Zhiwei allegedly saw the large, fluffy raptor flying, while it was hunting and living in the woods by the sea.

Autism meets art

In 2010, Guo Chenggang suddenly found his 30-month-old son to be "unusual".

Carpenter turns the wealthiest men in Tibet

Forty years ago, 150 yuan ($63 then) was all the money Qunpei Tsering had to his name. Now, as the Tibet autonomous region's first billionaire, he has pledged to use his wealth to benefit the people living in the region.

Black-and-white star power

Pandas are so celebrated that even their poop is valuable. Paper made from panda feces sells for big bucks.

The face of public diplomacy

Many Chinese companies dismally fail the test of diplomacy when they go abroad, says Zhao Qizheng, former chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and former minister of the State Council Information Office. Not only do they act clumsily, but they also have little understanding of the concept of public diplomacy, says Zhao, who is widely regarded as a pioneer in Chinese public diplomacy.

Espionage novel cracks the code for an English release

The espionage novel Decoded has become the first contemporary Chinese fiction ever published by Penguin Classics, marking its entry into the mainstream of global literature.

Cool wool

Woolen garments might be a staple of the winter wardrobe, but will they endure through summer? With cutting-edge technology, the fabric can actually transport you through the heat of summer stylishly, wool experts say.

IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Fake vs Frank opinion

Chinese filmmaker Feng Xiaogang is known for his uncompromising remarks as well as for his top-grossing movies. Whenever he appears at the annual Shanghai International Film Festival, some newspapers reserve headline space for him, knowing full well that he will "fire at some person or object" and create shock waves throughout the industry or even beyond it.

Latest Metal Gear is short but sweet

Ever since the release of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, creator Hideo Kojima has been saying that he'll be retiring from the series. Lo, and behold after four main games into the series, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is here. A teaser to the full and what once again maybe the last game into the series, Ground Zeroes is an expensive tease of more to come.

Taste of the times

Great herbs and vegetables have arrived on restaurants' dining tables on the breath of spring, and some chefs in Beijing are taking the chance to cook up tasty and healthy fare. Southwest China's Yunnan province is famous for producing wild flowers and herbs.