IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Encore for a teacher

It's a Friday afternoon and Helen Boyle is waiting impatiently in a small office at a Beijing primary school for her team of volunteers.

Entrepreneurs watch their dreams fly

For almost a decade, they were just three young talents chasing their vague dreams in Beijing. Now they are renowned entrepreneurs running their own company in their hometown.

Students score trip of a lifetime

For underprivileged American students who have never left North America, traveling more than 10,000 kilometers from home may seem like a far-fetched dream. But 10 top students from Oakland, California, learned earlier this month that they will be going to China this summer, for free.

Good wives worth their weight in gold

China is relaxing the policy of family planning of the past, which allows couples to have a second child if one spouse is an only child. For many, that is good news indeed, but for some, it has come a little too late, especially if the children are now of marriageable age.

What's new

Abundant happiness

Imagining China

In her debut novel River of Dust, Virginia Pye seems to agree with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck on at least one point: The missionaries who came to China in the early 20th century to spread the gospel were not necessarily needed.

Chinese reading habits stir new debate

Are Chinese reading well? Are they reading enough?

What books to read?

While members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference discussed changing reading habits at the two sessions in March, some of them also gave their book recommendations.

IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Giant panda scales Chengdu mall

Lawrence Argent is known for his giant public installations - a red rabbit leaping through an airport and a blue bear peeping into a convention center.

When shop sells 'art derivatives'

First-time visitors to Uupp may wonder if it is an art gallery or a home-decor store. Paintings and sculptures are on display, together with lamps, mirrors, tables, chairs, glasses, cups, books, towels and sunglasses.