'I hate to stay indoors'

At 6:30 am, an alarm clock broke the quietness of the early morning in Beijing. Three men in their 30s rose reluctantly from their beds in a cramped underground room. After a quick wash, they ate a simple breakfast, soybean milk and baozi - stuffed steamed buns - outside.

Guangdong: GDP will hit $1 trillion

South China's Guangdong province, the nation's leading economic powerhouse, is projecting it will end the year with 6.23 trillion yuan ($1 trillion) in GDP, up 8.5 percent from 2012.

Foreign investors courted to help structural reform

Already a hotspot for foreign investors, Guangdong is formulating an aggressive plan to attract even more capital from developed countries and regions.

Market manages economy more in streamlined govt

Guangdong's efforts to streamline administrative procedures and alleviate government intervention in the market are drawing positive remarks from business people across the province.

Strong growth in the creative industry

The creative industry has become a strategic growth point in Guangdong due to planning and policy support from the local government, an official said.

IN BRIEF (Page 7)

Petrochemicals fueling Fujian growth

As the authorities in Fujian province roll out a range of initiatives to aid growth in the petrochemical industry, more opportunities have been created for investment in the pillar of the local economy.

Projects await investment

Polyisobutylene project with a designed annual production capacity of 20,000 tons in Quangang district, Quanzhou

More tests mean less cramming

Li Yao had never really entertained the idea of going to a "cram school" until he failed to get the required test results for college admission.

Despite 10 gaokao tries, I never lost sight of dream

Editor's note: Li Donghua, 32, has taken the gaokao, China's college entrance exam, 10 times. He finally passed this year.

Boarding in China preps kids for study overseas

With the rapid progress of China's economy, more and more Chinese parents prefer to send their young children to schools overseas. But in the opinion of Murray Fowler, master of Wellington College International Tianjin, studying overseas is not good for younger children.

Program nurtures local talent for intl positions

Xu Shengyu has dreamed of becoming a diplomat since he was an undergraduate majoring in English.