Mixed responses to courtyard performance

Theater enthusiasts may soon be able to enjoy dramas presented in traditional courtyard houses in Beijing's Xicheng district and the hutong of Houhai.

Staying cheeky with chinglish puns

Composing plays that appeal to both Chinese and foreign audiences is not an easy feat. Elyse Ribbons should know.

City lawyers accused of unruly practice

Despite a rapid increase in the number of lawyers in Beijing, concerns about ability have forced the Beijing Lawyers' Association to punish 21 lawyers already this year.

Overhaul for temporary residency permit

Beijing's temporary residency permit will be changed from next year to help the government monitor the city's massive floating population.

Pirated DVD mogul may get jail and fine

A Beijing man charged with copyright infringement might be sentenced to 14 months in prison and fined 80,000 yuan, the local procuratorate said yesterday

IN BRIEF (Page 25)

Water price could rise 24 percent

The Beijing government wants to increase the price of water by almost 24 percent to 4.6 yuan per cu m to cut down on water use.

Concerned teenager offers alternative plan

A 16-year-old high school student has proposed that the perfect charge for water in Beijing should be 50 yuan per cu m, up from the current rate of 3.7 yuan per cu m.

Homeowner battles against unwanted housing heating

One resident's four-year fight against a heating company will go before a court for the fifth time, the longest such battle against unwanted public heating in Beijing.

Dodgy recruiters banned from campus fairs

More than 10 companies have been placed on a campus job fair blacklist as part of a crackdown on dodgy recruiters, the Beijing career guide center for graduates said.

Beijing Bites

Taxi driver killed

Hiding for Christmas scrooges

Between now and Dec 25, Western expats in Beijing will be counting the days until Christmas. They happily buy and wrap gifts, decorate Christmas trees and plan holiday meals, cheerily humming Christmas carols all the while.