Opera troupes struggle to avoid final curtain

Opera performer Zhang Fanghua retired from a troupe in Heibei province three years ago when she reached the age of 50 - but she is working harder than ever.

Bangzi facts

Hebei Bangzi Opera is the main type of drama in Hebei province and was included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in May 2006.

Greek classic promotes Chinese art

Performances have received warm welcome and generous praise from theater critics in West, star says

Manchu a window into forgotten past

A bereaved emperor who condemned his son to a life of confinement, a bright prince entangled in a deadly political struggle, and a long-gone royal mansion that stood witness to all the love, hate and sadness - Yan Chongnian would have had no chance to uncover this distant past if he did not "hold the key".

Long journey on foot changes salesman's life

After walking for 154 days from Nanjing to Tibet with 4,000 yuan ($646), Hu Jian has become an social media celebrity.

Around China

Henan

Hopes still high as graduation nears

With a record 7.49 million students graduating from China's universities and colleges in July, the job market is expected to be fierce. However, the majority of prospective graduates have not slashed their job expectations, according to a recent survey.

Hong Kong, Taiwan seek to join AIIB

Hong Kong and Taiwan have applied to join the Beijing-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, although their status in the organization after joining is still pending and could only be decided after the charter of the institution is settled.

Chinese evacuees happy to be safely home

Having been anxious for a dozen days in war-torn Yemen, Zhu Jianping arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport late on Tuesday after a flight of 11 hours, finally setting foot on his motherland once again and leaving the rumble of gunfire and bombs 7,000 kilometers behind.

Major gambling ring shut down

Guangdong police have detained 1,071 suspects after breaking up a major online gambling ring in a special operation, according to a senior police officer.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Official and family 'were paid $387m'

A former energy chief and members of his family allegedly received more than 2.4 billion yuan ($387 million) in bribes, a business magazine reported on Wednesday.