Experts call for lifestyle changes

Although the standards of care and treatment provided by China's health service are rising rapidly, experts say general fitness levels would really soar if people adjusted their lifestyles by cutting down on fats and salts and taking more exercise.

Experts: Speculation made slump worse

High valuation of stocks and the use of high leverage in stock trading caused the Chinese A-share market to slump, but short-selling by speculators made the situation worse, experts said.

Turmoil's potential consequences and solutions

A possible chain reaction in the country's financial system if the government does not intervene in the stock market turmoil:

Sound bites

"It is essential for authorities to boost market confidence and probe market manipulations. There might be some side effects from the State purchase of stocks from the market, but that should be left aside to be handled sometime later. The most urgent task is to stabilize the market, consolidate market confidence and stop the market slide."

China, Singapore ink pacts

China and Singapore signed three cooperation agreements in Beijing on Friday as leaders of the two nations pledged to elevate their 25-year-old diplomatic relationship to a higher level.

Quake kills 3, damages thousands of homes

A magnitude-6.5 earthquake struck northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Friday, killing three people, injuring 42 others and damaging 3,000 homes so far, authorities said.

87 Beijing companies promise investment

Dozens of companies from Beijing signed agreements with Hebei province on Friday, pledging a total investment of more than 1.6 trillion yuan ($257.8 billion).

Business registration to go into effect in October

Entrepreneurs who want to start their own businesses are expected to find it easier and quicker to register and obtain approval for them once the country's new registration system takes effect on Oct 1.

Recruitment of tobacco control volunteers begins

The recruitment of volunteers to help carry out Beijing's tough tobacco control regulations started on Friday.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Vulnerable groups to get free legal aid

China will expand the scope of legal aid in a bid to protect the rights of vulnerable groups, a senior official at the Ministry of Justice said on Thursday.

City to issue work visas for top talent

Shanghai is to issue visas on arrival to high-level foreign workers and those bringing entrepreneurial skills to the city to attract top talent for its mission to become a global center of scientific and technological innovation.