Taking breaks is better than pretending to be busy

Weeks ago a department manager complained to me that newcomers in his company disappear too long at lunch break. The break was until 1 pm, but quite often these "blockheads" didn't show up again until 1:30 pm.

Is there really a property bubble?

Soaring residential real estate prices have convinced many that Beijing has a property bubble. That would be good news for first-time homebuyers frozen out of the market by high housing costs. After the US and Japanese real estate bubbles popped, property asset prices plunged, making housing more affordable.

Time to give the elbow to this kind of giving

A survey conducted by China Youth Daily throughout 31 provinces and municipalities found that some 94.8 percent of respondents had made donations to charitable projects.

Quotation of the day

Glimpse of dancers' world

Legendary German choreographer remembered through multimedia event at 798, Wendy Qian reports

What's on

Stage

French scholar finds view of 'lost generation'

Michel Bonnin unveils part of a special section of nation's history

Intellectuals collaborate on new book

On a dry and hot Saturday in June, the kind of day most locals stay at home to avoid the oppressive heat, a crowd of more than 100 people packed One Way Street, a small Beijing bookstore.

Good fortune - and delicious ice cream

With artists creating unique work, ice-cream makers stirring up delicious treats and fortunetellers looking into the future by interpreting coffee grains, the Turkey Pavilion has become one of the most popular in the Expo Garden.

Germans mirror early World Cup success at Expo

Germany's early dominance of a mini "World Cup" held recently in Shanghai, which featured eight teams of seven players, curiously mirrors the exploits of its national team at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

News Bites

Design delight

Abolish hukou-related university admission quotas

Just over a month ago, a million-plus Chinese high school seniors underwent that dreaded rite of passage into university life, the gaokao examination.