Abe won't attend China's commemorative celebration

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will not attend September events in Beijing to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, the Tokyo government's top spokesman - and Abe himself - said on Monday.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Troops set to step out in style

Officers and soldiers from the People's Liberation Army will wear newly designed uniforms when they march in the military parade in Beijing on Sept 3, PLA Parade Joint Command logistics officers said.

WWII veterans' pensions raised

China will increase the pensions of veterans who fought in World War II, starting in October, a civil affairs official said. It is one of a number of measures to honor veterans ahead of the Victory Day commemorations on Sept 3.

Car limits result in public transit record

The number of people taking public transportation reached a record high for the year as Beijing imposed traffic restrictions in advance of the Sept 3 military parade, prompting an increase in subway train capacity and safety measures.

Beijing strives to keep air quality high ahead of big event

Air quality in Beijing is expected to remain at the optimum standard in the coming days, as heavily polluting factories have curbed or stopped production before the World War II victory anniversary parade on Sept 3, environmental authorities said on Monday.

New report lists costs of raw materials in TCM

Maca, an herb used to boost male sexual potency in traditional Chinese medicine, is likely to maintain its popularity in China if price is a factor.

Marathons set for race to the top

Two months before the 10-kilometer mini-marathon began at the 2015 World Athletics Championships in Beijing on Saturday, the competition had already started for amateur runner Li Zhiqiang from Qingdao, Shandong province.

China reforms national sports industry to cash in on running totals

The Chinese government's plan to raise the annual revenue of the national sports industry to 5 trillion yuan ($786 billion) by 2025 is workable, according to a leading industry insider.

Scholars protected nation's wartime education

Hu Bangding was lucky that Japanese planes didn't drop bombs during his entrance exam 73 years ago.

Around China

A passerby photographed an exhausted watermelon farmer sleeping outside on a rainy night and helped him sell up to 1,000 kg of melons in Xuchang, Henan province.

Tests show survivor 'not poisoned'

Han Fengqun, who was found at the center of the Tianjin blast site about 60 hours after the accident, is in stable condition and shows no signs of being poisoned by toxic chemicals, a doctor said on Sunday.