Lessons in taking good care

Marjorie Yang can still remember the shock she had when finding out that the most expensive medicine in a public health center at a small town in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region was ice. "This means that the people living there almost had no medicine at all, which is beyond imagination," she said.

Leung raises spending on poor as economy picks up

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying increased spending on the poor and elderly in his government's first budget, offering a growth boost to an economy burdened with record housing costs.

IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Concern for needy students

The German Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai recently donated 200,000 yuan ($32,103) to support the education of needy Chinese students.

Growing taste for more detail on what we eat

As well as raising more complaints on food safety, the Chinese are becoming increasingly concerned about what they eat after a series of food safety scandals.

IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Foshan master plan for new industries

Foshan made a good start last year on its three-year master plan to modernize the city's industrial chain by securing a large number of investment projects.

Flow of investment funds remains strong

Despite the global economic slowdown, Foshan received growing capital flows from home and abroad last year, showing its appeal to investors is still strong.

Germany center latest in international links

Zongshen Industrial Group recently signed an agreement with the government of Foshan to set up a South China Germany Center in the city's Sino-German Industrial Services Zone.

In Jilin, quality of life is priority No 1

In 2013, residents of Jilin can expect their quality of life to improve, according to a recent government work report.

12 reforms for people's livelihoods in 2013

Employment: Arrange skill training; create 550,000 new urban jobs; develop 10,000 public service jobs.

New governor plans to revive former industrial base

Appointed at the end of January, new Jilin Governor Bayin Chaolu has an ambitious vision to recapture the lost glory of the province, which was one of the earliest industrial bases of New China.