Around China

Hubei

Bye-bye blue: More smog settling in

With a new round of smog likely to engulf Beijing and surrounding areas over the next three days, the city issued an orange alert - the second-highest warning level - on Saturday afternoon, 31 hours ahead of the expected gloom.

How to deal with pollution

Residents, especially the elderly and young children, should minimize the length and intensity of outdoor activities and should wear a mask on smoggy days, said Zeng Xiaopeng, deputy director of the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

Ex-Olympian joins faculty amid controversy

The appointment of former Olympic table tennis champion Deng Yaping as an adjunct professor at China University of Political Science and Law was confirmed on Sunday, amid controversy over the way her appointment was made and her academic qualifications for the job.

Former tycoon dies at 44 in prison

Xu Ming, former chairman of Dalian Shide Group and Dalian Shide Football Club, died at a prison in Hubei province on Friday, according to media reports.

Ski resort in Zhangjiakou on track for world-class status

Having competed at the Winter Olympics twice since 2010, Norwegian snowboarder Stale Sandbech is familiar with world-class ski resorts. But the experience of training at the Genting Resort Secret Garden in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, went beyond his expectations.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Cooperation called historic opportunity

China's cooperation with Africa has been a "rare historic opportunity", President Xi Jinping said on Friday.

Xi: China-Africa ties benefit both

President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China stands ready to work with Africa to tap the unique advantages of their partnership and to boost bilateral cooperation for the benefit of both peoples.

Book spells out growing role of firms

A book detailing the investments of about 100 Chinese companies in more than 20 African countries was officially launched in Johannesburg on Friday, the opening day of the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation Johannesburg Summit.

What they say

Guinea is grateful for China's long-running support, particularly the valuable and timely assistance China offered for the struggle against the Ebola outbreak.

Meeting marathon highlights strong relationship with continent's leaders

I had been wondering how Chinese President Xi Jinping managed to meet and talk with 10 of his African counterparts in one afternoon when I first learned of his agenda for Thursday.