China leans on higher trade surplus to lift economy

Despite shrinking exports, China's leadership is pleased with a recent trade surplus increase, which is being counted on to ease pressure on capital outflows and back a stronger currency.

Handwriting valued at strict high school

Beautiful handwriting is still valued in the Internet age, when many people have gradually lost the ability to write calligraphy, Li Jinghua, an English teacher from a Chinese high school, said in response to a recent debate over photos of extremely neat handwriting by the school's students.

IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Still amazed after 50 years in news

A little over 50 years ago, fresh out of school with only a vague idea of what I wanted to be, I hopped on my bicycle at my home in an Oxford suburb, and rode down the hill to see if I could get a job as a cub reporter on my local newspaper, The Oxford Mail and Times.

This Day, That Year

Item from Oct 20, 1995, in China Daily: A resident in the city of Xigaze, the Tibet autonomous region, uses solar energy to boil water. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet autonomous region.

Hot topic

The average retirement age of Chinese workers is below 55.

Looking ahead

Events and stories coming up in the next few days

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Premier praises innovators

When an official asked an intelligent robot for its ideas on Beijing's city planning at an innovation expo on Monday, Premier Li Keqiang thought the question might be too sophisticated. In a moment, however - and to the amusement of observers-the robot popped out a brisk answer: "Less traffic jams".

Farmland hot spots increase air pollution

A rise in clearing farmland by burning leftover straw has increased air pollution in parts of northeastern China, the environmental watchdog has warned.

Wide support seen for nationwide smoking ban

Even some smokers in China support a nationwide smoke-free law, particularly in workplaces, according to a report released on Monday by the World Health Organization and other health agencies.

IN BRIEF (Page 5)