Somber passage

It's a subject most expats prefer to avoid, but the question still nags from time to time - what will happen to their body if they die in China?

A day in the life of a mortician

It is a job that faces death every day, a job of creepiness, a job without much pay. But some young people treat the job of mortician as a life-long career and have discovered the meaning of death and life.

New life for funeral industry

Huang Qiaoquan, director of the policy research office at the Beijing funeral supervision department, talks with METRO reporter Wang Ru about the funeral industry in Beijing and its prospects.

Landlords advised to dodge income tax

Real estate agents are advising property owners that they don't have to pay tax on rental income, despite a government regulation ordering that they do so.

Electric bike plan drives cyclists to fury

Beijing electric bicycle users are angry at a proposal speculated to take effect next month which might put the brakes on the economical vehicle citywide.

Affairs a factor in 40% of divorces

Almost 40 percent of Haidian district couples that divorced this year said infidelity is the reason they were splitting up, the court said.

IN BRIEF (Page 25)

Illegal, dirty kindergartens dominate Beiqijia town

A lack of hygiene and safety standards at almost 60 illegal private kindergartens is worrying parents and teachers in Changping district.

Man stabs himself outside CCTV building

A migrant worker, who stabbed himself in front of the China Central Television (CCTV) on Sunday in order to draw attention to his article on anti-corruption, will be able to leave hospital in 10 days, a doctor said yesterday.

Family murder suspect brought back to city

After being arrested in Sanya, Hainan province this Saturday, fugitive Li Lei, 29, who was alleged to have killed six of his family members last Monday, was returned to Beijing yesterday under police escort.

Beijing Bites

Leaves turned into fertilizer

Romantic French, sentimental Chinese, earnest Americans

When discussing cultural differences in love, a friend (who has ample experience) once summed it up nicely: "The French are romantic while the Chinese are sentimental."