Guangdong government plans more aid in poverty-alleviation program

About 1.7 million people are expected to benefit from a poverty alleviation program carried out by the Guangdong provincial government beginning next year.

IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Tea culture lives at Hangzhou expo

Tea sellers are preparing to release their pre-Qingming tea varieties, the best tea collected in early April, in anticipation of the upcoming 2012 China Hangzhou West Lake International Tea Culture Expo, which is set to once again bring out the best of tea culture in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, said local officials.

City still capital of China's national drink

The 2012 China Hangzhou West Lake International Tea Culture Expo will take place from March 30 to June 10 in Hangzhou, home to Longjing Tea, also known by the English name Dragon Well Tea.

Highlights

TEA EXPO SCHEDULE

Volvo expands CO2 reduction scheme

Construction Equipment and Volvo Buses have joined the Volvo Group's cooperation with the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) Climate Savers program, pledging to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30 million tons from construction equipment, buses and trucks through 2014.

Dow Greater China wins award

Dow Greater China was honored with the corporate social responsibility Leadership Award at the seventh annual AmCham Shanghai CSR Awards Ceremony this month.

Charity briefs

Tetra Pak gives more to poor mums' project

Help for underfed children in rural areas

Chinese nutritional supplement maker Guangdong By-Health Biotechnology Co plans to spend about 10 million yuan ($1.59 million) over the next three years to improve the nutritional situation of children in impoverished areas in China.

Alibaba gets go-ahead for charity

The Ministry of Civil Affairs has given its nod to Alibaba Group Holding Ltd for its establishment of a charity foundation with an initial capital of 50 million yuan ($7.9 million), Beijing Times reported.

Websites ban sale of bear gall, shark fins

In light of recent public outcries against the mistreatment of animals, Taobao.com and Tmall.com, two of the leading e-commerce sites in China, have banned the sale of bear gall, shark fin and other animal products that are obtained through questionable or cruel methods.

Charity briefs

Free bus rides for disabled foreigners