Highlights of the trial program

1. One work permit replaces the current two to save time for skilled expats.

No visa needed soon for visitors to southern port

A 15-day visa-free policy to allow foreign tourist groups on cruises to enter the Port of Shanghai and visit certain regions and cities will take effect on Oct 1, according to the Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection.

Beijing to test late-night Line 4 subway service

Beijing plans to start a trial operation of late-night subway services, aimed at helping people arriving on the last high-speed trains of the day get to their final destinations, a senior official said recently.

Police, banks cooperate to fight telecom fraud

Chinese police, banks and banking regulators are working together to fight telecom fraud and protect citizens' rights.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Giant telescope provides path to fun, profit

As the world's largest single-aperture radio telescope for scanning the universe - China's FAST - made its debut on Sunday, the local government rolled out its own grand vision for high-end tourism. It takes the form of tourism, with ticket prices as high as 668 yuan ($100).

New facility, new rules

A local regulation took effect on Sunday to further secure the safe operation of China's FAST, the world's largest single-aperture telescope, in Qiannan Buyi and Miao autonomous prefecture, Guizhou province.

China's big dish will gather data, listen for alien life

China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope, known as FAST, may provide understanding of the origin and structure of the universe, and accelerate and even revolutionize the search for life beyond Earth, a renowned US theorist on alien intelligence said on Saturday.

From concept to completion

July 2006: Pingtang in Guizhou province named as the place to build the world's largest spherical radio telescope, known as the FAST project.

Dandelion helping to sow the seeds of stability for members

A government-sponsored facility provides psychiatric patients with opportunities to reintegrate into society. Tang Yue reports from Shenzhen, Guangdong province.

High expectations, but low incomes

"If you spend some time with the patients, you will find that they're not terrible people. Just like us, they have their ups and downs, and they don't want to be lonely," said Luo Chengjun, a social worker in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.

Shenzhen looking to lead the field

The national average of psychiatric hospital beds for every 10,000 residents is 1.71, but in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, the number is just is 0.58. Now, that is set to change.