IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Highway bridge to link China, Russia

The first highway bridge connecting China and Russia over the Heilong River is expected to trigger a development boom in the cross-border economic corridor - with positive effects for Mongolia, as well - as the flow of cargo and people increases.

Foreign or Chinese Santa? Check budget

Santa Clauses can be busy during the Christmas season - especially the foreign Santas.

Wrongfully convicted men declared innocent, freed

After staying behind bars for more than a decade for homicide, four men in Jiangxi province were declared innocent on Thursday, the latest case of a wrongful conviction being corrected in the country.

'Infant stealing' redefined amid effort to fight crimes

People who lure or trick infants in order to abduct them will face heavier penalties, the top court announced.

Tibet firm to offer policy for tourists with altitude sickness

Tourists who are forced to cut short their trips to Tibet for health reasons will soon be able to have their losses covered by a new insurance policy.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Officials rated on ecological progress

China will begin annual evaluations of the ecological progress made by provincial, city and county governments starting in 2017, which will facilitate policymakers' pursuit of green growth.

Study results uncover major component of smog in China

Scientists said on Wednesday that they have solved the mystery of how a major smog component, known as sulfate, forms during heavy pollution.

Authority touts prioritizing safety to prevent accidents, terrorist attacks

The civil aviation authority is considering long-term measures to guarantee aviation safety, a senior aviation official said on Thursday.

Flight opens linking Haikou and Sansha

Sansha, the southernmost island city of China in the South China Sea, welcomed its first regular civil charter flight on Thursday.

Two new cases of human bird flu reported

China has reported two new cases of human bird flu infection, bringing the total this week to three, stoking fears about the spread of the deadly virus at a time when other Asian nations are battling to control outbreaks of the disease.