Travelers invited to rent private homes in latest trend

Staying in private homes while traveling is gaining popularity among Chinese, both for domestic trips and travel abroad, according to tourism industry insiders.

Beijing, Paris to tackle bad air

Air quality monitoring authorities in Beijing and Paris renewed a pledge for further technological cooperation on Thursday, which could help China's capital combat smog, a senior official said at a forum on clean air.

Media in BRICS nations vow deeper cooperation

Shaping another golden decade of BRICS cooperation requires joint efforts by media in the five member countries, a senior Party official said.

China aims at poverty caused by medical bills

China is seeking a long-term mechanism to ensure the success of the nationwide poverty relief campaign and to prevent people from becoming impoverished by the high medical costs of major diseases.

Marathon entry cheaters to face scrutiny

Marathon organizers have been urged to strengthen regulations and punish those who cheat to qualify for races, following a lawsuit involving illegal trading of race entries.

Rising to a tunnel's challenge

When work began on the Dazhushan Tunnel, the plan was to finish it in five years. That was in 2008 - and construction crews are still digging.

Airline apologizes to tennis star

United Airlines issued an apology to China's No 1 female tennis player on Thursday after members of its ground crew in Florida refused to allow her onto a flight with her racket bag.

IN BRIEF (Page 5)

Pledged cut to business fees on track

Business fees across China will be cut, the State Council decided on Wednesday, following up on pledges made by Premier Li Keqiang in the Government Work Report earlier this year.

Media assess role in covering BRICS

Media in the five member countries of the BRICS should deepen their cooperation, tell great stories and inject more dynamism into the partnership, a senior leader in the Communist Party of China said on Wednesday.

China announces Chang'e 5 lunar probe landing site

China's Chang'e 5 lunar probe is expected to land in the Mons Rumker region of the moon, and bring samples back to Earth at the end of the year, according to a Chinese space official.

Pentagon remarks called 'irresponsible'

Beijing dismissed a Pentagon report about China's military development on Wednesday, saying the country is justified in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.