Porsche joins race for electric vehicles

German luxury carmaker Porsche AG announced it will launch its first purely electric sports car within two years in response to the increasing global appetite for new energy vehicles.

Automakers post massive profit growth

The majority of China's publicly listed carmakers witnessed a leap in their profit margins last year, boosted by large sales volumes and higher pricing strategies linked to fresh lineups.

Short Torque

SAIC GM and Toyota recall faulty China-made models

Boost for private eldercare facilities

It is a cold day early in the Lunar New Year, and 82-year-old Cai Hongyi Is sitting in a wooden chair at the entrance of the four-storey Kangyi Nursing Home in Caiji Town in Suqian, in Jiangsu province.

Basketball changes lives in one Chinese village in Hebei

Less than 30 minutes before lunchtime, six Chinese villagers playing basketball can be seen concentrating on a tense three-on-three matchup amid spontaneous bursts of applause. The players, along with fascinated spectators, are locals in Gezhuang village, Suning county in north China's Hebei province. Almost everyone in 1,700-resident Gezhuang, from 7-year-old kids to seniors in their 70s, can play basketball, Li Haibo, the village chief, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Herbal way to alleviate poverty

Pristine natural conditions and an ideal altitude have turned a formerly isolated county into a major source of herbs. But the beginnings were far from promising.

As young leave, traditional craft dies out in Nepal

For generations, the residents of the ancient Nepali town of Thimi supplied the rest of the Himalayan country with everything from tiny clay lamps used in temples to massive grain storage jars.

New fashion fads

Italy is well known for its luxury fashion brands, but to understand the phenomenon, one has to look at its fabric industry, which fuels the fashion powerhouses.

Chinese linen gets classy twist at Perth show

Traditionally, Chinese linen is not seen as glamorous. But for Chinese designer Zhang Yichao, who recently took part in a fashion show in Perth, Australia, during the Spring Festival, it can be as sophisticated as silk and brocade.

IN BRIEF (Page 18)

Spoiled for choice

Under the long roof of this former Beijing factory you can find grilled grass-fed lamb. French-style artisan cheese. American-style barbecued ribs that smell like heaven. Elegant pastries. Beer and wine. Picture-perfect vegetarian meals in a bowl.

Eat beat

BEIJING