IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Beijing focuses on quality of progress

In the next five years, Beijing will make crucial progress in developing into a harmonious international city and integrating with Hebei province and Tianjin, the capital's Party chief, Cai Qi, said on Monday.

Toothpick-shooting toys worry parents

A toy resembling a mini crossbow that fires toothpick "arrows" has become popular among school students in parts of China, resulting in many parents calling for a boycott to prevent risks of injury.

Young entrepreneur sees chocolate-coated dream come true

Following his studies in the United States, Mo Xuefeng could have taken over his father's successful packaging business, but his love of chocolate compelled him to do otherwise.

Proposal would tighten online food rules

Shanghai's food safety watchdog has proposed tightening the rules for online food ordering and delivery services, including making it mandatory for a food provider to have a physical restaurant location.

Meat, vegetable quality appeals to domestic market

After four decades of relying heavily on overseas markets, Liu Haiyan has now turned to the domestic market for her primary customers.

Parking by robot coming to Nanjing next month

China's parking lot of tomorrow - a multistory garage that uses robot "valets" to take vehicles to empty spaces - will open in Nanjing next month, according to the technology company behind the project.

Guizhou to take lead in eco-healthcare plan

First came ecotourism, as people flocked to rural areas to escape noisy, polluted cities. Now, Guizhou province is turning to a new trend experts describe as eco-healthcare.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Get tough to protect pedestrians police told

The Ministry of Public Security is directing police departments nationwide to strengthen their enforcement efforts - including handing out tougher punishments - for motorists who do not give way to pedestrians.

Village protection plan preserves ancient culture

Once, all the houses in Zhoucheng village were traditional properties, with three rooms and a screen wall forming a courtyard, an age-old architectural characteristic of residences of the Bai ethnic group.

Speed is the key for protection efforts

When I was a little boy, my grandmother would tell me about her childhood memories of Spring Festival.