Funding gap stalls project to build toilets

A construction project undertaken as part of the country's "toilet revolution" is being investigated after the roofs and walls of the structure were left unfinished - leaving embarrassed villagers to use the "open toilets".

Man, family receive death threats after he killed teddy bear dog that bit toddler

Tong Wei never thought that killing the dog that bit his son would result in his wife attempting suicide and all his family members being threatened with death.

Reform, opening-up to be celebrated

China will launch promotional and educational activities across the country this year to celebrate the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up.

Remains of small ape, now extinct, found in ancient tomb

An international team of scientists has discovered the skull of a new species of gibbon in the tomb of an ancient Chinese aristocrat, perhaps the grandmother of China's first emperor, according to a study published in the journal Science.

Father sues Disney over child ticket

A Chinese father is suing Shanghai International Theme Park Co, co-owner of Shanghai Disney Resort, claiming the park refused to issue a discounted ticket to his 10-year-old child.

Contract tea planting lifts an entire village

FUZHOU - Wang Mingjiang was struggling to make ends meet until four years ago when he joined a planting program to become a contract tea grower in Fujian province.

On-screen smoking scenes declining

Smoking scenes in Chinese movies and TV series have generally declined over the past decade, but not all producers are keen on extinguishing such on-screen depictions. Last year's figures were worse than in 2016, according to an anti-tobacco group.

Kindergartens creatively transformed in rural China

Playtime for 24 preschoolers in Yelang Village Kindergarten is different from most. Liu Fen - unlike traditional teachers who tend to dominate the class - gives more freedom to her students, letting them do what they want. She observes and records their behavior, rather than constantly telling them to calm down.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

10 executed for series of drug crimes

Ten drug traffickers were executed in Guangdong province on Saturday after an appeals court upheld their earlier conviction and pronounced sentence. The executions were approved by the Supreme People's Court.

Jiangxi abortion rule seeks sex ratio balance

Women in Jiangxi province who are at least 14 weeks pregnant now need to show medical evidence and receive government approval before getting an abortion, a policy provincial authorities say can help balance the sex ratio and protect unborn girls.

High-tech tools aim at wildlife protection

The effort aims to curb the online trade in wildlife parts and products, as well as trafficking in endangered species such as elephants, rhinos and pangolins.