Schools told to use approved textbooks

Primary and middle school students nationwide can use only textbooks approved by the Ministry of Education, and no adaptations or changes can be made, the ministry said on Wednesday.

Industry rules aim to curb indoor pollution

A national decoration industry association is drafting a standard for rental apartments to improve indoor air quality to protect people's health.

Drivers, customers laud Didi's changes

Drivers and passengers alike appear to welcome the latest safety measures taken by ride-hailing company Didi Chuxing, but they question whether the measures are enough to prevent future crimes.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Science literacy is boosted in Beijing

China will work with other nations and international science organizations to facilitate the sharing of resources and practices for promoting scientific literacy around the world, a declaration adopted on Wednesday in Beijing said.

Experts call for emphasis on STEM education in China

Experts at the World Conference on Science Literacy called for building a comprehensive STEM education system to inspire Chinese primary and middle school students and foster a critical thinking mindset.

Sand control project pays off in Ningxia

YINCHUAN - The distance between the southern edge of the Tengger Desert and the city of Zhongwei in northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region was once just a few kilometers, but it has been expanding over the past several years.

Professor braves storm to reach class on time

Wang Ke, a professor from Southeast University in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, won applause online for keeping his promise to students by traveling 737 kilometers by taxi in heavy rain brought by Super Typhoon Mangkhut to make it to class on time.

Crisis of trust hits popularity of prenatal genetic tests

Noninvasive prenatal testing, which can detect Down syndrome and other chromosomal conditions by checking a sample of the mother's blood, has been used in Western countries for many years without controversy.

Experts say national gene bank could lower healthcare costs

Most expectant mothers discover potential problems with the fetus through screenings, whose accuracy ranges from 80 to 99 percent, according to Zhu Haiyan, director of the Prenatal Diagnostic Center at the PLA Navy General Hospital in Beijing.

Top court to clarify self-defense

Judicial professionals gave a thumbs-up after China's top court said it is preparing to interpret when self-defense should be considered excessive, calling the move a driving force to ending controversies in legal practice.

Beijing ups ante against air pollution

Authorities in Beijing have released an ambitious plan for reducing days with heavy air pollution by 2020 - at least 25 percent from 2015 levels - by increasing green transportation and curbing kicked-up dust.