Crackdown on waste smuggling a 2019 priority, officials declare

Despite waste imports to China falling almost in half in 2018, the General Administration of Customs said cracking down on smuggling will be a priority this year.

More males seeking surgery on penises for cosmetic or health reasons

With an increasing number of males seeking cosmetic surgery on their genitals, more efforts are needed to regulate the services to ensure safety, said the head of a special committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association.

Police nab poachers; electricity used in kills

Police in Shaanxi province have cracked a large group of poachers on Taibai Mountain in the northern Qinling Mountains. Wild animals were electrocuted and then illegally sold in seven provinces, police said.

Big cities host more family gatherings

Xu He picked up his parents at Guangzhou South Railway Station on Thursday afternoon, where hundreds of passengers were beginning their homeward trips for Spring Festival family reunions.

From peanuts to Starbucks, carts on trains move upmarket

"Beer, soft drinks, mineral water! Peanuts, melon seeds, bottled congee!" Millions of Chinese train passengers will hear the call of food vendors pushing trolleys up the aisles during the Spring Festival travel rush.

Park is home to rare, protected species

XINING - Asia's "water tower"-Sanjiangyuan National Park in Qinghai province - is teeming with life, according to a recent survey. Many rare wildlife species have been found, along with 33 species of protected plants.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Xiongan aims to set pattern for country

Xiongan New Area is set to become China's high ground for financial innovation and opening-up, as the country pursues its ambition to build Xiongan into a model of high-quality growth, analysts said.

Polluted Dianchi Lake, Yunnan's largest, takes steps toward cleanliness

Dianchi Lake, the biggest lake in Yunnan province, achieved its best water quality in at least three decades last year thanks to the local government's pollution control and ecological restoration efforts.

10 urban areas to pilot China's 'no-waste city' plan

China has published an ambitious "no-waste city" pilot plan that aims to minimize solid waste generation and maximize recycling in urban areas.

Military cemeteries envisioned for those who served

China will set up dedicated cemeteries for military personnel and their relatives as a way to honor their service and enhance national identity and pride, according to the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

Illegal data collection by apps targeted

Internet watchdogs in China are inspecting smartphone applications to determine if they illegally or excessively collect users' information. The move is expected to better regulate the industry and protect privacy.