Polluters of waterway to face harsher punishments

China will hand down more severe punishments to those who commit environmental crimes in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, according to a document issued by five central departments on Wednesday specifying offenses and punishment standards.

Nation's logging capital goes green

Yichun native Liu Yangshun is one of the more than 70,000 veteran forestry workers laid off in 2013 when his hometown in Heilongjiang province, known as the forest capital of China, decided to go for "green development" and banned any form of commercial logging.

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Beijing promises to improve air quality

Beijing's environmental watchdog has vowed to further improve air quality in the capital this year.

Guideline to enhance security on campuses

Shanghai will establish a 200-meter safe zone around schools, according to a guideline designed to enhance campus security that was released by the municipal government on Wednesday, as students started their first day in the city's public schools.

100 poached harbor seals found; rules suggested

Experts called for further protection of harbor seals, after a poaching case came to light involving 100 wild seal cubs in northern China's Liaodong Bay last week.

Private kindergartens won't go away; they'll be supported, official says

Private kindergartens will continue to play an important role in China's preschool education system, and the government will continue to provide active support for the sector, an education official said recently.

New pronunciation list sparks confusion, criticism

Following online criticism of suggestions that the pronunciation of some Chinese characters should be changed, education authorities noted that any changes have yet to be approved.

Nation moves to create more skilled workers

China is moving to reform its vocational education landscape to help ease a shortage of skilled workers and upgrade its manufacturing sector, according to a reform plan released recently by the State Council.

In Shanghai, efforts to sort garbage get helping hand

Shanghai's Hongkou district has established an association focused on trash sorting as the city gears up to enforce its first regulation on domestic waste management.

Hebei demolishes illegal villas on mountainside

The government of Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, is tearing down illegal buildings on a mountain slope, after media reports disclosed problems with an unapproved villa project.

Desert sunshine provides clean power

A vast barren desert in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, with its abundant sunshine, has become a base for photovoltaic power generation.