Centers foster harmony in the countryside

It was a late November day. As a cold wind blew outside, warm sounds of laughter and music emanated from the cultural civilization center at Nanxue village. Inside, residents practiced traditional Chinese art forms, from calligraphy to musical instruments.

Premier urges support for real economy

Premier Li Keqiang has urged support of the real economy, focusing on the manufacturing and service sectors, as well as small and private businesses, by further reducing the taxes and fees they face.

Courts vow to fight dishonesty in workplace

Beijing courts vowed on Monday to fight dishonest behavior in employment disputes, aiming to uphold justice and help improve the relationship between employers and employees.

Nationwide probe to start in wake of deadly blast

The Ministry of Emergency Management will launch a thorough examination of all chemical factories to root out safety hazards in the wake of an explosion in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, on Wednesday that killed 23 people.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Red Cross to improve trust

The Red Cross Society of China will intensify efforts to improve public trust in the organization and improve its ability to provide humanitarian services, according to a plan to reform the society.

Mandarin school helps broaden Uygur horizons

As the first college graduate from his rural hometown in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Kurban Niyaz realizes the importance of language in communication.

Relocation of island residents gives Lijiang River clean bill of health

A campaign to relocate residents from river islands along the section of the Lijiang River flowing through Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, has helped restore the ecosystem, according to the city's Lijiang River Management Committee.

Measures to boost care for the elderly

China will lower the market access threshold for all nursing home ownerships, improve community facilities for at-home nursing for the elderly and train more nursing professionals for the sector to expand services and provide more employment opportunities.

Policy digest

Regional development mechanism to be set up

Bohai Sea, swine fever discussed

Several ministry-level departments, including those for ecology and environment, education, and agriculture and rural affairs, have responded recently to issues of public concern.

Top forensic scientist finds evidence of great progress

Globally renowned forensic scientist Henry Chang-yu Lee has tipped China to become a world leader in high-tech evidence collection thanks to growing investment in time, energy and talent since the 1980s.