Around China

HENAN

Man dies after crashing SUV on test drive

A man, surnamed Wang, died and four other passengers were injured, when he crashed a new Lincoln SUV during a test drive in Zhengzhou on Sunday. The tragedy took place in the afternoon when Wang, who was in the vehicle with three friends and a sales agent, drove the SUV into a tree on Yingbin Road. Wang, who was seriously wounded in the accident, died later in hospital. Police are still investigating the cause of the accident.

DAHE NEWS

Marriage offices to open for lucky date

Zhengzhou Bureau of Civil Affairs officials have promised to work overtime to grant marriage certificates to locals who want to tie the knot on the auspicious date of Feb 2, which falls on a Sunday. Bureau official Cai Xurao said they would try to meet the growing demand from local residents who want to marry on "meaningful days", when he was recently questioned by deputies of the local people's congress. Feb 2, 2020, is written as 20200202 on the Chinese calendar, a "perfectly symmetrical" date. The Chinese pronunciation for 2020 is also similar to "love you, love you". Cai said there was no reason to refuse the requests and marriage registration offices will be open on Feb 2.

DAHE NEWS

BEIJING

Doctor couple help heart attack sufferer

A married couple, who are both doctors, took turns resuscitating an elderly man who had a heart attack in Tian'anmen Square on Saturday. Tian Xiaqiu and her husband Qian Xiaosong rushed to help the man after he collapsed during the flag-raising ceremony in the morning. The couple took turns administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation till an ambulance arrived. The elderly man is in a stable condition in hospital. The husband and wife, who both work in Beijing, were praised by onlookers for their quick response to the medical emergency.

BEIJING DAILY

HAINAN

Ex-student fatally stabs teacher at school

A 21-year-old man was detained by police in Chengmai after he fatally stabbed his former teacher, surnamed Xu, in a school playground. The attacker, surnamed Meng, stabbed Xu with a sharp knife at the Chengmai No 2 Middle School on Jan 3, police said. Xu was rushed to hospital but died later. Meng, who reportedly has mental issues, told police he attacked Xu because he had been strict on him when he was at school. Meng was discharged from a mental hospital on Sept 11. Police investigations are underway.

CHENGDU BUSINESS DAILY

Water leak forces family to use umbrella

A Haikou family who have endured water leaking from the apartment above them for a year, said they often have to go to the toilet holding an umbrella. A woman, surnamed He, said life for her, her husband, two children and mother-in-law had become unbearable in their 9th-floor apartment. She told local media the leak from the 10th floor was so heavy that sometimes it resembled rain. The family complained to the property management company, who said the leak was caused by a cracked pipe. However, the 10th-floor apartment was vacant and they were only able to contact the owner recently. The owner, who lives in another city, apologized to He's family and promised to repair any damage, local media reported.

KANKANNEWS.COM

HEILONGJIANG

Holiday homework video of girl goes viral

A video of a crying 9-year-old girl who was required to do homework during the holidays has struck a chord with thousands of netizens. The girl's father, surnamed Li, took the video of his daughter studying at their home in Shuangheshan and put it online "for fun". In it, the girl has to write an essay with the title "The Colorful World in My Eyes". However, the girl bursts into tears and says she can't see a colorful world as she has so much homework every day. Li, who decided against sending his daughter to cram school during the holidays, said he did not expect such a strong reaction to the video. He said he wanted his daughter to improve her grades before school resumed.

THEPAPER.CN

SICHUAN

New Year ultimatum issued to single son

A 33-year-old man has received an ultimatum from his parents to return home to Chengdu with a wife this Chinese New Year. The man, surnamed Tao, recently turned to netizens for advice on how to deal with his mother and father. Tao said his parents had threatened to organize a blind date if he did not come home with a wife or girlfriend. Tao, who has no girlfriend, said he is upset by his parent's demand. His single sister, 30, is facing similar pressure, he said.

RED STAR NEWS

Traveling trio miss target by 1,300 km

An elderly couple and their grandson had to seek police help after they ended up 1,300 kilometers from their travel destination. The trio wanted to travel to Macheng county in Hubei province for Chinese New Year, but instead ended up in Macheng city, Sichuan province, on Saturday. The 67-year-old grandfather, surnamed Liu, said they had departed Zhongshan, Guangdong province, on Friday and traveled by bus. With the help of local police they were able to get a bus from Sichuan to Hubei where they will be joined by the boy's parents.

HUANQIU.COM

HUNAN

Medics treat sick toddler on fast train

Two doctors have been praised for treating an ill 2-year-old boy on a fast train traveling from Shanghai to Changsha on Saturday. The boy had a fever and was convulsing when train staff members asked for medical assistance over the speaker system around 5 pm. Doctors Zhang Aimin and Liu Wanghua answered the call and sponged the boy down and massaged him until they arrived at Changsha. The child, who was accompanied by his grandmother, was taken to hospital for treatment. Videos were published online of the doctors, who have been praised by netizens for treating the toddler.

CHANGSHA EVENING NEWS

ZHEJIANG

Potted plant thief under house detention

A potted plant thief who targeted the same home repeatedly has been placed under detention for two weeks. The thief, surnamed Zhu, was detained by police in Yiwu after his latest pilfering of plants on Sunday. Zhu was identified from surveillance video and the residents reported it was the third theft since last month. Zhu told police he loved potted flowers, but was reluctant to pay for them.

THEPAPER.CN