IN BRIEF (Page 2)

Women opting for not-so-brief encounters

Young Chinese women are snapping up millions of bikinis every year, but conservative tastes dictate that they cover more of the body than in other countries. Taobao, the country's largest online shopping platform, said it sells more than 21 million swimsuits annually, with one in three a bikini. But most bikinis available in China provide more body coverage, with designs featuring short skirts and other fancy decorations such as flouncing.

Overseas buyers swoop for armored vehicles

For countries facing unrest or terrorist threats, China's largest land armaments maker is offering a deterrent: the VN-4 armored vehicle. More than 300 of them have been sold to five nations in Asia, South America and Africa since 2011, when the armored vehicle was exported to its first user, an Asian country, according to China North Industries Group Corp. These contracts made nearly $50.3 million for the state-owned defense company.

European reporters pay visit to Tibet, capital

Ten reporters from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have been on a 10-day tour of the Tibet autonomous region and Beijing that ended on June 28. The reporters, who were invited by the State Council Information Office, interviewed farmers, herders and people in residential communities, schools, enterprises and temples in Tibet. They also visited the Lama Temple, the China Tibetology Research Center and Xinhua News Agency in Beijing.

Rocket Force marks 50th anniversary

The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force commemorated the 50th anniversary of the founding of China's missile unit, formerly the Second Artillery Force, on June 27 at a symposium in Beijing. The unit was renamed last year.

Online doctors hope to ease strain on patients

The pharmacy model promoted by MinuteClinic in the United States has been brought to Northwest China by the local health authority and AliHealth, part of healthcare reforms to improve patient access to care. The initiative in Jinchang, Gansu province, which has a population of more than 400,000, uses telemedicine platforms from AliHealth, a subsidiary of Alibaba. About 100 physicians, under the public-private partnership led by the local health administration, will see patients via the platform installed at about 20 drugstores.

131 hospitalized after chemical leak

A leak at a chemical plant in Shenxian county, Anhui province, resulted in 131 people being hospitalized, authorities said on June 28. Some 30 kilograms of diketene, a chemical reagent, leaked on June 21 from Beichen Biotechnology Co. Among those hospitalized were 43 children. The county government said 11 people were discharged on June 28, while the others were in stable condition. Environmental officials said the company has been ordered to close permanently.

Giant panda twins born in Chengdu

A giant panda gave birth to twins in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on June 27, four days after another pair were born at the same breeding center. Ji Li gave birth to a male weighing 186 grams followed by a female weighing 68.5 grams, said Wu Kongju, an expert at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Real names required for phone apps

Smartphone app makers will be required to have real-name registration for users and to establish a system to review content starting Aug 1. The move aims to ensure the safety of information, the Cyberspace Administration of China said on June 28. The regulation says mobile apps should verify the identities of users by requiring cellphone numbers or other information.

Analysts: Summer crop yield set to decline

China's summer crop yield is set to drop for the first time in six years as a result of a reduction in acreage, unfavorable weather conditions and adjustments in the crop structure, analysts said. The total crop harvest this summer is forecast to be at 121.8 million metric tons, according to CropWatch, the leading crop monitoring system.

Water trading aims at better use of resource

China launched a national water rights exchange on June 28, allowing for the trading of water between different areas and users. It's part of increased efforts by authorities to encourage water conservation nationwide. The China Water Exchange will enable the trading of rights to use water between users, and will provide consultation and technical evaluation.

Innovation urged to push reform forward

Local committees of the Communist Party of China should strictly push forward the reform plans drafted by the Party and the central government, integrate resources for reform, and take innovative measures to achieve reform goals, according to a meeting of the Central Leading Group for Deepening Overall Reform.

China Daily

(China Daily Africa Weekly 07/02/2016 page2)