China Scene: Central

A kiss is just a 5,000-yuan fine

Police in Jinshi, Central China's Hunan Province, sparked a great controversy among locals when they fined a pair of lovers a total of 5,000 yuan ($663) because the pair embraced and kissed in the public.

The lovers, Chen and Yu, were taken to a police sub-station for questioning. They were fined when three plainclothes police officers found them embracing each other and kissing on a local river bank Saturday night.

The police said Chen and Yu had corrupted public morals and should be punished.

But many local residents argued it was not the police's business. Chen and Yu have sought help from relevant government departments.

(Sanxiang Metropolitan News)

Wedding dress draws a crowd

A platinum traditional Chinese wedding gown has become a new attraction in Wuhan, Hubei Province.

The special wedding gown, which is valued at more than 2 million yuan ($265,957), is the most expensive wedding gown ever to be displayed in the central metropolis.

The red wedding gown, designed by famous Chinese designer Vivienne Tam, has attracted many visitors and locals at the city's World Trade Plaza. The dress, which will be on display for three weeks, will also be exhibited in two other major shopping malls in the city over the following weeks.

(Changjiang Commercial News)

(China Daily 09/27/2007 page6)