China Scene: West

Passengers step in for ill conductor

When a bus conductor suddenly fell ill, the passengers took over her duties.

Tao Hui, a conductor on the No 286 bus route in Chongqing municipality, fell ill with a stomach problem while working last Wednesday. Lu Yanzu, a resident who had just boarded the bus, saw the state the conductor was in and persuaded her to go to hospital.

After the conductor got off the bus, the passengers, including Lu, took over her duties. Everyone getting on the bus paid their fares which were handed over to the driver.

(Chongqing Times)

Jammers' luck runs out after string of car thefts

Police have caught two high-tech thieves in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province.

Xi'an residents Qi Jianfa and Qi Ganwang were using electronic jammers that interfered with cars' remote keys.

Using the devices they managed to steal 16 vehicles, including a BMW 740, plus computers, digital cameras and mobile phones that were kept in the cars.

(Xi'an Daily)

Even the animals wrap up warm in chilly Xi'an

Zookeepers and botanical garden staff in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, have installed heating systems and put quilts on some animals to keep them warm, as temperatures have been dropping.

"We made a thick curtain 8 m high to hang on the door of the giraffes' house and installed heaters for the flamingoes," a zoo keeper said.

(Xi'an Evening News)

Old man cares more for feathered friends than self

Zhang Hongtao, 78, loves birds so much he puts his own health at risk.

The resident of Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, said: "It has been snowing for two days. I worry the birds cannot find food."

Though Zhang has just been released from hospital and has not fully recovered he goes to the city wall daily to feed the birds.

Zhang has been feeding the birds since 1990.

(Xi'an Evening News)

Temples dole out festival porridge for free

More than 30,000 residents of Chongqing municipality were offered rice porridge at two temples last Tuesday to celebrate the festival of Laba, which falls on the eighth day of the last lunar month.

The festival marks the start of Chinese New Year celebrations.

Huayansi and Luohansi temples used 2,350 kg of rice and other ingredients to make the porridge, which was provided to the residents and tourists free of charge.

Huang Zhongmo, professor at Chongqing Normal College, said the custom originated during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

(Chongqing Evening News)

(China Daily 01/23/2008 page6)