The rise of an amateur

US actor Jon Zatkin tells about his journey into Chinese movies and the importance of 'fitting a niche'

Brogan climbs to fame as 'hottest' actress on Chinese silver screen

She may be one of China's "hottest Western women" but Kerry Berry Brogan looked freezing cold as she posed in only a miniskirt and silk stockings for pictures in a traditional Beijing courtyard.

Foreign faces in showbiz

More than half firms pay bonuses this year

As a sign of recovery from the financial crisis, more than 50 percent of companies in Beijing this year have given year-end bonuses to their employees. This is a 10 percent jump from last year.

Melamine targeted in local food courts, restaurants

Melamine-tainted dairy products are again in the spotlight, says the Beijing municipal health bureau after more than 170 tons of milk powder was recalled during the latest nationwide crackdown.

Lighters banned from temple fair

With less than a week to go before Spring Festival, police have announced that lighters will be outlawed at the city's biggest temple fair in an effort to ensure public safety.

Stars shamed for promoting fake products

Five celebrities named after endorsing bogus medicine and health foods

'Schizophrenic' murderous father caught

A man, who claimed to have killed his wife and child and then attempted suicide, will be the subject of a psychological examination to determine his sanity, Haidian police said yesterday.

Former manager charged over phony goods

The former general manager of Silk Street market will be charged by Chaoyang Procuratorate for permitting the sale of counterfeit products and taking bribes.

Cat lovers stunned by brutal park slayings

Eleven volunteers from an animal protection group were on patrol all night in Yuyuantan Park this week, hoping to catch a cat-killer who has tortured dozens of wild cats to death in the past two months.

Beijing Bites

Fire threat man saved

Hutong demise is saddening

To some who support their destruction, the hutong are nothing more than "slums", places where space is limited, privacy non-existent and modern amenities certainly lacking. To these individuals, the hutong are an eyesore not fit for the nation's capital, a blight needing to be removed.