2012 a peak year for archaeologists

Chinese cultural heritage authorities announced the 10 most important archaeological discoveries in 2012 on Tuesday, with the earliest dating back to the Paleolithic era.

Fact box

List of Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries in 2012

Capital's jaywalkers to face fines: traffic chiefs

Beijing traffic chiefs have vowed to crack down on jaywalkers. From this week, people who do not wait for the "green man" signal to cross at intersections will receive on-the-spot fines of 10 yuan ($1.60).

Street Talk

"I've not received any notification about the fine. I learned about it from the media, but publicity is not enough. Newspapers, TV, radio and neighborhood committees promote traffic rules. Some people know about them, some don't."

DPRK deploys mobile missile launchers

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has loaded two mid-range missiles on mobile launchers near its east coast, media said on Friday, fuelling fears of an imminent launch that would escalate tensions.

Building collapse in Mumbai suburb kills at least 42

A half-finished building that was being constructed illegally in a suburb of India's financial capital has collapsed, killing 42 people and injuring more than 50 others, police said on Friday.

Hainan Monthly Special: Investment heating up in tropical Hainan

Investors are flocking to Hainan to take advantage of the steadily improving business environment in the southern island province, according to a recent report.

Hainan Monthly Special: For tourists, island is breath of fresh air

Providing much-needed relief from the smog and dust that plagues many Chinese cites, Hainan's lasting clear days make it one of the hottest domestic tourism destinations in the winter.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Unfeathered friends flock together

As an icy nightfall wind whipped across Miyun reservoir, a White-naped Crane raised its wings with a lazy flap, almost like a yawn, before rising into the air. Five hundred meters away, 20 bird watchers shivered in the bushes as they attempted to capture the bird's exotic dance through cameras and binoculars. More than 500 of the birds had alighted by the reservoir, 90 kilometers northeast of Beijing's urban area, pecking, preening and shaking their tail feathers.

Birding: A potted history

Unlike professional ornithologists or biologists, who engage in the study of birds via formal scientific methods, most birdwatchers pursue the activity for recreational and social reasons.

Growth in China

China is a great place for bird watching. The country's enormous geographical diversity provides ideal habitats for large numbers of birds. And now an increasing number of birders are visiting the country as members of tour groups.