Inspectors to assess chemical hazards

The central government has ordered a national inspection to assess potential hazards of chemicals and safety risks at all chemical industry parks across the country, following an explosion on Thursday in Jiangsu province that claimed the lives of at least 78 people.

Families of explosion victims seared by pain

The season of family reunions during Spring Festival hadn't been able to bring together six siblings from Changchun, Jilin province.

Tibet banks on tourism to lift its economy

LHASA - It was four days away from the opening of the annual peach blossom festival and workers were busy setting up the steel stage structure. Yet hundreds of tourists were already bustling under the wild peach groves in the mountains of Kala village of Nyingchi in the Tibet autonomous region.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Exchanges with Taiwan will benefit 'one family'

The Chinese mainland will continue to deepen the integrated development across the Taiwan Straits and share development opportunities with Taiwan residents, said Liu Jieyi, head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, when he met the mayor of Kaohsiung, Han Kuo-yu, in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Monday.

Fishing banned in Ertix River to restore habitat, guard water

Chinese authorities have banned fishing in the Ertix River, the only river originating in China that flows north into the Arctic Ocean.

Chinese researchers isolate African swine fever virus

Chinese researchers have successfully isolated an African swine fever virus, which could contribute to more knowledge of the organism, and may also lead to new methods for prevention and control, according to a research institute in northeastern China.

Hydroelectric facilities cut back to protect rare giant salamanders

An overhaul of hydroelectric projects is underway in a key nature reserve for giant salamanders in Zhangjiajie, Hunan province, with 34 hydropower plants halted and 10 dams demolished in the past two years, local authorities said recently.

Cambridge uses gaokao as part of admissions

The University of Cambridge confirmed on Monday that it has been using scores from China's national college entrance examination, or gaokao, as part of its admission criteria for Chinese students for several years.

VAT cut will provide huge boost to economy

Starting next month, China's massive reduction of value-added tax will take effect, with manufacturing sector VAT dropping by 3 percentage points from the current 16 percent, to lower burdens on enterprises and boost the real economy.

Healthcare and education among key issues raised

Several ministry-level departments, including healthcare, water resources and education, have responded recently to issues of public concern.

Policy digest

Work report targets to be monitored for completion