China’s Red Cross responds to critics

BEIJING – The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC), a government-sponsored charity organization, responded to netizens’ doubts about its donation information on Monday, a day after the RCSC launched an online database to provide more transparency….

Auditors find 328 b yuan in illegal use in 2010

BEIJING – China’s top auditor on Monday said its local branches pinpointed 328.05 billion yuan (US$ 50.93 billion) of problem funds after having audited 157,000 units last year. The local branches have audited 369,000 people with…

Poor air quality hits many big cities

BEIJING – The average air quality in 45 major cities – nearly four out of every 10 major cities in the country – was rated as “poor” in the first half of this year, according…

China’s foreign reserves dilemma

BEIJING / WASHINGTON – The agreement reached by US lawmakers to raise the debt ceiling may have eased investor concern, but China, the largest foreign holder of US debt, is still faced with the challenge…

China to boost military development under new model

BEIJING – The official website of China’s Ministry of National Defense (www.mod.gov.cn) went into full operation on Monday, marking the 84th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) after two years of…

Supermarkets surveil for potential poisoners

Supermarkets and shopping malls in Beijing are required to install high-definition cameras as a deterrent to people who might poison the food, according to a new government regulation, which comes into effect on Monday. Food…