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The dirty secret on China's railways

no@spam.com (X Q) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:30:00 PST

It's that time of year when over a billion people are expected to migrate home for the Chinese New Year. But as one popular blogger on Tianya found, the system is often rigged against those searching for tickets.

China's richest author lands plumb gig

no@spam.com (X Q) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:30:00 PST

“Our center will give Guo a salary that is the same amount received by the president of our publishing group. Because Guo lives in Shanghai and has a really tight schedule, he is not expected to come to Beijing everyday and work 9 to 5. We offered him a special package; except for some important meetings, he doesn’t need to come to the office.”

Document shows companies splurge on govt gifts

no@spam.com (X Q) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 04:30:00 PST

Different positions or of titles of recipients received different levels of gifts. People above the "bureau" level and managers from state-owned companies got a red envelope of cash containing up to 10,000 Yuan; those whose positions were lower received gifts such as 200 Yuan and/or a shopping voucher.

College students claim Coke violating labor code

no@spam.com (X Q) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:00:00 PST

Employees reported working for long hours with low salaries that may be deferred or subject to deductions. The survey team, which compiled a 28-page report, also claims that Coca-Cola also turns a blind eye to illegal actions by their intermediary companies and bottlers.

You willing to pay THIS much for a train ticket?

no@spam.com (X Q) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 03:00:00 PST

The regular fare on the new high-speed sleeper trains can be higher than RMB 1000. That's a high price to pay for train travel, especially considering fuel surcharges have been reduced on airline tickets. The local media reported recently about how luxurious the new trains are. The question is, is it enough to justify doling out the cash?

Luxury villas bought for pennies by civil servants

no@spam.com (X Q) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:00:00 PST

Civil servants in Hubei Province turn a luxurious villa into their own public housing project, paying far less than what the commercial property next door would cost.

Americans spark online fury trying to return Chinese baby

no@spam.com (X Q) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:30:00 PST

When they first saw the girl, they were not happy with her bald head. They asked the adoption organization to take the girl back, but the request was refused. The couple were upset with the girl's constant crying and baldness, so posted an ad on Craigslist: "She is not the worst kid, but we want someone better."

Sleeping at high speed

no@spam.com (X Q) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:30:00 PST

New high-speed sleeper trains will be put into service on December 21 on the Beijing-Hangzhou and Beijing-Shanghai routes, slashing travel times by up to two hours. Tickets on the new trains will still be substantially less than average airfares.

Thousands of cats shipped to Guangdong to be eaten

no@spam.com (X Q) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:00:00 PST

One box, two boxes, three boxes, four boxes… Along the railway, boxes and boxes of live cats were awaiting their trip to Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong Porvince. “It's not just a day or two that people catch or steal cats, and it's not one or two dealers doing this. This is a whole industry chain," a Nanjing cat dealer said.

Preparations underway for China's 60th birthday blowout

no@spam.com (X Q) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:00:00 PST

While the parade is still ten months away, an official with the Ministry of Defense confirms preparations have already started. Sources say the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China will be the largest-scale ceremony since the founding itself, showing the military and economic power of China.