Around China

Sichuan

Father, son reunited after 21 years

A man in Rongchuan, who was abducted by his uncle when he was 5-years-old and sold to another family, has been reunited with his biological parents thanks to the national DNA database. Zhu Maohao visited a police substation in June last year to give a DNA sample and begin the search for his lost family. His biological father, Wen Taiyuan, did the same in February. The pair were reunited after their DNA was found to match by police. Zhu wept with joy when he saw Wen again for the first time in 21 years.

Chongqing Morning Post

Jiangsu

Driver crashes into dog's killer

A man in Haimen, surnamed Yang, caused a three-car pileup on June 24 after chasing after a driver who had run over and killed his pet dog. Yang chased the other man, surnamed Shi, for about 1 kilometer before the two collided and careered into a parked car, owned by a man surnamed Jiang. Following an investigation, traffic police determined that Yang was fully responsible for the accident and ordered him to pay more than 10,000 yuan ($1,470) in compensation to the other two car owners. Shi, meanwhile, was instructed to pay Yang 3,000 yuan for killing his dog.

Guangzhou Daily

Beijing

Supposed healing bridge draws visitors

A bridge in the capital's Temple of Heaven complex has become a magnet for the sick and injured, amid rumors that a marble strip running down its length has the ability to cure ailments. A growing number of visitors have taken to lying on the ancient architecture during hot summer days, with some even stripping off their clothes to get closer to the marble due to its supposed curative properties. The site's administrative committee has issued a statement reiterating that the bridge has no special healing powers. Marble is sometimes used by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine as it is believed to expel dampness from the body.

Beijing Morning Post

Shanghai

Firefighters remove senior's rings

A woman in her 70s had to call on firefighters recently to help remove seven rings that had become stuck fast on her fingers. The woman usually wears nine rings, but had only been able to remove two while at a hospital. To avoid hurting her, the firefighters first removed the rings that were most easily accessible, before using a special set of tools to take off the remaining three. The "lady of rings", as she is known, is rumored to have called on the emergency services three times in the past to help her remove her rings, yet each time she subsequently puts them back on.

Shanghai Huangpu District's Fire Department

Shanxi

Panda-shaped solar farm opens

A solar farm shaped like a giant panda has been built in Datong. Covering more than 600 hectares and producing upward of 100 megawatts of energy, the power station is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 2.74 million tons within the next 25 years. Panda Green Energy, which built the station, has been working with the United Nations Development Program to promote the development of renewable sources of energy in China since last year.

Shanxi Evening News