All kinds of China related news are featured in news reports around the world every single day, but rarely do you find a source that trawls both foreign and Chinese media to stitch together a round-up of interesting, weird and informative news from the Middle Kingdom the way we have.

1) China Economy to Overtake U.S. by 2016, According to IMF

A recent estimation by the IMF has revealed the surging Chinese economy would overtake the U.S. economy by 2016.

After leapfrogging Japan to become the second largest world economy with a local consumption of $ 11.5 trillion, that number is set to rise to $ 19 trillion within five year’s time. According to the IMF, by 2016 China’s world output will have reached 18%, while the US would be trailing at 17.7%.

The statistics are even more staggering in light of the U.S. economy being three times larger than its Chinese counterpart just ten years ago.

For more information, please visit: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/imf-bombshell-age-of-america-about-to-end-2011-04-25

2) Wuhan Publishes Weekly List of 40 ‘Uncivilized Offenders’

Wuhan authorities have taken original means with which to restore decency and proper behavior in the city.

Every week, a list will be published with the names of 40 offenders, guilty of having run a red light, parked illegally, cut lanes, or littered in the streets. Amusingly, the names of the offenders is not all the authorities will reveal. Also disclosed will be their age, their license number, the uncivilized gesture they are accused of, the time of said act, the resulting punishment and occasionally even perhaps their picture.

The move is done in the hope shame, rather than actual punishment, will discourage the repetition of such behavior.

3) Facebook Back in China?

Will Facebook finally resurface in China? According to reports, it seems to be a done deal.

The Californian company is rumored to have signed a contract with Baidu, with sources such as Hu Yanping, the director of Data Center of China Internet (DCCI) and the Chinese website Sohu both confirming Facebook was facing an imminent return.

With advertising revenues in China estimated to reach $ 13 billion by 2014, Facebook has seemingly agreed to compromise in order to reintegrate the booming Chinese market.

4) New Donor Registry List for Drivers in China

By the end of this year, Chinese drivers will have the option of donating their organs when registering for their driver’s license.

The move by the Chinese government, which aims to provide one potential alleviating measure to the dearth of available donors in China, has so far been met with vociferous cries of anger on the part of the population. People have blamed authorities for attempting to emulate Western concepts and norms that do not go in tune with Chinese culture, believing that including organ donation in the registry list would bring bad luck.

China today faces a crisis today, with over 1.5 million yearly demands for organs, only 10,000 of which go answered.

5) First ‘Tour’ Trains from Lanzhou to Dunhuang Now Open

As of April 25th, the first tour train—the Y667—carrying passengers from Lanzhou to Dunhuang (home of the famous Mogao grottoes which house ancient Buddhist scriptures and art) will operate, stopping at Wuwei South, Wuwei, Jinchang, Jiuquan and Jiayuguan stations. From April 26th, there will be another service—the Y668—operating on alternate days, leaving Dunhuang station at 18:15. This arrives in Lanzhou at 08:50 the following morning. The carriages are all air conditioned sleepers, consisting of two soft sleeper and 15 hard sleeper carriages.

For more information, please visit: http://gs.people.com.cn/GB/183283/14480310.html

6) Mysterious Disappearance of Confucius Statue in Beijing

Just three months ago, Beijing unveiled a 31 foot bronze statue of the famous sage in the north-eastern corner of Tiananmen Square; in front of the National Museum of China. Less than a week ago, the statue vanished.

No information has been provided to account for this mysterious disappearance. Rumors have percolated through indicating the statue was simply put on display for a limited time, before being removed. Others yet claim it had been put outside while the inside gardens of the museum were completed, at which point the statue would be moved inside.

7) Beijing’s CBD Becomes Free Wireless Zone

A 10 million RMB project that attempts to cover Beijing’s Central Business District with free wireless access, was successfully completed on April 28th. Public areas within a 3.99 mile radius in CBD now have free access to wireless internet around the clock. The free wireless network is accessible via computer, mobile phones, blackberries etc.

8) Hainan Island Becomes 4th Off-shore ‘Duty Free’ Area in the World

Starting from April 20th Hainan Island joins Korea’s Jeju Island, Okinawa in Japan, and Taiwan’s Mazu and Kinmen Islands as one of four existing off-shore ‘Duty Free’ areas. Sanya’s 7000 square metre flagship duty free store is located at 19 Yuta Avenue (榆亚大道19号), Xiayutian, Sanya (across from the Luhuitou Plaza), about 20km from the airport.

9) Foreigner Takes Guangzhou Road Rules Into His Own Hands

The hottest news on the discussion forums of Dayoo.com was that of a “Laowai on Taojin Lu preventing cars from going the wrong way.” According to netizens on the website, a foreign man stood before a car on Taojin Lu (a one-way street, clearly signposted) and shouted in Chinese “You can’t drive here, it’s not ok to do that!” Upon hearing this news, many netizens and citizens who were at the scene praised his behaviour, one local source saying “I support his actions. When there are rules, they must be followed.” But there are members of the public who expressed concern in the man’s apparent meddling, and hoped that “the relevant governmental departments deal with it; this is our problem and should be for us to solve,” said a source.

For more information, please visit: http://news.ifeng.com/society/2/detail_2011_04/26/5993729_0.shtml

10) American Woman Rescued After Suicide Attempt

On April 20th, a 30 year old foreign woman attempted to commit suicide in Yuyao, Zhejiang Province by throwing herself into a river. However, several locals spotted the woman and quickly retrieved her back to land. After the police arrived on the scene, they determined that she was an American national who had been teaching at a local English-training school. They also determined that her inability to pay back her parents’ mortgage in America was the reason for her depression and subsequent suicide attempt. On April 29th, the woman boarded a flight at Pudong Airport to reunite with her parents.
 

Related links
Shanghai Watchdog: Avril, Murder, Heros, Openings etc.
Beijing Watchdog: News, Events, Changes
News and Events Around China

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