Massive crowds gathered in Jiuting, Songjiang District, southwest of Xujiahui, yesterday after a number of chengguans, or urban administrative officers, allegedly roughed up two motorists. more ›

• Huang Hung talks about what the Chinese public knows about Hu Jintao - namely nothing, thanks to the leader's intense want of privacy. [The Daily Beast]
• China has committed to reduce the emissions intensity of its economy by 40 to 45% by 2020, but how will it do it? East Asia Forum has some suggestions. [East Asia Forum]
• Two Chinese singers, Fang Ziyuan and Yin Youcan, have been fined 50,000 RMB, after being caught miming at a concert in Chengdu. [BBC]

• When I grow up I want to be a corrupt official [Black and White Cat] "On the first day of term, Southern Metropolis Daily asked primary school children in Guangzhou what they want to be when they grow up. Here are some of the answers."
• China pupils told to love nation [BBC] "Chinese children are being told that the first lesson they must learn this school year is "love your country". The ministry of education has produced a special TV programme to encourage patriotism among the nation's youngsters. It is being broadcast as tens of millions of children head back to their classes after the summer holidays."
• U.S., Australia to Ask China to Exercises - Report [Reuters] "China will be asked by the United States and Australia to join military exercises to repair ties after a diplomatic row between Canberra and Beijing, a top U.S. military official said on Thursday. Following a meeting between Australia's military chief Angus Houston and U.S. Pacific Command head Admiral Timothy Keating, both countries agreed to approach China's defense ministry about joint naval and land exercises, Keating told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper in an interview. "We are anxious to engage with them," Keating said."

Picture of art by handicapped Guiyang beggar from ChinaSmack more ›