Chongqing

Home Sweet Home

A couple in Chongqing are refusing to move out of their two-storey home—the only building left standing atop a mound in a 10-meter-deep construction pit where the local government plans to build a shopping mall and apartments. The owner of the house, 51-year-old Yang Wu, refused the compensation of ¥3.5 million and climbed up to his home from the construction pit by using two steel pipes—a task most would find challenging but was an easy maneuver for former martial arts champion Yang. While his wife stayed outside of the house to answer questions from the media, the defiant Yang hung a banner on his home reading: “No violation of legitimate private property.” Judge Li, whose court sent the notice to remove themselves, told the media that the court would follow lawful procedures to deal with the matter but he refused to say when.

Hong Kong

Napper Interrupted

A subway door in Hong Kong was recently vandalized, but instead of teenage ruffians, the culprit is a 45-year-old technician. The man's lawyer said the defendant was under great pressure from a part-time computer course he was taking and wanted to nap on the way to work, but was disturbed by the repeated MTR station announcements. The interrupted napper took his frustration out on the rubber edge of the subway door which he cut up with a pocket knife. Apparently he has yet to hear of earplugs.

Zhoukou

Blinded by the Light

Citizens of Cunminzhuang village in Henan’s Zhoukou are curious and concerned about a small piece of land that emits light during the night. Local villager Zhang Gengmin discovered light shining from the soil near a new local highway one night last November. Local experts ruled out the possibility that the light was caused by mineral deposits and warned that the soil could contain radioactive elements. Meanwhile, an investigation to find the source of the light is ongoing.

Wuhan

Toilet Guides

Gone are the days of searching panickedly for the nearest bathroom for those living in or visiting Wuhan. A new profession has materialized to help full-bladdered citizens find their way to a toilet: Special toilet guides will show you the way for a mere three jiao, reports the Changjian Commercial News. Earning up to ¥10 a day, guides are distinguishable by their red armbands and mainly patrol the city’s busy areas and scenic spots.

Xiamen

Safety First

If white collar worker Lin had her way, motorcycle helmets would be part of office dress code. The Xiamen woman has started wearing a motorcycle helmet to work in an effort to protect her face from "computer radiation" which she says she is exposed to 10 hours a day. After noticing a large dark stain developing on her face, Lin decided to take this drastic measure to protect herself.

Nationwide

More Condoms, Sir

To encourage migrant workers to practice safe sex, condoms are being given out freely, but demand is high: “4,000 condoms are distributed in just a few seconds,” says Zheng Jixiao, director of Home of Green Apples, a sexual education institute affiliated with the China Population Information and Education Center. In an effort to bring basic knowledge of sexual health to migrant workers, Zhang and his colleagues are distributing condoms while lecturing on sexually transmitted diseases and the use of contraceptives. It is hoped that if better educated about sex, the migrant workers will relieve their lusts in safe ways, thereby improving the overall quality of their lives. More condoms are apparently needed though.

Chongqing

Hotpot Heaven

China's southwestern municipality Chongqing was recently awarded the title of "Hot Pot Capital of China" by the China Cuisine Association, at the opening ceremony of the third Hotpot Festival. It was not as easy as it might have seemed to grab this coveted reign though; Chongqing and Chengdu have competed for the title for over 10 years.

Xian

Monkey Business

Three men and three women, chosen from over 1,900 applicants, recently started their new life in Xian’s Qinling Wildlife Park. These six adventurers joined the Chinese zoo’s contest to see if they can live with over 60 monkeys for five days, enduring in the same enclosure and eating the same food fed to them by both zoo keepers and visitors. The contestants, varying from 21 to 50 years in age, may quit at any time but those who stay will get an ¥11,888 award.