145 million

NEWS from the Ministry of Railway says that some 145 million passengers are expected to travel by rail during the upcoming Spring Festival for family reunions. The figure is 3.5 per cent higher than that of the same period last year. The peak period for railway travel will last from January 25 to March 5.

31%

A SURVEY based on samples of 58 different types of ham and sausage products found that only 31 per cent met the country’s basic health standards. The 58 sampled meat products came from 33 enterprises in seven provinces and municipalities including Beijing, Tianjin and Liaoning. Some of the meat included excessive quantities of colouring or preservatives.

1.3 billion

CHINESE mainland reaches an official population of 1.3 billion on January 6. China’s family planning policy has helped to delay this milestone for four years.

71st

CHINA is ranked 71st on the world “Corruption Perception Index? The report issued by an organization based in Berlin, Germany relies upon surveys of business people and members of the general public to compile a picture of attitudes toward corruption levels in different countries. On the list, China’s Hong Kong was ranked in 16th place. The three top (least corrupt) positions were taken by Finland, New Zealand, and Denmark.