10 h. ago China widens kindergarten lead poisoning probe as central government weighs in

China has expanded the probe into a kindergarten lead poisoning scandal that has shocked the nation, with the central government getting involved in a rare intervention in a provincial investigation. On Saturday night the authorities in Gansu said the investigation would be led by provincial leaders working alongside a task force from the State Council, the country’s cabinet. Last week, Chinese media reported that 233 of 251 children at the kindergarten in Tianshui, a second-tier city in the...

Politics

31 h. ago Chinese lead poisoning scandal sparks backlash, echoing earlier controversies

A lead poisoning scandal at a kindergarten in northwest China – and the local government’s attempt to cover up wrongdoing – has sparked public backlash, and observers say the case highlights a familiar pattern often seen in the wake of high-profile safety incidents. Liu Qifang, the father of a girl who attended the kindergarten at the centre of the scandal, received a phone call from an unknown caller last week, according to South Reviews magazine on Tuesday. The caller confirmed Liu’s identity,...

Politics

52 h. ago Local government investigation into kindergarten lead poisoning in China reveals deep distrust in authorities

Local government investigation into kindergarten lead poisoning in China reveals deep distrust in authorities  News Channel 3-12

Politics

4 d. ago More than 200 children found with high lead levels after kindergarten in China uses paint as food coloring, authorities say

More than 200 children found with high lead levels after kindergarten in China uses paint as food coloring, authorities say  CNN

Society

5 d. ago A kindergarten in China added lead to food, and over 200 children are affected

A kindergarten in China added lead to food, and over 200 children are affected  KLAS 8 News Now

Society

5 d. ago 8 detained in China after high lead levels detected in kindergarten children

The principal of the kindergarten in Maiji district in Tianshui, surnamed Zhu, was detained together with investor Li and six canteen staff on suspicion of “producing toxic and harmful food”. Two others have been placed on police bail pending trial, according to a release by investigators in Tianshui on Tuesday. The statement alleged the canteen staff bought decorative paint online with the consent of Zhu and Li, diluted it and used it in food. Laboratory tests confirmed the paint contained lead...

Politics

6 d. ago Hong Kong needs to better understand and balance ‘one country, two systems’

Jiang Enzhu, the first head of the central government’s liaison office in post-handover Hong Kong, famously likened understanding the city to reading a challenging book – one that demands serious attention and effort. At the time, his words served as a cautionary note to mainland officials. Now, Hong Kong having marked the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese sovereignty, Jiang’s analogy remains apt, though with a significant caveat. The city may still be a book that is difficult to...

Politics

1 week ago Billions misused in China 2024 stimulus, from flood controls to gym gear: audit

China’s top audit watchdog has revealed that tens of billions of yuan in funding were misused by localities amid a roll-out of stimulus measures and flagship projects that the nation adopted last year, as Beijing injected trillions to boost China’s economy. The revelation – resulting from an assessment of the central government’s budget execution last year, as well as of other fiscal revenues and expenditures in 2024 – was spelled out in a report submitted by National Audit Office auditor...

Events

2 w. ago China’s central bank doubles down on financing support to boost consumption

China is doubling down on its efforts to encourage domestic consumption, with the central government and the country’s wealthiest province rolling out policies aimed at providing structural financial support and on-the-ground incentives. Continued policy support is crucial to keep China’s domestic consumption afloat as trade uncertainties and unemployment pressures persist, analysts said. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) said on Tuesday that a 500 billion yuan (US$69.68 billion) relending quota...

Economics

2 w. ago Keung To of Hong Kong band Mirror rescued after accidentally falling into sea

Keung To, a member of Hong Kong Cantopop boy band Mirror, was rescued after accidentally falling into the waters off Sai Wan on Tuesday. Police received a report at 4.36pm that a man had fallen into the waters near the Western Wholesale Food Market. He was rescued and taken to the Central Government Pier on Man Fai Road and then transported by ambulance to Queen Mary Hospital for treatment. A source familiar with the case said Keung had been transferred to a private hospital. “Keung To stated at...

Events

2 w. ago China Land Sales Income Hits Decade Low, Widening Budget Deficit

China Land Sales Income Hits Decade Low, Widening Budget Deficit  Bloomberg

Economics

3 w. ago China's Xi meets Kazakh leader Tokayev, widen cooperation, Xinhua says

China's Xi meets Kazakh leader Tokayev, widen cooperation, Xinhua says  Reuters

Politics

4 w. ago ‘Probe under way on whether Beijing will take over collusion case in Hong Kong’

Beijing’s national security arm in Hong Kong conducted its first publicly known joint operation with the city’s police to determine whether a suspected collusion case is complex to the extent that it requires mainland China to take over, the security minister has revealed. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Saturday that no arrests had been made so far, adding it would require the central government’s approval if the case were to be handed over. His remarks were made after the...

Politics

4 w. ago Authorities still studying if Hong Kong collusion case needs to be handled by Beijing

Beijing and Hong Kong are investigating the complexity of a suspected collusion case to determine whether mainland China needs to take over, security minister has said, in what may become a precedent for the central government to exercise its jurisdiction over such matters. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Saturday that authorities were gathering information to ascertain if Article 55 of the national security law, which applies to complicated and severe cases, should be...

Events