Photo exhibition on space program opens

A photo exhibition about Chinese space exploration opened to the public on Wednesday at the Beijing Planetarium, displaying nearly 100 pictures, the majority of which were taken by Chinese astronauts in space.

Thousands evacuated in Shaanxi

At least 20,000 people were evacuated after downpours resulted in the worst flooding in decades in Shaanxi province, flood control authorities said.

Mars simulator to be built

China's first Mars simulation base will be built in Qinghai province, according to a report by China News Service on Wednesday.

Cigarette sales tick downward in Beijing

The number of cigarettes sold in Beijing last year decreased by 8 percent year-on-year, the biggest decline in recent years, according to a report on population health released by the Beijing municipal government on Wednesday.

IN BRIEF

Campers on Bund leave trash behind

Security patrols have been stepped up along Shanghai's scenic Bund area to stop people from camping there, as tourists and residents seek cooler places to escape the ongoing heat wave.

Heat wave? What heat wave? Heilongjiang residents shiver

While people have sweltered in eastern China over the past two weeks, inhabitants of northeastern areas were putting on thicker clothes this week.

Struggling startups search for investors

In 2006, Jiang Yiliang was a freshman at Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University in the Yangling Demonstration Zone, a city in Shaanxi province renowned for agricultural research and technology.

Innovators unable to drum up support

Shaanxi Guard Agriculture Technology Ltd was founded in October to produce drones that can detect pests in fields. However, like many small startups, the company is struggling to find investors.

College nerds undertake a long journey to become entrepreneurs

For many researchers and technologists, starting a business involves a painful transition to maturity.

Learning To Enjoy Study Will Boost School Attendance

Ensuring compulsory education nationwide, so that all school-age children receive nine years of basic education, has been a key agenda for the government since the 1980s.

Healthcare and tourism are in focus

A number of ministries responded to a series of public concerns over the past week, including public healthcare insurance, tourism and government procurements.