International conferences a shill for profiteering organizers

The international conference industry is booming as the country rises in economic power and international influence. China’s top-tier cities have been playing host to a rapidly growing stream of big conferences.

Cover performances reveal songwriters’ dilemma

The Internet and TV reality shows offer aspiring singers an opportunity for instant fame and wealth.

Occupational disease the nation’s neglected chronic killer

Zhang Haichao underwent open-chest surgery to prove the existence of his black lung disease last year, forever cementing his name with the ailment. Since his brave effort, many people have come to know the hazardous state of occupational safety in the country.

US online open courses find Chinese enthusiasts – But why can’t Chinese universities duplicate the model?

Ten years ago, when the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) launched a series of free online lectures and courses aimed at giving people around the world the opportunity to learn from first-rate professors, it may not have anticipated its program would bring far-reaching changes to Chinese thought.

Express delivery boom halts for festival

It was the day the delivery man did not come. In the days before Spring Festival, online shoppers panicked after 90 percent of Taobao’s stores stopped taking orders. But it wasn’t just Taobao: almost all of the Web’s other top retailers began denying orders.

Deliverymen’s high pay depends on hard work

Showing off or discussing salaries is popular on the Web. Recently, a Sina blogger claiming to be an express delivery man boasted that he earns 15,000 yuan per month. Some responses questioned his honesty, some were envious and others were furious.

Community service net for people with learning disabilities needed

The latest statistics on the China Disabled Persons’ Federation’s website, current as of 2006, show that China has 10 million mentally disabled people. Only 1.5 million of them are able to acquire vocational skills.

No country for young men – A profile of perplexed youths fighting for homes

Every generation believes it faces greater challenges than those of its parents. In a way, they are right – the young generation confronts a relatively different environment and has to contend with problems their parents or grandparents never faced.

Luxury retailers take their wares online

In the last two years, a dozen websites have launched business-to-consumer sales of luxury brands. Behind the booming scene, it’s too early to tell who will be the winner. Steven Chen, a 33-year-old investor, just purchased a Miu Miu bag online for his girlfriend. “I would prefer some special designer brand, less tacky, but I was too busy to fly to Hong Kong or Paris this Christmas.”

IV abuse a symptom of ailing health industry

China’s people and hospitals are addicted to intravenous medication. In 2009 alone, the country used some 10.4 billion bottles of fluids, or about eight bottles per person. To put that in perspective, the rest of the world rarely averages between 2.5 to 3 bottles per person.