Looking for love in the trees

Instead of wasting money on dating agencies, single people in Dalian, Liaoning Province, have developed their own unique way to find a mate.

Would-be Romeos and Juliets have started posting their lonely hearts messages on the neighborhood trees.

The ads, which include the person's age and academic background, and include a picture and telephone number have become a popular attraction for single people in the area.

(Peninsula Morning News)

Son advises parents to get a divorce

A husband and wife from Dalian, Liaoning, got something of a shock when their son, a high school student, on Monday persuaded them to get divorced for the sake of their individual happiness.

Although the pair had feigned being happy for the sake of their son and his studies, their regular quarrels and dad's extramarital activities were just too much for the youngster who told them he would rather they parted than live such unhappy lives.

(New Business)

Police officer woos crooks online

A policeman from Shenyang, Liaoning, was praised on Tuesday for his skill at catching criminals online.

In the past year, Han Shenwen has caught six escaped suspects by pretending to be a woman and luring them into an online chat and then arranging to meet them later.

Sometimes, he got his wife to show her face on his Webcam to convince suspicious suspects who asked to see him.

(Shenyang Evening News)

Railway station toilet with a touch of class

Beijing West Railway Station got a new attraction last week in the shape of a five-star toilet.

As well as all the obviousl facilities, the two-room convenience features air conditioning, a hi-fi system and more than a touch of style. It is also completely free of charge.

The toilet's designers said they hoped it would make the answering the call of nature a more pleasurable experience.

(Beijing News)

Farmer sentenced for felling trees

A farmer from the Shunyi District of Beijing was sentenced to 10 months in jail suspended for one year on Tuesday for cutting down 238 trees on land he leased without official permission.

Despite his good intentions - he said he felled the trees to help the growth of other trees in the area - he was not allowed to do so without a logging certificate from forestry authorities, the judge said.

Police charged the farmer, surnamed Tian, with the crime of illegal denudation. Under China's existing laws concerned, no one is allowed to cut down trees without a felling license.

(Beijing Times)

Dad kills son over game addiction

A middle-aged farmer from the Pinggu District of Beijing was jailed for 10 years on Wednesday for beating his son to death in a rage.

The attack resulted from the father's frustration at his son's addiction to online gaming. The boy, a junior high school student, regularly played truant so he could go to Internet cafes.

During a quarrel in November, the father, Zhang Jian, beat the boy with the handle of a hoe. The attack proved fatal.

Experts have said that many farmers wrongly uses violence to discipline their children.

(China Youth News)

(China Daily )