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Society: Shanghai high-tech running track makes debut

A smart running track equipped with high-tech devices such as a facial recognition system and heart rate monitors has made its debut at Mingzhuhu Park in Shanghai. The 8-kilometer track consists of two types of paths: a 6,800-meter trail made of plastic and a 700-m red asphalt path. The track also features a pontoon section on the water that measures 500 m. The track is free to use.

Biz: Company names the best up-and-coming economies

China is among the top nine countries with the best up-and-coming economies in the world, according to US News and World Report. The media company surveyed more than 21,000 people about their views of 80 countries across various criteria such as economic influence, citizenship and quality of life. To find out which countries are improving most quickly, the company used a model to predict these countries' future growth in terms of GDP and per capita purchasing power parity.

Culture: French students learn drumming in Taiyuan

Students from Saint-Denis, France, have traveled to Taiyuan, Shanxi province, to learn drumming. The 13 students practiced authentic techniques on traditional Taiyuan Weifeng drums under a master from a local troupe. Taiyuan and Saint-Denis developed a sister-city relationship in 2012. Traditional Chinese culture has influenced Saint-Denis, and the city now hosts Chinese festivals.

Art: Countryside lives to be depicted in capital exhibit

An exhibition featuring paintings of the Chinese countryside will be held at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing from Thursday to Wednesday. Such works of art are named "farmer paintings", and focus on life in the countryside. Using bright colors, they often convey a positive spirit.

Photo: Stunning sunset scenery at Poyang Lake

Poyang Lake is known as the "mother lake" of Jiangxi province. It features a large number of biological resources and fresh water, which supports almost 10 million people who live nearby. It is one of the top 10 protected areas in China, and is deemed one of the world's major ecological regions by the World Wildlife Fund. Visit our website for images of the lake bathed in the golden rays of sunset.

Travel: Hangzhou's annual photo festival underway

Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in China with its iconic West Lake views. The city kicked off its annual photo festival last week, showcasing more than 3,000 images taken by photographers from home and abroad. The exhibition, named Let the World See Your Beauty, runs until Sunday.

Buzzword: Snoopervision

Snoopervision is a management style characterized by intrusiveness or excessive prying. It has been a concern among workers in many countries. It's not uncommon for employees to complain periodically about Big Brother looking over their shoulder.