Road to success

Some well-known people who took the gaokao in 1977:

The test of time

Major reforms to the gaokao and the college admission system since 1977.

'All I knew was my life would be turned upside down, in a good way'

Luo Ren, 64, took the gaokao in 1977 and was admitted to Beijing Forestry University. After graduation, he became a researcher at Chongqing Academy of Forestry and was later chief scientist for the Chongqing Forestry Science Society, leading several major projects. He retired in 2013.

Nothing can replace knowledge and talent

In China, the gaokao has long been called "the most important examination".

22 punished for roles in deadly blaze

A total of 22 people were punished in connection with a fire that killed 18 people in Zhejiang province in February, the province's work safety watchdog said in an online statement announcing the results of its investigation on Tuesday.

10 Chinese officers go on patrols in Italy

Ten Chinese police officers are working with Italian counterparts in Italy, assisting with cases involving Chinese tourists, the Ministry of Public Security said on Tuesday.

Great Wall renovation guide drafted

The Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage released draft guidance for Great Wall renovations on Tuesday, setting different criteria for each type of wall.

Tributes flow after soccer player's death

Coaches, players and fans of Beijing Enterprises Football Club paid tribute to Cheick Tiote, the player from Cote d'Ivoire who died suddenly on Monday.

IN BRIEF

'80s generation delaying marriage in Shanghai

More people born between 1980 and 1989 are remaining single compared with the decade before, a survey released on Tuesday found.

Alipay brings books to their borrowers

For a tiny delivery fee, book lovers in Shanghai now can borrow as many as 20 books for a month without leaving home.

Bank helps a poor village lift living standard

In a tiny supermarket in the poor mountain village of Fazi in Chongqing's Wulong district, Xiao Chuanguo inserted his Agricultural Bank of China card into a green-and-white machine with a touch screen and entered his password and the amount of money he wanted to withdraw - 500 yuan ($74; 65 euros; ￡57).