Trending across China

Seven issues that journalists raise every year, and 37 smokers forced to cough up 1,850 yuan, and world's major brands find themselves on the blacklist.

Hottest questions for foreign minister

Seven topics have dominated the issues most raised by reporters to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the annual NPC press conference from 2008 to 2014, according to the Beijing News.

Question on China's diplomatic priorities has been raised every year. Other hot topics include China's relations with Russia, the United States, Japan, Europe and Africa, and stability of the Korean Peninsula.

Related: Foreign minister addresses diverse issues

Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area most polluted

Seven cities in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area are among the 10 Chinese cities with the worst air quality in 2013, Wu Xiaoqing, deputy minister for environmental protection, said at a NPC press conference in Beijing on March 8.

Some cities in the smog-plagued area suffered severe air pollution on 40 percent of days last year. Of 74 major cities recorded, only Haikou in Hainan, Lhasa in Tibet and Zhoushan in Zhejiang met national air quality standards, Wu added.

Related: China spends big on environment

Smoking ban in Shenzhen

Thirty-seven smokers in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, have been fined 1,850 yuan in total since law enforcement officers began issuing tickets for violators of the city's new smoking control regulations on March 8.

Anyone found smoking in nonsmoking location will be subjected to on-the-spot fine between 50-500 yuan.

Related: Smoke-free two sessions drive making progress

Substandard imported food and cosmetics blacklisted

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine published the 2014 blacklist of substandard imported food and cosmetics, including brands from such well-known companies as Johnson, Maybelline, Elizabeth Arden and Kao, reported Cnr.cn.

The substandard cosmetics come from 13 countries and products include America’s Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter, Maybelline nail polish, Elizabeth Arden White Glove Extreme, Kao shampoo from Taiwan, Johnson&Johnson baby shampoo baby shower gel from Singapore and Secrets De Provence soap from France.

Blacklisted foods are mainly pastry and biscuits, dairy products and beverages from 47 countries. FARMGOLD whole milk powder from Singapore, Gisborne calcium pasteurized skim milk from New Zealand and Australia’s Pura whole milk are all on the list.

Related: Cosmetics chemist finds the art in science

Gaokao will take up reform

Minister of Education Yuan Guiren said on Sunday that the total subjects of the National College Entrance Examination, or Gaokao, will be cut and there will be no longer separate arts and science subjects.

There will also be a change in foreign language examination. Admission will be based on the result of Gaokao and three-year high school achievement. The Mirror reported.

Related: Colleges to establish academic committees

Famous actor uses low-end phone

Zhao Benshan, famous actor and member of the CPPCC, was spotted using his old black Nokia mobile phone at a conference that was attended by hundreds of people from the CPPCC’s art circle on Friday, Xinhuanewsnet.com reported.

“The phone only costs 100 yuan,” Zhao said. “I don’t use Wechat because I don’t know how to do it. I borrow other staff members’ mobile phone to send voice texts.”

Related: CPPCC member calls for wetland protection

Man spreading H7N9 rumors detained

A man in Lvliang, Shanxi province, is under detention for spreading rumors about H7N9 epidemic, Xinhua reported.

The man wrote on his Tencent microblog on Feb 25 that a man in Xiaoyi city was infected with the H7N9 virus. He also said that according to China Central Television, 5,570 poultry had been infected with the virus. The Health Ministry later said there was no H7N9 case in Lvliang.

Related: H7N9 vaccine may hit market in May