Audits to combat extravagance

China's top auditing body said on Wednesday it will intensify audits of fiscal funds as part of a government effort to reduce extravagance. The National Audit Office has ordered local authorities to prioritize the auditing of funds appropriated for government departments at all levels for meetings, receptions, international travel and vehicle purchases, the office said.

Crackdown on online porn

China's top Internet regulator vowed to crack down on pornography and vulgar online information ahead of Spring Festival. The State Internet Information Office warned that the amount of pornography and vulgar information saw an increase on the Internet recently, which is damaging social ethics.

Car drivers exceed 200m

The number of people licensed to drive cars has exceeded 200 million, an increase of almost 27 million year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Public Security on Wednesday. The statistics showed there were 240 million automobiles on the roads by the end of 2012, and a total of 260 million license holders of all types of vehicles, including motorcycles.

7 detained in 'house sister' case

Seven people have been detained after being implicated in the scandal of the "house sister", a woman alleged to have illegally amassed 20 homes using multiple identities. They will be subjected to criminal investigation for their suspected violations, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Public Security on Wednesday.

Coins herald new navigation system

China's central bank has issued a set of two commemorative coins marking the official launch of the Beidou Navigation Satellite System in December. The set comprises one gold and one silver coin, according to the People's Bank of China.

Heilongjiang

Mine accident toll rises to 12

The death toll rose to 12 on Wednesday afternoon in a coal mine accident in Heilongjiang province, local authorities said. Three workers entered the Yongsheng colliery in Dongning to pump out water, but poisonous gas caused them to fall unconscious on Tuesday. Rescuers were sent to the site, but some of them were also affected by the toxic gas.

Firecracker booth explosion kills 2

At least two people were killed on Wednesday after an explosion in a firecracker booth in Heilongjiang province, local authorities said. The explosion occurred at around 7 am at a booth selling fireworks in Yingchun township in the city of Hulin, the city government said.

Chongqing

Three Gorges Dam migration ends

The Chongqing government has removed a report on migration efforts related to the Three Gorges Dam from the ongoing legislative session's review process, marking the end of the nation's largest migration project. Chongqing Mayor Huang Qifan said the removal indicates the government has reprioritized the migration efforts.

Whistle-blower keeps evidence

A Beijing blogger has refused to hand over further evidence related to a sex scandal that has already claimed the careers of 11 Chongqing officials. Zhu Ruifeng claims to have sex tapes featuring other high-ranking officials but said on Tuesday he will protect the identity of his source. The freelance journalist declined a request from Chongqing police for the footage when he met two officers on Monday.

Taiwan

Taipei office for mainland chamber

The mainland-based China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products established an office in Taipei on Wednesday. The office is the first of its kind to be established on the island by a mainland economic and trade association.

Qinghai

5.1-magnitude quake jolts Yushu

A 5.1-magnitude earthquake hit Zadoi county, Yushu Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Qinghai province, at 5:27 pm on Wednesday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center. The epicenter was monitored at 32.9 degrees north latitude and 94.7 degrees east longitude with a depth of 20 km.

Shanxi

Villager elected in legislature record

Shen Jilan, a villager in Shanxi province, was elected deputy to the 12th National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, on Wednesday. Shen, 84, has gained a wealth of political experience over the past six decades. After holding her elected status as a national model worker from 1952 to 1996, she has now become the only person in China to be elected as a deputy to the top legislature 12 consecutive times.

Guangdong

Emigrants' spouses barred from top

Officials whose spouses and children have emigrated from the Chinese mainland will be barred from assuming top positions in Dongguan, said a senior official from the city in Guangdong province. Such officials are publicly known as luoguan, or naked officials, because they are alone on the mainland.

Hunan

High school pupils lack exercise

More than 60 percent of local high school students spend less than 30 minutes a day doing physical exercise, said a political adviser in Hunan province. Deng Lixin and other political advisers visited 73 high schools in the province from July 2010 to January 2012, according to a report in the Changsha Evening News.

China Daily-Xinhua