From Red Mansion to a prison cell

Lai Changxing rose from obscurity to run an illegal empire built on smuggling, before fleeing to Canada, from where he fought for 12 years to avoid justice

Calls for political reform renewed

Political change should focus on people’s rights and limiting power of officials, says People’s Daily a second time since Bo Xilai was swept from power

Passport ban ends on Yunnan women

Young women in three counties in Yunnan will be able to apply for passports like other mainlanders from today after the lifting of restrictions imposed seven years ago due to concerns that many were becoming prostitutes in nearby countries.

Beijing in drive on illegal foreigners

Beijing has launched a 100-day crackdown targeting foreigners who have entered the country illegally, stayed longer than allowed or who are working in the capital illegally.

Chinese wines beat French in tasting, but it's not best vs best

Chinese wines took the top four places in a China vs Bordeaux blind tasting competition on Wednesday, but it wasn't exactly a thrashing of the world's most elite wines by Chinese upstarts.

Chinese wine makers looking to win back local taste buds

While China’s wine lovers continue their obsession with French vintages, a number of local labels are determined to lead the charge to convince them that Chinese winemakers can compete with the very best there is.

In Rise and Fall of China’s Bo Xilai, an Arc of Ruthlessness

“News 1+1” is a sort of Chinese “60 Minutes,” a newsmagazine on state-run China Central Television that explores — as much as the censors permit — the more contentious corners of Chinese society. In December 2009, the program took aim at a much-publicized anticorruption campaign in the metropolis of Chongqing, a crusade that had grabbed national attention for its sweep, but raised deep concerns about its brutality and disregard for the law.

Parents pay the price in grey area of school entry

Despite nine years of free education, Shanghai people pay dear for flats in top schools’ catchment areas

Myanmar villagers want share of energy bonanza

For decades, the islanders of Shweri Chai, a speck of land in the Bay of Bengal, have extracted oil using makeshift pulleys to draw the reddish liquid from the ground.

Wenzhou’s grey loan market in downturn

Private lending sinks 30pc from last summer’s highs, government survey finds, amid concerns about risks and overall drop in business activity

Wealthy Americans get the cold shoulder

The looming Fatca tax evasion law sends global financial institutions running for cover with its ‘draconian’ range of rules and penalties

Wang Yang says the party can't make you happy

Provincial party boss behind Happy Guangdong campaign says citizens should seize the day and stop thinking contentment comes from above

Inherited privilege is a scourge of old China that must be rooted out

Hu Shuli says the excesses of the children of officials are fuelling outrage over the collusion of the rich and powerful, and unchecked government power is to blame

Police probe sophisticated wine-scam syndicate

Hundreds of mainlanders and Hongkongers may have invested in vintage futures that never existed

Malaysian families seek British justice for 1948 massacre

Malaysian relatives of 24 rubber plantation workers killed by British troops in 1948 began a High Court appeal in London on Tuesday against the British government's refusal to hold a full inquiry.

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Chen case exposes limits to central power in China

The case of a blind Chinese activist who sparked a diplomatic row with the United States is the latest illustration of the degree of power China’s local authorities have -- and how it can backfire on Beijing.

Escape plan of blind activist detailed

On a moonless night on April 22, blind activist Chen Guangcheng began his mad dash from Dongshigu village.

Status symbol for China’s rich: Mistresses

Public outrage grows over cheating spouses, who include top officials

Coca-Cola apology as drinks canned

Production line shut down at Shanxi plant after chlorine-tainted beverages went out to customers

How to avoid costly fees and enjoy the view

Big increases in entrance charges to scenic sites spark online tips on doing the sightseeing free