• "In recent months, protests over the severe illnesses caused by China's heavy industries have resulted in a crackdown on polluters. Leading the charge has been the state-run media, which the central government is now using to gain control over corrupt local authorities and powerful commercial enterprises." [Environment 360]
• The family of a 69-year-old grandmother who was buried alive by demolition crews has won compensation: five houses and 600,000RMB. The grandmother had tried to stop an excavator with her own body. She somehow fell into a ditch, but the excavator continued shoveling, burying her with a load of earth. [China Hush]
• Wen Jiabao has dismissed claims that Chinese foreign policy is becoming more assertive, saying, "There are already views about China’s arrogance, China’s toughness, and China’s inevitable triumph. You have given me an opportunity for me to explain how China conducts itself" in a defensive speech at a press conference. [Economist]

The population of the [Yicheng] county has grown over the 25-year period of the scheme by 20.7 per cent, which is nearly five percentage points lower than the national average, despite families being allowed two children. The experiment also appears to have redressed the imbalance between male and female births in China: the national average is 118 males to every 100 females, but in Yicheng the ratio was in line with the natural norm at 106 to 100.

We have no idea how authentically Tibetan this is but it sure looks very colourful. more ›

Good news for those of you who have yet to catch Avatar (and seriously, what is taking you so long?). The popular flick’s final day of screening in 3D format in China’s major cities has once again been deferred from March 14 (which we told you about last week), until March 28th—a full two weeks longer than expected. more ›

A little bit of light was shed on the saga involving human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng this week, but his whereabouts remain shrouded in mystery. Speaking with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, Foreign Ministry spokesman Yang Jiechi denied that Gao had been tortured, but claimed he had been sentenced to prison for subversion. However, Yang did not clarify whether he was referring to a new sentence or citing the suspended sentence handed down to Gao in 2006 for having written an open letter to President Hu Jintao claiming Falun Gong adherents had been mistreated. more ›

Oh boy, what a weekend. Besides seeing off SILF and getting crazy with JUE, there's also a couple of Zuloo performances (both in Panto and improv forms) and an 8km run! more ›

Earlier today, Shanghai Daily reported that suicide remained the top killer for local college students in 2009. Thirteen students in Shanghai, including one international student, took their own lives last year. more ›

Hey, some of that Expo advertising must be working - because it looks like at least one group of people have noticed Shanghai: video game developers who want to wreak havoc on its city streets. Hot on the heels of Army of Two, comes this multiplatform wonder, Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days. more ›

• Oh no, turns out Shanghai has an epidemic of unhappiness! Plagued by the cost of living, housing prices and medical bills, they are noticeably less happy than their peers in less developed cities. [Shanghai Daily]
• So is the Expo really a world-class event or is it just something for other countries (and our city) to burn money on? Two writers offer their takes. [Danwei]
• Speaking of money, the numbers are out and hte Shanghai municipal government has allotted 170 billion RMB on urban facilities in 2009, an all time high. [China Daily]