March 26, 2008
A costly party
The juiciest news on the front page is about CCTV news anchor Zhang Hongmin’s extravagant birthday party. Mr Zhang was criticized online for letting down his official, clean-cut image by spending 200,000 yuan on the party. CCTV officials said they would investigate, but that Zhang is unlikely to be punished for spending his own money extravagantly. Along with the article is a list of CCTV celebrities who have been criticized online and by the public for making money by dubious means.
New government rules released
The top headline of the front page is about a new set of rules released by the government to guide government work. The new rules contain articles concerning the accountability of the government’s high-level officials.
The article said that China has began to explore the institutionalization of administration accountability since the SARS incident in 2003. The new rules also stipulate that the government should cut down the number and the size of its meetings.
Also on the front page:
• Beijing is going to have car registration plates with the initial letter M from next month. This means that 3.2 million plates have been issued since this series started.
• The photo shows Beijing’s mayor and the director of the General Administration of Sport (GAS) opening the 2008 China Open Snooker Tournament.
• Beijing’s new airport terminal is fully operational from today.
• SARFT released a notice saying that TV series about spies should avoid overemphasizing horror, violence and abnormal elements.
• The Foreign Ministry hopes no country will support the Dålaî Låma in any way.
• The Standing Committee of Beijing Municipal People’s Congress consulted citizens for suggestions about its 5 year plan.
Stories on other pages:
• 16 campaigners running for public office will give speeches and debate on TV in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.
• In commemoration of the 110th anniversary of late Premiere Zhou Enlai’s birth, a concert is going to be held in Beijing on Wednesday this week.