March 11, 2008
Experts met in Beijing today to discuss the plight of the snow leopard, an endangered animal found in the mountains of Central Asia. Of particular concern was video footage recently released of what was purported to be the first wild snow leopard found in China. The experts at the meeting determined that the video, shot in Sichuan, was of a genuine, albeit old and infirm, snow leopard. Today’s Beijing Evening News has a headline for this story in its sidebar; see the Snow Leopard Trust for more details about the conference.
The paper’s top headline today announces that the State Council has released the details of its institutional restructuring. The government will form five “super ministries” to increase efficiency and cut down on corruption. China Daily has more information.
Today’s eyecatching image is of Xie Zhenhua, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, and Zhang Lijun, Deputy Director of the State Environment Protection Administration, at a press conference this morning.
Beneath that is the big news of the day: February’s CPI was up 8.7%, the quickest rise in 11 years.
Like many papers, Beijing Evening News runs an Olympic countdown clock on the front page. Today marks 150 days until the Games begin.