March 5, 2008
Chongqing Times splashes the number 417.7 billion across its front page today. That is the amount, in RMB, of China’s military budget of this year (equivalent to US$58.7 billion), a 17.9% increase over last year. Jiang Enzhu, a spokesman for the 11th session of the National People’s Congress, addressed this issue at the session’s first press conference, held yesterday.
The main photo on the left-hand side shows Jiang answering questions from journalists.
Other headlines:
• Chongqing citizens voiced their opinions about taxi fees: whether they should rise, and if so, which categories and how much. The article reveals that more than 60% of people surveyed supported “appropriate” price hikes.
• Dogs are prohibited starting today on three busy downtown pedestrian streets in Chongqing.
• Yao Ming underwent a successful surgery on his injured left foot on Monday in States, improving his chances of taking part in the Olympic Games at August.
• The small headline at the very top of the page reports Hu Jintao’s latest condemnation of Taiwan independence.