Accident

Duo cut from car wreck after crash

Two men were rescued from an overturned car on Saturday after an accident in Dongcheng district, Qianlong news reported.

Witnesses to the incident, which happened in the afternoon close to the Chongwenmen gas station, said the car hit a roadside barrier after avoiding another vehicle and then overturned.

The driver and passenger were cut out of the wreckage and helped to safety by firefighters and police officers. They were sent to a nearby hospital a short time later.

Community

Empty spots to get market makeover

Vacant spaces in Beijing communities are to be used as open-air vegetable markets, according to plans announced by the capital's commerce commission.

Following a citywide check on vegetable markets, new sales points will set up in deserted boiler rooms and carports to ensure all residential areas have at least one.

Supermarkets in Beijing will also increase direct purchase from farmers to ease the pressure on farmers struggling with oversupply and citizens who are facing price hikes.

Crime

Man hacked with machete on road

A driver was seriously injured in a machete attack during a road rage incident in Changping on Sunday.

According to the victim's wife, as quoted by Beijing News, her husband had been attempting to overtake another car on the Badaling highway when that vehicle forced them to stop in the road.

Four people got out of the car, including a man dressed in black who was carrying a machete. Using the weapon, he hit the victim five times, delivering blows to the head, chest and hands.

Community

Model show offers flight of fancy

China's largest model aircraft exhibition opened at the Chinese Aviation Museum in Beijing on Monday.

Roughly 400 stunning and historic models have gone on display, including 14 that are extremely valuable. The display also includes eight simulators, 100 engines and 200 model aircraft parts, said museum curator Qi Xiande.

The museum is in Changping, roughly 40 minutes from downtown. For more information, visit www.chn-am.com (Chinese only) or call 6178-4882.

Business

Boost in holiday sales for malls

Shopping malls in Beijing saw sales increase by 28.5 percent this May Day holiday, compared to the same period last year, according to official figures released on Monday.

A monitoring report on 127 commercial enterprises compiled by the commission of commerce shows total sales volume was 342 million yuan during the three-day break. Researchers pointed to an increase in wedding promotions for the rise, while a hike in gold and silver prices helped Caishikou Department Store sell 88.4 percent more compared to 2010.

China Daily

(China Daily 05/03/2011)