Around China

Sichuan

Office closed after smell complaints

A company in Chengdu has been ordered to close its newly decorated office over fears that the levels of formaldehyde in the air exceed the national safety standard. Several government departments, including those responsible for safety supervision, environmental protection and labor, have launched an investigation after it was reported that employees at the company had to wear gas masks inside the office due to the strong odor. Workers who complained about the smell were told by managers to quit, the authorities were told.

Newssc.org

Zhejiang

Travel agent saves drowning boy

A travel agent has found fame on Chinese social media after a video of him rescuing a 5-year-old South Korean boy from drowning went viral online. Xu Difeng, a manager of a travel agency in Zhejiang, was on holiday in Vietnam when he heard a woman calling for help near the swimming pool of his hotel at about 6 pm on Feb 18. Without hesitation, Xu dived into the pool and helped save the boy. He said anyone would have done the same.

Qianjiang Evening News

Anhui

Helicopter fraud reaps millions

A woman in Ma'anshan has been detained on suspicion of using a rented helicopter to defraud would-be investors in her fake aviation company of more than 40 million yuan ($5.82 million). The 39-year-old, surnamed Zhang, is accused of cheating her victims out of the money over a period of three months, starting in August. She allegedly displayed the rented helicopter in downtown areas to draw investors, who were promised a high rate of return. Zhang, a divorcee, was put on the police's wanted list after her victims filed a complaint last year.

Anhuinews.com

Wife forgives husband's assault

A man who beat his wife until she almost collapsed in a railway station in Fuyang on Feb 16 has been let off with a warning. The 46-year-old husband, surnamed Xu, was immediately detained by police after repeatedly hitting his wife, surnamed Liu, following an argument. Xu was released from custody after promising not to beat his wife again. Liu said she forgave Xu, who works in Beijing, and begged police not to take him away as he is the family's only breadwinner.

Yingzhou Evening News

Chongqing

'Naughty' child left at railway station

The mother of an 8-year-old girl recently discovered alone at night at a city railway station told police the child had been left there because she was naughty. A police officer spotted the child at about 10 pm and offered to call her mother, surnamed Huang. She initially refused, saying that her mother wanted her to find her own way home. After calling Huang's cellphone, the officer was told that she had returned with her daughter that day by train from Panzhihua in Sichuan province. Huang said she had left the girl behind because she was being naughty. The girl's uncle arrived later to take her home.

Chongqing Evening News

Fujian

Man raids sleeping girlfriend's account

A man in Nanping has been detained for 10 days after he used his girlfriend's fingerprint to access her smartphone and steal 2,200 yuan ($320) from her bank account while she slept. Xiao Yan said she discovered the money was missing after spending a night at a house rented by her boyfriend, surnamed Zhang. She recalled that he had borrowed her phone before she went to bed and reported the case to the police. Zhang initially denied transferring the money from Xiao's account but later confessed while in police custody.

Fjsen.com

Jilin

Cellphone collector planning a museum

A man who has more than 3,000 cellphones stored at his home in Changchun has said he plans to open a museum to display his collection. Li Qinglin, 50, who started collecting mobile phones in 1998, said he has spent more than 200,000 yuan ($29,000) on his hobby. He said he hopes to collect every brand and model with a view to opening a museum to educate the public about developments in science and technology.

New Culture Daily

Henan

Mom demands app splurge refund

A 10-year-old boy in Luohe spent 17,000 yuan ($2,470) on a mobile game app in just seven days, according to his mother, who has demanded the app company pay back the cash. The mother, surnamed Zhu, said the money was deducted in seven installments between Feb 15 and 21 for in-app purchases by her son. Zhu said she has demanded an explanation from the company and contacted the police. However, the authorities had found no criminal offense has been committed and suggested she go to lawyers for help.

Dahe Daily

Liaoning

Student making a mint as bridesmaid

A university student in Fuxin has found a way to earn more than 3,000 yuan ($435) a month - as a professional bridesmaid. The sophomore, surnamed Chen, said she makes between 300 and 500 yuan per wedding, which rakes in roughly the same as the monthly salary of a fresh university graduate. She said many of her classmates also work part time as bridesmaids.

Liaoshen Evening News

Hubei

Hot pepper proves too much for teen

A 17-year-old had to receive treatment at a Wuhan hospital after burning her lips and tongue on a bowl of spicy South Korean noodles. The girl said her mouth immediately became swollen and that her entire body went numb after eating a red pepper in the dish, regarded as one of the hottest in the world. Despite drinking water, she did not feel better and visited a hospital at 4 am complaining of diarrhea and a fever.

Wuhan Evening News