上海生育新政策 生第二胎被鼓励

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Beijing to have more garbage facilities

Beijing will build or renovate more than 40 garbage disposal plants by 2015 in order to meet the growing amount of waste generated in the capital.

City authorities say the projects include five domestic waste incineration plants, five kitchen waste disposal plants and eight comprehensive domestic waste treatment plants.

The new and improved facilities, projected to handle 30,000 tons of garbage a day, will help the city tackle a grave challenge it is facing as the city's garbage piles up, according to a government report.

The capital's 23 domestic garbage treatment facilities are capable of processing 10,400 tons of waste a day, but in reality, the facilities are handling more than 17,400 tons of trash per day.

Shanghai encourages 2nd baby

Eligible couples in Shanghai are for the first time being encouraged to have a second child as authorities try to ease the burden of an aging population.

Family planning officials and volunteers will make home visits and slip leaflets under doorways to encourage couples to have a second child if both grew up as only children. Emotional and financial counseling will also be provided.

Shanghai, the country's most populous city, has more than 3 million registered residents aged 60 and above, nearly 22 percent of the population. By 2020, the proportion is expected to rise to about 34 percent.

The country's family planning policy has been relaxed in recent years, allowing couples who are the only children in their families to have a second child.