1. Xicheng

Illegal trading of jewels targeted to curb bribery

The security administration unit of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau kicked off a week-long campaign on Monday to crack down on the illegal trade of gold and silver and jewels in a joint effort with the Xicheng branch of the bureau.

The campaign is aimed at preventing people who get valuable items through illegal means, such as through theft or as bribes, from selling the precious goods.

Residents now need to show their identity cards when selling jewelry and are being advised to only sell such items to professional stores.

Store owners are being asked to obtain a business license to carry out such trades from the administration for industry and commerce.

Police officers have found 851 illegal jewel and precious metal trading shops in the city, including ones within cigarette and wine shops that are operating beyond the scope of their business licenses.

Fire drill staged at Prince Kung's Mansion

The fire department of Xicheng branch of Public Security Bureau held a fire drill at Prince Kung's Mansion on Tuesday afternoon together with the palace's management office.

About 200 staff members of the palace took part in the drill, which included connecting water hoses and extinguishing fires.

The palace was open normally during the drill.

2. Chaoyang

Foreigner in detention for gambling, say police

A foreigner surnamed Park from an East Asian country was taken into custody on Nov 3 for allegedly gambling with five locals, according to a spokesman with the exit-entry administration of Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.

The six were put under administrative detention for five days for violating local laws and regulations.

The foreigner was on a business trip but was familiar with local card games after having formerly been a student in China, said the police.

3. Fangshan

Crackdown puts lights out in 101 illicit mines

As of Nov 1, a total of 101 illegal coal mines had been shut down in Fangshan district, according to the Shijiaying county government, Qianlong.com reported on Tuesday.

It is expected that unsafe, unlicensed mines that had produced 1.5 million tons of illegal coal will have been closed by March 31.

During the crackdown, 165 suspects have been detained, 105 of whom are likely to face charges.

An assortment of machinery and other equipment has been seized.

The crackdown is motivated by the need to put illegal mines out of business because of their appalling safety record.

4. Haidian

Students getting more help picking careers

Senior students in nine classes at three universities, including Beijing Union University and Beijing City University, are now able to take an employment-guiding course.

The course will feature more than 40 employment experts who will offer advice on finding jobs.

The experts are from public employment service centers, which are supported by the government.

The tutors will explain employment policy and analyze the job market for students. They will also try to help students understand more about themselves and their ambitions.

Every year, about 220,000 students graduate from universities in Beijing, including about 100,000 local students.

Pair jailed for credit card scam, ID theft

Haidian district court has sentenced two people to prison terms of six years and fined them 60,000 yuan each for swindling more than 100,000 yuan.

Qu Yansong and Yang Jing obtained personal data from a website and then called the customer service desks of banks with their false identities claiming to want to renew credit cards.

In this way, they got their hands on replacement credit cards.

Qu, 28, netted more than 106,000 yuan from three frauds and Yang, 27, who was Qu's ex-wife, got more than 73,000 yuan from two frauds between November 2008 and November 2009.

The case was the first in the capital to feature such a fraud.

Govt pulls plug on abuse of resources

A four-month crackdown by the municipal government on illegal activity that damages the city's water supply has been successful, officials said on Tuesday.

During the 100-day campaign that was led by the Beijing Water Authority, 181 cases of the illegal mining of sand and gravel were uncovered and ended.

In addition, more than 60,000 swimmers were told to get out of protected waters and another 60,000 illegal fishermen were encouraged to pack up their rods.

The authorities said almost 300 car washes were also ordered to make changes.

The government plans to make the campaign an ongoing one and will invest money and draw up new policies and regulations to continue to protect the water supply.

Fireworks forbidden around historical sites

Beijing Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau says all historical sites in and around the capital will be getting more protection facilities from the risk posed by fireworks, Qianlong.com reported on Tuesday.

New rules ban the use of ground fireworks within 10 meters of a historical site and prohibit fireworks that are fired into the air within 30 meters.

Most of the cultural sites in Beijing contain a lot of wood and could easily catch fire.

Some of the ancient locations are currently being used as residential places or house businesses and many have poor fire prevention, said the bureau.

According to the bureau, the checks will be carried out on a weekly basis and inspections will be made around-the-clock during the Spring Festival, when fireworks are very popular.

China Daily

(China Daily 11/10/2010)