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Heavy rain closes Grand Canal
March 12, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Grand Canal's Hangzhou section and Qiantang River open to traffic on March 9 after seven days' navigation closure due to torrential rain. The rainfall last week was the heaviest in 60 years. The average rainfall in the area from March 4-6 reached 72.8 millimeters, highest since the same period in the 1950s. Water levels in the Grand Canal rose above the "alert" level. To ensure safety, authorities suspended navigation on March 2, and about 1,400 vessels were stranded.
Expo bronze
"Soul's Direction," an 8.3-meter-high bronze sculpture of qin, a traditional Chinese zither, will be permanently exhibited in Jiangnan Square of World Expo 2010 Shanghai.
The 3-ton work was designed by Lin Gang, dean of the Hangzhou Sculpture Academy, and is composed of different sizes of gears and screws. The square is the site of the former Jiangnan Shipyard.
Sidewalk hogs
Drivers who park their cars illegally on sidewalks over five times now may find their cars immobilized. They also must pay a fee of 150 yuan (US$22) for each illegal parking. The measure has been in place since March 10. Previously scofflaws could park illegally on sidewalks nine times before their cars were locked. Drivers can check their illegal parking records at www.zfj.gov.cn.
New cinema
Construction of a 12-hall IMAX cinema will begin this year and the facility is expected to open in 2012 at the Qianjiang Shopping Mall. The 5,000-square-meter cinema will contain 1,200 seats. The main theater screen will be 33.6 meters long and 25 meters wide. To provide more comfort, the distance between rows will be 1.5 meters, 30 centimeters wider than that in average cinemas. The area around Qianjiang Shopping Mall is expected to become a new commercial hub.
Ready, set, 'go'
A museum about the ancient Chinese game of go will open during the National Day holiday in October in Qianjiang New City. In addition to exhibits, the Go Museum will have an education and training center, a library, meeting rooms, restaurants and a hotel. All will feature a go theme. Museum officials hope the museum will be a place for people to learn the game, besides exhibiting go culture.
Helping migrants
A five-year campaign to support the needy children and wives of migrant workers was launched recently by Hangzhou Working Committee on Women and Children. The number of underprivileged children and mothers in the city is around 1.36 million. The local government plans 100 measures over five years to improve their education and living conditions. This year's campaign will focus on culture, education and development of the group. Around 20,000 brochures will be distributed and 200 lectures will be delivered to enrich migrants' cultural life. In the future, health, legal rights, the environment and economic development will be covered. The government hopes Hangzhou will become their second home.
Land auction
Hangzhou's first land auction this year transferred three lots for a total of around 1.7 billion yuan (US$249 million) on March 9. They cover 108,450 square meters. A major plot in the east is designated for residential and commercial use and was sold for 370 million yuan to Jiangsu Huaguang Properties Co Ltd. Two other lots for commercial use sold for 999 million yuan and 365 million yuan.
Flu shots
The fourth round of H1N1 vaccination is underway in Hangzhou. Around 60,000 residents and migrant workers will receive the vaccine. During the first three rounds of vaccination, 405,000 people received injections. There were no serious reactions. Around 70 clinics have been designated by the government to provide vaccinations. Locations and contacts of the clinics are available at www.hzws.gov.cn and www.hzcdc.net.
Student drivers
A time-charge payment card will be used at city driving schools starting April. Each hour will cost around 80 yuan (US$12) and each student is required to complete 35 hours in total to receive a driving license. The card system allows students to pay as they go, instead of paying tuition up front. It also allows students to change schools if they are not satisfied. More than 4,500 driving coaches are getting their cars updated to use the cards.
Creative zone
Fuyicang Fashion Creative Zone will be open in Gongshu District in May. A former warehouse in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it was renovated by the Hangzhou Yunhe Group in 2007. The creative zone will integrate high-end culture, creative industry and tourism. A few artists have opened studios, such as Kousuke Fujishima, a Japanese manga artist. The opening will feature fashion shows and parties.
Expo bronze
"Soul's Direction," an 8.3-meter-high bronze sculpture of qin, a traditional Chinese zither, will be permanently exhibited in Jiangnan Square of World Expo 2010 Shanghai.
The 3-ton work was designed by Lin Gang, dean of the Hangzhou Sculpture Academy, and is composed of different sizes of gears and screws. The square is the site of the former Jiangnan Shipyard.
Sidewalk hogs
Drivers who park their cars illegally on sidewalks over five times now may find their cars immobilized. They also must pay a fee of 150 yuan (US$22) for each illegal parking. The measure has been in place since March 10. Previously scofflaws could park illegally on sidewalks nine times before their cars were locked. Drivers can check their illegal parking records at www.zfj.gov.cn.
New cinema
Construction of a 12-hall IMAX cinema will begin this year and the facility is expected to open in 2012 at the Qianjiang Shopping Mall. The 5,000-square-meter cinema will contain 1,200 seats. The main theater screen will be 33.6 meters long and 25 meters wide. To provide more comfort, the distance between rows will be 1.5 meters, 30 centimeters wider than that in average cinemas. The area around Qianjiang Shopping Mall is expected to become a new commercial hub.
Ready, set, 'go'
A museum about the ancient Chinese game of go will open during the National Day holiday in October in Qianjiang New City. In addition to exhibits, the Go Museum will have an education and training center, a library, meeting rooms, restaurants and a hotel. All will feature a go theme. Museum officials hope the museum will be a place for people to learn the game, besides exhibiting go culture.
Helping migrants
A five-year campaign to support the needy children and wives of migrant workers was launched recently by Hangzhou Working Committee on Women and Children. The number of underprivileged children and mothers in the city is around 1.36 million. The local government plans 100 measures over five years to improve their education and living conditions. This year's campaign will focus on culture, education and development of the group. Around 20,000 brochures will be distributed and 200 lectures will be delivered to enrich migrants' cultural life. In the future, health, legal rights, the environment and economic development will be covered. The government hopes Hangzhou will become their second home.
Land auction
Hangzhou's first land auction this year transferred three lots for a total of around 1.7 billion yuan (US$249 million) on March 9. They cover 108,450 square meters. A major plot in the east is designated for residential and commercial use and was sold for 370 million yuan to Jiangsu Huaguang Properties Co Ltd. Two other lots for commercial use sold for 999 million yuan and 365 million yuan.
Flu shots
The fourth round of H1N1 vaccination is underway in Hangzhou. Around 60,000 residents and migrant workers will receive the vaccine. During the first three rounds of vaccination, 405,000 people received injections. There were no serious reactions. Around 70 clinics have been designated by the government to provide vaccinations. Locations and contacts of the clinics are available at www.hzws.gov.cn and www.hzcdc.net.
Student drivers
A time-charge payment card will be used at city driving schools starting April. Each hour will cost around 80 yuan (US$12) and each student is required to complete 35 hours in total to receive a driving license. The card system allows students to pay as they go, instead of paying tuition up front. It also allows students to change schools if they are not satisfied. More than 4,500 driving coaches are getting their cars updated to use the cards.
Creative zone
Fuyicang Fashion Creative Zone will be open in Gongshu District in May. A former warehouse in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it was renovated by the Hangzhou Yunhe Group in 2007. The creative zone will integrate high-end culture, creative industry and tourism. A few artists have opened studios, such as Kousuke Fujishima, a Japanese manga artist. The opening will feature fashion shows and parties.
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