Nanjing news

Electric public buses to debut this month

Longhu reports that three public buses (32 seats each) are expected to debut at the end of the month. The buses have no emission pipes and no engine noise. Each will, be powered by 10 batteries totaling around 1 ton in weight. The buses need recharging every 50-70 km and the batteries will have to be replaced after 30,000 km.

According to the report, while the buses are friendly to the environment, they are not so friendly to operate: they lack power going up slopes, and each one costs 1.6 million RMB. In comparison, normal buses with air-conditioners cost just 450,000 RMB. Further, every battery charge costs 132 RMB, while replacing a set of 10 batteries costs 500,000 – more than the price of a normal bus with air conditioning!

Member of the public Mr. Chung said that he fully endorsed the introduction of electric buses, although operating costs are high, but at least is a worthy advocate direction.

– original story

Jiangsu officials unveil ‘essential medicine’ campaign

The Provincial Price Bureau held a news conference on Monday the 18th to announce a price reduction of 282 types of basic medicines and 252 specialty medicines.

In addition, the Bureau unveiled an ‘essential medicine’ campaign that will see clinics and hospitals in 37 Jiangsu counties stocked with consistent quantities of certain medicines, which are to be sold at cost.

During the press conference, Provincial Price Bureau officials added that the hospitals in these 37 counties make up one third of all of the medical centers in Jiangsu. Beyond implementation of the ‘essential medicine’ reforms, officials will also roll out a 4-pointed monitoring program: quality standardization, random checks, e-supervision, and a report system.

– original story

Cardboard thief pinched, grilled, and shamed

On Mon. Jan 11, a down-on-his-luck man was arrested for stealing 100,000 RMB worth of advertising billboards, with the intent of selling the loot off as scrap cardboard.

Earlier that day, police received a call from the Nanjing Amenity Bureau reporting that their 1,000-meter square advertising billboard had been swiped. Witnesses told police that a group of men had come earlier in truck. They took out some cutting tools under the supervision of a ‘squat’ man.

When the witnesses asked what was going on, the ‘squat man’ spoke to them in a ‘governmental’ tongue: “We were given the order to remove this billboard by the leaders of the Amenity Bureau. I hope that you residents can understand, this is an official activity.”

At the start, the driver was not willing to cooperate in police investigations, always hum and haw and not to answer the question... A few hours after the theft, the cops tracked down the truck driver. "At the start, the driver was not willing to cooperate in police investigations, always hum and haw and not to answer the question. After a patient persuasion and education, the driver finally recognized the seriousness of the matter and expressed willingness to cooperate with police."

Shortly thereafter, the squat man Mr. Zhang was tracked down and detained. After a thorough grilling, one officer commented that Mr. Zhang made a shameful confession: he was out of money, and had made a deal to sell a large amount of cardboard. Thus, he hired the men and committed the crime. The case is currently being processed.

 – original story

120 First Aid Center plagued with problems

In a medical emergency, citizens may call ‘120’ for an ambulance or medical assistance. However, Longhu reports that there are serious problems plaguing Nanjing’s 120 First Aid Center.

For one thing, the pay is low and conditions are difficult, which makes it difficult to recruit new talent. Last year, for example, 5 vacancies were opened up for recent graduates, but only two positions were filled.

Further, The First Aid Center lacks equipment. For example, according to the Ministry of Public Health, the city of Nanjing has 6 million people, which requires (via their guidelines) at least 120 ambulances, but at present there are only 50.

Other problems:

• some of the clinics within the Center’s jurisdiction take in patients for illegal profit, which harm’s the Center’s bottom line
• pranksters often call for ambulances unnecessarily, leading to a further drain on resources
• ambulance drivers operating vehicles while drunk

To remedy these problems, experts suggest that Nanjing should set up a 120 system with clearer rules and standardized operating procedures among all centers within their jurisdiction. Further training is also recommended, plus improvements in wages and working conditions.

– original story

Empty wine bottles the key to fake booze

As Spring Festival approaches, the demand for Chinese rice wine increases, as do the prices for quality plonk. For example, last year, a bottle of Mao Tai (the best rice wine in China) sold for 50-70RMB, but this year, it is selling for 140RMB. 30-year-old Mao Tai is worth 600RMB, while the 50-year-old gift box set costs a whopping 200,000RMB.

The rise in prices has been a boon to fake booze makers, and also to recyclers who specialize in collecting the empties. In some cities, it is reported that the top recyclers can earn between 100,000-600,000 per year.

According to industry sources, the illegal alcohol market is developing rapidly at the same time that the legal producers are stuggling to keep up with the increasing demand.

Tip: every bottle of premium Chinese rice wine has an anti-counterfeit label beside the original label. The label contains numbers, and also a phone number to call for official verification.

– original story

BBQ fires causing havok on mountain

...Zu Tang mountain sees one fire started every week on average, mainly caused by tourist barbecues... On January 18, a tourist barbecue led to a raging wildfire atop Zu Tang mountain, located in southern Nanjing. The fire raged for three hours, before being put out by a battalion of 6 fire trucks and 36 firefighters. No injuries were reported, but the burned area totaled 7,000 m².

Because of the dry weather, Zu Tang mountain sees one fire started every week on average, mainly caused by tourist barbecues. Since there are no cameras or supervising equipment, the mountain rangers are unable to protect the area completely.

– original story

Gang brawl halts traffic, but no punches landed

On Jan 20th, a brawl broke out on the Huju North Road intersection between two drunken gangs comprised of 4 men each. According to police, the first group stopped to allow their comrade to vomit on the green belt in the middle of the street. The second group (also drunk) happened across the scene and began laughing at the vomiter. This made the vomiting guy's friends angry, so they began to argue. Soon the fight spilled out into the street, halting traffic.

According to one witnesses, the fight played out 'like a movie' until the cops arrived and broke it up. While several punches were thrown during the brawl, none landed, as every member of each gang was too drunk to cause real damage.

– original story