Strong earthquake hits Taiwan region
HONG KONG, July 13 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit Taiwan region at 11:00 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) on Sunday, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.
The epicenter was initially determined to be 21.0 degrees north latitude and 121.1 degrees east longitude, said the observatory in a bulletin.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake was centered 188 km south of T'ai-tung in Taiwan, at a depth of 10 km
Tourists satisfied with Taiwan purchase
It seems mainland tourists are thoroughly satisfied with all they have bought in Taiwan, as they return home laden with bags of shopping. Tourism authorities on the island say they've received no complaints as yet. Although they've made it very clear that should there be any grounds for dissatisfaction, tourists can apply to the Taiwan Travel Quality Assurance Association.
This is an organization that aims to help both shoppers and retailers resolve disputes, as well as provide refunds to shoppers in advance. The association has also issued a Travel Assurance Shopping Guide for travelers. And with more than 150 registered members, visitors to Taiwan certainly have a wide choice in terms of shopping venues.
39 detained for taking forbidden articles to Beijing subways
BEIJING -- Beijing police have detained 39 people who brought prohibited knives into subways since security checks began on June 29.
Nearly 2 million passengers were subjected to checks from June 29 to July 13, and 3,400 forbidden articles were seized, said Liu Yong, a police officer of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.
Under Chinese law, passengers are banned from carrying dangerous items on public transport, including buses, subways, trains and aircraft. Offenders can be detained from five to 15 days.
Liu said most passengers were willing to undergo checks, and it took 15 seconds for a piece of luggage to be X-rayed.
Large luggage would be checked by X-ray machines, while smaller bags would be randomly checked. Sniffer dogs were also used for random inspections at some stations.
"Security measures are necessary with the current risks. I don't mind being delayed one or two minutes for security check," said Shan Qianwei, a tour guide from Yunnan Province, at the Wangfujing subway station.
Ninety percent of the 3,400 forbidden articles seized were flammable goods such as oil, paint, wine and thinner, which led some 2,000 passengers to be refused entry to the subway.
Beijing has five subway lines with 140 km of track, moving millions of passengers every day. It plans to add three new subway lines this year to expand the system to 200 km.
HONG KONG, July 13 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit Taiwan region at 11:00 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) on Sunday, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.
The epicenter was initially determined to be 21.0 degrees north latitude and 121.1 degrees east longitude, said the observatory in a bulletin.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake was centered 188 km south of T'ai-tung in Taiwan, at a depth of 10 km
Tourists satisfied with Taiwan purchase
It seems mainland tourists are thoroughly satisfied with all they have bought in Taiwan, as they return home laden with bags of shopping. Tourism authorities on the island say they've received no complaints as yet. Although they've made it very clear that should there be any grounds for dissatisfaction, tourists can apply to the Taiwan Travel Quality Assurance Association.
This is an organization that aims to help both shoppers and retailers resolve disputes, as well as provide refunds to shoppers in advance. The association has also issued a Travel Assurance Shopping Guide for travelers. And with more than 150 registered members, visitors to Taiwan certainly have a wide choice in terms of shopping venues.
39 detained for taking forbidden articles to Beijing subways
BEIJING -- Beijing police have detained 39 people who brought prohibited knives into subways since security checks began on June 29.
Nearly 2 million passengers were subjected to checks from June 29 to July 13, and 3,400 forbidden articles were seized, said Liu Yong, a police officer of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.
Under Chinese law, passengers are banned from carrying dangerous items on public transport, including buses, subways, trains and aircraft. Offenders can be detained from five to 15 days.
Liu said most passengers were willing to undergo checks, and it took 15 seconds for a piece of luggage to be X-rayed.
Large luggage would be checked by X-ray machines, while smaller bags would be randomly checked. Sniffer dogs were also used for random inspections at some stations.
"Security measures are necessary with the current risks. I don't mind being delayed one or two minutes for security check," said Shan Qianwei, a tour guide from Yunnan Province, at the Wangfujing subway station.
Ninety percent of the 3,400 forbidden articles seized were flammable goods such as oil, paint, wine and thinner, which led some 2,000 passengers to be refused entry to the subway.
Beijing has five subway lines with 140 km of track, moving millions of passengers every day. It plans to add three new subway lines this year to expand the system to 200 km.