China

500,000 elderly people go missing in China every year

Senior citizens aged 65 or over account for up to 80% of missing elderly person cases, according to the Zhongmin Social Assistance Institute under the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

"This is obviously a huge number and a social issue we cannot afford to ignore," Wang Zhikun, president of the Zhongmin institute, said on Sunday.

Around 25% of those missing had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia, while 72% suffered some sort of memory impairment, according to the report.

'Never imprison my mind': Hong Kong lawmakers quote Gandhi, insult China

"I do solemnly swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Hong Kong nation," pro-independence lawmaker Yau Wai-ching, 25, said after laying out a flag bearing the words "Hong Kong is not China."

Instructed to repeat the oath by Legislative Council secretary general Kenneth Chen, she described the city as the "Hong Kong special administrative region of the People's Re-f**k-ing of Chee-na (sic)."

Chinese fans call for football head resignation after Syria defeat

Syria's 1-0 victory on Thursday shocked fans in the Chinese city of Xi'an who took to the streets.

China has said it wants to become a "world football superpower".

But the loss means the team could now miss out on a place in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

China is ranked 78th in the world whereas Syria is 114th, just ahead of North Korea. The Chinese team faces Uzbekistan on 11 October which will decide if they qualify.

iPhone 7? You're fired!

These are the measures which a small number of Chinese employers are threatening to take against workers tempted by the iPhone 7.

It might not be immediately obvious why a mobile phone would arouse such animosity - this isn't a protest against the lack of a traditional headphone jack socket.

The firms issuing the anti-iPhone edicts are claiming they are doing it for patriotic reasons or to dissuade staff from becoming too materialistic.

Glass loos with a view open in China

The loos, near Shiyan Lake in southern Hunan province, have fabulous views of both the forest below and other people using the facilities.

Cubicle walls, even those between the men's and women's sections, are only separated by lightly frosted glass.

But state media said few visitors dared use the loos on their opening day.

Dozens missing in landslides as Typhoon Megi batters China

One landslide happened about 5 p.m. local time (5 a.m. ET) in Sucun village in Suichang County. Twenty-six residents are missing, Xinhua reported.

Another landslide took place in Baofeng village in Wencheng County. Six people went missing when a landslide buried their homes, Xinhua said.

Megi made landfall earlier Wednesday in mainland China's Fujian province, less than 24 hours after it devastated Taiwan.

Four people died and at least 524 were injured in Taiwan after the powerful storm slammed into the island's northeastern coastline Tuesday afternoon.

US slaps sanctions on Chinese firm over North Korea ties

Dandong Hongxiang is accused of acting on behalf of a North Korean bank that is on a UN sanctions list to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

The sanctions come after North Korea sparked a global outcry this month byconducting its fifth nuclear test.

The engineering company and its bosses are also under investigation by Chinese authorities.

Japan scrambles jets over China flights along Miyako Straits

The planes, thought to be bombers, surveillance planes and one fighter jet, flew along the Miyako Straits, between Okinawa and Miyakojima.

China said about 40 of its aircraft had been involved in what it said was a routine drill.

The planes did not cross into Japanese airspace, but the move is being seen as a show of force by China.

It comes one week after Japan said it would take part in joint training exercises with the US navy in the South China Sea.

Vanuatu, PNG students unite to celebrate 41st independence in China

In a first-of-its-kind event, the 30 students from the Southeast University in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, gathered last Saturday (Sept 17) and proudly raised the PNG flag.

President of the Nanjing PNG Students Association, Yol Donigi, told Loop PNG that happiness and joy pervaded the atmosphere.

“They were really proud, raising their country's flag with our PNG flag to celebrate our 41st independence. Their student rep said it was a great pleasure to be part of the celebration in China, representing their government and their country,” said Donigi.

'Lose virginity' drink in China sparks debate

Four Loko, a fruit-flavoured alcoholic beverage with at least 12% alcohol content, was a well-known party drink in the US, and was removed from stores in several states until its ingredients were adjusted.

It's picked up steam in recent months in China, with people nicknaming it the "lose virginity" drink because they consider the alcohol to be dangerously strong.

Several vloggers have uploaded videos of themselves drinking the 695ml cans of drink - with varying degrees of success.