OLD FRIENDS Premier Wen Jiabao (left) hugs Dawut Haxim, a Uygur farmer from Bachu County in Xinjiang, during their meeting in Beijing on September 14. Wen first visited Dawut Haxim in Xinjiang on March 28, 2003, after an earthquake killed five members of his family (YAO DAWEI)

Terrorists Captured

Police in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have captured a terrorist gang along with materials and tools used to make explosives, the country's anti-terrorist authorities said on September 16.

Six suspects, including ringleaders Seyitamut Obul and Tasin Mehmut, were captured, and a large quantity of materials and tools to make explosive devices was seized during police raids in the suburbs of Aksu. Police did not say when the suspects were seized.

An initial investigation showed the gang, which was planning to carry out terrorist attacks, had made more than 20 explosive devices in three locations around Aksu after the July 5 riot, the police said.

The riot in the regional capital Urumqi killed nearly 200 people.

Free Insurance

China's orphans will soon receive free medical insurance for 12 critical illnesses thanks to joint efforts between the government and charity organizations.

The insurance, which comes at a yearly premium of 50 yuan ($7.32), is designed for all healthy Chinese orphans under the age of 18 who have registered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA). Each insured orphan will be covered up to 100,000 yuan ($14,641).

"The insurance will be in place for orphans before October 1, the National Day," said Song Liying, Secretary General of the China Children and Teenagers' Fund (CCTF), on September 15. The insurance program will be jointly operated by the MCA and the CCTF.

The insurance will cover illnesses including malignant tumors, organ and stem cell transplants and acute kidney failure.

Philosophy Congress

The 24th World Congress of the International Association for Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy was held in Beijing on September 15-20.

The biennial congress, with the theme of "global harmony and rule of law," was held in China for the first time since it was established in Germany in 1909, said the China Law Society, which hosted the event.

More than 800 philosophers and legal experts from more than 50 countries and regions gathered to exchange ideas concerning relations among nations, and between cultures and legal systems.

Textbooks for Foreigners

China has published a set of Chinese language study textbooks for foreigners who want to use Chinese in business but who have little time to attend regular courses.

Chinese and American experts compiled the textbooks, titled My Chinese Language, for foreigners who work in China's international organizations and businesses.

Li Zhijun, President of the publisher People's Education Press, said the books were based on foreign employees' real life experiences and covered various scenarios such as greetings and introductions, office meetings, business talks, exams, job applications and private life.