MILITARY ROTATION: Vehicles carrying soldiers of the People's Liberation Army cross the Lok Ma Chau checkpoint into Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on November 25, to conduct its 12th troop rotation since assuming Hong Kong's defense responsibilities in 1997 (SONG ZHENPING)

Helping the Disabled

The China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF) and the Ministry of Finance jointly launched a plan on November 22 to finance services for the jobless with mental and serious physical disabilities.

According to the Sunshine Home plan, starting this year, the Central Government will earmark 600 million yuan ($87.8 million) in three years to boost the implementation of a system caring for the disabled people in the country.

Care homes, built either by local governments or by non-profit organizations or individuals, are eligible for the subsidy if they meet the requirements, including facilities and personnel.

Poor families with members who have severe mental and physical disabilities also can apply for aid if the disabled person is jobless and needs care.

Flu Fear

A giant panda research base in northwest China's Shaanxi Province has closed panda living and entertainment areas to visitors, in order to protect the endangered species from the risk of A/H1N1 flu infection.

Shaanxi Wild Animal Rescue and Research Center, one of China's four giant panda bases, made a 2,000-square-meter area off-limits to visitors recently after heavy snowfall brought sudden temperature drops and a rise in the number of A/H1N1 flu patients.

The center is home to 21 giant pandas, including three cubs born this year, and other species including golden monkey, takin and crested ibis. Only the five panda carers and two vets were allowed to enter the panda living quarters, when wearing masks and gloves.

Xinhua said seasonal flu cases were reported on pandas in Sichuan Province in the past.

Football Probe

In what was regarded as the biggest crackdown on soccer match-fixing and gambling, Chinese police have detained at least four former club officials. The first batch of suspects unveiled by the police were from clubs, ranging from the top flight Chinese Super League (CSL) to the First Division as well as local soccer associations.

An unprecedented storm is taking shape to clean up Chinese soccer, which has been long ridden with scandals.

"The facts are clear that they manipulated domestic soccer matches through commercial bribery," the Ministry of Public Security told Xinhua on November 25.

"They also placed bets on fixed games through websites abroad," said the ministry, who heads the investigation believed to have started over six months ago.

The investigation is ongoing, police said. But they did not reveal how many people had been questioned in the probe or whether active players or big names were involved.

Combatting HIV and AIDS

Despite the relatively slow spread of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) epidemic, China still faces "a severe task" concerning raising AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) awareness and treating the condition, Vice Premier Li Keqiang said on November 25.

"China is still confronted with the severe task of AIDS prevention and treatment, although the spread of the epidemic has slowed down thanks to the joint efforts of the government, professionals and the public," Li said in a meeting with Michel Sidibe, Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) .

Between 560,000 and 920,000 people are infected with HIV in China, with 97,000 to 112,000 suffering from AIDS, according to estimates by the Ministry of Health and the UNAIDS.