FOLK RHYME: Shanren Band from southwest China's Yunnan Province performs at World Music Essence on June 14 in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (ZHANG LING)

Private Adoptions Banned

Individuals and groups are banned from secretly adopting abandoned infants, a joint circular from multiple Chinese government departments has outlined.

The circular, with specific instructions on transferring, settling and treating abandoned infants, requires immediate notification of local residential committees and police organs if such a child is found, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, one of seven ministerial departments issuing the document.

"Adopting and handling abandoned infants by one's own will is forbidden," the circular says.

The circular comes after cases of children being abandoned or unsupervised in China, prompting questions over young Chinese people's sense of guardianship as well as calls to better protect minors.

Police departments should make efforts to find the biological parents or other guardians of an abandoned infant, according to the circular. If the police fail to find the guardians they must provide official proof and transfer the child to a government-sanctioned nursing home for temporary care.

Language Program

China International Publishing Group (CIPG) and Yale University jointly launched a multimedia Chinese language teaching program on June 14.

The program, Encounters, targets foreign high school and university students and others interested in learning Chinese.

It contains an array of multimedia learning materials. Centered around a 20-episode theatrical-quality TV series, the program also includes books, DVDs, a website, podcasts and rap songs.

In a congratulatory letter written for the launch ceremony, Richard C. Levin, President of Yale University, said Encounters will prove to be a powerful Chinese language- and culture-learning tool for thousands of students.

"Its presentation of teaching materials in innovative and interactive ways marks a milestone in the advancement of learning foreign languages and cultures," wrote Levin.

According to Zhou Mingwei, President of CIPG, Encounters has received positive feedback since being tested in high schools and universities in the United States.

Rural Rest Homes

The Chinese Government will raise 3 billion yuan ($489 million) in lottery funds to support the construction of 100,000 rural nursing homes over the next three years.

The nursing homes will be managed by local villager committees, providing rural senior citizens with accommodation, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said on June 13.

China has nearly 50 million senior citizens in rural areas who need physical and mental care. As of 2012, there had been 33,000 institutions offering services to rural senior citizens, according to the ministry.