CROSS-STRAITS TOURISM: Tourists from the Chinese mainland line up for the chance to pose for pictures at the Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan. More than 1 million personal trips had been made to Taiwan by Chinese mainland visitors this year, according to official data released on November 16. The Taiwan Straits Tourism Association estimated that the number of trips from the Chinese mainland to Taiwan will surpass 3 million by the end of the year. Total trips by mainlanders to Taiwan since 2008 exceeded 10 million in early November, including 8.3 million group trips and 1.7 personal trips. (HUANG XIAOYONG)

Aid in Need

With health and education at the core of its efforts, the government will provide assistance to children from rural impoverished families starting from their birth until they finish compulsory education, a statement released by the State Council, China's cabinet, revealed on November 19.

A national plan to promote the development of children in poverty-stricken areas was approved at a State Council meeting that day, which emphasized on the accessibility of free neonatal screening services for newborns.

With higher medical insurance compensation, pregnant women in rural areas will be encouraged to seek out prenatal checkups and diagnosis as well as hospital delivery care, according to the plan.

Rural children from impoverished areas with serious diseases such as leukemia will receive more compensation from the national medical insurance program. The government will also pilot nutrition improvement education for infants and children in poverty, the document added.

Legality in Space

China will always abide by international space law and is making great efforts to introduce its own laws in 2020, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said on November 17.

Xu Dazhe, Director of the CNSA, told the 2014 Workshop on Space Law in Beijing that the country has already made policies and regulations in the administration of civil space launches, registration of satellites and reduction and prevention of space debris.

"A space law has been listed in the national legislation plan, and the CNSA is drafting the law," said Tian Yulong, Secretary General of the CNSA.

China has made rapid development in space exploration and now is rushing to establish basic infrastructure in outer space, including remote sensing, communication and navigation.

International Manhunt

The Ministry of Public Security announced on November 17 that 288 suspects have been seized in an international manhunt targeting corrupt officials and economic criminals that have fled the country. Overall, 126 suspects have turned themselves in.

Ministry sources revealed that 21 of the suspects have been at large for more than 10 years.

A total of 84 suspects were seized from developed countries such as the United States, Canada, Japan and Belgium.

The Fox Hunt 2014 operation was launched in July to "block the last route of retreat" for corrupt officials after the country's crackdown narrowed the space for abuse of power.