RAIL BOOM: Construction on the Yuli Railway linking Chongqing Municipality and Lichuan of Hubei Province progresses smoothly. The railway line is expected to come into operation in 2012 and facilitate transportation in west China (CAO NING)

$1.11 billion

In the first half of 2011, China's exports of traditional Chinese medicine totaled $1.11 billion, surging 42.95 percent from a year ago, said the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products.

18.2 billion yuan

Combined sales of welfare and sports lotteries rose 37.1 percent year on year in July to reach 18.2 billion yuan ($2.85 billion), said the Ministry of Finance.