Pseudoscience Fighter

(CNS)

Fang Zhouzi, a popular science writer, has pledged to continue his efforts to expose academic scandals in China after being attacked and injured slightly.

On August 29, Fang said, he was attacked by two unknown men in the street near his home at about 5:00 p.m. A man sprayed pungent liquid on his face and another man hit him in the middle of his body with a hammer.

Fang said the attack must have been launched in revenge for his exposure of some misconduct. Police investigation of the assault is ongoing.

Fang, 43, received Ph.D in biochemistry from Michigan State University in 1995. One of China's earliest bloggers, he created the world's first online Chinese literature magazine New Threads in 1994 along with several friends. Since 1999, he has devoted great efforts to disclosing bogus research and academic frauds on his website and in a variety of publications.

When meeting reporters on August 30, Fang also said he had received threatening calls during the past 10 years. Despite this, Fang said he would not give up fighting academic wrongdoings.

Changing Business Leaders

Qin Xiao (CNS)	Fu Yuning (XING GUANGLI)

Qin Xiao, Board Chairman of Hong Kong-based China Merchants Group, has retired and former company President Fu Yuning has taken over.

Qin, 63, had been chairman of China Merchants Group since 2000. During his tenure, assets of the company jumped from 49.6 billion yuan ($7.29 billion) to 268.28 billion yuan ($39.45 billion) and its annual profit soared from 1.29 billion yuan ($189.85 million) to 17.85 billion yuan ($2.63 billion).

Qin received Ph.D in economics from the University of Cambridge in 2002. He had also served as Chairman of China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd. since 2001. Before being transferred to China Merchants Group, he was vice board chairman and general manager of China International Trust and Investment Corp.

Fu Yuning, 53, with a Ph.D in offshore engineering from Brunel University, UK, became president of China Merchants Group in 2004. He has listed overseas expansion as the company's next priorities.

State-owned China Merchants Group, founded in 1872, is considered the epitome of China's industrial and commercial enterprises of the modern times. It was the earliest developer of Shenzhen, China's first special economic zone established in 1980.

Fraudulent Taoist

(CHEN CHENG)

Li Yi, head of the Shaolong Taoist Temple in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, has resigned as vice chairman of the Chinese Taoist Association, the country's top Taoist organization, after the State Administration for Religious Affairs launched an investigation into accusations against his alleged supernatural capabilities.

He claimed he was able to perform miracles including holding his breath underwater for two hours non-stop. He also claimed to be a "health master" and offered expensive health and meditation programs at his temple. But initial investigations by local authorities show Li fabricated content. When he performed in a televised underwater survival show in 1997, he was actually in a transparent sealed container filled with air in a glass tank full of water.

Li, 41, said he converted to Taoism at the age of three. He became a Taoist priest in 2000.