This Week in China

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The Beijing Olympics roused spectators around the world this summer — if not with athletic spectacles, then certainly with a few controversial highlights.

But the Paralympics and their inspiring opening ceremonies on Saturday may have outdone anything else that has taken place in China’s new arenas. The emotion of the night peaked when the final torch bearer, Hou Bin, a wheelchair-bound competitor in the high jump, pulled himself (and his wheel chair) up a rope to the top level of the stadium.

Thanks in part to these games, Beijing now boasts more wheelchair-accessible facilities than ever before. Until recently, China’s disabled lived under a stigma left over from the days of Mao, when the word “disabled” was synonymous with “useless.” For the disabled community in China, the 2008 Paralympics, which will run through Sept. 17, have delivered a new sense of pride.

General News

The first orphan of the remaining 88 children left without homes from the May 12 earthquake was adopted. The official death toll from the earthquake is holding fast at 69,116.

Meanwhile, the death toll from Monday’s mudslide that struck a mine warehouse in Shanxi province has climbed to 128.

The first Chinese tour group to head to Israel to visit Jerusalem and the Dead Sea will depart later this month, =”http:>Israel’s tourism minister announced.  =”http:>

Politics

Hong Kong’s pro-democracy opposition maintained control in elections on Sept. 7, holding onto their veto power over possible reforms to the territory’s constitution by securing 24 of the city legislature’s 30 electable seats.

Representatives from China, Japan, and South Korea’s nuclear regulatory bodies gathered in Tokyo to discuss ways to share information on nuclear safety.

Economy

Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics Wednesday showed a surplus in August trade, while inflation dropped for a fourth straight month.

Sichuan province has received only $180 billion of the estimated $240 billion still needed to repair and rebuild damage left by the May earthquake, according to the province’s vice governor.

Chinese troops were deployed to Hunan province to quell protesters demonstrating in front of government buildings. Those gathered were victims of illegal investment schemes run by legitimate real estate and mining companies.

Environment

The two satellites launched to monitor China’s environment in an effort to provide more efficient forecasting have begun to send back data.

Beijing city officials apologized to about 30 dozen environmental protestors who demonstrated against the Gaoantun landfill in August.

China Moment

In an attempt to curb nearsightedness and other eye problems so common among young people, a daily curriculum detailing restrictions on font size, teachers’ handwriting, and the amount of homework assigned will be implemented in Beijing schools.