Ex-Heilongjiang official sentenced for bribery

Li Xiangang, a former deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Heilongjiang Provincial People's Congress, was sentenced to life imprisonment for taking bribes and embezzlement, according to a report by China Central Television on Monday. According to the court, from 2006 to 2024, Li took advantage of his positions as mayor and Party secretary of Shuangyashan city in Heilongjiang, secretary-general of the Heilongjiang Provincial Government, and deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Heilongjiang Provincial People's Congress, to seek benefits for companies and individuals in business operations, work promotions, and case execution. In return, he received money and property totaling 117 million yuan ($16.46 million).

Potala Palace in Xizang to close on Mondays

The Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, will implement a Monday closure policy effective Dec 1, according to an announcement released on its official website on Monday. This measure, aimed at strengthening the protection of its cultural relics and ancient architecture, enhancing infrastructure maintenance and improving services and tourist experience, aligns with common practices in the museum industry, said its administration office. The closure will apply every Monday, except on national statutory holidays. Built in the 7th century, the Potala Palace attracted over 2 million domestic and international tourists in 2024.

High-speed rail to link Xi'an, Yan'an soon

A high-speed railway line connecting Xi'an, the capital of China's Shaanxi province, with Yan'an in northern Shaanxi has entered its trial operation phase, marking a significant step toward full operation. The trial run commenced on Monday morning when test train 55302 departed from Xi'an toward Yan'an. As the first high-speed railway in northern Shaanxi's old revolutionary base area, this 299.8-kilometer project is designed for speeds of up to 350 km per hour and slashes the journey duration between Xi'an and Yan'an from 2.5 hours to one hour. Yan'an holds profound historical significance — as it served as the base of the Communist Party of China leadership between 1937 and 1947.

Xinhua - China Daily