1st deep-water oil drilling rig in S. China Sea

    China’s first deep-water drilling rig started operations in the South China Sea on May 9.

    It’s the first independent deep-water oil drilling to be conducted by a Chinese company, and China is the first country to explore deep-water oil and gas resources in the South China Sea. CNOOC chairman Wang Yilin said that the drilling would help ensure the country’s energy security and sovereign rights over territorial waters.     

    Teen gets 12 years in jail

    for assault

    A teenager convicted of setting fire to a girl who turned down his romantic advances* received a first-instance verdict of 12 years and one month in jail on May 10 in an East China court.

    The verdict came down as the 17-year-old boy, surnamed Tao, was convicted of intentional assault for disfiguring* his schoolmate, surnamed Zhou, who had rejected him, according to Baohe District People’s Court in Hefei, capital of Anhui Province.    

    Teacher loses legs

    saving students

    A 29-year-old middle school teacher in Heilongjiang Province was run over and lost both her legs after pushing two students out of the way of an oncoming bus on May 8.

    Zhang Lili, a teacher at No. 19 Middle School in the city of Jiamusi, was outside the school’s gate when the last bus in a line of three struck the middle bus, shoving it toward nearby students. Zhang pushed two students out of the way but was run over herself, witnesses said.     

    China, Philippines resume contact on island dispute

    China on May 10 said it had noticed the resumption of diplomatic contact between the Philippine Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

    China has reaffirmed its stance to the Philippine side and requested the country respect China’s sovereignty over Huangyan Island, urging the Philippines to refrain from actions that will escalate and complicate the tensions.(SD-Agencies)