Smoking-ban violations

DATA from the Shenzhen Tobacco Control Association showed that 48,721 violators of the city’s smoking ban had been fined a total of 2.43 million yuan (US$354,051) as of April this year since the smoking ban took effect in March 2014. Eight operators of nonsmoking venues have been fined 210,000 yuan for failing to comply with the ban.

Two monthlong operations were launched by the authorities in March and May to conduct spot checks at leisure venues and restaurants citywide to punish violators of the smoking ban. A third operation will kick off this month to check smoking-ban violations in office buildings, medical institutions, schools and border checkpoints.

Illegal fundraising

A MAN who illegally raised 600 million yuan from 200,000 investors by promising high interest rates and returns for investing in a robot business has been caught by Shenzhen police.

The 46-year-old suspect, a native of Henan Province surnamed Li, was on the run and wanted by Jiangsu police. Shenzhen railway police acted on a clue and caught Li at Shenzhen Railway Station. Li was a supervisor of a game website. He started to attract investors in February 2014 by offering commissions for developing members for its robot business. Li escaped after his lie was exposed.

Li has been handed to Jiangsu police.

Shared reading

SHENZHEN Children’s Library, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital and Shenzhen Reading Promoters Association jointly initiated a shared, guided reading program Thursday for children with serious diseases, such as leukemia.

A total of 19 volunteers were selected to read with the children, who have been unable to go to school like other kids due to their illnesses.

Theft ring

FIVE members of a ring who had been stealing property from cars were arrested by Nanshan police recently.

Police also seized lock-signal disruption devices, unlocking tools and some property, such as cameras, phones and liquor.

The ring has been involved in at least five theft cases since March.