New satellite

CHINA launched a new satellite for disaster reduction from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province yesterday.

The satellite was launched by a Long March-2C carrier rocket at 6:53 a.m. (Beijing Time) and entered the planned orbit.

Border railway

TRACK-LAYING for a new high-speed train linking the China-Vietnam border commenced Tuesday in South China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The Fangdong Railway will link the Guangxi cities of Fangchenggang and Dongxing, which are separated by nearly 47 kilometers.

Subsidies for children

PARENTS planning to have more than one child will be eligible for subsidies —7,000 yuan (US$970) for the second child and 25,000 yuan for the third — under a plan issued by the Hangzhou Municipal Health Commission on Monday.

The plan will take effect Sept. 10.

The subsidies help reimburse the cost of a mother’s healthcare during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum rehabilitation, along with the later costs of infant care, child-rearing and nursery services.