No.1: China signs arms deal with Russia 中俄签订军售大单 7891

China had signed two important arms sales with Russia involving four advanced AIP submarines and 24 Su-35 jet fighters before President Xi Jinping’s left for his state visit to Russia, which wrapped up on March 24. The purchase marks the nation’s first arms deal with Russia in a decade, CCTV reported.

No.2: Chinese officials spent 900b yuan on perks, say experts 三公消费 9000亿 7739

Government spending on trips overseas, vehicles and official receptions, also known as “three public expenses” for 2012 exceeded 900 billion yuan ($145 billion), or 10 percent of China’s total revenue last year, according to experts during a forum organized by the Institute for Public Policy of Zhejiang Province on March 24.

No.3: Beckham shows torso tattoo to female fans, swoons ensue 小贝撩衣秀 7268

Soccer star David Beckham revealed a tattoo that roughly reads “Everything is predetermined” in Chinese characters down his left torso after a young woman asked about it during a meet-and-greet with fans at Peking University on March 24, immediately triggering squeals of excitement from the audience. Media suggested the Chinese Super League spokesman's show of skin was intended to distract from the fact he was over 90 minutes late to the event.

No.4: Court delays sentencing of man caught with child porn 设计师私藏儿童色情影片被捕 6894

The sentencing of Li Wanhao, a 31-year-old Hong Kong web designer detained last year for possessing 84 films of child pornography, was delayed until April 5 so his court-ordered psychological evaluation could be completed.

No.5: ‘Tampon allowance’, cheap meals for civil servants sparks debate 公务员隐形福利 6553

Benefits granted to China’s civil servants, such as cheap meals at government-subsidized cafeterias and tampon stipends, stirred another round of debate over why government posts attract millions of applicants every year.


Updated by 4 pm, March 25, 2013
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