China’s economy grew by 11.5 percent in the third quarter, slightly down from 11.9 percent in the second.
This raises the possibility of higher interest rates and other measures to prevent overheating.
The National Bureau of Statistics said the growth was mainly due to a double-digit increase in investments and other fixed assets.
Zhang Ji, a senior official from the Ministry of Commerce said yesterday that as the economy steams ahead, China is expected to replace Germany this year to become the third largest in terms of GDP, behind the United States and Japan.
China: 2 arrested over blaze
Police in Putian, a coastal city in Fujian Province, have arrested a married couple in connection with a factory fire where 37 people died.
Owners Chen Zongfei and Huang Shubin, were arrested on Wednesday night for failing to prevent the blaze at their shoe factory.
Police also revealed the couple did not have a licence to operate the business.
19 others were injured in Sunday’s blaze.
China: Narcotics trafficking cases up
So far this year, the number of drug trafficking cases in China jumped 40 percent compared to the same period last year, said the General Administration of Customs yesterday.
Border police found 265 drug-smuggling cases from January to September, seizing about 436 kg of narcotics.
More drug trafficking cases were reported from port cities such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, as well as Beijing, Hangzhou, Kunming and Urumqi.
Singapore: Biggest airline jet takes to the skies
The world's largest jetliner made aviation history yesterday, completing its first commercial flight from Singapore to Australia.
The Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 took off from Changi Airport without a hitch at 8am and landed 7 hours later in Sydney, launching a new era in air travel.
During the flight, champagne and certificates were given to the 455 passengers. Many had paid tens of thousands of dollars in an online auction to be the first to fly in the superjumbo.
The A380 is the height of a seven-story building and each wing big enough to hold 70 cars.
China: Smaller pets a bigger hit among youngsters
Ants have become the must-have pet for many young people in the coastal city of Shantou, in Guangdong Province.
Most ant lovers are local office workers and students who raise the tiny creatures in glass containers.
Apparently watching ants reduces the stress of work and study.
Many local pet shops are doing a brisk business selling ants.
A bottle of ants is priced 10 yuan to more than 100 yuan.
Most of the pet ants are the local hill ant variety that can be raised at home.
（英语点津 Celene 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Marc Checkley is a freelance journalist and media producer from Auckland, New Zealand. Marc has an eclectic career in the media/arts, most recently working as a radio journalist for NewstalkZB, New Zealand’s leading news radio network, as a feature writer for Travel Inc, New Nutrition Business (UK) and contributor for Mana Magazine and the Sunday Star Times. Marc is also a passionate arts educator and is involved in various media/theatre projects in his native New Zealand and Singapore where he is currently based. Marc joins the China Daily with support from the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
Bernice Chan is a foreign expert at China Daily Website. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Bernice has written for newspapers and magazines in Hong Kong and most recently worked as a broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, producing current affairs shows and documentaries.
