The Beijing News
February 26, 2008

The Beijing News features China's first successful test-tube baby, Zheng Mengzhu, in its front page photo. In the main photo, Zheng is holding another test-tube baby in her arms; the smaller photo to the right shows Zheng in the arms of doctor Zhang Lizhu. Yesterday was Zheng's 20th birthday.

According to data from the Ministry of Public Health, over 10,000 test-tube babies were born on the mainland between 1988 and 2004.

This story made the front page of all of Beijing's commercial papers this morning: Beijing Times, Beijing Youth Daily, Beijing Daily Messenger, Beijing Morning Post, and The First all featured photos of Zheng and other test-tube babies.

The top headline announces a new "Green Securities" policy. The policy, announced by the State Environmental Protection Administration yesterday, will require heavily-polluting enterprises (such as energy and heavy industry) to undergo an environmental evaluation before they can be publicly traded.

Other headlines:

• In eight province-level administrative districts, college students studying for degrees in education may be tuition-exempt, said the Ministry of Education without giving any specifics.

• The Beijing Labour and Social Security Bureau responded to criticisms of its unsafe online database case (no encryption for any of its data on its insured members), admitting that the system has drawbacks. It will be updated by August.

• Raul Castro succeeded his brother Fidel as head of Cuba.

• No Country for Old Men won four Oscars at the 80th Academy Awards, including best picture and best director.