Beijing Morning Post
August 7, 2009

A survey released by the National Bureau of Statistics indicates that the average income of employed urban residents in the first half year of 2009 is 14,386 yuan, 12.9% higher than last year.

The public was dubious when the number was released, and in response, the Bureau held a media conference yesterday to explain how the results were compiled.

According to Feng Nailing, a Bureau official, one reason that the number appears higher than people might have imagined is that economic impact on income levels usually lags behind the economic fluctuation itself. Another reason is that a gloomy economy has a much larger effect on the low end of the employment market. Although large numbers of low-paid workers have lost their jobs, the high end has been relatively untouched, which has the effect of making the rest who remained employed look richer as a whole.

Feng also admitted that the current method has its flaws: the private sector, the self-employed, and people with "flexible employee" status are not taken into account.

What will people do with all their extra cash? The Palace Museum announced yesterday that it will open up a new "service area" to the east of Shenwu Gate, the northern entrance to Forbidden City. With a projected size of more than 1,400 square meters, the service area will include restaurants, stores displaying and selling souvenirs, tea houses and coffee shops.

Li Wenru, vice curator told that the Museum is working with some companies to develop thousands of new tourist products with the unique "Forbidden City cultural elements". However, in the long run, the palace's priority is to develop products under its own brand and gradually eliminate other brands from the museum.

The items on sale range from a 10 yuan map to a set of bedclothes priced at 888,888 yuan, currently the most expensive commodity in the Palace Museum.