Around Town
Honking Ban
In an effort to prevent further noise pollution throughout the city, Shanghai officials have announced that they will be instating more honking bans throughout the city. Efforts will also be made to decrease the amount of noise pollution from machinery used during construction. Whispers are also circulating about new energy efficient buses and building more charging stations around the city for electric vehicles.
Start Sorting Your Rubbish
Shanghai is going to start enforcing fines of up to RMB 200 for households that fail to properly sort their rubbish, as part of the city’s efforts to produce less waste and move towards greener living. While the law is still in draft form, domestic household rubbish will be split into four main groups - recyclable rubbish, harmful rubbish, wet rubbish and dry rubbish. Non-residential buildings will have three main groups - recyclable rubbish, harmful rubbish, and other rubbish. By enforcing these new rubbish rules, Shanghai hopes to cut its waste production by 5 per cent per capita every year. There isn't anything rubbish about that plan!
Metro Line 11 Extends to Jiangsu Province
Metro Line 11 is officially open and running regularly to its newest stops - Zhaofeng Road, Guangming Road, and Huaqiao Station in Huaqiao Town, Kunshan. Additionally, the Kunshan Transport Management Office is working on adding more bus routes to connect to the new stations which will link Metro Line 11 with transport junctions and popular tourist spots. Officials hope that this ease of transportation will increase tourism in nearby water town Zhouzhuang and ancient town Jinxi.
Fudan University Develops New OS
Tired of your smartphone accidentally sending you to an online link with the slight of your finger and revealing your personal data? Well, Fudan University students have developed a solution in the form of a new operating system. Inspired by the Android operating system, the Software School says that their new OS has superior security that protects user’s private information. In conjunction with local smart phone company, PHICOMM Inc., the new operating system will allow users to protect themselves from revealing too much information to outside applications and parties.
Shanghai Disney Breaks Ground
The much talked about resort has finally broken ground! Although not scheduled to open until the end of 2015, the process has finally begun to bring Disneyland to Shanghai. With a majority of the foundation completed, passers-by will be able to see buildings and structures beginning to appear as construction workers continue to make headway on this exciting project. The resort, scheduled to include Shanghai Disney, a Magic Kingdom-style resort, two themed hotels, and a large tourist area, is obviously predicted to be a big tourist attraction.
Special Needs to Get Tailored Education
The Shanghai Education Committee has announced that it will be launching a new program to provide disabled children with specialised education at the fifty-eight public special schools operating in the city. In addition to more academic support, the program will also include additional medical attention and free tuition, meals, and accommodation. Helping students who struggle with blindness, deafness, autism, learning disabilities and Down’s Syndrome, officials hope that this specialised treatment will allow teachers to better meet the needs of their students.
