Around Town: Your News Round-Up For The Month Of June

2014-05

 

Inexpensive Phone Calls

Mobile phone users, both local citizens and tourists, can finally look forward to more choices and discounts with new packages following the regulators’ decision to give carriers more freedom to set prices and packages. China Mobile, with 700 million mobile users, has ambitions to cut the price of its 4G services; while China Unicom, the country’s number two mobile carrier, will offer customised packages with discounted, low entry level packages. The freedom to set prices is said to be applied to general voice services, text messages and internet broadband.

 

Electric Whistles

New electric whistles are being distributed to the Shanghai traffic police. The new whistle is louder and more hygienic to use than conventional whistles. With three whistle sounds, policemen can be more effective in directing traffic and gaining the attention of a targeted person or vehicle. Officers can send out signals simply by pressing a button; this will allow them to avoid direct contact with the mouth and provide the option of wearing a facemask to filter vehicle pollution. This whistle is already making an entrance on the streets of Shanghai and will soon be witnessed on a daily basis. Get ready for even more aggressive whistle action whilst attempting to jaywalk,Shanghai.

 

WeChat Fights Crime

Police and shop owners in Minhang and Changning districts are beginning to use WeChat to prevent shoplifting. After creating chat groups, the shop owners and policemen are now able to swap photos of suspects. Positive results are already being witnessed. Before this WeChat approach, during one week in December, 2013, 74 theft cases were reported in Qibao, Minhang. During the first week of the trial groups, from 15 to 21 February, this figure drastically dropped to only six cases; and recently, from 5 to 11 April, no thefts were reported. With 50 WeChat group members, shoplifters are struggling to accomplish their crimes.

 

Censored Water

Officials have confirmed the installation of quality monitoring sensors in the water tanks of Shanghai’s residential buildings. The initial system is expected to be operating by 2017, with complete installation around 2020. These sensors will measure the water’s PH levels, chlorine, and temperature – alerting the water authorities if any data is problematic. If this occurs, water workers will be sent to clean the specific residential tank in order to eliminate the problem. This will ensure the safety of all tap water in the city.