Shunde District Granted City Status
Shunde district in Foshan has been granted the same status as a prefecture-level city. Although technically still attached to Foshan, Shunde's economic, socio-cultural and administrative rights have now evolved, a step towards structural reform. Shunde is the first county-level region in China to have achieved 100 billion yuan in GDP. Since the opening-up 30 years ago, it has frequently been chosen as a trial region for new reform plans.

Exclusive Bus Lines Opened for Panyu and Metro Stations
In Guangzhou, 3 new bus routes will open to traffic next Monday (August 24) connecting Panyu to the metro network. These new lines should make it much easier for citizens living in Panyu to travel around the city. During the rush hour, the buses will set out every 3 to 5 minutes. About 300,000 residents living in large communities in Panyu will benefit from the plan. 
 
The Longest Golden Week Holiday in October
People working in China will soon be able to enjoy the longest national day holidays this year: in total, 8 days of paid leave. In Chinese mainland, it is still the central government that schedules the holidays for all its citizens and this year, officials have decided that the holidays will occur between October 1st and October 8, which includes a one day holiday to celebrate the Mid-autumn Festival.

US to Build New Consulate in Guangzhou
This afternoon (Aug 21st), the newly-arrived US Consul General, Mr. Brian Goldbeck, held his first meeting with members of local media, announcing that a new consulate building will be constructed in Zhujiang New Town. Occupying 7.4 acres, the new building will be made with environmentally-sustainable materials in an aim to reduce energy consumption. Construction is expected to start this autumn and end in 2012 or 2013.

Bolt Gets Gold, Another Record in 200 at Worlds
The Jamaican Usain Bolt broke the 200 meters world record in the finals of the world athletic championships in Berlin early this morning. He clocked 19.19 seconds, smashing his own world record of 19.30 set exactly one year ago during the Olympic Games in Beijing. Bolt is now the first man to hold both the 100 and 200m world and Olympic titles at the same time.