7.1-magnitude quake hits Qinghai, at least 300 dead
About 300 people have died and 8,000 others were injured after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit northwest China's Qinghai Province early this morning (April 14). Many others are still buried under the debris of collapsed houses near the epicenter. The quake struck the Yushu County in Yushu prefecture at 7:49 a.m. with a depth of about 33 km. A spokesman with the Qinghai Provincial Emergency Office said that about 700 soldiers are now struggling to clear away the rubble and rescue the buried people. More than 5,000 additional rescuers, including soldiers and medical workers, have been dispatched to the quake-hit region.

Canton Fair Opens Tomorrow
The 107th session of China Import and Export Fair, known as the Canton Fair, will open in Pazhou International Convention and Exhibition Center tomorrow (April 15). Thanks to the recovery of the global economy, nearly 1000 booths have been added. The number of exhibitors will also increase by 1039, making it the largest fair in history.

Nation Increases Petroleum Prices
China raised gasoline and diesel prices by 320 yuan ($47) per ton, or 4 to 5 percent, from today (April 14). The increase is the first price hike in five months and pushes domestic prices to record highs. Guangdong price control watchdog announced caps on petrol prices in line with the new adjustment. For gasoline 93, the most commonly used, the price hike should be no more than 0.26 yuan per liter and for diesel, the rise should be less than 0.27 yuan per liter.

GD sets aside 9.6 billion to aid Xinjiang
In the next 5 years, Guangdong will allocate 9.6 billion yuan to aid the social and economic development in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region. A delegation led by the secretary of Guangdong CPC Committee Wang Yang is now inspecting western Xinjiang's Kashi region to discuss specific projects for the aid scheme.