Topic1 Mask show at Beijing Marathon prompts calls for smog warning systemBeijing's annual international marathon has been held as scheduled over the weekend, despite the city being engulfed by heavy smog, which saw a great number of runners wearing masks.

Sports marketing insiders have called for a weather warning system for sports events in China after the Beijing Marathon took place in heavy smog on Sunday.

Do we need such a system?

Topic2 Costco enters ChinaCostco, that warehouse supermarket with extra-large boxes of food, has officially entered the Chinese market on October 12th, via partnership with Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba. Yet, unlike North American outlets, Chinese customers will not struggle to find parking spots at a giant retail store, because Costco isn't opening one. All of the shopping will be done online through Tmall.

Costco received over 10,000 orders on the first two days of opening (October 12-14) at its Hangzhou headquarters, including orders for three tons of Kirkland nuts, and 1.5 tons of dried cranberries. And the orders are still piling up.

Why is Costco entering China through Tmall?

Topic3 Exceptions made in human flesh search for corrupt officialsThe Supreme People's Court in China has recently outlined the liabilities of network service providers in a document to guide the handling of online personal rights violation cases.

Practices such as the human flesh searches, also known as cyber bullying, are outlawed according to the document.

But exceptions are made in human flesh searches against corruption when those who practice it won't be held responsible.

Does it make sense?

Topic4 Boy's Arm was Bitten off by a Zoo BearOn the afternoon of Oct. 18th, in Hebin Park of Pingdingshan, Henan Province, a 9-year-old boy's right arm was bitten off by a zoo bear when he climbed over a 1.2 meter-high barrier in front of the bear cage and tried to feed the bear. At around 11pm of the night, the boy completed an amputation in Zhengzhou.

So here comes the question: who should be responsible for the incident?

Topic5 Dalian to Build a CanalDalian unveiled its own Venetian canal over the weekend, the centerpiece of a European-style tourism project that covers an area of 400,000 square meters and cost RMB 5 billion to build.

Is it a smart idea, or a waste of money?