ZHEJIANG

Sheep from frozen embryos give birth

Eight 16-day-old lambs, whose parents were born from embryos frozen some 20 years ago, have survived and are growing normally at a breeding base in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. Their healthy survival marks the success of China's first long-term frozen embryo experiments. "Reproductivity is a key indicator that determines whether cryopreservation is feasible," said Zhang Xiaowei, an official with the provincial animal husbandry station.

HENAN

Archaeological park to display ancient capital

The construction of a national archaeological park began on Thursday in Henan province at the former capital of the Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC). With an investment of about 15 billion yuan ($2.1 billion), the project will cover the whole protection zone of the Yin Ruins, which were added to the World Heritage List in 2006 by UNESCO. The ruins boast archaeological remnants of the ancient city of Yin, the last capital of the Shang Dynasty. The oracle bone scripts discovered within the ruins are considered to be the oldest Chinese inscriptions. Construction of the park will take eight to 10 years.

GUANGXI

Border region cracks down on telecom fraud

The Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region has stepped up efforts to combat telecom fraud this year, with over 2,500 cases cracked and 3,600 suspects detained. The regional public security department said on Thursday that gangs have been carrying out telecom fraud abroad in the face of an intensified clampdown at home. Guangxi police have teamed up with Vietnamese police to bust two gangs in the Vietnamese city of Da Nang, which were responsible for at least 1,400 cases worth more than 7 million yuan ($1 million). A total of 21 suspects were sent back to China on Dec 12.