Rights watchdog picks Taiwan for Asia office

TAIPEI • International rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders is opening its first Asia office in Taiwan instead of Hong Kong, over concerns that China poses the "biggest threat" to press freedom.

Also known by its French name Reporters Sans Frontieres, the Paris-based organisation had originally chosen Hong Kong, but rejected it due to deteriorating freedom in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Beijing residents not sorted, garbage-wise

BEIJING • China's garbage-strewn capital has promised to boost spending to banish waste, but is struggling to persuade its residents to sort their trash.

Beijing is China's biggest municipal producer of trash, with 8.7 million tonnes of household waste in 2016, almost double 10 years ago.

Despite building an army of 20,000 "Green Armband" workers since 2010 to teach the art of sorting garbage, Beijing finds it tough to raise participation.

REUTERS