CHINA: Tiger Kills Tourist At Ningbo Youngor Zoo

Tourists were evacuated from a zoo in eastern China following a fatal tiger attack on Sunday afternoon.
The victim, a young man, was snatched by the big cat at the Ningbo Youngor Zoo in Zhejiang province and dragged away under trees.

The rescue took more than an hour and the victim was pronounced dead at hospital.

Zoo visitors raised the alarm that a tourist had been hauled away at around 2:30pm after teasing a tiger.

The zoo was closed at 3pm while police and local forestry bureau staff arrived at the zoo at about 3:15pm.
The reports did not say how the victim, who was not named, ended up inside the tiger’s enclosure.

Zoo staff had tried to drive the tiger away with firecrackers, it said.

One witness said described the terrifying scene: “I saw the tiger mauling the person, whose face was covered with blood. Every time he sat up, the tiger pushed him down again.”

The victim was taken to hospital at around 3:45pm but was pronounced dead.

It is not the first time a tourist or zoo staff have been attacked by tigers in China. In July last year, a 57-year-old woman was mauled to death after trying to save her daughter from a tiger attack at a drive- through wildlife park in Beijing.

The woman’s daughter, in her 30s, who had left the safety of the car earlier, survived with multiple serious injuries to her arms and face.

The case raised a number of issues online. Some blamed the daughter, who first got out of the car in a restricted area of the zoo, for the tragedy, as the mother died trying to rescue her. Others questioned where the zoo’s security measures were sufficient for the visitors.

CHINA: Chinese Couple Who Opposed Cross Removals, Jailed 12 And 14 Years

A Chinese pastor and his wife who led a Christian congregation that opposed a government campaign to remove crosses atop churches have been sentenced to 14 years and 12 years in prison respectively for illegal activities, including corruption and disturbing social order.

A court in eastern Zhejiang Province on Friday sentenced Bao Guohua and his wife Xing Wenxiang after concluding they had illegally organized church goers to petition the government and disturb social order, according to provincial Zhejiang Daily newspaper.

The couple also was accused of "tricking" members of its congregation into donating $336,000 that was spent on cars and other personal purchases while pretending to lead an ascetic lifestyle, it said. The court also sentenced ten other church members to prison.

For the past two years, authorities have removed hundreds of crosses from churches in the province, where there is a large Christian community, saying they violate building codes.

Zhejiang's religious leaders, whose churches have long been sanctioned by the government, say the attitudes of local authorities have turned sharply negative in recent years as the Christian population grew in number and influence.

Provincial authorities last month opened a corruption probe into the prominent pastor Gu Yuese, who openly spoke out against government's clampdown on Christian activity.

China Aid, a Texas-based group that has funded the churches efforts to resist the cross removals, said in a blog post Friday that the government prosecuted Bao's church because of its opposition to cross removals.

"The government's criminal prosecution against the pastor and his believers is actually religious persecution," the group said.

CHINA: Marriott International Expands Business In China

Marriott International further expands its business in China with the opening of the Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel in Shengze, an ancient city with a modern and thriving economy. The new hotel is the first international hospitality brand in the area and the 19th Renaissance branded property to open in China.

As one of Marriott International’s leading lifestyle brands, Renaissance Hotels is dedicated to helping guests discover the unexpected wherever they travel,” said Henry Lee, Chief Operation Official, Greater China of Marriott International. “We are extremely proud of the opening of the Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel, marking the 19th Renaissance hotel in China, in addition to five Marriott International brands already flourishing within China. Our goal is to make Marriott International the most popular global tourism company in Asia Pacific,” added Lee.

The new Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel has 296 well-appointed guest rooms including 15 spacious suites that have their own kitchenettes with refrigerators. Picturesque lake views can be enjoyed by approximately half the rooms, while all guest rooms feature plush bedding, high speed wireless internet, an LED TV and a spacious work area. Guests staying on one of the hotel’s four Club Floors enjoy access to the Club Lounge and exclusive services such as expedited check-in and check-out, complimentary breakfast buffet, in addition to daily tea, coffee and snacks.

We anticipate immediate strong demand due to Renaissance’s exceptional reputation for defying business travel conventions for guests who crave unexpected experiences,” said Mr. Alex Tse Kam Chiu, General Manager of Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel. “Moreover, the area has great potential for further growth as a tourism destination and commercial center.”

The Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang brings Shengze its first five-star dining destination managed by an internationally acclaimed Food & Beverage team. General manager Mr. Tse is also a platinum member and gold medal winner of the Les Amis d’Escoffier Society and a Commanderie des Cordons Bleus de France. A 26-year veteran of the restaurant industry with years of five-star hotel experience, he will be overseeing food and beverage operations.

Guests can enjoy exceptional dining at Wan Li Chinese Restaurant where flavors of Canton, Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces are served in a chic and inviting interior within 11 exquisitely designed private dining rooms.

A wide range of international specialties are prepared in open kitchens at Food Studio, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant that offers buffet and a la cart dining.

Smokimoto Korean Restaurant in the Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel offers delicious traditional Korean dishes including a sumptuous barbeque selection as well as fresh Japanese sashimi.

Locals and guests alike have the perfect place to unwind in R Bar, a chic and energetic evening gathering place that offers live music, a variety of canapés, cocktails, craft beers and fresh juices.

Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel also boasts a 24-Hour Fitness Center with top-notch exercise machines and an aerobics room, as well as an indoor heated swimming pool boasting magnificent lake views.


Impressive conference and meeting facilities make Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel the ideal place for weddings, corporate events and private gatherings of all styles and sizes with total floor space of 3,800 square meters supported by a dedicated and experienced events planning team. The Grand Ballroom offers 1,600 square meters of pillar-less space that can be partitioned into three smaller rooms, and is equipped with a stunning 140 square meter LCD screen and state-of-the-art audiovisual system. The Junior Ballroom is 400 square meters in area and can also be partitioned into three sections. There are also six multipurpose rooms for small groups and meetings.

As a major stop along the ancient Silk Road, Shengze was a famously prosperous base for silk production. Its remaining Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasty buildings now draw thousands of tourists each year. Today silk remains the focus of a more diversified local economy for Shengze, which also includes a burgeoning high-tech sector and hundreds of foreign enterprises. Local businesses benefit from the city’s location at the junction of three of the most economically developed administrative divisions of China – Zhejiang Province, Jiangsu Province and the Municipality of Shanghai.

Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel is a one-hour trip by car from Shanghai Hongqiao International and the Suzhou Railway Station. The hotel is only six kilometers from Shengze Coach Station.

CHINA: New Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel Opens In Shengze

Marriott International further expands its business in China with the opening of the Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel in Shengze, an ancient city with a modern and thriving economy. The new hotel is the first international hospitality brand in the area and the 19th Renaissance branded property to open in China.

As one of Marriott International’s leading lifestyle brands, Renaissance Hotels is dedicated to helping guests discover the unexpected wherever they travel,” said Henry Lee, Chief Operation Official, Greater China of Marriott International. “We are extremely proud of the opening of the Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel, marking the 19th Renaissance hotel in China, in addition to five Marriott International brands already flourishing within China. Our goal is to make Marriott International the most popular global tourism company in Asia Pacific,” added Lee.

The new Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel has 296 well-appointed guest rooms including 15 spacious suites that have their own kitchenettes with refrigerators. Picturesque lake views can be enjoyed by approximately half the rooms, while all guest rooms feature plush bedding, high speed wireless internet, an LED TV and a spacious work area. Guests staying on one of the hotel’s four Club Floors enjoy access to the Club Lounge and exclusive services such as expedited check-in and check-out, complimentary breakfast buffet, in addition to daily tea, coffee and snacks.

We anticipate immediate strong demand due to Renaissance’s exceptional reputation for defying business travel conventions for guests who crave unexpected experiences,” said Mr. Alex Tse Kam Chiu, General Manager of Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel. “Moreover, the area has great potential for further growth as a tourism destination and commercial center.”

The Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang brings Shengze its first five-star dining destination managed by an internationally acclaimed Food & Beverage team. General manager Mr. Tse is also a platinum member and gold medal winner of the Les Amis d’Escoffier Society and a Commanderie des Cordons Bleus de France. A 26-year veteran of the restaurant industry with years of five-star hotel experience, he will be overseeing food and beverage operations.

Guests can enjoy exceptional dining at Wan Li Chinese Restaurant where flavors of Canton, Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces are served in a chic and inviting interior within 11 exquisitely designed private dining rooms.

A wide range of international specialties are prepared in open kitchens at Food Studio, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant that offers buffet and a la cart dining.

Smokimoto Korean Restaurant in the Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel offers delicious traditional Korean dishes including a sumptuous barbeque selection as well as fresh Japanese sashimi.

Locals and guests alike have the perfect place to unwind in R Bar, a chic and energetic evening gathering place that offers live music, a variety of canapés, cocktails, craft beers and fresh juices.

Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel also boasts a 24-Hour Fitness Center with top-notch exercise machines and an aerobics room, as well as an indoor heated swimming pool boasting magnificent lake views.


Impressive conference and meeting facilities make Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel the ideal place for weddings, corporate events and private gatherings of all styles and sizes with total floor space of 3,800 square meters supported by a dedicated and experienced events planning team. The Grand Ballroom offers 1,600 square meters of pillar-less space that can be partitioned into three smaller rooms, and is equipped with a stunning 140 square meter LCD screen and state-of-the-art audiovisual system. The Junior Ballroom is 400 square meters in area and can also be partitioned into three sections. There are also six multipurpose rooms for small groups and meetings.

As a major stop along the ancient Silk Road, Shengze was a famously prosperous base for silk production. Its remaining Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasty buildings now draw thousands of tourists each year. Today silk remains the focus of a more diversified local economy for Shengze, which also includes a burgeoning high-tech sector and hundreds of foreign enterprises. Local businesses benefit from the city’s location at the junction of three of the most economically developed administrative divisions of China – Zhejiang Province, Jiangsu Province and the Municipality of Shanghai.

Renaissance Suzhou Wujiang Hotel is a one-hour trip by car from Shanghai Hongqiao International and the Suzhou Railway Station. The hotel is only six kilometers from Shengze Coach Station.