Subdivisions of China

Heavy smog in northern China yesterday caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled and highways to shut, disrupting the first day of the new year holiday. 

Large parts of the north were hit by hazardous smog in mid-December, leading authorities to order hundreds of factories to close and to restrict motorists to cut emissions. 

The year of 2016 is about to come to an end. It was a year of full of tragedy, suffering and conflict. But it also had moments of hope and inspiration. From the U.S. presidential town hall debate to the Rio Olympics – the award-winning photographers of Reuters have really captured it all.

China's smoggiest city closed schools Dec. 21 as much of the country suffered its sixth day under an oppressive haze, sparking public anger about the slow response to the threat to children's health.

Since Dec. 16, a choking miasma has covered a large swathe of northeastern China, leaving more than 460 million gasping for breath.

Beijing's city government ordered 1,200 factories near the Chinese capital, including a major oil refinery run by state oil giant Sinopec, to shut or cut output on Dec. 17 after authorities issued the highest possible air pollution alert. 

Bulgaria has offered Chinese investors in state-of-the-art technologies to participate in the first scientific-technological park in Bulgaria - Sofia Tech Park.

They have also been offered participation in the logistics hub in Plovdiv which will include an industrial zone and a free-trade area serviced by a cargo airport.

Giant panda Jia Jia is seen eating her birthday cake made from ice and vegetables as she celebrates her 37-year-old birthday last year in Hong Kong. 

The world's oldest ever giant panda in captivity died on Oct. 16 aged 38 at a Hong Kong theme park, officials said.

An ancient Chinese bronze hu (amphora) with a coiled dragon design, made more than 2,500 years ago, is now on display at the Hall of the Altar in the Greek National Archaeological Museum.

Chinese stock markets tumbled 7 percent in their opening session  of 2016 on Jan. 4 as weak factory activity surveys and falls in the yuan added to concerns about the struggling economy, forcing exchanges to suspend trade for the first time.

Early losses quickly snowballed in the afternoon, with trading suspended around 0530 GMT, about 90 minutes before the regular close. 

It's not only about salaries, promotions and career prospects - many companies in China have found they need to offer cleaner air within their offices to lure and retain staff. 

The British and U.S. governments have issued a warning about possible threats against Westerners in Beijing on or around Christmas Day, the BBC reported on Thursday.

According to UK and U.S. officials,they have received information of possible threats in Sanlitun, which is a busy bar and shopping district in the Chinese capital city, the BBC said.