Briefs, January 5, 2013

Special envoy to visit South Korea for talks

The Chinese government's special envoy, Zhang Zhijun, will visit South Korea from Wednesday to Friday, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. Zhang, who is also a deputy foreign minister, will have talks with South Korean officials on bilateral ties and issues of common concern. Xinhua

Charity donation boxes abandoned

The supervisory committee of the Red Cross Society of China has confirmed the mismanagement of some donation boxes in Chengdu , Sichuan . It said that over the years some boxes had been stolen or abandoned, some with cash inside. Internet users reported that more than 500 boxes set up by the Chengdu branch of the society following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake had been left in storage. Xinhua

Reporter's ex-employer blamed for visa limbo

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said a journalist visa application for Chris Buckley - who recently was hired by The New York Times - remained in limbo because his previous employer failed to undertake the proper procedures when he left the company. Though Hua did not name the former employer, Buckley worked for the Reuters news agency until October. Reuters had no immediate comment. The reporter had to leave the mainland this week after he failed to obtain new press credentials. AP

Animal-rights activists clash with police

Dozens of Taiwanese animal-rights activists scuffled with police yesterday in a protest against the practice of killing stray animals, mainly dogs and cats. Supporters of the Taiwan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals waved placards and chanted slogans to "stop the abuse and killing" as they rallied outside the agriculture ministry in Taipei. Authorities last year put down 100,000 stray animals. AFP