Beijing Lifts Accommodation Limits on Overseas Tourists, from China.org.cn: Beijing police say that people from overseas may choose where to live in Beijing, including households in those old hutongs (lanes), a Mongolian name for streets with wells, where most traditional courtyards, popularly known as siheyuan or four-sided enclosed yards, still can be seen. This act came into being earlier this year, and is only coming into effect now that a network system linking all of Beijing's computerized hotel registers is up-and-running. It's too bad this is not a national policy, though another article writes that other locales have already passed similar legislation, including Shanghai, and provinces such as Guangdong, Yunnan, Hubei and Jiangxi. --A national law that goes into effect today is the new marriage rules--or should we say, unrules. Couples no longer need a letter from their work unit certifiying their unmarried status, nor do they need a health test. Beginning October 1^st, engaged couples will only need to show their national IDs and residency papers, and sign a document affirming that they are single (but not for long!). Government officials say the law was changed because it violated China's policy on freedom of marriage, but the tacitly unacknowledged causes are the rise of the private sector, ie people who don't belong to a work unit, and the greater mobility of employees in the "socialist" market economy. Likewise, the law regarding divorce has been changed. In the past, a one-month waiting period has been required for the civil affairs department to provide mediation. Now, couples with the requisite documentation can divorce immediately. [ Link ] --Ziboy has a fresh batch of photos up for October, including National Day crowds, kowtowing petitioners, punk rockers and a mosh pit.