Events and stories coming up in the next few days

China in new crackdown on ivory storage centers

China plans to shut down the first batch of 67 ivory centers, stores or manufacturers of ivory products, by Friday, and the remaining 105 will be closed by December, according to the State Forestry Administration. Conservationists believe the move will help reduce the extinction threat faced by African elephants.

Eye train on track for more operations across nation

A departure ceremony will be held in Beijing on Thursday for a specially equipped eye-surgery train. The Life Express program, four ophthalmic hospital carriages providing free operations, will travel to a number of provinces. The train was jointly established by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Chinese mainland in 1997. It has already helped more than 180,000 patients to regain or improve their sight in the past two decades. This year, the train will travel to eight provincial areas and treat about 10,000 patients, according to the organizers.

Boosting awareness of Africa and volunteer work

Lack of awareness about the challenges and opportunities facing Africa has resulted in Chinese youths spurning the chance to partake in volunteer services on the continent, analysts said. However, some students have risen to the challenge and made an immediate impact. They present a new picture of China-Africa youth engagement and offer a window for more Chinese youths to learn about and participate in international development. China Daily will run in-depth stories about them, and their work, in the coming weeks.

Ceremony to honor memory of ancient emperor

A memorial ceremony for Huangdi, the Yellow Emperor, will be held in Zhengzhou, Henan province, his birthplace, on Thursday. The event will commemorate a man who is widely regarded as a leading figure in the foundation of Chinese civilization. Huangdi, who was also named Gongsun Xuanyuan, was born about 5,000 years ago. He is recognized as the earliest leader to unite China.