System helps boost professionalism

Chinese railway operators are taking creative measures to lift the professionalism of its staff members. China Railway Taiyuan Group has launched a mentor-apprentice system to elevate the hands-on competence of its employees. In a work area of Taiyuan House-Building and Apartment Section, senior technician Liu Chunxi was guiding foreman Yan Jie through equipment operations while Yan took careful notes. After 10 years working side by side, the pair have become role models, sticking to a principle that "electrical work bears on equipment safety — there is no room for sloppiness." The section has tapped the "pass-it-on" role of veteran workers, allowing them to pass on professionalism among employees.

Loan prime rates remain unchanged

China's one-year loan prime rate, a market-based benchmark lending rate, came in at 3 percent on Monday, unchanged from the previous month. The over-five-year LPR, on which many lenders base their mortgage rates, also remained unchanged from the previous reading of 3.5 percent, according to the National Interbank Funding Center. Recent data showed that the country's weighted average interest rate for new business loans stood at about 3.1 percent in August, down 40 basis points from a year earlier, while the rate for new personal mortgages dropped to around 3.1 percent, a decrease of 25 basis points.

Xinhua - China Daily