Category: NEWS

SUTTER COUNTY — A Sutter County second-grade teacher who was arrested for DUI and child endangerment will not face any charges.
Wendy Munson was arrested in October 2023 after a staff member at Nuestro Elementary in Live Oak reported that they believed Munson was teaching class drunk. Investigators said Munson’s blood alcohol content level was two times the legal limit.
“It is not illegal to teach drunk,” said Sutter County District Attorney Jennifer Dupre.
Dupre said they spent months investigating this case, but could not file any criminal charges.
“There was the possibility that she drank after she arrived at the school,” said Dupre.

At the start of the investigation, it was believed the 2nd-grade teacher drove to school drunk, but Dupre’s office was unable to prove this.
“I certainly don’t support anyone teaching drunk, but I can’t charge anyone criminally,” she said.
Parents are concerned about what type of precedent this sets that teachers can be intoxicated while in the classroom.
That’s why Dupre couldn’t file any charges—even though investigators say the teacher was on the job with a blood alcohol content level two times the legal limit.

“If you show up to any job intoxicated, that’s a fireable offense,” said Matthey Cudney, who lives in Yuba City.
Consistent with most schools, Nuestro Elementary in Live Oak is a drug- and alcohol-free zone. The district’s staff handbook states that for violators of this, the board shall require termination when termination is required by law.
Dupre said there is also inconsistency in the law for child endangerment. She explained that it is a matter of proving the teacher “would” endanger versus “may” endanger the children.
“We couldn’t prove that her intoxication would endanger them,” Dupre said.
Dupre also could not prove public intoxication.
“We would have to prove that she is unable to care for herself and others, and the investigation didn’t show that,” she said.
Parents think teachers should be held to a higher standard.

“Being a school teacher is a little bit unique because parents are entrusting their children to a teacher in the school,” Cudney said.
The law disagrees and leaves it up to districts to decide how to discipline.
“We tried because I don’t like the conduct. It’s not acceptable, but it’s unfortunately not criminal,” Dupre said.
CBS13 is still working to get a response from the Nuestro Elementary School District. Its website no longer has Munson listed as a teacher.
According to the Commission on Teaching Credentialing, a teacher could lose their credential for this type of misconduct, but it is a case-by-case basis.

On October 8, 2023, in an exclusive interview with China News Service, Xu Mingzhi, a Tsinghua University Young Scholar, discussed the deepening cooperation between China and Thailand and its potential impact on Thailand’s economic development.

As Thailand’s new cabinet was officially sworn in, newly appointed Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha emphasized the government’s focus on bolstering economic growth and restoring public confidence in the future of Thailand. China remains Thailand’s largest source of foreign investment and tourism, continuing its status as the top trading partner. With Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor project aligning closely with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, we wanted to explore what policy benefits will emerge from future Sino-Thai economic and trade cooperation.

**China News Service Reporter:** With the new Thai government in place, do you see Sino-Thai economic and trade cooperation entering a phase of rapid development?

**Xu Mingzhi:** Absolutely. The Thai government has clearly stated its intention to prioritize economic development, address historical issues, and restore public confidence in the country’s future. A variety of synergistic factors will drive Sino-Thai economic and trade cooperation into a fast lane. These include deeper regional economic cooperation, complementary economic structures, increased people-to-people exchanges, and strategic adjustments in global supply chains.

First, the geographic proximity of China and Thailand provides a solid foundation for deep regional economic cooperation. Secondly, policy alignment is crucial for propelling collaboration. The integration of Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor with China’s Belt and Road Initiative indicates a strong commitment to investment protection, improved business environments, and policy incentives—all of which attract numerous Chinese companies to make strategic investments in Thailand.

Moreover, in terms of economic complementarity, China excels in high-tech and advanced manufacturing sectors such as e-commerce, communication technology, automotive manufacturing, and photovoltaics, which aligns well with Thailand’s “Thailand 4.0” strategy aimed at upgrading from traditional manufacturing to high value-added industries. Thailand’s abundant resources, including rubber, fruits, and seafood, also hold significant appeal for the Chinese market.

As the largest source of tourists for Thailand, the relaxation of tourism visa policies and the complementary tourism resources between our two countries have greatly enhanced cultural exchange and commercial cooperation. With the continuous adjustment of global supply chains, Thailand has become a critical node in the strategic plans of Chinese enterprises in Southeast Asia, offering new market opportunities and reinforcing deep collaboration within industrial chains.

**China News Service Reporter:** What sectors do you believe will show significant performance during the accelerated development of Sino-Thai cooperation? Where should we focus our efforts in the future?

**Xu Mingzhi:** Trade and investment undoubtedly stand out as the most significant areas of cooperation. Infrastructure and the digital economy show immense potential for growth as well. For years, China has consistently been Thailand’s largest trading partner and leading source of imports and exports. As of 2023, Chinese investments in Thailand totaled $4.6 billion, accounting for 25% of all foreign investment in the country. The impressive performance in trade and investment can be attributed to complementary economic structures and regional cooperation policies that offer numerous investment conveniences.

In the infrastructure and digital economy sectors, the potential for cooperation is vast. China’s rich experience in building high-speed rail, ports, and energy infrastructure has led to significant collaboration in Thailand.

One notable project is the Sino-Thai railway, which represents an important milestone in our cooperation. Once completed, it will greatly enhance Thailand’s status as a regional transportation hub and further promote regional economic integration. Additionally, Chinese tech giants like Alibaba and Tencent are driving development in e-commerce, fintech, and smart city projects through partnerships with the Thai government and businesses, showcasing the broad possibilities for modern technological collaboration.

**China News Service Reporter:** What key policies or agreements have been introduced recently to boost cooperation, and what new opportunities or policy benefits do you foresee in the future?

**Xu Mingzhi:** The collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative is constantly deepening, particularly with significant progress in infrastructure projects like the Sino-Thai railway. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) provides substantial benefits such as tariff reductions and expanded market access, promoting cooperation between both countries in the regional economy. Additionally, the China-Thailand Joint Action Plan (2022-2026) and the cooperative framework supporting the Belt and Road Initiative lay a solid foundation for collaboration in various fields, including trade and investment, digital economy, clean energy, supply chain security, and technological innovation.

Looking ahead, China and Thailand are likely to collaborate more in key areas like new energy and green infrastructure, with expectations for investment to continue growing in electric vehicle manufacturing, clean energy, and environmental technology. Moreover, the digital economy holds vast prospects for both sides, especially in frontiers like big data, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things.

**China News Service Reporter:** With a rapid increase in Chinese investments in Thailand, how do you assess their impact on Thailand’s economic development, technological upgrades, and job creation?

**Xu Mingzhi:** The Thailand-China Rayong Industrial Park, one of the first overseas economic and trade cooperation zones from China, has attracted nearly 250 Chinese enterprises, creating approximately 50,000 jobs locally. These companies span diverse sectors, including automotive components, new energy, new materials, smart home technologies, and mechanical electronics, reaching an industrial output value exceeding $30 billion, significantly driving economic growth and job creation in Thailand.

Besides these direct contributions, Chinese investments are also significantly promoting technological advancement and industrial upgrades in Thailand. In the field of electric vehicles, collaboration between China and Thailand is deepening, with seven Chinese automakers either currently operating or building plants in the country. High-end electronics are also a focus for Chinese companies, leading to exponential growth in Thailand’s printed circuit board industry, with investment applications exceeding 140 billion baht in 2023-2024, largely from companies based in mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, and Hong Kong.

Investments in electric vehicles and high-end electronics not only introduce advanced technology and production processes to Thailand but also enhance the country’s R&D and innovation capabilities in these sectors. The Sino-Thai collaboration is invigorating Thailand’s economic development, optimizing its industrial structure, and strengthening its competitiveness within the global supply chain.

**China News Service Reporter:** As Sino-Thai cooperation continues to deepen, how has the trade structure changed significantly, and what roles will be more prominent in future collaborations?

**Xu Mingzhi:** With deepening cooperation, the trade structure between China and Thailand has evolved beyond traditional agricultural products and light industrial goods. There is increasing importance placed on high-tech, high-value-added products. Chinese manufacturing products like machinery, electronic goods, and automotive parts are capturing a larger market share in Thailand, reflecting a trend of trade upgrading.

In addition to cooperation in the digital economy, notable achievements have also emerged in green technology cooperation. The floating photovoltaic project that both countries are working on is Thailand’s largest such installation, capable of reducing carbon emissions by 47,000 tons annually, significantly aiding Thailand in reducing reliance on high-polluting thermal power generation. Furthermore, in intelligent manufacturing, Chinese and Thai enterprises jointly created Southeast Asia’s first 5G fully connected factory, effectively supporting Thailand’s Digital 4.0 transformation strategy and advancing the transition of its manufacturing sector.

In the future, new areas such as the digital economy, green energy, and smart manufacturing will play crucial roles in Sino-Thai economic and trade cooperation. The development of these sectors will elevate cooperation to a higher level and deepen the relationship between the two nations.

**China News Service Reporter:** Over the past decade since establishing the comprehensive strategic partnership, which areas have benefited the most?

**Xu Mingzhi:** Elevating the strategic cooperation relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership signifies a broader scope for deepening cooperation across more fields. This progression extends beyond traditional trade and investment to include infrastructure construction, technological innovation, and other high-value-added industries. Both countries are enhancing collaboration in emerging sectors such as electric vehicles, clean energy, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and aerospace technology, all of which contribute strong momentum to the economic transformation and sustainable development of both nations.

Additionally, this elevation of relations has deepened cooperation in cultural exchanges, tourism, education, and further solidified the friendship between China and Thailand. Given Thailand’s developmental strategies and China’s Belt and Road Initiative, future cooperation in infrastructure construction, the digital economy, and high-value manufacturing (like electric vehicles and electronics) will stand out as the greatest beneficiaries of this partnership upgrade. The deepening of collaboration in these areas will effectively promote both countries’ economies to a higher level.

Recently, the Ministry of Emergency Management convened a meeting to outline key safety prevention measures for the fourth quarter.

During the meeting, officials emphasized that through collaborative efforts, the overall safety production situation remained stable in the first three quarters, with strong and efficient responses to various disasters. As the fourth quarter is a peak period for accidents and disasters, there is a pressing need to stay vigilant, implement stringent preventive measures, and rigorously advance annual key tasks to maintain effective control over safety conditions.

One of the primary focuses is to resolutely prevent and curtail major accidents. The government plans to seriously implement a three-year action plan aimed at addressing root causes in safety production. This includes vigorously enforcing the eight hard measures for mining safety and undertaking comprehensive rectification of major hazardous chemicals. High-quality assessments and inspections for safety production and fire prevention will be conducted, ensuring that responsibilities are clarified among regions and departments. Authorities will be urged to enhance safety supervision in response to changes in risk levels, effectively eliminating hidden dangers before they lead to accidents.

Moreover, there is a commitment to accelerate the resolution of safety risks that affect the public. Continuous efforts will be made to improve fire safety, particularly focusing on three high-risk categories: densely populated areas, places with significant risk, and ongoing safety adjustments for electric bicycles. Collaboration with relevant departments will ensure thorough inspections and remediation of housing safety issues. Additionally, there will be heightened safety oversight for tourism and transportation, especially targeting “wild scenic spots” and popular social media locations, with clear warnings and mobile patrols to prevent illegal and risky entries.

The meeting also discussed the importance of preparing for disaster prevention and relief work during the autumn and winter months. An unyielding focus will be placed on forest and grassland fire prevention, with efforts to bolster response capabilities in key areas like the Daxing’anling region. Guidance will be provided to high rainfall areas for thorough inspections of geological hazard “risk points” and timely migration in the event of danger signals. Furthermore, proactive measures will be undertaken to address cold weather, snow, and ice hazards, including the refinement of emergency response plans, pre-positioning emergency supplies, and promoting new frost protection technologies. Comprehensive support will be extended to disaster-affected areas for their winter-spring relief and reconstruction efforts.

Lastly, the meeting stressed the need to combine regulatory enforcement with guidance and service. It is crucial to standardize administrative checks on businesses, avoiding overly simplistic or one-size-fits-all approaches. The government is committed to addressing issues such as arbitrary fines, excessive inspections, and unwarranted closures, actively assisting enterprises in enhancing safety training and promptly eliminating potential hazards. This approach aims to protect the interests of businesses and the public while improving the business environment, ensuring high levels of safety to foster quality development.

**Interview with Travelers: The Challenges of Luggage Storage in Major Chinese Cities**

During a recent exploration of luggage storage solutions in bustling urban centers like Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, it became apparent that many travelers face significant hurdles when trying to lighten their load for a day of sightseeing. With the introduction of luggage storage lockers at subway stations in cities like Beijing—where currently 23 subway stations offer this service—one would expect convenience, but experiences suggest otherwise.

This past Golden Week, I visited several luggage storage lockers in Beijing to see how well they met the rising demand. To my surprise, many lockers were full, leaving numerous travelers searching for creative solutions to store their bags, or even leaving their luggage outside the lockers in frustration.

At Beijing West Railway Station, the scene was particularly hectic. Many travelers, dragging their bags, were on the hunt for storage options. “There are lockers only in the waiting hall,” a station employee informed me. “If you exit, you’ll need to look for nearby shops that offer storage services.” I reached out to the locker service via their customer support number and learned that the service runs from 9 AM to 10 PM and that travelers must present a same-day ticket to use the lockers. Accessing the waiting hall requires going through security, and they can only check for available lockers using a QR code on-site.

A quick glance at social media highlighted similar frustrations among travelers. One user asked, “Can I store my luggage in the waiting hall after arriving?” The response came swiftly: “No, once you’ve exited, you can’t get back in.” Unfortunately, during the Golden Week, the luggage storage at Beijing South Railway Station was temporarily halted as well.

Many travelers prefer storing their bags at train stations due to the peace of mind it offers. One traveler summed it up, saying, “I trust the train station more; I don’t worry about losing my things.” However, I noticed that some shops nearby were listed on luggage storage apps like “Store Yourself” and “Worry-Free Storage,” mostly small businesses like convenience stores and pharmacies.

At Fengtai Station, which does not have its own lockers, many nearby shops do offer storage services. After visiting several, I found that the standard price for storing a backpack was about 10 yuan per day, with varying hours of operation.

Turning to the subway system, I found that while Fengtai Station lacked lockers, a few are available at the Fengtai subway station’s atrium. I arrived at 10 AM on October 2nd, only to discover all 29 lockers were fully occupied. Within ten minutes, five groups of travelers left disappointed after unsuccessful attempts to find storage.

“I can’t believe it’s this hard,” one traveler lamented. “No space inside, and I don’t feel safe leaving my bag outside.” With that, travelers ventured to other subway stations in search of storage alternatives.

Beijing currently boasts 23 subway stations equipped with storage lockers, and most are located in high-traffic areas close to train stations, tourist attractions, and shopping districts. At the Military Museum Station, just one stop from Beijing West Station, I found lockers, but there were only nine available—again, all full. The station staff explained that expanding locker capacity would require negotiations with the management team due to space constraints.

Using the “Little Iron Storage” app, I checked the status of lockers across all 23 stations. By late morning on October 2nd, six stations were completely full, and additional stations reported very few available lockers. Hours later, the situation remained unchanged.

In commercial areas, I discovered that while some shopping centers offered more lockers than subway stations, travelers often found prices steep. At Wangfujing, a popular thoroughfare, it took considerable walking before I found lockers at Century Mansion. Here, storage options were either full or offered at 5 and 8 yuan per hour, capped at 40 and 60 yuan daily respectively.

The competition among businesses to attract foot traffic has led some to offer lower rates than advertised online, but they often have limited capacity. At the same time, travelers expressed discontent with high storage fees, with one commenting on the 10 yuan per hour cost: “I only want to store a backpack, but the price? Forget it.”

With demand for luggage storage on the rise in Beijing’s bustling districts, it remains clear that improvements are necessary to enhance traveler convenience.