China scrubs up for maiden G-20 summit

Hangzhou, China

CHINA is sparing no effort to ensure its first-ever G-20 summit passes off perfectly, enforcing measures to close factories, offering English lessons to elderly residents and even a US$1.5 billion giveaway to get some to leave town.

China is determined to impress the leaders of the world's 20 biggest economies due to attend the Sept 4-5 summit in the eastern city of Hangzhou, whose lakefront scenery has inspired generations of painters and poets.