Chinese state media yesterday announced a slew of confessions following probes into recent stock market gyrations, including from a detained reporter who admitted to spreading false information that caused “panic and disorder”.

Evacuees began returning from temporary camps today after Chinese authorities declared the flood threat over from an earthquake-formed lake drained successfully the day before.

China ordered 101 more helicopters into the air today and planned aid drops into remote areas of Sichuan province as it struggled to cope with the powerful earthquake that has directly affected 10 million people.

A Chinese tycoon who was the youngest person on the 400-member Forbes China Rich List last year was sentenced to life in prison today for fraud involving millions of dollars, the official Xinhua News Agency said.