As young Chinese increasingly forget how to write characters because they don't have to, using keyboards and touch screen technology on mobile phones is changing the trend. 

For Yin Liang, a 26-year-old purchasing agent at a company, his embarrassment over forgetting how to write characters has gradually disappeared since he started to use the handwriting input method on his iPhone 4 a month ago. 

"When you write on the touch screen, you use your finger, instead of a mouse or keyboard," Yin says. 

"Actually, your finger is like a pen, writing the complicated characters that have long been spelled by pinyin, an alphabet-based input system. Whether typing on computers or texting on phones, most users in China type by phonetically spelling out the sounds of the characters and the software then gives a menu of characters that fit the pronunciation, so users only need to recognize the character. 

Handwriting technology on a mobile phone touch screen has been around for years and became popular with the iPhone, which recognizes the input and offers a wide selection of characters. 

"It's efficient and accurate," Yin says. 

Chinese characters are the oldest continuously used system of writing in the world, but as pinyin-based typing has become more widespread, youths have started forgetting how to write out characters. This was one of the main topics for debate at the first Cross-Straits Chinese Character Art Festival, held recently in Beijing, which attracted experts from Taiwan and the mainland. 

According to Zhang Zikang, president of the Culture and Art Publishing House, writing with a pen on the touch screen brings handwriting into the digital age. It is even better when you write with your finger, feeling the flow of the cursive script and the grace and art of Chinese characters, he says. 

"Smart gadgets don't take life from the square-shaped characters, instead they offer a new and advanced platform to show the charm of Chinese characters, which are always evolving," Zhang says. What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. What is the most ancient and continuously used system of writing?
2. What has become more popular now?
3. What's the effect of that?
4. What gathering just occurred in China?
5. In what city was it held?
6. Were only Chinese invited?
7. Did they discuss the subject of Chinese characters?
8. What technology is beginning to change things back?
9. How does Yin Liang feel about not remembering how to write characters?
10. Is that going away?
11. What kind of phone does he have?
12. Has he been using the touch screen method of writing for over a year now?
13. How long?
14. Does one use a mouse to write on the screen?
15. What do you use then?
16. What object does your finger replicate?
17. How do Chinese normally input their language on a computer?
18. After doing that, what does the software do?
19. Who is the head of the Culture and Art Publishing House?
20. Does he think it is better to use your finger or a writing utensil?
Answer: 1. Chinese characters.
2. pinyin-based typing
3. youths have started forgetting how to write out characters
4. Cross-Straits Chinese Character Art Festival
5. Beijing
6. No.
7. Yes.
8. keyboards and touch screen technology on mobile phones
9. embarrassment
10. Yes.
11. iPhone 4
12. No.
13. A month.
14. No.
15. Finger
16. A pen
17. By phonetically spelling out the sounds of the characters.
18. gives a menu of characters that fit
19. Zhang Zikang
20. Yes.

question: Authorities will continue to take a hard line on Internet-based rumors and punish those creating fake information, a senior official said on Thursday. 

Authorities have removed more than 210,000 online posts and shut down 42 websites since mid-March in their latest crackdown on online rumors, said Liu Zhengrong, a senior official with the State Internet Information Office. 

Fake information or rumors spread through the Internet, especially on micro blogs, have harmed social order and residents' daily lives, he said at a news briefing in Beijing. 

Before the crackdown, six people who allegedly fabricated rumors about "military vehicles entering Beijing" had been detained and 16 websites closed for 

fake online information, according to police authorities. 

"What we've done and will do is to make sure residents can know what they want to know, say what they think and supervise our management in a reliable and useful network environment," Liu said. 

Liu disagreed that the Internet can police itself against rumors, and told China Daily that some netizens can't distinguish truth from fiction, "requiring government departments and website companies to take measures". 

On Monday, the Internet Society of China posted a proposal calling on Internet companies and websites to strengthen self-discipline and prevent the spread of online rumors. 

In response, three main Internet companies in the country - Sina, Baidu and Tencent - said they will target fake information with advanced technology and invest in manpower to supervise online information. 

Zhao Zhiguo, deputy director of the Telecommunications Administration under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said stricter self-management of websites will help banish online rumors. 

"Internet companies should take legal responsibility when operating their websites. They should not become a hotbed for rumors and provide opportunities for fake information," Zhao said, adding they will launch similar crackdowns to close illegal website companies and punish those responsible. 

Currently, people who make or spread rumors related to terrorism and securities trading, or information affecting State security and companies' commercial reputations, will face criminal punishment. 

Liu Honghui, a Beijing lawyer specializing in online cases, said he welcomed the government's action to curb online rumors. 

"Residents used online banks to shop or book flights, which needs a safe platform without fake information," he said. 

Yu Guofu, another lawyer from Sheng Feng Law Firm, said the key to reducing rumors is netizens themselves. 

"If micro-bloggers think twice before forwarding information, rumors will decrease."
1. how many lawyers are mentioned in this story ?
2. name the lawyer ?
3. who is a deputy director ?
4. who posted a proposal ?
5. on what day ?
6. name the three main Internet companies ?
7. what do they plan to do ?
8. how ?
9. Does shang Li work at the Sheng Feng Law Firm ?
10. Where do Yu Guofu work ?
****
answer:
1. One
2. Liu Honghui
3. Zhao Zhiguo
4. The Internet Society of China
5. Monday
6. Sina, Baidu and Tencent
7. they will target fake information with advanced technology and invest in manpower to supervise online information
8. stricter self-management of websites
9. unknown
10. Sheng Feng Law Firm