At a center for registering real estate transactions in Shanghai's Xuhui district, staff said that there has been a pickup in the number of applications for property deeds from homebuyers in recent weeks.

WSJ: China Housing Market Shows Signs of Warming

The former tax-bureau worker is among the throngs of seniors who meet every week at the Swedish retailer's cafeteria in Shanghai's Xuhui shopping district to take a second shot at romance.

WSJ: In China, IKEA Is a Swede Place for Senior Romance, Relaxation