China's State Council, or Cabinet, on Wednesday said it had ordered mainland dairy giant Sanlu to immediately stop sales of powdered milk in Taiwan after announcing the group had sold products contaminated with melamine to the island.
State Council spokesman Li Weiyi said 1,000 bags among 25 tons of powdered milk sold by Hebei-based Sanlu to Taiwan in June were found contaminated with melamine.
"The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council informed the Taiwan authorities immediately after the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine reported the case, and has ordered Sanlu Companies to ask their Taiwan partners to stop selling the contaminated milk powder," said Li at a press conference in Beijing.
"We have also informed Taiwan authorities about the other 21 mainland diary companies whose products were found contaminated with melamine," said Li. However, those companies had sold no products to Taiwan.
Source:Xinhua
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Founder of World Economic Forum conferred with honorary professorship
In commendation of his great contribution to the economic growth of China in past 30 years, Foreign Affairs University conferred Prof Klaus Schwab with an honorary professorship in Beijing on Sept 22, 2008.
World Economic Forum has held various meetings in China during the past three decades. The 2nd Annual Meeting of the New Champions will be held on Sept 27 and Sept 28 in the port city of Tianjin.
In April 1979, Prof Schwab visited China for the first time at the invitation of Chinese Academy of Social Science. In the address he made after receiving the honorary professorship, Klaus Schwab put forward his viewpoints about global governance mode.
Click here to read the full text of Prof. Schwab's address.
By Jia Zhencheng, reporter with People's Daily Overseas Edition
World Economic Forum has held various meetings in China during the past three decades. The 2nd Annual Meeting of the New Champions will be held on Sept 27 and Sept 28 in the port city of Tianjin.
In April 1979, Prof Schwab visited China for the first time at the invitation of Chinese Academy of Social Science. In the address he made after receiving the honorary professorship, Klaus Schwab put forward his viewpoints about global governance mode.
Click here to read the full text of Prof. Schwab's address.
By Jia Zhencheng, reporter with People's Daily Overseas Edition
14 people missing in landslides in China's quake-hit area
Fourteen people have gone missing in the wake of landslides triggered by heavy rain in the quake-hit Beichuan County of Sichuan Province in southwest China, a local official said on Wednesday.
Some villagers in Leigu town have also been injured, said Zuo Daifu, a county official in charge the reconstruction of Beichuan. The town received 104 mm of rain between 8 a.m. Tuesday and 7 a.m. Wednesday.
Heavy rain totaling 194 mm during the period also hit the Tangjiashan area, blocking the sluice of the dangerous Tangjiashan quake lake and raising its water level by five meters.
Beichuan is one of the worst hit area in the devastating earthquake on May 12. The county seat was almost flattened in the quake.
Source: Xinhua
Some villagers in Leigu town have also been injured, said Zuo Daifu, a county official in charge the reconstruction of Beichuan. The town received 104 mm of rain between 8 a.m. Tuesday and 7 a.m. Wednesday.
Heavy rain totaling 194 mm during the period also hit the Tangjiashan area, blocking the sluice of the dangerous Tangjiashan quake lake and raising its water level by five meters.
Beichuan is one of the worst hit area in the devastating earthquake on May 12. The county seat was almost flattened in the quake.
Source: Xinhua
Typhoon Hagupit wreaks havoc in south China
Typhoon Hagupit, packing torrential rain and hurricane force winds, has closed schools in at least two south China cities, cancelled flights and left many urban streets deserted since its landfall in Guangdong Province early on Wednesday.
The 14th strong typhoon of the year landed in Dianbai County in the city of Maoming at 6:45 a.m., packing winds at more than 200 km per hour in its eye, the Guangdong Provincial Meteorological Bureau said.
Strong gales uprooted many trees and bulletin boards in Maoming when the typhoon landed. City authorities said one fishing boat sank in waters off Dianbai County, but no casualties were reported.
The worst typhoon to hit Guangdong in more than a decade has closed all schools and kindergartens in the coastal city of Zhanjiang, where gales and rain left most streets deserted even in the morning rush hour.
"Most people stayed indoor. When the gales sweep through you feel like you'll be blown away," said Xinhua reporter Chen Xianfeng in Zhanjiang.
Many roadside stores and restaurants covered up their gates and windows with wood or steel bars overnight.
The provincial meteorological bureau said the typhoon was trailing off while moving northwest at 25 km per hour. But rainstorms were expected to continue through Thursday.
Heavy rain has hit almost all the southern coastal cities since Tuesday night. At 6 a.m. Wednesday, the precipitation measured 154mm in Sijiu town of Taishan, one of the hardest hit counties in Guangdong.
The province recalled more than 50,000 vessels with almost 200,000 fishermen and crew members on Tuesday.
Haikou, capital of the southernmost Hainan Province, issued a notice late on Tuesday, ordering all schools and kindergartens to be closed on Wednesday.
As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, 33 flights had been canceled at Meilan Airport in Haikou, affecting nearly 2,700 passengers. The airport remained closed at 10 a.m.
The airport in Shenzhen also canceled most domestic flights after 7 p.m. Tuesday, and encouraged passengers to postpone or cancel their trips.
In the adjacent Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, local governments were keeping close watch for secondary disasters.
But Hagupit's landfall in Guangdong had seemingly eased the rains in the southeastern Fujian Province, meteorologists said.
Affected by the typhoon, most parts of the province were drenched by heavy rain until early Wednesday, with the maximum precipitation hitting 89 mm in the 22 hours till 6 a.m. in some coastal counties.
The torrential rain weakened to a drizzle in most cities on Wednesday morning and the provincial capital Fuzhou has cleared up.
Hagupit is the second typhoon in a week to affect Taiwan, Fujian and Guangdong, after typhoon Sinlaku lashed the region last week.
Source: Xinhua
The 14th strong typhoon of the year landed in Dianbai County in the city of Maoming at 6:45 a.m., packing winds at more than 200 km per hour in its eye, the Guangdong Provincial Meteorological Bureau said.
Strong gales uprooted many trees and bulletin boards in Maoming when the typhoon landed. City authorities said one fishing boat sank in waters off Dianbai County, but no casualties were reported.
The worst typhoon to hit Guangdong in more than a decade has closed all schools and kindergartens in the coastal city of Zhanjiang, where gales and rain left most streets deserted even in the morning rush hour.
"Most people stayed indoor. When the gales sweep through you feel like you'll be blown away," said Xinhua reporter Chen Xianfeng in Zhanjiang.
Many roadside stores and restaurants covered up their gates and windows with wood or steel bars overnight.
The provincial meteorological bureau said the typhoon was trailing off while moving northwest at 25 km per hour. But rainstorms were expected to continue through Thursday.
Heavy rain has hit almost all the southern coastal cities since Tuesday night. At 6 a.m. Wednesday, the precipitation measured 154mm in Sijiu town of Taishan, one of the hardest hit counties in Guangdong.
The province recalled more than 50,000 vessels with almost 200,000 fishermen and crew members on Tuesday.
Haikou, capital of the southernmost Hainan Province, issued a notice late on Tuesday, ordering all schools and kindergartens to be closed on Wednesday.
As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, 33 flights had been canceled at Meilan Airport in Haikou, affecting nearly 2,700 passengers. The airport remained closed at 10 a.m.
The airport in Shenzhen also canceled most domestic flights after 7 p.m. Tuesday, and encouraged passengers to postpone or cancel their trips.
In the adjacent Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, local governments were keeping close watch for secondary disasters.
But Hagupit's landfall in Guangdong had seemingly eased the rains in the southeastern Fujian Province, meteorologists said.
Affected by the typhoon, most parts of the province were drenched by heavy rain until early Wednesday, with the maximum precipitation hitting 89 mm in the 22 hours till 6 a.m. in some coastal counties.
The torrential rain weakened to a drizzle in most cities on Wednesday morning and the provincial capital Fuzhou has cleared up.
Hagupit is the second typhoon in a week to affect Taiwan, Fujian and Guangdong, after typhoon Sinlaku lashed the region last week.
Source: Xinhua
Typhoon Hagupit forces airlines cancel trips to Hong Kong
At least four airlines on Wednesday canceled seven scheduled flights from Manila to Hong Kong as Typhoon Hagupit moves to hit Hong Kong after battling the Philippines.
According to local news network GMA News, one flight of Cebu Pacific, two flights of Philippine Airlines, three flights of Cathay Pacific, and one flight of China Southern Airlines scheduled to leave Manila on Wednesday, have been canceled.
The airlines, however, did not advise when their Hong Kong-bound flights will resume, the report said.
The Philippine state weather forecast bureau forecasted that the typhoon, which packed maximum sustained winds of 160 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 195 kph, will make landfall on China's southern coasts on Wednesday.
Eight people were killed, 19 were injured while 15 others were reported missing as the typhoon swept the northern tips of the Philippines on Monday.
Source: Xinhua
According to local news network GMA News, one flight of Cebu Pacific, two flights of Philippine Airlines, three flights of Cathay Pacific, and one flight of China Southern Airlines scheduled to leave Manila on Wednesday, have been canceled.
The airlines, however, did not advise when their Hong Kong-bound flights will resume, the report said.
The Philippine state weather forecast bureau forecasted that the typhoon, which packed maximum sustained winds of 160 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 195 kph, will make landfall on China's southern coasts on Wednesday.
Eight people were killed, 19 were injured while 15 others were reported missing as the typhoon swept the northern tips of the Philippines on Monday.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese police ordered to handle domestic violence complaints at scene
The Chinese government has ordered police to respond at the scene to all complaints of domestic violence in a new regulation to protect the rights of women.
The regulation, issued by seven ministries, including the ministries of public security, justice and health, requires police to be dispatched whenever they receive a 110 emergency call regarding household violence.
Chen Xiourong, vice president of the All-China Women's Federation, said on Wednesday that the regulation would reinforce the Law on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women, which was amended in 2005 to include articles on domestic abuse. Twenty-five provinces had also enacted regulations to prevent violence against women.
Women's federations across China, together with public security departments, had set up domestic-abuse centers, shelters, complaint hotlines and legal aid websites, said Chen.
"All the measures have helped greatly to protect women from domestic violence," she said.
The federation received 40,000 to 50,000 complaints of domestic violence annually, and the number of cases had been increasing.
In the past, victims lacked legislative support and were afraid or ashamed to speak out, said Chen.
The Tenth National Women's Congress will be held from Oct. 28 to 31, and more than 1,200 delegates representing the country's 650 million women will attend.
Source: Xinhua
The regulation, issued by seven ministries, including the ministries of public security, justice and health, requires police to be dispatched whenever they receive a 110 emergency call regarding household violence.
Chen Xiourong, vice president of the All-China Women's Federation, said on Wednesday that the regulation would reinforce the Law on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women, which was amended in 2005 to include articles on domestic abuse. Twenty-five provinces had also enacted regulations to prevent violence against women.
Women's federations across China, together with public security departments, had set up domestic-abuse centers, shelters, complaint hotlines and legal aid websites, said Chen.
"All the measures have helped greatly to protect women from domestic violence," she said.
The federation received 40,000 to 50,000 complaints of domestic violence annually, and the number of cases had been increasing.
In the past, victims lacked legislative support and were afraid or ashamed to speak out, said Chen.
The Tenth National Women's Congress will be held from Oct. 28 to 31, and more than 1,200 delegates representing the country's 650 million women will attend.
Source: Xinhua
French leaders meet Chinese paralympic athlete Jin Jing in France
President of the National Assembly of France Bernard Accoyer and French Senate President Christian Poncelet met with China's paralympic athlete Jin Jing's in France respectively.
Jin is the brave Chinese girl who used her body to protect the Olympic torch in the Paris leg of Beijing 2008 Olympic torch relay when facing an attack.
In his meeting with Jin, Accoyer said he would express on behalf of all the Assembly members their respect to her after hearing her stories.
He said that the French people felt sorry and upset about what had happened to her in France five months ago, and was impressed by Jin's wisdom and magnanimity.
The Beijing 2008 Paralympics was a huge success, and both Chinese and French athletes performed wonderfully in the games, said Accoyer.
He also said that Sino-French relations were significant, and recalled the moment when France became the first Western country to recognize the People's Republic of China following its founding in 1949.
Jin said she was happy to have made new friends when visiting France this time. She also exchanged gifts with Accoyer.
In his meeting with Jin, Poncelet, who had met with her in Beijing before, said he was delighted to see that Jin was in a good condition.
Poncelet also underlined the importance of France's relations with China, and believed that Jin's current visit might help to remove some unhappy memories between the two countries.
On September 18, Jin was received in Elysee Palace by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
According to Sarkozy, Jin has earned huge glory for China and for sports, and was one of the best symbols of friendship between China and France.
Source:Xinhua
Jin is the brave Chinese girl who used her body to protect the Olympic torch in the Paris leg of Beijing 2008 Olympic torch relay when facing an attack.
In his meeting with Jin, Accoyer said he would express on behalf of all the Assembly members their respect to her after hearing her stories.
He said that the French people felt sorry and upset about what had happened to her in France five months ago, and was impressed by Jin's wisdom and magnanimity.
The Beijing 2008 Paralympics was a huge success, and both Chinese and French athletes performed wonderfully in the games, said Accoyer.
He also said that Sino-French relations were significant, and recalled the moment when France became the first Western country to recognize the People's Republic of China following its founding in 1949.
Jin said she was happy to have made new friends when visiting France this time. She also exchanged gifts with Accoyer.
In his meeting with Jin, Poncelet, who had met with her in Beijing before, said he was delighted to see that Jin was in a good condition.
Poncelet also underlined the importance of France's relations with China, and believed that Jin's current visit might help to remove some unhappy memories between the two countries.
On September 18, Jin was received in Elysee Palace by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
According to Sarkozy, Jin has earned huge glory for China and for sports, and was one of the best symbols of friendship between China and France.
Source:Xinhua
China takes concrete measures to deal with climate change and air pollution
China has been taking concrete measures to deal with climate change, air pollution and energy efficiency issues, says Chen Changhong, professor and director of Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences and Atmospheric Environment Institute in an interview with People's Daily Online reporter in Stockholm recently.
China shoulders CO2 emissions and pollution for the whole world
Chen Changhong said over the past 16 years, China has constantly explored a way of avoiding the old way of industrialization by polluting first and then treating. With more exchanges with the outside world, China has gradually realized the gap in air quality and environment compared with Europe and other western countries. Because nearly 70% of China's energy comes from coal, air pollution has been serious.
"Also due to the fast economic development, as a developing country and as a 'world factory', China is producing products for the whole world, but keeping pollution to its own land. Thus China shoulders the pollution and emission for the whole world in a large extend" , said professor Chen.
Thus the world should see China as a country which stands on the world production chain, and help China to improve technology in dealing with pollution and greenhouse gas emission.
China tackles the climate change and air pollution issues
Chen Changhong said that the Chinese government has paid great attention to solving the air pollution issue. The Law on Atmosphere has been issued. Since the 2004, China has made long term plans and implemented them in getting rid of SO2 in coal mines which are the major source of air pollution.
In the vast rural China, people also make use of methane produced by animal waste for heating, an effective way of reducing greenhouse gas emission.
In coastal areas, people's awareness in environment protection and climate change has been improved and they can make efforts together with the government to supervise and report air pollution and other pollution cases.
He said the government also made laws and regulations to direct enterprises to conduct clean production, for example to close down the out of dated high energy consumption and low technology enterprises and to encourage clean technology through tax reduction.
In eastern part of China such as Beijing and Shanghai, the Euro IV emission standards are taken for car emissions. Electric cars and buses are produced and used. In Shanghai, the bus only takes two minutes at the stop to recharge its battery.
Chen Changhong revealed that during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, there will be an area especially for zero emission vehicles.
11th five year plan sets specific targets for saving energy and emissions
Professor Hu Tao from Beijing Normal University is also an advisor for the Ministry of Environment. He said that China ought to use the market economic means to improve its environment and reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emission while consolidating supervision.
He said environmental cost must be added to petrol, electricity and increase their price. China has recently increased the price of electricity.
Meanwhile, China encourages renewable energy development. The goal is to increase renewable energy by 10% in the composition of total energy by 2010, and 15% by 2020.
China is already the largest user of solar energy in the world. Beijing municipal government has given a lot of subsidies to energy-saving lamps. For example, the lamp is sold only at 20% of its original price so people are willing to buy it.
China is also seeking to build energy saving buildings with effective water recycling and saving methods being taken.
In Beijing, since 2005, every household has its own meter for gas and prepaid card for use of electricity so people can check how much they use and how much they can save.
Of course there are still big challenges for integrating the policies at all levels across the country, improving people's awareness in saving energy at all levels and how to get the good central policies be implemented effectively at the grassroot level.
By Xuefei Chen People's Daily Online correspondent in Stockholm.
China shoulders CO2 emissions and pollution for the whole world
Chen Changhong said over the past 16 years, China has constantly explored a way of avoiding the old way of industrialization by polluting first and then treating. With more exchanges with the outside world, China has gradually realized the gap in air quality and environment compared with Europe and other western countries. Because nearly 70% of China's energy comes from coal, air pollution has been serious.
"Also due to the fast economic development, as a developing country and as a 'world factory', China is producing products for the whole world, but keeping pollution to its own land. Thus China shoulders the pollution and emission for the whole world in a large extend" , said professor Chen.
Thus the world should see China as a country which stands on the world production chain, and help China to improve technology in dealing with pollution and greenhouse gas emission.
China tackles the climate change and air pollution issues
Chen Changhong said that the Chinese government has paid great attention to solving the air pollution issue. The Law on Atmosphere has been issued. Since the 2004, China has made long term plans and implemented them in getting rid of SO2 in coal mines which are the major source of air pollution.
In the vast rural China, people also make use of methane produced by animal waste for heating, an effective way of reducing greenhouse gas emission.
In coastal areas, people's awareness in environment protection and climate change has been improved and they can make efforts together with the government to supervise and report air pollution and other pollution cases.
He said the government also made laws and regulations to direct enterprises to conduct clean production, for example to close down the out of dated high energy consumption and low technology enterprises and to encourage clean technology through tax reduction.
In eastern part of China such as Beijing and Shanghai, the Euro IV emission standards are taken for car emissions. Electric cars and buses are produced and used. In Shanghai, the bus only takes two minutes at the stop to recharge its battery.
Chen Changhong revealed that during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, there will be an area especially for zero emission vehicles.
11th five year plan sets specific targets for saving energy and emissions
Professor Hu Tao from Beijing Normal University is also an advisor for the Ministry of Environment. He said that China ought to use the market economic means to improve its environment and reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emission while consolidating supervision.
He said environmental cost must be added to petrol, electricity and increase their price. China has recently increased the price of electricity.
Meanwhile, China encourages renewable energy development. The goal is to increase renewable energy by 10% in the composition of total energy by 2010, and 15% by 2020.
China is already the largest user of solar energy in the world. Beijing municipal government has given a lot of subsidies to energy-saving lamps. For example, the lamp is sold only at 20% of its original price so people are willing to buy it.
China is also seeking to build energy saving buildings with effective water recycling and saving methods being taken.
In Beijing, since 2005, every household has its own meter for gas and prepaid card for use of electricity so people can check how much they use and how much they can save.
Of course there are still big challenges for integrating the policies at all levels across the country, improving people's awareness in saving energy at all levels and how to get the good central policies be implemented effectively at the grassroot level.
By Xuefei Chen People's Daily Online correspondent in Stockholm.
China maintains contact with food security authorities in relevant countries and regions
On September 18, 2008, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference and answered questions.
When she answered the question about the milk scandal, she said that China understands the concerns of other countries; China would like to enhance the cooperation on food security with relevant countries and regions and to solve the problems with a scientific and objective attitude.
She also revealed that since the Sanlu milk scandal happened, the Chinese government adopted responsible attitude and active measures to domestic consumers. It informed WHO and other countries of the incident and investigated the situation of import and called back the problematic products. China will maintain contact with food security authorities in these countries and regions.
By People's Daily Online
When she answered the question about the milk scandal, she said that China understands the concerns of other countries; China would like to enhance the cooperation on food security with relevant countries and regions and to solve the problems with a scientific and objective attitude.
She also revealed that since the Sanlu milk scandal happened, the Chinese government adopted responsible attitude and active measures to domestic consumers. It informed WHO and other countries of the incident and investigated the situation of import and called back the problematic products. China will maintain contact with food security authorities in these countries and regions.
By People's Daily Online
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
7th ASEM to be held in Beijing in October
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu announced on Sept. 23 that the Seventh Asia-Europe Meeting will be held in Beijing from October 24th to 25th.
The theme of this meeting is "Vision and Action: Towards a Win-win Solution".
The participating leaders or representatives from 45 members of ASEM will conduct in-depth discussions on major issues in political, economic, social and cultural fields in the two continents and the world at large.
The meeting will focus on expanding and deepening dialogues on an equal footing and mutually-beneficial cooperation between Asia and Europe to ensure win-win progress for the benefit of people of the two continents.
By People's Daily Online
The theme of this meeting is "Vision and Action: Towards a Win-win Solution".
The participating leaders or representatives from 45 members of ASEM will conduct in-depth discussions on major issues in political, economic, social and cultural fields in the two continents and the world at large.
The meeting will focus on expanding and deepening dialogues on an equal footing and mutually-beneficial cooperation between Asia and Europe to ensure win-win progress for the benefit of people of the two continents.
By People's Daily Online
Over 700 diary companies submit letter of guarantee
More than 700 diary companies have submitted letter of guarantee recently to General administration of quality supervision, inspection and quarantine of China , according to news from Xinhua.
All these 700 companies passed the quality inspection recently after the Tainted Sanlu milk powder scandal.
These companies stated in the letter that they will strictly conform to China's regulations and shoulder social responsibility. They will not use counterfeit and shoddy products.
By People's Daily Online
All these 700 companies passed the quality inspection recently after the Tainted Sanlu milk powder scandal.
These companies stated in the letter that they will strictly conform to China's regulations and shoulder social responsibility. They will not use counterfeit and shoddy products.
By People's Daily Online
Shandong's first solar energy tunnel to open
Shandong's first solar energy tunnel - Yantai Tongshi South Road tunnel will be opened later this month. The solar power station atop the tunnel has been installed in place.
The total capacity of the solar photovoltaic power plant is 100 kilowatts, currently the photovoltaic power station with the largest generating capacity in Shandong Province. They use solar power components to turn solar energy directly into electrical energy, and send energy directly to the low-voltage power grid through paralleling in.
During daytime the tunnel lighting can be provided by solar power station and at night it is supplemented by electric lighting in the city.
The power plant has an annual generation capacity of up to 138,000 kwh, able to satisfy two thirds or more of the tunnel's power consumption.
By People's Daily Online
The total capacity of the solar photovoltaic power plant is 100 kilowatts, currently the photovoltaic power station with the largest generating capacity in Shandong Province. They use solar power components to turn solar energy directly into electrical energy, and send energy directly to the low-voltage power grid through paralleling in.
During daytime the tunnel lighting can be provided by solar power station and at night it is supplemented by electric lighting in the city.
The power plant has an annual generation capacity of up to 138,000 kwh, able to satisfy two thirds or more of the tunnel's power consumption.
By People's Daily Online
Chinese premier, U.N. chief meet on international issues
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met here Tuesday with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to discuss major international issues, including the world's economic and financial situation and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals .
Maintaining world peace and stability, safeguarding international economic and financial stability, and fulfilling theMDGs are three major issues the world is facing today, Wen said at the meeting.
"Poverty is a major factory for regional instability," Wen said, adding the newly-occurred turbulences in the international economic and financial situation, sharp increases in oil prices and food supply shortage have made things more difficult for the countries concerned.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao shakes hands with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York, the United States, Sept. 23, 2008.
The Chinese premier arrived in New York Tuesday morning for a three-day visit. He is scheduled to attend a high-level U.N. meeting for the MDGs on Thursday.
Wen said he hopes the U.N. meeting will arouse positive responses from around the world and will contribute to boosting fulfillment of the MDGs.
He reaffirmed that the Chinese government will continue to support the work of the U.N. chief, to abide by the purposes and the principles of the U.N. Charter and to play an active role in the U.N.
Expressing his gratitude to support that China has offered to him and the U.N., Ban spoke highly of the efforts that China has made in the work of disaster relief following the devastating earthquake hitting southwest China's Sichuan Province on May 12, and in successfully hosting the Beijing Olympics.
Wen's personal presence in the high-level U.N. meeting for the MDGs will be quite significant to the U.N. and other member states, the U.N. chief said, adding he is expecting Wen and leaders of other countries to share China's experience in realizing economic and social development and in fulfilling the MDGs at the meeting.
Earlier in the day, Wen met with New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.
Wen said as a U.S. economic, financial and cultural center, New York has always been in the forefront in the nongovernmental exchanges between the two countries.
Wen said he wishes the New York City will increase exchange and cooperation with China and continue to play an active role in promoting mutual understanding between the Chinese and American peoples and the development of China-U.S. relations.
Bloomberg said the New York City would like to have more contacts with Chinese cities.
Source: Xinhua
Maintaining world peace and stability, safeguarding international economic and financial stability, and fulfilling theMDGs are three major issues the world is facing today, Wen said at the meeting.
"Poverty is a major factory for regional instability," Wen said, adding the newly-occurred turbulences in the international economic and financial situation, sharp increases in oil prices and food supply shortage have made things more difficult for the countries concerned.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao shakes hands with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York, the United States, Sept. 23, 2008.
The Chinese premier arrived in New York Tuesday morning for a three-day visit. He is scheduled to attend a high-level U.N. meeting for the MDGs on Thursday.
Wen said he hopes the U.N. meeting will arouse positive responses from around the world and will contribute to boosting fulfillment of the MDGs.
He reaffirmed that the Chinese government will continue to support the work of the U.N. chief, to abide by the purposes and the principles of the U.N. Charter and to play an active role in the U.N.
Expressing his gratitude to support that China has offered to him and the U.N., Ban spoke highly of the efforts that China has made in the work of disaster relief following the devastating earthquake hitting southwest China's Sichuan Province on May 12, and in successfully hosting the Beijing Olympics.
Wen's personal presence in the high-level U.N. meeting for the MDGs will be quite significant to the U.N. and other member states, the U.N. chief said, adding he is expecting Wen and leaders of other countries to share China's experience in realizing economic and social development and in fulfilling the MDGs at the meeting.
Earlier in the day, Wen met with New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.
Wen said as a U.S. economic, financial and cultural center, New York has always been in the forefront in the nongovernmental exchanges between the two countries.
Wen said he wishes the New York City will increase exchange and cooperation with China and continue to play an active role in promoting mutual understanding between the Chinese and American peoples and the development of China-U.S. relations.
Bloomberg said the New York City would like to have more contacts with Chinese cities.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese senior legislator meets Japanese youth delegation
Zhou Tienong, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, the country's top legislative body, met with a Japanese youth delegation here on Wednesday.
The 30-member delegation, led by Koguchi Hikota, former vice president of Japan's Waseda University, was invited by the All-China Youth Federation to visit China from Sept. 9 to 27.
Beside the capital Beijing, the 18-day tour has also taken delegates to the southern Yunnan Province for a better understanding of the country and people.
Source: Xinhua
The 30-member delegation, led by Koguchi Hikota, former vice president of Japan's Waseda University, was invited by the All-China Youth Federation to visit China from Sept. 9 to 27.
Beside the capital Beijing, the 18-day tour has also taken delegates to the southern Yunnan Province for a better understanding of the country and people.
Source: Xinhua
State Councilor calls for anti-corruption efforts in universities
Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong on Wednesday asked universities and colleges to make further anti-corruption efforts and promote the scientific development of the country's higher education.
Liu, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told a working conference that with the rapid development of universities, the anti-corruption task in the higher educational field had become more arduous.
Statistics from the CPC's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection showed that 58 percent of corruption cases which occurred in universities were found in infrastructure construction, purchasing and financing departments.
More than 300 university and college presidents attended the conference on anti-corruption work in the field of higher education.
In recent years, China's educational institutions have seen a rise in the number of bribery and other scandals.
Corruption found in universities has accounted for one fourth of the total cases uncovered in the educational field, according to the discipline authority.
Liu stressed that university leaders should enhance management and tighten their regulation over school budgets, infrastructure construction, enrollment, purchasing and school-affiliated enterprises.
"School affairs should be open to all teachers and students. Corruption cases should be seriously dealt with and anti-graft education should be strengthened," she said.
Source: Xinhua
Liu, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told a working conference that with the rapid development of universities, the anti-corruption task in the higher educational field had become more arduous.
Statistics from the CPC's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection showed that 58 percent of corruption cases which occurred in universities were found in infrastructure construction, purchasing and financing departments.
More than 300 university and college presidents attended the conference on anti-corruption work in the field of higher education.
In recent years, China's educational institutions have seen a rise in the number of bribery and other scandals.
Corruption found in universities has accounted for one fourth of the total cases uncovered in the educational field, according to the discipline authority.
Liu stressed that university leaders should enhance management and tighten their regulation over school budgets, infrastructure construction, enrollment, purchasing and school-affiliated enterprises.
"School affairs should be open to all teachers and students. Corruption cases should be seriously dealt with and anti-graft education should be strengthened," she said.
Source: Xinhua
Senior Chinese legislator meets Tanzanian guests
Lu Yongxiang, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body, met in Beijing Wednesday with a delegation of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security Committee of Parliament of Tanzania led by Chairman Wilson M.Masilingi.
Source: Xinhua
Source: Xinhua
Three dead, two missing as Typhoon Hagupit hits south China
Three people died and two were missing as Typhoon Hagupit made landfall in south China's Guangdong Province early on Wednesday, local authorities said.
More than 4.94 million people in Maoming, Yangjiang, Zhuhai and Jiangmen cities were affected and 7,915 houses collapsed.
A Guangdong Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters official said 180,260 hectares of crops were affected and 38,980 ha were ruined.
He said 870 factories stopped production and 34 roads were cut off. In addition, 32 reservoirs and 287.8 km of dams were damaged. The direct economic loss was 5.45 billion yuan , he said.
Also, 99 hydro stations recorded more than 100 millimeters of rain and 258 stations recorded more than 50 mm of rain on Wednesday, he said.
Er Jingping, general secretary of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters and deputy head of the Water Resources Ministry, went to Guangdong to guide the rescue work on Wednesday morning.
The 14th strong typhoon of the year landed in Dianbai County in the city of Maoming at 6:45 a.m. with winds of more than 200 km per hour at its eye, the Guangdong Provincial Meteorological Bureau said.
Source: Xinhua
More than 4.94 million people in Maoming, Yangjiang, Zhuhai and Jiangmen cities were affected and 7,915 houses collapsed.
A Guangdong Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters official said 180,260 hectares of crops were affected and 38,980 ha were ruined.
He said 870 factories stopped production and 34 roads were cut off. In addition, 32 reservoirs and 287.8 km of dams were damaged. The direct economic loss was 5.45 billion yuan , he said.
Also, 99 hydro stations recorded more than 100 millimeters of rain and 258 stations recorded more than 50 mm of rain on Wednesday, he said.
Er Jingping, general secretary of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters and deputy head of the Water Resources Ministry, went to Guangdong to guide the rescue work on Wednesday morning.
The 14th strong typhoon of the year landed in Dianbai County in the city of Maoming at 6:45 a.m. with winds of more than 200 km per hour at its eye, the Guangdong Provincial Meteorological Bureau said.
Source: Xinhua
China's quake zone hit by downpours, with eight deaths, 38 missing
Eight people died and 38 were missing amid torrential rain in Mianyang, one of the cities that was hardest-hit by the May 12 earthquake, local authorities said on Wednesday.
More than 6,500 people were stranded by the downpour, which triggered landslides. More than 2,200 houses had collapsed and 8,500 were damaged, a Sichuan Provincial Emergency Office said.
Some pre-fabricated houses built after the quake and other residences were flooded in Jiangyou, Beichuan, Pingwu and Anxian, which are part of Mianyang. Parts of the communications and power networks were cut off in Jiangyou and Pingwu, he said.
He said 144,700 hectares of crops were affected and 20,000 ha were ruined. The direct economic loss was nearly 40 million yuan , he said.
Forecasters said the rain was expected to subside on Thursday.
The devastating quake has left 69,227 people dead, 17,923 missing and 374,643 injured in Sichuan and its neighboring regions.
Source: Xinhua
More than 6,500 people were stranded by the downpour, which triggered landslides. More than 2,200 houses had collapsed and 8,500 were damaged, a Sichuan Provincial Emergency Office said.
Some pre-fabricated houses built after the quake and other residences were flooded in Jiangyou, Beichuan, Pingwu and Anxian, which are part of Mianyang. Parts of the communications and power networks were cut off in Jiangyou and Pingwu, he said.
He said 144,700 hectares of crops were affected and 20,000 ha were ruined. The direct economic loss was nearly 40 million yuan , he said.
Forecasters said the rain was expected to subside on Thursday.
The devastating quake has left 69,227 people dead, 17,923 missing and 374,643 injured in Sichuan and its neighboring regions.
Source: Xinhua
Former U.S. astronaut: I wish China's first spacewalker best of luck
"I would like to wish China's first spacewalker the best of luck," former U.S. astronaut Winston Scott, who had three spacewalks in record, told Xinhua in a recent interview.
China will launch its third manned space flight -- Shenzhou-7 mission between Sept. 25 and Sept. 30. During this mission, Chinese astronauts will perform a spacewalk for the first time.
"He is going to have a fantastic experience. I would urge him to take the spacewalk tasks slowly and deliberately. He should relax and enjoy the experience," Scott said.
He said spacewalking is a very important activity. It allows astronauts to accomplish activities that could not otherwise be accomplished. "For example, we could not successfully build the current International Space Station if we could not perform spacewalks."
"Spacewalks allow us to test and evaluate many pieces of equipment, new procedures and techniques in the vacuum of space. Many of these tests could not be satisfactorily evaluated without spacewalks," he added.
Scott was an active NASA astronaut from 1992 to 1999. He flew on space shuttle mission STS-72 in 1996 and STS-87 in 1997, and altogether he conducted three spacewalks. "I conducted many tests of tools and equipment currently being used to construct the space station," he said.
"My first spacewalk was during STS-72. It lasted approximately six hours and 53 minutes," he recalled. "What impressed me most was the beauty of the universe. I could see the brightness of the Earth beneath me, the Earth in the distance and not right beneath my feet. It was a totally different view than what you get standing on the Earth's surface."
Also among the STS-72 crew was the famous Chinese-American astronaut Leroy Chiao. Scott and Chiao performed that spacewalk together, "Leroy was a great person to perform a spacewalk. He was very knowledgeable and very helpful. He was an experienced astronaut on STS-72 whereas I was inexperienced. I enjoyed working with him very much."
There are many differences between working inside and outside of the space shuttle. Scott said the biggest difference is the space suit. "Our space suits are big, bulky, and difficult to work in. The suit gloves are also bulky and make it difficult to conduct any fine small work with hands." However, inside the shuttle, "we can work in regular casual clothing."
The most difficult task occurred during STS-87 when he and his partner manually captured an errant satellite. "The satellite had malfunctioned and could not be captured with the space shuttle robot arm. Therefore we had to catch it by hand." Finally, the satellite was successfully retrieved and returned to the Earth.
Describing himself as a friend of Yang Liwei, China's first astronaut, Scott was greatly impressed by the Chinese astronauts. "I think the Chinese astronauts are excellent. They are highly selected, highly educated and trained professionals who will advance the Chinese space program greatly."
Scott hosted a reception in Florida for Yang and a Chinese space delegation in 2004 when he was the executive director of the Florida Space Authority.
He said he was amazed at the rapid speed in which the Chinese space program has progressed. "I applaud the people of China on such success and wish them continued success in space."
For spacewalking, Scott said, there are many technical challenges facing spacewalkers in the future. "Primary among them is safety. We must do what we can to ensure spacewalkers are not injured during spacewalks. We all must work to ensure that spacewalking equipment and suits continue to be advanced to provide greater comfort as well."
Scott said he certainly can envision a day "when we all will work closer together in the exploration of space. We can accomplish more working together than we ever could working apart."
Source: Xinhua
China will launch its third manned space flight -- Shenzhou-7 mission between Sept. 25 and Sept. 30. During this mission, Chinese astronauts will perform a spacewalk for the first time.
"He is going to have a fantastic experience. I would urge him to take the spacewalk tasks slowly and deliberately. He should relax and enjoy the experience," Scott said.
He said spacewalking is a very important activity. It allows astronauts to accomplish activities that could not otherwise be accomplished. "For example, we could not successfully build the current International Space Station if we could not perform spacewalks."
"Spacewalks allow us to test and evaluate many pieces of equipment, new procedures and techniques in the vacuum of space. Many of these tests could not be satisfactorily evaluated without spacewalks," he added.
Scott was an active NASA astronaut from 1992 to 1999. He flew on space shuttle mission STS-72 in 1996 and STS-87 in 1997, and altogether he conducted three spacewalks. "I conducted many tests of tools and equipment currently being used to construct the space station," he said.
"My first spacewalk was during STS-72. It lasted approximately six hours and 53 minutes," he recalled. "What impressed me most was the beauty of the universe. I could see the brightness of the Earth beneath me, the Earth in the distance and not right beneath my feet. It was a totally different view than what you get standing on the Earth's surface."
Also among the STS-72 crew was the famous Chinese-American astronaut Leroy Chiao. Scott and Chiao performed that spacewalk together, "Leroy was a great person to perform a spacewalk. He was very knowledgeable and very helpful. He was an experienced astronaut on STS-72 whereas I was inexperienced. I enjoyed working with him very much."
There are many differences between working inside and outside of the space shuttle. Scott said the biggest difference is the space suit. "Our space suits are big, bulky, and difficult to work in. The suit gloves are also bulky and make it difficult to conduct any fine small work with hands." However, inside the shuttle, "we can work in regular casual clothing."
The most difficult task occurred during STS-87 when he and his partner manually captured an errant satellite. "The satellite had malfunctioned and could not be captured with the space shuttle robot arm. Therefore we had to catch it by hand." Finally, the satellite was successfully retrieved and returned to the Earth.
Describing himself as a friend of Yang Liwei, China's first astronaut, Scott was greatly impressed by the Chinese astronauts. "I think the Chinese astronauts are excellent. They are highly selected, highly educated and trained professionals who will advance the Chinese space program greatly."
Scott hosted a reception in Florida for Yang and a Chinese space delegation in 2004 when he was the executive director of the Florida Space Authority.
He said he was amazed at the rapid speed in which the Chinese space program has progressed. "I applaud the people of China on such success and wish them continued success in space."
For spacewalking, Scott said, there are many technical challenges facing spacewalkers in the future. "Primary among them is safety. We must do what we can to ensure spacewalkers are not injured during spacewalks. We all must work to ensure that spacewalking equipment and suits continue to be advanced to provide greater comfort as well."
Scott said he certainly can envision a day "when we all will work closer together in the exploration of space. We can accomplish more working together than we ever could working apart."
Source: Xinhua
China congratulates Japan's Aso on becoming prime minister
China on Wednesday congratulated former Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso on being elected Japan's new prime minister.
"Premier Wen Jiabao has sent a congratulatory message to Japan's new Prime Minister Taro Aso," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in a statement.
Liu's comments came hours after Japan's Diet announced that Aso, chief of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, had been elected as the nation's new prime minister.
Stressing that China and Japan were important neighbors, Liu said it was in the fundamental interests of both nations and their citizens to maintain long-term, healthy and steady bilateral ties.
Sound China-Japan ties will also be of great significance to the peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and the world, the spokesman said.
Liu said China would like to make concerted efforts with Japan's new cabinet and fully advance a bilateral, mutually-beneficial strategic partnership.
Source: Xinhua
"Premier Wen Jiabao has sent a congratulatory message to Japan's new Prime Minister Taro Aso," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in a statement.
Liu's comments came hours after Japan's Diet announced that Aso, chief of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, had been elected as the nation's new prime minister.
Stressing that China and Japan were important neighbors, Liu said it was in the fundamental interests of both nations and their citizens to maintain long-term, healthy and steady bilateral ties.
Sound China-Japan ties will also be of great significance to the peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and the world, the spokesman said.
Liu said China would like to make concerted efforts with Japan's new cabinet and fully advance a bilateral, mutually-beneficial strategic partnership.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese premier congratulates Aso on becoming Japanese PM
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday extended his congratulations to newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso.
China and Japan are close neighbors and important nations in Asia and the world, Wen said in his congratulatory message to Aso.
Wen arrived in New York Tuesday morning to attend several United Nations meetings.
The development of stable and good-neighborly Sino-Japan ties is not only in keeping with the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, but also conducive to the peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and the world, the Chinese leader said.
Wen expressed hope that both sides would make concerted efforts to advance the development of the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between China and Japan.
Also on Wednesday, China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi sent a congratulatory message to Hirofumi Nakasone who has been appointed foreign minister in Japan's new cabinet.
Japan's legislature, the Diet, announced Wednesday that ruling Liberal Democratic Party chief Aso had been elected the nation's new prime minister.
Source: Xinhua
China and Japan are close neighbors and important nations in Asia and the world, Wen said in his congratulatory message to Aso.
Wen arrived in New York Tuesday morning to attend several United Nations meetings.
The development of stable and good-neighborly Sino-Japan ties is not only in keeping with the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, but also conducive to the peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and the world, the Chinese leader said.
Wen expressed hope that both sides would make concerted efforts to advance the development of the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between China and Japan.
Also on Wednesday, China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi sent a congratulatory message to Hirofumi Nakasone who has been appointed foreign minister in Japan's new cabinet.
Japan's legislature, the Diet, announced Wednesday that ruling Liberal Democratic Party chief Aso had been elected the nation's new prime minister.
Source: Xinhua
Typhoon Hagupit leaves Macao in tatters
The tropical cyclone Hagupit which swept away from Macao on Wednesday morning caused much damage to the city's infrastructures and rendered local streets waterlogged.
The storm brought heavy showers and strong winds, flooding many low-lying districts of the city and battering roadside trees and public facilities. Some 2,000 residences and shops were affected when power supply failure occurred in the waterlogged Inner Harbor district, the city's power supplier CEM said. The power supply recovered Wednesday afternoon.
Even six sets of the city's traffic lights broke down after the cyclone swept the city, and the police were seen to direct traffic in some busy crossing points so as to avoid turmoil on the road.
The severe storm also caused 218 maritime, building and road accidents, which saw five people injured, according to the city's Civil Defense Center.
After moving the closest to Macao last night, Hagupit made landfall on China's southern coastal province Guangdong early this morning. The Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau lowered the gale signal No. 8, which was hoisted last night, at 9:30 p.m. and all signals were lowered in the afternoon.
Source: Xinhua
The storm brought heavy showers and strong winds, flooding many low-lying districts of the city and battering roadside trees and public facilities. Some 2,000 residences and shops were affected when power supply failure occurred in the waterlogged Inner Harbor district, the city's power supplier CEM said. The power supply recovered Wednesday afternoon.
Even six sets of the city's traffic lights broke down after the cyclone swept the city, and the police were seen to direct traffic in some busy crossing points so as to avoid turmoil on the road.
The severe storm also caused 218 maritime, building and road accidents, which saw five people injured, according to the city's Civil Defense Center.
After moving the closest to Macao last night, Hagupit made landfall on China's southern coastal province Guangdong early this morning. The Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau lowered the gale signal No. 8, which was hoisted last night, at 9:30 p.m. and all signals were lowered in the afternoon.
Source: Xinhua
HK stocks plunge 3.97% on Wall Street fall
Hong Kong stocks plunged 759.35points, or 3.87 percent, to close at 18,872.85 on Tuesday, on overnight slump in the Wall Street and a weak mainland market.
Turnover fell to 64.37 billion HK dollars from Monday's 91.63 billion HK dollars .
Analysts said trading activity dived as many investors chose to stay on the sidelines to reduce their exposure to the volatile market. Many said they expect the weak U.S. and Chinese equities markets to weigh on Hong Kong's blue-chip index in the near term.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 372.75 points, or 3.27 percent, to 11,015.69 Monday, wiping out its Friday gains, as investors worried that a 700 billion U.S. dollars bailout for the financial sector may not resuscitate a slumping economy.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers A and B shares, was down 34.90 points at 2,201.51. The key index surged 18.0 percent in the previous two sessions after the Chinese government released a package of measures to bolster the market.
Hong Kong property companies led Tuesday's decline on profit-taking after the Hang Seng property sub-index advanced 8 percent in the previous two trading sessions. The sub-index ended down 5.8 percent at 21,286.42. Li Ka-shing's property flagship, Cheung Kong, ended down 5.7 percent and Sun Hung Kai Properties slid 5.9 percent.
Heavyweight HSBC Holdings was down 2.06 percent and China Mobile down 4.17 per cent.
China Mengniu Dairy plunged 60 percent to 7.95 HK dollars after resuming trade Tuesday, after having been suspended for nearly a week amid the Chinese government's investigation into melamine-tainted milk products.
The three mainland insurers moved lower across the board as mainland stock markets weakened. China Life was down 5.13 percent, Ping An down 5.99 percent and PICC P&C down 6.7 percent.
The mainland banks declined comprehensively. CCB, ICBC and Bank of China slid 3.66 percent, 3.92 percent and 4.51 percent respectively.
Share prices of local banks also dived. Hang Seng Bank was down2.05 percent, Bank of East Asia down 4.09 percent, BOC HK down 5.4percent and StanChart down 4.46 per cent.
Despite the rise of oil prices, CNOOC, the largest offshore oil producer in the mainland, was down 2.62 percent, while PetroChina,the largest oil firm in the mainland, was down 3.69 percent. Sinopec Corp, the largest oil refiner in the mainland was down 5.54 percent.
Source:Xinhua
Turnover fell to 64.37 billion HK dollars from Monday's 91.63 billion HK dollars .
Analysts said trading activity dived as many investors chose to stay on the sidelines to reduce their exposure to the volatile market. Many said they expect the weak U.S. and Chinese equities markets to weigh on Hong Kong's blue-chip index in the near term.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 372.75 points, or 3.27 percent, to 11,015.69 Monday, wiping out its Friday gains, as investors worried that a 700 billion U.S. dollars bailout for the financial sector may not resuscitate a slumping economy.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers A and B shares, was down 34.90 points at 2,201.51. The key index surged 18.0 percent in the previous two sessions after the Chinese government released a package of measures to bolster the market.
Hong Kong property companies led Tuesday's decline on profit-taking after the Hang Seng property sub-index advanced 8 percent in the previous two trading sessions. The sub-index ended down 5.8 percent at 21,286.42. Li Ka-shing's property flagship, Cheung Kong, ended down 5.7 percent and Sun Hung Kai Properties slid 5.9 percent.
Heavyweight HSBC Holdings was down 2.06 percent and China Mobile down 4.17 per cent.
China Mengniu Dairy plunged 60 percent to 7.95 HK dollars after resuming trade Tuesday, after having been suspended for nearly a week amid the Chinese government's investigation into melamine-tainted milk products.
The three mainland insurers moved lower across the board as mainland stock markets weakened. China Life was down 5.13 percent, Ping An down 5.99 percent and PICC P&C down 6.7 percent.
The mainland banks declined comprehensively. CCB, ICBC and Bank of China slid 3.66 percent, 3.92 percent and 4.51 percent respectively.
Share prices of local banks also dived. Hang Seng Bank was down2.05 percent, Bank of East Asia down 4.09 percent, BOC HK down 5.4percent and StanChart down 4.46 per cent.
Despite the rise of oil prices, CNOOC, the largest offshore oil producer in the mainland, was down 2.62 percent, while PetroChina,the largest oil firm in the mainland, was down 3.69 percent. Sinopec Corp, the largest oil refiner in the mainland was down 5.54 percent.
Source:Xinhua
China issues new rule to better protect rights of illegally adopted children
China has issued a new policy guideline that will ease the law on illegal adoption and better protect rights of the adopted children, China Daily reported Wednesday.
The legal rights of these children are currently not guaranteed such as permanent residence of a city, schooling and inheritance.
The guideline, jointly issued by five ministries and made public on Monday, allows people to register their illegally adopted children without fear of punishment.
Ji Gang, director of the China Center of Adoption Affairs, said the number of illegal adoptions has been increasing rapidly in recent years.
"In less developed areas, the number of unregistered adoptions can be two or three times more than registered ones," he said. "In big cities where people have a better knowledge of the law, the number of unregistered adoptions is fewer."
Shanghai, for example, between 1992 and 2000, had more than 7,000 registered adoptions and about 4,000 unregistered ones.
Ji said China has more than 20,000 registered adoptions every year.
To adopt a child legally in China, a person must be more than 30 years old, healthy, childless and with a good and steady income.
Those seeking registration under the new guideline will be exempt from these requirements except in the case where a single male parent is not more than 40 years older than the girl he has adopted.
If this is not the case, the man will be persuaded to surrender the child to a children's welfare institute.
The guideline also requires anyone who finds abandoned babies to hand them over to police in the first instance.
If the police fail to find their biological parents, the children will be handed over to local children's welfare institutions.
If people who find such babies meet the necessary requirements and want to adopt them, they will be given first priority.
"It means you can not take an abandoned baby home and then apply for adoption. They must be handed over to the authorities first," Ji said.
He said the guideline will help in the fight against trafficking of infants and children.
Source:Xinhua
The legal rights of these children are currently not guaranteed such as permanent residence of a city, schooling and inheritance.
The guideline, jointly issued by five ministries and made public on Monday, allows people to register their illegally adopted children without fear of punishment.
Ji Gang, director of the China Center of Adoption Affairs, said the number of illegal adoptions has been increasing rapidly in recent years.
"In less developed areas, the number of unregistered adoptions can be two or three times more than registered ones," he said. "In big cities where people have a better knowledge of the law, the number of unregistered adoptions is fewer."
Shanghai, for example, between 1992 and 2000, had more than 7,000 registered adoptions and about 4,000 unregistered ones.
Ji said China has more than 20,000 registered adoptions every year.
To adopt a child legally in China, a person must be more than 30 years old, healthy, childless and with a good and steady income.
Those seeking registration under the new guideline will be exempt from these requirements except in the case where a single male parent is not more than 40 years older than the girl he has adopted.
If this is not the case, the man will be persuaded to surrender the child to a children's welfare institute.
The guideline also requires anyone who finds abandoned babies to hand them over to police in the first instance.
If the police fail to find their biological parents, the children will be handed over to local children's welfare institutions.
If people who find such babies meet the necessary requirements and want to adopt them, they will be given first priority.
"It means you can not take an abandoned baby home and then apply for adoption. They must be handed over to the authorities first," Ji said.
He said the guideline will help in the fight against trafficking of infants and children.
Source:Xinhua
Sichuan to host first post-quake int'l investment, trade fair
China's southwestern Sichuan Province is to host the first international investment and trade fair from Oct. 27 to 31 since it was hit by an 8-magnitude earthquake last May.
A total of 208 companies from 13 countries and regions, including the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Thailand, the Republic of Korea and Malaysia, will participate in the event, Huang Xiaoxiang, vice governor of Sichuan, said on Tuesday.
The fair provided projects of investment in the fields of new and high-technology, natural resources development, modern agriculture, cultural and tourism development, infrastructure and service trade.
Huang said post-quake reconstruction projects would be an important part of the event, which was previously scheduled to run from May 25 to May 30.
Investors from home and abroad were welcome to invest in 591 reconstruction projects involving 250 billion yuan.
Source:Xinhua
A total of 208 companies from 13 countries and regions, including the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Thailand, the Republic of Korea and Malaysia, will participate in the event, Huang Xiaoxiang, vice governor of Sichuan, said on Tuesday.
The fair provided projects of investment in the fields of new and high-technology, natural resources development, modern agriculture, cultural and tourism development, infrastructure and service trade.
Huang said post-quake reconstruction projects would be an important part of the event, which was previously scheduled to run from May 25 to May 30.
Investors from home and abroad were welcome to invest in 591 reconstruction projects involving 250 billion yuan.
Source:Xinhua
China Huijin increases stake in three top commercial lenders
Chinese three largest commercial banks announced Tuesday that Central Huijin Investment Co., Ltd., an investment arm of the government, had increased its shareholdings of the three banks.
According to announcements released by the banks on Tuesday evening, Huijin has increased shareholdings of 2 million shares for each bank through shares purchase on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
China Construction Bank said that following the acquisition, Huijin holds 152,844,297,904 shares of the CCB , representing approximately 65.405 percent, up from 65.4041 percent, of the total issued share capital of the bank.
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China said Huijin now holds 118,008,174,032 shares in the bank after the acquisition, increasing its stake in the country's top lender from 35.3292 percent to 35.3298 percent.
The Bank of China said the government investment arm now holds 171,327,404,740 shares in the bank after the purchase, increasing its stake from 67.4937 percent to 67.4945 percent.
It is one of a package of moves by the government to stabilize the sliding stock market, including the recent cancellation of the stamp tax on stock purchases.
Huijin intends to continue to increase its shareholdings in the three banks on the secondary market within 12 months commencing from the date of this share acquisition, according to the banks' announcements.
Source:Xinhua
According to announcements released by the banks on Tuesday evening, Huijin has increased shareholdings of 2 million shares for each bank through shares purchase on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
China Construction Bank said that following the acquisition, Huijin holds 152,844,297,904 shares of the CCB , representing approximately 65.405 percent, up from 65.4041 percent, of the total issued share capital of the bank.
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China said Huijin now holds 118,008,174,032 shares in the bank after the acquisition, increasing its stake in the country's top lender from 35.3292 percent to 35.3298 percent.
The Bank of China said the government investment arm now holds 171,327,404,740 shares in the bank after the purchase, increasing its stake from 67.4937 percent to 67.4945 percent.
It is one of a package of moves by the government to stabilize the sliding stock market, including the recent cancellation of the stamp tax on stock purchases.
Huijin intends to continue to increase its shareholdings in the three banks on the secondary market within 12 months commencing from the date of this share acquisition, according to the banks' announcements.
Source:Xinhua
Federation: Chinese women play more important role in politics
Chinese women have played an important role in politics as the number and proportion of female cadres are at "historic" levels, an official of the All-China Women's Federation said on Wednesday.
Huang Qingyi, vice president of the federation, told a press conference before the Tenth National Women's Congress, which will be held from Oct. 28 to 31, that there are eight female senior officials of the central authorities.
They are Liu Yandong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and state councilor; Uyunqimg, Chen Zhili and Yan Junqi, vice chairwomen of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress , China's top legislature; and Zhang Meiying, Zhang Rongming, Lin Wenyi and Wang Zhizhen, vice chairwomen of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference .
Five years ago, before the Ninth National Women's Congress, the number was seven.
Huang said there are more than 230 female ministerial or provincial officials.
Female deputies comprise 21.33 percent of the current 11th NPC, an increase of 1.09 percentage points from the previous congress, and women account for 17.7 percent in the National Committee of the 11th CPPCC, up 1 percentage points, according to Huang.
Female officials account for more than 40 percent of all officials, Huang said.
The numbers and proportions are at historically high levels, she added.
Source: Xinhua
Huang Qingyi, vice president of the federation, told a press conference before the Tenth National Women's Congress, which will be held from Oct. 28 to 31, that there are eight female senior officials of the central authorities.
They are Liu Yandong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and state councilor; Uyunqimg, Chen Zhili and Yan Junqi, vice chairwomen of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress , China's top legislature; and Zhang Meiying, Zhang Rongming, Lin Wenyi and Wang Zhizhen, vice chairwomen of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference .
Five years ago, before the Ninth National Women's Congress, the number was seven.
Huang said there are more than 230 female ministerial or provincial officials.
Female deputies comprise 21.33 percent of the current 11th NPC, an increase of 1.09 percentage points from the previous congress, and women account for 17.7 percent in the National Committee of the 11th CPPCC, up 1 percentage points, according to Huang.
Female officials account for more than 40 percent of all officials, Huang said.
The numbers and proportions are at historically high levels, she added.
Source: Xinhua
Cheng Siwei: China should promote market-based interest, exchange rates reforms
China should push ahead with reforms in setting market-based interest rate and exchange rate, Cheng Siwei, former vice-chairman of the standing committee of the National People's Congress, said Tuesday.
China took a step further in allowing the exchange rate to reflect market in July 2005 when it scrapped the yuan-U.S. dollar peg and let the rate be set in reference to a basket of currencies, Cheng addressed a finance forum hosted by leading web portal Sina.com in Beijing.
The yuan has gained almost 20 percent against the basket of currencies over the past more than three years, according to him.
"The exchange rate should float in a managed target range," said the renowned economist." If it floated in the target range, there shouldn't be excessive intervention. But if exceeded the range, the central bank should take proper measures."
"It's just a matter of time for the yuan to become fully convertible. Although there is no timetable, but I think the day wouldn't be far away," he added.
The deposit and lending rates should be adjusted to reflect market and be allowed some room for floating according to different risks and transaction costs, Cheng noted.
This is key to help get easier credit for farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises, he stated.
More private and foreign capital should be encouraged to make investments in the local financial institutions, Cheng said.
"Should there be more market players, we can better improve our financial system," he said, although admitting there sometimes should be ceiling on the investment for national security concerns.
Cheng called to establish a multi-layered financial market. "The securities market has already had a certain scale, but the bond market is far from developed."
"The bond market, forex market and futures market should be developed, and so should be the financial futures and stock index futures," he said.
"Of course, we need to be very careful to guard against excessive speculation and potential risks in the development stages."
Source:Xinhua
China took a step further in allowing the exchange rate to reflect market in July 2005 when it scrapped the yuan-U.S. dollar peg and let the rate be set in reference to a basket of currencies, Cheng addressed a finance forum hosted by leading web portal Sina.com in Beijing.
The yuan has gained almost 20 percent against the basket of currencies over the past more than three years, according to him.
"The exchange rate should float in a managed target range," said the renowned economist." If it floated in the target range, there shouldn't be excessive intervention. But if exceeded the range, the central bank should take proper measures."
"It's just a matter of time for the yuan to become fully convertible. Although there is no timetable, but I think the day wouldn't be far away," he added.
The deposit and lending rates should be adjusted to reflect market and be allowed some room for floating according to different risks and transaction costs, Cheng noted.
This is key to help get easier credit for farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises, he stated.
More private and foreign capital should be encouraged to make investments in the local financial institutions, Cheng said.
"Should there be more market players, we can better improve our financial system," he said, although admitting there sometimes should be ceiling on the investment for national security concerns.
Cheng called to establish a multi-layered financial market. "The securities market has already had a certain scale, but the bond market is far from developed."
"The bond market, forex market and futures market should be developed, and so should be the financial futures and stock index futures," he said.
"Of course, we need to be very careful to guard against excessive speculation and potential risks in the development stages."
Source:Xinhua
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