In the wake of the tainted milk powder case, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao pledged on Saturday his government would work hard to make sure that the country produces safe products for both its people and the rest of the world.
"The incident is not over yet ... My government and I will lead our people through this hard journey," said Wen during a question and answer session at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Davos forum in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Saturday afternoon.
"It's not just food or dairy ... We will make the entire 'Made in China' worry-free and reputable products for both the Chinese and the people across the world," said the premier.
As for the tainted milk power incident, Wen said the case not only indicated the country was still weak in production monitoring process, but also reminded the government to attach great importance to enterprises morality, business ethics, and social conscience.
Meanwhile, he made a promise that China will accelerate its pace in upgrading the country's food production industry.
China's food quality has been severely criticized recently, as more than 6,200 infants have developed kidney stones and four were killed after drinking baby formula tainted with melamine. The chemical, which was added illegally, makes the protein content of milk appear higher than it actually is.
After the well-known Sanlu formula's problem exposure, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine conducted a nationwide examination of baby milk powder to find 22 companies whose formulas were tainted.
"China did not intend to cover the truth when the incident happened. Instead, it faced frankly and bravely tried to solve the problem. I believe we will not disappoint the entrepreneurs here, as well as our people and people in the rest of the world," said Wen.
The premier said he was very much moved when he saw in TV Mandelson drink a cup of Chinese milk yesterday to show his trust for made-in-China products. "It is because he not only sees the current days, but the future."
Source: Xinhua
Monday, September 29, 2008
China confident of continued growth as global business elites meet in Tianjin amid financial woes
Though faced with "the most difficult year" for its economy, China on Saturday showed a strong confidence in its sustained, rapid growth, with Premier Wen Jiabao telling a top-grade world economic forum that his country enjoys a favorable development environment as a whole.
"We have full confidence and capability to overcome various difficulties to ensure sound and fast growth of the national economy for an even longer period of time," said the premier while addressing the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Davos forum in Tianjin on Saturday afternoon.
And such a growth will be China's "greatest contribution" to the world economy under the current circumstances, said Wen during a brief question and answer session that followed his speech.
The two-day forum, also known as the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2008, has drawn some 1,400 participants from nearly 90 countries and regions, most of whom are successful entrepreneurs and high-ranking government officials.
The meeting, second of its kind sponsored by the prestigious World Economic Forum, took place at a difficult time for the world economy, as a financial storm starting from the Wall Street rocked the globe and triggered widespread worries about economic slowdown or even depression.
"It has been an extraordinary few weeks on the financial markets, weeks with consequences across the global economy," said European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, who is also in this north China metropolis to attend the forum, on Friday in a speech to the local European business people.
The costs of this crisis will be felt by all countries, including China through changing stock market sentiment, falling inward investment and a fall in export demand tied to falling consumer spending in Europe and the US, said Mandelson.
The Chinese premier also observed that the world economic environment is getting "tougher and more complex," with "exacerbated financial volatility" and "notable economic slowdown."
And this is just one of many "considerable difficulties" faced by the country, which also needs to address other prominent problems such as domestic price rises, a weak agriculture, energy and resources constraint, poor business management, and hidden problems in the financial sector.
"As I said earlier in the year, 2008 could be the most difficult year for China's economy," said Wen, who also cited natural calamities that struck the country in a row, including heavy snow and sleet storms in January and February and a devastating earthquake in May.
Nevertheless, he stressed that "the economic fundamentals in China remain unchanged" and the economy "is moving in the direction envisaged in the macro-economic control policy."
He listed out "many favorable conditions" for China to maintain its growth, including the rapid industrialization and urbanization process, abundant supply of labor and capital, huge potential of increased domestic consumption and investment demands, a vast domestic market, and improved ability of macroeconomic regulation.
But most of all, the premier's confidence derives from China's adoption of a correct development course, as reflected in the title of his speech: "Reform and Opening-up -- the Eternal Driving Force for China's Development."
"China's changes over the past three decades would not have been possible without reform and opening-up... Reform and opening-up must be carried on through the entire process of China's modernization drive," said Wen.
The fundamental solution to all problems China now faces, including unbalanced growth, pollution and corruption, lies in deepened reform, he stressed.
Applause burst out from time to time in the full-packed Plenary Hall of the Binhai International Convention & Exhibition Center, the meeting's venue, as the participants expressed their approval of Wen's words.
Many of them have come with the hope of finding a platform to pool the wisdom of business leaders and economic masterminds worldwide, to evaluate the impact of the current crisis and propose possible ways out.
They are also interested in what China will do in the face of the crisis, and whether the country could repeat its success in handling the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
"A crisis is often totally unexpected, and it always strikes at the most unlikely links," said veteran Chinese investor Wu Ying. "That's why we are here -- to react to the crisis with innovative methods and approaches of imaginative power."
Asked about his prescription for the current crisis, the Chinese premier emphasized international cooperation and -- more importantly -- confidence, on the parts of economists, entrepreneurs, the public and the state leaders. "At this moment, confidence is even more precious than gold or any currencies," he said.
And some key participants of the forum share China's confidence. Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, predicted on Friday that the world economy will see a slowdown in growth in the next one to three years, but China will remain the fastest-growing economy with a growth rate of seven to eight percent.
Founded four years ago for growing enterprises, even though some of them were just of medium or small size, the forum of the new champions has picked "The Next Wave of Growth" as the theme for the Tianjin meeting.
In the context of the financial woes, this theme appears even more significant, as many people have started to view the new businesses, whose growth is often driven by inspiration and innovation, as a major leading force of the global economic revival.
And more attention was paid to the emerging economies like Brazil, Russia, India and China.
The infrastructure improvement in the developing nations has given them more opportunities to embrace new technologies and the new economy, such as bio-techs, which will bring new growth, said Peer M. Schatz, chief executive officer of Germany's Qiagen company.
"These young companies have the potential to list among the Fortune 500 in next five to ten years," said Schwab of the more than 200 new champion companies that have come to the Tianjin forum.
And according to Premier Wen, China is ready to share its development opportunities with these new businesses, and Tianjin, designed to be "the economic center in north China" in the country's development blueprint, could be a perfect starting ground.
"Many of you are from growing enterprises that are most dynamic, competitive and full of development potential. You are welcome to invest in China, to start businesses in Tianjin and to seize the opportunity and pursue greater development," Wen told the forum participants at the opening ceremony.
Source: Xinhua
"We have full confidence and capability to overcome various difficulties to ensure sound and fast growth of the national economy for an even longer period of time," said the premier while addressing the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Davos forum in Tianjin on Saturday afternoon.
And such a growth will be China's "greatest contribution" to the world economy under the current circumstances, said Wen during a brief question and answer session that followed his speech.
The two-day forum, also known as the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2008, has drawn some 1,400 participants from nearly 90 countries and regions, most of whom are successful entrepreneurs and high-ranking government officials.
The meeting, second of its kind sponsored by the prestigious World Economic Forum, took place at a difficult time for the world economy, as a financial storm starting from the Wall Street rocked the globe and triggered widespread worries about economic slowdown or even depression.
"It has been an extraordinary few weeks on the financial markets, weeks with consequences across the global economy," said European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, who is also in this north China metropolis to attend the forum, on Friday in a speech to the local European business people.
The costs of this crisis will be felt by all countries, including China through changing stock market sentiment, falling inward investment and a fall in export demand tied to falling consumer spending in Europe and the US, said Mandelson.
The Chinese premier also observed that the world economic environment is getting "tougher and more complex," with "exacerbated financial volatility" and "notable economic slowdown."
And this is just one of many "considerable difficulties" faced by the country, which also needs to address other prominent problems such as domestic price rises, a weak agriculture, energy and resources constraint, poor business management, and hidden problems in the financial sector.
"As I said earlier in the year, 2008 could be the most difficult year for China's economy," said Wen, who also cited natural calamities that struck the country in a row, including heavy snow and sleet storms in January and February and a devastating earthquake in May.
Nevertheless, he stressed that "the economic fundamentals in China remain unchanged" and the economy "is moving in the direction envisaged in the macro-economic control policy."
He listed out "many favorable conditions" for China to maintain its growth, including the rapid industrialization and urbanization process, abundant supply of labor and capital, huge potential of increased domestic consumption and investment demands, a vast domestic market, and improved ability of macroeconomic regulation.
But most of all, the premier's confidence derives from China's adoption of a correct development course, as reflected in the title of his speech: "Reform and Opening-up -- the Eternal Driving Force for China's Development."
"China's changes over the past three decades would not have been possible without reform and opening-up... Reform and opening-up must be carried on through the entire process of China's modernization drive," said Wen.
The fundamental solution to all problems China now faces, including unbalanced growth, pollution and corruption, lies in deepened reform, he stressed.
Applause burst out from time to time in the full-packed Plenary Hall of the Binhai International Convention & Exhibition Center, the meeting's venue, as the participants expressed their approval of Wen's words.
Many of them have come with the hope of finding a platform to pool the wisdom of business leaders and economic masterminds worldwide, to evaluate the impact of the current crisis and propose possible ways out.
They are also interested in what China will do in the face of the crisis, and whether the country could repeat its success in handling the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
"A crisis is often totally unexpected, and it always strikes at the most unlikely links," said veteran Chinese investor Wu Ying. "That's why we are here -- to react to the crisis with innovative methods and approaches of imaginative power."
Asked about his prescription for the current crisis, the Chinese premier emphasized international cooperation and -- more importantly -- confidence, on the parts of economists, entrepreneurs, the public and the state leaders. "At this moment, confidence is even more precious than gold or any currencies," he said.
And some key participants of the forum share China's confidence. Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, predicted on Friday that the world economy will see a slowdown in growth in the next one to three years, but China will remain the fastest-growing economy with a growth rate of seven to eight percent.
Founded four years ago for growing enterprises, even though some of them were just of medium or small size, the forum of the new champions has picked "The Next Wave of Growth" as the theme for the Tianjin meeting.
In the context of the financial woes, this theme appears even more significant, as many people have started to view the new businesses, whose growth is often driven by inspiration and innovation, as a major leading force of the global economic revival.
And more attention was paid to the emerging economies like Brazil, Russia, India and China.
The infrastructure improvement in the developing nations has given them more opportunities to embrace new technologies and the new economy, such as bio-techs, which will bring new growth, said Peer M. Schatz, chief executive officer of Germany's Qiagen company.
"These young companies have the potential to list among the Fortune 500 in next five to ten years," said Schwab of the more than 200 new champion companies that have come to the Tianjin forum.
And according to Premier Wen, China is ready to share its development opportunities with these new businesses, and Tianjin, designed to be "the economic center in north China" in the country's development blueprint, could be a perfect starting ground.
"Many of you are from growing enterprises that are most dynamic, competitive and full of development potential. You are welcome to invest in China, to start businesses in Tianjin and to seize the opportunity and pursue greater development," Wen told the forum participants at the opening ceremony.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese VP pledges support for overseas Chinese entrepreneurs
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Saturday asked government departments to protect legitimate interests of overseas Chinese entrepreneurs and create favorable conditions for their investment.
Xi made the remarks here when meeting with representatives of the China Federation of Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs.
He said overseas Chinese have made great contributions to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics.
As China continues economic reform, more overseas Chinese entrepreneurs are coming back to the country with increased investment, he said, adding that investment has become an important part of China's economy.
Source: Xinhua
Xi made the remarks here when meeting with representatives of the China Federation of Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs.
He said overseas Chinese have made great contributions to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics.
As China continues economic reform, more overseas Chinese entrepreneurs are coming back to the country with increased investment, he said, adding that investment has become an important part of China's economy.
Source: Xinhua
Former senior Chinese leader Han Guang dies at 96
Han Guang, former executive secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, died at the age of 96.
An official statement said he died of illness at 5:06 a.m. on Saturday in Beijing.
It described Han as "an outstanding CPC member, a long-tested and loyal Communist fighter, a proletarian revolutionary and an outstanding leader in CPC discipline inspection battlefront".
Source: Xinhua
An official statement said he died of illness at 5:06 a.m. on Saturday in Beijing.
It described Han as "an outstanding CPC member, a long-tested and loyal Communist fighter, a proletarian revolutionary and an outstanding leader in CPC discipline inspection battlefront".
Source: Xinhua
Former senior Chinese leader Han Guang dies at 96
Han Guang, former executive secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, died at the age of 96.
An official statement said he died of illness at 5:06 a.m. on Saturday in Beijing.
It described Han as "an outstanding CPC member, a long-tested and loyal Communist fighter, a proletarian revolutionary and an outstanding leader in CPC discipline inspection battlefront".
Source: Xinhua
An official statement said he died of illness at 5:06 a.m. on Saturday in Beijing.
It described Han as "an outstanding CPC member, a long-tested and loyal Communist fighter, a proletarian revolutionary and an outstanding leader in CPC discipline inspection battlefront".
Source: Xinhua
Vice Minister of Agriculture: China, India not to blame for grain crisis
It is wrong to blame developing nations, China and India for the current global grain crisis.
Niu Dun, vice minister of agriculture, made those remarks Saturday at a seminar on grain security at the ongoing 2008 Summer Davos Forum held in this northern metropolis.
He said an energy shortage and cost increases for agricultural production are the root factors behind the grain shortage.
Developing economies, which include China, have recorded significant deficit in world farm produce trade and increasing export costs. As a result, agricultural production has been adversely affected and farmers incomes squeezed in these nations and regions.
Besides, Niu added, climate changes worldwide caused by the industrialization also impacted global agricultural production.
He noted that the impact of bio-energy development on agriculture should also not be ignored.
The Chinese Government disapproves of producing bio-fuels with maize, soybean and other cereal crops as raw materials.
However, China encourages agricultural wastes and some natural resources to be fully used to produce bio-fuels but not at the expense of forests, rain forests and the ecological system at large, Niu added.
But according to Niu, the nation will not achieve energy security at the cost of grain security.
In rural areas, China makes use of stalks, animal excrement, agricultural wastes and domestic sewage to generate electricity.
Meanwhile, clover and sugar cane have been grown for bio-fuel production, Niu said.
Such renewable energy projects as small hydro power, wind power and solar power plants are being built nationwide, he added.
As a beneficiary of international grain aid 30 years ago, China now exports up to 20 million tons of grain every year, Niu pointed out.
More than 1,500 entrepreneurs, politicians and scholars from 90-plus nations and regions attended the 2008 Summer Davos meeting which was scheduled to be held from Sept. 27 to 28.
Source: Xinhua
Niu Dun, vice minister of agriculture, made those remarks Saturday at a seminar on grain security at the ongoing 2008 Summer Davos Forum held in this northern metropolis.
He said an energy shortage and cost increases for agricultural production are the root factors behind the grain shortage.
Developing economies, which include China, have recorded significant deficit in world farm produce trade and increasing export costs. As a result, agricultural production has been adversely affected and farmers incomes squeezed in these nations and regions.
Besides, Niu added, climate changes worldwide caused by the industrialization also impacted global agricultural production.
He noted that the impact of bio-energy development on agriculture should also not be ignored.
The Chinese Government disapproves of producing bio-fuels with maize, soybean and other cereal crops as raw materials.
However, China encourages agricultural wastes and some natural resources to be fully used to produce bio-fuels but not at the expense of forests, rain forests and the ecological system at large, Niu added.
But according to Niu, the nation will not achieve energy security at the cost of grain security.
In rural areas, China makes use of stalks, animal excrement, agricultural wastes and domestic sewage to generate electricity.
Meanwhile, clover and sugar cane have been grown for bio-fuel production, Niu said.
Such renewable energy projects as small hydro power, wind power and solar power plants are being built nationwide, he added.
As a beneficiary of international grain aid 30 years ago, China now exports up to 20 million tons of grain every year, Niu pointed out.
More than 1,500 entrepreneurs, politicians and scholars from 90-plus nations and regions attended the 2008 Summer Davos meeting which was scheduled to be held from Sept. 27 to 28.
Source: Xinhua
Senior Chinese official: role models needed to promote socialism
Liu Yunshan, a senior official of the Communist Party of China , said on Saturday that more theorists, journalists, publishers and artists should be fostered for better publicity of the socialist ideology and culture.
Outstanding talents in these fields should be promoted to important posts so they can make greater contributions, said Liu, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.
He made the remarks during a week long seminar which finished in Beijing on Saturday.
The CPC initiated a project five years ago to promote public awareness of the socialist culture and ideology.
Outstanding journalists, for example, should be able to uphold "correct guidance of public opinion" while reporting the truth.
So far 329 talented people have been promoted at their work. They all played a leading role in several publicity campaigns related to natural disasters and the Beijing Olympic Games this year, Liu said.
He added, outstanding theorists, journalists, publishers and artists should make even greater contributions to popularize the value system of socialism.
They should also work harder, be innovative at work, and pay attention to professional ethics to become role models for the general public, he said.
Source: Xinhua
Outstanding talents in these fields should be promoted to important posts so they can make greater contributions, said Liu, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.
He made the remarks during a week long seminar which finished in Beijing on Saturday.
The CPC initiated a project five years ago to promote public awareness of the socialist culture and ideology.
Outstanding journalists, for example, should be able to uphold "correct guidance of public opinion" while reporting the truth.
So far 329 talented people have been promoted at their work. They all played a leading role in several publicity campaigns related to natural disasters and the Beijing Olympic Games this year, Liu said.
He added, outstanding theorists, journalists, publishers and artists should make even greater contributions to popularize the value system of socialism.
They should also work harder, be innovative at work, and pay attention to professional ethics to become role models for the general public, he said.
Source: Xinhua
Senior official urges discipline officials to serve with loyalty
senior Chinese official on Saturday urged discipline organs of the Communist Party of China to serve the country and people with loyalty and dedication.
Discipline organs at all levels should implement their duties and orders of the Party's central committee by comprehending the Scientific Outlook on Development, said He Guoqiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
He, also the secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, made the remark at a meeting attended by discipline officials in Beijing on Saturday.
The Scientific Outlook on Development is an important guiding principle for China's economic and social development, which was initiated by the Party in 2003 and written into its constitution during CPC's 17th National Congress in 2007.
He asked discipline officials to earnestly learn the Party's creed and keep loyal to the country by fighting corruptions, protecting people and preventing their family members from illegalities.
The official also urged leaders of various discipline organs to work as role models in learning and carrying out the Party's policies and regulations for other discipline officials.
Source: Xinhua
Discipline organs at all levels should implement their duties and orders of the Party's central committee by comprehending the Scientific Outlook on Development, said He Guoqiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
He, also the secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, made the remark at a meeting attended by discipline officials in Beijing on Saturday.
The Scientific Outlook on Development is an important guiding principle for China's economic and social development, which was initiated by the Party in 2003 and written into its constitution during CPC's 17th National Congress in 2007.
He asked discipline officials to earnestly learn the Party's creed and keep loyal to the country by fighting corruptions, protecting people and preventing their family members from illegalities.
The official also urged leaders of various discipline organs to work as role models in learning and carrying out the Party's policies and regulations for other discipline officials.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese embassy in Italy hosts reception to mark National Day
The Chinese embassy in Italy hosted a reception on Thursday to mark the 59th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, with the participation of senior Italian officials.
Attending the event were near 300 dignitaries, including former Italian Foreign Minister Gianni de Michelis, Chief of the State Police Antonio Manganelli and President Vittoria Manciniof of the Sino-Italian Friendship Association, and representatives of local Chinese-funded enterprises, friendly organizations and foreign diplomatic missions in Italy.
During the reception, the guests extended congratulations on China's 59th anniversary which falls on October 1, highly commenting on the nation's great achievements in economic and social development since its adoption of the policy of reform and open-up in 1978.
The guests hailed the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the successful launch of China's third spacecraft, known as Shenzhou-7.
The guests showed satisfaction with the development of Sino-Italian ties, expressing the willingness to make joint efforts to promote the China-Italy strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation in all fields.
Source: Xinhua
Attending the event were near 300 dignitaries, including former Italian Foreign Minister Gianni de Michelis, Chief of the State Police Antonio Manganelli and President Vittoria Manciniof of the Sino-Italian Friendship Association, and representatives of local Chinese-funded enterprises, friendly organizations and foreign diplomatic missions in Italy.
During the reception, the guests extended congratulations on China's 59th anniversary which falls on October 1, highly commenting on the nation's great achievements in economic and social development since its adoption of the policy of reform and open-up in 1978.
The guests hailed the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the successful launch of China's third spacecraft, known as Shenzhou-7.
The guests showed satisfaction with the development of Sino-Italian ties, expressing the willingness to make joint efforts to promote the China-Italy strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation in all fields.
Source: Xinhua
British media closely follow China's spacewalk
China's first spacewalk Saturday seemed to offer a bright spot for British media, laboring for days under the gloom of the global financial crisis.
The Times online carried a story with the headline "China celebrates its first spacewalk," calling it "the latest milestone in an ambitious program."
Zhai Zhigang, the mission commander, floated out of the orbitalmodule's hatch during the spacewalk, beamed live on China's state television service, CCTV, the story describes.
Tethered to handles attached to the exterior of the Shenzhou-7 spaceship's orbital module, Zhai remained outside for about 20 minutes before returning to the module and closing the hatch behind him.
A fellow astronaut, Liu Boming, also emerged briefly from the capsule to hand Zhai a Chinese flag that he waved before an exterior camera filming the event. The third crew member, Jing Haipeng, monitored the ship from inside the re-entry module.
A story in The Telegraph, headlined "China carries out first space walk," said "the main purpose of the flight was to prepare the technical skills, including the docking of two orbiters together, necessary for the development of a Chinese space station."
"The mission was also considered an essential step towards a manned mission to the moon," it added.
The Guardian said "Zhai Zhigang today became the first Chinese person to walk in space, marking the highlight of his country's third manned mission."
"The maneuver is a step towards China's long-term goal of assembling a space laboratory and station."
China's first manned spaceflight was in 2003. A second flight manned by two astronauts followed in 2005. The only other countries to have launched humans into space are Russia and the United States.
Source: Xinhua
The Times online carried a story with the headline "China celebrates its first spacewalk," calling it "the latest milestone in an ambitious program."
Zhai Zhigang, the mission commander, floated out of the orbitalmodule's hatch during the spacewalk, beamed live on China's state television service, CCTV, the story describes.
Tethered to handles attached to the exterior of the Shenzhou-7 spaceship's orbital module, Zhai remained outside for about 20 minutes before returning to the module and closing the hatch behind him.
A fellow astronaut, Liu Boming, also emerged briefly from the capsule to hand Zhai a Chinese flag that he waved before an exterior camera filming the event. The third crew member, Jing Haipeng, monitored the ship from inside the re-entry module.
A story in The Telegraph, headlined "China carries out first space walk," said "the main purpose of the flight was to prepare the technical skills, including the docking of two orbiters together, necessary for the development of a Chinese space station."
"The mission was also considered an essential step towards a manned mission to the moon," it added.
The Guardian said "Zhai Zhigang today became the first Chinese person to walk in space, marking the highlight of his country's third manned mission."
"The maneuver is a step towards China's long-term goal of assembling a space laboratory and station."
China's first manned spaceflight was in 2003. A second flight manned by two astronauts followed in 2005. The only other countries to have launched humans into space are Russia and the United States.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese president's envoy to attend Guinea's ceremony for independence anniversary
As Chinese president Hu Jintao's special envoy, China's Minister of Land and Resources Xu Shaoshi will attend Guinea's ceremony for its 50th anniversary of independence on Oct. 2 in the country's capital Conakry, a statement from Chinese Foreign Ministry announced here on Saturday.
Source: Xinhua
Source: Xinhua
50 foreign experts given China Friendship Award
The 2008 Friendship Award was held at the Great Hall of the People Saturday morning and 50 foreign experts were given the award by Chinese senior officials.
The Friendship Award, set up in 1991, is China's highest award for foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to China's economic and social progress.
Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang and Bai Lichen, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference attended the ceremony.
Congratulating the award-winners, Zhang expressed the heartfelt gratitude to them, whose efforts were considered "indispensable" in China's modernization.
Zhang said, since China started reform and opening up 30 years ago, the talent-attracting proceedings had been well established. In this context, the talented foreign experts had "become an important force in China's modernization".
"China will adhere to the opening up policy, actively introduce talents from abroad, and promote international cooperation," Zhang stressed. "China sincerely welcomes foreign experts, overseas Chinese specialists and international friends to make contribution to China's development in any form."
He also pledged to create better working conditions for them and protect their legitimate rights.
"China sincerely hopes the talented people from abroad continue to work as bridges between China and other regions," he added.
Fifty award-winners of this year were from 19 countries, including Australia, Austria and Bulgaria. They mainly specialize in fields of industry, agriculture, resources, environmental protection, education, science and technology.
Source: Xinhua
The Friendship Award, set up in 1991, is China's highest award for foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to China's economic and social progress.
Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang and Bai Lichen, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference attended the ceremony.
Congratulating the award-winners, Zhang expressed the heartfelt gratitude to them, whose efforts were considered "indispensable" in China's modernization.
Zhang said, since China started reform and opening up 30 years ago, the talent-attracting proceedings had been well established. In this context, the talented foreign experts had "become an important force in China's modernization".
"China will adhere to the opening up policy, actively introduce talents from abroad, and promote international cooperation," Zhang stressed. "China sincerely welcomes foreign experts, overseas Chinese specialists and international friends to make contribution to China's development in any form."
He also pledged to create better working conditions for them and protect their legitimate rights.
"China sincerely hopes the talented people from abroad continue to work as bridges between China and other regions," he added.
Fifty award-winners of this year were from 19 countries, including Australia, Austria and Bulgaria. They mainly specialize in fields of industry, agriculture, resources, environmental protection, education, science and technology.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese premier meets with foreign dignitaries
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday met with three foreign dignitaries in north China's Tianjin Municipality, on the sidelines of the 2008 Summer Davos forum.
The three were Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo, Montenegro Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, and Klaus Schwab, chairman of the World Economic Forum , which founded the Summer Davos, also known as the Annual Meeting of the New Champions.
In his meeting with the Guyanese president, Wen reviewed the fruitful bilateral cooperation since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1972.
Guyana was the first country from the Caribbean region to participate in the Summer Davos forum, Wen noted.
This was the second time for China to host this top-grade world economic forum, which attracted some 1,400 participants from nearly 90 countries and regions, mainly entrepreneurs, officials and scholars.
Wen told the guest that China will continue to provide aid for Guyana and enhance bilateral economic cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.
President Jagdeo reiterated Guyana's firm adherence to the one-China policy, and thanked China for its support to Guyana's social and economic development. He said Guyana would like to work with China for a stronger bilateral relationship.
While meeting with his Montenegro counterpart, Wen hailed the progress of bilateral ties, and said China would like to enhance people-to-people exchanges and boost pragmatic cooperation between the two sides.
Djukanovic congratulated China on the successful launch of the Shenzhou-7 manned spacecraft on Thursday, as well as the country's tremendous progress over the past 30 years of reform and opening-up.
He said that Montenegro would like to step up high-level exchanges with China and enhance bilateral cooperation in areas like trade and economy, port development and tourism.
He also pledged that Montenegro will continue to follow the one-China policy, and support China's efforts to safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In their meeting before the opening ceremony of the Tianjin Summer Davos on Saturday afternoon, Wen told Schwab that the two-day forum has coincided with the 30th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up.
"The forum offers an opportunity for the world to better understand China and for China to further integrate into the world," Wen said.
Amid the current global financial turmoil, the international community should enhance communication and cooperation, deal with the challenges together, and promote the steady growth of the world economy, the premier added.
Schwab said that the WEF has maintained a sound cooperative relationship with China for years, and the Summer Davos has become a top-grade business summit of global influence.
He expressed the hope that the constructive discussions about the world economy at this forum could help rebuild confidence in the international community, and push forward the establishment of a truly sustainable global system for economic and social cooperation.
Source: Xinhua
The three were Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo, Montenegro Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, and Klaus Schwab, chairman of the World Economic Forum , which founded the Summer Davos, also known as the Annual Meeting of the New Champions.
In his meeting with the Guyanese president, Wen reviewed the fruitful bilateral cooperation since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1972.
Guyana was the first country from the Caribbean region to participate in the Summer Davos forum, Wen noted.
This was the second time for China to host this top-grade world economic forum, which attracted some 1,400 participants from nearly 90 countries and regions, mainly entrepreneurs, officials and scholars.
Wen told the guest that China will continue to provide aid for Guyana and enhance bilateral economic cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.
President Jagdeo reiterated Guyana's firm adherence to the one-China policy, and thanked China for its support to Guyana's social and economic development. He said Guyana would like to work with China for a stronger bilateral relationship.
While meeting with his Montenegro counterpart, Wen hailed the progress of bilateral ties, and said China would like to enhance people-to-people exchanges and boost pragmatic cooperation between the two sides.
Djukanovic congratulated China on the successful launch of the Shenzhou-7 manned spacecraft on Thursday, as well as the country's tremendous progress over the past 30 years of reform and opening-up.
He said that Montenegro would like to step up high-level exchanges with China and enhance bilateral cooperation in areas like trade and economy, port development and tourism.
He also pledged that Montenegro will continue to follow the one-China policy, and support China's efforts to safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In their meeting before the opening ceremony of the Tianjin Summer Davos on Saturday afternoon, Wen told Schwab that the two-day forum has coincided with the 30th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up.
"The forum offers an opportunity for the world to better understand China and for China to further integrate into the world," Wen said.
Amid the current global financial turmoil, the international community should enhance communication and cooperation, deal with the challenges together, and promote the steady growth of the world economy, the premier added.
Schwab said that the WEF has maintained a sound cooperative relationship with China for years, and the Summer Davos has become a top-grade business summit of global influence.
He expressed the hope that the constructive discussions about the world economy at this forum could help rebuild confidence in the international community, and push forward the establishment of a truly sustainable global system for economic and social cooperation.
Source: Xinhua
Spokesman:China supports efforts to maintain Pakistan's unity, independence
China firmly supports Pakistan to maintain its sovereignty, independence and unity, the spokesman of the Chinese mission to the United Nations said here Saturday.
"China has all along firmly supported Pakistan's efforts to maintain its sovereignty, independence and unity, to realize stability, develop its economy and improve people's livelihood," Liu Yutong told reporters.
Liu made the remarks when answering a question from the press about China's stance on the formation of "Friends of Pakistan," a group established Friday at a meeting held at the UN headquarters.
China has all along provided assistance within its capability to Pakistan through bilateral channels, the spokesman said.
China also supports the international community's efforts to support Pakistan's development and stability, he added.
Source: Xinhua
"China has all along firmly supported Pakistan's efforts to maintain its sovereignty, independence and unity, to realize stability, develop its economy and improve people's livelihood," Liu Yutong told reporters.
Liu made the remarks when answering a question from the press about China's stance on the formation of "Friends of Pakistan," a group established Friday at a meeting held at the UN headquarters.
China has all along provided assistance within its capability to Pakistan through bilateral channels, the spokesman said.
China also supports the international community's efforts to support Pakistan's development and stability, he added.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese FM attends "developing-five" gathering, meets Russian, British counterparts
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Saturday attended a foreign ministers' meeting of China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Mexico, and held separate talks with his Russian and British counterparts.
At the foreign ministers meeting of the five developing nations, Yang said strengthening cooperation and coordination among China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico in international affairs is conducive to maintaining the common interests of the five countries and those of other developing countries, and to advancing South-South cooperation and South-North dialogues.
At the meeting, held on the sidelines of the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, the five foreign ministers had in-depth exchange of ideas on such issues as food security, climate change, and financial stability, and discussed furthering cooperation among the five nations.
During his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Yang said China and Russia have had frequent high-level exchanges this year, with substantial progress in their pragmatic cooperation in various fields, further enriching the content and consolidating the foundation of the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation, bringing into play the potentials of bilateral cooperation.
Yang said the two sides should have further closer exchanges and strengthen coordination to constantly advance bilateral cooperation for new achievements.
Lavrov, for his part, said Russia is actively implementing relevant consensuses reached by the presidents of both countries, with sound progress in cooperation in various fields, adding that Moscow stands ready to work together with Beijing to deepen pragmatic cooperation and further elevate the level of the Russia-China strategic partnership of cooperation.
When meeting British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, Yang said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown reached many consensuses during their meeting at the sidelines of the high-level event on Millennium Development Goals. He expressed the hope that the two sides would do a good job in implementing the consensuses reached by the leaders so as to facilitate further development of bilateral ties.
Yang and Miliband exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.
Source: Xinhua
At the foreign ministers meeting of the five developing nations, Yang said strengthening cooperation and coordination among China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico in international affairs is conducive to maintaining the common interests of the five countries and those of other developing countries, and to advancing South-South cooperation and South-North dialogues.
At the meeting, held on the sidelines of the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, the five foreign ministers had in-depth exchange of ideas on such issues as food security, climate change, and financial stability, and discussed furthering cooperation among the five nations.
During his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Yang said China and Russia have had frequent high-level exchanges this year, with substantial progress in their pragmatic cooperation in various fields, further enriching the content and consolidating the foundation of the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation, bringing into play the potentials of bilateral cooperation.
Yang said the two sides should have further closer exchanges and strengthen coordination to constantly advance bilateral cooperation for new achievements.
Lavrov, for his part, said Russia is actively implementing relevant consensuses reached by the presidents of both countries, with sound progress in cooperation in various fields, adding that Moscow stands ready to work together with Beijing to deepen pragmatic cooperation and further elevate the level of the Russia-China strategic partnership of cooperation.
When meeting British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, Yang said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown reached many consensuses during their meeting at the sidelines of the high-level event on Millennium Development Goals. He expressed the hope that the two sides would do a good job in implementing the consensuses reached by the leaders so as to facilitate further development of bilateral ties.
Yang and Miliband exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.
Source: Xinhua
China to raise Three Gorges Project's water level
China is to begin raising water levels at the Three Gorges Project on Sunday, the developer of the massive water conservancy project announced on Saturday.
The trial operation is set to begin at midnight Sunday.
The water behind the dam would be raised to an unspecified higher level subject to conditions of the Yangtze River, where the project was built, the China Three Gorges Project Corporation announced with approval of the State Council, the cabinet.
As of Saturday afternoon, the water level was 145.39 meters.
The plan takes into consideration both electricity generation and lower reaches navigation, and it should take more than a month, the company said.
Experts said there was no need to worry about flood control safety as historical data prove it is unlikely to have major flood peaks on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River after mid-September. They also said a higher water level wouldn't cause massive silting, or lead to serious natural disasters in nearby areas.
The Three Gorges Project, launched in 1993 with a budget equivalent to 22.5 billion U.S. dollars, is a multi-functional water control system built at the upper and middle reaches of the country's longest river.
Its main works are a dam, a five-tier ship lock, as well as 26 hydropower turbo-generators. Its key functions include flood control and power generation.
The project has been constructed in three phases. Storing water at the 175 meter level is a requirement for the last phase of construction.
The Three Gorges dam will have 14 turbo-generators on the left bank and 12 on the right which will produce 84.7 billion kw of electricity annually.
Monday, developers said the turbines will finish being installed in November.
There are plans to add six more turbines by 2012.
As of June, 1.24 million residents were relocated to make way for construction of the dam.
Source: Xinhua
The trial operation is set to begin at midnight Sunday.
The water behind the dam would be raised to an unspecified higher level subject to conditions of the Yangtze River, where the project was built, the China Three Gorges Project Corporation announced with approval of the State Council, the cabinet.
As of Saturday afternoon, the water level was 145.39 meters.
The plan takes into consideration both electricity generation and lower reaches navigation, and it should take more than a month, the company said.
Experts said there was no need to worry about flood control safety as historical data prove it is unlikely to have major flood peaks on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River after mid-September. They also said a higher water level wouldn't cause massive silting, or lead to serious natural disasters in nearby areas.
The Three Gorges Project, launched in 1993 with a budget equivalent to 22.5 billion U.S. dollars, is a multi-functional water control system built at the upper and middle reaches of the country's longest river.
Its main works are a dam, a five-tier ship lock, as well as 26 hydropower turbo-generators. Its key functions include flood control and power generation.
The project has been constructed in three phases. Storing water at the 175 meter level is a requirement for the last phase of construction.
The Three Gorges dam will have 14 turbo-generators on the left bank and 12 on the right which will produce 84.7 billion kw of electricity annually.
Monday, developers said the turbines will finish being installed in November.
There are plans to add six more turbines by 2012.
As of June, 1.24 million residents were relocated to make way for construction of the dam.
Source: Xinhua
"Emergency" water to arrive in Beijing Sunday via massive diversion project
"Emergency" water will arrive in Beijing via China's massive South-to-North Water Diversion Project on Sunday, which is expected to ease the capital's water shortage.
The water, diverted from neighboring Hebei Province 10 days ago, will flow into the Tuancheng Lake in the renowned Summer Palace in the city's northwest, said He Fengci, deputy director of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project Beijing Office.
Up to 300 million cubic meters of water will be redirected from three large reservoirs in Hebei between Sept. 18 and March 10 next year, He said.
"Beijing can actually receive 225 million cubic meters of water by the end of March next year, if the water loss on the journey is deducted," she said.
Some 1.3 million tons of water will arrive in Beijing everyday during the period via a newly-dug 307-km canal, which forms part of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project.
Beijing has had water shortages partly because of its geography, with nine years of consecutive drought starting in 1999. It has received only 75 percent of its expected precipitation over that period.
The shortage in Beijing is set to reach crisis point in 2010, when the population is expected to top 17 million, or 3 million more than its resources can support.
The South-to-North Water Diversion Project, consisting of eastern, middle and western routes, is designed to divert water from the water-rich south of the country, mainly the Yangtze River, the country's longest, to the dry north.
The eastern and middle routes are already under construction. The western route, meant to replenish the Yellow River with water diverted from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River by digging tunnels in the high mountains of western China, is still at the blueprint stage.
According to the South-to-North water diversion office, when part of the project is completed in 2010, about 1 billion cubic meters of water will be diverted to Beijing annually.
Source: Xinhua
The water, diverted from neighboring Hebei Province 10 days ago, will flow into the Tuancheng Lake in the renowned Summer Palace in the city's northwest, said He Fengci, deputy director of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project Beijing Office.
Up to 300 million cubic meters of water will be redirected from three large reservoirs in Hebei between Sept. 18 and March 10 next year, He said.
"Beijing can actually receive 225 million cubic meters of water by the end of March next year, if the water loss on the journey is deducted," she said.
Some 1.3 million tons of water will arrive in Beijing everyday during the period via a newly-dug 307-km canal, which forms part of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project.
Beijing has had water shortages partly because of its geography, with nine years of consecutive drought starting in 1999. It has received only 75 percent of its expected precipitation over that period.
The shortage in Beijing is set to reach crisis point in 2010, when the population is expected to top 17 million, or 3 million more than its resources can support.
The South-to-North Water Diversion Project, consisting of eastern, middle and western routes, is designed to divert water from the water-rich south of the country, mainly the Yangtze River, the country's longest, to the dry north.
The eastern and middle routes are already under construction. The western route, meant to replenish the Yellow River with water diverted from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River by digging tunnels in the high mountains of western China, is still at the blueprint stage.
According to the South-to-North water diversion office, when part of the project is completed in 2010, about 1 billion cubic meters of water will be diverted to Beijing annually.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese man sentenced to prison for faking tiger photos
Zhou Zhenglong, the farmer who shocked the country with his fake photo of the endangered South China tiger, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on Saturday in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.
The Xunyang County People's Court also fined him 2,000 yuan after convicting him of fraud.
The trial lasted from 08:30 a.m. to 03:10 p.m.
According to the court, Zhou, 54, a farmer in Zhenping County, heard he might get an award of more than 100,000 yuan if he could take pictures of a wild South China tiger. It is a subspecies that has not been seen for years.
Zhou came up with the idea of faking tiger photos for the prize.
On Oct. 3, 2007, he shot 62 photos of a tiger from a poster which he put amid foliage.
The provincial forestry department announced the news to the public on Oct. 12 and rewarded Zhou with 20,000 yuan .
But doubts arose immediately on the Internet, after netizens found an old Lunar New Year commemorative poster showing a tiger that resembled the photo.
Police arrested Zhou in June after seizing an old tiger poster, which Zhou allegedly used to produce his photos. They also found a wooden model of tiger claw and 93 bullets in his home.
In late June, the Shaanxi provincial government held a press conference to announce the truth, saying Zhou's photos were fake.
According to testimony of Zhou's son, Zhou Song, his father once made him look for tiger posters and asked whether they could be used to take pictures. The son said no. After the tiger photos came out, Zhou Song knew his father had fabricated them.
During court session, Zhou Zhenglong claimed no one else participated in the scheme.
Zhou's defense attorneys believe bad publicity from the case should not be blamed on Zhou himself, saying the "cursory releasing of the news by relevant departments" helped spread the scam.
Zhou did not say he would appeal immediately after sentencing.
Thirteen government staff in Shaanxi were sacked or warned for the scam.
Source: Xinhua
The Xunyang County People's Court also fined him 2,000 yuan after convicting him of fraud.
The trial lasted from 08:30 a.m. to 03:10 p.m.
According to the court, Zhou, 54, a farmer in Zhenping County, heard he might get an award of more than 100,000 yuan if he could take pictures of a wild South China tiger. It is a subspecies that has not been seen for years.
Zhou came up with the idea of faking tiger photos for the prize.
On Oct. 3, 2007, he shot 62 photos of a tiger from a poster which he put amid foliage.
The provincial forestry department announced the news to the public on Oct. 12 and rewarded Zhou with 20,000 yuan .
But doubts arose immediately on the Internet, after netizens found an old Lunar New Year commemorative poster showing a tiger that resembled the photo.
Police arrested Zhou in June after seizing an old tiger poster, which Zhou allegedly used to produce his photos. They also found a wooden model of tiger claw and 93 bullets in his home.
In late June, the Shaanxi provincial government held a press conference to announce the truth, saying Zhou's photos were fake.
According to testimony of Zhou's son, Zhou Song, his father once made him look for tiger posters and asked whether they could be used to take pictures. The son said no. After the tiger photos came out, Zhou Song knew his father had fabricated them.
During court session, Zhou Zhenglong claimed no one else participated in the scheme.
Zhou's defense attorneys believe bad publicity from the case should not be blamed on Zhou himself, saying the "cursory releasing of the news by relevant departments" helped spread the scam.
Zhou did not say he would appeal immediately after sentencing.
Thirteen government staff in Shaanxi were sacked or warned for the scam.
Source: Xinhua
Sentence reduced for former Chinese beverage executive
Guangdong Provincial Higher People's Court reduced the original sentence for a former board chairman of Jianlibao Group Co. Ltd.
The company was once a soft beverage giant in south China.
Zhang Hai, will now serve 10 years in jail instead of 15.
He was convicted of embezzling corporate funds in February 2007 by Foshan City Intermediate People's Court.
Zhang illegally possessed 120.7 million yuan of public funds belonging to Jianlibao Group Co. Ltd. He also misappropriated 86.44 million yuan .
He revealed the name of someone the police were looking for in a house robbery in February last year.
For that information, Zhang's sentence was reduced by five years.
Source: Xinhua
The company was once a soft beverage giant in south China.
Zhang Hai, will now serve 10 years in jail instead of 15.
He was convicted of embezzling corporate funds in February 2007 by Foshan City Intermediate People's Court.
Zhang illegally possessed 120.7 million yuan of public funds belonging to Jianlibao Group Co. Ltd. He also misappropriated 86.44 million yuan .
He revealed the name of someone the police were looking for in a house robbery in February last year.
For that information, Zhang's sentence was reduced by five years.
Source: Xinhua
Five workers dead in Guangxi landslide
Five workers died in a landslide in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, local authorities said Saturday.
The accident occurred around 7:30 a.m. Friday in a tunnel construction site in Chongzuo City.
After an overnight rain, rolling stones from the nearby mountain buried a house where workers were sleeping, a municipal land resources bureau official said.
"I was reading a newspaper at that time," said a worker surnamed Li. "The other six were sleeping. Suddenly a colleague shouted 'the mountain is collapsing!' Two of us managed to run out of the room," said Li.
Four of the dead were locals. The other victim was from the neighboring Yunnan Province.
The cause of the accident is under investigation.
Source: Xinhua
The accident occurred around 7:30 a.m. Friday in a tunnel construction site in Chongzuo City.
After an overnight rain, rolling stones from the nearby mountain buried a house where workers were sleeping, a municipal land resources bureau official said.
"I was reading a newspaper at that time," said a worker surnamed Li. "The other six were sleeping. Suddenly a colleague shouted 'the mountain is collapsing!' Two of us managed to run out of the room," said Li.
Four of the dead were locals. The other victim was from the neighboring Yunnan Province.
The cause of the accident is under investigation.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese Premier: Growth must be sustainable, business should embrace ethics
In his opening remarks at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said that the unfolding international financial crisis underscores how important it is for China to balance growth with employment creation and environmental protection. “We must ensure sustainable growth in our economy,” he added.
Wen advised the business leaders of the New Champion companies – fast-growing global enterprises from more than 90 countries – to embrace innovation. “If you wish to remain or become New Champions, you must be innovative and take the lead in doing so. Otherwise, you won’t be successful.” He added: “Entrepreneurs must also have the high moral ground. I wish they would have morality in their blood.” Wen hoped that they would transfer useful technology to China. More than 1,400 business, government and civil society leaders are participating in the second Annual Meeting of the New Champions.
With the recent earthquake that hit central China and Beijing’s hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games, this has been a “special year” in which “we have experienced very tragic and most joyful events,” Premier Wen remarked. “Leaders should have the courage to rise to the challenges and not be daunted by the difficulties.” The Chinese people, he observed, “demonstrated perseverance, great courage and an indomitable spirit” in the way they handled the disaster in Sichuan Province.
The Premier also commented on the milk contamination problem that has emerged in recent weeks and raised further doubts about quality and safety standards in China following previous revelations about various products including toys, pet food, dumplings, poultry and vegetables. “In our modernization process, there is still room for improvement in production oversight and supervision,” he acknowledged. “This issue has not been wholly resolved. But we will take speedy action to revitalize China’s whole food industry. We will ensure that all China-made products are safe for consumers to buy.”
Wen called on enterprises to “pay more attention to business ethics and social morality.” He concluded: “When such a problem of food safety occurs, we do not cover things up. We face it candidly and take steps to address it. I am confident that we will not disappoint the entrepreneurs here. We will not let down the Chinese people or the people around the world.”
In his address, Premier Wen assured participants that three decades after it first opened up its economy, China is still focused on pursuing its drive to modernize. “We will continue to deepen economic reform,” he pledged. China will also “continue to promote political restructuring and reform,” he added. “Without democracy, there can be no socialism. We will not only improve people’s lives by developing the economy but also protect their democratic rights by improving democracy and the legal system, and achieving social equity and justice.”
Earlier, Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of World Economic Forum, greeted participants, hailing the New Champion companies as “the next wave of economic growth” and “the architects of a more prosperous, more responsible, more cooperative and more harmonious future.” The Mayor of Tianjin, Huang Xingguo, also welcomed participants to the city, which he stressed is committed to sustainable development, scientific progress and the protection of intellectual property rights.
By People's Daily Reporter Jia Zhencheng
Wen advised the business leaders of the New Champion companies – fast-growing global enterprises from more than 90 countries – to embrace innovation. “If you wish to remain or become New Champions, you must be innovative and take the lead in doing so. Otherwise, you won’t be successful.” He added: “Entrepreneurs must also have the high moral ground. I wish they would have morality in their blood.” Wen hoped that they would transfer useful technology to China. More than 1,400 business, government and civil society leaders are participating in the second Annual Meeting of the New Champions.
With the recent earthquake that hit central China and Beijing’s hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games, this has been a “special year” in which “we have experienced very tragic and most joyful events,” Premier Wen remarked. “Leaders should have the courage to rise to the challenges and not be daunted by the difficulties.” The Chinese people, he observed, “demonstrated perseverance, great courage and an indomitable spirit” in the way they handled the disaster in Sichuan Province.
The Premier also commented on the milk contamination problem that has emerged in recent weeks and raised further doubts about quality and safety standards in China following previous revelations about various products including toys, pet food, dumplings, poultry and vegetables. “In our modernization process, there is still room for improvement in production oversight and supervision,” he acknowledged. “This issue has not been wholly resolved. But we will take speedy action to revitalize China’s whole food industry. We will ensure that all China-made products are safe for consumers to buy.”
Wen called on enterprises to “pay more attention to business ethics and social morality.” He concluded: “When such a problem of food safety occurs, we do not cover things up. We face it candidly and take steps to address it. I am confident that we will not disappoint the entrepreneurs here. We will not let down the Chinese people or the people around the world.”
In his address, Premier Wen assured participants that three decades after it first opened up its economy, China is still focused on pursuing its drive to modernize. “We will continue to deepen economic reform,” he pledged. China will also “continue to promote political restructuring and reform,” he added. “Without democracy, there can be no socialism. We will not only improve people’s lives by developing the economy but also protect their democratic rights by improving democracy and the legal system, and achieving social equity and justice.”
Earlier, Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of World Economic Forum, greeted participants, hailing the New Champion companies as “the next wave of economic growth” and “the architects of a more prosperous, more responsible, more cooperative and more harmonious future.” The Mayor of Tianjin, Huang Xingguo, also welcomed participants to the city, which he stressed is committed to sustainable development, scientific progress and the protection of intellectual property rights.
By People's Daily Reporter Jia Zhencheng
Typhoon Jangmi moves towards Taiwan
Typhoon Jangmi on Sunday intensified further as it moved towards China's Taiwan, the Philippine weather forecast bureau said.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the storm was 220 kms north-northeast of Basco, Batanes as of 4 a.m. Sunday, with maximum sustained winds of 215 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kph.
"Batanes and Calayan Group of Islands will experience stormy weather while the rest of extreme northern Luzon will have rains and gusty winds and the coastal waters along these areas will rough," it said in its 5:00 a.m. advisory.
Landslides and flooding caused by Typhoon Hagupit has claimed 26 lives in Vietnam, the Vietnam News reported on Saturday, citing figures from the National Committee for Flood and Storm Control.
It said the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain-showers and thunderstorms.
The weather forecast bureau said Jangmi was moving northwest at 19 kph and was expected to be 300 kms north of Basco, Batanes or off the coast of Eastern Taiwan by Sunday afternoon.
Source:Xinhua
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the storm was 220 kms north-northeast of Basco, Batanes as of 4 a.m. Sunday, with maximum sustained winds of 215 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kph.
"Batanes and Calayan Group of Islands will experience stormy weather while the rest of extreme northern Luzon will have rains and gusty winds and the coastal waters along these areas will rough," it said in its 5:00 a.m. advisory.
Landslides and flooding caused by Typhoon Hagupit has claimed 26 lives in Vietnam, the Vietnam News reported on Saturday, citing figures from the National Committee for Flood and Storm Control.
It said the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain-showers and thunderstorms.
The weather forecast bureau said Jangmi was moving northwest at 19 kph and was expected to be 300 kms north of Basco, Batanes or off the coast of Eastern Taiwan by Sunday afternoon.
Source:Xinhua
China to have its own female astronauts in the near future
Wang Zhaoyao, China's manned space program spokesman said that in the future there will certainly be more and more people join the astronaut corps.
There have been quite a few female astronauts in the world, and China has no female astronaut selection timetable at present.
However, China has been studying the subject of women in space-related activities and the selection of women astronauts. With development of China's manned space industry, in the near future, China will certainly have its own female astronauts.
Wang Zhaoyao said this at the State Council Information Office press conference in the evening of Sept. 27.
By People's Daily Online
There have been quite a few female astronauts in the world, and China has no female astronaut selection timetable at present.
However, China has been studying the subject of women in space-related activities and the selection of women astronauts. With development of China's manned space industry, in the near future, China will certainly have its own female astronauts.
Wang Zhaoyao said this at the State Council Information Office press conference in the evening of Sept. 27.
By People's Daily Online
Over 8000 Chinese villages' annual output value exceed one hundred million
Over 8000 Chinese villages' annual output value exceed one hundred million. Among them 163 villages' annual output value is more than 1 billion yuan, and 15 villages' output have exceeded ten billion yuan, according to the Eighth National Village Heads Forum on September 27.
Leaders of "star villages" such as Huaxi Village gathered in Zhengge Town in Beijing on September 27 to 28 to share the experience in 30 years of rural reform, innovation, development and successful implementation. They also exchanged opinions on the objectives and tasks in the new historical period.
According to the statistics from Ministry of Agriculture, in 2007 the number of village whose per capita net income reached 10,000 yuan and above is 11,054, an increase of 4758 over the previous year, of which 107 villages' per capita net income reached 30,000 yuan and above, an increase of 29 villages over the previous year.
By the end of 2007, there are more than 630,000 village committees, more than 5,050,000 villagers groups, with more than 240 million farmers, rural household population reached 910 million, accounting for 69% of the country's population.
After the reform and opening up, 250 million poverty-stricken Chinese in rural area have basically solved the problem of food and clothing, and this achievement is acclaimed by the international community.
By People's Daily Online
Leaders of "star villages" such as Huaxi Village gathered in Zhengge Town in Beijing on September 27 to 28 to share the experience in 30 years of rural reform, innovation, development and successful implementation. They also exchanged opinions on the objectives and tasks in the new historical period.
According to the statistics from Ministry of Agriculture, in 2007 the number of village whose per capita net income reached 10,000 yuan and above is 11,054, an increase of 4758 over the previous year, of which 107 villages' per capita net income reached 30,000 yuan and above, an increase of 29 villages over the previous year.
By the end of 2007, there are more than 630,000 village committees, more than 5,050,000 villagers groups, with more than 240 million farmers, rural household population reached 910 million, accounting for 69% of the country's population.
After the reform and opening up, 250 million poverty-stricken Chinese in rural area have basically solved the problem of food and clothing, and this achievement is acclaimed by the international community.
By People's Daily Online
China-Africa economic trade and co-op conference opens
On September 27, the conference of "China-Africa economic trade and cooperation-how to open up African market" was held in Beijing. It was organized by Chinese-African People Friendship Association and Chinese Research Society of African Issues.
Abdul'ahat Abdulrixit, vice chairman of National Committee and president of Chinese-African People Friendship Association, attended and addressed on the conference.
He said that China-Africa Cooperation Forum marked a new epoch of cooperation between China and Africa, and promoted the trade cooperation to enter a new era of rapid development. In recent years, the total value of trade between China and Africa increased nearly 40% every year. Now, the cooperation has been in the phase of all-dimensional, multi-level and wide-ranging development.
He also mentioned that the economics of two sides have great complementarity and cooperation potential. It is helpful for promoting the Chinese-African relationship to a new level to practice the effects of China-Africa Cooperation Forum Beijing Summit.
By People's Daily Online
Abdul'ahat Abdulrixit, vice chairman of National Committee and president of Chinese-African People Friendship Association, attended and addressed on the conference.
He said that China-Africa Cooperation Forum marked a new epoch of cooperation between China and Africa, and promoted the trade cooperation to enter a new era of rapid development. In recent years, the total value of trade between China and Africa increased nearly 40% every year. Now, the cooperation has been in the phase of all-dimensional, multi-level and wide-ranging development.
He also mentioned that the economics of two sides have great complementarity and cooperation potential. It is helpful for promoting the Chinese-African relationship to a new level to practice the effects of China-Africa Cooperation Forum Beijing Summit.
By People's Daily Online
Airbus A320 final assembly line in Tianjin goes into operation
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao , Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Enders and Chinese Tianjin Party Chief Zhang Gaoli attend the Airbus Tianjin A320 final assemblying line inauguration ceremony in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Sept. 28, 2008.
An A320 final assembly line of the world aircraft giant Airbus, the first of its kind built out of Europe, was officially inaugurated on Sunday in the north China metropolis of Tianjin.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Airbus Chief Executive Officer Thomas Enders attended the inauguration ceremony.
The line, a joint venture between Airbus and Tianjin Zhongtian Aviation Industry Investment Co., was built in just 15 months. The first A320 plane it assembles is expected to be completed by summer 2009, company sources said.
With a total estimated investment of 8 billion to 10 billion yuan , the line will be able to assemble 44 aircraft a year by 2011, the sources added.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao shakes hands with a staff member of Airbus in north China's Tianjin Municipality Sept. 28, 2008. Wen Jiabao and Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Enders attended the Airbus Tianjin A320 final assemblying line inauguration ceremony held here on Sunday.
Guests attend the Airbus Tianjin A320 final assemblying line inauguration ceremony held in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Sept. 28, 2008.
The photo taken on Sept. 28, 2008 shows the Airbus Tianjin A320 final assemblying line inauguration ceremony held in north China's Tianjin Municipality.
Thomas Enders , President and Chief Executive Officer of Airbus, addresses the Airbus Tianjin A320 final assemblying line inauguration ceremony in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Sept. 28, 2008.
Source: Xinhua
An A320 final assembly line of the world aircraft giant Airbus, the first of its kind built out of Europe, was officially inaugurated on Sunday in the north China metropolis of Tianjin.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Airbus Chief Executive Officer Thomas Enders attended the inauguration ceremony.
The line, a joint venture between Airbus and Tianjin Zhongtian Aviation Industry Investment Co., was built in just 15 months. The first A320 plane it assembles is expected to be completed by summer 2009, company sources said.
With a total estimated investment of 8 billion to 10 billion yuan , the line will be able to assemble 44 aircraft a year by 2011, the sources added.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao shakes hands with a staff member of Airbus in north China's Tianjin Municipality Sept. 28, 2008. Wen Jiabao and Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Enders attended the Airbus Tianjin A320 final assemblying line inauguration ceremony held here on Sunday.
Guests attend the Airbus Tianjin A320 final assemblying line inauguration ceremony held in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Sept. 28, 2008.
The photo taken on Sept. 28, 2008 shows the Airbus Tianjin A320 final assemblying line inauguration ceremony held in north China's Tianjin Municipality.
Thomas Enders , President and Chief Executive Officer of Airbus, addresses the Airbus Tianjin A320 final assemblying line inauguration ceremony in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Sept. 28, 2008.
Source: Xinhua
CAAC, Airbus sign MOU on safety cooperation
The Europe-based aircraft mogul Airbus signed a Memorandum of Understanding on safety cooperation with the Civil Aviation Administration of China on Sunday.
The MOU covers a five-year cooperation program in the areas of rules and regulations training for Chinese aviation authorities, aviation research institutes and colleges and maintenance support for airlines.
The program also includes a "train the trainer" scheme for Chinese teachers on aviation technology and industry.
This MOU follows an earlier Safety Cooperation Agreement that was signed in 2002.
The MOU was signed by Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders and Li Jiaxiang, head of CAAC.
"Hundreds of millions of people fly on Airbus aircraft every year, and their safety is our top priority", said Tom Enders at the signing ceremony.
"Within this unique partnership, regulators, operators and Airbus, as manufacturer, work closely together to enhance the safety standards in Chinese civil aviation even further. We are proud to continue the sharing of our experiences together between CAAC and Airbus. With the signature of today's agreement, the cooperation between Airbus and its Chinese partners will be an enhanced and continuous action."
With the common understanding that civil aviation safety is of paramount importance and taking into account the quickly growing Chinese aviation industry as well as the shortage of highly skilled resources, Airbus and CAAC have set the common objective to further improve the level of aviation safety in China.
In addition, this could also help increase the eco-efficiency of the sector, since optimizing route management, for example, would allow for important fuel cost and therefore emissions reduction.
Airbus and CAAC have already developed and launched various programs and projects, which have contributed to improving the safety of aircraft operation, inspectors' training, maintenance enhancement and aircraft fleet standardization since 2002 when the cooperation first started.
Source: Xinhua
The MOU covers a five-year cooperation program in the areas of rules and regulations training for Chinese aviation authorities, aviation research institutes and colleges and maintenance support for airlines.
The program also includes a "train the trainer" scheme for Chinese teachers on aviation technology and industry.
This MOU follows an earlier Safety Cooperation Agreement that was signed in 2002.
The MOU was signed by Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders and Li Jiaxiang, head of CAAC.
"Hundreds of millions of people fly on Airbus aircraft every year, and their safety is our top priority", said Tom Enders at the signing ceremony.
"Within this unique partnership, regulators, operators and Airbus, as manufacturer, work closely together to enhance the safety standards in Chinese civil aviation even further. We are proud to continue the sharing of our experiences together between CAAC and Airbus. With the signature of today's agreement, the cooperation between Airbus and its Chinese partners will be an enhanced and continuous action."
With the common understanding that civil aviation safety is of paramount importance and taking into account the quickly growing Chinese aviation industry as well as the shortage of highly skilled resources, Airbus and CAAC have set the common objective to further improve the level of aviation safety in China.
In addition, this could also help increase the eco-efficiency of the sector, since optimizing route management, for example, would allow for important fuel cost and therefore emissions reduction.
Airbus and CAAC have already developed and launched various programs and projects, which have contributed to improving the safety of aircraft operation, inspectors' training, maintenance enhancement and aircraft fleet standardization since 2002 when the cooperation first started.
Source: Xinhua
Post-Olympics Beijing car restrictions to take effect next month
Beijing has announced a series of post-Olympics car restrictions, which will take effect next month and hopefully sustain the hard-won smooth traffic and good air quality during the Games.
Under the new traffic restrictions, 30 percent of government vehicles will be sealed off as of October 1, said a circular issued by the Beijing municipal government on Saturday.
The remaining 70 percent of government vehicles, as well as all corporate and private cars, will take turns off the roads one out of the five weekdays as of October 11, it said.
Cars whose number plates end with 1 or 6 will be taken off roads on Monday, while those ending with 2 or 7 will be banned on Tuesday, 3 or 8 on Wednesday, 4 or 9 on Thursday and 5 or 0 on Friday. The ban does not apply on weekends.
The ban will be applicable within the Fifth Ring Road inclusive, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. for private cars and round the clock for government and corporate vehicles.
The new restrictions will take effect on a trial basis on October 11 for six months until April 10, but does not apply to police wagons, ambulances, fire engines, buses, taxies and other public service vehicles.
"It's expected to reduce Beijing's average road traffic flow by6.5 percent and speed up traffic within the Fifth Ring by 8 percent at least," said Wang Zhaorong, an official with the Beijing Municipal Committee of Communications, at a press conference on Sunday.
In compensation, the restricted vehicles will be exempt from one month of vehicle tax and road maintenance fee a year. Drivers who are caught to have breached the new rule will not enjoy the exemption, according to Wang.
While most people applaud the ban on government and corporate vehicles, the ban on private cars, however, has sparked an outcry from car owners, many of whom complain it is "unfair".
"I need to take my daughter home from boarding school on Friday night," said Beijing bank clerk Zhang Min, whose number plate ends with "0" and will be banned on Friday. "Probably we need to buy another car."
More than 2,400 people posted online comments on China's leading portal website sina.com within two hours after it published the ban. Very few postings were supportive of the ban on private cars.
"To ban should not be the ultimate way to ease Beijing's traffic woes," reads one of the postings. "Instead, our city should be better planned and the road network better designed."
While most people were tolerant of the two-month ban on vehicles on alternate days during the Olympics and Paralympics, many are now fed up with the idea to take public transport just once every week.
But to like it or not, the Olympic traffic ban, which took nearly 2 million cars off the roads, was not only successful in easing congestion but also cleared the skies.
During the ban, traffic flow within the Fifth Ring was reduced by an average 21.2 percent and the average speed at rush hours increased by 25.8 percent to 30.2 km per hour, according to the Beijing Municipal Committee of Communications.
The city returned to its normal congestion after the ban was lifted on Sept. 21. Urban streets are unbearably jammed in the rush before the week-long National Day holiday set to start on Monday.
The debate over whether the ban should stay after the Games has lasted for weeks and Beijing authorities, apparently hard to find a solution that is effective and acceptable to all, are rather late in announcing the new ban.
Alongside the ban, city authorities have also encouraged employers to adopt more elastic working hours -- even to work at home, if possible -- in order to ease congestion.
Downtown department stores have been advised to open at 10 a.m. instead of 9 a.m., as of Oct. 11 and close one hour later than before.
Except for schools, governments and the public service sector, many Beijing organizations will be advised to readjust their office hours to avoid the rush hour.
The government is also considering raising downtown parking fees to ease congestion but no details are available yet.
To improve the city's air quality, Beijing plans to ban a total of 357,000 "yellow label" vehicles from entering the Fifth Ring starting on Jan. 1, said Du Shaozhong, deputy chief of the municipal environment protection bureau.
By October next year, all the yellow label vehicles, mostly tippers and heavy-duty trucks, will be banned across Beijing, he said.
Beijing's vehicles were issued green or yellow labels according to their emission levels and cars with a yellow label were banned from entering the city center during the day since two years ago.
Exhaust emission from a yellow label vehicle is equal to that from 28 low-emission vehicles of Euro-IV standards, said Du.
Source: Xinhua
Under the new traffic restrictions, 30 percent of government vehicles will be sealed off as of October 1, said a circular issued by the Beijing municipal government on Saturday.
The remaining 70 percent of government vehicles, as well as all corporate and private cars, will take turns off the roads one out of the five weekdays as of October 11, it said.
Cars whose number plates end with 1 or 6 will be taken off roads on Monday, while those ending with 2 or 7 will be banned on Tuesday, 3 or 8 on Wednesday, 4 or 9 on Thursday and 5 or 0 on Friday. The ban does not apply on weekends.
The ban will be applicable within the Fifth Ring Road inclusive, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. for private cars and round the clock for government and corporate vehicles.
The new restrictions will take effect on a trial basis on October 11 for six months until April 10, but does not apply to police wagons, ambulances, fire engines, buses, taxies and other public service vehicles.
"It's expected to reduce Beijing's average road traffic flow by6.5 percent and speed up traffic within the Fifth Ring by 8 percent at least," said Wang Zhaorong, an official with the Beijing Municipal Committee of Communications, at a press conference on Sunday.
In compensation, the restricted vehicles will be exempt from one month of vehicle tax and road maintenance fee a year. Drivers who are caught to have breached the new rule will not enjoy the exemption, according to Wang.
While most people applaud the ban on government and corporate vehicles, the ban on private cars, however, has sparked an outcry from car owners, many of whom complain it is "unfair".
"I need to take my daughter home from boarding school on Friday night," said Beijing bank clerk Zhang Min, whose number plate ends with "0" and will be banned on Friday. "Probably we need to buy another car."
More than 2,400 people posted online comments on China's leading portal website sina.com within two hours after it published the ban. Very few postings were supportive of the ban on private cars.
"To ban should not be the ultimate way to ease Beijing's traffic woes," reads one of the postings. "Instead, our city should be better planned and the road network better designed."
While most people were tolerant of the two-month ban on vehicles on alternate days during the Olympics and Paralympics, many are now fed up with the idea to take public transport just once every week.
But to like it or not, the Olympic traffic ban, which took nearly 2 million cars off the roads, was not only successful in easing congestion but also cleared the skies.
During the ban, traffic flow within the Fifth Ring was reduced by an average 21.2 percent and the average speed at rush hours increased by 25.8 percent to 30.2 km per hour, according to the Beijing Municipal Committee of Communications.
The city returned to its normal congestion after the ban was lifted on Sept. 21. Urban streets are unbearably jammed in the rush before the week-long National Day holiday set to start on Monday.
The debate over whether the ban should stay after the Games has lasted for weeks and Beijing authorities, apparently hard to find a solution that is effective and acceptable to all, are rather late in announcing the new ban.
Alongside the ban, city authorities have also encouraged employers to adopt more elastic working hours -- even to work at home, if possible -- in order to ease congestion.
Downtown department stores have been advised to open at 10 a.m. instead of 9 a.m., as of Oct. 11 and close one hour later than before.
Except for schools, governments and the public service sector, many Beijing organizations will be advised to readjust their office hours to avoid the rush hour.
The government is also considering raising downtown parking fees to ease congestion but no details are available yet.
To improve the city's air quality, Beijing plans to ban a total of 357,000 "yellow label" vehicles from entering the Fifth Ring starting on Jan. 1, said Du Shaozhong, deputy chief of the municipal environment protection bureau.
By October next year, all the yellow label vehicles, mostly tippers and heavy-duty trucks, will be banned across Beijing, he said.
Beijing's vehicles were issued green or yellow labels according to their emission levels and cars with a yellow label were banned from entering the city center during the day since two years ago.
Exhaust emission from a yellow label vehicle is equal to that from 28 low-emission vehicles of Euro-IV standards, said Du.
Source: Xinhua
Nine arrested for fatal factory fire in south China
Nine people including four government officials have been arrested in connection with a fatal factory fire that claimed 15 lives in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, in February.
The four officials, identified as Huang Hanguang, Zeng Hongbo, Lin Guozhong and Yi Rao, were from the city's fire fighting bureau and environment protection bureau. They were arrested on charges of neglecting their duties and misconduct, said the press office of the Shenzhen government on Sunday.
The blaze broke out on Feb. 27 early morning in an illegal foam recycling station of Shenzhen Longfei Recycle Materials Co. Ltd inside a building. It killed 15 people and caused a direct economic loss of 14 million yuan .
The fire was caused by short-circuits of the overburdened electrical wires in production. The own and the legal representative of the building were also arrested for renting rooms to the factory without permission.
An investigation report accused the involved government officials of dereliction of duty and taking bribes.
The other three people arrested included Chen Jinlong, legal representative of the Shenzhen Longfei Recycle Materials Co. Ltd, and two company employees.
Source: Xinhua
The four officials, identified as Huang Hanguang, Zeng Hongbo, Lin Guozhong and Yi Rao, were from the city's fire fighting bureau and environment protection bureau. They were arrested on charges of neglecting their duties and misconduct, said the press office of the Shenzhen government on Sunday.
The blaze broke out on Feb. 27 early morning in an illegal foam recycling station of Shenzhen Longfei Recycle Materials Co. Ltd inside a building. It killed 15 people and caused a direct economic loss of 14 million yuan .
The fire was caused by short-circuits of the overburdened electrical wires in production. The own and the legal representative of the building were also arrested for renting rooms to the factory without permission.
An investigation report accused the involved government officials of dereliction of duty and taking bribes.
The other three people arrested included Chen Jinlong, legal representative of the Shenzhen Longfei Recycle Materials Co. Ltd, and two company employees.
Source: Xinhua
Hornets attack during festival in Hubei
A hornet attack leaves four people in critical condition in central China's Hubei province Sunday.
They were watching a fireworks show Saturday night when the hornets started stinging. Panic then caused spectators to run.
A total of 21 people were injured by hornets; six others were injured in the stampede.
The four people in critical condition were suffering from acute kidney inflammations.
Vice Mayor of Yichang, Liu Jungang, requested the hospital spare no effort to save the lives of the victims.
Thousands of people were on the bank of the Yangtze River to celebrate a tourism festival being held by the Yichang government.
Source: Xinhua
They were watching a fireworks show Saturday night when the hornets started stinging. Panic then caused spectators to run.
A total of 21 people were injured by hornets; six others were injured in the stampede.
The four people in critical condition were suffering from acute kidney inflammations.
Vice Mayor of Yichang, Liu Jungang, requested the hospital spare no effort to save the lives of the victims.
Thousands of people were on the bank of the Yangtze River to celebrate a tourism festival being held by the Yichang government.
Source: Xinhua
Dalian to host third Summer Davos forum in September 2009
The third Summer Davos forum, or the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2009, will be held in northeast China's port city of Dalian from Sept. 10 to 12 next year.
It was announced by Andre Schneider, managing director and chief operating officer of the World Economic Forum , here on Sunday, just hours before the conclusion of the second Summer Davos forum in this north China metropolis.
The two-day Tianjin meeting, which attracted some 1,400 participants from nearly 90 countries and regions, opened in the Binhai International Convention and Exhibition Center on Saturday. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao addressed the opening ceremony.
The meeting picked "The Next Wave of Growth" as its theme, and the participants, including business elites, senior officials, experts and scholars, paid much attention to the current global financial crisis.
The WEF founded the Summer Davos forum mainly for growing enterprises worldwide, and decided to place its annual meetings in China.
Dalian hosted the first Summer Davos forum in 2007.
Source: Xinhua
It was announced by Andre Schneider, managing director and chief operating officer of the World Economic Forum , here on Sunday, just hours before the conclusion of the second Summer Davos forum in this north China metropolis.
The two-day Tianjin meeting, which attracted some 1,400 participants from nearly 90 countries and regions, opened in the Binhai International Convention and Exhibition Center on Saturday. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao addressed the opening ceremony.
The meeting picked "The Next Wave of Growth" as its theme, and the participants, including business elites, senior officials, experts and scholars, paid much attention to the current global financial crisis.
The WEF founded the Summer Davos forum mainly for growing enterprises worldwide, and decided to place its annual meetings in China.
Dalian hosted the first Summer Davos forum in 2007.
Source: Xinhua
Premier Wen: China to use the space peacefully
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said it is the Chinese people's persistent aspiration to develop the manned space-flight technologies for the peaceful exploration and use of the outer space.
Wen said right after the landing of the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft at the Beijing ground control center that the successful mission marked a milestone and big leap of China's space technology development as China became the third country capable of spacewalk.
Wen congratulated all the staff workers, both scientists and military personnel, saying, "It is a new important success in our nation's space technology field."
Source: Xinhua
Wen said right after the landing of the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft at the Beijing ground control center that the successful mission marked a milestone and big leap of China's space technology development as China became the third country capable of spacewalk.
Wen congratulated all the staff workers, both scientists and military personnel, saying, "It is a new important success in our nation's space technology field."
Source: Xinhua
Premier: China's strong growth is greatest contribution to world economy amid financial crisis
Amid the global financial crisis, the greatest contribution China can make to the world economy is to maintain the country's strong momentum of a steady, rapid economic growth and avoid any major ups and downs, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao here on Saturday.
"What we can do now is to maintain the steady and fast growth of the national economy, and ensure that no major fluctuations will happen. That will be our greatest contribution to the world economy under the current circumstances," said Wen during a brief question and answer session at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Davos forum in north China's Tianjin Municipality.
The premier said he believes that cooperation among all countries is very important to addressing the current global financial turmoil, and called for active actions from all countries concerned to deal with the crisis.
Meanwhile, confidence on the parts of economists, entrepreneurs, the public and the state leaders is also of critical importance, said Wen.
"At this moment, confidence is even more precious than gold or any currencies," he told the gathering at the plenary hall of the Binhai International Convention and Exhibition Center.
He also noted that the Chinese government would adopt "both flexible and prudent" macro-economic policies to seek solutions to the problems in the economy, and steadfastly adhere to the three-decade practice of reform and opening-up.
The country's economy, the fourth largest in today's world, is experiencing a difficult time under the pressure of the global slowdown and soaring domestic prices. Nevertheless, it scored a growth rate of 10.4 percent in the first half of the year.
Wen said that maintaining a steady and rapid economic growth is not only the need of China itself, but also a good thing for the stability of the world.
"We have confidence in China's economic development," he added.
Source: Xinhua
"What we can do now is to maintain the steady and fast growth of the national economy, and ensure that no major fluctuations will happen. That will be our greatest contribution to the world economy under the current circumstances," said Wen during a brief question and answer session at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Davos forum in north China's Tianjin Municipality.
The premier said he believes that cooperation among all countries is very important to addressing the current global financial turmoil, and called for active actions from all countries concerned to deal with the crisis.
Meanwhile, confidence on the parts of economists, entrepreneurs, the public and the state leaders is also of critical importance, said Wen.
"At this moment, confidence is even more precious than gold or any currencies," he told the gathering at the plenary hall of the Binhai International Convention and Exhibition Center.
He also noted that the Chinese government would adopt "both flexible and prudent" macro-economic policies to seek solutions to the problems in the economy, and steadfastly adhere to the three-decade practice of reform and opening-up.
The country's economy, the fourth largest in today's world, is experiencing a difficult time under the pressure of the global slowdown and soaring domestic prices. Nevertheless, it scored a growth rate of 10.4 percent in the first half of the year.
Wen said that maintaining a steady and rapid economic growth is not only the need of China itself, but also a good thing for the stability of the world.
"We have confidence in China's economic development," he added.
Source: Xinhua
Premier Wen: China has confidence to ensure fast, sound economic growth
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the second Annual Meeting of the New Champions organized by the World Economic Forum at Tianjin Binhai Convention and Exhibition Center in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Sept. 27, 2008.
China has full confidence and capability to overcome various difficulties to ensure sound and fast economic growth for an even longer period of time, said Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Davos Forum in the north China port metropolis of Tianjin, Wen said China is in the stage of rapid industrialization and urbanization, and has huge potential for economic growth. The important period of strategic opportunities for China's development will last quite a long time.
Despite the heavy snow and sleet storms and the devastating earthquake and a complex situation both at home and abroad the nation faced, China have overcome difficulties one after another and maintained the momentum of steady economic growth.
"There are many favorable conditions for China to maintain sustained and fast growth, such as abundant supply of labor and capital as well as huge potential of increased domestic consumption and investment demands, vast market and more competitive and dynamic enterprises," said Wen.
The demands for investment, consumption and export are growing in a more balanced way. The economic fundamentals in China remain unchanged and the economy is moving in the direction envisaged in the macro-economic control policy, he added.
The two-day forum, also known as the New Champions 2008, has attracted about 1,400 participants from nearly 90 countries and regions, including business elite and senior officials, to discuss topics about the theme "The Next Wave of Growth".
Source: Xinhua
China has full confidence and capability to overcome various difficulties to ensure sound and fast economic growth for an even longer period of time, said Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Davos Forum in the north China port metropolis of Tianjin, Wen said China is in the stage of rapid industrialization and urbanization, and has huge potential for economic growth. The important period of strategic opportunities for China's development will last quite a long time.
Despite the heavy snow and sleet storms and the devastating earthquake and a complex situation both at home and abroad the nation faced, China have overcome difficulties one after another and maintained the momentum of steady economic growth.
"There are many favorable conditions for China to maintain sustained and fast growth, such as abundant supply of labor and capital as well as huge potential of increased domestic consumption and investment demands, vast market and more competitive and dynamic enterprises," said Wen.
The demands for investment, consumption and export are growing in a more balanced way. The economic fundamentals in China remain unchanged and the economy is moving in the direction envisaged in the macro-economic control policy, he added.
The two-day forum, also known as the New Champions 2008, has attracted about 1,400 participants from nearly 90 countries and regions, including business elite and senior officials, to discuss topics about the theme "The Next Wave of Growth".
Source: Xinhua
Sinopec confirms 2-bln-USD takeover of Tanganyika Oil
China Petrochemical Corp., or Sinopec Group, on Saturday confirmed it has signed a deal to buy Canada's Tanganyika Oil Co. Ltd. for 2.07 billion Canadian dollars.
According to an agreement signed between the two companies, the Chinese refiner has agreed to pay 31.50 Canadian dollars per share. The price represented a 8.8 percent premium to the closing price of 28.95 Canadian dollars on Friday.
The deal is subject to approval from China's government, a source at Sinopec Group told Xinhua.
Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corp. made the bid to buy all Tanganyika outstanding shares. SIPC is Sinopec Group's subsidiary that undertakes overseas investments and operations in the upstream oil and gas sector.
The acquisition will be funded through SIPC's internal resources, Tanganyika said in a statement.
Tanganyika focuses on its operating interests in two Syrian production sharing agreements covering the Oudeh Block and the Tishrine and Sheik Mansour Blocks.
During the first half of 2008, its average gross field production was 16,670 barrels of oil per day.
Source: Xinhua
According to an agreement signed between the two companies, the Chinese refiner has agreed to pay 31.50 Canadian dollars per share. The price represented a 8.8 percent premium to the closing price of 28.95 Canadian dollars on Friday.
The deal is subject to approval from China's government, a source at Sinopec Group told Xinhua.
Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corp. made the bid to buy all Tanganyika outstanding shares. SIPC is Sinopec Group's subsidiary that undertakes overseas investments and operations in the upstream oil and gas sector.
The acquisition will be funded through SIPC's internal resources, Tanganyika said in a statement.
Tanganyika focuses on its operating interests in two Syrian production sharing agreements covering the Oudeh Block and the Tishrine and Sheik Mansour Blocks.
During the first half of 2008, its average gross field production was 16,670 barrels of oil per day.
Source: Xinhua
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