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| SCHWEIZER
BOTSCHAFT IN BEIJING
EMBASSY OF SWITZERLAND IN BEIJING
AMBASSADE DE SUISSE EN CHINE |
Der wöchentliche
Presserückblick der Schweizer Botschaft in der VR China
The Weekly Press Review of the Swiss Embassy in the People's Republic
of China
La revue de presse hebdomadaire de l'Ambassade de Suisse en RP
de Chine |
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| Table of
contents |
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Taiwan
Economy
Avian flu
Beijing Olympics
North Korea- Six-Party Talks
Mongolia
^ top ^
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| Foreign
Policy |
| Foreign minister to visit Iran for nuclear programme talks (SCMP)
2007-11-12
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will visit Tehran tomorrow for talks with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over Iran's controversial nuclear programme, the Iranian foreign ministry said yesterday. […] The mainland, along with the other UN Security Council veto-wielding powers - the United States, France, Britain and Russia - have imposed two sets of sanctions on Iran and are considering more. Iran has defied international calls to suspend uranium enrichment. ^ top ^
Slovenian prime minister visits Shanghai (Xinhua)
2007-11-12
[…] Slovenia has just established a representative office in Shanghai for its entrepreneurs and investment activities. At the opening ceremony of the office Saturday afternoon, Jansa called on more Chinese entrepreneurs to invest and conduct economic and trade cooperation in his country. He met with Slovenian business people later Saturday and toured the Huangpu River of Shanghai. ^ top ^
FM: China supports peaceful solution to Iranian nuclear issue (Xinhua)
2007-11-14
[…Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi], who arrived in Tehran earlier Tuesday, told Ahmadinejad that China hopes that Iran will strengthen its cooperation with the IAEA and make progress in its contact with the European Union (EU). […] China also hopes that all parties concerned will show flexibility and make efforts to achieve a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, Yang said. For his part, Ahmadinejad said that Iran is making good cooperation with the IAEA and is willing to maintain active contacts with the EU. Iran is also ready to continue its communication with China and other sides over its nuclear issue, Ahmadinejad said. In the day, the Chinese foreign minister also met his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki and Supreme National Security Council Secretary, Saeed Jalili, on Sino-Iranian relations as well as regional and international issues of common concern. ^ top ^
FM: China will continue to play constructive role on Myanmar issue (People's Daily)
2007-11-14
[…] China always supported the mediation efforts by the UN secretary general and his special envoy and would sincerely like to see a peaceful, stable, democratic and developing Myanmar, [Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao] said. […] On the upcoming 11th meeting among leaders from the ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations), China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Liu said China would respect the views of related countries on whether to discuss the Myanmar issue at the meeting, stressing that the issue was essentially the internal affairs of Myanmar itself. ^ top ^
US arms sales to Taiwan make Chen bolder: Foreign Ministry (SCMP)
2007-11-14
Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao denounced US weapon sales to Taiwan, saying the transfers were emboldening independence-minded President Chen Shui-bian and threatening cross-strait peace. […] His remarks came after the US Defense Department had announced plans to sell system upgrades to its Patriot II anti-missile equipment and affiliated weaponry worth US$939 million to Taiwan, the ministry statement said. […]. ^ top ^
4th China- Europe Senior Forum on Government Management kicks off (People's Daily)
2007-11-15
The three-day forum on "public sector reform and the improvement of government performance" will cover a number of key issues: from the transformation of the government's function, livelihood issues, public sector reform, government responsibility and implementation capabilities, e–government, and government rule under the law, to government transparency, and effectiveness and efficiency. [Hua Jianmin, State Councilor, Secretary-general of the State Council, and President of the China National School of Administration] also noted that the 4-year China-Europe Public Administration Programme (CEPA), together with the annual Senior Forums, has not only encouraged people to improve government performance, and understand and learn from each other about the reform and innovation of the public service; but has also deepened the China-EU strategic partnership through mutual friendship and confidence. […]. ^ top ^
Projects with Africa going on well (People's Daily)
2007-11-15
[…B]ilateral trade is expected to hit $70 billion by year's end, up from $55.5 billion last year, and continue to skyrocket the next year. […] In another major boost to ties, by the end of the year China will have waived the debts of 33 poor African countries with which it has established diplomatic relations. […] China has become Africa's second largest trade partner - after the United States - and plans to expedite the establishment of economic cooperation zones across a number of countries. […] Africa has also become the second largest overseas investment destination for Chinese enterprises, which envisage enormous business potential in the continent. […]. ^ top ^
No progress on talks over East China Sea issue (China Daily)
2007-11-15
[…] The Chinese side is willing to push forward consultations in accordance with the consensus reached between leaders of the two countries and the guidelines of relevant principles, and will contribute to the realization of joint development to maintain stability in the East China Sea, the sources said. ^ top ^
Officials 'should be assessed by costs too' (People's Daily)
2007-11-15
Civil servants should be assessed not only by their achievements, but also by the price the country has had to pay for them, a senior official said yesterday. […] China's administrative reforms to improve efficiency should focus on several key aspects, including building a reasonable appraisal system on civil servants' performance, optimizing the set-up of government offices and promoting e-governance. […]. ^ top ^
Air, water pollution decreases (China Daily)
2007-11-15
Zhou Shengxian, head of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), released the figures at the national water pollution control conference Wednesday in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan. […] Urban wastewater treatment facilities were expanded to treat an additional 9 million tons daily. Last year, a capacity of 11 million tons of daily treatment was added. […] Provincial environmental watchdogs also strengthened enforcement, and more than 10,000 pollution cases were investigated. Zhou, however, said the national goal of cutting major pollutant emissions by 10 percent from 2006 to 2010, or 2 percent every year, is hard to meet. A report released earlier by the SEPA said the overall environmental situation was still "serious" with frequent pollution accidents affecting the quality of life for many people. […] Any region that cannot fulfill pollution control tasks will be banned from launching new projects. […]. ^ top ^
Venezuela eyes better relations (People's Daily)
2007-11-16
Close China-Venezuela ties will lead to more exchanges between Asia and Latin America, for both the countries have been calling for multilateralism in international relations, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro Moros said in Beijing yesterday. "Both the countries are opposed to hegemony and want multilateralism in international relations based […] Maduro hopes for greater cooperation between the two countries, especially in agriculture and energy industry. […] Maduro said bilateral relations have developed smoothly with frequent exchange visits. He reiterated Venezuela's adherence to the one-China policy, saying it will support China's reunification and territorial integrity at any international forum or organization. ^ top ^
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| Domestic
Policy |
| Officials shut down HK-linked newspaper (SCMP)
2007-11-12
Mainland police have shut down a Beijing-based newspaper purportedly registered in Hong Kong after it gave extensive coverage to an alleged miscarriage of justice in Yingkou, Liaoning province. […] the demise of the two-year-old newspaper came only after it ran a story in May about a controversial ruling by the Yingkou Intermediate People's Court involving a group of local construction workers, according to the Legal Daily. […]. ^ top ^
Uygurs sentenced to death over terrorism - Six captured at training camp in Xinjiang had links to al-Qaeda, officials claim (SCMP)
2007-11-12
A mainland court has sentenced six people, believed to be Muslim Uygurs and convicted of terrorism, to death or life in jail for threatening state security in the western region of Xinjiang. Prosecutors accused the six of separatism, organising and leading a terrorist organisation and manufacturing explosives. […] However, human rights groups claim the government is using the crackdown on terrorism as cover to repress the Muslim Uygur minority and tighten its grip over the oil-rich Xinjiang region. […]. ^ top ^
China reveals producer name of toxic bead toy (People's Daily)
2007-11-13
[…] The toys, products of Australia-based Moose Enterprises, were manufactured by the Wangqi Product Factory in China's southern city of Shenzhen, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ) said. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on Thursday recalled the Chinese-made Aqua Dots sets as the beads contain an adhesive solvent called "1,4 butylene glycol" that simulates the drug gamma hydroxy butyrate [GHB] if swallowed. At least five children were reported to have fallen ill after swallowing the beads in the United States and in Australia, where the toy was sold under the name Bindeez. […]. ^ top ^
Officials 'should be assessed by costs too' (People's Daily)
2007-11-15
Civil servants should be assessed not only by their achievements, but also by the price the country has had to pay for them, a senior official said yesterday. […] China's administrative reforms to improve efficiency should focus on several key aspects, including building a reasonable appraisal system on civil servants' performance, optimizing the set-up of government offices and promoting e-governance. […]. ^ top ^
China to double nuclear power capacity by 2020 (China Daily)
2007-11-16
China is to double its nuclear power capacity by 2020, the general manager of China National Nuclear Corporation said here on Thursday. […] By 2020, the percentage will stand at 4 percent. China's installed capacity of nuclear power will hit 40 million kilowatts […].The general manager said China has already listed the nuclear power industry as a priority, and the move is to reduce the CO2 emission to tackle climate change. ^ top ^
Paper justifies party's grip on power (SCMP)
2007-11-16
[…] The 15,000-word paper, issued by the State Council's Information Office and reported in state media, says the existing system of "multiparty co-operation" - under which the eight parties advise and "supervise" the ruling party, but do not oppose it - best suits the mainland. Another main channel for "political consultation" is through the nation's top advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the paper says, adding that only through these ways can "socialist democracy" continue to develop. […] Some observers viewed the white paper as an effort by Beijing to pacify rising calls from inside and outside the country for greater democracy. […] President Hu Jintao has stressed the need to increase the party's accountability and outlined a governance philosophy based on consensus in his speeches. […]. ^ top ^
Chongqing denies further mass relocation in Three Gorges area to save environment (People's Daily)
2007-11-15
Last month, China Business News quoted vice mayor of Chongqing Yu Yuanmu as saying the ecological safety of the area was at risk from the growing population. But spokesman Wen Tianping, speaking at a regular press conference held by the Chongqing authorities on Thursday, insisted that the plan to encourage millions to leave their homes was just part of the urbanization drive and was not a forced relocation. […]. ^ top ^
Majority in favor of new holiday plan (People's Daily)
2007-11-16
The majority of 1.3 million people who voted online are in favor of a new public holiday plan that eliminates one of the three Golden Week holidays and adds three traditional festivals to the list. […] According to sina.com, which drew the largest number of 590,000 voters, 88 percent supported increasing the number of official holidays from 10 to 11; and 62 percent agreed to including the three traditional holidays - Tomb-Sweeping Day, Dragon-Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival - in public holidays. […] An NDRC official, who did not want to be named, said the economic planner will collect and submit the poll results to the State Council. Some, however, criticized the poll for the way the questionnaire was framed. Sang Jie, a Beijing resident, said the survey did not ask if people agreed with the cancellation of the May Day holiday. […] The new holiday plan, if approved, will entail changes in weddings and travel. […]. ^ top ^
President Hu accepts credentials from 6 new ambassadors (Xinhua)
2007-11-16
Chinese President Hu Jintao accepted here Thursday credentials presented respectively by new ambassadors to China from Austria, Ecuador, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Nepal, and Yemen. The six new ambassadors include: Martin Sajdik from Austria, Washington Hago Mendizabal from Ecuador, Alisher Salashizinov from Uzbekistan, Vahagn Movsisyan from Armenia, Tanka Prasad Karki from Nepal, and Abdulmalek Sulaiman Mohammed Al-Muaalemi from Yemen. ^ top ^
Energy draft hints at separate ministry (China Daily)
2007-11-14
China's first energy law draft calls for placing the entire sector under a single ministry-level body, an expert who worked on the draft said Tuesday. Supervision of the energy sector now spreads across several government departments, Wu Zhonghu said Tuesday, and suggested how it can be strengthened. China began drafting its first energy law last year. The draft is soliciting experts' opinion and is open to amendments, he said. He, however, refused to confirm speculation that China is likely to form a ministry of energy exclusively for the energy industry. […E]nergy expert Wu Jingdong [says] the lack of a ministry of energy is creating greater pressure on the country to meet those goals. Neither the NDRC energy bureau, nor the Office of the National Energy Leading Group can coordinate the interests of various departments, and that could eventually become a hurdle in meeting the goals, Wu aid. ^ top ^
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| Hongkong |
Official: HK remains international financial center (Xinhua)
2007-11-09
[…] During his two-day visit to Washington, [Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Frederick Ma] provided an update on Hong Kong's promising economic outlook and bountiful business opportunities to administration officials, members of Congress academics, students and business community representatives. He spoke of the successful implementation of "one country, two systems", the city's unique role in China's economic development and the incomparable business opportunities presented by the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement at a lunch hosted by Hong Kong's Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs in the United States, Margaret Fong. ^ top ^
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| Shanghai |
Shanghai to build 10 more metro lines: 200b yuan earmarked for transport upgrade (SCMP)
2007-11-15
Shanghai will complete 10 new metro lines by 2012 at a cost of 200 billion yuan, an official said yesterday, a sign the city is again pushing ahead with major infrastructure projects after the removal of its top leader last year. […] Funding for construction would come from the local government and bank loans, Mr Ying said. He made no mention of seeking foreign investment. Shanghai has previously bought equipment for its metro from foreign companies, but operated the system on its own. Four of the 13 lines will service the site of the Shanghai Expo, which the city will host in 2010. Shanghai estimates it will receive 70 million visitors during the expo, which could strain its transport system. […]. ^ top ^
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| Taiwan |
Mainland returns 'Taiwan's entry into UN' stamped mail (China Daily)
2007-11-15
The Chinese mainland has returned all the letters and parcels postmarked so-called "Taiwan's entry into the United Nations" to Taiwan as long as they were discovered, said mainland spokeswoman. […].
"Taiwan authority preaching 'Taiwan independence' through post services has infringed on Taiwan compatriots' freedom of communication," said mainland spokeswoman Fan Liqing in Beijing on Wednesday. […] the Taiwan authority must shoulder its due consequences, she said.^ top ^
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| Tibet |
Hu Jintao mourns over death of former Party chief of Tibet (Xinhua)
2007-11-12
Chinese President and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Hu Jintao and his predecessor Jiang Zemin have mourned over the death of former Party chief of the Tibet Autonomous Region Wu Jinghua who died of illness on Oct. 19 at the age of 76. […] When he was Party chief of Tibet, he also served as the political commissar and Party chief of the Tibet Military Area Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). […]. ^ top ^
Japanese officials snub Dalai Lama (SCMP)
2007-11-16
Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama started a 10-day tour of Japan yesterday at the invitation of a Buddhist group but is being given the cold shoulder by the government, which is trying to improve relations with Beijing. [The] Japanese government has said no officials will meet him, and that it allowed the visit on the condition he not engage in political activities. […].^ top ^
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| Macau |
Macao chief promises $137m tax break (People's Daily)
2007-11-15
Macao's Chief Executive Edmund Ho yesterday vowed to put economic development and improving people's livelihoods high on the government agenda. During his annual address he told members of the Legislative Assembly that the government will also step up efforts to crack down on illegal labor and corruption. […] A tax concession package worth more than 1.1 billion patacas ($137 million) was also announced yesterday, as Macao's economy has seen huge growth over the past year. Ho said he was happy with the continued economic growth and also that unemployment had fallen to 3.1 percent. […] In addition, people's median wage had risen 36 percent on 2006, and bank deposits had doubled over the period. He announced a 25 percent reduction in personal tax and an increase of the personal tax allowance from 95,000 patacas to 110,000 patacas. On housing, he said all non-rental units will be exempt from housing tax, while rental units will enjoy a 50 percent tax reduction. […]. ^ top ^
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| Economy |
| China creates jobs for 10 mln urbanites in ten months (People's Daily)
2007-11-12
[…] "Employment situation in China has been stable this year, with the first ten months completing 113 percent of the nine-million-job target set for the whole year," Vice Minister Zhang Xiaojian said Saturday at a national conference of employment. […] The Chinese government is under great pressure to create new jobs for the annual influx of ten million job seekers flocking into in the country's urban areas. […]. ^ top ^
Chinese economy changes from "growth" to "development" mode (People's Daily)
2007-11-13
[…] The shift from the word "growth" to "development" has enriched connotations of the basic category of development and indicates the nation's adherence to the principle of "taking people first" and the resolve and confidence in pushing forward scientific development. […] Economic development, instead of merely implying the growth mode of domestic product (GDP) alone or the mere growth of "Green GDP," has wide-ranging contents in such spheres of optimizing the economic structure and improving economic returns while reducing consumption of resources and protecting the environment. […].
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Chinese Premier vows to stabilize prices (Xinhua)
2007-11-13
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Monday his government would take measures to ensure sufficient supply and stabilize prices. "Prices have been on the rise these days and I'm aware that even a one-yuan (0.13 U.S. dollars) increase in prices will affect people's lives," said Wen during his visit to some needy citizens in Dongcheng District of Beijing. To prop up people's incomes, Wen called on employers in the country to offer higher salaries and to strictly abide by the rules on minimum wages. "Only when people's quality of life is improved will we feel reassured and believe we did a good job," said Wen. To prevent prices from rising drastically, the government was trying to ensure adequate supply by giving support to the pig-raising, cooking oil and dairy industries and encouraging imports, said Wen. […]. ^ top ^
China to develop "green" mining for energy saving (Xinhua)
2007-11-14
[…] Xu Shaoshi, Minister of Land and Resources, addressing the opening ceremony of the three-day meeting [2007 China International Mining Conference], said the government will order all mining firms to put aside funds for environmental restoration around mines. […]. ^ top ^
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| Avian flu |
China provides WHO with bird flu strains (Xinhua)
2007-11-14
China has provided 23 bird flu strains to the World Health Organization (WHO) and publicized all these gene sequences, Vice Agriculture Minister Niu Dun said on Tuesday. […]. ^ top ^
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| Beijing
Olympics |
Israeli police to train security forces in run-up to Olympics (SCMP)
2007-11-12
[…] "There will be a delegation coming to Israel in the next couple of months, probably towards March, with representatives from the Chinese security forces and the border police," Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. "Training will be provided in two basic areas, counterterrorism and riot control," he said, adding that the training would last about a month. […].
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Crackdown on bogus reporters (People's Daily)
2007-11-13
[…] Liu Binjie, minister of the General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP), said fake reporters, especially those representing overseas-registered media, harm society and deserve severe punishment. […] A database of the 8,000 overseas reporters who will be allowed inside of Olympic venues has been completed, while a database of the 20,000 foreign reporters to be allowed to work in China during the Games is being built. Statistics show that 150 fake reporters and 300 unregistered publications were detected during a nationwide campaign launched on August 15 to crack down on fake reporters. […].
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Database on foreign reporters denied (SCMP)
2007-11-14
Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao yesterday denied earlier remarks by the nation's top press officer that the authorities were building a database of overseas reporters' profiles to be used by potential interviewees. […] The Foreign Ministry, not the press watchdog, would be responsible for foreign reporters during the Olympics, he said. […]
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| North
Korea |
DPRK urges Japan to change hostile policy (People's Daily)
2007-11-12
[…] The DPRK's remarks came after Japan refused to provide economic aid under the six-party talks agreement due to the "abduction issue." Japan decided to extend economic sanctions against Pyongyang for another six months because there has been no progress on the issue of the abduction of Japanese nationals in late September. […]Since the DPRK's nuclear test last October, Japan has imposed series of sanctions on the country, including prohibiting DPRK ships from using its ports and barring exports of 24 items to the DPRK. […]. ^ top ^
China, ROK vow to strengthen military ties (People's Daily)
2007-11-15
Chinese senior military officials met with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Kim Kwan-jin, on Tuesday, vowing to strengthen relations between the two countries and their respective armed forces. […] Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan […] hailed the rapid development of bilateral relations in the areas of politics, economy and trade, culture and sci-tech since the two established diplomatic relations 15 years ago. Cao added the military-to-military ties had also experienced steady development. […] Before meeting Cao, Kim held talks with Chen Bingde, chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Chen told Kim that the cooperation between China and the ROK promoted the development of both countries and also made important contributions to safeguarding regional and global peace and stability. […]. ^ top ^
S Korean, DPRK PMs seek "positive results" in their talks (Xinhua)
2007-11-15
The Prime Ministers of South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) vowed to produce "positive results" in the on-going prime ministerial talks. […] The outcome of the inter-Korean summit will be worthwhile only if the agreements between the leaders are implemented, Han said. […]It was the first time for South Korea and the DPRK to hold prime ministerial talks in 15 years. […]. ^ top ^
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| Mongolia |
Former Prime Minister Dies in Car Crash (UB Post)
2007-11-15
Acting Minister of Construction and Urban Development and head of the National New Party, J.Narantsatsralt, died in a road accident around 10 pm on November 12. […] The police suspect that the driver lost control of the jeep which was going too fast. A post mortem would reveal whether he was under the influence of alcohol. Narantsatsralt went to Dundgobi aimag on November 9 to participate in a meeting of local youth. […] Acting Prime Minister M.Enkhbold established a working group to provide all help to his family in their bereavement. […]. ^ top ^
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| Novella Bellonia
Embassy of Switzerland
|
The Press review is a random selection
of political and social related news gathered from various media
and news services located in the PRC, edited or translated by
the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing and distributed among Swiss
Government Offices. The Embassy does not accept responsibility
for accuracy of quotes or truthfulness of content. Additionally
the contents of the selected news mustn't correspond to the opinion
of the Embassy.
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