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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
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DPRK and South
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Mongolia
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China, African countries pledge to implement Beijing Action Plan (Xinhua)
2012-07-23
BEIJING, China and African countries on Friday pledged to ensure the full implementation of the proposals enshrined in the Beijing Action Plan (2013-2015) of the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Foreign Ministers of China, Egypt and South Africa made the remarks at a joint press conference in Beijing. During the two-day FOCAC ministerial meeting, two documents were released -- the Beijing Declaration and Beijing Action Plan (2013-2015). China-Africa cooperation has brought substantial benefits to both sides, said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, adding that China will continue to promote the cooperation with sincerity, mutual respect and equality. [...] South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane applauded the success of the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the FOCAC, noting that the meeting had made important contributions to the development of Africa-China ties. [...] She thanked China for its support on the transnational and trans-regional infrastructure development in Africa as well as the five new measures announced by Chinese President Hu Jintao at the opening ceremony of the FOCAC ministerial meeting. The five new measures are expanding investment and financing to support sustainable development in Africa, increasing assistance to Africa, supporting the African integration process and help enhance the capacity of overall development, enhancing people-to-people friendship, and promoting peace and stability in Africa. [...] South Africa will work closely with China in ensuring that these measures are realized for the benefit of both sides, she added. She also welcomed China's announcement of the 20 billion U.S. dollars of credit to African countries, together with many other areas of cooperation in science and technology, as well as the information and communication technology, which will further help strengthen Africa's industrialization processes. [...]. ^ top ^
ASEAN six-point principles in accord with China's policy on South China Sea settlement (Xinhua)
2012-07-23
BEIJING, The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has agreed on a six-point statement on the South China Sea issue that goes in line with China's ever-lasting will of turning the disputed waters into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation. Friday's statement was an official response to the South China Sea issue after the ASEAN failed to reach a joint communique at the just-concluded foreign minister's meeting in Phnom Penh. [...] On the issue of South China Sea as well as other international disputes, China has been pursuing a policy of seeking peaceful solutions based on one-on-one negotiations. In response to the six-point principles, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China values its relationship with the ASEAN and is willing to work together with the group's members to implement the DOC and "open to consultations with the ASEAN on the conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea." [...] Most ASEAN members have sent a clear signal that they will not meddle in the bilateral disputes and value stable and fruitful bilateral ties with China. Friday's six-point principles, which are in accord with the DOC, reaffirmed the bloc's stance of pursuing a peaceful resolution of conflicts. The measure also hinted at the bloc's willingness to maintain close cooperation with China and reject any inappropriate moves against the DOC. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said Friday that ASEAN "does not stand up against China, but negotiates with China based on the DOC." As the saying goes, "one flower makes no garland." The principles, which came after Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa's "intensive shuttle diplomacy" to restore ASEAN unity, once again display the aggressive ASEAN members' isolated role within the bloc on the South China Sea issue. Though they agreed not to complicate and intensify the South China Sea issue under the DOC, the members adopted unilateral moves that severely infringed on China's maritime territorial sovereignty. Only when signatory countries first abide by the DOC can they proceed to sign and enforce a legally binding "code of conduct.". ^ top ^
China to seek "early, proper" solution with Russia on detained Chinese ships (Xinhua)
2012-07-23
BEIJING, China here on Saturday voiced the will to maintain close contacts with Russia for an early and proper solution of the dispute on the detained Chinese fishing ships, which left a fisherman missing. Such events are "sudden and individual" cases, and China hopes the two sides can solve them while bearing China-Russia friendship in mind, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei when commenting on a relevant question. According to the Chinese Consulate in Vladivostok, Russia's Far-East region, two Chinese fishing ships from China's eastern Shandong province were recently seized by the Russian side respectively. Media reports said that a Russian coast guard vessel fired shots to one of the two Chinese fishing ships that had been fishing in Russia's exclusive economic zone. A Chinese fisherman went missing after the boat he was aboard collided with a Russian ship that chased the Chinese one. China had lodged representation over Russia's improper actions, Hong said. "China hopes peoples of the two countries can view the event in an objective and calm way," he said. China, Hong said, is working on the consultation with Russia to set up an emergency response and cooperation mechanism, so as to prevent similar events from reoccurring and avoid such incidents to affect the overall situation of bilateral ties. ^ top ^
West wrong on Chinese public's Syria view (Global Times)
2012-07-23
BEIJING, China and Russia are facing a new round of finger pointing since their double veto of a UN resolution threatening to impose new sanctions on Syria Thursday. The US-led West loudly touts slogans of democracy and human rights during their grand strategic deployment in the Middle East. But the key target is still their geopolitical interests in this region. In comparison, by sticking to its long-held stance on Syria, China is holding on not only to its own diplomatic principles, but also basic prerequisites for world peace and justice. Western politicians are trying to isolate China and Russia by insisting that the two are making the wrong choice. However, the Chinese should stay cool-headed and see the essence of China's attitude. The UN resolution, citing the seventh chapter of the UN Charter, laid a foundation for military intervention in Syria. This was what China vetoed. China also opposes the UN Security Council openly picking sides in Syria's internal conflict. It insists that the Syrians should seek a political solution through their own negotiations. This is a bottom line that must be upheld so as to prevent the West from overthrowing any regime at will. With their massive soft power, Western organizations can easily besiege China and Russia through verbal assaults. However, they don't really have the power to launch an actual retaliation against the two countries. ^ top ^
Media key to Sino-Africa ties: Chinese official (Xinhua)
2012-07-24
NAIROBI, The media is an important avenue in the promotion of friendship between Chinese and Africa people, a Chinese government official said on Monday. That is the reason Chinese media firms with global reach have established their operations in Africa, said Chinese Embassy in Nairobi Counselor Yan Xiusheng told journalists here. "The media platforms have managed to portray the true picture of Africa to the Chinese people and the real China to the Africa people so as to increase Sino-Africa links," Yan said during the first China-Africa communication Conference which was organized by the Communication University of China, and Kenya's Daystar University and Multimedia University. [...] "Through closer media partnership, the Chinese have gained an understanding of the economic and social achievement of Africa's while Africa people have discovered the rich cultural diversity of China," the counselor said. Already all major Chinese media organizations have established African bureaus and nearly all of them are headquartered in Nairobi, Yan said that China is committed to nurturing and forging cooperation in the communication sector. [...] He said that china's decision to use Kenya as the hub for its major media corporation is enhancing cultural exchanges. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of information Dr. Bitange Ndemo said the dominance of western media can be detrimental to local cultures. [...]. ^ top ^
Chinese DM holds talk with Afghan counterpart (Xinhua)
2012-07-24
BEIJING - Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie held talks Monday with his Afghan counterpart Abdul Rahim Wardak and pledged to boost military ties between the two countries. Liang, who is also a state councilor, hailed the ongoing cooperation between China and Afghansitan in multiple areas since the start of the war-shattered country's process of reconstruction as well as the close coordination and communication in regional and international affairs during their two-hour talk. "The military-to-military exchanges are increasing, the high-level interactions are going on and the pragmatic cooperation in terms of personnel training and military aid... are going ahead in a stable way," said the Chinese general. "The Chinese side is willing to cement and enhance the current cooperation between the two militaries based on mutual respect and win-win reciprocity to advance the military ties in a sustainable way," Liang said, adding that the armed forces of the two nations should play an active role in safeguarding their national interests as well as regional security and stability. Before their talk, Liang held a welcoming ceremony for the visiting Afghan defense minister. ^ top ^
Mayor elected in China's newly established Sansha city (Xinhua)
2012-07-24
YONGXING ISLAND, Hainan, Xiao Jie was elected Monday afternoon the first mayor of the newly established Sansha city in the South China Sea along with the head of the city's legislative body. Xiao, 51, head of the Hainan Provincial Agriculture Department, was elected mayor of the city in the first session of the first Sansha Municipal People's Congress held on Yongxing Island, the government seat of Sansha. Fu Zhuang, 56, deputy director of Hainan Provincial Civil Air Defence Office, was elected director of the standing committee of Sansha Municipal People's Congress, the city's legislative body. The legislative conference also elected three deputy mayors, head of the city's intermediate people's court and procuratorate. It also elected another five members of the standing committee of the Sansha Municipal People's Congress. [...] The State Council, or China's cabinet, in June approved the establishment of Sansha, a prefectural-level city in south China's Hainan province to administer the Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha islands and the surrounding waters in the South China Sea. China's central military authority has approved the formation and deployment of a military garrison in Sansha. Sources with the People's Liberation Army Guangzhou Military Command said Friday that the Central Military Commission had authorized it to form a garrison command in the city. [...]. ^ top ^
China, U.S. agree to continue human rights dialogue (Xinhua)
2012-07-26
WASHINGTON, Both China and the United States are willing to continue their talks about human rights on the basis of equality and mutual respect, the Chinese delegation to the latest round of China-U.S. human rights dialogue said here on Wednesday. Both sides believe that the just-concluded dialogue, held in Washington, D.C. on Monday and Tuesday, was "candid, open and constructive," and helped "improve mutual understanding and reduce misunderstanding," said a statement from the Chinese delegation. During the talks, the two sides briefed each other on the new progress they have achieved in the human rights field, and exchanged views on issues like international human rights cooperation, the rule of law, freedom of expression, media responsibilities, racial discrimination and discrimination against aboriginals, according to the statement. The Chinese side introduced its recent efforts to improve legislation, judicial justice and people's livelihood, including amendments to the Criminal Procedure Law, the development of the Internet and grassroots elections, and the expansion of the social security network. It also expressed hope that the U.S. side will respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, existing political and legal systems, and self-chosen development path, and take a comprehensive, objective and unbiased look at China's human rights situation, so as to promote the Sino-U.S. cooperative partnership of mutual respect and mutual benefits for a win-win end. [...] The two-day dialogue in the U.S. capital was co-chaired by Chen Xu, director-general of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences under the Chinese Foreign Ministry, and Michael Posner, U.S. assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor. The previous round of human rights talks between the two countries took place in Beijing in April last year. ^ top ^
S. Korean activist 'tortured in China' (SCMP)
2012-07-26
A South Korean rights activist has accused Chinese security authorities of physically abusing him while he was detained for nearly four months for helping North Korean refugees. Kim Young-hwan said he was harshly treated after he refused to give full information about his activities in China and refused to admit he broke the law. Kim and three other activists were arrested on March 29 and accused of endangering China's national security, a charge that can carry severe punishment. Beijing deported them on Friday. He said he lodged a strong protest about torture and harsh treatment when Chinese security authorities handed him over to South Korean officials. "I don't understand why I was physically abused even if there were no hostile activities against China," he said yesterday. But Kim refused to give details of his treatment, saying China had asked him to stay silent in return for his freedom. China is North Korea's sole major ally and repatriates North Korean refugees it catches, despite protests from rights groups. It is generally hostile to efforts by South Korean activists to help the fugitives. Kim said he had been collecting information about the lives of North Korean refugees and the state of human rights in their homeland. He suggested China might have acted on tips from North Korean security agents. "I believe North Korea has been implicated in this case," the activist said, adding that one of his colleagues had been followed by North Korean agents. Kim said his own detention demonstrated China's attempts to restrict organised activities by South Korean rights groups. Ha Tae-kyung, president of a group called Open Radio for North Korea, which broadcasts to North Koreans, said China apparently used Kim's case to send "a message of warning" about secret activities by the South's activists. Kim is the former leader of an underground leftist party who met the then-North Korean leader Kim Il-sung in Pyongyang in 1991. He later became a fierce critic of the regime and now works for a Seoul-based rights group. ^ top ^
Senior Chinese military official meets U.S. national security advisor (Xinhua)
2012-07-26
BEIJING, Xu Caihou, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, met Wednesday with U.S. national security advisor Thomas Donilon and exchanged views on the relationship between the two militaries as well as the two nations and other major issues of mutual concern. During their meeting, Xu said the military-to-military relationship is an important component of the ties between China and the United States. "The establishment of a military-to-military relationship proportionate to the bilateral ties not only serves the common interests of China and the United States, but also is the shared responsibility of the defense sectors and armed forces of the two countries," said the Chinese general. Xu said the two sides should strengthen their strategic communication and mutual trust, and boost pragmatic exchanges and cooperation based on respect, mutual trust, equality and reciprocity. "(The two sides should) substantially take care of each other's core interests and major concerns, and overcome the difficulties and barriers affecting the development of the military ties in pursuit of virtuous interactions in the Asia-Pacific region featuring positiveness rather than negativeness, and cooperation rather than confrontation, to advance the military-to-military ties in a healthy and stable way," said the vice chairman. Echoing Xu's remarks, Donilon said the U.S. side attaches great importance to the military ties and looks forward to more dialogues and enhanced mutual trust with China. The visiting national security advisor said the United States' strategic goal in the Asia-Pacific region is to promote regional stability and prosperity. The United States is ready to increase exchanges and cooperation with China to maintain regional security and stability, Donilon said. ^ top ^
Major officers in Sansha garrison appointed: spokesman (Xinhua)
2012-07-27
Major officers in the Sansha military garrison have been appointed, with Senior Colonel Cai Xihong as the commander and Senior Colonel Liao Chaoyi as the political commissar, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said Thursday. Yang said the newly established military garrison is responsible for defense mobilization, militia reserves, the relationship between the garrison and local government as well as the city guard, support for the city's disaster rescue and relief work, and direct militia and reserve troops in the city of Sansha. "Whether a military establishment has combat forces or not depends on its military tasks," he said in response to a media question on military deployment of the garrison. "Sansha military garrison and Xisha maritime garrison are separate military organs," Yang said, explaining that the newly established Sansha military garrison is under Hainan Military Command, while the Xisha maritime garrison is under the Chinese navy's Nanhai Fleet and the latter is responsible for maritime defense and military combat. They will execute their duties according to their respective responsibilities. In response to U.S. officials' allegations of unilateral action, Yang noted that China's establishments in its own territory are irrelevant to other countries. ^ top ^
China launches 3rd satellite in its global data relay network (Global Times)
2012-07-26
China successfully launched the Tianlian I-03 satellite on Wednesday from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province, completing the country's first data relay satellite network system. The satellite was launched on a Long March-3C carrier rocket at 11:43 pm Beijing Time, according to sources with the center. Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the satellite will join its two predecessors to realize global network operation after in-orbit validation and system coordination procedures are carried out. The first data relay satellite, the Tianlian I-01, was launched in April 2008, and the second was launched in July 2011. The third satellite is expected to improve the network's coverage in providing measurement and control services for China's manned spacecraft as well as the planned construction of future space labs and space stations, according to the center. The network will also offer data relay services for the country's medium- and low-Earth orbits as well as measurement and control support for spacecraft launches. The two-satellite network had previously played a key role in assisting in two space docking missions -- an automated one between the Tiangong-1 lab module and the Shenzhou-8 spacecraft in late 2011, and a manual docking between Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-9 in June. Wednesday's launch marked the 166th mission of China's Long March series of rockets. ^ top ^
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China publishes plan for development in minority areas (Xinhua)
2012-07-23
BEIJING, The State Council, or China's cabinet, on Friday issued a five-year plan outlining the social and economic development in the ethnic minority areas. The economic growth rate in the minority areas should be higher than the national average level, and the per capita gross domestic product (GDP) in minority areas should be increased to be close to the national average, according to the plan published on the Chinese government's website www.gov.cn. The plan vowed to narrow the gap between the per capita income of the minority people and the national average income, and keep the urban unemployment within 5 percent. The new rural and urban endowment insurance should cover all the administrative minority areas, including five provincial autonomous regions and 30 autonomous prefectures, according to the plan. The legal systems for the minority population will be improved in order to better safeguard the rights and interests of the minority people and achieve harmonious relations among different ethnic peoples. [...] According to results of the sixth national census released by the National Bureau of Statistics in 2011, China has a minority population of more than 113 million, or 8.49 percent of the total population. ^ top ^
Chinese president urges "unswervingly" carrying forward reform, opening-up (Xinhua)
2012-07-24
BEIJING, Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday called on officials to "unswervingly" carry forward the reform and opening-up and "confidently" overcome all difficulties and risks on the road ahead. Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks when addressing the opening session of a workshop for ministerial officials and provincial heads, ahead of the CPC's upcoming 18th National Congress. Taking into account the domestic and overseas situation, China is faced with both unprecedented opportunities and challenges, Hu said. Hu vowed to continue China's scientific development, promote social harmony and improve people's welfare. [...] "Emancipating the mind" has always been "powerful arms of thought" promoting the cause of the Party and the people, and the reform and opening-up has been a strong force pushing forward the cause, Hu said. [...] "Under the new historical circumstances, we must continue to push forward socialism with Chinese characteristics," he said. [...] While talking about accelerating the transformation of the economic development pattern, Hu stressed that pursuing economic development as the central task is essential for reinvigorating China, while development is the key for solving all of the problems that the country is facing. [...] Hu stressed that the reform of political system should integrate the leadership of the Party, the position of the people as masters of the country, and the rule of law, develop a more wide-reaching people's democracy. [...] On socialist culture, Hu said it was a "key strategic decision" for the Party to build China into a power of socialist culture, in response to the changes and people's cultural needs. However, he noted that people's demands for better life and expectations for prompt solutions to prominent social problems were increasing. [...] China should adhere to the basic national policy of "resource conservation and environmental protection," Hu said, adding that efforts should be made to boost "green, recycling and low-carbon development" and to create favorable working and living environment. To ensure the CPC remains the leading core of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Hu said the Party must adhere to the principle of the Party policing itself, running the Party strictly, while intensifying its ideological, organizational, work-style and institutional building. Hu stressed continued efforts to promote Party building by enhancing flesh-and-blood relations between the Party and people, as well as by deepening personnel reform, fighting corruption unswervingly, and maintaining the Party's unity. He urged the Party to "unite around the CPC Central Committee" and be well prepared for its 18th National Congress. Vice President Xi Jinping called on officials to carefully study Hu's speech, which analyzed the country's new situations and missions and pointed out major theoretical and practical issues concerning the Party and government's current situations and future development. Top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao, top political advisor Jia Qinglin and other senior leaders including Li Changchun, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang attended the meeting presided over by Xi. They are all Standing Committee members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. ^ top ^
Vice President stresses socialism with Chinese characteristics, Party building (Xinhua)
2012-07-25
BEIJING, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping Tuesday called on officials and members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to enhance efforts to build socialism with Chinese characteristics and improve Party building. Xi, who is also a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at the closing ceremony of a high-profile seminar attended by provincial and ministerial-level officials, ahead of the CPC's upcoming 18th National Congress. [...]The CPC and the Chinese people will strive towards the goal of establishing a well-off society in all-around way and a prosperous, democratic, civilized, harmonious and modernized country, as well as the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, he said. [...] "We should adhere to the guidance of Deng Xiaoping's Theory and the important thought of the Three Represents, implemented the Scientific Outlook on Development, further emancipate the mind and firmly promote reform and opening-up," Xi said. Moreover, Xi stressed the significance of enhancing Party building. [...] Xi then expounded on the CPC's theoretical, political, organizational, institutional advantages, but added that the Party's greatest advantage is its close ties with the people. The fundamental purpose of the Party is to serve the people wholeheartedly. The CPC sticks to the work line of "from the masses and to the masses," and insists that all the Party's work should show the will, interests and requirements of the people, he said. [...] Hu's speech analyzed the country's new situations and missions in terms of the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, elaborated several key issues on the overall situation of the CPC and the country, and addressed a series of theoretical and practical issues concerning the future development of the Party and the country, Xi said. [...] Xi called on all party members and officials to thoroughly study and execute the spirit of Hu's speech, to focus on the implementation of the decisions of the central committee and down-to-earth work in promoting reform and development, as well as maintaining stability. Li Keqiang and He Guoqiang, both Standing Committee members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also attended the closing ceremony. ^ top ^
Thousands mobilized as China city faces Yangtze flood (Xinhua)
2012-07-25
WUHAN, Nearly 30,000 people in central China on Tuesday have been mobilized to guard a riverside city as the biggest flood peak in nine years is roaring down the Yangtze River, the country's largest waterway. Tens of thousands of people have been summoned to stand guard to stop flood waters breaching dikes in Jingzhou city, Hubei province. Authorities declared more than 620 kms of river banks as risky along the Yangtze and its tributaries in the city. "The priority is to monitor dike breaching. All related government departments should make contingency plans and stay vigilant," according to a statement issued by the municipal government. Jingzhou, with a population of 6.45 million, lies downstream of the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest water hydropower project. The dam's operators said the biggest flood peak since its establishment in 2003 would pass through it at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Water inflow into the dam area reached 71,200 cubic meters per second -- stronger than the devastating 1954 and 1998 Yangtze floods -- but the dam managed to reduce the force to just 43,000 cubic meters per second, the operators said. Built to tame annual Yantze floods and generate power, the dam is capable of holding 22 billion cubic meters of water. The 3,219-km-long Yangtze that cuts through China from the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau in the west to the East China Sea, killed 33,000 people in its 1954 flood and 1,562 in the 1998 flood. ^ top ^
Vice premier urges more efforts in combating floods, disasters (Xinhua)
2012-07-26
YICHANG, Hubei, Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu has pressed for more disaster-relief efforts from central government departments and local authorities as the country faces a severe flooding situation. The remarks by Hui, who heads the country's flood and drought control work, came during his inspection of the Three Gorges reservoir and the riverbank of the Yangtze River. The Three Gorges Dam on Wednesday was tested by the highest flood peak since it was put to operation nine years ago. As the world's largest water hydropower project, the Three Gorges Project consists of a dam, a five-tier ship dock and 32 hydropower turbo-generators. "We are now at a critical period for flood control, and every region and government department must attach more attention to combating floods and providing disaster relief," Hui said. The vice premier called for strengthened early-warning systems and extreme weather and water level monitoring to protect the safety of people and major rivers, lakes and key reservoirs. For the Three Gorges Dam, Hui said, ensuring flood control safety should be the top priority, and the monitoring of the dam, hydropower stations, ship docks and buildings should be strengthened. He said emergency situations are more likely to occur at some embankment sections of the Yangtze River and Dongting Lake, as water levels in some areas still exceed alarm standards. The vice premier noted that more manpower should be mobilized to guard against emergency situations, and government departments must be on high alert and learn lessons from previous floods. According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, downpours had left at least 111 people dead and 47 others missing across the country by Tuesday, including 37 people who died in downpours in Beijing. Hui noted that governments must be prepared to relocate people living or working in areas threatened by flooding, deal with waterlogging in cities and work to prevent casualties from flash floods and landslides. ^ top ^
China approves plan to boost development of central region (Xinhua)
2012-07-26
BEIJING, The State Council, China's Cabinet, on Wednesday approved a plan to promote the development of the country's central region. The development of the central region, which includes Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Henan, Hubei and Hunan provinces, is of strategic importance in China's regional development layout, according to a statement released after a State Council meeting presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao. The meeting outlined seven priority tasks in boosting the rise of the central region, according to the statement. Energy should be focused on constructing bases for grain production, energy and raw materials, modern equipment manufacturing and high-tech industries in the central region, it said. Governments should speed up building high-grade waterways and ports on the Yangtze River, the Huai River and their major branches, and more feeder airports should be constructed in order to consolidate the region's status as a comprehensive transportation hub, it said. Priority will also be given to forming economic belts in regions along the east-west Longhai Railway, the north-south Beijing-Guangzhou Railway and Beijing-Kowloon (in Hong Kong) Railway, as well as the Yangtze River, in an effort to promote the region's development and opening-up, it said. [...]. ^ top ^
Health Ministry to strengthen food safety supervision during flood season (Xinhua)
2012-07-26
BEIJING, China's Ministry of Health issued a circular on Wednesday calling for preventive measures to ensure the safety of food and drinking water, as epidemics can easily break out after flooding. The ministry urged health departments at all levels to actively monitor various indicators in order to detect food- and water-borne diseases in a timely manner during flood season. It also called for safety checks on water supplies, urging water suppliers to take measures to ensure the cleanliness of water resources and water sterilization. If water suppliers fail to take these measures, they will be ordered to rectify their actions within a certain period of time. The ministry urged health departments to strengthen guidance and inspection work in rural areas and enhance supervision of water supplies for rural-urban fringe zones and schools. Torrential rains have devastated 22 provincial-level regions in China since July 20, leaving 111 dead and another 47 missing, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said Tuesday. As of press time, no outbreaks of epidemics had been reported in the country. The ministry also called for tightening medical waste management as well as enhancing public awareness on relevant topics. ^ top ^
Charges filed in death of Briton Neil Heywood (China Daily)
2012-07-27
Bogu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun were recently charged with intentional homicide by the Hefei People's Procuratorate in East China's Anhui province, Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday. The city prosecutors filed the charges with the Hefei Intermediate People's Court. Prosecutors have informed the two defendants and the family of the victim of their litigation rights during the investigation period, according to the Xinhua report. They have interrogated Bogu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun and heard the opinions of their lawyers. Investigation results show that Bogu Kailai, one of the defendants, and her son had conflicts with the British citizen Neil Heywood over financial interests. Worrying about "Neil Heywood's threat" to her son's safety, Bogu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun poisoned Neil Heywood to death, Xinhua cited prosecutors as saying. The facts of the two defendants' crime are clear, and the evidence is irrefutable and substantial, prosecutors said, suggesting the two defendants should be charged with intentional homicide. The Hefei Intermediate People's Court has received the case, and a trial date will be set. Bogu Kailai is the wife of Bo Xilai, former Party chief of Southwest China's Chongqing municipality and a former member of the Political Bureau of Communist Party of China Central Committee. In March Bo Xilai was replaced by Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang as Party chief of Chongqing. In April, the CPC Central Committee suspended Bo from his posts at the committee and its Political Bureau because "Bo is suspected of being involved in serious violations of discipline". Bo is under investigation by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. ^ top ^
Death for Chinese official in colossal land-related corruption cases (Xinhua)
2012-07-27
A development zone official in a south China city was sentenced to death over land-related corruption cases involving more than 125 million yuan (19.69 million U.S. dollars) over the past six years. Zheng Niansheng, head of the Mingzhen Management Committee in the city of Foshan, was convicted of embezzlement and bribery charges by the Intermediate People's Court of Foshan. He was given a two-year stay of execution and ordered to surrender all personal assets, court officials said Thursday. Zheng was found to have embezzled more than 100 million yuan earmarked for relocation compensation from an overseas-registered real estate company in a housing project in Foshan last May. Zheng also pocketed 4 million yuan in bribes from company officials benefiting from the embezzlement, the court found. In his previous positions, Zheng was also found to have accepted bribes worth 9 million yuan and 12 million yuan in two separate cases after he helped a village official and a businessman, respectively, gain illegal land use rights in 2005 and 2011. Foshan is among a dozen booming factory towns in Guangdong province, a hub of export-oriented manufacturing businesses and a relatively affluent region where land deals under local officials' watch usually involve large amounts of money. Court officials said Zheng vocally opposed the ruling in court but it remains unclear whether he will appeal. ^ top ^
National campaign targets corruption (China Daily)
2012-07-27
More than 60 officials at the ministerial and provincial levels have been punished for discipline violations since the Party's last national congress. The high-level officials were among 600,000 people who faced punishment for violating Party and government discipline since the 17th National Congress of Communist Party of China in 2007, according to a statement from the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection on Thursday. More than 200,000 were turned over to prosecutors for breaches of law, the CCDI statement said. One of them was former railway minister Liu Zhijun, who was expelled from the CPC after being investigated for corruption in May. His case has been handed over to judicial departments. Early this month, Liu Zhuozhi, former vice-chairman of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region's government was convicted of taking bribes and sentenced to life in prison. [...] In a keynote speech in July 2011, President Hu Jintao warned that corruption was one of the growing dangers confronting the Party and it has become more important and urgent for the Party to police itself and impose strict discipline on its members. The CPC started large-scale efforts to curb corruption about two decades ago, and in the past decade, efforts have been stepped up, said Li Xueqin, head of the CCDI's research division. CCDI launched several special campaigns targeting problems, such as excessive overseas travel funded by government, bribery in the contracting of construction projects, securities and assets that should be listed in accounts but were not, Li said. By 2011, the CCDI investigated about 21,000 graft cases after inspecting more than 425,000 government-funded construction projects across the country, and exposed more than 60,000 "small coffers" leading to punishment of more than 10,000 officials. The Party also quickly responded to cases that drew loud public complaints, such as those related to workplace safety, food safety and pollution incidents, Li said. Over the past five years, more than 700 officials were punished for their responsibility in workplace accidents. Great efforts have been made to improve systems to prevent corruption and restrict the power of officials, Li said. Over the past decade, discipline inspection agencies have begun supervision and inspection of related departments and officials, he said. [...] "The battle against corruption will be tough and tedious but with persistent efforts, the future will be bright," Li said. ^ top ^
Chinese police bust 600 online criminal gangs (Xinhua)
2012-07-27
Chinese police have busted more than 600 criminal gangs for Internet-based crimes such as spreading lewd content, arms dealing and illegally collecting citizens' personal information since a special campaign was launched in March. As of June, more than 10,000 suspects had been arrested and some 3.2 million "harmful" online messages had been deleted, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Ministry of Public Security. Major crimes uncovered during the crackdown involved spreading pornographic information, trading guns, wiretapping devices, counterfeiting certificates as well as illegally collecting and selling citizens' personal information, said the ministry. Moreover, 62 websites and online forums have been ordered to remove inappropriate content, and 30 Internet service providers have been punished for granting network access to unlicensed websites. "Although illegal and harmful information on the Internet has been reduced sharply through intensified crackdowns, fraudulent messages are still seen occasionally... and some telecom service providers are not strict enough when managing websites," the statement said. The ministry said it will deepen the campaign against online crimes and vowed harsher punishments for perpetrators. ^ top ^
Courts urged to suppress terrorism, underworld force (Xinhua)
2012-07-27
The Supreme People's Court (SPC) of China has urged courts at all levels to severely crack down on crimes jeopardizing state and public security, terrorist and underworld activities. Courts across the country should relentlessly punish criminals that carry out bombings, murders, robberies and trafficking of children and women to enhance the public's sense of security, according to a SPC statement released after a SPC internal meeting held Wednesday. The safeguarding of the people's well-being should be highlighted in courts' work, said the statement. Courts should scrupulously judge cases concerning employment, social insurance, medical care and compensation claims, which are closely related to the people's vital interests. The SPC pledged to reinforce judicial assistance to vulnerable groups in society and weak enterprises, and expand channels for receiving people's petitions. It also urged courts to properly solve conflicts and disputes among people so to create a stable social environment for the upcoming 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China as well as achieve an unification of judicial and social effects. ^ top ^
President Hu calls for more quality publications (Xinhua)
2012-07-27
President Hu Jintao has urged SDX Joint Publishing Company, a reputable domestic publisher, to strive for innovation and produce more quality publications to assist in the country's cultural drive. Hu made the remarks in a congratulatory letter on the 80th founding anniversary of the Beijing-based company. [...] Bidding greetings to all current and retired staff with the company, Hu hailed the group's contributions to spreading advanced thinking, promoting fine culture and pushing forward social development by publishing outstanding books and magazines. Hu urged the company to create innovative operation systems and develop "more quality publications that are both readable and rich in knowledge and thoughts." Top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao and other senior leaders, including Li Changchun, Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang, also extended their congratulations on the company's anniversary. At a celebratory meeting held Thursday, Liu Yunshan, head of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, called upon the company to publicize more advanced theories and promote civilization and good values. "More efforts should be made to analyze readers' varied tastes, reduce prices, enrich the themes of publications... and publish more outstanding academic and cultural works with Chinese characteristics," Liu said. ^ top ^
Guideline issued to better protect Good Samaritans (Xinhua)
2012-07-27
China on Thursday issued a guideline to better protect Good Samaritans and give them more preferential treatment across all fields. The guideline, which was published on the central government's official website, stipulates in detail the measures to protect Good Samaritans' rights in basic household living standards, employment, education and housing, as well as health care for those who are injured or disabled in their heroic actions. Co-issued by the ministries of civil affairs, education, public security and finance, the guideline urges relevant departments to seriously implement policies to provide allowances and benefits to Good Samaritans who die or become disabled due to their actions. "The guideline is conducive to resolving the practical difficulties facing Good Samaritans and their families," said Sun Shaocheng, vice minister of civil affairs. "It will also help foster a healthy social atmosphere by promoting justice and play an active role in maintaining social harmony and stability.". ^ top ^
Activist tells of 5,000 km flight to safe haven (SCMP)
2012-07-27
A mainland activist had three narrow escapes after she fled a secret jail, dodging security officials for days before finally reaching a safe haven. The latest ordeal of Li Guizhi, left nearly deaf and blind through torture, began when she was turned back at the border as she tried to attend the July 1 rally in Hong Kong, she told the South China Morning Post [...]. That led to her 5,000-kilometre escape from the "black jail" - a hotel basement in Laishui county, Baoding, in Hebei province. She arrived at a safe place on Wednesday with the help of a Hong Kong-based rights group, she said. "By that time I was very nervous. My heart is not very well. I have lost my appetite completely," she said, weeping as she recalled her ordeal in a phone interview. Li, 57, has been petitioning over the suspicious death of her son since 2006. She wanted to come to Hong Kong to participate in the July 1 rally and speak at a press conference about her son's death, but was denied entry at the Shenzhen border late last month. She was then pursued by security personnel, who tracked her down and arrested her as she took a bath in a hotel in Panyu on July 1. They subsequently sent her to a "black jail" in her hometown. "There were six men in black suits, bringing handcuffs to arrest me," she said. In the "black jail" she was given injections that were "for her asthma", she was told, but she began to feel increasingly unwell. Officials tried to force her to sign a contract agreeing to stop petitioning about her son's case, in exchange for a job for her daughter, but she refused. Li said the jail was only loosely supervised. A nephew visited her on Tuesday morning last week, and the two of them escaped as the guards were dozing. They initially fled in a car, but when police called them on her cell phone, they suspected officers might use the phone to track them. So Li switched off her phone and separated from her nephew. She hid in a cornfield for several days until she thought it was safe to contact the Hong Kong-based People's Rights Union of China. With the group's help, she fled in a succession of different vehicles, knowing there was a "red arrest warrant" - the highest level - out for her capture. "I decided to have a haircut and dyed my hair," Li said. "I put on a hat and spent five yuan to buy a pair of glasses." Her good luck was then put to the test by policemen checking identity cards. Twice she spotted them in the distance and fled before they could talk to her. "The third time, they asked for my identity card," she said. "It was a very close call. I really could not stand it. I almost collapsed psychologically." Luckily, the policeman only gave the card a glance and did not realise it was not hers. Li finally managed to board a train and fled to a safe place thousands of kilometres away, she said. She said her son, a policeman, was killed in 2006 because he had learned that Laishui's police chief, Ren Mengtian, possessed illicit drugs. "They cleaned up the death scene," she said. "Nothing was left. I never even saw my son's body. It was immediately cremated." Ren was arrested, but fled to Beijing after he was granted bail. Li has been petitioning since then, and has been detained more than 10 times. "I will continue to fight for [my son] even if I have only one breath left," she said. ^ top ^
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| Beijing |
China allots 120 million yuan to fight floods (Xinhua)
2012-07-23
BEIJING, The Ministry of Finance (MOF) said Sunday that 120 million yuan (19 million U.S. dollars) has been allocated to help the cities of Beijing and Tianjin and neighboring Hebei province to fight floods. The fund, allocated by the MOF and the Ministry of Water Resources, will be spent on repairs for flood-damaged water conservancy facilities in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, supporting flood control in these areas, the MOF said in a statement on its website. At least ten people have died and more than 50,000 have been relocated following a Saturday thunderstorm that was the heaviest storm to hit Beijing in 61 years, the municipal flood control headquarters said Sunday. More than 70,000 people were relocated due to downpours in Hebei, according to the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters. The country's top flood control authority is still verifying statistics for the downpours. ^ top ^
Death toll from Beijing downpours rises to 37 (Xinhua)
2012-07-23
BEIJING, The death toll from Saturday's torrential rains has climbed to 37 as more bodies were retrieved, the Beijing municipal government said Sunday night. Among the victims, 25 were drowned, six were killed in house collapses, one by lightening strike and five were electrocuted, according to the Information Office of the municipal government. Twenty-two of the bodies have been identified, it added. The heaviest rain in six decades lashed the Chinese capital on Saturday, with the average precipitation reaching 170 mm while a township in the suburban district of Fangshan recording 460 mm of rain. The downpours have submerged some power supply facilities and led to blackouts in parts of the city. ^ top ^
Capital to upgrade drainage (China Daily)
2012-07-24
Rescue work following the heavy rainstorms that hit Beijing on Saturday is continuing, as the local government pledges to upgrade the poor drainage system. The floods left at least 37 people dead and caused traffic chaos across the city. "The rescue and cleanup work is going on, with thousands of people's participation," said Liu Lizhi, a publicity official with Beijing Water Authority. [...] Pan Anjun, deputy director of the water authority, told China Daily the storms had revealed areas of concern. "The chaos of transportation due to the summer rainstorms has exposed our weakness in municipal infrastructure," Pan said. Thorough examinations of underpasses will be conducted, and upgrading plans will be made for every one of them to improve drainage, Pan said. He did not reveal schedule of the upgrading program. According to a report released by the Beijing Drainage Group in early July, all 78 existing underpasses will be reconstructed by the end of 2015. More powerful pumps will be installed if water fails to drain from the underpasses when rainfall reaches 50 mm. Adjustable reservoirs will also be built for some underpasses, which will prevent flooding even if the rainfall reaches 70 mm. "One solution to improve the poor drainage system in Beijing is to gradually upgrade the underground conduits and design standards," said Liu Dongwei, chief architect of the China Institute of Building Standard Design and Research. "But it's not a job that will be completed soon." The new design standards should be implemented as part of the whole city development plan. In addition, more permeable materials should be adopted in more communities, he said. "But this upgrading program requires the government to invest more," he said. [...]. ^ top ^
Wang Anshun appointed acting mayor of Beijing (Xinhua)
2012-07-25
BEIJING, Wang Anshun was appointed vice mayor and acting mayor of Beijing Wednesday. The appointment was announced at the 34th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th Beijing Municipal People's Congress, the local legislative body. The meeting also accepted the resignation of Guo Jinlong as mayor of Beijing. Previously, Guo was elected secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on July 3. Wang, born in December 1957, is a native of Huixian County in central China's Henan Province. He had worked in petroleum geology authorities, the Ministry of Land and Resources, northwest China's Gansu Province, Shanghai and Beijing, holding a series of important positions. He has served as vice Party chief of Beijing since March 2007. ^ top ^
Beijing rainstorm death toll hits 77 (Global Times)
2012-07-27
A total of 77 people are now reported to have died during the recent devastating rainstorm as of Thursday, with the identities of 66 victims having been confirmed, the Beijing municipal government announced Thursday. Five of the deceased were grass-roots officials who lost their lives during rescue efforts, said the municipal flood control and drought relief headquarters during a press conference. Of the remaining 61, 46 drowned and five were electrocuted, among other causes. The rural Fangshan district in southwestern Beijing was the most seriously hit area and saw 38 deaths, followed by Chaoyang district which reported six victims. Only one was killed in downtown Beijing, according to the briefing held at around 8 pm. A detailed list was also posted on the municipal government's official Sina Weibo account, including the victims' names, gender, ID numbers, birthplaces and locations where they were found. The spokesperson with the flood control authority said search efforts are still underway, and vowed to draw lessons from this calamity. The latest updates, which soon drew widespread public attention, came four days after the death toll was first put at 37 by the government on Sunday, the day after the downpour. The tardy move also came amid escalating public demands for real-time updates of the missing or dead, while speculation mixed with rumors online. The anger surged after officials announced property losses and disaster relief plans at a press conference on Wednesday, while declining to reveal the new death toll that many believed had long passed the initial figure. The eventual release of the information about the flood victims washed away rumors and discontent almost instantly Thursday evening. The detailed information of the deceased surprised many, who admitted this was rare compared with what the authorities did in previous disasters in China. At 9 pm, an announcer from China Central Television channel 4 read the names of all the confirmed dead one by one, in what was a rare moment for a national news organization as well as the country. [...] The People's Daily ran a commentary Thursday, saying the death toll should not be a sensitive topic, and the authorities should face up to "negative news" to win people's trust. Pictures featuring Fangshan police officials who had taken off their trousers to help move dead bodies were widely lambasted as a "show," as Web users pointed out that their legs were clean from mud, unlike other people at the scene. [...]. ^ top ^
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| Guangdong |
Aflatoxin found in infant formula in south China (Xinhua)
2012-07-24
GUANGZHOU, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong province, said Sunday that they have discovered mildew contamination in some infant formula products during an ongoing dairy safety overhaul. Excessive amounts of aflatoxin were detected in five formula products that were produced between July and December last year in central China's Hunan province, according to a statement issued by the municipal industry and commerce department. Four of the products were produced by Ava Dairy Co., Ltd. (Ava Dairy) based in Hunan's capital of Changsha, while the fifth was produced by Hunan Ava Dairy Holdings Co., Ltd., the parent company of Ava Dairy, the statement said. The department has ordered retailers to suspend sales of the products pending further investigation. Food safety authorities in Changsha city on Sunday launched a comprehensive investigation of the companies following the news in Guangzhou. Aflatoxin is produced by a fungus that commonly grows on grain and peanuts. High levels of the toxin have been shown to lead to cancer in animal tests. ^ top ^
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| Tibet |
Senior CPC official stresses ethnic unity, Tibet development (Xinhua)
2012-07-23
LHASA, A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has stressed ethnic unity and cultural development in southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, as well as building an "ideological basis" for anti-secession and stability maintenance. In a five-day visit to Tibet's Nyingchi and Lhasa, the regional capital, Li Changchun, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said improving people's livelihood should always be "a top priority." At Lhasa's Potala Palace, Li highly praised its role in safeguarding national unification and ethnic unity. At the Jokhang Temple, Li gave offerings to the monastery, encouraging them to be patriotic and devout and make contributions to ethnic unity and the ethnic cultural development. With a history of more than 1,300 years, the Joke Temple is a major historical site for China's Tibetan Buddhism. "Ethnic unity, social harmony and stability is the lifeline for Tibet," he said, adding that the ethnic unity education and the anti-separatism battle should be deepened. Meanwhile, agricultural and pastoral areas in Tibet should be a focus in strengthening the construction of radio and TV networks so that people of various ethnic groups could share the cultural reform fruit, Li said. The official also visited the headquarters of the Tibet Daily and its news website, asking the staff to "introduce a real and changing Tibet to the whole world." Tibet should seize the opportunity of the implementation of the western development strategy, and innovative efforts should be made to promote the region's leapfrog development and lasting stability, Li said. ^ top ^
Panchen Lama calls for stability (Xinhua)
2012-07-25
LHASA, A spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism on Tuesday called on monks to promote social stability in Tibet. "If a person does not protect social stability, he is not fit to be called a man of religion," said the 11th Panchen Lama, who met with leaders of Tibet autonomous region in his Lhasa residence on the second day of his visit to the city. The Panchen Lama said it is both the "basics" and responsibility for a religious person to help people do good deeds, and promote harmony and social development by religious preaching. "And religious people should abide by the laws and religious code of conduct themselves," he added. The Panchen Lama's words came after several of China's Tibetan areas reported self-immolation cases in recent months, most of which involved people from the monasteries. Nevertheless, the senior lama said Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism are in their prime time of development and he in particular applauded the government's efforts to expand health insurance and social security coverage to all monks and nuns in Tibet's monasteries. He urged monks to appreciate what they have now and do more to safeguard social stability. [...] Praised by government leaders for his fine talk and behavior after 17 years of grooming, the 22-year-old senior lama said he felt "pressured" due to the high expectations he shoulders. "I feel I am given an important task and bear great responsibilities, but I will take this pressure as motivation," the Panchen Lama said. "I am confident to let Tibetan Buddhism play a more active role in promoting social harmony and China's development," he added. "For that, the leadership and all people in Tibet can be at ease.". ^ top ^
Qinghai-Tibet Railway brings good life (People's Daily)
2012-07-25
Qinghai-Tibet Railway has brought great changes to life of Tibetan farmers and nomads along its path since its operation on July 1, 2006. Sama Village of Naiqung Township, Tohlung Dechen County, half an hour driving from downtown Lhasa, used to be a small village depending on the mercy of weather; but the favorable location near Lhasa West Railway Station has changed the village after the opening of Qinghai-Tibet Railway. The large vans parking in the village, the verdant highland barley fields as well as neat buildings in Tibetan style, show the advantages brought by the 1956-kilometer Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Gyaltsen, whose family live on farming for generations, enjoys his sideline in the transportation industry, as the administrator of handling team in the Sama Village Zhentong Logistic Company Ltd, a township enterprise co-founded by local villagers. [...] Transportation has become the pillar industry of Sama Village, and the establishment of the village's logistics company not only promotes local employment, but also lays a foundation for future development of the 840 households in the village, according to Gyaltsen. [...] Depending on the advantages, business of the company keeps booming. At present the annual revenue of the company has amounted to more than three million yuan, and pays for medical and endowment insurances for all villagers in addition. "Annual per capita income of our village reaches more than 5 thousand yuan, and some can earn 10 thousand yuan. We are enjoying a much better life than before," said Nyima, secretary of the village. Lhasa West Railway Station, core freight station on Qinghai-Tibet Railway, contributes effectively to prosperity of Tibet. According to statistics, cargo throughput of the station has reached 1.57 million tons during first half year and will break through 3 million tons by the end of the year. ^ top ^
Living conditions on the rise in remote Tibetan monastery (Xinhua)
2012-07-27
The Chinese government is helping monks at a Tibetan monastery perched on a rough slope of the Himalaya Mountains to grow vegetables in a new greenhouse, local officials said Thursday. Rongpo Monastery sits on the north slope of Mount Qomolangma, which is the world's highest peak at about 5,100 meters above sea level. The region's adverse weather -- long, freezing winters of gales and blizzards -- combined with its geological remoteness have made vegetables hard to come by. The greenhouse is part of a government campaign to greatly improve the living conditions in monasteries in the Tibet autonomous region this year. A canteen, a communal bathroom and a proper garbage dump will also be built. Each monastery will have a hygiene specialist as well, the officials added. Soldiers set up a 60-square-meter greenhouse and planted carrots and cabbage this week to see if it will work, said Tashi Dawa, chief of the Qomolangma military outpost. "In another month, monks can harvest the vegetables," Tashi Dawa said. "The greenhouse will improve the monks' health conditions, as they were not able to eat fresh vegetables in the past." If the carrots and cabbage grow well, Tashi Dawa said, a larger greenhouse will be built so that civilians living near the monastery may also have access to fresh vegetables. ^ top ^
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| Xinjiang |
Xinjiang's half year GDP grows 10.7 percent (Xinhua)
2012-07-24
URUMQI, China's far west Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region recorded 10.7 percent economic growth in the first half, 2.9 percentage points higher than the national growth rate, local authorities said Monday. Xinjiang realized a gross domestic product (GDP) of 260.1 billion yuan (41.2 billion U.S. dollars) from January to June, 10.7 percent higher than the previous year, announced Wang Yue, spokesman of the regional statistics bureau at a press conference. Xinjiang jumped from 21st last year to 18th this year among 31 provinces, regions and municipalities on the half-year natioanl economic growth list, Wang said. The industrial value-added output during the first half reached 125 billion yuan, up 11.2 percent from last year. The non-oil sector recorded a growth rate of 18.2 percent, Wang said. With the support from the central government, the fixed assets investment volume in the first half year reached 191.58 billion yuan, up 33.7 percent than the previous year. The Consumer Price Index jumped 4.2 percent over last year, he said. The cash income of farmers in Xinjiang in the first half of this year was 2,867 yuan, 20 percent higher than last year. "The growth rate of farmers' cash income in Xinjiang in the first half is ranked first in the country. A rare event in recent years," Wang said. Xinjiang covers an area of 1.66 million square kilometers, making it China's largest provincial-level administrative region. Since 2010, China has been pushing for greater opening-up of the resource-rich and strategically-located Xinjiang, aiming to transform it into a regional economic hub from a relatively underdeveloped desert region. ^ top ^
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| Hongkong |
Registration of voters for electing new NPC deputies concludes in HK, Macao (Xinhua)
2012-07-26
BEIJING, Registration of candidates for electoral councils, which will elect deputies from Hong Kong and Macao to the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, concluded in the two regions Wednesday. Thirty-six NPC deputies are expected to be elected from Hong Kong, while 12 deputies from Macao, according to the general office of the NPC Standing Committee. The numbers of deputies to be elected in the two special administrative regions of China are the same as those for the current 11th NPC, which will end its term in March 2013. Registration offices were launched in Hong Kong and Macao on July 10 to receive applications of those who want to become members of the electoral councils. According to the general office, more than 1,800 people in Hong Kong and over 380 in Macao meet the requirements for becoming members of the electoral councils. It is not known how many of them had submitted applications. The general office sent letters on June 10 to potential candidates in the two regions, asking them whether they wanted to become members of electoral councils for the election of NPC deputies in their respective regions. According to relevant laws, elections of the 12th NPC deputies from Hong Kong and Macao should be conducted by the NPC Standing Committee. The NPC serves a term of five years. The 12th NPC will come into office in March 2013. ^ top ^
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| Economy |
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Chinese premier warns of "complicated, grim" job situation (Xinhua)
2012-07-23
BEIJING, Premier Wen Jiabao has warned of new employment pressure amid China's economic slowdown, saying the country will face a more complicated and more severe situation in creating sufficient jobs. China's economy is facing several outstanding problems with its economic growth, which will continue to weigh on the job market, Premier Wen said in a speech on employment delivered at a national conference last week. The full text of the speech was released Sunday by the State Council on the central government's website. Wen said the negative impact of the global financial crisis on China's employment will linger for quite some time, leading to an imbalance between labor supplies and demand. He said China needs to promote employment while maintaining steady and rapid economic growth. "We should pay more attention to developing the real economy, encouraging the development of labor-intensive manufacturing industries and the service sector," Wen said. China's economy grew by 7.6 percent in the second quarter of this year, marking the slowest pace of expansion in three years due to sluggish external and domestic demand. The premier urged authorities at all levels to work harder to create jobs, saying that expanding employment is a top priority in ensuring and improving people's livelihoods. According to Wen, 98 million jobs were created in urban areas from 2003 to 2011 and the registered unemployment rate in cities and towns has stood below 4.3 percent for the past nine years. Wen said the government has helped more than 28 million laid-off workers to find new jobs over the past nine years. More people are leaving rural areas to seek jobs in the Chinese cities, with the number of migrant workers topping 250 million as of the end of 2011, 139 million more than that of 2003, according to Wen. He called for local authorities to implement more proactive employment policies and give more priority to job creation when making national economic development programs and restructuring the economy. ^ top ^
Trade union target for foreign firms 'on track' (China Daily)
2012-07-23
BEIJING, The target of trade union representation in 95 percent of overseas-funded enterprises by 2013 is on course to be met, a senior union official said. Of the approximately 180,000 overseas-funded corporations in China, 81.2 percent have established unions, said Wang Ying, a senior official with the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the top union organization. "It is a priority to have greater union presence in overseas-funded enterprises," Wang told China Daily. The federation set a target in 2011 for 95-percent representation in overseas-invested enterprises with more than 10 employees. Even though the target should be met, the federation will continue to push for union representation, as challenges still exist, she said. Some overseas-funded enterprises believe that they do not need unions as they already have a sufficient wage and welfare distribution system with adequate labor protection, she said. [...] China's Trade Union Law stipulates that the primary task of a union is to boost collective contract agreements and to mediate labor relations through negotiation between employees and employer. [...]. ^ top ^
Foreign investment pullout inevitable as economy grows (Global Times)
2012-07-23
Adidas will shut down its only company-owned factory in China, the German sportswear company announced last week. Adidas is not the only athletic apparel maker to have moved its manufacturing business out of China. Three years ago, its main competitor, Nike, closed its self-owned shoe plant in Taicang, Jiangsu Province. [...] By many accounts, rising labor costs in China are among the chief reasons behind Adidas' decision to move. The monthly salary of Chinese workers in the sportswear industry is now somewhere between 2,000 yuan ($313.74) to 3,000 yuan per month, some three times more than Adidas is reported to pay to its factory workers in Cambodia. [...] But while the policy support and working conditions which lured so many foreign companies to China's shores are now coming to an end, the nation has little to grieve over. Ultimately, the model China relied on for so long to absorb foreign investment is not sustainable and came at the expense of local workers' and indigenous companies' interests. It is unavoidable that wages will increase in China with the country's rapid economic development and attempts to hold back wage growth will only delay future economic growth by deflating consumption. [...] Thus, the withdrawal of some foreign companies is a necessary price for China to pay as it transits from being the world's factory to an economy focused on technical innovation, and a positive sign that China is on its way to adopting a healthier and more sustainable development model. ^ top ^
Firms look to upgrade overseas reputations (China Daily)
2012-07-24
Many Chinese goods traditionally regarded as cheap but poor quality. It is not a sprint but a marathon for Chinese manufacturers to get rid of some tainted labels on made-in-China products. In addition to continuous innovation, new marketing strategies are needed to upgrade their reputation, analysts said. [...] This perception has upset some China-based, globally operating manufacturers, whether they admit it or not. [...] Li Pan, managing director of Haier's overseas division, told the UK newspaper: "We don't deny it but we don't emphasize it." In fact, some of the multinational company's products are from its manufacturing facilities overseas. But avoiding the sensitive issue does not help solve problems. To improve the widespread image of made-in-China products on the global stage could be a better way for the sustainable growth of Chinese brands, analysts argued. Andrew Phillips, managing vice-president of research firm Gartner Inc's Beijing office, said China-based companies routinely market and export electronic products to developed economies that are sold at a low price in order to gain market share and "presence". [...] "Many Chinese managers make a conscious decision to select their price-competitive products for export," Phillips at Gartner said. "Even if they have far better and more expensive products in their portfolios, these remain only available in China." But building brand strength outside China is not totally dependent on a high volume of export sales. Chinese brands are inevitably "pre-associated" with low quality (outside China) and low-end branding tends to reinforce this, he said. In order to reverse the tainted labels of made-in-China goods, Phillips suggested Chinese manufacturers select their most reliable products, rather than the cheapest, and market them as value for money, which helps align the products with the majority of buyers in developed economies. "The words 'Made in China' should refer to more than just low cost," he said. [...] Meanwhile, some Chinese companies are exploring online channels, including social networks such as Facebook and video websites such as YouTube, to help customers to get a better understanding of their products. Haier opened its official channels on YouTube in five European countries this year. Visitors can watch about 50 video clips on Haier's products. For post-sales problems, Phillips at Gartner suggested Chinese brands should establish local service and repair facilities with qualified technicians. He said: "Customer satisfaction in this area can significantly aid brand-building activities.". ^ top ^
IMF: China well-placed to respond to possible external shocks (Xinhua)
2012-07-25
WASHINGTON, China is well placed to respond to possible deterioration of external environment and its economy may be undergoing a soft landing despite growing global headwinds, the International Monetary Fund said in a report on Tuesday. "The economy has been slowing partly as a result of policy action to moderate growth to a more sustainable pace, but a worsening of the euro area crisis poses a key risk to the outlook," the Washington-based institution said in its annual Article IV Consultation Staff Report for China. The IMF estimated China's economic growth would moderate to about 8 percent this year and then rise slightly to 8.5 percent in 2013. Without further shocks to agricultural supply, China's inflation is expected to stay in the 3-3.5 percent range this year and fall to 2.5-3 percent in 2013. The IMF said China's macroeconomic policies are geared to slowing growth to a more sustainable pace, and continue to be adjusted in line with evolving conditions. It considered China's current fiscal stance as "appropriate" and monetary policy "consistent" with the authorities' economic objectives. Executive directors of the Fund agreed that the key challenges for China's policymakers in the period ahead will be to achieve a soft landing for the economy while pushing ahead with reforms for a more balanced and sustainable expansion. The IMF said policies should continue to be geared toward achieving this year's growth targets. In the event of a worsening of the external outlook, China has ample room to respond forcefully, using fiscal policy as the main line of defense and with emphasis on measures that support China's medium-term reform objectives. ^ top ^
China to send teams to inspect property regulation (Xinhua)
2012-07-25
BEIJING, China's State Council, or cabinet, said Tuesday that the country will send eight teams later this month to inspect the implementation of property regulation policies by local authorities. The move aims to "further ensure that the property regulation measures are implemented, speculative housing demand is curbed, and to strengthen the effects of the property regulation measures," the State Council said in a statement. The teams will go to 16 cities and provinces, to inspect how well the housing purchasing limit policies and differential credit policy have been carried out, and check the supply and management of residential land and the implementation of tax policies, it said. The municipalities and provinces include Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, Hebei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian. The inspection teams will urge regions, where the property regulation measures are not strictly followed, to make rectifications, the statement said. The announcement came after the country's property market has shown signs of warming following the government's efforts to stimulate the slowing economy in recent months. In June, more major Chinese cities saw home prices rise from May, according to government statistics. It was also the first time since September 2011 for the number of cities with price increases to exceed the number of cities that experienced drops, although the rises in the 25 cities were all less than 0.6 percent. China's economy grew 7.6 percent in the second quarter, the lowest level in more than three years, sparking speculation that the central government might ease property curbs to shore up growth. However, central government officials have repeatedly stated that the property regulation measures will be kept in place to prevent a rebound in housing prices. ^ top ^
China alert to threat of EU anti-dumping probe (China Daily)
2012-07-25
China is keeping a close eye on an anti-dumping complaint that the German solar giant SolarWorld AG filed over Chinese manufacturers' practices and will probably take countermeasures if the European Commission begins investigating the matter, the Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday. "The solar industry is of great concern to China," a ministry official who declined to be named told China Daily. "We have paid more attention to this case than any other trade remedy case because of the high value of (the industry's) exports. "We haven't received any notice from the European Commission yet. But if the commission opens an anti-dumping investigation against Chinese solar makers, China will probably take countermeasures." [...] The commission, the EU's executive arm, will have 45 days from the date of the case's filing to decide if it will start an investigation. [...] Experts said the investigation, if opened, will inflict a severe blow to China's solar industry, which has to pay anti-dumping and countervailing duties on exports to the United States. "If the European Commission accepts SolarWorld AG's complaint, and I foresee a high probability of that happening, that means the commission is ready and is in a position to initiate an anti-dumping probe into Chinese solar cells," said Liu Huijuan, director of the legal department of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery of Electronic Products. "The case will be a very, very important one for China's solar industry, and domestic solar manufacturers will surely defend themselves in the investigation," Liu said. "We strongly oppose the EU's anti-dumping investigation into the Chinese solar industry. [...]. ^ top ^
CIC hit by global conditions (China Daily)
2012-07-26
China Investment Corp, the country's sovereign wealth fund, reported an annual loss of 4.3 percent in its overseas investment portfolio in 2011, due largely to the sluggish global economy. It was the first loss since 2008 when the financial crisis hit, the company said in its annual report on Wednesday. "Like many major sovereign wealth funds and global institutional investors, overseas investment was affected by an overall downturn in the global market," CIC spokesman Wang Shuilin said at a news conference in Beijing. A case in point is Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, which has seen profits shrinking by 16 percent in the last fiscal year, with annual returns down from 4.6 percent to 1.5 percent. CIC Chairman Lou Jiwei said the global economy remains in a fragile state. "CIC will adhere to its prudent investment approach," and achieve good financial returns within acceptable boundaries of risk, he said in the preview of the annual report. Total assets of CIC at the end of last year, including Central Huijin Investment, stood at $482 billion, 17.7 percent up from the previous year. The company reported a net profit, for domestic and overseas investments, of $48.4 billion, down 6 percent year-on-year. Investment returns in 2010 reached 11.7 percent and cumulative annualized returns stood at 3.8 percent since CIC was established in September 2007. [...] CIC also adjusted its organizational structure in 2011 by establishing CIC International, which specialized in the management of overseas investments. In December, $30 billion was injected into CIC International in a bid to enhance its role as a vehicle to diversify foreign exchange holdings. China's investments overseas remain promising in the long term, experts said. [...] And both policy makers and businesses in Europe are eyeing investment from China. Karel de Gucht, the European trade commissioner, said doing business with China is one of the main ways to deliver growth in the eurozone. Engagement with China should be more pragmatic, he said, pointing out that fear of Chinese investment among some Europeans is wrong. "On the European side, there is too much emphasis on fear. This is simply misguided," he said recently in London. [...]. ^ top ^
VAT pilot program to expand (China Daily)
2012-07-27
The State Council on Wednesday approved a plan to extend a value-added tax pilot program in Shanghai to eight provincial-level regions. The program to replace the business tax with a VAT will be extended to Beijing, Tianjin, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Hubei and Guangdong, and the cities of Xiamen and Shenzhen, according to a statement of a State Council meeting presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao. The plan will start on Aug 1 and be finished by the end of this year, the statement said. To avoid double taxation, the State Council on Oct 26 approved the pilot program to replace the business tax with a VAT on selected service sectors, such as the transportation sector, in Shanghai from Jan 1. A business tax is a tax on the gross revenue of a business, while a VAT is a tax levied on the difference between a commodity's price before taxes and its cost of production. The replacement of the business tax could lift GDP growth by 0.5 percentage points and export growth by 0.7 percentage points, while helping create about 700,000 jobs, said Xiao Jie, director of the State Administration of Taxation, Xinhua News Agency reported in March. The pilot program will be expanded to more areas and sectors nationwide next year, the State Council said on Wednesday. [...]. ^ top ^
Government stresses quality for FDI, ODI (China Daily)
2012-07-27
China will shift its direct-investment focus, both foreign and outbound, to quality instead of quantity, an economic planning guideline said on Tuesday. The National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planning agency, outlined the nation's FDI and ODI development plan for the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15). The commission vowed to bring home advanced foreign technology, talent and management when attracting foreign capital. To that end, China will encourage multinationals to set up regional centers, R&D centers, procurement centers and financial management centers. China will also encourage foreign companies to invest in advanced service sectors, such as modern logistics, software development, engineering design, consultancy and intellectual property service industries, the document said. The country will strictly limit foreign investment in industries that consume a lot of energy and resources, and high-pollution industries. "China is transferring from embracing foreign investment to selectively embracing foreign investment, in a bid to upgrade and improve the economy," said Huo Jianguo, president of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation. The guideline acknowledged several hurdles to meeting this goal. One major problem is the inability to transform the large amount of FDI to China's own technological strength. "In past years, the surging FDI preferred single ownership in China, which made the technology spillover effect hard to occur," Huo said. "Other joint ventures, targeting China's labor advantages or the consumer market, provided few chances for technology spillover." Huo said China should ramp up its R&D ability and improve its innovation environment, which would help Chinese firms cooperate with foreign firms on technology. The document said the government will guide foreign capital into healthcare, culture and tourism sectors, but will be more cautious in finance, securities and telecommunications. [...] While stressing attracting quality foreign investment, the document also urged improving the quality of outbound investment. It said China will encourage investment in overseas high-tech and advanced manufacturing. The country will also seek to acquire foreign intellectual property rights through acquisitions, equity participation, joint ventures, and establishment of its own overseas R&D centers. Energy, mining and agriculture are identified as the key sectors that Chinese investors are encouraged to invest in abroad. Meanwhile, the document also noted difficulties facing China's outbound investment. "As China's might increases, there is growing skepticism toward China's overseas investment and subsequent restrictive practices," the document said. [...]. ^ top ^
China Exclusive: China mulls shutting near-bankrupt automakers to streamline industry (Xinhua)
2012-07-27
Chinese authorities are considering the introduction of a withdrawal mechanism to force near-bankrupt automakers out of the bloated automotive industry. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued a circular on its website Tuesday, revealing that it had decided to set up the mechanism in a bid to advance the core competitiveness and speed up the upgrade and transition of the auto sector. China is currently home to about 1,300 automobile and motorcycle manufacturers, including 171 car, truck and bus makers, more than 900 specialty vehicle manufacturers, 135 low-speed three-wheeled lorry and farm truck makers, and 120 motorcycle assemblers, according to the MIIT. However, nearly a quarter of these manufacturers are on the verge of bankruptcy, barely producing anything despite obtaining production approvals from supervising authorities, the statement said. Some of these companies sell their shell resources to private investors, which are eager to enter the flourishing auto market that has witnessed a fast boom over the past decade. According to the statement, automobile and motorcycle manufacturers that have already declared bankruptcy or have entered bankruptcy liquidation procedures will be disqualified for production. Passenger vehicle and motorcycle producers that make no more than 1,000 vehicles annually for two consecutive years, or large and medium-sized bus producers and light and heavy-duty truck producers that assemble no more than 50 vehicles annually, will be ordered to overhaul production. If they are still unable to meet the required standard in two years, they will be disqualified for production. Industry insiders say the move will block the way for private companies to enter the auto manufacturing business by purchasing the shell resources of those half-alive companies. [...] It is estimated that the planned auto capacity of China's 12 major automakers will surpass 30 million units, far exceeding market demand, according to the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planner. [...]. ^ top ^
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| DPRK
and South Korea |
Officials from China, DPRK pledge consolidation of friendship (Xinhua)
2012-07-25
BEIJING, Senior officials from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Workers' Party of Korea of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) met on Tuesday, and vowed to further consolidate the two countries' friendship. Zhou Yongkang, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Ri Myong Su, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party and a member of the National Defense Commission, held the meeting in Beijing on Tuesday. Zhou said the traditional friendship between the two countries -- created and cultivated by veteran revolutionaries of the two countries and two parties -- was their valuable treasure. [...] Zhou said Kim Jong Il was a great leader of the DPRK and the Workers' Party, and a close friend of the Chinese people. He hoped the DPRK would maintain stability and realize social and economic development under the leadership of Kim Jong Un and the party. [...] The Chinese side is ready to join hands with the DPRK to continue to promote their traditional friendship and cooperation and contribute to regional peace, stability and common development, he said. Zhou asked Ri to convey "cordial greetings" to Kim Jong Un from General Secretary Hu Jintao and himself. [...] Ri, also minister of People's Security of DPRK, conveyed greetings from Kim Jong Un to the Chinese leaders. [...] Prior to the meeting, State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu held talks with Ri on Tuesday morning. [...] Ri said the DPRK attaches great importance to developing cooperative relations with China's Public Security Ministry and is willing to enhance pragmatic cooperation. ^ top ^
U.S. offers best wishes to DPRK leader over marriage (Xinhua)
2012-07-26
WASHINGTON, The U.S. State Department on Wednesday did not hesitate to offer its best wishes to Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) whose marriage was just confirmed. "We've obviously seen the reports. We would always wish any kind of newly weds you know well as they embark," department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters at a regular news briefing. "Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju were present at the ceremony" marking the completion of an amusement park in Pyongyang, the official KCNA news agency reported on Wednesday. "All the participants enthusiastically welcomed them, loudly shouting 'Hurrah!'" the report added. The report marked the first reference by DPRK state media to Kim's marital status, which has been under speculation since he took power when his father Kim Jong Il died of illness last December. "But obviously our concerns first and foremost are for the North Korean people and we hope that conditions for them will improve and that the new DPRK leadership will make the right choice about opening the country and providing more for their people," Nuland said. ^ top ^
Flooding kills 8, renders 16,250 homeless in DPRK (Xinhua)
2012-07-26
PYONGYANG, Floods triggered by recent downpours have left eight people dead and over 16,250 homeless in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), official media reported Wednesday. The DPRK has been suffering from heavy rains and flooding since the start of the rainy season last Wednesday, when a typhoon reached the country, the official KCNA news agency reported. More than 650 houses were destroyed and nearly 3,870 others were submerged in the floodwaters, it said, adding that about 30 public buildings collapsed, long stretches of roads were destroyed and dozens of bridges were damaged. In an "all-people drive" to recover from the disaster, officials across the country are visiting disaster-hit areas to evaluate the damage and take necessary measures, it said. Rail traffic was temporarily suspended due to the downpour and strong rainstorm, according to the KCNA. ^ top ^
DPRK demands U.S. to take practical actions to promote peace (Xinhua)
2012-07-26
PYONGYANG, The United States should unconditionally replace the Korean Armistice Agreement (AA) with a peace agreement, the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Wednesday. "The U.S. should not just claim that it does not have any hostile intentions to the DPRK in words but prove it in such practical actions as making a bold decision to replace AA with a peace agreement without any excuse or precondition," a ministry spokesman said in a statement. Noting that "the unstable truce" between the DPRK and the United States has persisted on the Korean Peninsula for 59 years, the statement, carried by the official KCNA news agency, said this is "a very abnormal situation unprecedented in the world history of wars." Washington "deliberately opted to keep the truce long," and has persistently avoided the conclusion of a peace agreement and kept the state of belligerency on the Korean Peninsula, the statement added, saying "this is the most typical expression of its hostile policy toward the DPRK." Meanwhile, the United States "has systematically scrapped major provisions of AA, steadily increased military and nuclear threats to the DPRK and in the long run compelled it to have access to nuclear weapons," the spokesman said. In view of the "stark reality" that countries without nuclear deterrent "were brought down without exception in face of military intervention of hostile forces aimed at toppling social systems," the DPRK "will never abandon nuclear deterrent first as long as the U.S., the biggest nuclear weapons state in the world, remains hostile toward the former," the statement said. However, it added, the DPRK always stands ready to "settle the problems through dialogue and negotiations, but all the dialogues cannot but be 'ones for the sake of dialogue' unless the U.S. rolls back its hostile policy." "One way of solving the problem is to sign a peace agreement with the U.S. and another one is to root out the cause of war from the Korean Peninsula for a durable peace," said the statement. "The ball is in the court of the U.S.," it added. The Korean War, which broke out in 1950, ceased on July 27, 1953, when the AA was signed in Panmunjom on the border of the DPRK and South Korea. But the war is not officially over because no peace treaty has ever been signed. ^ top ^
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| Mongolia |
New speaker starts his job (Montsame)
2012-07-24
The first plenary meeting of the parliamentary session continued afternoon after electing the new Speaker of the State Great Khural. The Speaker Z.Enkhbold gave a report on an attendance of MPs and introduced to them agenda. He congratulated D.Erdenebat on being elected as a head of the Democratic Party's faction at parliament, and said the Justice coalition (Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party and National Democratic Party) created its faction and that its head became N.Battsereg MP. Then he asked MPs, who do not belong to any political party or coalition, to officially inform him which Standing Committees they want to enter. The same was soiunded to all members of the parties and coalition. Closing the plenary meeting, the Speaker stressed the factions must submit their official proposals on Vice Speakers. ^ top ^
Mongolia to intensify efforts to develop tourism (News.mn)
2012-07-24
Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj said Monday that his country will make more efforts to develop the tourism industry. Elbegdorj made the remarks at a meeting with visiting Secretary-General Taleb Rifai of the World Tourism Organization of the United Nations. Elbegdorj said Mongolia has rich and diverse tourism resources characterized by extraordinary natural landscapes, abundant historical heritage as well as unique ethnic customs. The upcoming new government would not only develop Mongolia"s mining industry, but also make more efforts to boost the tourism sector as well as related infrastructure, the president added. Rifai highlighted the key role played by tourism in creating jobs and promoting economic development, saying the total number of tourists around the world had reached 1 billion at present and one out of 10 job places were created by the tourism industry. He said Mongolia has great potential in developing ecological tourism. Mongolia owns many unspoiled landscapes and unique ethnic customs, such as the fossil fields in the Gobi Desert, the beautiful giant Khuvsgul lake as well as the grand national celebration -- Naadam Festival, and all the attractions have laid solid foundation for the country's tourism industry. Over the last three years, the number of foreign visitors to Mongolia increased 11 percent, with revenues up 32.5 percent during the same period. In order to realize the target to attract 1 million foreign visitors per year by 2015, the Mongolian government is expected to adopt more measures and channel more investment to boost the country's tourism sector. ^ top ^
Programme on crimes prevention approved (Montsame)
2012-07-25
The cabinet meeting on Wednesday approved anti-crime prevention information and advertisement programme and its measures. Orders were given to the Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs and governors of aimags and the City Mayor to create financial resources from annual state and local budgets and from assistance of international organizations. The Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs is to give reports on the programme's implementation and outcome to the cabinet in first quarter of every year. The programme's objectives are to improve people's knowledge on law and to deliver and advertise newly adopted laws and resolutions. ^ top ^
The Constitutional Court took a final decision over N.Enkhbayar's petition (News.mn)
2012-07-25
The Constitutional court of Mongolia took a final decision regarding former president Nambar Enkhbayar's petition. N.Enkhbayar complained to the Constitutional court over his right to be nominate as candidate and elected guaranteed by Constitution of Mongolia. The Genaral Election Committee has refused register N.Enkhbayar and his son E.Batshugar and lawyer S.Narangerel as candidate from Justice coalition (the coalition of Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party, headed by N.Enkhbayar and Mongolian National Democratic Party, headed by M.Enkhsaikhan) to the parliamentary election which took place on June 28, 2012. The Constitutional court has reviewed N.Enkhbayar's petition on June 27 by 3 seats hearing and decided not accept appeal. But N.Enkhbayar doesn't agreed with the decision and appealed to high level of Constitutional court. On July 24 the Constitutional court remained decision of 6 seats hearing in effective. ^ top ^
MPP renewed leader and governing board (News.mn)
2012-07-26
Plenum of Mongolian People's Party ended yesterday after two days session. Two days plenum renewed party leader and governing board. As informed before U.Enkhtuvshin will lead the party instead of S.Batbold. U.Enkhtivshin elected by majority vote of plenum delegates. Yesterday's session elected also new general secretary. Plenum delegates voted for three person as general secretary. There are G.Zandanshatar, Minister for Foreign relation, D.Tsgogtbaatar, Minister for Environment and Tourism and J.Sukhbaatar, former MP. And as results of vote G.Zandanshatar elected as general secretary of MPP, replacing U.Khurelsukh. Besides general secretary MPP has four secretay. Former MP Ts.Munkh-Orgil nominated as secretary charge for capital city, former MP J.Sukhbaatar a secretary charge for local organizations, D.Sarangerel charge for media and former Minister for Agriculture, Food and Light Industry T.Badamjunai charge for finance and funding. ^ top ^
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Gregor Muischneek
Embassy of Switzerland
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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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