The Fifth China Forum on Civic Virtues was concluded here on Sunday with an agreement reached by the participants to promote the anti-earthquake spirit as a major task for developing civic virtues.
To promote and popularize the great spirit showed by the Chinese people in dealing with the catastrophic May 12 Earthquake is a major task for developing civic virtues and will be significant for China to agglomerate nation's strength and overcome difficulties, according to the participants.
The two-day forum, held in this provincial capital of Sichuan Province, ended up with a manifesto demanding the whole people to promote and popularize the great anti-earthquake spirit while studying a speech made by President and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Hu Jintao at the recent national ceremony to award people for their heroic behaviors in fighting the disaster.
The great anti-earthquake spirit is a very valuable spiritual treasure for the Party and the people and has added a new gem to the spiritual home of the nation, according to the forum.
Over 200 people including some officials from central and local publicity departments and anti-earthquake heroes attended the forum.
On May 12, a 8-magnitude earthquake hit Sichuan and some of its neighboring provinces, leaving over 80,000 deaths, over 370,000 injured, millions of people homeless.
Over 100,000 service people and hundreds of thousands of civilian volunteers participated in earthquake relief over the past months.
Source: Xinhua
Monday, October 20, 2008
First navy ship from Africa creates waves
The first warship from Africa to visit China has impressed many a Chinese.
South Africa's Spioenkop, one of the most modern warships in the world, reached Shanghai on Thursday, and will leave today morning to continue its journey to Asia.
"African naval forces have developed fast in the past few years, and the Spioenkop represents their highest level. I've read about the frigate in military magazines several times, and longed to see it in reality," Feng Liang, a 25-year-old military fan said yesterday, when the ship was open to the public.
A navy officer managing the "open day" said about 3,000 people visited the ship yesterday, much more than the usual number that visits foreign warships.
"I think the modern infra-red stealth design is the key attraction," he said. "Besides, its attraction as the first African warship to visit China also drew the public," he said.
But what impressed naval soldier Li Yi the most was the South African crew's culture. "The two navies played a football match on Saturday. While the Chinese players waited quietly, the South African team entered the field, singing and dancing. It's so different the tropical culture its festive style attracts us very much."
For the South African guests, the four-day visit has been an unforgettable experience, too. Dineo Maleka, a post communications clerk, said she loved the location where the ship was anchored - in the most prosperous part of Huangpu River against the North Bund, full of beautiful old buildings. Across the river is the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the symbol of modern Shanghai.
"I appreciate the Chinese government's considerate arrangement. It's lovely to see the modern part of Shanghai, and at the same time feel its history," she said.
Christopher Manig, captain of the Spioenkop, surveyed the Chinese frigate he visited along with the crew very minutely. "I was impressed that the ship was built in China, and that most of the system equipment on board were also made in China. The Chinese people must be proud of it," he said. The Spioenkop was built in Germany.
Yao Yunzhu, a senior expert in foreign military studies with the Academy of Military Sciences, said Spioenkop's is doubly important - ending 600 years of one-way visits between China and Africa and taking a tangible step in military communication.
The Spioenkop stopped in Singapore before visiting Shanghai. And from China, it will visit Malaysia, Vietnam, India and Mauritius.
Source: China Daily
South Africa's Spioenkop, one of the most modern warships in the world, reached Shanghai on Thursday, and will leave today morning to continue its journey to Asia.
"African naval forces have developed fast in the past few years, and the Spioenkop represents their highest level. I've read about the frigate in military magazines several times, and longed to see it in reality," Feng Liang, a 25-year-old military fan said yesterday, when the ship was open to the public.
A navy officer managing the "open day" said about 3,000 people visited the ship yesterday, much more than the usual number that visits foreign warships.
"I think the modern infra-red stealth design is the key attraction," he said. "Besides, its attraction as the first African warship to visit China also drew the public," he said.
But what impressed naval soldier Li Yi the most was the South African crew's culture. "The two navies played a football match on Saturday. While the Chinese players waited quietly, the South African team entered the field, singing and dancing. It's so different the tropical culture its festive style attracts us very much."
For the South African guests, the four-day visit has been an unforgettable experience, too. Dineo Maleka, a post communications clerk, said she loved the location where the ship was anchored - in the most prosperous part of Huangpu River against the North Bund, full of beautiful old buildings. Across the river is the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the symbol of modern Shanghai.
"I appreciate the Chinese government's considerate arrangement. It's lovely to see the modern part of Shanghai, and at the same time feel its history," she said.
Christopher Manig, captain of the Spioenkop, surveyed the Chinese frigate he visited along with the crew very minutely. "I was impressed that the ship was built in China, and that most of the system equipment on board were also made in China. The Chinese people must be proud of it," he said. The Spioenkop was built in Germany.
Yao Yunzhu, a senior expert in foreign military studies with the Academy of Military Sciences, said Spioenkop's is doubly important - ending 600 years of one-way visits between China and Africa and taking a tangible step in military communication.
The Spioenkop stopped in Singapore before visiting Shanghai. And from China, it will visit Malaysia, Vietnam, India and Mauritius.
Source: China Daily
Reporting made easier for foreign media
China's new rules on foreign media will make reporting from the country more convenient, Wang Chen, minister of the State Council Information Office, has said.
The new rules, which replace the temporary ones for more than 30,000 foreign journalists covering the Beijing Olympic Games, say overseas correspondents no longer need the government's permission to travel within China or to interview its citizens.
The rules reflect the country's determination to carry forward its opening-up policy, said Wang, whose office co-wrote the 23-point rules.
"This is a very important move drawn on the experience of providing services and managerial help for foreign journalists during the Olympics. They underline the government's determination to further open up, and reflect the idea of maintaining an orderly opening-up policy and effective management."
Wang's comments came at an event to set up the "Israel Epstein Research Center" at Tsinghua University in Beijing. A Jewish journalist, Epstein became a naturalized Chinese citizen and is best known for his writings on China's revolution and Tibet.
Wang said the rules "answer the question about whether the Olympics' reporting arrangement would be made permanent".
The change in the new rules is that overseas correspondents no longer need to get the Foreign Ministry's permission and register with police to travel in the country is important, Wang said.
Such permission, however, is still needed to report from Tibet and other off-limit areas like military facilities.
The new rules also do away with a resident foreign reporter's need to renew his/her press card ever year.
"The government welcomes the foreign media and reporters. We hope more reports on the country are published across and broadcast to the world. We will spare no effort to provide help and service to them," Wang said.
"We hope, too, that the foreign journalists abide by Chinese laws and professional ethics and file unbiased and just reports and promote understanding and cooperation between China and the rest of the world," he said
Seymour Topping, a well-known American journalist, sees the lifting of the restrictions as an important step for China.
"The more restrictions on foreign correspondents' work are lifted, the better chance there is for the world to become fully aware of China's accomplishments and what it is attempting to achieve," the former Pulitzer Prize administrator said.
"China used to be too wary of foreign journalists, but now the rules allow them to decide who to talk to," Huang Youyi, editor-in-chief of China International Publishing Group, said.
"More channels for them to travel and report means there will be more stories and opinions ," he said.
Xinhua contributed to the story
Source: China Daily
The new rules, which replace the temporary ones for more than 30,000 foreign journalists covering the Beijing Olympic Games, say overseas correspondents no longer need the government's permission to travel within China or to interview its citizens.
The rules reflect the country's determination to carry forward its opening-up policy, said Wang, whose office co-wrote the 23-point rules.
"This is a very important move drawn on the experience of providing services and managerial help for foreign journalists during the Olympics. They underline the government's determination to further open up, and reflect the idea of maintaining an orderly opening-up policy and effective management."
Wang's comments came at an event to set up the "Israel Epstein Research Center" at Tsinghua University in Beijing. A Jewish journalist, Epstein became a naturalized Chinese citizen and is best known for his writings on China's revolution and Tibet.
Wang said the rules "answer the question about whether the Olympics' reporting arrangement would be made permanent".
The change in the new rules is that overseas correspondents no longer need to get the Foreign Ministry's permission and register with police to travel in the country is important, Wang said.
Such permission, however, is still needed to report from Tibet and other off-limit areas like military facilities.
The new rules also do away with a resident foreign reporter's need to renew his/her press card ever year.
"The government welcomes the foreign media and reporters. We hope more reports on the country are published across and broadcast to the world. We will spare no effort to provide help and service to them," Wang said.
"We hope, too, that the foreign journalists abide by Chinese laws and professional ethics and file unbiased and just reports and promote understanding and cooperation between China and the rest of the world," he said
Seymour Topping, a well-known American journalist, sees the lifting of the restrictions as an important step for China.
"The more restrictions on foreign correspondents' work are lifted, the better chance there is for the world to become fully aware of China's accomplishments and what it is attempting to achieve," the former Pulitzer Prize administrator said.
"China used to be too wary of foreign journalists, but now the rules allow them to decide who to talk to," Huang Youyi, editor-in-chief of China International Publishing Group, said.
"More channels for them to travel and report means there will be more stories and opinions ," he said.
Xinhua contributed to the story
Source: China Daily
Ministry backs property moves
The central government endorses local governments' measures to revitalize property markets, a senior official said on Saturday.
"Local governments should be allowed certain freedom in formulating real estate policies," Qiu Baoxing, vice-minister of housing and urban-rural planning, said at the China Mayors Forum in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.
"I believe each city government is capable of adopting sensible measures suited to local conditions."
His comments came after 18 cities, including Shanghai, Xi'an, Xiamen and Hangzhou, announced policies to boost the property market.
They include raising the ceiling on government funding or subsidies for home-buyers, cutting taxes and extending the time limit for property firms to develop land parcels.
Since the fourth quarter of last year, the property market has cooled down nationwide and transactions have fallen significantly.
"We should allow scope for experiments, which is what reform and opening-up means," he said.
Fan Gang, a leading economist, told China Central Television on Friday that China should adjust its financial policies on the real estate market, such as giving preferred policies to home-buyers.
He said preventing bubbles should not be a priority at present, but activating the demands.
Songyuxuanzhu, a famous blogger on the leading news website 163.com, said that when the financial crisis is rampant worldwide, rescuing the property market is not just about whether protecting the interests of property dealers or consumers, it is more about financial and economic stability.
However, Internet users, property owners and academics differ in their response.
According to a survey by Sina, a major website, more than 84 percent of Internet users oppose governments' efforts to revive the market.
They believe such measures will benefit real estate developers and drive up prices gain.
Chen Lin, director of Guangzhou University's Real Estate Institute, said it was too early for government rescue measures.
"House prices in Guangzhou are way beyond the reach of residents; and the policies will not be widely welcomed," she said.
She believed local governments are mounting rescue bids because they have a big stake in that, which is a major source of financial revenue.
Source: China Daily
"Local governments should be allowed certain freedom in formulating real estate policies," Qiu Baoxing, vice-minister of housing and urban-rural planning, said at the China Mayors Forum in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.
"I believe each city government is capable of adopting sensible measures suited to local conditions."
His comments came after 18 cities, including Shanghai, Xi'an, Xiamen and Hangzhou, announced policies to boost the property market.
They include raising the ceiling on government funding or subsidies for home-buyers, cutting taxes and extending the time limit for property firms to develop land parcels.
Since the fourth quarter of last year, the property market has cooled down nationwide and transactions have fallen significantly.
"We should allow scope for experiments, which is what reform and opening-up means," he said.
Fan Gang, a leading economist, told China Central Television on Friday that China should adjust its financial policies on the real estate market, such as giving preferred policies to home-buyers.
He said preventing bubbles should not be a priority at present, but activating the demands.
Songyuxuanzhu, a famous blogger on the leading news website 163.com, said that when the financial crisis is rampant worldwide, rescuing the property market is not just about whether protecting the interests of property dealers or consumers, it is more about financial and economic stability.
However, Internet users, property owners and academics differ in their response.
According to a survey by Sina, a major website, more than 84 percent of Internet users oppose governments' efforts to revive the market.
They believe such measures will benefit real estate developers and drive up prices gain.
Chen Lin, director of Guangzhou University's Real Estate Institute, said it was too early for government rescue measures.
"House prices in Guangzhou are way beyond the reach of residents; and the policies will not be widely welcomed," she said.
She believed local governments are mounting rescue bids because they have a big stake in that, which is a major source of financial revenue.
Source: China Daily
Direct financing move to strengthen market
Shareholders of listed companies can issue exchangeable bonds from yesterday to broaden the channels of direct financing, China's securities watchdog said yesterday.
Exchangeable bonds that are somewhat like of corporate bonds can be exchanged for shares, based on set conditions.
A China Securities Regulatory Commission official said that as soon as the draft regulation on bonds was released in September, many shareholders began discussing the possibility of issuing exchangeable bonds. Most of these people hold big companies' shares.
"Compared with simply dumping the shares to raise money, issuing exchangeable bonds can indicate that shareholders have confidence in the firms' future, and the confidence can rub off investors," the official, not named in a CSRC statement, said.
The CSRC regulation, released yesterday, said that to limit the risks and protect creditors' interest in the issuing of exchangeable bonds, a listed company's net assets has to be at least 300 million yuan .
Some key changes have been made in the final regulation compared with the draft. They include shortening the lockup period of shares, lifting their lower limit prices, clarifying their legal status and covering the proceeds for guarantee.
As for the proportion of bonds in total direct investment, the official said that till September listed companies had raised about 98 billion yuan by issuing bonds, which accounted for half of the amount raised through refinancing.
Among current bonds, those with attached warrant or equity warrant bonds topped the sales with 56 billion yuan, followed by corporate bonds in the first nine months of this year.
From Sept 24, 2007, when China's first corporate bond was issued, to Sept 30, this year, 16 companies had issued such bonds, worth 40 billion yuan.
The pace of share issues has been much lower this year because of the sluggish stock market, but the bond market has been quite hot.
CSRC figures show 21 listed companies raised 74.5 billion yuan in the first half by issuing bonds.
But in the third quarter of this year, only about 23.5 billion yuan worth of bonds were issued, much less than the first two quarters' average of 37 billion yuan.
Source: China Daily
Exchangeable bonds that are somewhat like of corporate bonds can be exchanged for shares, based on set conditions.
A China Securities Regulatory Commission official said that as soon as the draft regulation on bonds was released in September, many shareholders began discussing the possibility of issuing exchangeable bonds. Most of these people hold big companies' shares.
"Compared with simply dumping the shares to raise money, issuing exchangeable bonds can indicate that shareholders have confidence in the firms' future, and the confidence can rub off investors," the official, not named in a CSRC statement, said.
The CSRC regulation, released yesterday, said that to limit the risks and protect creditors' interest in the issuing of exchangeable bonds, a listed company's net assets has to be at least 300 million yuan .
Some key changes have been made in the final regulation compared with the draft. They include shortening the lockup period of shares, lifting their lower limit prices, clarifying their legal status and covering the proceeds for guarantee.
As for the proportion of bonds in total direct investment, the official said that till September listed companies had raised about 98 billion yuan by issuing bonds, which accounted for half of the amount raised through refinancing.
Among current bonds, those with attached warrant or equity warrant bonds topped the sales with 56 billion yuan, followed by corporate bonds in the first nine months of this year.
From Sept 24, 2007, when China's first corporate bond was issued, to Sept 30, this year, 16 companies had issued such bonds, worth 40 billion yuan.
The pace of share issues has been much lower this year because of the sluggish stock market, but the bond market has been quite hot.
CSRC figures show 21 listed companies raised 74.5 billion yuan in the first half by issuing bonds.
But in the third quarter of this year, only about 23.5 billion yuan worth of bonds were issued, much less than the first two quarters' average of 37 billion yuan.
Source: China Daily
China to continue opening-up policy in agricultural sector
The Communist Party of China reiterated on Sunday it would continue opening up the country's agriculture sector.
In a document unveiled by the CPC Central Committee, the Party said it would encourage labor-intensive and technology-intensive exports and allow moderate imports that were in short supply in the domestic market.
The government would intensify its studies and information service on the international market, as well as strengthen supervision over customs quarantine, it said.
To better utilize foreign investment, the Party will encourage more foreign companies to invest in the agriculture sector and complete regulations in line with the World Trade Organization's rules for foreign capital admittance to the market.
It would also create a safety measure for rules pertaining to foreign entities buying domestic agricultural companies, it said.
China will develop international agricultural cooperation under a coordinated plan while cultivate agricultural transnational enterprises, according to the document.
China would actively participate in making trade rules and standards for international agricultural products to promote a fair and rational trade order, the document said.
Source: Xinhua
In a document unveiled by the CPC Central Committee, the Party said it would encourage labor-intensive and technology-intensive exports and allow moderate imports that were in short supply in the domestic market.
The government would intensify its studies and information service on the international market, as well as strengthen supervision over customs quarantine, it said.
To better utilize foreign investment, the Party will encourage more foreign companies to invest in the agriculture sector and complete regulations in line with the World Trade Organization's rules for foreign capital admittance to the market.
It would also create a safety measure for rules pertaining to foreign entities buying domestic agricultural companies, it said.
China will develop international agricultural cooperation under a coordinated plan while cultivate agricultural transnational enterprises, according to the document.
China would actively participate in making trade rules and standards for international agricultural products to promote a fair and rational trade order, the document said.
Source: Xinhua
Sino-EU co-op boasts broad prospects in addressing common challenges
Cooperation between the European Union and China boasts broad prospects due to challenges facing both sides in at least four spheres, Pierre Caleb, founder of the China-Europe Forum, told Xinhua in a recent interview.
Speaking ahead of the Asia-Europe Meeting scheduled for Oct. 24-25 in Beijing, Caleb said China and the EU had singled out four common challenges after two sessions of the China-Europe Forum in 2005 and 2007.
First, he said, both China and Europe will face the transformation of development modes.
In Europe, people are pursuing the goal of "sustainable development," while China is striving for a "harmonious society." Although the two modes are not exactly the same, their essentials are alike: both sides seek new development modes, which will take a long and arduous process of exploration.
Secondly, both sides will encounter a belief crisis or ethics crisis, said Caleb, also chairman of the Paris-based Charles Leopold Mayer Foundation for the Progress of Humankind.
It remains a big question as to how to respect the traditional values during the march toward modernization, and how to safeguardtraditional social characteristics while opening up to the outsideworld, he said.
The third challenge is how to run society, said Calame.
Society administration needs a brand-new type of participation by all people, only through which a more comprehensive and more effective solution could be found to complicated issues such as water, energy, health care, education, environmental protection and bio-diversity.
The international status of both sides poses the fourth common challenge to China and the EU, according to Calame.
With the ever increasing power and rising international standing, China and the EU will certainly have more dialogue and cooperation so as to join hands for a new multilateral international system and higher efficiency and democratization in the administration of global affairs.
Calame said the challenges meant new opportunities of cooperation for both sides.
For example, he said, both sides could make feasible proposals on an industrial production chain of sustainable development, which is crucial for sustainable development of the whole society or the building of a harmonious society.
China and the EU can also cooperate in climate change and environmental protection, he added.
Calame said there were great potentials for cooperation in culture and education as well for both sides that could learn from each other when making adjustments to their education systems to meet the needs of the 21st century.
To safeguard world peace provides another great opportunity of cooperation for China and the EU, he said.
Calame said that a partnership of cooperation on equal footing would be the cornerstone of future Sino-EU relations, adding the ties, featured in strategic partnership, is crucial for international order.
Source: Xinhua
Speaking ahead of the Asia-Europe Meeting scheduled for Oct. 24-25 in Beijing, Caleb said China and the EU had singled out four common challenges after two sessions of the China-Europe Forum in 2005 and 2007.
First, he said, both China and Europe will face the transformation of development modes.
In Europe, people are pursuing the goal of "sustainable development," while China is striving for a "harmonious society." Although the two modes are not exactly the same, their essentials are alike: both sides seek new development modes, which will take a long and arduous process of exploration.
Secondly, both sides will encounter a belief crisis or ethics crisis, said Caleb, also chairman of the Paris-based Charles Leopold Mayer Foundation for the Progress of Humankind.
It remains a big question as to how to respect the traditional values during the march toward modernization, and how to safeguardtraditional social characteristics while opening up to the outsideworld, he said.
The third challenge is how to run society, said Calame.
Society administration needs a brand-new type of participation by all people, only through which a more comprehensive and more effective solution could be found to complicated issues such as water, energy, health care, education, environmental protection and bio-diversity.
The international status of both sides poses the fourth common challenge to China and the EU, according to Calame.
With the ever increasing power and rising international standing, China and the EU will certainly have more dialogue and cooperation so as to join hands for a new multilateral international system and higher efficiency and democratization in the administration of global affairs.
Calame said the challenges meant new opportunities of cooperation for both sides.
For example, he said, both sides could make feasible proposals on an industrial production chain of sustainable development, which is crucial for sustainable development of the whole society or the building of a harmonious society.
China and the EU can also cooperate in climate change and environmental protection, he added.
Calame said there were great potentials for cooperation in culture and education as well for both sides that could learn from each other when making adjustments to their education systems to meet the needs of the 21st century.
To safeguard world peace provides another great opportunity of cooperation for China and the EU, he said.
Calame said that a partnership of cooperation on equal footing would be the cornerstone of future Sino-EU relations, adding the ties, featured in strategic partnership, is crucial for international order.
Source: Xinhua
Nepal-China ties should be developed to new height: minister
Minister for Information and Communications Krishna Bahadur Mahara said that Nepal-China relation should be developed in a new height as per the changed political context, The Rising Nepal reported on Monday.
"Nepal's ties with China has gained a momentum during the last year in the various fields including tourism and business," Mahara said at a program of Xinhua News Agency's Information Service Introduction and Promotion here Sunday evening.
Nepal wants to extend its relations with China in multilateral sectors, Mahara said.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zheng Xianglin underscored the necessity of prominent reporters of Nepalese Media in Beijing to carry out objective news related to Chinese activities.
Source: Xinhua
"Nepal's ties with China has gained a momentum during the last year in the various fields including tourism and business," Mahara said at a program of Xinhua News Agency's Information Service Introduction and Promotion here Sunday evening.
Nepal wants to extend its relations with China in multilateral sectors, Mahara said.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zheng Xianglin underscored the necessity of prominent reporters of Nepalese Media in Beijing to carry out objective news related to Chinese activities.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese court upholds death penalty for police killer
A Shanghai court has upheld the death penalty for Yang Jia, a jobless Beijing man who stormed into a Shanghai police bureau earlier this year and killed six officers.
After the final trial of Yang's case, the Shanghai Higher People's Court turned down his appeal against the death sentence handed down earlier by a local court, according to the final verdict the court announced Monday.
The Shanghai court's death sentence verdict needs to be ratified by the Supreme People's Court in Beijing.
Yang, 28, was sentenced to death on Sept. 1 in the first trial at the Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate People's Court for killing six officers and injuring four others in the July 1 assault.
A second trial was held last week to hear Yang's appeal.
Yang stabbed a security guard at the police branch in Shanghai's Zhabei District and started a fire at its gate. He then forced his way into the building and attacked nine police officers, killing six of them. Three other police and the security guard were injured.
Yang was apprehended at the scene and confessed to the killings.
He was reportedly revenging Shanghai police for a lengthy interrogation last October, when he was questioned for riding an unlicensed bicycle. He later sued the officers for 10,000 yuan in compensation for psychological damage but the claim was rejected.
Source: Xinhua
After the final trial of Yang's case, the Shanghai Higher People's Court turned down his appeal against the death sentence handed down earlier by a local court, according to the final verdict the court announced Monday.
The Shanghai court's death sentence verdict needs to be ratified by the Supreme People's Court in Beijing.
Yang, 28, was sentenced to death on Sept. 1 in the first trial at the Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate People's Court for killing six officers and injuring four others in the July 1 assault.
A second trial was held last week to hear Yang's appeal.
Yang stabbed a security guard at the police branch in Shanghai's Zhabei District and started a fire at its gate. He then forced his way into the building and attacked nine police officers, killing six of them. Three other police and the security guard were injured.
Yang was apprehended at the scene and confessed to the killings.
He was reportedly revenging Shanghai police for a lengthy interrogation last October, when he was questioned for riding an unlicensed bicycle. He later sued the officers for 10,000 yuan in compensation for psychological damage but the claim was rejected.
Source: Xinhua
China shares up 2.3% on expectation of more economic stimulus
Chinese stocks rose 2.25 percent on Monday, led by property developers, amid expectation the government would unveil more measures to stimulate economy.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 43.36 points to close at 1,974.01 points. The Shenzhen Component Index climbed 216.78 points, or 3.49 percent, to 6,426.29.
Gainers outnumbered losers by 824-45 in Shanghai and 696-45 in Shenzhen.
Source:Xinhua
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 43.36 points to close at 1,974.01 points. The Shenzhen Component Index climbed 216.78 points, or 3.49 percent, to 6,426.29.
Gainers outnumbered losers by 824-45 in Shanghai and 696-45 in Shenzhen.
Source:Xinhua
Chinese vice premier meets Vietnamese guest
Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu met in Beijing Monday with Giang Seo Phu, Chairman of the Vietnamese Ethnic Minorities Committee, calling on the two sides to strengthen cooperation on the ethnic minorities work.
Giang Seo Phu is also a member of the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Communist Party.
Hui, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that relations between the two parties and the two countries have developed in a sound way in various aspects in recent years.
He said that the CPC and the Chinese Government attach great importance to the ethnic minorities issue and work and have found a correct road of promoting common development and common prosperity among various ethnic groups.
Hui said that China and Vietnam have many similarities concerning ethic minorities work, expressing his hope that two sides could work closer and learn from each other to enhance unity among ethnic groups, social stability, national unity and economic development in the ethnic minorities regions.
Giang Seo Phu's visit is at the invitation of China's State Ethnic Affairs Commission.
Source:Xinhua
Giang Seo Phu is also a member of the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Communist Party.
Hui, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that relations between the two parties and the two countries have developed in a sound way in various aspects in recent years.
He said that the CPC and the Chinese Government attach great importance to the ethnic minorities issue and work and have found a correct road of promoting common development and common prosperity among various ethnic groups.
Hui said that China and Vietnam have many similarities concerning ethic minorities work, expressing his hope that two sides could work closer and learn from each other to enhance unity among ethnic groups, social stability, national unity and economic development in the ethnic minorities regions.
Giang Seo Phu's visit is at the invitation of China's State Ethnic Affairs Commission.
Source:Xinhua
Chinese Tibetolgists end visit to Norway
A delegation of Chinese Tibetologists ended their visit to Norway on Monday after exchanging views with the Norwegian public and briefing them on the developments in Tibet.
Norwegian Vice President of the Lower House Olav Gunnar Ballo said that he had learned more about the reality in Tibet through his talks with the Chinese Tibetologists.
Shen Kaiyun, head of the delegation, made a presentation on Tibet's economic and social development, religious freedom and the preservation of traditional Tibetan culture to the hosts.
In fluent English, Dawa Ciren, a researcher in the Tibetan Academy of Social Sciences, also briefed the hosts on the protection of environment and wild lives in Tibet.
During their talks with Egil Lothe, president of Norwegian Buddhist Union, the Chinese Tibetologists also gave an account of religions in today's Tibet.
"There are more than 1,700 temples and 46,000 clergies in Tibet nowadays," Shen said.
"The Chinese government has put a large amount of money to preserve and repair temples, an indication of religious freedom in Tibet," Shen added.
Egil Lothe praised the frank exchange of views between the two countries, saying it helped Norwegians to get a better understanding of Tibet.
During their meeting with officials from the Norwegian Foreign Ministry and University of Oslo, members of the delegation also briefed them on the Chinese government's position and the reality of Tibet.
The Chinese Tibetologists arrived in Oslo on Wednesday for a visit to Norway.
Source:Xinhua
Norwegian Vice President of the Lower House Olav Gunnar Ballo said that he had learned more about the reality in Tibet through his talks with the Chinese Tibetologists.
Shen Kaiyun, head of the delegation, made a presentation on Tibet's economic and social development, religious freedom and the preservation of traditional Tibetan culture to the hosts.
In fluent English, Dawa Ciren, a researcher in the Tibetan Academy of Social Sciences, also briefed the hosts on the protection of environment and wild lives in Tibet.
During their talks with Egil Lothe, president of Norwegian Buddhist Union, the Chinese Tibetologists also gave an account of religions in today's Tibet.
"There are more than 1,700 temples and 46,000 clergies in Tibet nowadays," Shen said.
"The Chinese government has put a large amount of money to preserve and repair temples, an indication of religious freedom in Tibet," Shen added.
Egil Lothe praised the frank exchange of views between the two countries, saying it helped Norwegians to get a better understanding of Tibet.
During their meeting with officials from the Norwegian Foreign Ministry and University of Oslo, members of the delegation also briefed them on the Chinese government's position and the reality of Tibet.
The Chinese Tibetologists arrived in Oslo on Wednesday for a visit to Norway.
Source:Xinhua
Helicopter base to be built in Tianjin
The China Aviation Industry Corporation signed a cooperation framework agreement with Tianjin Municipal Government in Tianjin on October 17 on joint building a China helicopter industry base in Tianjin Airport Industry Park.
The base consists of the research and development base, product assembly base, customer service base and related necessary facilities. The project is expected to receive investment more than 20 billion yuan, and will be completed in 2017. It is another major aviation industry project to be built in Tianjin Binhai New Area following the project of Airbus A320 series aircraft.
By People's Daily Online
The base consists of the research and development base, product assembly base, customer service base and related necessary facilities. The project is expected to receive investment more than 20 billion yuan, and will be completed in 2017. It is another major aviation industry project to be built in Tianjin Binhai New Area following the project of Airbus A320 series aircraft.
By People's Daily Online
China-Pakistan friendship lasts forever
Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari’s first visit to China from Oct. 14 to 17 was hailed as positive and fruitful. An article published recently by the Associated Press of Pakistan said Zardari’s visit has made a crucial step forward in improving all-round Sino-Pakistan strategic cooperation and bringing vigour and vitality to the time-honoured Sino-Pakistan friendship, which will serve as a milestone in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Pakistan is the first Islamic country and one of the first Asian countries to establish diplomatic ties with China. Since the two-way relations was set up on May 21, 1951, the two countries have been maintaining the good-neighbourness and friendly cooperation under the framework of Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The time-honoured China-Pakistan relations has developed into a pofound friendship and an all-round cooperation, and kept deepening and expanding. The two countries forged close cooperation and called for concerted efforts on world arena, and played an active and influential role in coopering with regional and international issues.
In the era of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in the 1970s, the People’s Party of Pakistan , the country’s ruling party started the friendly exchange with China, and the relations continued with Benazir Bhutto as well as Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The PPP was really proud of the ties with China. Zardari reiterated that Pakistan-China friendship was a long-term historical mission, and he would, as always, firmly maintain and strengthen the bilateral relations.
China and Pakistan have developed a good exchange and cooperation mechanism in the fields of economic and trade, science and technology, security, defense, education, culture as well as agriculture. Leaders from both countries have conducted negotiations and coordination on major issues of common concern. During Chinese president Hu Jintao’s visit to the south Asian country in 2006, Chinese government planned to invite a total of 500 Pakistani youths to China in the next five years; meanwhile, as a return, Pakistan also decided to receive 500 children from China within five years. As of the education cooperation, Pakistan sent excellent students every year to study in China, and the Confucius Institute in Islamabad has already been set up. All these activities will further promote Sino-Pakistani cultural exchange.
China and Pakistan is complementary in terms of industry and trade, and have huge potential in the fields of energy, metallurgy, telecommunications, agriculture, power, environmental protection and infrastructure construction. The signing-off of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement and the Five-year Development Plan for China-Pakistan Economic and Trade Cooperation laid solid foundation for the further development of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries in the fields of finance, banking, IT and hi-tech. The volume of two-way trade has hit 7 billion US dollars so far, and is expected to reach 15 billion by 2012. Over 7,000 Chinese technicians and skilled workers took part in the projects of Gwadar Port, Saindak Cooper-gold Mine, Chashma Nuclear Power Plant, Duddar Zinc-lead Mine, and reconstruction and expansion of Karakoram Highway.
A friendship forest in Islamabad witnessed the deep China-Pakistan friendship in the past 50 years. Many Chinese leaders have planted trees there during their state visit to Pakistan since Premier Zhou Enlai planted the first friendship tree in 1964. Some of them have grown towering trees, symbolising the deep, fruitful and ever-lasting China-Pakistan ties.
By People's Daily Online
Pakistan is the first Islamic country and one of the first Asian countries to establish diplomatic ties with China. Since the two-way relations was set up on May 21, 1951, the two countries have been maintaining the good-neighbourness and friendly cooperation under the framework of Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The time-honoured China-Pakistan relations has developed into a pofound friendship and an all-round cooperation, and kept deepening and expanding. The two countries forged close cooperation and called for concerted efforts on world arena, and played an active and influential role in coopering with regional and international issues.
In the era of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in the 1970s, the People’s Party of Pakistan , the country’s ruling party started the friendly exchange with China, and the relations continued with Benazir Bhutto as well as Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The PPP was really proud of the ties with China. Zardari reiterated that Pakistan-China friendship was a long-term historical mission, and he would, as always, firmly maintain and strengthen the bilateral relations.
China and Pakistan have developed a good exchange and cooperation mechanism in the fields of economic and trade, science and technology, security, defense, education, culture as well as agriculture. Leaders from both countries have conducted negotiations and coordination on major issues of common concern. During Chinese president Hu Jintao’s visit to the south Asian country in 2006, Chinese government planned to invite a total of 500 Pakistani youths to China in the next five years; meanwhile, as a return, Pakistan also decided to receive 500 children from China within five years. As of the education cooperation, Pakistan sent excellent students every year to study in China, and the Confucius Institute in Islamabad has already been set up. All these activities will further promote Sino-Pakistani cultural exchange.
China and Pakistan is complementary in terms of industry and trade, and have huge potential in the fields of energy, metallurgy, telecommunications, agriculture, power, environmental protection and infrastructure construction. The signing-off of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement and the Five-year Development Plan for China-Pakistan Economic and Trade Cooperation laid solid foundation for the further development of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries in the fields of finance, banking, IT and hi-tech. The volume of two-way trade has hit 7 billion US dollars so far, and is expected to reach 15 billion by 2012. Over 7,000 Chinese technicians and skilled workers took part in the projects of Gwadar Port, Saindak Cooper-gold Mine, Chashma Nuclear Power Plant, Duddar Zinc-lead Mine, and reconstruction and expansion of Karakoram Highway.
A friendship forest in Islamabad witnessed the deep China-Pakistan friendship in the past 50 years. Many Chinese leaders have planted trees there during their state visit to Pakistan since Premier Zhou Enlai planted the first friendship tree in 1964. Some of them have grown towering trees, symbolising the deep, fruitful and ever-lasting China-Pakistan ties.
By People's Daily Online
38 billion yuan deal made at agriculture trade fair
The 6 China Agriculture Trade Fair was over on October 19. On that day, Chen Xiaohua, vice minister of China's Ministry of Agriculture, revealed that the volume of business of this fair reached 38 billion yuan, increasing by 10% than last fair.
Among the trades, the volume of intentional contract was 37.5 billion yuan, which is a little higher than last fair; while the cumulative sales of sales territory reached 68 million yuan, which is almost equal with last fair.
By People's Daily Online
Among the trades, the volume of intentional contract was 37.5 billion yuan, which is a little higher than last fair; while the cumulative sales of sales territory reached 68 million yuan, which is almost equal with last fair.
By People's Daily Online
More than 100 million Chinese read online
More than 300 thousands of e-books are circulating in the Chinese market and the number of Chinese who read online are over 100 million, according to news released from the meeting of China-ASEAN News Council of Ministers held in Nanning of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on October 16.
During the 30 years since China's reform and opening up, Chinese book market has seen rapid development. At present, China publishes more than 200,000 types of books, 2 billion circulations of newspapers on average, 160 million of publications, 15,000 kinds of audio products with more than 200 million publications, 180 million types of video products with more than 323 million publications, and also has more than 7,000 types of e-publications with the publishing number exceeding 160 million.
By People's Daily Online
During the 30 years since China's reform and opening up, Chinese book market has seen rapid development. At present, China publishes more than 200,000 types of books, 2 billion circulations of newspapers on average, 160 million of publications, 15,000 kinds of audio products with more than 200 million publications, 180 million types of video products with more than 323 million publications, and also has more than 7,000 types of e-publications with the publishing number exceeding 160 million.
By People's Daily Online
Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing named most competitive cities
Competitiveness of Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing, Dongguan, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Wuxi, Suzhou, Nanjing and Changsha tops among Chinese cities, according to "Chinese city's comprehensive competitiveness report" released on October 19th by Beijing International Institute for Urban Development. Beijing is considered most attractive city in China.
"Chinese city's comprehensive competitiveness report" carried out a comprehensive evaluation and analysis of the overall competitiveness of China's 286 prefecture-level cities. The report has done a comparative analysis of the overall competitiveness of 14 Chinese urban agglomerations, 48 resource-based cities, and 79 cities established over 30 years of reform and opening up.
The report also showed that Beijing's charm is not only reflected in the long history and the city's external image, but also in the improved quality of citizens and the inherent advantages of public culture. The position and role of culture have become increasingly prominent in the city's comprehensive competitiveness. It is expected in 2010, the added value of Beijing cultural and creative industries will account for more than 10% of the city's GDP. In five to eight years, Beijing will have an "aircraft carrier" in cultural and creative industries
Beijing ranks top of 286 cities in" City Charm" indicators, and its urban revitalization is also higher than that of Shanghai. The report suggested that in Beijing's future development, "human values" should be a competitive advantage people need to pay attention to.
By People's Daily Online
"Chinese city's comprehensive competitiveness report" carried out a comprehensive evaluation and analysis of the overall competitiveness of China's 286 prefecture-level cities. The report has done a comparative analysis of the overall competitiveness of 14 Chinese urban agglomerations, 48 resource-based cities, and 79 cities established over 30 years of reform and opening up.
The report also showed that Beijing's charm is not only reflected in the long history and the city's external image, but also in the improved quality of citizens and the inherent advantages of public culture. The position and role of culture have become increasingly prominent in the city's comprehensive competitiveness. It is expected in 2010, the added value of Beijing cultural and creative industries will account for more than 10% of the city's GDP. In five to eight years, Beijing will have an "aircraft carrier" in cultural and creative industries
Beijing ranks top of 286 cities in" City Charm" indicators, and its urban revitalization is also higher than that of Shanghai. The report suggested that in Beijing's future development, "human values" should be a competitive advantage people need to pay attention to.
By People's Daily Online
Vietnamese PM starts China visit
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung arrived in south China's Hainan Province on Monday, starting a six-day official visit to China.
Nguyen is in Haikou as a guest of Premier Wen Jiabao. This is also his first official China visit since assuming office in 2006.
In a tour of the island's special economic zone, Nguyen visited the Yangpu economic development zone and will attend an economic cooperation forum between Vietnam and China on Tuesday.
Vietnamese delegates said they wanted to learn from China's experience in developing special economic zones, and find opportunities for bilateral exchanges and cooperation. Nguyen's delegation includes more than 70 Vietnamese business people.
Also on Nguyen's agenda is the seventh summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting scheduled on Oct. 24 and 25 in Beijing.
Source:Xinhua
Nguyen is in Haikou as a guest of Premier Wen Jiabao. This is also his first official China visit since assuming office in 2006.
In a tour of the island's special economic zone, Nguyen visited the Yangpu economic development zone and will attend an economic cooperation forum between Vietnam and China on Tuesday.
Vietnamese delegates said they wanted to learn from China's experience in developing special economic zones, and find opportunities for bilateral exchanges and cooperation. Nguyen's delegation includes more than 70 Vietnamese business people.
Also on Nguyen's agenda is the seventh summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting scheduled on Oct. 24 and 25 in Beijing.
Source:Xinhua
Chronology of the CPC's decision on rural reform, development
The Communist Party of China issued a landmark policy document on Sunday to allow farmers to "lease their contracted farmland or transfer their land use rights" to boost the scale of operation for farm production and provide funds to start new businesses.
The Decision on Major Issues Concerning the Advancement of Rural Reform and Development was approved by the CPC Central Committee on Oct. 12 at a plenary session.
Key developments in the formation process of the document include:
-- In March 2008, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and its Standing Committee decided that the third Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee would focus on issues concerning rural reform and development.
-- On March 25, a drafting team was set up by Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau. The team, directly under the Standing Committee, was headed by Hui Liangyu, Vice Premier and member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, and Wang Huning, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee. The team consisted of 49 central government officials, local government leaders and researchers on rural issues.
-- At the first meeting of the drafting team on March 25, CPC Central Committee General Secretary and Chinese President Hu Jintao put forward seven key issues, including the establishment of modern agriculture and getting industry to support agriculture and cities to support the countryside.
-- In April, members of the drafting team went to 12 provinces and autonomous regions, including Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Anhui, Hubei and Sichuan, on field investigations. Meanwhile, the drafting team entrusted 18 central government departments to carryout independent researches. Twenty-five reports were submitted to the drafting team.
-- At the end of April, the CPC Central Committee solicited opinions and suggestions from CPC members and non-Communist personages on rural reform and development. By April, the CPC Central Committee received 121 suggestions.
-- At the beginning of May, the drafting team started to write the document.
-- On June 17, a draft was completed.
-- From June 26 to July 24, the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau held two meetings to discuss the draft. On July 25, the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau held a meeting to deliberate on the draft. The draft was then revised several times.
-- On August 7, the draft was open to leaders of central and local government departments, senior army officials, deputies to the 17th CPC National Congress, some retired Chinese leaders and non-Communist personages. The drafting team received 2,193 suggestions. On August 21, General Secretary Hu Jintao met with the leaders of the non-Communist parties, leaders of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and persons without party affiliation to discuss the draft. The draft was revised again.
-- From Sept. 8 to 10, Hu visited farmers in Henan Province.
-- On Sept. 18, the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau held another meeting on the draft, which was presided over by Hu.
-- On Sept. 28, the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau held a meeting. The meeting, also presided over by Hu, decided that the draft will be tabled at the third Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee.
-- On Sept. 30, Hu visited Xiaogang village in eastern Anhui Province, where some villagers adopted a household contract responsibility system in 1978, marking the start of China's economic reform.
-- On Oct. 9, the third Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee opened in Beijing.
-- During the four-day meeting, 150 suggestions were submitted. The drafting team further amended the draft.
-- At 3 p.m. on Oct. 12, the draft was endorsed at the closing session of the third Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee.
-- Over the past six months, the draft has been revised 41 times. Hu presided over five meetings of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and three meetings of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau to discuss the policy document.
Source:Xinhua
The Decision on Major Issues Concerning the Advancement of Rural Reform and Development was approved by the CPC Central Committee on Oct. 12 at a plenary session.
Key developments in the formation process of the document include:
-- In March 2008, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and its Standing Committee decided that the third Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee would focus on issues concerning rural reform and development.
-- On March 25, a drafting team was set up by Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau. The team, directly under the Standing Committee, was headed by Hui Liangyu, Vice Premier and member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, and Wang Huning, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee. The team consisted of 49 central government officials, local government leaders and researchers on rural issues.
-- At the first meeting of the drafting team on March 25, CPC Central Committee General Secretary and Chinese President Hu Jintao put forward seven key issues, including the establishment of modern agriculture and getting industry to support agriculture and cities to support the countryside.
-- In April, members of the drafting team went to 12 provinces and autonomous regions, including Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Anhui, Hubei and Sichuan, on field investigations. Meanwhile, the drafting team entrusted 18 central government departments to carryout independent researches. Twenty-five reports were submitted to the drafting team.
-- At the end of April, the CPC Central Committee solicited opinions and suggestions from CPC members and non-Communist personages on rural reform and development. By April, the CPC Central Committee received 121 suggestions.
-- At the beginning of May, the drafting team started to write the document.
-- On June 17, a draft was completed.
-- From June 26 to July 24, the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau held two meetings to discuss the draft. On July 25, the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau held a meeting to deliberate on the draft. The draft was then revised several times.
-- On August 7, the draft was open to leaders of central and local government departments, senior army officials, deputies to the 17th CPC National Congress, some retired Chinese leaders and non-Communist personages. The drafting team received 2,193 suggestions. On August 21, General Secretary Hu Jintao met with the leaders of the non-Communist parties, leaders of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and persons without party affiliation to discuss the draft. The draft was revised again.
-- From Sept. 8 to 10, Hu visited farmers in Henan Province.
-- On Sept. 18, the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau held another meeting on the draft, which was presided over by Hu.
-- On Sept. 28, the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau held a meeting. The meeting, also presided over by Hu, decided that the draft will be tabled at the third Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee.
-- On Sept. 30, Hu visited Xiaogang village in eastern Anhui Province, where some villagers adopted a household contract responsibility system in 1978, marking the start of China's economic reform.
-- On Oct. 9, the third Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee opened in Beijing.
-- During the four-day meeting, 150 suggestions were submitted. The drafting team further amended the draft.
-- At 3 p.m. on Oct. 12, the draft was endorsed at the closing session of the third Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee.
-- Over the past six months, the draft has been revised 41 times. Hu presided over five meetings of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and three meetings of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau to discuss the policy document.
Source:Xinhua
South African warship ends China visit
The South African Navy's escort ship SAS SPIOENKOP ended its five-day good-will visit to China and left east China's port city of Shanghai on Monday.
The warship is the first one ever sent to China by an African state. The visit is also part of activities to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China-South Africa diplomatic ties.
While in Shanghai, South African soldiers toured a Chinese warship and some places of interest including the Oriental Pearl Television Tower, and had a football match with their Chinese counterparts.
After leaving China, the warship is to pay a visit to Vietnam.
Source:Xinhua
The warship is the first one ever sent to China by an African state. The visit is also part of activities to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China-South Africa diplomatic ties.
While in Shanghai, South African soldiers toured a Chinese warship and some places of interest including the Oriental Pearl Television Tower, and had a football match with their Chinese counterparts.
After leaving China, the warship is to pay a visit to Vietnam.
Source:Xinhua
Hong Kong's jobless rate climbs 3.4%
Hong Kong's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 3.4 percent in July-September period from 3.2 percent in June-August 2008, reversing the decrease seen earlier in the year, revealed the latest figures released by the Census and Statistics Department here Monday.
Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, Secretary for Labor and Welfare, warned that the September figures might not have reflected the impact of the global financial turmoil, which is now beginning to be felt.
"Looking ahead, unemployment is likely to rise further in the near term," he said, pointing to some sectors bound to be affected by a contraction in business triggered by the global economic crisis.
According to the department's latest statistics, provisional number of unemployed persons rose by around 4,900 from 129,100 in June-August to 134,000 in July-September.
The provisional underemployment rate, however, decreased from 1. 9 percent to 1.8 percent over the same period of last year as some summer workers returned to schools upon the start of the new academic year.
Comparing July-September with June-August period, increases in the unemployment rate were mainly observed in the wholesale and retail, restaurants, manufacturing and financing sectors.
As to the underemployment rate, decreases were mainly seen in the decoration and maintenance and transport sectors.
Cheung said the Labor Department will closely monitor the situation and stands ready to help the affected employees, vowing to continue enhancing its employment services and the competitiveness of the local workforce through education, training and retraining services and job search facilitation.
"In the long run, the implementation of the major infrastructure projects will help create employment opportunities and economic benefits," he said.
Cheung noted that the Hong Kong government had proposed to introduce a series of facilitating measures to improve the Small and Medium Enterprises Funding Schemes with a view to strengthening support to SMEs and will continue to discuss with them and listen to their views.
"I believe SMEs could benefit from these measures. I hope that employers could actively consider job restructuring or job sharing as an option to tide over the difficult period," he added.
Source:Xinhua
Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, Secretary for Labor and Welfare, warned that the September figures might not have reflected the impact of the global financial turmoil, which is now beginning to be felt.
"Looking ahead, unemployment is likely to rise further in the near term," he said, pointing to some sectors bound to be affected by a contraction in business triggered by the global economic crisis.
According to the department's latest statistics, provisional number of unemployed persons rose by around 4,900 from 129,100 in June-August to 134,000 in July-September.
The provisional underemployment rate, however, decreased from 1. 9 percent to 1.8 percent over the same period of last year as some summer workers returned to schools upon the start of the new academic year.
Comparing July-September with June-August period, increases in the unemployment rate were mainly observed in the wholesale and retail, restaurants, manufacturing and financing sectors.
As to the underemployment rate, decreases were mainly seen in the decoration and maintenance and transport sectors.
Cheung said the Labor Department will closely monitor the situation and stands ready to help the affected employees, vowing to continue enhancing its employment services and the competitiveness of the local workforce through education, training and retraining services and job search facilitation.
"In the long run, the implementation of the major infrastructure projects will help create employment opportunities and economic benefits," he said.
Cheung noted that the Hong Kong government had proposed to introduce a series of facilitating measures to improve the Small and Medium Enterprises Funding Schemes with a view to strengthening support to SMEs and will continue to discuss with them and listen to their views.
"I believe SMEs could benefit from these measures. I hope that employers could actively consider job restructuring or job sharing as an option to tide over the difficult period," he added.
Source:Xinhua
Senior Chinese official calls for publicity motivation in quake zone
A senior Chinese official on Monday called for greater motivational publicity efforts to inspire the public in the rebuilding of southwest China's May 12 quake zone.
Liu Yunshan, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remark during an inspection tour of Sichuan Province, the epicenter of the magnitude-8 earthquake.
The relief work, the Beijing Olympics and the launch of the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft were historic events that had left the Chinese people with a rich spiritual legacy, he said.
More focus should be given to the lofty spirit displayed during these events, he said. This would boost public spirits in the rebuilding process.
He called on local publicity and cultural departments and media to enhance promotion of the decisions, deployments and policies of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on quake relief and rebuilding. More coverage was needed of measures and progress by local Party committees and governments in helping Sichuan's rebuilding, he said.
He also underscored the importance of restoring and rebuilding cultural heritage sites and facilities in the region.
Source:Xinhua
Liu Yunshan, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remark during an inspection tour of Sichuan Province, the epicenter of the magnitude-8 earthquake.
The relief work, the Beijing Olympics and the launch of the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft were historic events that had left the Chinese people with a rich spiritual legacy, he said.
More focus should be given to the lofty spirit displayed during these events, he said. This would boost public spirits in the rebuilding process.
He called on local publicity and cultural departments and media to enhance promotion of the decisions, deployments and policies of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on quake relief and rebuilding. More coverage was needed of measures and progress by local Party committees and governments in helping Sichuan's rebuilding, he said.
He also underscored the importance of restoring and rebuilding cultural heritage sites and facilities in the region.
Source:Xinhua
Guangdong to build fund to help lay-offs
Labor authorities in south China's manufacturing base of Guangdong Province are considering setting up a fund to help workers laid off in factory closures caused by the rippling global financial crisis.
More than 1,000 workers at a Hong Kong-invested electrical appliance plant in Shenzhen City took to the streets on Sunday to demand the government intervene to secure their unpaid wages.
The Bailingda Industrial Co. Ltd. officially closed its production line on Monday, leaving 1,500 staff out of work.
It was the second Hong Kong-listed firm in Guangdong to go bust in a month, after the closure of Smart Union Group Limited last Friday, which laid off 7,000 workers in Dongguan City. Both were export-oriented manufacturers.
Bailingda, with an annual capacity of 5 million units, produced household electrical appliances such as coffee pots, irons and radiators for the North American and European markets. Smart Union made toys for Mattel Inc., Hasbro Inc. and other U.S. companies.
An official with the provincial labor and social security bureau, who declined to be named, said the bureau had been working with the provincial development and reform commission to set up a benefit fund to help workers in difficulties because of unpaid salaries.
Bureau head Liu Youjun declined to comment on the fund or the demands of redundant workers, but he said the labor bureau would help laid-off workers find new jobs and obtain unemployment insurance. The bureau would also consider legal measures to bring the companies to account.
"The current labor problems cannot be resolved simply by government departments. The cooperation of banks and foreign trade departments is also needed to deal with wage defaults," he said.
A Bailingda worker surnamed Liu said he and his co-workers had not been paid since August.
A district court in Bao'an District, Shenzhen, confirmed that it had sealed the plant's fixed assets to prevent them being plundered by angry suppliers.
The court found that in addition to about 10 million yuan in unpaid wages, the company was also 30 million yuan in debt to its suppliers in Hong Kong and the mainland.
The local labor department had sent investigators to the company, and will start mediation in the labor dispute on Thursday.
Since the closure of Smart Union's factories in Dongguan, the township government of Zhangmutou has promised to pay 24 million yuan to cover the company's two months of unpaid wages.
Xie Jianshe, rector of the Guangzhou Urban Development Research Center of Guangzhou University, said the government bailout failed to deal with the underlying causes of wage defaults in factory closures.
"Governments at different levels plan to earmark money for the contingency reserve fund to help unpaid employees, most of them migrant workers. However, it is not fair to spend tax-payers' money to cover for the companies' losses," he said.
He proposed the companies should be required to contribute to a mandatory reserve fund on registration, which would prevent layoffs from becoming a social problem.
Zhang Yansheng, director of the International Economic Research Institute under the National Development and Reform Commission, foresaw a gloomy picture for exporters who were hit by both falling global demand and rising costs.
"The country's exporters are in a very difficult situation right now," he said.
Guangdong makes one third of China's exports. However, rising materials and labor costs are forcing many plants to move out of the province.
Source:Xinhua
More than 1,000 workers at a Hong Kong-invested electrical appliance plant in Shenzhen City took to the streets on Sunday to demand the government intervene to secure their unpaid wages.
The Bailingda Industrial Co. Ltd. officially closed its production line on Monday, leaving 1,500 staff out of work.
It was the second Hong Kong-listed firm in Guangdong to go bust in a month, after the closure of Smart Union Group Limited last Friday, which laid off 7,000 workers in Dongguan City. Both were export-oriented manufacturers.
Bailingda, with an annual capacity of 5 million units, produced household electrical appliances such as coffee pots, irons and radiators for the North American and European markets. Smart Union made toys for Mattel Inc., Hasbro Inc. and other U.S. companies.
An official with the provincial labor and social security bureau, who declined to be named, said the bureau had been working with the provincial development and reform commission to set up a benefit fund to help workers in difficulties because of unpaid salaries.
Bureau head Liu Youjun declined to comment on the fund or the demands of redundant workers, but he said the labor bureau would help laid-off workers find new jobs and obtain unemployment insurance. The bureau would also consider legal measures to bring the companies to account.
"The current labor problems cannot be resolved simply by government departments. The cooperation of banks and foreign trade departments is also needed to deal with wage defaults," he said.
A Bailingda worker surnamed Liu said he and his co-workers had not been paid since August.
A district court in Bao'an District, Shenzhen, confirmed that it had sealed the plant's fixed assets to prevent them being plundered by angry suppliers.
The court found that in addition to about 10 million yuan in unpaid wages, the company was also 30 million yuan in debt to its suppliers in Hong Kong and the mainland.
The local labor department had sent investigators to the company, and will start mediation in the labor dispute on Thursday.
Since the closure of Smart Union's factories in Dongguan, the township government of Zhangmutou has promised to pay 24 million yuan to cover the company's two months of unpaid wages.
Xie Jianshe, rector of the Guangzhou Urban Development Research Center of Guangzhou University, said the government bailout failed to deal with the underlying causes of wage defaults in factory closures.
"Governments at different levels plan to earmark money for the contingency reserve fund to help unpaid employees, most of them migrant workers. However, it is not fair to spend tax-payers' money to cover for the companies' losses," he said.
He proposed the companies should be required to contribute to a mandatory reserve fund on registration, which would prevent layoffs from becoming a social problem.
Zhang Yansheng, director of the International Economic Research Institute under the National Development and Reform Commission, foresaw a gloomy picture for exporters who were hit by both falling global demand and rising costs.
"The country's exporters are in a very difficult situation right now," he said.
Guangdong makes one third of China's exports. However, rising materials and labor costs are forcing many plants to move out of the province.
Source:Xinhua
Senior CPC official meets Russian guests
A Communist Party of China senior official on Monday pledged to increase cooperation with the United Russian party, in a bid to push forward the Sino-Russian relations.
Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks in a meeting with Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, and also a senior official with the United Russian party.
Wang said the CPC would continue deepening friendly relations with the United Russian party, and constantly lift the level of cooperation between the two parties.
Echoing Wang's remarks, Kosachev said his party was ready to make efforts to promote the relations with the CPC.
Source:Xinhua
Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks in a meeting with Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, and also a senior official with the United Russian party.
Wang said the CPC would continue deepening friendly relations with the United Russian party, and constantly lift the level of cooperation between the two parties.
Echoing Wang's remarks, Kosachev said his party was ready to make efforts to promote the relations with the CPC.
Source:Xinhua
ACFTU new leaders elected, Wang Zhaoguo as president
The All China Federation of Trade Unions elected new leaders during the first session of the 15th ACFTU Executive Committee on Monday.
Wang Zhaoguo will serve as president for the third time.
The new vice chairman group, which is composed of 12 people, includes Sun Chunlan, Qiao Chuanxiu and others. The presidium of the Executive Committee of 54 members.
Sun Chunlan was elected as first secretary of the ACFTU secretariat. Another nine people will serve as secretariat members.
The Monday's meeting was presided by Wang Zhaoguo, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
New leaders were elected by ballot voting. The ACFTU national congress is held every five years.
China has the largest number of trade union members in the world, with membership increasing from 123 million in 2003 to 209 million by the end of June this year.
Source:Xinhua
Wang Zhaoguo will serve as president for the third time.
The new vice chairman group, which is composed of 12 people, includes Sun Chunlan, Qiao Chuanxiu and others. The presidium of the Executive Committee of 54 members.
Sun Chunlan was elected as first secretary of the ACFTU secretariat. Another nine people will serve as secretariat members.
The Monday's meeting was presided by Wang Zhaoguo, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
New leaders were elected by ballot voting. The ACFTU national congress is held every five years.
China has the largest number of trade union members in the world, with membership increasing from 123 million in 2003 to 209 million by the end of June this year.
Source:Xinhua
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