A list of Chinese companies paying the highest taxes in the nation shows that the state-owned companies are still the biggest taxpayers in China.
It also reveals an imbalance between different geographical regions.
According to a ranking released Saturday by the State Administration of Taxation and China Taxation Magazine, companies in eastern China pay the most taxes.
Of 2007's top 500 tax-paying companies, 359 are located in the highly developed east.
Only 83 are headquartered in central China and 58 come from thewest. These areas have fewer companies and are less developed.
Analysis of the list showed state-owned enterprises paid the most taxes in China. Three hundred and five state-owned companies made the list. They paid 89.75 percent of the total taxes collected by the top ranked 500 companies.
By industry, manufacturing enterprises contributed the most taxes, specifically chemical companies. China National Petroleum Corporation and China Petrochemical Corporation took the top two positions on the list.
"Major taxation contributors still concentrated in heavy chemical industries such as oil and coal, which suggested that China's economic development relies too much on manufacturing and resource consumption," said Zhang Musheng, head of the China Taxation Magazine.
Despite rapid growth of the national economy, China is still weak in service and technology-oriented industries, said Zhang.
Source: Xinhua
Monday, October 13, 2008
Barroso says ties with China top priority of EU foreign policy
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said on Friday that relations with China is a top priority of the European Union 's foreign policy.
In a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to the EU Song Zhe, Barroso said the EU is willing to take the opportunity of the forthcoming 7th Asia-Europe Meeting and the 11th EU-China Summit to strengthen the EU-China cooperation in bilateral and international affairs, thus to give a new impetus to the development of the EU-China relations.
Barroso and the Chinese ambassador discussed matters concerning ASEM to be held in Beijing on Oct. 24-25 and the EU-China Summit scheduled for the end of the year in France.
They also exchanged views on such issues as the current financial crisis and globalization.
Barroso said he was looking forward to attending ASEM and wished it a great success.
The EU chief also congratulated China on the success of the Beijing Olympics.
Source: Xinhua
In a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to the EU Song Zhe, Barroso said the EU is willing to take the opportunity of the forthcoming 7th Asia-Europe Meeting and the 11th EU-China Summit to strengthen the EU-China cooperation in bilateral and international affairs, thus to give a new impetus to the development of the EU-China relations.
Barroso and the Chinese ambassador discussed matters concerning ASEM to be held in Beijing on Oct. 24-25 and the EU-China Summit scheduled for the end of the year in France.
They also exchanged views on such issues as the current financial crisis and globalization.
Barroso said he was looking forward to attending ASEM and wished it a great success.
The EU chief also congratulated China on the success of the Beijing Olympics.
Source: Xinhua
Pakistani president expects to learn from China during maiden visit
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said on Saturday that he would learn from China and further develop bilateral relation during his first visit to China.
While speaking to Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui, Zardari said he is expecting the visit to China and wants to get to know the Chinese leaders.
Zardari will pay a state visit to China from Oct. 14 to 17, his first trip abroad since assuming office in September.
Pakistan, as a friendly neighbor, hopes it could benefit from China's rapid development, said Zardari, adding that his visit will focus on such fields as economy, trade, finance and energy.
Zardari said the new Pakistani government is committed to consolidating friendly relations with China, deepening mutually-beneficial cooperation and pursuing common development.
During his four-day visit to China, Zardari is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao and meet with other Chinese leaders, including top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao and top political advisor Jia Qinglin.
Source: Xinhua
While speaking to Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui, Zardari said he is expecting the visit to China and wants to get to know the Chinese leaders.
Zardari will pay a state visit to China from Oct. 14 to 17, his first trip abroad since assuming office in September.
Pakistan, as a friendly neighbor, hopes it could benefit from China's rapid development, said Zardari, adding that his visit will focus on such fields as economy, trade, finance and energy.
Zardari said the new Pakistani government is committed to consolidating friendly relations with China, deepening mutually-beneficial cooperation and pursuing common development.
During his four-day visit to China, Zardari is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao and meet with other Chinese leaders, including top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao and top political advisor Jia Qinglin.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese official calls for int'l co-op to restore financial stability
Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China Yi Gang called for international cooperation on Saturday to restore global financial stability.
"Our current priority is to enhance international cooperation to prevent further deterioration and spillover of the crisis and restore global economic and financial stability," Yi said.
The deepening and widening of the U.S. financial crisis have triggered a major global slowdown and escalating uncertainty, Yi Gang said in a statement at the 18th meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee held here Saturday.
While the advanced economies have slowed significantly since the U.S. sub-prime crisis, the emerging market economies have maintained robust growth but the deteriorating external environment is putting the resilience of their macroeconomic policies to the test, he said.
The crisis has underscored shortcomings in the financial markets, Yi said. He expressed his hope that the stabilizing measures of the advanced economies will have the positive effect of calming the markets and restoring confidence.
"China is willing to strengthen its cooperation with other countries and, through such joint efforts, we hope global financial stability can be safeguarded," he said.
In line with their status, Yi said, the major reserve currency issuing countries should shoulder the responsibility for preventing further spillovers and minimizing shocks to other economies -- especially to the emerging markets.
To promote balanced and steady global growth over the longer term, efforts should be made to advance structural reforms and increase savings, he pointed out.
The International Monetary Fund -- at the core of the international monetary system -- should carry out its mandate to safeguard global economic and financial stability, he said. The IMFC is the steering committee of the 185-nation lending institution.
Yi also noted that as the impact of the crisis on the real economy is much worse than expected and the recovery more protracted and difficult, the risks of deflation in some countries as a result of the credit crunch have increased significantly.
"It is imperative that the major advanced economies coordinate rapid implementation of bailout packages to avoid deflation and facilitate the global recovery," said Yi.
"However, we should be aware that the injection of liquidity from these emergency measures could be a potential source of inflation in the medium and long term," the deputy governor said.
Source: Xinhua
"Our current priority is to enhance international cooperation to prevent further deterioration and spillover of the crisis and restore global economic and financial stability," Yi said.
The deepening and widening of the U.S. financial crisis have triggered a major global slowdown and escalating uncertainty, Yi Gang said in a statement at the 18th meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee held here Saturday.
While the advanced economies have slowed significantly since the U.S. sub-prime crisis, the emerging market economies have maintained robust growth but the deteriorating external environment is putting the resilience of their macroeconomic policies to the test, he said.
The crisis has underscored shortcomings in the financial markets, Yi said. He expressed his hope that the stabilizing measures of the advanced economies will have the positive effect of calming the markets and restoring confidence.
"China is willing to strengthen its cooperation with other countries and, through such joint efforts, we hope global financial stability can be safeguarded," he said.
In line with their status, Yi said, the major reserve currency issuing countries should shoulder the responsibility for preventing further spillovers and minimizing shocks to other economies -- especially to the emerging markets.
To promote balanced and steady global growth over the longer term, efforts should be made to advance structural reforms and increase savings, he pointed out.
The International Monetary Fund -- at the core of the international monetary system -- should carry out its mandate to safeguard global economic and financial stability, he said. The IMFC is the steering committee of the 185-nation lending institution.
Yi also noted that as the impact of the crisis on the real economy is much worse than expected and the recovery more protracted and difficult, the risks of deflation in some countries as a result of the credit crunch have increased significantly.
"It is imperative that the major advanced economies coordinate rapid implementation of bailout packages to avoid deflation and facilitate the global recovery," said Yi.
"However, we should be aware that the injection of liquidity from these emergency measures could be a potential source of inflation in the medium and long term," the deputy governor said.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese, Macedonian PMs exchange congratulations on 15th anniversary of ties
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Macedonian counterpart Nikola Gruevski exchanged congratulatory messages on Sunday to mark the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In the messages, Wen and Gruevski spoke highly of the encouraging progress that has been achieved in the bilateral ties over the past 15 years.
The two leaders also pledged joint efforts to advance the China-Macedonia ties based on the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit for the well-being of the peoples of the two countries.
On the same day, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Macedonian counterpart Antonio Milososki also exchanged congratulations.
Source: Xinhua
In the messages, Wen and Gruevski spoke highly of the encouraging progress that has been achieved in the bilateral ties over the past 15 years.
The two leaders also pledged joint efforts to advance the China-Macedonia ties based on the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit for the well-being of the peoples of the two countries.
On the same day, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Macedonian counterpart Antonio Milososki also exchanged congratulations.
Source: Xinhua
Tibet, Xinjiang inspect public buildings after deadly quakes
Construction authorities in west China's Tibet and Xinjiang regions are inspecting the integrity of public buildings after two strong earthquakes shook the remote areas last weekend.
Schools, hospitals, shopping malls, coach stations and railway stations in the Tibet regional capital of Lhasa and prefectures of Xigaze and Shannan will be assessed for damages and stability, said Wang Yalin, deputy director of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Construction Department.
"If an unstable building is found, construction experts will tell relevant government departments to reinforce the building or take other measures," he said.
A 6.6-magnitude quake hit Damxung County, 82 km north of Lhasa, Oct. 6. Ten people were killed and 34 others injured, mainly women, children and the elderly.
In a high school in Shannan, one teenager was killed and 15 others injured in a stampede that occurred while the students evacuated during the quake.
At least 147 houses were toppled.
A separate 6.8-magnitude quake struck Oct. 5 in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Construction authorities there have also started inspecting schools, kindergartens, hospitals and other public buildings. More than 700 houses suffered structural damage; four collapsed. No casualties were reported.
"Unstable buildings will be consolidated or stopped from being used," said Li Jianxin, director of the Xinjiang Autonomous Regional Construction Department.
Source: Xinhua
Schools, hospitals, shopping malls, coach stations and railway stations in the Tibet regional capital of Lhasa and prefectures of Xigaze and Shannan will be assessed for damages and stability, said Wang Yalin, deputy director of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Construction Department.
"If an unstable building is found, construction experts will tell relevant government departments to reinforce the building or take other measures," he said.
A 6.6-magnitude quake hit Damxung County, 82 km north of Lhasa, Oct. 6. Ten people were killed and 34 others injured, mainly women, children and the elderly.
In a high school in Shannan, one teenager was killed and 15 others injured in a stampede that occurred while the students evacuated during the quake.
At least 147 houses were toppled.
A separate 6.8-magnitude quake struck Oct. 5 in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Construction authorities there have also started inspecting schools, kindergartens, hospitals and other public buildings. More than 700 houses suffered structural damage; four collapsed. No casualties were reported.
"Unstable buildings will be consolidated or stopped from being used," said Li Jianxin, director of the Xinjiang Autonomous Regional Construction Department.
Source: Xinhua
Muslim food industry in China vows to ensure food safety
Muslim food business leaders in China are pledging product safety and vowing to follow their religious teachings in food production.
200 Muslim food business leaders made that declaration while attending an ongoing international trade fair in the northwest Chinese city of Xining.
This is the latest move by the country's food industry to self-regulate after a series of safety scandals.
"The recent Sanlu baby milk powder safety incident severely endangered consumer's health and damaged the international image of Chinese food businesses," Wang Zhanhe, general manager of the restaurant chain, Little Sheep Group Ltd., said while reading out the Chinese Muslim Food Industry Declaration on Quality and Credibility on behalf of manufacturers at the fair.
"We will strictly abide by the laws and regulations of China and other countries in the world, implement the halal standard, and create a safe and reliable halal food market," the declaration said.
"The declaration reiterated the social morality that an enterprise must have," said Chawalit Na Muangtoun, representative of Thailand's Chia Tai Group and president of the company's subsidiary in north China's Hebei Province.
"At Chia Tai Group, we believe in the concept of using morality to direct production and sales," he said.
Chawalit said food enterprises should lose money rather than make it immorally.
Members of foreign business delegations voiced appreciation for the food safety declaration.
"We hope these goals can be done by all the halal companies and all the dairy companies in China," said Kamarul Arifin Ab. Gani, agriculture counselor of Malaysia Embassy. "Every company should follow the declaration."
Shahzad Hussain Rana, commercial counselor of the Pakistan Consulate General, said products made in China can be found almostevery where in his country.
"Mistakes might happen, but I think China is a very responsible country and the control of quality is good for protecting the people," Rana said.
The China International Halal Food and Product Fair is one the most important halal fairs in the world. More than 400 international business people, experts and officials from 26 countries and regions attended the fair this year.
Source: Xinhua
200 Muslim food business leaders made that declaration while attending an ongoing international trade fair in the northwest Chinese city of Xining.
This is the latest move by the country's food industry to self-regulate after a series of safety scandals.
"The recent Sanlu baby milk powder safety incident severely endangered consumer's health and damaged the international image of Chinese food businesses," Wang Zhanhe, general manager of the restaurant chain, Little Sheep Group Ltd., said while reading out the Chinese Muslim Food Industry Declaration on Quality and Credibility on behalf of manufacturers at the fair.
"We will strictly abide by the laws and regulations of China and other countries in the world, implement the halal standard, and create a safe and reliable halal food market," the declaration said.
"The declaration reiterated the social morality that an enterprise must have," said Chawalit Na Muangtoun, representative of Thailand's Chia Tai Group and president of the company's subsidiary in north China's Hebei Province.
"At Chia Tai Group, we believe in the concept of using morality to direct production and sales," he said.
Chawalit said food enterprises should lose money rather than make it immorally.
Members of foreign business delegations voiced appreciation for the food safety declaration.
"We hope these goals can be done by all the halal companies and all the dairy companies in China," said Kamarul Arifin Ab. Gani, agriculture counselor of Malaysia Embassy. "Every company should follow the declaration."
Shahzad Hussain Rana, commercial counselor of the Pakistan Consulate General, said products made in China can be found almostevery where in his country.
"Mistakes might happen, but I think China is a very responsible country and the control of quality is good for protecting the people," Rana said.
The China International Halal Food and Product Fair is one the most important halal fairs in the world. More than 400 international business people, experts and officials from 26 countries and regions attended the fair this year.
Source: Xinhua
Seven killed, 22 injured in SW China traffic accident
Seven people died and 22 others were injured after a truck turned over on a highway in southwest China's Guizhou Province Saturday, local authorities said.
The accident happened around 7 a.m. near a village in Hezhang County.
The Guizhou Provincial Work Safety Administration said a Dong Feng open-bed truck was making a turn when it flipped over.
Six people were instantly killed. Another person died after emergency treatment.
The injured, including six people in serious condition, are being treated at two hospitals in the county.
A total of 45 people were aboard the truck when it flipped over. It had no license plate.
The truck's driver, Chen Tianchao, also a local farmer, fled after the accident.
No other vehicles were involved.
Source: Xinhua
The accident happened around 7 a.m. near a village in Hezhang County.
The Guizhou Provincial Work Safety Administration said a Dong Feng open-bed truck was making a turn when it flipped over.
Six people were instantly killed. Another person died after emergency treatment.
The injured, including six people in serious condition, are being treated at two hospitals in the county.
A total of 45 people were aboard the truck when it flipped over. It had no license plate.
The truck's driver, Chen Tianchao, also a local farmer, fled after the accident.
No other vehicles were involved.
Source: Xinhua
China says new liquid milk in line with melamine limits
The latest tests found that Chinese liquid dairy products met the new temporary restrictions on melamine, the country's top quality control agency said on Saturday.
It was the ninth investigation on the industrial chemical following the tainted baby formula scandal that killed at least three infants and sickened more than 50,000 others, according to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine .
The latest tests covered 532 batches of liquid milk, including yogurt, from 69 brands in 23 major cities nationwide, the agency said.
At present, 4,213 batches of liquid dairy products from 131 brands produced after Sept. 14 were tested and all in line with the limit, it added.
Melamine, often used in the manufacturing of plastics, was added to sub-standard or diluted milk to make the protein levels appear higher.
China on Wednesday set temporary limits on melamine content in dairy products. The limits were a maximum of 1 mg of melamine per kg of infant formula and a maximum 2.5 mg per kg for liquid milk, milk powder and food products containing at least 15 percent milk.
The State Council, or Cabinet, issued a series of quality control regulations for dairy products on Thursday.
The regulations tighten control of how milk-yielding animals are bred, how raw milk is purchased and the production and sales of dairy food.
They promised more severe punishment for people who violated safety standards and quality control departments that failed to fulfil their duties.
Source: Xinhua
It was the ninth investigation on the industrial chemical following the tainted baby formula scandal that killed at least three infants and sickened more than 50,000 others, according to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine .
The latest tests covered 532 batches of liquid milk, including yogurt, from 69 brands in 23 major cities nationwide, the agency said.
At present, 4,213 batches of liquid dairy products from 131 brands produced after Sept. 14 were tested and all in line with the limit, it added.
Melamine, often used in the manufacturing of plastics, was added to sub-standard or diluted milk to make the protein levels appear higher.
China on Wednesday set temporary limits on melamine content in dairy products. The limits were a maximum of 1 mg of melamine per kg of infant formula and a maximum 2.5 mg per kg for liquid milk, milk powder and food products containing at least 15 percent milk.
The State Council, or Cabinet, issued a series of quality control regulations for dairy products on Thursday.
The regulations tighten control of how milk-yielding animals are bred, how raw milk is purchased and the production and sales of dairy food.
They promised more severe punishment for people who violated safety standards and quality control departments that failed to fulfil their duties.
Source: Xinhua
Hong Kong to aid Sichuan in quake rebuilding
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will donate 1.665 billion yuan to help Sichuan Province in southwestern China with its rebuilding after the May 12 earthquake.
The money, about 243.6 million U.S. dollars, will be used in 20reconstruction projects covering infrastructural facilities, schools, hospitals and natural reserves, according to the agreements signed here Saturday.
Wei Hong, executive vice governor of Sichuan, promised to make proper use of the donation at the signing ceremony.
Stephen Lam Sui-lung, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of HKSAR government, said the fund was approved in July and donations to another 37 projects listed in the agreements will be submitted to Hong Kong's legislative authority at a proper time.
The quake, measuring 8.0 on the Richter Scale, struck Wenchuan County of Sichuan on May 12. It left more than 80,000 dead or missing and was the deadliest and strongest tremor to hit China since the 1976 Tangshan earthquake.
Source: Xinhua
The money, about 243.6 million U.S. dollars, will be used in 20reconstruction projects covering infrastructural facilities, schools, hospitals and natural reserves, according to the agreements signed here Saturday.
Wei Hong, executive vice governor of Sichuan, promised to make proper use of the donation at the signing ceremony.
Stephen Lam Sui-lung, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of HKSAR government, said the fund was approved in July and donations to another 37 projects listed in the agreements will be submitted to Hong Kong's legislative authority at a proper time.
The quake, measuring 8.0 on the Richter Scale, struck Wenchuan County of Sichuan on May 12. It left more than 80,000 dead or missing and was the deadliest and strongest tremor to hit China since the 1976 Tangshan earthquake.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese farmers enjoy cheap neighborhood medical service (5)
COVER ALL
Despite the progress, there are still 9 percent of farmers who have not been covered and have to "endure the ailment and delay the serious disease," as they say themselves.
The government has planned to expand the scheme to cover all rural residents and double the funding level to 100 yuan per capita by the end of 2008, with a split of 20 yuan from the participant and 80 yuan from the governments, Health Minister Chen said.
"As the financing increases, reimbursement plans should be adjusted to ensure that more medical fees can be refunded for farmers to boost the attractiveness of the program," Chen stressed.
China is determined to improve the grassroots healthcare system with a bigger budget, said vice health minister Gao Qiang.
The government will allocate more than 2.7 billion yuan for the development of rural healthcare infrastructure next year, said Zhao Zilin, the Ministry of Health ''s financial department director.
The special fund will be used mainly for building hospitals for women and children and hospitals of traditional Chinese medicine as well as health centers.
The average cost for health centers will be 80,000 yuan, 380,000 yuan for hospitals for women and children hospitals, and 1million yuan for Chinese medicine hospitals.
The funding will also provide 21 types of medical equipment, such as B-ultrasonic scanners, sterilizers and ECG monitors.
With good medical equipment, quality doctors and reimbursement of some expenses to ease financial burdens, rural patients are naturally willing to go to hospital when falling ill. In farmer Gu Chaoshan''s words, "We have the condition now."
To date, all townships have set up standardized hospitals in Quzhou County, which are equipped with first-aid beds, X-ray facilities. They offer clinic services in traditional Chinese medicine, healthcare, maternity, internal medicine, surgery and paediatric service. Each administrative village has a standardized clinic with college graduate doctors.
Gu was most happy at the new rural cooperative medical care program, as he recently got 1,300 yuan in reimbursement from the local medical insurance authority.
Source: Xinhua
Despite the progress, there are still 9 percent of farmers who have not been covered and have to "endure the ailment and delay the serious disease," as they say themselves.
The government has planned to expand the scheme to cover all rural residents and double the funding level to 100 yuan per capita by the end of 2008, with a split of 20 yuan from the participant and 80 yuan from the governments, Health Minister Chen said.
"As the financing increases, reimbursement plans should be adjusted to ensure that more medical fees can be refunded for farmers to boost the attractiveness of the program," Chen stressed.
China is determined to improve the grassroots healthcare system with a bigger budget, said vice health minister Gao Qiang.
The government will allocate more than 2.7 billion yuan for the development of rural healthcare infrastructure next year, said Zhao Zilin, the Ministry of Health ''s financial department director.
The special fund will be used mainly for building hospitals for women and children and hospitals of traditional Chinese medicine as well as health centers.
The average cost for health centers will be 80,000 yuan, 380,000 yuan for hospitals for women and children hospitals, and 1million yuan for Chinese medicine hospitals.
The funding will also provide 21 types of medical equipment, such as B-ultrasonic scanners, sterilizers and ECG monitors.
With good medical equipment, quality doctors and reimbursement of some expenses to ease financial burdens, rural patients are naturally willing to go to hospital when falling ill. In farmer Gu Chaoshan''s words, "We have the condition now."
To date, all townships have set up standardized hospitals in Quzhou County, which are equipped with first-aid beds, X-ray facilities. They offer clinic services in traditional Chinese medicine, healthcare, maternity, internal medicine, surgery and paediatric service. Each administrative village has a standardized clinic with college graduate doctors.
Gu was most happy at the new rural cooperative medical care program, as he recently got 1,300 yuan in reimbursement from the local medical insurance authority.
Source: Xinhua
Crane collapse kills one, injures one in Shanghai
One person died and another was injured after a steel tube of a crane cracked in China's largest industry center of Shanghai at midday Sunday.
The incident occurred at 12:15 a.m. at a construction site of an underground channel in Huangpu District, when the crane was working. A steel tube of the crane suddenly broke and collapsed, hitting two people.
The dead was a native manager in his 50s, while the injured coming from neighboring Jiangsu Province has been sent to hospital.
The cause of the incident was under investigation.
Source: Xinhua
The incident occurred at 12:15 a.m. at a construction site of an underground channel in Huangpu District, when the crane was working. A steel tube of the crane suddenly broke and collapsed, hitting two people.
The dead was a native manager in his 50s, while the injured coming from neighboring Jiangsu Province has been sent to hospital.
The cause of the incident was under investigation.
Source: Xinhua
Experts call for more efforts in boosting cross-Strait relations
About 100 experts on cross-Taiwan Strait relations called for redoubled efforts for accelerating the development of cross-strait relations on Sunday.
The experts, who came from universities and academic institutions in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and Beijing, focused their attention on political development in Taiwan over the past eight years at a two-day seminar which concluded on Sunday.
The topics of the seminar range from "opportunities and challenges in the cross-strait relations", "the status-quo of Taiwan's political situation and its public opinions", to "reasons behind the failure of the Democratic Progressive Party".
"Cross-Strait relations have changed rapidly lately due to concerted efforts by people across the Strait," said Liu Hong, dean of BUU's Taiwan Research Institute.
He called for efforts to establish direct links in mail, trade, shipping and air services to further boost cross-Strait relations.
Chang Lin-cheng, a political science professor at the Taiwan University, also noted that the year 2008 marked an important phase for cross-Strait relations as the two sides "made breakthroughs in bilateral exchanges."
But he noted there still exist some difficulties and challenges in cross-Strait relations, and both sides should join hands to cope with them.
Source: Xinhua
The experts, who came from universities and academic institutions in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and Beijing, focused their attention on political development in Taiwan over the past eight years at a two-day seminar which concluded on Sunday.
The topics of the seminar range from "opportunities and challenges in the cross-strait relations", "the status-quo of Taiwan's political situation and its public opinions", to "reasons behind the failure of the Democratic Progressive Party".
"Cross-Strait relations have changed rapidly lately due to concerted efforts by people across the Strait," said Liu Hong, dean of BUU's Taiwan Research Institute.
He called for efforts to establish direct links in mail, trade, shipping and air services to further boost cross-Strait relations.
Chang Lin-cheng, a political science professor at the Taiwan University, also noted that the year 2008 marked an important phase for cross-Strait relations as the two sides "made breakthroughs in bilateral exchanges."
But he noted there still exist some difficulties and challenges in cross-Strait relations, and both sides should join hands to cope with them.
Source: Xinhua
G20 vows to use all means to ensure stability of financial market
The Group of 20 has committed to using "all the economic and financial tools to ensure the stability of financial markets," said a statement issued after an emergency meeting on Saturday.
The bloc, which groups 19 top developed and developing countries and the European Union, convened a special meeting on the sidelines of the IMF meeting amid the raging global financial crisis.
The G20 endorsed a five-point action plan adopted by the smaller Group of Seven leading economies , which on Friday vowed to use "all necessary tools" to ease the financial crisis.
The statement said members of the G20 have vowed to join hands to improve the regulation, supervision and the overall functioning of the world's financial markets.
Chinese Vice Minister of Finance Li Yong and Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China Yi Gang attended the meeting.
U.S. President George W. Bush briefed the meeting, while U.S. Secretary of Treasury Henry M. Paulson introduced the latest development of the country's financial crisis.
Delegates exchanged their views on the world financial situation. They said the group will draw together, deepen cooperation and deal jointly with the crisis.
The bloc, established in 1999, is an important forum to promote dialogue between advanced and emerging countries on key issues regarding economic growth and stability of the financial system.
Source: Xinhua
The bloc, which groups 19 top developed and developing countries and the European Union, convened a special meeting on the sidelines of the IMF meeting amid the raging global financial crisis.
The G20 endorsed a five-point action plan adopted by the smaller Group of Seven leading economies , which on Friday vowed to use "all necessary tools" to ease the financial crisis.
The statement said members of the G20 have vowed to join hands to improve the regulation, supervision and the overall functioning of the world's financial markets.
Chinese Vice Minister of Finance Li Yong and Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China Yi Gang attended the meeting.
U.S. President George W. Bush briefed the meeting, while U.S. Secretary of Treasury Henry M. Paulson introduced the latest development of the country's financial crisis.
Delegates exchanged their views on the world financial situation. They said the group will draw together, deepen cooperation and deal jointly with the crisis.
The bloc, established in 1999, is an important forum to promote dialogue between advanced and emerging countries on key issues regarding economic growth and stability of the financial system.
Source: Xinhua
Expert: EU expects co-op with Asia in climate, energy
The European Union expects to reach consensuses with Asia to cooperate in combating climate change and maintaining energy security, an EU expert on Asian affairs said.
"Europe wants to send a clear message at the EU-Asia summit" to build with Asian countries "consensuses to work together on climate change and energy security," which is the most important thing for Europe, Etienne Reuter, a senior advisor to the European Commission told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.
Reuter was former EU representative in Hong Kong from 1993 to 2000 and then spent five years at the EU delegation in Tokyo.
Europe and Asia should "work together to enhance regional and international stability and strengthen international order," he added.
"Trade and investment links between Asia and Europe are strong, but political and people-to-people links were not as strong as they should have been," he said.
The EU-Asia summit "will be a forum to enhance political dialogue and serves as a platform to develop people-to-people contact, exchanges between universities, academics, and civil societies," he said.
Political dialogue could also help Europe to further enhance trade and economic ties with Asian countries, contain regional conflict and contribute to international stability, he added.
"The summit is to build a bridge between Asian and Europe. Out of the summit, we hope a consensus would do something together to build stability in the world" and to reach successful agreements on the post-Kyoto Protocol.
As the summit is to be held amid global financial meltdown, climate change and international terrorism, consultation on such matters will be the main theme of the summit, he said.
Source: Xinhua
"Europe wants to send a clear message at the EU-Asia summit" to build with Asian countries "consensuses to work together on climate change and energy security," which is the most important thing for Europe, Etienne Reuter, a senior advisor to the European Commission told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.
Reuter was former EU representative in Hong Kong from 1993 to 2000 and then spent five years at the EU delegation in Tokyo.
Europe and Asia should "work together to enhance regional and international stability and strengthen international order," he added.
"Trade and investment links between Asia and Europe are strong, but political and people-to-people links were not as strong as they should have been," he said.
The EU-Asia summit "will be a forum to enhance political dialogue and serves as a platform to develop people-to-people contact, exchanges between universities, academics, and civil societies," he said.
Political dialogue could also help Europe to further enhance trade and economic ties with Asian countries, contain regional conflict and contribute to international stability, he added.
"The summit is to build a bridge between Asian and Europe. Out of the summit, we hope a consensus would do something together to build stability in the world" and to reach successful agreements on the post-Kyoto Protocol.
As the summit is to be held amid global financial meltdown, climate change and international terrorism, consultation on such matters will be the main theme of the summit, he said.
Source: Xinhua
China stops sales of suspected herbal injection
China's drug safety watchdog put as top to sales and use of an herbal injection after the product was suspected of causing three deaths earlier this week.
A total of 4,547 bottles of ciwujia herbal injection, manufactured by the Wandashan Pharmaceutical Company in northeastern Heilongjiang Province, have been recalled, the State Food and Drug Administration said on Saturday.
Two batches of ciwujia, produced in December 2007, were found to be substandard. The SFDA said a total of 47,930 bottles had been sold to 53 drug stores and 92 hospitals throughout half of China.
In total, 43,383 injections of ciwujia had already been used, said the SFDA.
Six patients in southwestern Yunnan Province became violently ill, suffering from vomiting and even comas, after being injected with ciwujia from the two batches.
Three of those patients died in the hospital on Monday. The others were described as stable, but still under observation.
The SFDA is testing other batches of ciwujia injections produced by Wandashan .
The medicine is extracted from ciwujia, a type of Siberian ginseng. Siberian ginseng injections are often used to treat thrombosis caused by weak liver and kidneys. It is also believed to be helpful in treating coronary heart disease, nervous exhaustion and menopausal problems.
Wandashan Pharmaceutical has more than 570 staff and has manufactured ciwujia for more than 30 years.
Source: Xinhua
A total of 4,547 bottles of ciwujia herbal injection, manufactured by the Wandashan Pharmaceutical Company in northeastern Heilongjiang Province, have been recalled, the State Food and Drug Administration said on Saturday.
Two batches of ciwujia, produced in December 2007, were found to be substandard. The SFDA said a total of 47,930 bottles had been sold to 53 drug stores and 92 hospitals throughout half of China.
In total, 43,383 injections of ciwujia had already been used, said the SFDA.
Six patients in southwestern Yunnan Province became violently ill, suffering from vomiting and even comas, after being injected with ciwujia from the two batches.
Three of those patients died in the hospital on Monday. The others were described as stable, but still under observation.
The SFDA is testing other batches of ciwujia injections produced by Wandashan .
The medicine is extracted from ciwujia, a type of Siberian ginseng. Siberian ginseng injections are often used to treat thrombosis caused by weak liver and kidneys. It is also believed to be helpful in treating coronary heart disease, nervous exhaustion and menopausal problems.
Wandashan Pharmaceutical has more than 570 staff and has manufactured ciwujia for more than 30 years.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese farmers enjoy cheap neighborhood medical service
Gu Chaoshan is exulted these days. One month ago, the 62-year-old farmer from north China''s Hebei Province felt suffocated all of a sudden, sweating and losing his breath. His son promptly dialed the town hospital. In 10 minutes, he was sent to a first-aid room, diagnosed as suffering from paroxysmal miocardial infarction, and was saved.
First-aid calls, most popular in Chinese cities, was something new to farmers in Guzhuang Village, Anzhai Township, Quzhou County.
"If I had such illness in the old days, I would have to go a long way to the county hospital," said Gu. "Nowadays, I am treated in the neighborhood in great convenience, saving a lot of money."
Glad of his recovery, Gu was often reminded of an incident 28 years ago. In 1980, his best friend in the village fell ill with the same symptoms. He died on the way to the county hospital.
"We had to send him to the county seat because the village and township had poor medical facilities," said Gu, with bitter hatred.
"For a long period, the township hospital remained shabby. The village clinic existed in name. The medical equipment was simple and outdated. The doctors were actually unqualified."
The rural healthcare system was once a core element of Chinese socialism. After the founding of the People''s Republic of China in1949, rural people had access to subsidized health clinics run by "barefoot doctors," who were basically middle-school students trained in first aid.
The primitive service, essentially free, played a role in doubling the country''s average life expectancy from 35 years in 1949 to 68 years in 1978.
When China began its economic reform in the early 1980s, the system was dismantled as the country attempted to switch to a market-oriented healthcare system. But the government failed to establish a viable substitute, leaving its large rural population without health insurance.
A national health survey in 2003 revealed about 73 percent of people in rural areas who should have sought medical treatment chose not to do so because of the fear of high costs.
China has a rural population of 737 million, accounting for 56percent of its total population. The per capita net income of farmers reached 4,140 yuan in 2007.
The plight of Chinese farmers has provoked national leaders to move to restore rural medical cooperatives and to establish a nationwide safety net of minimal medical insurance.
First-aid calls, most popular in Chinese cities, was something new to farmers in Guzhuang Village, Anzhai Township, Quzhou County.
"If I had such illness in the old days, I would have to go a long way to the county hospital," said Gu. "Nowadays, I am treated in the neighborhood in great convenience, saving a lot of money."
Glad of his recovery, Gu was often reminded of an incident 28 years ago. In 1980, his best friend in the village fell ill with the same symptoms. He died on the way to the county hospital.
"We had to send him to the county seat because the village and township had poor medical facilities," said Gu, with bitter hatred.
"For a long period, the township hospital remained shabby. The village clinic existed in name. The medical equipment was simple and outdated. The doctors were actually unqualified."
The rural healthcare system was once a core element of Chinese socialism. After the founding of the People''s Republic of China in1949, rural people had access to subsidized health clinics run by "barefoot doctors," who were basically middle-school students trained in first aid.
The primitive service, essentially free, played a role in doubling the country''s average life expectancy from 35 years in 1949 to 68 years in 1978.
When China began its economic reform in the early 1980s, the system was dismantled as the country attempted to switch to a market-oriented healthcare system. But the government failed to establish a viable substitute, leaving its large rural population without health insurance.
A national health survey in 2003 revealed about 73 percent of people in rural areas who should have sought medical treatment chose not to do so because of the fear of high costs.
China has a rural population of 737 million, accounting for 56percent of its total population. The per capita net income of farmers reached 4,140 yuan in 2007.
The plight of Chinese farmers has provoked national leaders to move to restore rural medical cooperatives and to establish a nationwide safety net of minimal medical insurance.
Chinese researchers record porcine handmade cloning
Chinese researchers have cloned eight piglets in a simplified method compared to traditional cloning.
The piglets were born on Aug. 30 by handmade cloning , an alternative of the conventional operation that requires expensive equipment, said Yang Huanming, a scientist at Beijing Genomics Institute's Shenzhen branch that developed the HMC technology, on Saturday at a press conference here.
HMC needs only a metal blade and skilled hands, which reduces costs and increases efficiency.
Yang, also an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the piglets could reproduce in a natural way.
"Cloned pork is relatively safe, and we're prepared for large-scale production," said Yang.
BGI experts conducted porcine HMC with Denmark scientists in 2006. The Chinese experts brought in the technology in 2007 and made a success after one year's efforts.
Pig cloning could offer organs for human transplantation and it is also an important way to retain or improve rare species, according to Yang.
Source: Xinhua
The piglets were born on Aug. 30 by handmade cloning , an alternative of the conventional operation that requires expensive equipment, said Yang Huanming, a scientist at Beijing Genomics Institute's Shenzhen branch that developed the HMC technology, on Saturday at a press conference here.
HMC needs only a metal blade and skilled hands, which reduces costs and increases efficiency.
Yang, also an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the piglets could reproduce in a natural way.
"Cloned pork is relatively safe, and we're prepared for large-scale production," said Yang.
BGI experts conducted porcine HMC with Denmark scientists in 2006. The Chinese experts brought in the technology in 2007 and made a success after one year's efforts.
Pig cloning could offer organs for human transplantation and it is also an important way to retain or improve rare species, according to Yang.
Source: Xinhua
Nigeria stay perfect with 4-1 win over Sierra Leone
Nigeria consolidated their leadership of Group Four of the qualifying tournament for the 2010FIFA World Cup South Africa with a 4-1 trouncing of Sierra Leone on Saturday.
The Super Eagles finished their second round qualifying group with a maximum 18 points from six matches while Sierra Leone finished with seven points.
Nigeria have now qualified for the draw for the third round of the qualifying tournament, which also serves for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.
The home team opened scoring in the 19th minute through midfielder Christian Obodo when he slotted home after a goalmouth scramble.
However, Sierra Leone were level after 33 minutes when an misunderstanding between central defenders Joseph Yobo and John Shittu saw Yobo conceded an own-goal.
Nigeria restored their lead two minutes later when Beijing Olympics star Victor Obinna netted his team's second goal before Osaze Odemwingie increased the Eagles advantage with another fine effort in first half stoppage time.
Russia-based defender Chidi Odiah scored the best goal of the day when his clean strike from outside the box beat the Sierra Leonian goalkeeper.
Source: Xinhua
The Super Eagles finished their second round qualifying group with a maximum 18 points from six matches while Sierra Leone finished with seven points.
Nigeria have now qualified for the draw for the third round of the qualifying tournament, which also serves for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.
The home team opened scoring in the 19th minute through midfielder Christian Obodo when he slotted home after a goalmouth scramble.
However, Sierra Leone were level after 33 minutes when an misunderstanding between central defenders Joseph Yobo and John Shittu saw Yobo conceded an own-goal.
Nigeria restored their lead two minutes later when Beijing Olympics star Victor Obinna netted his team's second goal before Osaze Odemwingie increased the Eagles advantage with another fine effort in first half stoppage time.
Russia-based defender Chidi Odiah scored the best goal of the day when his clean strike from outside the box beat the Sierra Leonian goalkeeper.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese grain output expected to rise for 5th consecutive year
China's Ministry of Agriculture on Saturday said it expects an increase in grain output for the fifth consecutive year.
The country has harvested nearly 80 percent of its autumn crops and expects 2008 to be a bumper year, the ministry stated.
The State Grain Information Center earlier estimated that this year's grain output would reach 511.5 million tons, up 10 million tons from 2007.
A farmer unloads newly reaped paddy in Jiangzhuang village, Donghai county, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 11, 2008. Large parts of China have witnessed crop harvest in this golden autumn.
Higher grain production happened in spite of natural disasters and troubled domestic and international economic environments, the MOA noted.
Farmers reap paddy rice in the field in Jiangzhuang village, Donghai county, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 11, 2008. Large parts of China have witnessed crop harvest in this golden autumn.
The output increase was attributed to government subsidies, pest control and more advance agricultural techniques, the ministry said.
The central government allocated 102.86 billion yuan in agriculture subsidies this year, doubling the money from 2007.
Farmers reap paddy rice in the field in Jiangzhuang village, Donghai county, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 11, 2008. Large parts of China have witnessed crop harvest in this golden autumn.
Source: Xinhua
The country has harvested nearly 80 percent of its autumn crops and expects 2008 to be a bumper year, the ministry stated.
The State Grain Information Center earlier estimated that this year's grain output would reach 511.5 million tons, up 10 million tons from 2007.
A farmer unloads newly reaped paddy in Jiangzhuang village, Donghai county, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 11, 2008. Large parts of China have witnessed crop harvest in this golden autumn.
Higher grain production happened in spite of natural disasters and troubled domestic and international economic environments, the MOA noted.
Farmers reap paddy rice in the field in Jiangzhuang village, Donghai county, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 11, 2008. Large parts of China have witnessed crop harvest in this golden autumn.
The output increase was attributed to government subsidies, pest control and more advance agricultural techniques, the ministry said.
The central government allocated 102.86 billion yuan in agriculture subsidies this year, doubling the money from 2007.
Farmers reap paddy rice in the field in Jiangzhuang village, Donghai county, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 11, 2008. Large parts of China have witnessed crop harvest in this golden autumn.
Source: Xinhua
Scientists complete sequencing giant panda genome
Chinese scientists have completed sequencing the genome of giant pandas. The announcement was made in Shenzhen on Saturday.
They hope the new information will give them a better biological understanding of why pandas eat bamboo, have black circles around their eyes and produce few offspring.
"By sequencing the giant panda genome we've laid the genetic and biological foundation for us to gain a deeper understanding of the peculiar species," said Dr. Wang Jun, a scientist with the Beijing Genomics Institute's Shenzhen branch , a core participant in the project.
Giant panda research experts Pan Wenshi , Hou Rong , and Tian Geng pose for a photo in front of the genome of giant pandas in Shenzhen, south China, on Oct. 11, 2008. The announcement that Chinese scientists have completed sequencing the genome of giant pandas was made in Shenzhen on Saturday.
So far, scientists learned, through drawing and assembling the genome sequence, that giant pandas are akin to dogs and human beings but are very different from mice.
They also discovered more supporting evidence that giant pandas might be a subspecies of black bears.
Giant pandas, known for being sexually inactive, are among the world's most endangered animals due to a shrinking habitat. It's one reason why scientists decided to sequence its genome.
"It will help genetically explain why giant pandas have poor reproductive abilities, so that scientists can help them deliver more cubs," Wang said.
A researcher shows a blood sample of a panda at the China Giant Panda Research Center in Wolong, Sichuan Province, in this file photo taken on March 20, 2008.
Enhanced disease control was another benefit of the study, Wang said.
The International Giant Panda Genome Project started in March 2008 with scientists from China, Britain, the United States, Denmark and Canada.
Researchers get blood sample from a giant panda at the China Giant Panda Research Center in Wolong, southwest China's Sichuan Province, in this file photo taken on March 20, 2008.
According to BGI Shenzhen scientists, data from the project is expected to have an extensive impact on various scientific areas such as ecology, evolution and sequencing technology.
A three-year-old female panda, named Jing Jing, from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda breeding in southwest China's Sichuan Province, was chosen by scientists for the genome sequencing. Jing Jing was also the prototype of one of the five mascots of the Beijing Olympics.
"We have done such a huge amount of research that if we compile a book with the genome sequence, the height would be equal to the landmark 384-meter Diwang Tower of Shenzhen," Wang said.
There are about 1,590 pandas living in China's wild, mostly in Sichuan and the northwestern provinces of Shaanxi and Gansu.
In 2007, there were 239 captive-bred giant pandas in the country.
Yang Huanming, another scientist at BGI Shenzhen, said his colleagues will work on mapping out a more detailed genome sequence of the panda by the end of this year.
Chinese scientists have made big improvements in gene studies and genome sequencing in the past few years through their own efforts and participation in a series of international projects, Yang said.
Chinese scientists have contributed to the genome sequencing of a rice paddy, silkworm, hen and pig. In October last year, they finished sequencing the first Han Chinese genome, Yang said.
Source: Xinhua
They hope the new information will give them a better biological understanding of why pandas eat bamboo, have black circles around their eyes and produce few offspring.
"By sequencing the giant panda genome we've laid the genetic and biological foundation for us to gain a deeper understanding of the peculiar species," said Dr. Wang Jun, a scientist with the Beijing Genomics Institute's Shenzhen branch , a core participant in the project.
Giant panda research experts Pan Wenshi , Hou Rong , and Tian Geng pose for a photo in front of the genome of giant pandas in Shenzhen, south China, on Oct. 11, 2008. The announcement that Chinese scientists have completed sequencing the genome of giant pandas was made in Shenzhen on Saturday.
So far, scientists learned, through drawing and assembling the genome sequence, that giant pandas are akin to dogs and human beings but are very different from mice.
They also discovered more supporting evidence that giant pandas might be a subspecies of black bears.
Giant pandas, known for being sexually inactive, are among the world's most endangered animals due to a shrinking habitat. It's one reason why scientists decided to sequence its genome.
"It will help genetically explain why giant pandas have poor reproductive abilities, so that scientists can help them deliver more cubs," Wang said.
A researcher shows a blood sample of a panda at the China Giant Panda Research Center in Wolong, Sichuan Province, in this file photo taken on March 20, 2008.
Enhanced disease control was another benefit of the study, Wang said.
The International Giant Panda Genome Project started in March 2008 with scientists from China, Britain, the United States, Denmark and Canada.
Researchers get blood sample from a giant panda at the China Giant Panda Research Center in Wolong, southwest China's Sichuan Province, in this file photo taken on March 20, 2008.
According to BGI Shenzhen scientists, data from the project is expected to have an extensive impact on various scientific areas such as ecology, evolution and sequencing technology.
A three-year-old female panda, named Jing Jing, from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda breeding in southwest China's Sichuan Province, was chosen by scientists for the genome sequencing. Jing Jing was also the prototype of one of the five mascots of the Beijing Olympics.
"We have done such a huge amount of research that if we compile a book with the genome sequence, the height would be equal to the landmark 384-meter Diwang Tower of Shenzhen," Wang said.
There are about 1,590 pandas living in China's wild, mostly in Sichuan and the northwestern provinces of Shaanxi and Gansu.
In 2007, there were 239 captive-bred giant pandas in the country.
Yang Huanming, another scientist at BGI Shenzhen, said his colleagues will work on mapping out a more detailed genome sequence of the panda by the end of this year.
Chinese scientists have made big improvements in gene studies and genome sequencing in the past few years through their own efforts and participation in a series of international projects, Yang said.
Chinese scientists have contributed to the genome sequencing of a rice paddy, silkworm, hen and pig. In October last year, they finished sequencing the first Han Chinese genome, Yang said.
Source: Xinhua
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