As the Chinese economy continues to grow at a rapid rate, factors affecting the global economy continue to leave unanswered questions for Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises.
"We hope some answers and solutions can be found in the Global Chinese Financial Forum Dalian Conference scheduled from Oct 30 to Nov 1 in the coastal city of Liaoning province," said Joe Tai, president of ChineseWorldNet.com Inc, one of the conference's organizers.
"We hope the GCFF Dalian conference will help the provinces in Northeast China develop in opening-up to the outside world, adopting international practices, and attracting more venture capital and private equity," said Tai.
Comprising keynote symposium, capital market section, and financial-related section, the conference will invite many famous investment gurus and financial experts to give comments on the hottest issues in finance and economy of both the global and Chinese market in 2008 and 2009, said Tai.
The capital market section, which includes four or five sub-forums and nearly 1,500 matching meetings between institutions and enterprises, is expected to attract about 10,000 attendees.
In the financial-related section, exhibitors of financial products and service providers will introduce their products to the Chinese investors. The attendees can gain up-to-the-minute knowledge on the financing concepts and the potential financing fields.
Chen Tiecheng, deputy director of the small and medium-sized enterprises department of Liaoning, said Liaoning's SMEs will benefit from the Dalian conference.
"The local government in Liaoning supports the development of SMEs. In addition, they face great opportunities like the restructuring of the old industrial bases of Northeast China," said Chen.
Source:Xinhua
Monday, September 1, 2008
Chinese vice premier urges efforts to boost development in Inner Mongolia
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday called for more efforts to promote sound and fast growth in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made an inspection tour of the region from Aug. 28 to 30. He visited factories, markets, pastoral areas and residential districts in Hohhot, Manzhouli and Ordos.
He said Inner Mongolia should develop economy with local characteristics, boost the development of modern agriculture and animal husbandry, and rationally develop and utilize mineral resources.
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang visits a herdsmen's family in the Ordos grassland in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Aug. 29, 2008, during his inspection tour in Inner Mongolia from Aug. 28 to 30.
The region, one of China's important energy bases, should increase its energy supply with a highlight on the production security as well. Meanwhile, it should promote the development of recycling economy, and continue implementing energy saving and emission reducing policies.
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang talks to a shopkeeper at a shopping center in the border city of Manzhouli in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Aug. 28, 2008, during his inspection tour in Inner Mongolia from Aug. 28 to 30.
He pointed out the eastern part of Inner Mongolia was a region of vast land area and great marketing potential. It should seize the opportunities to further strengthen its economic power.
He further stressed that, Inner Mongolia, the important ecological shelter for China's northern region, should pay more attention on ecological development and environmental protection.
During the visit, Li showed great concern on people's livelihood. He called for greater efforts to raise urban and rural people's income through various channels, and better solve people's housing and medical care problems, to further improve their lives.
Source:Xinhua
Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made an inspection tour of the region from Aug. 28 to 30. He visited factories, markets, pastoral areas and residential districts in Hohhot, Manzhouli and Ordos.
He said Inner Mongolia should develop economy with local characteristics, boost the development of modern agriculture and animal husbandry, and rationally develop and utilize mineral resources.
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang visits a herdsmen's family in the Ordos grassland in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Aug. 29, 2008, during his inspection tour in Inner Mongolia from Aug. 28 to 30.
The region, one of China's important energy bases, should increase its energy supply with a highlight on the production security as well. Meanwhile, it should promote the development of recycling economy, and continue implementing energy saving and emission reducing policies.
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang talks to a shopkeeper at a shopping center in the border city of Manzhouli in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Aug. 28, 2008, during his inspection tour in Inner Mongolia from Aug. 28 to 30.
He pointed out the eastern part of Inner Mongolia was a region of vast land area and great marketing potential. It should seize the opportunities to further strengthen its economic power.
He further stressed that, Inner Mongolia, the important ecological shelter for China's northern region, should pay more attention on ecological development and environmental protection.
During the visit, Li showed great concern on people's livelihood. He called for greater efforts to raise urban and rural people's income through various channels, and better solve people's housing and medical care problems, to further improve their lives.
Source:Xinhua
Senior Chinese leader urges new development in Heilongjiang
Top Chinese political advisor Jia Qinglin on Saturday urged new social and economic development in northeast China's Heilongjiang province, in accordance with the country's strategy to revitalize the old industrial base.
Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference , made the requirement during an inspection tour of Heilongjiang from Aug. 26 to 30. He visited local farms, enterprises and research institutes.
He said Heilongjiang, the country's largest production base of commodity grain, should make more efforts on grain production, by further increasing agricultural input and infrastructure construction.
Jia Qinglin , chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference , visits a farm in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 29, 2008, during his inspection tour in Heilongjiang from Aug. 26 to 30.
In addition, the province should promote the development of agricultural science and technology, and further arouse farmers' initiatives for farming.
Meanwhile, Heilongjiang, as one of China's important industrial bases, should invigorate its equipment manufacturing industry, to make more contributions to the country's industrialization and national defense.
Jia Qinglin , chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference , visits the Harbin Boiler Company in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 29, 2008, during his inspection tour in Heilongjiang from Aug. 26 to 30.
Jia, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, showed great concerns on local ethnic minorities' lives, saying the government should continue to help them lead harmonious and happy lives.
Source:Xinhua
Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference , made the requirement during an inspection tour of Heilongjiang from Aug. 26 to 30. He visited local farms, enterprises and research institutes.
He said Heilongjiang, the country's largest production base of commodity grain, should make more efforts on grain production, by further increasing agricultural input and infrastructure construction.
Jia Qinglin , chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference , visits a farm in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 29, 2008, during his inspection tour in Heilongjiang from Aug. 26 to 30.
In addition, the province should promote the development of agricultural science and technology, and further arouse farmers' initiatives for farming.
Meanwhile, Heilongjiang, as one of China's important industrial bases, should invigorate its equipment manufacturing industry, to make more contributions to the country's industrialization and national defense.
Jia Qinglin , chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference , visits the Harbin Boiler Company in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 29, 2008, during his inspection tour in Heilongjiang from Aug. 26 to 30.
Jia, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, showed great concerns on local ethnic minorities' lives, saying the government should continue to help them lead harmonious and happy lives.
Source:Xinhua
Senior Chinese leader urges better service, security work for Paralympics
Senior Communist Party of China official Zhou Yongkang Friday called for better services and security work for next month's Paralympic Games during an inspection of Beijing South Railway station.
Zhou, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, on Friday toured facilities for the disabled at the station such as lanes for the blind and special lifts.
"We should spare no efforts in providing the best service and maintaining security for the Paralympics," Zhou said.
Zhou then took the Beijing-Tianjin intercity express to the industrial city of Tianjin.
Zhou Yongkang , member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits a community service center in Nankai district, north China's Tianjin Municipality, during his inspection tour in Tianjin on Aug. 29. 2008.
He inspected restrooms for the disabled on the train, stressing that the disabled should be respected, well cared for and better served.
Zhou said the Paralympics should lead to nationwide improvements for services for the disabled.
In Tianjin, he inspected a community in Nankai District, the Letters and Calls Reception Office in Hebei District and listened to a report on the city's social and economic development and social stability.
Zhou stressed that all security sectors shall continue efforts to maintain social stability and public order during the Paralympics, which will be held from Sept. 6 to 17.
Source:Xinhua
Zhou, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, on Friday toured facilities for the disabled at the station such as lanes for the blind and special lifts.
"We should spare no efforts in providing the best service and maintaining security for the Paralympics," Zhou said.
Zhou then took the Beijing-Tianjin intercity express to the industrial city of Tianjin.
Zhou Yongkang , member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits a community service center in Nankai district, north China's Tianjin Municipality, during his inspection tour in Tianjin on Aug. 29. 2008.
He inspected restrooms for the disabled on the train, stressing that the disabled should be respected, well cared for and better served.
Zhou said the Paralympics should lead to nationwide improvements for services for the disabled.
In Tianjin, he inspected a community in Nankai District, the Letters and Calls Reception Office in Hebei District and listened to a report on the city's social and economic development and social stability.
Zhou stressed that all security sectors shall continue efforts to maintain social stability and public order during the Paralympics, which will be held from Sept. 6 to 17.
Source:Xinhua
China's Arctic expedition team starts research in 87 degree north latitude
China's third Arctic expedition team started research operations in 87 degree north latitude, the northernmost part of the Arctica that the research team has ever arrived.
The scientific expedition team's helicopter landed on a large piece of a floating ice after an 87-minute flight.
The scientists took pictures and videos from the helicopter for further research.
Zhang Haisheng, chief scientist of China's third Arctic expedition team, said it was the first time that China has carried out research at such a high latitude, which showed China's improving ability in Arctic research.
The Arctic sea ice melting as a result of global warming helps the team successfully get deeper into this area and carry out a comprehensive study on the polar environment, he added.
Zhang also said the team has conducted a series of research activities in the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean on oceanography, sea ice, and atmospheric subjects.
During the expedition from Shanghai on July 11, the team collected lots of data and samples, and achieved preliminary results, such as the discovery of salinity reduction in some Arctic sea areas, circulation anomalies and atmospheric circulation fluctuation, he said.
Further research will be carried out based on those data and samples by which the scientists hope to find answers to the influence of the global climate change and the response of the north pole to such changes, Zhang added.
Source:Xinhua
The scientific expedition team's helicopter landed on a large piece of a floating ice after an 87-minute flight.
The scientists took pictures and videos from the helicopter for further research.
Zhang Haisheng, chief scientist of China's third Arctic expedition team, said it was the first time that China has carried out research at such a high latitude, which showed China's improving ability in Arctic research.
The Arctic sea ice melting as a result of global warming helps the team successfully get deeper into this area and carry out a comprehensive study on the polar environment, he added.
Zhang also said the team has conducted a series of research activities in the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean on oceanography, sea ice, and atmospheric subjects.
During the expedition from Shanghai on July 11, the team collected lots of data and samples, and achieved preliminary results, such as the discovery of salinity reduction in some Arctic sea areas, circulation anomalies and atmospheric circulation fluctuation, he said.
Further research will be carried out based on those data and samples by which the scientists hope to find answers to the influence of the global climate change and the response of the north pole to such changes, Zhang added.
Source:Xinhua
Transport suspended on Sichuan-Tibet highway due to mudflow
A section of the highway between southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region and Sichuan Province was blocked by mudflow on Saturday. Transportation was suspended due to that.
The section, at Lizhi County of Linzhi Prefecture in Tibet, was damaged by mudflow caused by heavy rainfall, said Sun Hongjun, an armed police officer in charge of the repair work.
August was a rainy season in Tibet, and rainfall there increased by 30 percent in the first half compared with that of the normal level in the past years. This brought risks to the road and transportation.
Repair work is expected to be finished in about a week.
Source:Xinhua
The section, at Lizhi County of Linzhi Prefecture in Tibet, was damaged by mudflow caused by heavy rainfall, said Sun Hongjun, an armed police officer in charge of the repair work.
August was a rainy season in Tibet, and rainfall there increased by 30 percent in the first half compared with that of the normal level in the past years. This brought risks to the road and transportation.
Repair work is expected to be finished in about a week.
Source:Xinhua
22 dead after magnitude-6.1 quake jolts Sichuan Province
Twenty-two people were dead after an earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit Panzhihua City in southwest China on Saturday.
As of 9 p.m., 17 people were reported dead and about 100 others injured in Sichuan, and five people dead and 35 others injured in neighboring Yunnan Province.
The quake struck the juncture of Renhe District of Panzhihua and Huili County of Liangshan Prefecture at 4:30 p.m. . The epicenter was about 50 km southeast of downtown Panzhihua, at 26.2 degrees north and 101.9 degrees east and at a depth of 10 km, the National Seismograph Network Center said.
Photo taken on Aug. 31 shows a house in Renhe District of Panzhihua City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, is damaged in an earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale that hits Panzhihua Aug. 30, 2008.
In Panzhihua, a 54-year-old man was killed in debris in Miyi County and another person was killed Yanbian County. Nearly 1,000 houses were destroyed and cracks appeared in walls of more than 400 houses.
In the affected counties of Liangshan Prefecture, 86 people were injured, and many houses were destroyed or in dangerous conditions. The number of people buried in the ruins were not immediately available.
The quake also affected Chuxiong Prefecture in Yunnan Province, leaving five people dead and 26 others were injured, 11 severely, as of 8:30 p.m., said Mengfu, a prefecture government official.
The casualties in Yunnan were reported in Yongren, Yuanmou, Wuding and Dayao counties, in which four deaths were in Yuanmou, about 55 km from the epicenter, and another in Yongren, about 30 km from the epicenter.
"Locals in the county rushed out into the open. Cracks appeared on house walls and many windows were broken," said Zheng Zhouwei, a local legislator in Yongren.
Yunan's capital, Kunming, about 150 km from the epicenter, and Sichuan's capital of Chengdu both felt the tremor.
Another above magnitude-6 quake was not expected in the stricken area in the next two weeks, said Liu Jie, an expert at the National Seismograph Network Center.
The China Earthquake Administration initiated a level-three disaster control emergency response for the quake and required thelocal earthquake bureaus to step up efforts for quake monitoring and loss evaluation.
Working teams and seismic experts from China Earthquake Administration, and Sichuan and Yunnan provincial earthquake bureaus were heading for the stricken area.
The Yunnan provincial civil affairs bureau and the Yunnan Red Cross Society had sent a total of 3,400 tents and 2,000 quilts to the stricken area for disaster relief.
Heavy rain and rugged terrain greatly hampered the rescue efforts.
Due to poor communication, detailed casualties were still under calculation.
An average 118 people live on one sq km in the quake-stricken area.
Source:Xinhua
As of 9 p.m., 17 people were reported dead and about 100 others injured in Sichuan, and five people dead and 35 others injured in neighboring Yunnan Province.
The quake struck the juncture of Renhe District of Panzhihua and Huili County of Liangshan Prefecture at 4:30 p.m. . The epicenter was about 50 km southeast of downtown Panzhihua, at 26.2 degrees north and 101.9 degrees east and at a depth of 10 km, the National Seismograph Network Center said.
Photo taken on Aug. 31 shows a house in Renhe District of Panzhihua City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, is damaged in an earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale that hits Panzhihua Aug. 30, 2008.
In Panzhihua, a 54-year-old man was killed in debris in Miyi County and another person was killed Yanbian County. Nearly 1,000 houses were destroyed and cracks appeared in walls of more than 400 houses.
In the affected counties of Liangshan Prefecture, 86 people were injured, and many houses were destroyed or in dangerous conditions. The number of people buried in the ruins were not immediately available.
The quake also affected Chuxiong Prefecture in Yunnan Province, leaving five people dead and 26 others were injured, 11 severely, as of 8:30 p.m., said Mengfu, a prefecture government official.
The casualties in Yunnan were reported in Yongren, Yuanmou, Wuding and Dayao counties, in which four deaths were in Yuanmou, about 55 km from the epicenter, and another in Yongren, about 30 km from the epicenter.
"Locals in the county rushed out into the open. Cracks appeared on house walls and many windows were broken," said Zheng Zhouwei, a local legislator in Yongren.
Yunan's capital, Kunming, about 150 km from the epicenter, and Sichuan's capital of Chengdu both felt the tremor.
Another above magnitude-6 quake was not expected in the stricken area in the next two weeks, said Liu Jie, an expert at the National Seismograph Network Center.
The China Earthquake Administration initiated a level-three disaster control emergency response for the quake and required thelocal earthquake bureaus to step up efforts for quake monitoring and loss evaluation.
Working teams and seismic experts from China Earthquake Administration, and Sichuan and Yunnan provincial earthquake bureaus were heading for the stricken area.
The Yunnan provincial civil affairs bureau and the Yunnan Red Cross Society had sent a total of 3,400 tents and 2,000 quilts to the stricken area for disaster relief.
Heavy rain and rugged terrain greatly hampered the rescue efforts.
Due to poor communication, detailed casualties were still under calculation.
An average 118 people live on one sq km in the quake-stricken area.
Source:Xinhua
Four dead, three missing after rainstorm hits central China
Torrential rains had been slashing central China's Hubei Province since Thursday, leaving four people dead and three others missing.
The rain affected the life of 4.07 million people and destroyed crops in 35 counties across the province, a spokesman of the provincial civil affairs department said on Saturday
Several landslides, triggered by downpours, took place in Ziguiand Xingshan counties.
In some counties, rain water had poured into the houses of urban residents.
The provincial government had sent 100 tents to Zigui. Three working teams were heading for the worst-stricken areas to assist disaster relief efforts.
Source:Xinhua
The rain affected the life of 4.07 million people and destroyed crops in 35 counties across the province, a spokesman of the provincial civil affairs department said on Saturday
Several landslides, triggered by downpours, took place in Ziguiand Xingshan counties.
In some counties, rain water had poured into the houses of urban residents.
The provincial government had sent 100 tents to Zigui. Three working teams were heading for the worst-stricken areas to assist disaster relief efforts.
Source:Xinhua
5.3-Magnitude quake jolts Xinjiang
An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale hit Hejing County, Bayingolin Autonomous Prefecture of Mongolian Nationality in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Saturday evening.
The quake struck at 8:46 p.m. . The epicenter wasat 42.7 degrees north and 83.9 degrees east, and at a depth of 10 km, in the sparsely-inhabited Tianshan Mountains, according to theregional seismograph network.
Nearby counties and Korla City all felt the tremor.
No casualties were reported. Residents in Hejing County said "the intensity was not strong."
The local authorities had begun inspecting the damaged houses. Experts and technicians from Xinjiang and Korla earthquake bureaus were heading for the affected areas.
Source:Xinhua
The quake struck at 8:46 p.m. . The epicenter wasat 42.7 degrees north and 83.9 degrees east, and at a depth of 10 km, in the sparsely-inhabited Tianshan Mountains, according to theregional seismograph network.
Nearby counties and Korla City all felt the tremor.
No casualties were reported. Residents in Hejing County said "the intensity was not strong."
The local authorities had begun inspecting the damaged houses. Experts and technicians from Xinjiang and Korla earthquake bureaus were heading for the affected areas.
Source:Xinhua
Beijing's Olympic venues to become part of public life
Beijing is seeking ways to make better use of the 12 new venues built for the Olympics, with plans to host major international sporting and cultural events.
The spectacular stadiums are expected to become part of the public life of Beijing residents and visitors, as concerts, football games, and U.S. NBA basketball games.
"The Bird's Nest will remain the same as when the track and field competitions were staged during the Olympics," said Li Jianyi, general manager of its operator, a consortium led by state-owned investment group CITIC.
The stadium would mainly host large sports events as well as entertainment events like pop concerts, he said.
It had become home to the Beijing Guoan Football Club, and a sports broker was in talks to invite Real Madrid to play there.
Hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and shopping malls would also be erected in the second-phase construction, according to the developers. Such commercial facilities would account for about 35 percent of the total area on completion.
The Water Cube, which saw 24 new world records and the U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps snatching eight gold medals, would probably turn into the largest aquatic recreation center in Beijing.
Kang Wei, president of the National Aquatics Center Company Ltd, which runs the venue, said 6,000 makeshift seats, of the total 17,000, would be removed to make room for an artificial surf beach and other recreational and training facilities.
Areas for recreation had been designed to be about five times that of the competition area, Kang said.
The construction of recreational facilities was expected to begin after the Spring Festival in 2009, and finish in about a year.
The Wukesong Indoor Stadium would become the NBA's first facility in the country, hosting NBA China basketball games, said Zhao Yan, president of the Wukesong Sports and Culture Center.
Both the NBA China and the U.S. entertainment giant AEG were strategic partners of the Center, Zhao said.
The latter, which owns dozens of sports venues worldwide, would manage the stadium, including marketing of the facility and organization of large pop concerts, sports events and other entertainment events.
The first pop concert has been scheduled for Oct. 3, followed by NBA games and demonstration matches featuring NBA stars in the same month, and almost 100 sports events or performances have been planned throughout 2009 at the cube-shaped stadium in west Beijing.
Renovation of the National Convention Center, the fencing venue, will start at the end of October to turn the facility into a conference centre. It's expected to be in use in the second half in 2009.
Apartments at both the Media Village and the Olympic Village will be sold. The Media Village is expected to be ready for owners to move in at the end of the year, with 80 percent of apartments already sold.
The Olympic Village will be ready in the first half of next year, and 70 percent were sold before the Games.
Beijing Vice Mayor Chen Gang said public interests and environmental protection were as important as economic interests in post-Games use of Olympic venues.
Source:Xinhua
The spectacular stadiums are expected to become part of the public life of Beijing residents and visitors, as concerts, football games, and U.S. NBA basketball games.
"The Bird's Nest will remain the same as when the track and field competitions were staged during the Olympics," said Li Jianyi, general manager of its operator, a consortium led by state-owned investment group CITIC.
The stadium would mainly host large sports events as well as entertainment events like pop concerts, he said.
It had become home to the Beijing Guoan Football Club, and a sports broker was in talks to invite Real Madrid to play there.
Hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and shopping malls would also be erected in the second-phase construction, according to the developers. Such commercial facilities would account for about 35 percent of the total area on completion.
The Water Cube, which saw 24 new world records and the U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps snatching eight gold medals, would probably turn into the largest aquatic recreation center in Beijing.
Kang Wei, president of the National Aquatics Center Company Ltd, which runs the venue, said 6,000 makeshift seats, of the total 17,000, would be removed to make room for an artificial surf beach and other recreational and training facilities.
Areas for recreation had been designed to be about five times that of the competition area, Kang said.
The construction of recreational facilities was expected to begin after the Spring Festival in 2009, and finish in about a year.
The Wukesong Indoor Stadium would become the NBA's first facility in the country, hosting NBA China basketball games, said Zhao Yan, president of the Wukesong Sports and Culture Center.
Both the NBA China and the U.S. entertainment giant AEG were strategic partners of the Center, Zhao said.
The latter, which owns dozens of sports venues worldwide, would manage the stadium, including marketing of the facility and organization of large pop concerts, sports events and other entertainment events.
The first pop concert has been scheduled for Oct. 3, followed by NBA games and demonstration matches featuring NBA stars in the same month, and almost 100 sports events or performances have been planned throughout 2009 at the cube-shaped stadium in west Beijing.
Renovation of the National Convention Center, the fencing venue, will start at the end of October to turn the facility into a conference centre. It's expected to be in use in the second half in 2009.
Apartments at both the Media Village and the Olympic Village will be sold. The Media Village is expected to be ready for owners to move in at the end of the year, with 80 percent of apartments already sold.
The Olympic Village will be ready in the first half of next year, and 70 percent were sold before the Games.
Beijing Vice Mayor Chen Gang said public interests and environmental protection were as important as economic interests in post-Games use of Olympic venues.
Source:Xinhua
Seven dead after magnitude-6.1 quake jolts Sichuan Province
Seven people were dead after an earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit Panzhihua City in southwest China on Saturday.
One person was killed in Miyi County and another was confirmed to have died when a house collapsed in Zhongchang Township of Lihui County, Sichuan Province.
Five people died in Chuxiong Autonomous Prefecture of Yi Nationality in neighboring Yunnan Province, where 26 were injured, 11 severely, as of 8:30 p.m., said Mengfu, a prefecture government official.
The casualties in Yunnan were reported in Yongren, Yuanmou, Wuding and Dayao counties, in which four deaths were in Yuanmou and another in Yongren.
The quake struck at 4:30 p.m. . The epicenter was about 50 km southeast of downtown Panzhihua, at 26.2 degrees north and 101.9 degrees east and at a depth of 10 km, the National Seismograph Network Center said.
All the affected counties in Sichuan and Yunnan reported damaged houses.
No casualties or damaged houses were reported in the urban area of Panzhihua.
"Locals in the county rushed out into the open. Cracks appearedon house walls and many windows were broken," said Zheng Zhouwei, a local legislator in Yongren.
Yunan's capital, Kunming, about 300 km from the epicenter, and Sichuan's capital of Chengdu also felt the tremor. Many residents were staying outside after the quake.
Source:Xinhua
One person was killed in Miyi County and another was confirmed to have died when a house collapsed in Zhongchang Township of Lihui County, Sichuan Province.
Five people died in Chuxiong Autonomous Prefecture of Yi Nationality in neighboring Yunnan Province, where 26 were injured, 11 severely, as of 8:30 p.m., said Mengfu, a prefecture government official.
The casualties in Yunnan were reported in Yongren, Yuanmou, Wuding and Dayao counties, in which four deaths were in Yuanmou and another in Yongren.
The quake struck at 4:30 p.m. . The epicenter was about 50 km southeast of downtown Panzhihua, at 26.2 degrees north and 101.9 degrees east and at a depth of 10 km, the National Seismograph Network Center said.
All the affected counties in Sichuan and Yunnan reported damaged houses.
No casualties or damaged houses were reported in the urban area of Panzhihua.
"Locals in the county rushed out into the open. Cracks appearedon house walls and many windows were broken," said Zheng Zhouwei, a local legislator in Yongren.
Yunan's capital, Kunming, about 300 km from the epicenter, and Sichuan's capital of Chengdu also felt the tremor. Many residents were staying outside after the quake.
Source:Xinhua
Launch of "five-star" Beijing-Lhasa train postponed indefinitely
The launch of a "five-star" tourist train service from Beijing to Tibet set for Monday has been called off indefinitely, the operator announced on Saturday.
A senior engineer of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Corporation said he had received no notice that the tourist train would begin running in September.
He also denied the service would be as "luxurious" as some media reported. Some reports had speculated that the "luxury train" would be reserved for overseas tourists.
"There is no detailed schedule yet, but I can confirm it won't start in September," said Li Shunping, chief engineer of the company.
QTRC announced through the media in March that the train, with carriages on a par with a five-star hotel, would be launched on Sept. 1.
Zhu Mingrui, QTRC general manager who made the announcement, said the train would accommodate just 96 passengers. The fare would be about 20 times the normal price and also more expensive than a flight between Beijing and Lhasa.
No reason for the delay was given by QTRC, which is based in Xining, capital of Qinghai Province neighboring Tibet.
Some local media speculated the delivery time of the carriages could be a factor.
The carriage manufacturer, Bombardier Sifang Power, based in east China's Shandong Province, told the Qingdao Morning Post on Aug. 21 that the carriages would be delivered in February as scheduled. The company had not been informed that the service would be operating in September.
The newspaper report said the train would have 12 passenger cars, two dining cars and a sightseeing car. Each passenger car would have four 20-square-meter suites with double beds and bathing facilities.
Wang Yongping, a spokesman of the Ministry of Railways, wrote in his personal blog saying the train should be called a sightseeing train, rather than a luxury train.
"The biggest difference between the train and other trains would be the special sightseeing car, where commodious windows and comfortable chairs allowed passengers a better view of the scenery," he said in the blog.
The train would serve travelers from home and from abroad, he wrote.
The 1,956-kilometer Qinghai-Tibet section of the rail line, running from Xining to Lhasa, which started operation in July 2006, was Tibet's first rail link with the outside world.
Source:Xinhua
A senior engineer of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Corporation said he had received no notice that the tourist train would begin running in September.
He also denied the service would be as "luxurious" as some media reported. Some reports had speculated that the "luxury train" would be reserved for overseas tourists.
"There is no detailed schedule yet, but I can confirm it won't start in September," said Li Shunping, chief engineer of the company.
QTRC announced through the media in March that the train, with carriages on a par with a five-star hotel, would be launched on Sept. 1.
Zhu Mingrui, QTRC general manager who made the announcement, said the train would accommodate just 96 passengers. The fare would be about 20 times the normal price and also more expensive than a flight between Beijing and Lhasa.
No reason for the delay was given by QTRC, which is based in Xining, capital of Qinghai Province neighboring Tibet.
Some local media speculated the delivery time of the carriages could be a factor.
The carriage manufacturer, Bombardier Sifang Power, based in east China's Shandong Province, told the Qingdao Morning Post on Aug. 21 that the carriages would be delivered in February as scheduled. The company had not been informed that the service would be operating in September.
The newspaper report said the train would have 12 passenger cars, two dining cars and a sightseeing car. Each passenger car would have four 20-square-meter suites with double beds and bathing facilities.
Wang Yongping, a spokesman of the Ministry of Railways, wrote in his personal blog saying the train should be called a sightseeing train, rather than a luxury train.
"The biggest difference between the train and other trains would be the special sightseeing car, where commodious windows and comfortable chairs allowed passengers a better view of the scenery," he said in the blog.
The train would serve travelers from home and from abroad, he wrote.
The 1,956-kilometer Qinghai-Tibet section of the rail line, running from Xining to Lhasa, which started operation in July 2006, was Tibet's first rail link with the outside world.
Source:Xinhua
Seven dead after magnitude-6.1 quake jolts Sichuan Province
Seven people were dead after an earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit Panzhihua City in southwest China on Saturday.
One person was killed in Miyi County and another was confirmed to have died when a house collapsed in Zhongchang Township of Lihui County, Sichuan Province.
Five people died in Chuxiong Autonomous Prefecture of Yi Nationality in neighboring Yunnan Province, where 26 were injured, 11 severely, as of 8:30 p.m., said Mengfu, a prefecture government official.
The casualties in Yunnan were reported in Yongren, Yuanmou, Wuding and Dayao counties, in which four deaths were in Yuanmou and another in Yongren.
The quake struck at 4:30 p.m. . The epicenter was about 50 km southeast of downtown Panzhihua, at 26.2 degrees north and 101.9 degrees east and at a depth of 10 km, the National Seismograph Network Center said.
All the affected counties in Sichuan and Yunnan reported damaged houses.
No casualties or damaged houses were reported in the urban area of Panzhihua.
"Locals in the county rushed out into the open. Cracks appearedon house walls and many windows were broken," said Zheng Zhouwei, a local legislator in Yongren.
Yunan's capital, Kunming, about 300 km from the epicenter, and Sichuan's capital of Chengdu also felt the tremor. Many residents were staying outside after the quake.
Source:Xinhua
One person was killed in Miyi County and another was confirmed to have died when a house collapsed in Zhongchang Township of Lihui County, Sichuan Province.
Five people died in Chuxiong Autonomous Prefecture of Yi Nationality in neighboring Yunnan Province, where 26 were injured, 11 severely, as of 8:30 p.m., said Mengfu, a prefecture government official.
The casualties in Yunnan were reported in Yongren, Yuanmou, Wuding and Dayao counties, in which four deaths were in Yuanmou and another in Yongren.
The quake struck at 4:30 p.m. . The epicenter was about 50 km southeast of downtown Panzhihua, at 26.2 degrees north and 101.9 degrees east and at a depth of 10 km, the National Seismograph Network Center said.
All the affected counties in Sichuan and Yunnan reported damaged houses.
No casualties or damaged houses were reported in the urban area of Panzhihua.
"Locals in the county rushed out into the open. Cracks appearedon house walls and many windows were broken," said Zheng Zhouwei, a local legislator in Yongren.
Yunan's capital, Kunming, about 300 km from the epicenter, and Sichuan's capital of Chengdu also felt the tremor. Many residents were staying outside after the quake.
Source:Xinhua
Somali delegation commends China, Beijing Olympic Games
Although the Somali delegation to the Beijing Summer Olympic Games concluded last week came back to the country unnoticed just like they went out but the athletes as well as the officials say that both China and the Games left them with a lasting impressions.
"We have been received warmly by China and its people as we arrived in the capital Beijing which has changed significantly since I have been there last time," Aden Haji Yabarow, vice President of Somali Olympic Committee, told Xinhua in Mogadishu.
Yabarow, who had been to China a number of times before, said the changes he saw this time round was "unbelievable", saying the country has undergone tremendous transformation in every sphere.
Speaking about the organization of the Games, he said that he had never seen anything like it before and predicts that the pageantry at display at the Beijing Games may not be repeated for decades to come.
"The elaborate representation of scenes from Chinese history, culture and traditions as well as the rich display of traditional Chinese costumes, the fireworks, the magnificent sports venues and all the rest were things unmatched by anything I have seen in the last few Olympic Games I have been to," Yabarow said, "and I do not think we will see them in the coming decades."
Somali Olympic Committee, locally known by its Somali acronym GOS, managed to send two young athletes to represent Somalia at the Games despite 18 years of civil strife that Somalia endured.
But although the athletes did not win medals they were proud that their country was present at the Games and the national flag was raised at the Games.
Abdinasir Saeed, one of the two athletes, said he was happy Somalia was not left out, adding that it meant a lot to him to have the national Somali flag among those of more than 200 countries and regions from around the world.
"It is a great feeling to see your country's flag flying among the others and we have achieved a lot considering what our country has been through for two decades"
Saeed said that he was very impressed by the Chinese people who he describes as polite, civilized, and friendly.
"We were really welcomed by the Chinese people everywhere we went during our stay in China. We were received by the smiling faces of the Chinese people who are really courteous," Saeed noted," they are helpful welcoming and civilized".
Sead, who has never been outside Africa, said he was also stunned by the sheer beauty of the capital which he said, was magical and sophisticated.
Samia Yusuf, a young woman in her teens, was the only female athlete at the Games from the war-torn Horn of African country of Somalia.
She says she enjoyed a lot during her stay in Beijing Games saying she very much liked the Opening and the Closing ceremonies in particular.
"The music, the different performances, the fireworks and the Chinese local costumes were all very fabulous," Samia told Xinhua, "I have never seen anything like it".
Source:Xinhua
"We have been received warmly by China and its people as we arrived in the capital Beijing which has changed significantly since I have been there last time," Aden Haji Yabarow, vice President of Somali Olympic Committee, told Xinhua in Mogadishu.
Yabarow, who had been to China a number of times before, said the changes he saw this time round was "unbelievable", saying the country has undergone tremendous transformation in every sphere.
Speaking about the organization of the Games, he said that he had never seen anything like it before and predicts that the pageantry at display at the Beijing Games may not be repeated for decades to come.
"The elaborate representation of scenes from Chinese history, culture and traditions as well as the rich display of traditional Chinese costumes, the fireworks, the magnificent sports venues and all the rest were things unmatched by anything I have seen in the last few Olympic Games I have been to," Yabarow said, "and I do not think we will see them in the coming decades."
Somali Olympic Committee, locally known by its Somali acronym GOS, managed to send two young athletes to represent Somalia at the Games despite 18 years of civil strife that Somalia endured.
But although the athletes did not win medals they were proud that their country was present at the Games and the national flag was raised at the Games.
Abdinasir Saeed, one of the two athletes, said he was happy Somalia was not left out, adding that it meant a lot to him to have the national Somali flag among those of more than 200 countries and regions from around the world.
"It is a great feeling to see your country's flag flying among the others and we have achieved a lot considering what our country has been through for two decades"
Saeed said that he was very impressed by the Chinese people who he describes as polite, civilized, and friendly.
"We were really welcomed by the Chinese people everywhere we went during our stay in China. We were received by the smiling faces of the Chinese people who are really courteous," Saeed noted," they are helpful welcoming and civilized".
Sead, who has never been outside Africa, said he was also stunned by the sheer beauty of the capital which he said, was magical and sophisticated.
Samia Yusuf, a young woman in her teens, was the only female athlete at the Games from the war-torn Horn of African country of Somalia.
She says she enjoyed a lot during her stay in Beijing Games saying she very much liked the Opening and the Closing ceremonies in particular.
"The music, the different performances, the fireworks and the Chinese local costumes were all very fabulous," Samia told Xinhua, "I have never seen anything like it".
Source:Xinhua
Jordan calls for more Chinese investments
Jordan's business community Saturday called for more Chinese investments in the kingdom, official news agency Petra reported.
"The private sector seeks to have advanced relations with China and is working to attract Chinese investments into the kingdom," president of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce Haider Murad said when meeting a delegation from the Chinese Bank for Development.
The president said he hopes more Chinese projects could be set up in Jordan.
Murad also called for increasing Chinese imports from Jordan, mainly potash, sodium, phosphate, fertilizers, medicine, cosmetics and food stuffs.
Jordan's imports from China stood at 1.298 billion U.S. dollars, while its exports amounted to 72 million dollars, making China one of Jordan's main trade partners.
The Jordan Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization which provides umbrella for 15 chambers of commerce located in the major cities and districts of the country.
Source:Xinhua
"The private sector seeks to have advanced relations with China and is working to attract Chinese investments into the kingdom," president of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce Haider Murad said when meeting a delegation from the Chinese Bank for Development.
The president said he hopes more Chinese projects could be set up in Jordan.
Murad also called for increasing Chinese imports from Jordan, mainly potash, sodium, phosphate, fertilizers, medicine, cosmetics and food stuffs.
Jordan's imports from China stood at 1.298 billion U.S. dollars, while its exports amounted to 72 million dollars, making China one of Jordan's main trade partners.
The Jordan Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization which provides umbrella for 15 chambers of commerce located in the major cities and districts of the country.
Source:Xinhua
Yuan falls on talk state to limit gains
The yuan had its first monthly loss against the United States dollar since May 2006 on speculation weaker global demand will prompt the government to limit currency gains to protect exporters. Government bonds rose.
Slower growth worldwide will weigh on China's exports in the second half of 2008, Vice Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng said on Thursday. The yuan's 6.6-percent gain in the first half, which almost matched the advance for the whole of 2007, crimped profits at exporters and cooled sales abroad.
"It's obvious that the government is adjusting the pace of yuan appreciation against the dollar to make sure it won't do more harm to exports," Liu Dongliang, a foreign-exchange analyst in Shenzhen at China Merchants Bank Co, the country's sixth-largest lender, told Bloomberg News. "Most foreign trade transactions are settled in dollars."
The yuan fell 0.05 percent this month to 6.8350 per US dollar as of 5:30pm in Shanghai, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System. It weakened 0.11 percent yesterday, halting three days of gains.
China's exports may increase in the second half at the same pace as in the first six months of the year, Gao said in Beijing on Thursday. Overseas shipments rose 21.8 percent in the first half of 2008, slower than the 27.6 percent growth a year earlier.
The yuan is allowed to trade by up to 0.5 percent against the greenback either side of a daily reference rate, which was set at 6.8345 per US dollar yesterday.
China will start annual checks on how well domestic and foreign banks implement rules on foreign-currency controls, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, the country's top currency regulator, said in a statement on its Website yesterday.
The government approved new foreign-currency controls on August 6 to tighten monitoring of cross-border capital payments and deter "illegal" inflows that seek to profit from the yuan's one-way appreciation.
Source:Xinhua
Slower growth worldwide will weigh on China's exports in the second half of 2008, Vice Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng said on Thursday. The yuan's 6.6-percent gain in the first half, which almost matched the advance for the whole of 2007, crimped profits at exporters and cooled sales abroad.
"It's obvious that the government is adjusting the pace of yuan appreciation against the dollar to make sure it won't do more harm to exports," Liu Dongliang, a foreign-exchange analyst in Shenzhen at China Merchants Bank Co, the country's sixth-largest lender, told Bloomberg News. "Most foreign trade transactions are settled in dollars."
The yuan fell 0.05 percent this month to 6.8350 per US dollar as of 5:30pm in Shanghai, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System. It weakened 0.11 percent yesterday, halting three days of gains.
China's exports may increase in the second half at the same pace as in the first six months of the year, Gao said in Beijing on Thursday. Overseas shipments rose 21.8 percent in the first half of 2008, slower than the 27.6 percent growth a year earlier.
The yuan is allowed to trade by up to 0.5 percent against the greenback either side of a daily reference rate, which was set at 6.8345 per US dollar yesterday.
China will start annual checks on how well domestic and foreign banks implement rules on foreign-currency controls, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, the country's top currency regulator, said in a statement on its Website yesterday.
The government approved new foreign-currency controls on August 6 to tighten monitoring of cross-border capital payments and deter "illegal" inflows that seek to profit from the yuan's one-way appreciation.
Source:Xinhua
China's Top 500 Enterprises catching up with global giants
The country's top 500 giants are narrowing gap with foreign counterparts, but they still lag behind, the China Enterprise Confederation announced in its release of the 2008 Top 500 Chinese enterprises list on Saturday.
According to the report, the total revenue of the top 500 Chinese enterprises reached 2.99 trillion U.S. dollars , profits 188.4 billion U.S. dollars and assets 8.17 trillion U.S. dollars.
2008 Top 500 China Enterprises Release Conference and Corporations Summit was held in Yinchuan, Aug. 30, 2008.
Revenues were equivalent to 12.67 percent of the global top 500, profits equaled 11.85 percent and assets 7.79 percent, compared with 10.7 percent, 6.5 percent and 7.8 percent respectively last year.
Analysts said the growing proportion of revenue and profits indicated that Chinese companies had become more competitive and profitable.
Confederation deputy president Li Jianming said the country's growing economy had benefited these enterprises in spite of price hikes for oil and other materials.
He also said private enterprises had grown more robust and capable of taking in advanced technology and management from world giants. They accounted for about a fifth of the country's top 500 enterprises.
In addition, their rising investment in research and development and their emphasis on exploring the domestic market increased competition. The growth rate of net profits of the country's top 500 was 19 times faster than that of the world's top500.
However, another confederation deputy president Wang Jiming said Chinese enterprises still fell behind in innovation, investment in research and development, and the ability to operate internationally. It would take a long time to catch up.
Only 39 enterprises reported overseas sales income of more than 30 percent of the total revenue. Research and development spending accounted for only 1.32 percent of their total revenue, compared with the international average of 3 percent to 5 percent.
Poor supply chain management also lagged behind. Logistics coststill accounted for much of the total output, twice that of the world average. Haier and Huawei were among the few enterprises that paid adequate attention to supply chain management.
Sinopec Corp, Asia's top oil refiner, retained top spot for the fourth straight year on the Top 500 Chinese Enterprises list with its business revenue exceeding 1.2 trillion yuan, , the China Enterprise Confederation said on Saturday.
The oil giant was followed by the State Grid and PetroChina Company.
The top 500 companies paid taxes of 1.74 trillion yuan, accounting for 35.2 percent of the national tax revenue.
Baosteel Group Co. and China FAW Corporation and Hongfujin Precision Industry Co. held the top three positions in manufacturing sector.
The State Grid Corp. of China, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and China Mobile ranked the top three in the service sector.
Source:Xinhua
According to the report, the total revenue of the top 500 Chinese enterprises reached 2.99 trillion U.S. dollars , profits 188.4 billion U.S. dollars and assets 8.17 trillion U.S. dollars.
2008 Top 500 China Enterprises Release Conference and Corporations Summit was held in Yinchuan, Aug. 30, 2008.
Revenues were equivalent to 12.67 percent of the global top 500, profits equaled 11.85 percent and assets 7.79 percent, compared with 10.7 percent, 6.5 percent and 7.8 percent respectively last year.
Analysts said the growing proportion of revenue and profits indicated that Chinese companies had become more competitive and profitable.
Confederation deputy president Li Jianming said the country's growing economy had benefited these enterprises in spite of price hikes for oil and other materials.
He also said private enterprises had grown more robust and capable of taking in advanced technology and management from world giants. They accounted for about a fifth of the country's top 500 enterprises.
In addition, their rising investment in research and development and their emphasis on exploring the domestic market increased competition. The growth rate of net profits of the country's top 500 was 19 times faster than that of the world's top500.
However, another confederation deputy president Wang Jiming said Chinese enterprises still fell behind in innovation, investment in research and development, and the ability to operate internationally. It would take a long time to catch up.
Only 39 enterprises reported overseas sales income of more than 30 percent of the total revenue. Research and development spending accounted for only 1.32 percent of their total revenue, compared with the international average of 3 percent to 5 percent.
Poor supply chain management also lagged behind. Logistics coststill accounted for much of the total output, twice that of the world average. Haier and Huawei were among the few enterprises that paid adequate attention to supply chain management.
Sinopec Corp, Asia's top oil refiner, retained top spot for the fourth straight year on the Top 500 Chinese Enterprises list with its business revenue exceeding 1.2 trillion yuan, , the China Enterprise Confederation said on Saturday.
The oil giant was followed by the State Grid and PetroChina Company.
The top 500 companies paid taxes of 1.74 trillion yuan, accounting for 35.2 percent of the national tax revenue.
Baosteel Group Co. and China FAW Corporation and Hongfujin Precision Industry Co. held the top three positions in manufacturing sector.
The State Grid Corp. of China, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and China Mobile ranked the top three in the service sector.
Source:Xinhua
Mainland takes largest share of Taiwan's trade surplus
The Chinese mainland was Taiwan's biggest export market in the first half, accounting for almost a third of the island's exports, according to the island's trade bureau.
Taiwan's trade surplus with the mainland in the first half amounted to 24.4 billion U.S. dollars, up 21.7 percent from the first half last year and the highest level in four years, the bureau said in a report.
The bureau predicted the annual trade surplus would hit a new high.
The first-half cross-Strait trade volume reached 56.76 U.S. billion dollars, a 22.1 percent rise.
The mainland's exports to Taiwan reached 16.18 billion U.S. dollars, up 23.1 percent, while imports from Taiwan totaled 40.58 billion U.S. dollars, up 21.7 percent.
The mainland accounted for 30.2 percent of Taiwan's gross exports, a 0.9 percent increase, indicating "the island's increasingly high dependence on cross-Strait trade", the report said.
The report also showed the mainland's exports in July increased by 27 percent, bucking a global economic downturn.
Source:Xinhua
Taiwan's trade surplus with the mainland in the first half amounted to 24.4 billion U.S. dollars, up 21.7 percent from the first half last year and the highest level in four years, the bureau said in a report.
The bureau predicted the annual trade surplus would hit a new high.
The first-half cross-Strait trade volume reached 56.76 U.S. billion dollars, a 22.1 percent rise.
The mainland's exports to Taiwan reached 16.18 billion U.S. dollars, up 23.1 percent, while imports from Taiwan totaled 40.58 billion U.S. dollars, up 21.7 percent.
The mainland accounted for 30.2 percent of Taiwan's gross exports, a 0.9 percent increase, indicating "the island's increasingly high dependence on cross-Strait trade", the report said.
The report also showed the mainland's exports in July increased by 27 percent, bucking a global economic downturn.
Source:Xinhua
Death toll from magnitude-6.1 quake rises to 25 in SW China
One more death was reported in Huili, a hard-hit county in Saturday's 6.1-magnitude quake, as of 11 a.m. on Sunday, bringing the death toll of the quake to 25.
Saturday's quake also left 192 people injured, and three more people missing in Huili, which falls under jurisdiction of Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Liangshan, a neighbor of Panzhihua City, the epicenter of Saturday's quake, according to Huili County Headquarters of Quake Control and Relief.
No other details are available for the newly found death at the moment.
Residents gather around campfire to evade earthquake in Yinlu Village, Datian Town, Renhe District of Panzhihua City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, August 31, 2008. Twenty-two people were dead after an earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit Panzhihua City on Saturday. As of 9 p.m., 17 people were reported dead and about 100 others injured in Sichuan, and five people dead and 35 others injured in neighboring Yunnan Province. The quake struck the juncture of Renhe District of Panzhihua and Huili County of the Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Liangshan at 4:30 p.m.
The quake struck the juncture of Renhe District in Panzhihua and Huili County in Liangshan prefecture at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. The epicenter was about 50 km southeast of downtown Panzhihua, at 26.2 degrees north latitude and 101.9 degrees east longitude and at a depth of 10 km, according to the China Earthquake Administration.
IMPACT AND DAMAGES CAUSED BY QUAKE
Areas affected by Saturday's quake are Panzhihua, Huili of Liangshan, both of which are in Sichuan, and Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Chuxiong, Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Dali, Zhaotong City, all in Yunnan Province, and Kunming, the provincial capital of Yunnan.
But most of the fatalities were found in Huili, followed by Chuxiong and Panzhihua. All the three areas -- Huili, Chuxiong and Panzhihua, are found to be on the southern end of the fault line of the May 12 earthquake which left 69,226 people dead, and 17,923 missing and 374,643 others injured.
More than 300 aftershocks were also monitored in the quake zone as of 5 a.m. on Sunday following Saturday's quake, according to Chinese earthquake networks.
The office for emergency response of Panzhihua City said preliminary investigations showed three people were killed and 65 more injured in the 6.1-magnitude quake, alongside destruction of 27,686 residences and plenty of other infrastructure.
Jing Peilang, an official with quake control and relief of Panzhihua City, warned that because of destruction of school buildings, more than 40 primary and middle schools in Panzhihua could not open the new semester which normally starts on Monday.
Local authorities in Panzhihua are making further assessment ofthe impact of the quake.
Southward, some 440,000 people in four regions of Yunnan, a neighbor of Sichuan, were affected by Saturday's quake, including five deaths, 108 injuries, coupled with destruction of 130,00 residences, said a source from the Yunnan Provincial Bureau of Civil Affairs.
The worst hit was Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Chuxiong, where all the five deaths were found, and the direct economic losses were placed at 500 million yuan, according to the office for the quake control and relief headquarters of Chuxiong.
China Earthquake Administration launched a III-class emergency response and dispatched an on-site working team to offer assistance on the same day when 6.1-magnitude quake struck on Saturday.
In the meantime, Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs also started a IV-level emergency response mechanism at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Andcivil affairs departments in Panzhihua of Sichuan and Yunnan began III-class emergency response to cope with the aftermath of the quake.
Party and government authorities of Panzhihua rushed to the quake zone to direct relief efforts. Relief materials, including drinkable waters, food and 300 tents, as well as emergency financial allocation of five million yuan were sent to the quake-affected areas.
More than 2,000 people in Huili were mobilized to join the relief operation which was hampered by heavy rains between late Saturday and early Sunday. A total of 1,200 tents, together with about 10 tons of food and drinking water were sent to quake zones in Huili, according to Huang Ling, deputy chief of Huili County Government.
Yunnan Provincial Bureau of Civil Affairs said it had already sent relief materials, including 3,2000 tents, 1,000 cotton-padded quilts, and 25 tons of rice to quake zones in the province. Chuxiong Prefecture also allocated 350,000 yuan for disaster relief.
Source:Xinhua
Saturday's quake also left 192 people injured, and three more people missing in Huili, which falls under jurisdiction of Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Liangshan, a neighbor of Panzhihua City, the epicenter of Saturday's quake, according to Huili County Headquarters of Quake Control and Relief.
No other details are available for the newly found death at the moment.
Residents gather around campfire to evade earthquake in Yinlu Village, Datian Town, Renhe District of Panzhihua City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, August 31, 2008. Twenty-two people were dead after an earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit Panzhihua City on Saturday. As of 9 p.m., 17 people were reported dead and about 100 others injured in Sichuan, and five people dead and 35 others injured in neighboring Yunnan Province. The quake struck the juncture of Renhe District of Panzhihua and Huili County of the Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Liangshan at 4:30 p.m.
The quake struck the juncture of Renhe District in Panzhihua and Huili County in Liangshan prefecture at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. The epicenter was about 50 km southeast of downtown Panzhihua, at 26.2 degrees north latitude and 101.9 degrees east longitude and at a depth of 10 km, according to the China Earthquake Administration.
IMPACT AND DAMAGES CAUSED BY QUAKE
Areas affected by Saturday's quake are Panzhihua, Huili of Liangshan, both of which are in Sichuan, and Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Chuxiong, Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Dali, Zhaotong City, all in Yunnan Province, and Kunming, the provincial capital of Yunnan.
But most of the fatalities were found in Huili, followed by Chuxiong and Panzhihua. All the three areas -- Huili, Chuxiong and Panzhihua, are found to be on the southern end of the fault line of the May 12 earthquake which left 69,226 people dead, and 17,923 missing and 374,643 others injured.
More than 300 aftershocks were also monitored in the quake zone as of 5 a.m. on Sunday following Saturday's quake, according to Chinese earthquake networks.
The office for emergency response of Panzhihua City said preliminary investigations showed three people were killed and 65 more injured in the 6.1-magnitude quake, alongside destruction of 27,686 residences and plenty of other infrastructure.
Jing Peilang, an official with quake control and relief of Panzhihua City, warned that because of destruction of school buildings, more than 40 primary and middle schools in Panzhihua could not open the new semester which normally starts on Monday.
Local authorities in Panzhihua are making further assessment ofthe impact of the quake.
Southward, some 440,000 people in four regions of Yunnan, a neighbor of Sichuan, were affected by Saturday's quake, including five deaths, 108 injuries, coupled with destruction of 130,00 residences, said a source from the Yunnan Provincial Bureau of Civil Affairs.
The worst hit was Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Chuxiong, where all the five deaths were found, and the direct economic losses were placed at 500 million yuan, according to the office for the quake control and relief headquarters of Chuxiong.
China Earthquake Administration launched a III-class emergency response and dispatched an on-site working team to offer assistance on the same day when 6.1-magnitude quake struck on Saturday.
In the meantime, Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs also started a IV-level emergency response mechanism at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Andcivil affairs departments in Panzhihua of Sichuan and Yunnan began III-class emergency response to cope with the aftermath of the quake.
Party and government authorities of Panzhihua rushed to the quake zone to direct relief efforts. Relief materials, including drinkable waters, food and 300 tents, as well as emergency financial allocation of five million yuan were sent to the quake-affected areas.
More than 2,000 people in Huili were mobilized to join the relief operation which was hampered by heavy rains between late Saturday and early Sunday. A total of 1,200 tents, together with about 10 tons of food and drinking water were sent to quake zones in Huili, according to Huang Ling, deputy chief of Huili County Government.
Yunnan Provincial Bureau of Civil Affairs said it had already sent relief materials, including 3,2000 tents, 1,000 cotton-padded quilts, and 25 tons of rice to quake zones in the province. Chuxiong Prefecture also allocated 350,000 yuan for disaster relief.
Source:Xinhua
NPC delegation leaves for visits to 3 European countries
A delegation of the National People's Congress of China left Beijing on Sunday for a goodwill visit to Switzerland and Denmark from Aug. 31 to Sept. 12.
The delegation, headed by Wang Zhaoguo, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC, China's top legislature, is visiting at the invitation of the parliaments of the two countries.
The delegation, at the invitation of the Russian Federation Council, the upper house of the parliament, will also attend the fifth Baikal Economic Forum , which will be held in Russia from Sept. 8-11.
Source:Xinhua
The delegation, headed by Wang Zhaoguo, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC, China's top legislature, is visiting at the invitation of the parliaments of the two countries.
The delegation, at the invitation of the Russian Federation Council, the upper house of the parliament, will also attend the fifth Baikal Economic Forum , which will be held in Russia from Sept. 8-11.
Source:Xinhua
Two Chinese engineers missing in NW Pakistan
Two Chinese engineers had been missing since Friday in northwestern Pakistan and search and rescue work was under way, an official from the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad said on Sunday.
The two Chinese engineers from Zhongxing Telecommunication Equipment Company in Pakistan were found missing on Friday when they went to check the company's equipment in Lower Dir district of North West Frontier Province.
The ZTE has lost contact with the engineers since Friday and there is no clue about their whereabouts. A Pakistani driver and a Pakistani security guard, who were traveling with the two engineers, were also missing, said the official.
Source:Xinhua
The two Chinese engineers from Zhongxing Telecommunication Equipment Company in Pakistan were found missing on Friday when they went to check the company's equipment in Lower Dir district of North West Frontier Province.
The ZTE has lost contact with the engineers since Friday and there is no clue about their whereabouts. A Pakistani driver and a Pakistani security guard, who were traveling with the two engineers, were also missing, said the official.
Source:Xinhua
Chinese economist Wu clears espionage rumor
Wu Jing Lian, a Chinese economist and senior researcher with the Development Research Center of the State Council told in an interview with China News Agency that some reports of him working as U.S. spy was pure rumor.
DRC, which Wu is working for, on Friday had also publicly issued a notice on its website www.drc.gov.cn, saying reports of Wu's espionage was not justified and that Wu's life and work was normal, in response to some people's care and concerns for him.
Previously, some overseas media had reported Wu was arrested on suspicious spying work, reported the China News Agency on Friday.
Wu had returned to his Beijing apartment from a meeting in northern city Tianjin on Aug. 29, and said he was shocked at such windy rumors, the agency reported.
As a well-known economist and academic heavyweight in the eyes of the media, Wu was as much recognized as he was talked about for his often bold and sharp argumentations.
The 78-year-old economist had been visiting scholars in prestigious universities such as Yale, Standford and MIT in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s.
Source:Xinhua
DRC, which Wu is working for, on Friday had also publicly issued a notice on its website www.drc.gov.cn, saying reports of Wu's espionage was not justified and that Wu's life and work was normal, in response to some people's care and concerns for him.
Previously, some overseas media had reported Wu was arrested on suspicious spying work, reported the China News Agency on Friday.
Wu had returned to his Beijing apartment from a meeting in northern city Tianjin on Aug. 29, and said he was shocked at such windy rumors, the agency reported.
As a well-known economist and academic heavyweight in the eyes of the media, Wu was as much recognized as he was talked about for his often bold and sharp argumentations.
The 78-year-old economist had been visiting scholars in prestigious universities such as Yale, Standford and MIT in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s.
Source:Xinhua
Death toll from magnitude-6.1 quake rises to 24 in SW China
Local authorities in southwest China's Sichuan and Yunnan provinces on Sunday renewed the death toll of the Saturday's 6.1-magnitude quake from 22 to 24.
Sixteen deaths were reported in Huili, a county in Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Liangshan, Sichuan Province, and three deaths in Panzhihua City, also in Sichuan, and five other deaths in Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Chuxiong in Yunnan.
The quake struck the juncture of Renhe District in Panzhihua and Huili County in Liangshan prefecture at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. The epicenter was about 50 km southeast of downtown Panzhihua, at 26.2 degrees north latitude and 101.9 degrees east longitude and at a depth of 10 km, according to the China Earthquake Administration.
Residents gather on a tractor to evade earthquake in Bailagu Village, Pingdi Town, Renhe District of Panzhihua City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, August 31, 2008. Twenty-two people were dead after an earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit Panzhihua City on Saturday. As of 9 p.m., 17 people were reported dead and about 100 others injured in Sichuan, and five people dead and 35 others injured in neighboring Yunnan Province. The quake struck the juncture of Renhe District of Panzhihua and Huili County of Liangshan Prefecture at 4:30 p.m. .
Nearly 400 people were injured in the quake, which also destroyed plenty of residences, and other infrastructure in the quake zone.
An emergency vehicle of Panzhihua Telecommunication Bureau runs to Pingdi Town for a rush repair in Renhe District of Panzhihua City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, August 31, 2008. Twenty-two people were dead after an earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit Panzhihua City happened at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. As of 9 p.m., 17 people were reported dead and about 100 others injured in Sichuan, and five people dead and 35 others injured in neighboring Yunnan Province.
Source:Xinhua
Sixteen deaths were reported in Huili, a county in Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Liangshan, Sichuan Province, and three deaths in Panzhihua City, also in Sichuan, and five other deaths in Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Chuxiong in Yunnan.
The quake struck the juncture of Renhe District in Panzhihua and Huili County in Liangshan prefecture at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. The epicenter was about 50 km southeast of downtown Panzhihua, at 26.2 degrees north latitude and 101.9 degrees east longitude and at a depth of 10 km, according to the China Earthquake Administration.
Residents gather on a tractor to evade earthquake in Bailagu Village, Pingdi Town, Renhe District of Panzhihua City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, August 31, 2008. Twenty-two people were dead after an earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit Panzhihua City on Saturday. As of 9 p.m., 17 people were reported dead and about 100 others injured in Sichuan, and five people dead and 35 others injured in neighboring Yunnan Province. The quake struck the juncture of Renhe District of Panzhihua and Huili County of Liangshan Prefecture at 4:30 p.m. .
Nearly 400 people were injured in the quake, which also destroyed plenty of residences, and other infrastructure in the quake zone.
An emergency vehicle of Panzhihua Telecommunication Bureau runs to Pingdi Town for a rush repair in Renhe District of Panzhihua City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, August 31, 2008. Twenty-two people were dead after an earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit Panzhihua City happened at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. As of 9 p.m., 17 people were reported dead and about 100 others injured in Sichuan, and five people dead and 35 others injured in neighboring Yunnan Province.
Source:Xinhua
Ministerial-level Tibetan official dies of illness
Rinzin Wanggyai, who was a ministerial-level official and had served as the Party chief of a township in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, died of illness in the regional capital Lhasa on Aug. 25. He was 74.
Rinzin Wanggyai served as the secretary of the Lhunze County's Nyaimai Township Committee of the Communist Party of China . He had also been an alternate member of the 10th Central Committee of the CPC, and a member of the Standing Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee of the CPC.
But he had served at the post of the Party chief of the Nyaimai Township for the longest period of time.
Rinzin Wanggyai, a native of Nyaimai, was a serf of a major serf owner in the township before the peaceful liberation of Tibetin 1951.
Tibet carried out democratic reforms in 1959, which turned serfs, accounting for 95 percent of the total population in region at that time, into masters of their own destiny.
After the democratic reforms, Rinzin Wanggyai became chairman of the farmers' association in Nyaimai. He joined the CPC in 1962 and served as the Party chief of Nyaimai Township.
He concentrated on fulfilling a range of major tasks, including leading locals to reclaim land from wilderness 4,200 meters above the sea level into farmland and developing education.
Today, all school-age children in the township are studying in schools. In contrast, only 25 people were literate in the township more than five decades ago, all of whom were nobles or lamas.
In 2007, the per capita annual income of farmers in the township of 2,304 people reached 3,800 yuan .
Source:Xinhua
Rinzin Wanggyai served as the secretary of the Lhunze County's Nyaimai Township Committee of the Communist Party of China . He had also been an alternate member of the 10th Central Committee of the CPC, and a member of the Standing Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee of the CPC.
But he had served at the post of the Party chief of the Nyaimai Township for the longest period of time.
Rinzin Wanggyai, a native of Nyaimai, was a serf of a major serf owner in the township before the peaceful liberation of Tibetin 1951.
Tibet carried out democratic reforms in 1959, which turned serfs, accounting for 95 percent of the total population in region at that time, into masters of their own destiny.
After the democratic reforms, Rinzin Wanggyai became chairman of the farmers' association in Nyaimai. He joined the CPC in 1962 and served as the Party chief of Nyaimai Township.
He concentrated on fulfilling a range of major tasks, including leading locals to reclaim land from wilderness 4,200 meters above the sea level into farmland and developing education.
Today, all school-age children in the township are studying in schools. In contrast, only 25 people were literate in the township more than five decades ago, all of whom were nobles or lamas.
In 2007, the per capita annual income of farmers in the township of 2,304 people reached 3,800 yuan .
Source:Xinhua
Beijingers vexed on keeping car ban
More than 400,000 Beijingers have joined an online discussion about whether to keep a pre-Games car ban.
Nearly half of them supported a permanent car restriction -- an alternating odd-even license plate system from July 20. While the others, mostly car owners, opposed.
GREEN LEGACY
Clear air, clean water and safe food, among all other good things, left local residents with not only an "exceptional" Olympics but a keen concern about the Games' "green legacy" which featured blue skies.
"I support a long-term car restriction. We have made some mistakes in the past. Now we should correct them and return blue skies to our children," wrote a netizen named He Luzhu in the forum on www.ynet.com, the portal site of Beijing Youth Daily.
Air pollution and jammed traffic emerged key problems in 2001 for Beijing's bid to play host the 2008 Summer Olympics, said Sun Daguang, vice secretary of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee.
The host city's seven-year efforts to minimize pollution were highlighted by the relocation of a gigantic steel company, and the car ban that rested nearly 2 million, or one third of the city's vehicles, as taxis, buses and other public-service vehicles were exempt.
"The sky was high and blue during the Olympics. It's so much better than those foggy days," said a repair worker surnamed He, who took 4 to 5 hours every day riding a bicycle to visit his clients.
PAIN EASER OR PERMANENT CURE
People who opposed a long-term car ban argued it was a pain easer rather than a permanent cure.
"Only after the government makes great progress on improving public transportation should we discuss whether to keep the car ban. I love blue skies very much. But I had to drive a car because I could not stand packing in a bus for six hours a day," said an anonymous netizen.
Official statistics showed the city's roads were extending at an annual rate of 3 percent while the number of vehicles was increasing at about 15 percent per year.
"When cars run at low speeds in traffic jams, they emit way more pollutants and usually consume more oil," said Hao Jiming, a member of Chinese Academy of Engineering.
Many people who had expressed annoyance over giving up their cars for blue skies are intensely scared of returning to days of choking smog and rush-hour congestion when the restrictions end after the Paralympics.
The Beijing traffic authorities have admitted receiving many submissions from car owners, saying they were comfortable with the odd-even number system and hoping it would last.
The city would continue to improve its public transport service by expanding transport networks while keeping fares low after the Olympics, said Zhou Zhengyu, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Committee of Communications.
"We aim to create a more convenient and comfortable environment for people traveling in the city," he said.
The car ban might be a cure for congestions but not necessarily the best one, said Yang Kaizhong, an economist from Peking University.
He argued there were a variety of methods such as charging for causing congestion and raising parking fees which proved effective in some foreign countries.
WHAT'S AHEAD
For local government, challenges remained mainly in two aspects.
One was how to effectively restrict vehicles owned by governments and state companies, and develop shuttle bus schemes as alternatives. Some people had suggested to mark those "official" vehicles with distinctive signs to differentiate them from private cars.
The other was to maintain the prolonged subway service hours and increased trains and buses, and meanwhile continue building more roads.
For citizens, the biggest challenge could be the transformation of ideas. Driving a car would probably save one some time but it would cause many other problems that would do harm to the mass. People would eventually understand their individual interests were not in conflict with public ones.
Last but not least, the car owners would have to overcome the impulse to drive, which, some say, would be a test for them who were usually labeled China's "middle class".
Source:Xinhua
Nearly half of them supported a permanent car restriction -- an alternating odd-even license plate system from July 20. While the others, mostly car owners, opposed.
GREEN LEGACY
Clear air, clean water and safe food, among all other good things, left local residents with not only an "exceptional" Olympics but a keen concern about the Games' "green legacy" which featured blue skies.
"I support a long-term car restriction. We have made some mistakes in the past. Now we should correct them and return blue skies to our children," wrote a netizen named He Luzhu in the forum on www.ynet.com, the portal site of Beijing Youth Daily.
Air pollution and jammed traffic emerged key problems in 2001 for Beijing's bid to play host the 2008 Summer Olympics, said Sun Daguang, vice secretary of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee.
The host city's seven-year efforts to minimize pollution were highlighted by the relocation of a gigantic steel company, and the car ban that rested nearly 2 million, or one third of the city's vehicles, as taxis, buses and other public-service vehicles were exempt.
"The sky was high and blue during the Olympics. It's so much better than those foggy days," said a repair worker surnamed He, who took 4 to 5 hours every day riding a bicycle to visit his clients.
PAIN EASER OR PERMANENT CURE
People who opposed a long-term car ban argued it was a pain easer rather than a permanent cure.
"Only after the government makes great progress on improving public transportation should we discuss whether to keep the car ban. I love blue skies very much. But I had to drive a car because I could not stand packing in a bus for six hours a day," said an anonymous netizen.
Official statistics showed the city's roads were extending at an annual rate of 3 percent while the number of vehicles was increasing at about 15 percent per year.
"When cars run at low speeds in traffic jams, they emit way more pollutants and usually consume more oil," said Hao Jiming, a member of Chinese Academy of Engineering.
Many people who had expressed annoyance over giving up their cars for blue skies are intensely scared of returning to days of choking smog and rush-hour congestion when the restrictions end after the Paralympics.
The Beijing traffic authorities have admitted receiving many submissions from car owners, saying they were comfortable with the odd-even number system and hoping it would last.
The city would continue to improve its public transport service by expanding transport networks while keeping fares low after the Olympics, said Zhou Zhengyu, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Committee of Communications.
"We aim to create a more convenient and comfortable environment for people traveling in the city," he said.
The car ban might be a cure for congestions but not necessarily the best one, said Yang Kaizhong, an economist from Peking University.
He argued there were a variety of methods such as charging for causing congestion and raising parking fees which proved effective in some foreign countries.
WHAT'S AHEAD
For local government, challenges remained mainly in two aspects.
One was how to effectively restrict vehicles owned by governments and state companies, and develop shuttle bus schemes as alternatives. Some people had suggested to mark those "official" vehicles with distinctive signs to differentiate them from private cars.
The other was to maintain the prolonged subway service hours and increased trains and buses, and meanwhile continue building more roads.
For citizens, the biggest challenge could be the transformation of ideas. Driving a car would probably save one some time but it would cause many other problems that would do harm to the mass. People would eventually understand their individual interests were not in conflict with public ones.
Last but not least, the car owners would have to overcome the impulse to drive, which, some say, would be a test for them who were usually labeled China's "middle class".
Source:Xinhua
Chinese gold medallists demonstrate skills in Hong Kong
China's gold medal winners Yu Yang and Du Jing perform during a demonstration in Hong Kong, August 30, 2008.
China's gold medal winner Yang Wei performs during a demonstration in Hong Kong, August 30, 2008. Chinese gold medallists are visiting Hong Kong for three days to demonstrate their skills.
China's gold medal winners Cheng Fei and Yang Yilin perform during a demonstration in Hong Kong, August 30, 2008. Chinese gold medallists are visiting Hong Kong for three days to demonstrate their skills.
China's gold medal winner Yang Wei performs during a demonstration in Hong Kong, August 30, 2008. Chinese gold medallists are visiting Hong Kong for three days to demonstrate their skills.
China's gold medal winners Cheng Fei and Yang Yilin perform during a demonstration in Hong Kong, August 30, 2008. Chinese gold medallists are visiting Hong Kong for three days to demonstrate their skills.
Beijing Paralympic torch relay in Hohhot
Torchbearer Wei Yanling lights for the next trochbearer Ma Wei during the 2008 Beijing Paralympic torch relay in Hohhot, capital city of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Aug. 30, 2008.
Torchbearer Chen Guoyi runs with the torch during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic torch relay in Hohhot, capital city of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Aug. 30, 2008.
Torchbearer Wang Xiaoqian holds the torch on wheelchair during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic torch relay in Hohhot, capital city of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Aug. 30, 2008.
Torchbearer Chen Guifeng runs with the torch during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic torch relay in Hohhot, capital city of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Aug. 30, 2008.
Torchbearer Chen Guoyi runs with the torch during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic torch relay in Hohhot, capital city of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Aug. 30, 2008.
Torchbearer Wang Xiaoqian holds the torch on wheelchair during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic torch relay in Hohhot, capital city of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Aug. 30, 2008.
Torchbearer Chen Guifeng runs with the torch during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic torch relay in Hohhot, capital city of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Aug. 30, 2008.
Bolt still untouchable on track
Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt confirmed his domination of the sprints on Friday with a comfortable 100 meters victory at the Weltklasse Golden League meeting in Zurich, Switzerland.
The 22-year-old Jamaican, who set world records in winning the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay in Beijing, finished Friday's race in 9.83 seconds, 0.16 seconds clear of America's double Olympic bronze medalist Walter Dix.
After taking silver behind Bolt at the Olympics, Trinidad & Tobago's Richard Thompson had to settle for third place in Zurich, a further 10th of a second behind Dix.
"It was good, but my start was not too good," said Bolt. "I concentrated on winning and as I'm starting to get a cold I was not able to think about any faster time."
Fellow Olympic champion and world record holder Dayron Robles was also able to back up his stunning 110 hurdles performance in Beijing.
The 21-year-old Cuban ran neck and neck with Olympic bronze medal winner David Oliver before ducking his head at the line to finish in 12.97 seconds, 0.01 seconds ahead of the American.
Kenyan teenager Pamela Jelimo continued her fantastic season, following up her Olympic gold medal in the 800 by setting the year's best time of one minute 54.01 seconds.
Jelimo, 18, kept well on track for a share of the Golden League's US$1 million jackpot awarded to athletes who win their event at all six of the season's meetings.
"There's still one race to go for the jackpot and the world record is closer now, too, though I'm not sure I can do it this year," she said.
With only next Friday's Golden League meeting in Brussels remaining, Jelimo faces competition for the main prize only from Croatian high jumper Blanka Vlasic.
After being denied the gold medal in Beijing by surprise Olympic champion Tia Hellebaut of Belgium, Vlasic struck back impressively in Zurich.
Overcoming some nervy moments to clear 1.98 meters at her third attempt, the world champion then kept her jackpot hopes alive with the only successful clearance at 2.01.
Americans Jeremy Wariner and LoLo Jones were among the others fighting back from Olympic disappointment.
Wariner set his best time of the year to win the 400 in 43.82 seconds, 0.61 seconds ahead of compatriot and Olympic gold medalist LaShawn Merritt.
Jones, seventh in the Beijing 100 hurdles after hitting the ninth hurdle while leading, cruised in 12.56 seconds.
Source:Xinhua
The 22-year-old Jamaican, who set world records in winning the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay in Beijing, finished Friday's race in 9.83 seconds, 0.16 seconds clear of America's double Olympic bronze medalist Walter Dix.
After taking silver behind Bolt at the Olympics, Trinidad & Tobago's Richard Thompson had to settle for third place in Zurich, a further 10th of a second behind Dix.
"It was good, but my start was not too good," said Bolt. "I concentrated on winning and as I'm starting to get a cold I was not able to think about any faster time."
Fellow Olympic champion and world record holder Dayron Robles was also able to back up his stunning 110 hurdles performance in Beijing.
The 21-year-old Cuban ran neck and neck with Olympic bronze medal winner David Oliver before ducking his head at the line to finish in 12.97 seconds, 0.01 seconds ahead of the American.
Kenyan teenager Pamela Jelimo continued her fantastic season, following up her Olympic gold medal in the 800 by setting the year's best time of one minute 54.01 seconds.
Jelimo, 18, kept well on track for a share of the Golden League's US$1 million jackpot awarded to athletes who win their event at all six of the season's meetings.
"There's still one race to go for the jackpot and the world record is closer now, too, though I'm not sure I can do it this year," she said.
With only next Friday's Golden League meeting in Brussels remaining, Jelimo faces competition for the main prize only from Croatian high jumper Blanka Vlasic.
After being denied the gold medal in Beijing by surprise Olympic champion Tia Hellebaut of Belgium, Vlasic struck back impressively in Zurich.
Overcoming some nervy moments to clear 1.98 meters at her third attempt, the world champion then kept her jackpot hopes alive with the only successful clearance at 2.01.
Americans Jeremy Wariner and LoLo Jones were among the others fighting back from Olympic disappointment.
Wariner set his best time of the year to win the 400 in 43.82 seconds, 0.61 seconds ahead of compatriot and Olympic gold medalist LaShawn Merritt.
Jones, seventh in the Beijing 100 hurdles after hitting the ninth hurdle while leading, cruised in 12.56 seconds.
Source:Xinhua
Chinese mainland's Olympic gold medallists impress HK people with dazzling sports skills
The visiting Chinese gold medallists displayed their superb sports skills again in Hong Kong on Saturday morning, whose performance impressed over 5,000 Hong Kong spectators face to face as well as tens of thousands of viewers through TV live broadcasts.
The enthusiasm for the Olympic Games was rekindled in Hong Kong as Chinese mainland's Olympic gold medallists on Saturday made their appearances and met the public. As part of their visit to Hong Kong, the delegation of Chinese mainland's Olympic gold medallists put on demonstrations of table tennis, badminton, diving and gymnastics.
China's gold medal winners Cheng Fei and Yang Yilin perform during a demonstration in Hong Kong, August 30, 2008. Chinese gold medallists are visiting Hong Kong for three days to demonstrate their skills.
More than 5,000 people watched their performance at the four venues of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong government, while tens of thousands of viewers watched the TV live broadcasts at home or elsewhere.
The gold medallists also had exchanges with young Hong Kong athletes. Some of the participants, selected by drawing lots, took part in the sports-for-fun sessions with the medallists in table tennis, badminton and gymnastics.
China's Olympic gold medallists arrived in Hong Kong on Friday, kicking off their three-day visit to the city.
"I hope the Hong Kong public can use this opportunity to share the joy and pride of their country," Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Chief Executive Donald Tsang said.
The delegation, including 63 gold medallists from the Beijing Olympic Games, took part in the flag-raising ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia Square on Saturday morning.
After the sports demonstration, the delegation met the public at a Gala Show at the Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The delegation will leave for Macao on Sunday afternoon after visiting Disneyland and the Ocean Park, two of Hong Kong's famous theme parks.
Source:Xinhua
The enthusiasm for the Olympic Games was rekindled in Hong Kong as Chinese mainland's Olympic gold medallists on Saturday made their appearances and met the public. As part of their visit to Hong Kong, the delegation of Chinese mainland's Olympic gold medallists put on demonstrations of table tennis, badminton, diving and gymnastics.
China's gold medal winners Cheng Fei and Yang Yilin perform during a demonstration in Hong Kong, August 30, 2008. Chinese gold medallists are visiting Hong Kong for three days to demonstrate their skills.
More than 5,000 people watched their performance at the four venues of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong government, while tens of thousands of viewers watched the TV live broadcasts at home or elsewhere.
The gold medallists also had exchanges with young Hong Kong athletes. Some of the participants, selected by drawing lots, took part in the sports-for-fun sessions with the medallists in table tennis, badminton and gymnastics.
China's Olympic gold medallists arrived in Hong Kong on Friday, kicking off their three-day visit to the city.
"I hope the Hong Kong public can use this opportunity to share the joy and pride of their country," Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Chief Executive Donald Tsang said.
The delegation, including 63 gold medallists from the Beijing Olympic Games, took part in the flag-raising ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia Square on Saturday morning.
After the sports demonstration, the delegation met the public at a Gala Show at the Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The delegation will leave for Macao on Sunday afternoon after visiting Disneyland and the Ocean Park, two of Hong Kong's famous theme parks.
Source:Xinhua
Paralympic torch relay run in Shenzhen
Paralympic torch relay took place in Shenzhen, one of the five Special Economic Zones in China, on Saturday.
The opening ceremony started at 8:00 a.m. local time on the top of Lotus Mountain, where the bronze statuary of Deng Xiaoping, the late Chinese leader, is located.
Against a stunning skyline, 70 torchbearers ran in the city relay which was started at the mountain top by Liu Hong, 2006 Asian Games race walk champion.
Then the relay moved into a theme park named "Splendid China-Folk Village". Song Zhuoping, 53, who is with Guangdong Disabled Persons' Federation, ran in the third leg and passed the torch to Liang Zuoyi, 50, who also has a disability and had been teaching himself for years before getting a diploma from Sun Yat-Sen University.
The last torchbearer was Shen Jianping, a photographer who has only one arm. He lit the cauldron at 9:40 a.m. to end the relay.
The Paralympic torch relay was carried out along two routes, namely the route of "modern China" and the route of "ancient China".
"Modern" route covers Shenzhen, Wuhan, Shanghai, Qingdao, Dalian and Beijing, the "ancient" has Xi'an, Hohhot, Changsha, Nanjing and Luoyang.
Source:Xinhua
The opening ceremony started at 8:00 a.m. local time on the top of Lotus Mountain, where the bronze statuary of Deng Xiaoping, the late Chinese leader, is located.
Against a stunning skyline, 70 torchbearers ran in the city relay which was started at the mountain top by Liu Hong, 2006 Asian Games race walk champion.
Then the relay moved into a theme park named "Splendid China-Folk Village". Song Zhuoping, 53, who is with Guangdong Disabled Persons' Federation, ran in the third leg and passed the torch to Liang Zuoyi, 50, who also has a disability and had been teaching himself for years before getting a diploma from Sun Yat-Sen University.
The last torchbearer was Shen Jianping, a photographer who has only one arm. He lit the cauldron at 9:40 a.m. to end the relay.
The Paralympic torch relay was carried out along two routes, namely the route of "modern China" and the route of "ancient China".
"Modern" route covers Shenzhen, Wuhan, Shanghai, Qingdao, Dalian and Beijing, the "ancient" has Xi'an, Hohhot, Changsha, Nanjing and Luoyang.
Source:Xinhua
China place 2nd at Pyongyang int'l table tennis invitation
Chinese men and women teams both finished second at the group matches of the 22nd Pyongyang international table tennis invitation tournament on Saturday.
DPRK men and women teams defeated their Chinese counterparts which fielded in their second string national teams, with two three-to-ones.
The tournament opened on Thursday and was due to close on Monday.
Source:Xinhua
DPRK men and women teams defeated their Chinese counterparts which fielded in their second string national teams, with two three-to-ones.
The tournament opened on Thursday and was due to close on Monday.
Source:Xinhua
4, 000 visitors flock to world's 3rd-tallest building on 1st public opening day
A total of 4, 000 visitors, natives and foreigners, flocked to the Shanghai World Financial Center on its first opening day to have a sightseeing on Saturday, the Oriental Morning Post reported.
The Thursday-inaugurated Center stands aloof at 492 meters in the city's Pudong District, and is so far the biggest skyscraper in Chinese mainland and the third-tallest in the world after Burj Dubai and Taipei 101.
Chen Yin, a 46-year-old local man, said he was the first one to arrive at the Center at 6 in the morning, though the open time started at 2 p.m.
This middle-aged man said he had heard of the opening news and was fully prepared.
Photo taken on Aug. 26, 2008 shows a view of the 100th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center in Shanghai, east China. The 101-storey, 492-meter-tall building will be opened to the public on Aug. 30.
As a local, Chen had many firsts in his life in Shanghai. He was the first to visit the city-iconic Oriental Pearl TV Tower Revolving Restaurant, the first passenger of the city's No.1 Subway Line, and the first to visit the Shanghai Museum after it was open free to the public.
Around 800 people were already waiting in the hugely long queue at around 2 p.m when the museum was open, but only 88 people were allowed in once at a time.
The people were taken by elevators to the observatory at a daunting height of around 500 meters in the air.
The building had 101 floors above ground and three floors underground. The 94th to 100th floors were an observatory for sightseeing, according to its builder, the Shanghai Construction Group.
According to the Post report, the first 2, 008 visitors were given badge souvenirs.
Source:Xinhua
The Thursday-inaugurated Center stands aloof at 492 meters in the city's Pudong District, and is so far the biggest skyscraper in Chinese mainland and the third-tallest in the world after Burj Dubai and Taipei 101.
Chen Yin, a 46-year-old local man, said he was the first one to arrive at the Center at 6 in the morning, though the open time started at 2 p.m.
This middle-aged man said he had heard of the opening news and was fully prepared.
Photo taken on Aug. 26, 2008 shows a view of the 100th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center in Shanghai, east China. The 101-storey, 492-meter-tall building will be opened to the public on Aug. 30.
As a local, Chen had many firsts in his life in Shanghai. He was the first to visit the city-iconic Oriental Pearl TV Tower Revolving Restaurant, the first passenger of the city's No.1 Subway Line, and the first to visit the Shanghai Museum after it was open free to the public.
Around 800 people were already waiting in the hugely long queue at around 2 p.m when the museum was open, but only 88 people were allowed in once at a time.
The people were taken by elevators to the observatory at a daunting height of around 500 meters in the air.
The building had 101 floors above ground and three floors underground. The 94th to 100th floors were an observatory for sightseeing, according to its builder, the Shanghai Construction Group.
According to the Post report, the first 2, 008 visitors were given badge souvenirs.
Source:Xinhua
Chinese opera "Mulan" debuts in Vienna
The eyes of audience were glued to the stage all through and thunderous applause erupted at the end of the debut of "Mulan," a Chinese opera, in the Vienna State Opera House.
This is the first time for a made-in-China opera to stage at the famed opera house in the Austrian capital, which is widely considered a sacred arena for musicians from all over the world.
"Mulan is an old Chinese legend, but the opera interprets the legend in a brand new style, which is very successful," said Peter Woells, a local musician who watched the opera.
The Vienna State Opera House was packed with audience Saturday as "Mulan," a Chinese opera, made its debut here and won warm applause.
As Saturday is his wife's birthday, Woells told Xinhua that watching such "excellent work" with his wife is an "excellent birthday gift" for her.
In a written address, Austrian Culture Minister Claudia Schmied said "Mulan" would significantly enrich the musical life in the Vienna State Opera and Vienna at large.
"Mulan" was first staged in Beijing in 2004, and in September of the following year it was performed in New York.
"Mulan" is based on a legendary story about a young girl named Mulan who lived in China some 1,500 years ago. In order to retain the family honor, Mulan replaced her ailing father to join the army in disguise as a gentleman and saved her country from the intruder.
While putting together various forms of performance such as symphony, musical, theater and dance, it also blended into the element of China's folk music, singing technique, national costume and martial art, which helped create vivid artistic images on the stage from different angles and perspectives.
Peng Liyuan, a celebrated Chinese folk singer, played the leading role of heroine Mulan, while internationally renowned tenor Dai Yuqiang acted as General Liu Shuang, the hero.
The prestigious Vienna Symphony Orchestra provided the musical accompaniment for the opera. And the vocal support was assumed by the Vienna Imperial Philharmonic Choir.
Apart from prelude, the opera consists of four acts, eulogizing Mulan's courage and her love for peace.
After the performance, Austrian Federal Commission for Opera Houses and the Vienna State Opera House conferred Certificate of Honor on Peng Liyuan and Guan Xia, composer of "Mulan", respectively for their achievements. Dai Yuqiang was also awarded with a wooden medal by the Vienna State Opera House.
The Vienna State Opera House, together with La Scala Opera House in Milan of Italy and The Metropolitan Opera House in New York of the United States, are ranked as the world's top three opera houses.
Source:Xinhua
This is the first time for a made-in-China opera to stage at the famed opera house in the Austrian capital, which is widely considered a sacred arena for musicians from all over the world.
"Mulan is an old Chinese legend, but the opera interprets the legend in a brand new style, which is very successful," said Peter Woells, a local musician who watched the opera.
The Vienna State Opera House was packed with audience Saturday as "Mulan," a Chinese opera, made its debut here and won warm applause.
As Saturday is his wife's birthday, Woells told Xinhua that watching such "excellent work" with his wife is an "excellent birthday gift" for her.
In a written address, Austrian Culture Minister Claudia Schmied said "Mulan" would significantly enrich the musical life in the Vienna State Opera and Vienna at large.
"Mulan" was first staged in Beijing in 2004, and in September of the following year it was performed in New York.
"Mulan" is based on a legendary story about a young girl named Mulan who lived in China some 1,500 years ago. In order to retain the family honor, Mulan replaced her ailing father to join the army in disguise as a gentleman and saved her country from the intruder.
While putting together various forms of performance such as symphony, musical, theater and dance, it also blended into the element of China's folk music, singing technique, national costume and martial art, which helped create vivid artistic images on the stage from different angles and perspectives.
Peng Liyuan, a celebrated Chinese folk singer, played the leading role of heroine Mulan, while internationally renowned tenor Dai Yuqiang acted as General Liu Shuang, the hero.
The prestigious Vienna Symphony Orchestra provided the musical accompaniment for the opera. And the vocal support was assumed by the Vienna Imperial Philharmonic Choir.
Apart from prelude, the opera consists of four acts, eulogizing Mulan's courage and her love for peace.
After the performance, Austrian Federal Commission for Opera Houses and the Vienna State Opera House conferred Certificate of Honor on Peng Liyuan and Guan Xia, composer of "Mulan", respectively for their achievements. Dai Yuqiang was also awarded with a wooden medal by the Vienna State Opera House.
The Vienna State Opera House, together with La Scala Opera House in Milan of Italy and The Metropolitan Opera House in New York of the United States, are ranked as the world's top three opera houses.
Source:Xinhua
Somali pirates seize another Malaysian ship
A regional maritime official said Saturday that Somali gunmen have hijacked another Malaysian ship off the coast of the Horn of African nation in the latest attacks on the world's most dangerous waters.
Andrew Mwangura, the east African coordinator of Seafarers Assistance Program , told Xinhua that the Malaysian vessel was seized on Friday night but could not confirm the name of the vessel and the nationalities of the crew members aboard.
"The Somali gunmen seized another Malaysian cargo ship off the coast but I have not established how many crew members were aboard and their nationalities," Mwangura told Xinhua by telephone.
"The cargo ship was hijacked on Friday night. We still don't know the owners of the ship but we believe it's a Malaysian bulk carrier," he added by telephone from Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa.
The global maritime body says at least 30 ships have been hijacked off the coast of the Horn of Africa nation so far this year.
A record four ships were seized in 48 hours last week and the frequency of piracy attacks has been especially high in the past month.
Since late July, Japanese, Nigerian, and Thai ships have all been hijacked by Somali pirates seeking ransoms.
According to Mwangura, currently Somali gunmen are holding captive MV Stella Maris, MV Thor Star, MT Yengeoa Ocean, MT Bunga Melati Dua, MT Irene, BBC Trinidad and Iranian bulk carrier MV Iran Deyat.
Iran's DEYANAT, a 44,468 dwt bulk carrier laden with 40,000 tons of iron ore en route from China to the Netherlands, was attacked by pirates last week.
Piracy has long been a problem in the Gulf of Aden, where one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, connecting the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, passes by lawless Somalia, which has been without an effective central government since 1991.
The attackers are usually armed with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades and travel in small, fast speedboats that can be towed more than 100 miles offshore by larger vessels to lie in wait.
Somalia's 3,300-kilometer coastline is considered one of the world's most dangerous stretches of water because of piracy.
Source:Xinhua
Andrew Mwangura, the east African coordinator of Seafarers Assistance Program , told Xinhua that the Malaysian vessel was seized on Friday night but could not confirm the name of the vessel and the nationalities of the crew members aboard.
"The Somali gunmen seized another Malaysian cargo ship off the coast but I have not established how many crew members were aboard and their nationalities," Mwangura told Xinhua by telephone.
"The cargo ship was hijacked on Friday night. We still don't know the owners of the ship but we believe it's a Malaysian bulk carrier," he added by telephone from Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa.
The global maritime body says at least 30 ships have been hijacked off the coast of the Horn of Africa nation so far this year.
A record four ships were seized in 48 hours last week and the frequency of piracy attacks has been especially high in the past month.
Since late July, Japanese, Nigerian, and Thai ships have all been hijacked by Somali pirates seeking ransoms.
According to Mwangura, currently Somali gunmen are holding captive MV Stella Maris, MV Thor Star, MT Yengeoa Ocean, MT Bunga Melati Dua, MT Irene, BBC Trinidad and Iranian bulk carrier MV Iran Deyat.
Iran's DEYANAT, a 44,468 dwt bulk carrier laden with 40,000 tons of iron ore en route from China to the Netherlands, was attacked by pirates last week.
Piracy has long been a problem in the Gulf of Aden, where one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, connecting the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, passes by lawless Somalia, which has been without an effective central government since 1991.
The attackers are usually armed with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades and travel in small, fast speedboats that can be towed more than 100 miles offshore by larger vessels to lie in wait.
Somalia's 3,300-kilometer coastline is considered one of the world's most dangerous stretches of water because of piracy.
Source:Xinhua
London considers holding 2012 Olympic ceremonies across city
British Olympics organizers are considering holding the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Games across the capital rather than just in the main Olympic Stadium, the Independent newspaper reported on Saturday.
"We don't want to try to emulate Beijing," said Tessa Jowell, Minister for the Olympics. "What we want is new ways of thinking about the opening ceremony."
Organizers are considering to get different parts of London taking part in the ceremony, with "citizens feeling they're intimately involved," she revealed to the paper.
According to Jowell, a ticketing system similar to that employed at Wimbledon is being considered. At the All England Club, tennis fans who leave the courts before the end of play are encouraged to hand back their tickets, which are then sold on at heavily discounted rates.
Jowell said she was very impressed by what she saw in Beijing. "In terms of great organization, fantastic facilities, and a welcoming attitude and pride among the people, Beijing was superb."
"But there are things we can and will do better," she insisted, pledging to make London Olympics more accessible by minimizing empty seats in stadiums. In addition, volunteers will be better trained to give "a more clearly defined role."
London is also planning to use certain innovations as ways of generating a party atmosphere in the run-up to the Games. The Mayor's office may keep the Tube network running all night during the Games. Museums and galleries could potentially be kept open until midnight.
Source:Xinhua
"We don't want to try to emulate Beijing," said Tessa Jowell, Minister for the Olympics. "What we want is new ways of thinking about the opening ceremony."
Organizers are considering to get different parts of London taking part in the ceremony, with "citizens feeling they're intimately involved," she revealed to the paper.
According to Jowell, a ticketing system similar to that employed at Wimbledon is being considered. At the All England Club, tennis fans who leave the courts before the end of play are encouraged to hand back their tickets, which are then sold on at heavily discounted rates.
Jowell said she was very impressed by what she saw in Beijing. "In terms of great organization, fantastic facilities, and a welcoming attitude and pride among the people, Beijing was superb."
"But there are things we can and will do better," she insisted, pledging to make London Olympics more accessible by minimizing empty seats in stadiums. In addition, volunteers will be better trained to give "a more clearly defined role."
London is also planning to use certain innovations as ways of generating a party atmosphere in the run-up to the Games. The Mayor's office may keep the Tube network running all night during the Games. Museums and galleries could potentially be kept open until midnight.
Source:Xinhua
China's top aluminum producer first half net profit down 65.56%
Aluminum Corporation of China Ltd., the country's largest producer of primary aluminum, posted a 65.56-percent drop in its first-half net profit, which stood at 2.4 billion yuan , the company reported late on Friday.
Half-year revenue totaled 3.5 billion yuan, down 64.08 percent year on year. The earnings per share were 0.18 yuan, down 68.33 percent from a year earlier, according to its interim report.
The soaring price of imported materials, freight and energy pushed up costs, and declining sales crippled overall profits. In addition, the severe winter weather at the beginning of the year hurt the company's production and sales, said Liu Shuwei, director of Chinese enterprise research center at the Central University of Finance and Economics.
In the first half, the company's alumina sector experienced a drop in sales and sales prices due to increased use for itself and weakening trade. Revenue of the sector was 16.4 billion yuan, down 9.66 percent from the same period last year. Sales were 2.54 million tonnes, 460,000 tonnes down from the first half of last year.
The weakening performance also applied to the electrolytic aluminium sector, which saw revenue fall by 2.07 billion yuan to 29.5 billion yuan. Sales in the first six months stood at 1.35 million tonnes, 58,300 tonnes less than the first half of last year.
Source:Xinhua
Half-year revenue totaled 3.5 billion yuan, down 64.08 percent year on year. The earnings per share were 0.18 yuan, down 68.33 percent from a year earlier, according to its interim report.
The soaring price of imported materials, freight and energy pushed up costs, and declining sales crippled overall profits. In addition, the severe winter weather at the beginning of the year hurt the company's production and sales, said Liu Shuwei, director of Chinese enterprise research center at the Central University of Finance and Economics.
In the first half, the company's alumina sector experienced a drop in sales and sales prices due to increased use for itself and weakening trade. Revenue of the sector was 16.4 billion yuan, down 9.66 percent from the same period last year. Sales were 2.54 million tonnes, 460,000 tonnes down from the first half of last year.
The weakening performance also applied to the electrolytic aluminium sector, which saw revenue fall by 2.07 billion yuan to 29.5 billion yuan. Sales in the first six months stood at 1.35 million tonnes, 58,300 tonnes less than the first half of last year.
Source:Xinhua
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