Disabled people enjoyed an unprecedented gala as the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games torch passed through the capital of Hubei province yesterday.
More than 2,400 of Wuhan's 438,000 physically challenged people cheered the torch on its relay and enjoyed the accompanying performances.
Local authorities said it was the largest get-together for the disabled in the city.
"The torch relay is real festival for us and I feel extremely happy," one of the disabled spectators said, waving the national and Paralympic flags.
Sixty torchbearers, including 11 disabled persons, took part in the 3-km relay.
Wen Qing, the final torch bearer, said: "I hope disabled athletes carry forward the spirit and go all out to achieve good results in Beijing."
Wen, dubbed the "wheelchair princess", has won more than 50 wheelchair race medals at home and abroad over the past 15 years.
Seven Hubei athletes will take part in swimming, table tennis and track events in the Paralympics that starts on Sept 6.
The Wuhan city government has intensified its efforts to help the disabled. For example, it has created more than 10,000 jobs for the physically challenged over the past five years.
The Paralympic torch relay will cover 13,181 km in nine days and pass through 11 cities. It passed through Changsha, capital of Hunan province, along the "Ancient China" route yesterday.
The relay has two routes - "Modern China" and "Ancient China".
The "Modern China" route covers Shenzhen, Wuhan, Shanghai, Qingdao and Dalian. The "Ancient China" route includes Xi'an, Hohhot, Changsha, Nanjing and Luoyang.
Wuhan has a population of 8 million and is the economic and communications hub of central China. The local government has decided to raise the city's GDP from last year's 314 billion yuan to 1 trillion yuan in the next seven to eight years.
Source: China Daily
Monday, September 1, 2008
Beijing Olympic Boxing: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (3)
The Ugly
Honorably, I had a long conversation with Evander Holyfield in his hotel room here in Beijing, and the only topic we didn't touched, as it were, in the realm of boxing, was the ugly side of fighting, which he knows far better than anyone else.
Yet the next day, we put no effort on searching Holyfield's miserable experience in our memory. We see it in action.
Dzhakhon Kurbanov, a light heavyweight boxer from Tajikistan, was disqualified for biting his opponent, Yerkebulan Shynaliev from Kazakhstan, on the shoulder during their Olympic quarterfinals.
Holyfield was at the ringside. The American boxing legend, who travelled all the way to China, told me that he came here for the purpose of scouting the best Chinese boxing prospect for his promotional company.
He witnessed a load of Olympic boxing's best behaviors that night, including China's final gold medalist light flyweight Shiming Zou and light heavyweight Xiaoping Zhang.
However, the 1984 Olympic light heavyweight bronze medalist apparently won't be happy watching the scene that possibly would reminds him of the woeful moments when Mike Tyson infamously bit off a chunk of his ear 11 years ago, as he had already left the arena after watching China's light heavyweight Xiaoping Zhang triumph over Abdelhafid Benchabla of Algeria.
The dirty misdemeanor occurred with less than 20 seconds to go in the third round when Shynaliyev led the scorecard far ahead with 12-6. Feeling the frustration and desperation in the medal death match, the Mike Tyson mimic, who had been warned multiple times for shoving and holding during the fight, bit Shynaliyev on his shoulder during a clinch.
After the victim from Kazakhstan angrily showed the blood on his shoulder to the referee, the third night of the Olympic quarterfinals was put on an ugly final touch.
By People's Daily
Honorably, I had a long conversation with Evander Holyfield in his hotel room here in Beijing, and the only topic we didn't touched, as it were, in the realm of boxing, was the ugly side of fighting, which he knows far better than anyone else.
Yet the next day, we put no effort on searching Holyfield's miserable experience in our memory. We see it in action.
Dzhakhon Kurbanov, a light heavyweight boxer from Tajikistan, was disqualified for biting his opponent, Yerkebulan Shynaliev from Kazakhstan, on the shoulder during their Olympic quarterfinals.
Holyfield was at the ringside. The American boxing legend, who travelled all the way to China, told me that he came here for the purpose of scouting the best Chinese boxing prospect for his promotional company.
He witnessed a load of Olympic boxing's best behaviors that night, including China's final gold medalist light flyweight Shiming Zou and light heavyweight Xiaoping Zhang.
However, the 1984 Olympic light heavyweight bronze medalist apparently won't be happy watching the scene that possibly would reminds him of the woeful moments when Mike Tyson infamously bit off a chunk of his ear 11 years ago, as he had already left the arena after watching China's light heavyweight Xiaoping Zhang triumph over Abdelhafid Benchabla of Algeria.
The dirty misdemeanor occurred with less than 20 seconds to go in the third round when Shynaliyev led the scorecard far ahead with 12-6. Feeling the frustration and desperation in the medal death match, the Mike Tyson mimic, who had been warned multiple times for shoving and holding during the fight, bit Shynaliyev on his shoulder during a clinch.
After the victim from Kazakhstan angrily showed the blood on his shoulder to the referee, the third night of the Olympic quarterfinals was put on an ugly final touch.
By People's Daily
Beijing Olympic Boxing: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
Now the Beijing Olympics is already in the history book, and my life as an Olympic journalist has gone away with the passage of Beijing's hot air, both in and outside the ring. Everything seems to be back to normal, except for the memories lingering around my heart.
While still not getting used to life after the Games, I decided to ease my post-Olympic blues by reliving some of the good, the bad and the ugly moments of the 2008 Beijing Olympic boxing tournament.
【 The Good 】 【 The Bad 】 【 The Ugly 】
The Good
Striking Gold On Home Turf
On the hot afternoon of Aug 24, 2008 at the Beijing Workers' Gymnasium, China closed its 51-gold solo Olympic show with two golds, one silver and one bronze in the square ring.
The Eastern Dragon smashed the triopoly of Cuba, Russia and the United States, any of whom had ruled the tally table in boxing at every Olympics since 1942.
Cuba bagged eight total medals – four silvers, four bronzes, yet no golds. Russia leveled China in golds, but trailed by one silver on the table. The once towering United States ended up with no gold, no silver, but merely a single bronze.
Zou Shiming of China, left, won the light flyweight 48 kilogram Olympic boxing gold medal by defeating Serdamba Purevdorj of Mongolia in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008. Bronze medalists are Yampier Hernandez G of Cuba and Paddy Barnes of Ireland.
With two golds, one silver and one bronze, China emerged as the new king in the amateur boxing world.
Being the host nation can be a double-edged sword, as the expectation of performing on home soil is way above the norm and the pressure has to be measured against the boost from the local media, as witnessed by Chinese shooter Li Du's failure to win the first gold medal of the Games.
Yet, Chinese boxers not only lived up to the hype, but exceeded their high expectations.
China's light flyweight Shiming Zou launched the bonanza by winning in an unexpectedly easy fashion when the other finalist from Mongolian retired with a shoulder injury that had plagued him before the Games early in the second.
Two hours later, the biggest dark horse of the Olympic boxing tournament Chinese light heavyweight Xiaoping Zhang resumed Zou's remarkable feat, doubling the host nation's boxing golden tally by outpointing Kenny Egan 11-7.
Zhang Xiaoping of China celebrates after defeating Kenny Egan of Ireland in the men's light heavyweight 81 final boxing match to win the last gold medal for China at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008. Bronze medalists are Tony Jeffries of Britain and Yerkebulan Shynaliyev of Kazakhstan seen at the right.
China's third finalist super heavyweight Zhilei Zhang was blocked from winning the third boxing gold medal for China by the talented Italian Roberto Cammarelle.
The 6'7" Chinese giant was no match against the 6'3" Italian little big man, who breezed into the final with an effortless knockout victory over Britain's Commonwealth title holder David Price and had the edges in hand speed, athletism and ring generalship.
Although being dominated from the sound of the opening bell and taking several crunching blows to the jaw, the valiant Zhang showed no signs of fear and demonstrated admirable resistance.
By the time the third round was over, the Italian super heavyweight world champion had taken an 11-3 lead.
That became 13-4 by the fourth before Cammarelle landed a vicious short left hook, which dropped the World Championships bronze medalist to his knees. The gallant Zhang beat the count, but the merciful referee waved off the bout, putting an end to Zhang's seemly endless punishment, and also putting China's finishing touches of its Olympic medals, the 100th, in Beijing.
The World Championships welterweight bronze medalist Hanati finished third again when he was awarded the bronze medal together with Korean Jungjoo Kim at the medal ceremony after the welterweight final, one hour before Zhilei Zhang concluded China's medal bonanza with a super heavyweight silver.
Last year in Chicago, nearly 600 boxers from more than a hundred countries participated in the 2007 World Boxing Championships, yet China stood out from the crowd by reaping one gold, four bronzes and seven "Olympic tickets," with nine out of eleven participants cruising to the eighth-finals and seven to the quarterfinals.
This year in Beijing, a total of 286 elite boxers from all round the sport's powerhouses gathered at the 2008 Olympic boxing arena, with the mighty Cuba standing in the way, China took a step further by winning two golds, one silver and one bronze with a historical six boxers make it into the quarterfinals, notwithstanding.
The sleeping boxing Giant is now awakening, and looks set to rule the roost for a long time to come.
Rose In Blossom
While China rang down the curtain on the Beijing Olympic Games with a history-making boxing boom, the 2012 Olympics' host nation Great Britain came back home with a full blossom in the sport as well.
Great Britain, known for its emblem - the rose, reaped its best medal haul in over half a century since Melbourne Olympics in 1956, with one gold and two bronzes.
Despite Britain's biggest gold medal hopeful Frankie Gavin's pre-game exit, due to the weight-making issues, James DeGale take over the torch to ignite his golden moment.
Although the draw put the British team in a dead group - Degale's path was hindered by the reigning Olympic champion Bakhiytar Artayev, while super heavyweight David Price had to confront the European super heavyweight champion Islam Timurziev in his opening fight, the British boxers performed more than creditably.
David Price and Light heavyweight Tony Jeffries both squeezed into the semifinals, while James DeGale danced his way to the final rivalry and brawled his way to the golden glory.
Will the gold medal dangling from DeGale's neck still shine in the London Olympics? Would the two bronzes turn into golds on their home soil? We'll see in four years' time.
While still not getting used to life after the Games, I decided to ease my post-Olympic blues by reliving some of the good, the bad and the ugly moments of the 2008 Beijing Olympic boxing tournament.
【 The Good 】 【 The Bad 】 【 The Ugly 】
The Good
Striking Gold On Home Turf
On the hot afternoon of Aug 24, 2008 at the Beijing Workers' Gymnasium, China closed its 51-gold solo Olympic show with two golds, one silver and one bronze in the square ring.
The Eastern Dragon smashed the triopoly of Cuba, Russia and the United States, any of whom had ruled the tally table in boxing at every Olympics since 1942.
Cuba bagged eight total medals – four silvers, four bronzes, yet no golds. Russia leveled China in golds, but trailed by one silver on the table. The once towering United States ended up with no gold, no silver, but merely a single bronze.
Zou Shiming of China, left, won the light flyweight 48 kilogram Olympic boxing gold medal by defeating Serdamba Purevdorj of Mongolia in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008. Bronze medalists are Yampier Hernandez G of Cuba and Paddy Barnes of Ireland.
With two golds, one silver and one bronze, China emerged as the new king in the amateur boxing world.
Being the host nation can be a double-edged sword, as the expectation of performing on home soil is way above the norm and the pressure has to be measured against the boost from the local media, as witnessed by Chinese shooter Li Du's failure to win the first gold medal of the Games.
Yet, Chinese boxers not only lived up to the hype, but exceeded their high expectations.
China's light flyweight Shiming Zou launched the bonanza by winning in an unexpectedly easy fashion when the other finalist from Mongolian retired with a shoulder injury that had plagued him before the Games early in the second.
Two hours later, the biggest dark horse of the Olympic boxing tournament Chinese light heavyweight Xiaoping Zhang resumed Zou's remarkable feat, doubling the host nation's boxing golden tally by outpointing Kenny Egan 11-7.
Zhang Xiaoping of China celebrates after defeating Kenny Egan of Ireland in the men's light heavyweight 81 final boxing match to win the last gold medal for China at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008. Bronze medalists are Tony Jeffries of Britain and Yerkebulan Shynaliyev of Kazakhstan seen at the right.
China's third finalist super heavyweight Zhilei Zhang was blocked from winning the third boxing gold medal for China by the talented Italian Roberto Cammarelle.
The 6'7" Chinese giant was no match against the 6'3" Italian little big man, who breezed into the final with an effortless knockout victory over Britain's Commonwealth title holder David Price and had the edges in hand speed, athletism and ring generalship.
Although being dominated from the sound of the opening bell and taking several crunching blows to the jaw, the valiant Zhang showed no signs of fear and demonstrated admirable resistance.
By the time the third round was over, the Italian super heavyweight world champion had taken an 11-3 lead.
That became 13-4 by the fourth before Cammarelle landed a vicious short left hook, which dropped the World Championships bronze medalist to his knees. The gallant Zhang beat the count, but the merciful referee waved off the bout, putting an end to Zhang's seemly endless punishment, and also putting China's finishing touches of its Olympic medals, the 100th, in Beijing.
The World Championships welterweight bronze medalist Hanati finished third again when he was awarded the bronze medal together with Korean Jungjoo Kim at the medal ceremony after the welterweight final, one hour before Zhilei Zhang concluded China's medal bonanza with a super heavyweight silver.
Last year in Chicago, nearly 600 boxers from more than a hundred countries participated in the 2007 World Boxing Championships, yet China stood out from the crowd by reaping one gold, four bronzes and seven "Olympic tickets," with nine out of eleven participants cruising to the eighth-finals and seven to the quarterfinals.
This year in Beijing, a total of 286 elite boxers from all round the sport's powerhouses gathered at the 2008 Olympic boxing arena, with the mighty Cuba standing in the way, China took a step further by winning two golds, one silver and one bronze with a historical six boxers make it into the quarterfinals, notwithstanding.
The sleeping boxing Giant is now awakening, and looks set to rule the roost for a long time to come.
Rose In Blossom
While China rang down the curtain on the Beijing Olympic Games with a history-making boxing boom, the 2012 Olympics' host nation Great Britain came back home with a full blossom in the sport as well.
Great Britain, known for its emblem - the rose, reaped its best medal haul in over half a century since Melbourne Olympics in 1956, with one gold and two bronzes.
Despite Britain's biggest gold medal hopeful Frankie Gavin's pre-game exit, due to the weight-making issues, James DeGale take over the torch to ignite his golden moment.
Although the draw put the British team in a dead group - Degale's path was hindered by the reigning Olympic champion Bakhiytar Artayev, while super heavyweight David Price had to confront the European super heavyweight champion Islam Timurziev in his opening fight, the British boxers performed more than creditably.
David Price and Light heavyweight Tony Jeffries both squeezed into the semifinals, while James DeGale danced his way to the final rivalry and brawled his way to the golden glory.
Will the gold medal dangling from DeGale's neck still shine in the London Olympics? Would the two bronzes turn into golds on their home soil? We'll see in four years' time.
Beijing Olympic Boxing: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (2)
The Bad
The Fall Of A Mighty Empire
Gone are the days when the U.S. built its mighty empire upon the boxing immortality by winning five gold medals on the land of Montreal 42 years ago.
Gone are the days when the king of the world completely dominated the ring by harvesting twelve medals, ten of which gold, in 1984 and eight shiny pieces of hardware four years after in Seoul.
Coming back from Beijing with no golds and no silvers, only one bronze, the team, billed as "the best U.S. Olympic Boxing Team since 1984", is not one of, but the worst in U.S. Olympic boxing history ever, as far as the end result goes. The 1948 team also won only one medal, but at least it was a silver.
First, it was the bantamweight Gary Russell Jr., one of the team's top medal contenders who collapsed and withdrew even before the Games had started.
It was reported that the former World Championships bronze medalist lost consciousness in his Olympic Village dormitory hours before missing the Olympic weigh-in, but Russell's father and personal coach Gary Russell Sr. told me here in Beijing that his son dropped out of the Olympics not because of the alleged weight problems, not because of dehydration, but because of some other unannounced reasons.
"Gary was treated with fluids by doctors at his dorm but was not hospitalized," Russell's father said.
The next big hopeful for the Olympic gold in the U.S. team to follow in Russell's footsteps is the flyweight world champion Rau'shee Warren.
Warren, the first U.S. boxer to compete in successive Olympics in more than 30 years, was eliminated in the first round after losing a razor-thin 8-9 decision against his old foe - the 2005 World Championships gold medalist South Korean Oksung Lee.
The last American world champion Demetrius Andrade also fell in the hands of a South Korean Jungjoo Kim, who went on to secure a bronze medal, in the quarterfinals. The 20-year-old prospect walked out of the ring even before the referee raised the winner's hand.
It was heavyweight Deontay Wilder, virtually an after-thought U.S. medal hopeful and the one with the least boxing experiences on the U.S. contingent, brought home with the United States' only hardware - a bronze.
He booked the only hardware for the former Mighty Empire with a 10-10 controversial tiebreaker victory over Morocco's Mohammed Arjaoui in the quarterfinals before losing his sluggish bout 1-7 to Russian Clemente Russo.
When I asked USA Olympic Defensive Boxing Coach Willy Price his feeling about Wilder's last outing in Beijing, the veteran handler said: "The guy liked to hold and hug that made Wilder unable to take advantage of his long arms. With less than three years boxing experience, he brought home an Olympic bronze medal. Well, I think that's quite an accomplishment."
Commenting on the U.S. boxing team's performance, Willy Price said with a rueful tone: "I had a higher expectation coming here. My expectation is that we're going to take home with a bunch of medals...We've gotta talk about it."
He went on to say: "I think every coach's relation with the athletes is just like the father and sons. We shouldn't take anything away from any athlete how hard they trained, especially within the last couple of years."
I reckon that the 2008 Olympic U.S. Boxing Team consists of the most talented boxers from all over the United States of America, and the amateur scoring system is not a major factor to their terrible performance because it applies to every boxer who gets involved and the U.S. team did well enough with the international style to grab two golds and managed to dispatch three other boxers into the quarterfinals at last year's World Amateur Boxing Championships.
The Americans have the best traditions passed down from such greats as Cassius Clay , Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya, among others, and the best gyms, the finest nutrition coaches and the most gifted young prospects, why did they have a nightmare performance this time?
Forget about all the excuses - controversies, quirky scoring system, the dreadful amateur boxing styles...
Since the Golden Boy crowned his golden title in Barcelona 1992, the Mighty Empire has went into a major decline in the amateur boxing stage, grappling six medals in Atlanta 1996, four in Sydney 2000, three in Athens 2004 and one in Beijing at the freshly-concluded Olympic boxing tournament.
I believe the steady decline of U.S. amateur boxing should not be attributed to some particular coaches or boxers, but the entire U.S. amateur boxing program.
The USA Boxing needs to take a few more rounds to reexamine the system. Hopefully, heading into London, they would redeem themselves and restore their past golden glory.
The Fall Of A Mighty Empire
Gone are the days when the U.S. built its mighty empire upon the boxing immortality by winning five gold medals on the land of Montreal 42 years ago.
Gone are the days when the king of the world completely dominated the ring by harvesting twelve medals, ten of which gold, in 1984 and eight shiny pieces of hardware four years after in Seoul.
Coming back from Beijing with no golds and no silvers, only one bronze, the team, billed as "the best U.S. Olympic Boxing Team since 1984", is not one of, but the worst in U.S. Olympic boxing history ever, as far as the end result goes. The 1948 team also won only one medal, but at least it was a silver.
First, it was the bantamweight Gary Russell Jr., one of the team's top medal contenders who collapsed and withdrew even before the Games had started.
It was reported that the former World Championships bronze medalist lost consciousness in his Olympic Village dormitory hours before missing the Olympic weigh-in, but Russell's father and personal coach Gary Russell Sr. told me here in Beijing that his son dropped out of the Olympics not because of the alleged weight problems, not because of dehydration, but because of some other unannounced reasons.
"Gary was treated with fluids by doctors at his dorm but was not hospitalized," Russell's father said.
The next big hopeful for the Olympic gold in the U.S. team to follow in Russell's footsteps is the flyweight world champion Rau'shee Warren.
Warren, the first U.S. boxer to compete in successive Olympics in more than 30 years, was eliminated in the first round after losing a razor-thin 8-9 decision against his old foe - the 2005 World Championships gold medalist South Korean Oksung Lee.
The last American world champion Demetrius Andrade also fell in the hands of a South Korean Jungjoo Kim, who went on to secure a bronze medal, in the quarterfinals. The 20-year-old prospect walked out of the ring even before the referee raised the winner's hand.
It was heavyweight Deontay Wilder, virtually an after-thought U.S. medal hopeful and the one with the least boxing experiences on the U.S. contingent, brought home with the United States' only hardware - a bronze.
He booked the only hardware for the former Mighty Empire with a 10-10 controversial tiebreaker victory over Morocco's Mohammed Arjaoui in the quarterfinals before losing his sluggish bout 1-7 to Russian Clemente Russo.
When I asked USA Olympic Defensive Boxing Coach Willy Price his feeling about Wilder's last outing in Beijing, the veteran handler said: "The guy liked to hold and hug that made Wilder unable to take advantage of his long arms. With less than three years boxing experience, he brought home an Olympic bronze medal. Well, I think that's quite an accomplishment."
Commenting on the U.S. boxing team's performance, Willy Price said with a rueful tone: "I had a higher expectation coming here. My expectation is that we're going to take home with a bunch of medals...We've gotta talk about it."
He went on to say: "I think every coach's relation with the athletes is just like the father and sons. We shouldn't take anything away from any athlete how hard they trained, especially within the last couple of years."
I reckon that the 2008 Olympic U.S. Boxing Team consists of the most talented boxers from all over the United States of America, and the amateur scoring system is not a major factor to their terrible performance because it applies to every boxer who gets involved and the U.S. team did well enough with the international style to grab two golds and managed to dispatch three other boxers into the quarterfinals at last year's World Amateur Boxing Championships.
The Americans have the best traditions passed down from such greats as Cassius Clay , Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya, among others, and the best gyms, the finest nutrition coaches and the most gifted young prospects, why did they have a nightmare performance this time?
Forget about all the excuses - controversies, quirky scoring system, the dreadful amateur boxing styles...
Since the Golden Boy crowned his golden title in Barcelona 1992, the Mighty Empire has went into a major decline in the amateur boxing stage, grappling six medals in Atlanta 1996, four in Sydney 2000, three in Athens 2004 and one in Beijing at the freshly-concluded Olympic boxing tournament.
I believe the steady decline of U.S. amateur boxing should not be attributed to some particular coaches or boxers, but the entire U.S. amateur boxing program.
The USA Boxing needs to take a few more rounds to reexamine the system. Hopefully, heading into London, they would redeem themselves and restore their past golden glory.
Competing in sports gave me a life: Jordan's first Paralympics gold medalist
"Competing in sports gave me a life," Maha Barghouti, Jordan's wheelchair table tennis ace who headed to Beijing for Paralympics, was quoted by local daily The Jordan Times on Sunday.
In Sydney 2000, Barghouti won the first Paralympic gold medal for Jordan. She was named Arab Athlete of the Year in 2001 and voted Jordan's top sports person of 2002.
Starting to play table tennis and athletics in 1986, Barghouti said: "Competing in sports gave me a life. And that's what I urge parents with disabled children to do."
"When any disabled person gains confidence and has the support of the family, they can easily convince others that they are not a burden," she added.
Jordan's Paralympic athletes headed to Beijing on Friday to take part in the 13th Paralympic Games which will be held September 6-17.
The kingdom's athletes will compete in table tennis, power lifting and athletics.
The first time Jordan's flag was hoisted during an Olympic event was at the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta when Imad Gharbawi won a silver medal in the discus.
The crowning achievement was in Sydney 2000 when Barghouti won Jordan's first gold medal. Two medals were added in Athens 2004 when Jamil Shibli won silver in shot put while the women's table tennis team won bronze.
Source：Xinhua
In Sydney 2000, Barghouti won the first Paralympic gold medal for Jordan. She was named Arab Athlete of the Year in 2001 and voted Jordan's top sports person of 2002.
Starting to play table tennis and athletics in 1986, Barghouti said: "Competing in sports gave me a life. And that's what I urge parents with disabled children to do."
"When any disabled person gains confidence and has the support of the family, they can easily convince others that they are not a burden," she added.
Jordan's Paralympic athletes headed to Beijing on Friday to take part in the 13th Paralympic Games which will be held September 6-17.
The kingdom's athletes will compete in table tennis, power lifting and athletics.
The first time Jordan's flag was hoisted during an Olympic event was at the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta when Imad Gharbawi won a silver medal in the discus.
The crowning achievement was in Sydney 2000 when Barghouti won Jordan's first gold medal. Two medals were added in Athens 2004 when Jamil Shibli won silver in shot put while the women's table tennis team won bronze.
Source：Xinhua
Beijing Paralympic Torch Relay held in central China's Wuhan
The Paralympic torch relay continued its journey in Wuhan on Sunday as the second leg of the "Modern China" route.
The opening ceremony started at about 8 a.m. at Wuhan Sports Center. Sixty torchbearers, including 11 disabled, ran in the three-kilometer-long relay.
The first runner, Cheng Yu, is a disabled former athlete from national team. She is the champion of women's team table tennis in Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games.
The torch was passed on in Wuhan economic and technological development zone, of which rapid economic growth has surpassed thirty percent in recent five years.
The cauldron was set ablaze in warm cheers by the final carrier Wen Qing, who was crowned as the "wheelchair princess" and won more than 50 medals on wheelchair racing in the worldwide games for handicapped during past 15 years.
This relay also became a grand festival of 438,000 disabled of the city. Splendid shows were later performed by the disabled, including the famous Chinese conductor Zhou Zhou, to display their consistent spirit and optimistic attitude on life.
More than 2,400 disabled were also invited to enjoy the performance and share the happiness of sacred flame relay. "The torch relay makes me feel the joys of festival," a disabled audience said.
To ensure the disabled fully enjoy the relay, the government has recruited more than 200 volunteers to provide them better services, such as accompanying the torchbearers to pass on the torch, serving all coming disabled food and water, and providing more convenient equipment.
With a population of more than eight million, Wuhan serves as the gateway to China's hinterlands in central China's Hubei province. As its outstanding geographic advantage, it is also nicknamed the "thoroughfare to nine provinces".
Yangtze and its biggest tributary Hanjiang River meet downtown Wuhan and cut the city into three parts of Wuchang, Hankou and Hanyang.
With great economic development results in recent years, the city has become one of the new batch of economic reform experiment zones in China.
The Beijing Paralympic torch relay will cover 13,181 kilometers in nine days passing eleven torch relay cities which are selected from provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China.
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 about 8 a.m. at Wuhan Sports Center. Sixty torchbearers, including 11 disabled, ran in the three-kilometer-long relay.
The first runner, Cheng Yu, is a disabled former athlete from national team. She is the champion of women's team table tennis in Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games.
The torch was passed on in Wuhan economic and technological development zone, of which rapid economic growth has surpassed thirty percent in recent five years.
The cauldron was set ablaze in warm cheers by the final carrier Wen Qing, who was crowned as the "wheelchair princess" and won more than 50 medals on wheelchair racing in the worldwide games for handicapped during past 15 years.
This relay also became a grand festival of 438,000 disabled of the city. Splendid shows were later performed by the disabled, including the famous Chinese conductor Zhou Zhou, to display their consistent spirit and optimistic attitude on life.
More than 2,400 disabled were also invited to enjoy the performance and share the happiness of sacred flame relay. "The torch relay makes me feel the joys of festival," a disabled audience said.
To ensure the disabled fully enjoy the relay, the government has recruited more than 200 volunteers to provide them better services, such as accompanying the torchbearers to pass on the torch, serving all coming disabled food and water, and providing more convenient equipment.
With a population of more than eight million, Wuhan serves as the gateway to China's hinterlands in central China's Hubei province. As its outstanding geographic advantage, it is also nicknamed the "thoroughfare to nine provinces".
Yangtze and its biggest tributary Hanjiang River meet downtown Wuhan and cut the city into three parts of Wuchang, Hankou and Hanyang.
With great economic development results in recent years, the city has become one of the new batch of economic reform experiment zones in China.
The Beijing Paralympic torch relay will cover 13,181 kilometers in nine days passing eleven torch relay cities which are selected from provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China.
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
"Wheelchair princess": torch relay makes my Paralympic dream come ture
"The torch relay makes my Paralympic dream come true ," said Wen Qing, who was crowned as "wheelchair princess", also the last torchbearer in Beijing Paralympic Torch Relay Wuhan leg on Sunday.
As the forerunner of Chinese wheelchair racing sport, the 42-year-old Wen has won more than 50 medals in the worldwide games for handicapped in past 15 years. Until now, she has still held many records on wheelchair racing in Asia.
When Wen was one year old, she fell off the bed and broke her left leg. Later She became a worker in printing plant of Wuhan Iron and Steel Company, and began her glorious sports career from 1989.
Nevertheless, it is a regret for her not getting a medal in Paralympic Games. "When hearing that I was selected to be the Paralympic torchbearer, I was so excited and could not sleep overnight," she said.
Besides, her student Liu Wenjun who has won many golds of international weelchair marathon games, will also compete in four events of the Beijing Paralympic Games.
"I sincerely hope the sacred flame can illuminate her coming path and help her gain good results during the games," Wen said.
Source：Xinhua
As the forerunner of Chinese wheelchair racing sport, the 42-year-old Wen has won more than 50 medals in the worldwide games for handicapped in past 15 years. Until now, she has still held many records on wheelchair racing in Asia.
When Wen was one year old, she fell off the bed and broke her left leg. Later She became a worker in printing plant of Wuhan Iron and Steel Company, and began her glorious sports career from 1989.
Nevertheless, it is a regret for her not getting a medal in Paralympic Games. "When hearing that I was selected to be the Paralympic torchbearer, I was so excited and could not sleep overnight," she said.
Besides, her student Liu Wenjun who has won many golds of international weelchair marathon games, will also compete in four events of the Beijing Paralympic Games.
"I sincerely hope the sacred flame can illuminate her coming path and help her gain good results during the games," Wen said.
Source：Xinhua
Spanish Princess to attend opening ceremony of Beijing Paralympics
Spanish Princess Infanta Elena will lead an official delegation to attend the opening ceremony of Beijing Paralympics on Sept. 6, Spanish Paralympic Committee said on Sunday.
Elena, who is also the honorary president of the CPE, will attend the ceremony with the Education, Social Policy and Sports Minister Mercedes Cabrera, CPE President Miguel Carballeda, and Mercedes Coghen, a representative from Madrid Olympic Games Biding Committee .
Most MOGBC leaders have been to Beijing for the 2008 Olympics, and have conducted publicity activities in the city for Madrid's bid for the 2016 Olympics. They are to travel back to Beijing with Coghen.
Spain will send a team of 232 people, including 133 athletes, to take part in 15 games of the Beijing Paralympics.
Source: Xinhua
Elena, who is also the honorary president of the CPE, will attend the ceremony with the Education, Social Policy and Sports Minister Mercedes Cabrera, CPE President Miguel Carballeda, and Mercedes Coghen, a representative from Madrid Olympic Games Biding Committee .
Most MOGBC leaders have been to Beijing for the 2008 Olympics, and have conducted publicity activities in the city for Madrid's bid for the 2016 Olympics. They are to travel back to Beijing with Coghen.
Spain will send a team of 232 people, including 133 athletes, to take part in 15 games of the Beijing Paralympics.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese wins table tennis title in Pyongyang
Chinese Yan An won the men's singles gold medal at the 22nd Pyongyang International Table Tennis Invitation tournament on Monday.
Yan beat host player Jang Song Mah 4-3 in the final.
Chinese Li Xiaodan lost to host player Kim Jong 4-1 in the women's final.
Host paddlers Kim Chol Min/Kim Gok Bong and Kim Jong/Kim Hye Sung took the men's and women's doubles respectively.
The tournament attracted over 60 players from China, India, Mongolia and the host country.
Source: Xinhua
Yan beat host player Jang Song Mah 4-3 in the final.
Chinese Li Xiaodan lost to host player Kim Jong 4-1 in the women's final.
Host paddlers Kim Chol Min/Kim Gok Bong and Kim Jong/Kim Hye Sung took the men's and women's doubles respectively.
The tournament attracted over 60 players from China, India, Mongolia and the host country.
Source: Xinhua
New Hamlet interpretation set for China debut
For patrons of the arts, to see ornot to see will hardly be the question when 72-year-old Lin Zhaohua, a much-honored director, puts on a fresh interpretation of "Hamlet" this autumn.
Famed actor Pu Cunxin and Gao Yuanyuan, a rising actress, will play Hamlet and Ophelia respectively.
The play is scheduled to hit the stage on Oct. 21 at the Poly Theater in Beijing. It runs through Oct. 25.
Lin's version of the Shakespeare classic is one of the highlights of the third international theater festival opening on Oct. 10.
The gala is being hosted by China's National Theater Company tomark the 444th birthday of the famed British Bard.
Also in store are two other versions of Hamlet -- from Australia and Kazakhstan respectively. However, it is Lin's version that will undoubtedly be in the spotlight.
In 1990, he created a sensation by putting on "Hamlet." Thousands of people lined up for tickets outside the Beijing Film Academy theater in the dead of winter.
The success inspired him to revive the drama again in 1994. A year later, the play was invited to Japan and received huge accolades there.
Lin, who is also head of the theater research center at Beijing University, has been a pioneer of the country's theater scene since 1982 when his first play "Absolute Signal" debuted. He is reputed for his unique understanding of Hamlet.
His thinking is very much outside of the box as he switches the roles among Hamlet, Claudius and Polonius. His interpretation, which included a minimalist stage set, surprised audiences.
"Shakespeare's works are eternal not because what the works themselves do to us but because what we can do to the works," he said.
After the introduction of the reform and opening-up policy in 1978, many foreign classics, mainly from the West, were introduced to Chinese audiences. Many, however, were brought in without much digestion. Some scholars even had the tendency to worship the Western thoughts.
Lin's Hamlet was among the first staged efforts to reverse the trend. He took the initiative to experiment on the masterpiece by the famed British playwright.
He demonstrated what Chinese could do to expand the dimension of Western classics.
Lin's Hamlet will tour the country after the festival ends on Nov. 2.
In 1990, he crafted a Hamlet who was not a Danish prince, but instead a commoner who might be any of us. Now, some 18 years on, what will Lin do to outshine not only the two foreign Hamlets but also his previous versions? Undoubtedly, an anxious audiences awaits.
Source: Xinhua
Famed actor Pu Cunxin and Gao Yuanyuan, a rising actress, will play Hamlet and Ophelia respectively.
The play is scheduled to hit the stage on Oct. 21 at the Poly Theater in Beijing. It runs through Oct. 25.
Lin's version of the Shakespeare classic is one of the highlights of the third international theater festival opening on Oct. 10.
The gala is being hosted by China's National Theater Company tomark the 444th birthday of the famed British Bard.
Also in store are two other versions of Hamlet -- from Australia and Kazakhstan respectively. However, it is Lin's version that will undoubtedly be in the spotlight.
In 1990, he created a sensation by putting on "Hamlet." Thousands of people lined up for tickets outside the Beijing Film Academy theater in the dead of winter.
The success inspired him to revive the drama again in 1994. A year later, the play was invited to Japan and received huge accolades there.
Lin, who is also head of the theater research center at Beijing University, has been a pioneer of the country's theater scene since 1982 when his first play "Absolute Signal" debuted. He is reputed for his unique understanding of Hamlet.
His thinking is very much outside of the box as he switches the roles among Hamlet, Claudius and Polonius. His interpretation, which included a minimalist stage set, surprised audiences.
"Shakespeare's works are eternal not because what the works themselves do to us but because what we can do to the works," he said.
After the introduction of the reform and opening-up policy in 1978, many foreign classics, mainly from the West, were introduced to Chinese audiences. Many, however, were brought in without much digestion. Some scholars even had the tendency to worship the Western thoughts.
Lin's Hamlet was among the first staged efforts to reverse the trend. He took the initiative to experiment on the masterpiece by the famed British playwright.
He demonstrated what Chinese could do to expand the dimension of Western classics.
Lin's Hamlet will tour the country after the festival ends on Nov. 2.
In 1990, he crafted a Hamlet who was not a Danish prince, but instead a commoner who might be any of us. Now, some 18 years on, what will Lin do to outshine not only the two foreign Hamlets but also his previous versions? Undoubtedly, an anxious audiences awaits.
Source: Xinhua
Man gets death penalty for killing six police in Shanghai
An unemployed Beijing man who killed six policemen and injured another four in a knife attack in Shanghai was sentenced to death at the Shanghai No.2 People's Intermediate Court on Monday.
Yang Jia, 28, stabbed a security guard at the police branch in Zhabei District and started a fire at its gate at about 9:40 a.m. on July.1.
He then forced his way into the building and attacked nine police officers, according to the prosecution. Six police officers died. Three others and the security guard were injured .
Yang was apprehended at the scene and confessed to the killings, the prosecution said.
The No. 2 division of the Shanghai Municipal People's Procuratorate alleged Yang guilty of premeditated murder on July 17.
The procuratorate said Yang was arrested by Shanghai police for riding an unlicensed bicycle on Oct. 15, 2007, and was interrogated.
Yang later sued the officers for 10,000 yuan in compensation for psychological damage. The claim was rejected by the local public security authority.
Source: Xinhua
Yang Jia, 28, stabbed a security guard at the police branch in Zhabei District and started a fire at its gate at about 9:40 a.m. on July.1.
He then forced his way into the building and attacked nine police officers, according to the prosecution. Six police officers died. Three others and the security guard were injured .
Yang was apprehended at the scene and confessed to the killings, the prosecution said.
The No. 2 division of the Shanghai Municipal People's Procuratorate alleged Yang guilty of premeditated murder on July 17.
The procuratorate said Yang was arrested by Shanghai police for riding an unlicensed bicycle on Oct. 15, 2007, and was interrogated.
Yang later sued the officers for 10,000 yuan in compensation for psychological damage. The claim was rejected by the local public security authority.
Source: Xinhua
Composer: Opera "Mulan" a blend of East and West
Chinese opera "Mulan" won wide acclaim at its debut at the Vienna State Opera House on Saturday evening. Guan Xia, composer of "Mulan," attributed the success to artistic innovations the opera has gone through.
"'Mulan' adopts the approaches familiar to Western opera-lovers. There is no aesthetic gap for them to appreciate this Chinese opera," said Guan in an interview with Xinhua.
Based on Chinese folk opera, "Mulan" integrates the artistical ways of Western opera, said Guan, who is also director of the China National Symphony Orchestra .
"Mulan" is different from Chinese traditional folk opera, and it does not completely copy Western opera either, according to Guan.
"It integrates symphony, Western opera, musical opera, folk opera, drama and dancing with elements from Chinese folk music and Chinese national costume," said Guan.
"Mulan" is an integration of Chinese modern stage arts and Western traditional culture, making it a good example for Chinese national opera to be mounted on the international stage, Guan added.
"This is a successful experiment," he noted.
In retrospect, Guan said Western opera was introduced to China just 100 years ago.
Beginning in the late 1970s, Chinese opera entered a new phase of development when a series of popular operas like "Savage Land" and "The Daughter of the Party" were put on the stage.
Talking about the evolution of Chinese opera, Guan said there has been two approaches -- one is in favor of localization while the other is for direct adoption of Western opera.
Based on national music and folk opera, Chinese opera needs to be put to the international stage through renovations, according Guan.
"China's national operas have to go through another renovation before they are mounted on the international opera stage, that is, to renovate China's national opera in accordance with artistical rules of Western opera," Guan said.
"Mulan" sets a good example for China's national opera as it adopts Western style to show the charm of Chinese culture, according to Guan.
"It is a successful experiment for China's national opera to march onto the international stage," Guan added.
"Mulan" made its debut at the prestigious Vienna State Opera House, representing the "first step" for China's national opera to make its appearance on the European stage.
"This is a good start," Guan said.
Source: Xinhua
"'Mulan' adopts the approaches familiar to Western opera-lovers. There is no aesthetic gap for them to appreciate this Chinese opera," said Guan in an interview with Xinhua.
Based on Chinese folk opera, "Mulan" integrates the artistical ways of Western opera, said Guan, who is also director of the China National Symphony Orchestra .
"Mulan" is different from Chinese traditional folk opera, and it does not completely copy Western opera either, according to Guan.
"It integrates symphony, Western opera, musical opera, folk opera, drama and dancing with elements from Chinese folk music and Chinese national costume," said Guan.
"Mulan" is an integration of Chinese modern stage arts and Western traditional culture, making it a good example for Chinese national opera to be mounted on the international stage, Guan added.
"This is a successful experiment," he noted.
In retrospect, Guan said Western opera was introduced to China just 100 years ago.
Beginning in the late 1970s, Chinese opera entered a new phase of development when a series of popular operas like "Savage Land" and "The Daughter of the Party" were put on the stage.
Talking about the evolution of Chinese opera, Guan said there has been two approaches -- one is in favor of localization while the other is for direct adoption of Western opera.
Based on national music and folk opera, Chinese opera needs to be put to the international stage through renovations, according Guan.
"China's national operas have to go through another renovation before they are mounted on the international opera stage, that is, to renovate China's national opera in accordance with artistical rules of Western opera," Guan said.
"Mulan" sets a good example for China's national opera as it adopts Western style to show the charm of Chinese culture, according to Guan.
"It is a successful experiment for China's national opera to march onto the international stage," Guan added.
"Mulan" made its debut at the prestigious Vienna State Opera House, representing the "first step" for China's national opera to make its appearance on the European stage.
"This is a good start," Guan said.
Source: Xinhua
WHO: social inequality affects health
According to an investigative report issued by the World Health Organization on August 28, social inequality affects the health of the world's population. It comes as a reminder to attach more importance to a fair distribution of wealth while developing the economy.
The report, named "Closing the Gap in one Generation," is the result of a three-year investigation by the World Health Organization's Commission on the Social Determinants of Health.
It reveals that "wealth is not necessarily a determinant." Some low-income and developing countries such as Cuba, Costa Rica, China and Sri Lanka have achieved good levels of health despite a relatively low national income. While the toxic combination of economics and politics causes large gaps in health among different countries and different regions in the same country, those gaps were caused by social inequality, not biological factors. And they appear among Northern European countries, most undeveloped countries, and different regions in Australia and Britain.
The report also reveals that although economic development has increased several countries'incomes in recent years, the increase in a nation's wealth does not necessarily improve the nation's health. If a fair distribution can not be attained, economic development could possibly aggravate social inequality.
By People's Daily Online
The report, named "Closing the Gap in one Generation," is the result of a three-year investigation by the World Health Organization's Commission on the Social Determinants of Health.
It reveals that "wealth is not necessarily a determinant." Some low-income and developing countries such as Cuba, Costa Rica, China and Sri Lanka have achieved good levels of health despite a relatively low national income. While the toxic combination of economics and politics causes large gaps in health among different countries and different regions in the same country, those gaps were caused by social inequality, not biological factors. And they appear among Northern European countries, most undeveloped countries, and different regions in Australia and Britain.
The report also reveals that although economic development has increased several countries'incomes in recent years, the increase in a nation's wealth does not necessarily improve the nation's health. If a fair distribution can not be attained, economic development could possibly aggravate social inequality.
By People's Daily Online
Death toll rises to 38 in SW China earthquake
The death toll in Saturday's 6.1-magnitude quake in Sichuan and Yunnan has risen to 38, according to local authorities.
Huili County, the worst-hit region in Sichuan, registered five more deaths as of 8 a.m. Monday, raising the death toll to 32 in the province. A total of 321 people were injured in the county, statistics from the quake-relief headquarters showed.
The county reported 20 deaths before Monday.
The publicity department of Chuxiong Autonomous Prefecture of Yi Nationality, one of the quake-hit areas in Yunnan, said one more body was retrieved Sunday evening there, adding up the death toll to six in the province.
Firefighters dig, bare-handed, two bodies out of the debris in quake-hit Huili county in Sichuan Province August 31, 2008. Death toll from the 6.1-magnitude earthquake has risen to 38 in Sichuan and Yunnan, and more than 400 were injured.
Latest investigations showed that 195 people were injured in the prefecture, including 47 serious. More than 300,000 people were affected as houses of nearly 13,000 households were destroyed or damaged.
Nearly 3,700 people had moved to safe places with help from 1,100 police officers. More than 900 medical workers helped with first aid, disease control, medicine and equipment supply campaigns.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs announced Sunday night that the quake killed at least 32 people and destroyed some 258,000 houses after jolting parts of Sichuan and Yunnan.
A total of 467 were injured and about 152,000 people were evacuated, it said.
Areas affected by the quake were Panzhihua and Huili, both in Sichuan, and autonomous prefectures of Chuxiong Dali, Lijiang and Zhaotong cities, all in Yunnan Province. Kunming, capital of Yunnan, was also hit.
Most of the fatalities were in Huili, Chuxiong and Panzhihua, which sit on the southern end of the fault line of the May 12 quake that left more than 69,000 people dead and nearly 18,000 missing.
In Panzhihua along, five deaths and 132 injury cases were registered and more than 32,000 people were evacuated for safety concerns. More than 1,800 houses collapsed and nearly 100,000 others were shattered. Many bridges, roads and reservoirs were damaged, according to the disaster-relief headquarters.
In the quake zones, more than 300 aftershocks had been monitored as of Sunday afternoon, but the occurrence of tremors above 6.0-magnitude is unlikely in the next two weeks, a seismologist said.
Source: Xinhua
Huili County, the worst-hit region in Sichuan, registered five more deaths as of 8 a.m. Monday, raising the death toll to 32 in the province. A total of 321 people were injured in the county, statistics from the quake-relief headquarters showed.
The county reported 20 deaths before Monday.
The publicity department of Chuxiong Autonomous Prefecture of Yi Nationality, one of the quake-hit areas in Yunnan, said one more body was retrieved Sunday evening there, adding up the death toll to six in the province.
Firefighters dig, bare-handed, two bodies out of the debris in quake-hit Huili county in Sichuan Province August 31, 2008. Death toll from the 6.1-magnitude earthquake has risen to 38 in Sichuan and Yunnan, and more than 400 were injured.
Latest investigations showed that 195 people were injured in the prefecture, including 47 serious. More than 300,000 people were affected as houses of nearly 13,000 households were destroyed or damaged.
Nearly 3,700 people had moved to safe places with help from 1,100 police officers. More than 900 medical workers helped with first aid, disease control, medicine and equipment supply campaigns.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs announced Sunday night that the quake killed at least 32 people and destroyed some 258,000 houses after jolting parts of Sichuan and Yunnan.
A total of 467 were injured and about 152,000 people were evacuated, it said.
Areas affected by the quake were Panzhihua and Huili, both in Sichuan, and autonomous prefectures of Chuxiong Dali, Lijiang and Zhaotong cities, all in Yunnan Province. Kunming, capital of Yunnan, was also hit.
Most of the fatalities were in Huili, Chuxiong and Panzhihua, which sit on the southern end of the fault line of the May 12 quake that left more than 69,000 people dead and nearly 18,000 missing.
In Panzhihua along, five deaths and 132 injury cases were registered and more than 32,000 people were evacuated for safety concerns. More than 1,800 houses collapsed and nearly 100,000 others were shattered. Many bridges, roads and reservoirs were damaged, according to the disaster-relief headquarters.
In the quake zones, more than 300 aftershocks had been monitored as of Sunday afternoon, but the occurrence of tremors above 6.0-magnitude is unlikely in the next two weeks, a seismologist said.
Source: Xinhua
Loughborough University, the pioneer of sport technology
Loughborough University is the UK's premier university for sports development and training. It has an unparalleled record of sporting excellence and some of the most celebrated names in sport have studied or trained at the Loughborough University. Today the University continues to nurture the sporting stars of the future - including athletes who will represent Great Britain in the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The sports technology research group has been active for over 20 years at the Loughborough University. It is regarded as one of the world's largest academic groups in sports technology and engineering, and works with many of the world's leading sporting goods brands including NIKE, ADIDAS as well as REEBOK.
Loughborough 's idea for sports technology is unique because it has a very strong tradition in sports and engineering. The university itself is medium-sized, and there are around 15,000 students, undergraduates and graduates on campus. It offers a wide range of course disciplines, but sports and engineering are definitely the university's top disciplines.
The project it works on is very diverse, ranging from athletic footwear to sports garments, from engineering to golf facilities. RespiVest, a garment for training breathing and is proven to enhance inspiratory muscle performance. Customised Footwear, a next generation apparel using cutting edge rapid manufacturing techniques to create footwear, is optimized for individual elite athlete and gives them a medal winning edge. EUROPASS, ADIDAS Football that is constructed out of 14 panels using revolutionary Thermal Bonding technology allows players exceptional ball control, just name a few.
There are around 50 staff within the University's Institute of Sports Technology, 6 to 7 of them are academica, 4 to 5 technicians, and the remain are the researchers, either postdoctoral researchers or Phd students.
One of the main areas for the research group is commercial and enterprises activity, developing new products for world's sports goods brands, which will also involve work with manufacturers. A lot of its work is in partnership with sporting goods brands, manufacturing overseas.
The University has a good understanding of relationships between major sporting goods brands and manufacturing factories. It works to provide innovation and research development. One of the objectives is to support high performance athletes who are preparing for the Olympics. A large number of athletes are training on campus, preparing for Beijing 2008, particularly in swimming, track and field athletics, martial art as well as judo.
The funding Loughborough University's research programme has received for the British athletes largely comes from UK Sport. There have been many Olympic competitors, world champions and world record holders from Loughborough University.
The Institue of Sport Technology is to assist these athletes in their training and preparation for the Olympics, which is very much dependent of the need of the athletes. Generally, it is related to instrumentation or monitoring, improvement of the instrument they use in training.
Loughborough University is the home to a number of sport governing bodies, like British Triathlon Association and British Volleyball Association are based here. University's campus also has a wide range of sport facilities, which are used by top athletes training in particular sports, not so much for competition, but it is really a high quality training area that helps elite sportsmen and sportswomen to realize their potential.
Source: Xinhua
The sports technology research group has been active for over 20 years at the Loughborough University. It is regarded as one of the world's largest academic groups in sports technology and engineering, and works with many of the world's leading sporting goods brands including NIKE, ADIDAS as well as REEBOK.
Loughborough 's idea for sports technology is unique because it has a very strong tradition in sports and engineering. The university itself is medium-sized, and there are around 15,000 students, undergraduates and graduates on campus. It offers a wide range of course disciplines, but sports and engineering are definitely the university's top disciplines.
The project it works on is very diverse, ranging from athletic footwear to sports garments, from engineering to golf facilities. RespiVest, a garment for training breathing and is proven to enhance inspiratory muscle performance. Customised Footwear, a next generation apparel using cutting edge rapid manufacturing techniques to create footwear, is optimized for individual elite athlete and gives them a medal winning edge. EUROPASS, ADIDAS Football that is constructed out of 14 panels using revolutionary Thermal Bonding technology allows players exceptional ball control, just name a few.
There are around 50 staff within the University's Institute of Sports Technology, 6 to 7 of them are academica, 4 to 5 technicians, and the remain are the researchers, either postdoctoral researchers or Phd students.
One of the main areas for the research group is commercial and enterprises activity, developing new products for world's sports goods brands, which will also involve work with manufacturers. A lot of its work is in partnership with sporting goods brands, manufacturing overseas.
The University has a good understanding of relationships between major sporting goods brands and manufacturing factories. It works to provide innovation and research development. One of the objectives is to support high performance athletes who are preparing for the Olympics. A large number of athletes are training on campus, preparing for Beijing 2008, particularly in swimming, track and field athletics, martial art as well as judo.
The funding Loughborough University's research programme has received for the British athletes largely comes from UK Sport. There have been many Olympic competitors, world champions and world record holders from Loughborough University.
The Institue of Sport Technology is to assist these athletes in their training and preparation for the Olympics, which is very much dependent of the need of the athletes. Generally, it is related to instrumentation or monitoring, improvement of the instrument they use in training.
Loughborough University is the home to a number of sport governing bodies, like British Triathlon Association and British Volleyball Association are based here. University's campus also has a wide range of sport facilities, which are used by top athletes training in particular sports, not so much for competition, but it is really a high quality training area that helps elite sportsmen and sportswomen to realize their potential.
Source: Xinhua
All 3.4 mln students in May 12 quake zone to return to school
All the 3.4 million students in the May 12 quake zone in southwest China's Sichuan Province will return to school on Monday, a provincial education official told a news briefing on Sunday.
About 33 percent of the students will resume classes in their former schools unaffected in the earthquake. Thirty-eight percent will attend classes in buildings that have been reinforced. Around 28.4 percent will study in prefabricated classrooms, according to Tu Wentao, the provincial education department head.
Nearly 20,000 students in the worst-hit areas would have to leave their home towns to seek schooling. About 11,000 will study in 16 other cities in Sichuan Province. The remaining will begin classes in 25 other provinces, including Guangdong and Shanghai, he said.
"We will not tolerate a single student dropping out of school because of the disaster and poverty."
The local governments was providing living allowances to those students, he added.
"I have learned how to surf the Internet. It's great to send e-mails to my peers in Beijing," said He Zhongchen, a grade three student at the Guanzhuang Middle School, in a computer room on Sunday.
In total, about 1,400 students began their new term in 53 prefabricated classrooms at the Qingchuan County school on Sunday morning. The school was funded by Procter and Gamble and computer maker Hewlett-Packard.
Source: Xinhua
About 33 percent of the students will resume classes in their former schools unaffected in the earthquake. Thirty-eight percent will attend classes in buildings that have been reinforced. Around 28.4 percent will study in prefabricated classrooms, according to Tu Wentao, the provincial education department head.
Nearly 20,000 students in the worst-hit areas would have to leave their home towns to seek schooling. About 11,000 will study in 16 other cities in Sichuan Province. The remaining will begin classes in 25 other provinces, including Guangdong and Shanghai, he said.
"We will not tolerate a single student dropping out of school because of the disaster and poverty."
The local governments was providing living allowances to those students, he added.
"I have learned how to surf the Internet. It's great to send e-mails to my peers in Beijing," said He Zhongchen, a grade three student at the Guanzhuang Middle School, in a computer room on Sunday.
In total, about 1,400 students began their new term in 53 prefabricated classrooms at the Qingchuan County school on Sunday morning. The school was funded by Procter and Gamble and computer maker Hewlett-Packard.
Source: Xinhua
China legislature member proposes free nursery school for one year
Zhu Yongxin, a member to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress , China's top legislature, has called for nursery schools to be free for at least one year here on Sunday.
"The high fees of some nursery schools have burdened heavily on the parents," the Beijing News quoted him as saying. "Nursery school has become the weakest link of our education chain," said Zhu, also vice chairman of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, one of the country's eight non-communist parties.
In China, nursery schools usually enroll children between three and six years. But many children in rural areas, especially those in the western provinces, failed to enter either because there were no such schools available or because the high tuition deterred their parents.
Zhu's proposal echoed a report of Li Jianguo, vice chairman of the top legislative body, according to the paper.
The majority of the 15.9 million left-behind children in rural areas didn't attend nursery schools, said Li at the newly-concluded session of the top legislature from Sept. 25 to 29.
These children were left at home because their parents or parent were working in cities.
Li also urged governments to invest more in rural education andinstitutions to accommodate such children.
The Ministry of Education was currently working on a regulation to standardize the pricing of nursery schools, the paper said.
Source: Xinhua
"The high fees of some nursery schools have burdened heavily on the parents," the Beijing News quoted him as saying. "Nursery school has become the weakest link of our education chain," said Zhu, also vice chairman of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, one of the country's eight non-communist parties.
In China, nursery schools usually enroll children between three and six years. But many children in rural areas, especially those in the western provinces, failed to enter either because there were no such schools available or because the high tuition deterred their parents.
Zhu's proposal echoed a report of Li Jianguo, vice chairman of the top legislative body, according to the paper.
The majority of the 15.9 million left-behind children in rural areas didn't attend nursery schools, said Li at the newly-concluded session of the top legislature from Sept. 25 to 29.
These children were left at home because their parents or parent were working in cities.
Li also urged governments to invest more in rural education andinstitutions to accommodate such children.
The Ministry of Education was currently working on a regulation to standardize the pricing of nursery schools, the paper said.
Source: Xinhua
China to produce world's fastest bullet train
China will produce the world's fastest bullet train for the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway, a senior railway official has said.
Zhang Shuguang, deputy chief engineer with the Ministry of Railways, said the domestically developed train will run at 380 kph, the highest speed for any railway in the world.
The first intercity train between Beijng and Tianjin departs from Beijing South Railway Station for Tianjin, Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 1, 2008.China will produce the world's fastest bullet train for the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway, a senior railway official has said.
And if the project materializes, the travel time between the two metropolises will be cut from five to around four hours, enhancing the rail network's competitive edge against airlines, he said.
Previously, China planned to run trains at 350 kph on the 1,318-km Beijing-Shanghai line, the same speed as on the Beijing-Tianjin intercity passenger railway that opened a month ago.
And the travel time is estimated at five hours, about half of the current time. Manufacturing 380-kph trains in China is already possible in terms of technology, he said.
China has established a comprehensive system for bullet train manufacturing, including basic theory, design, manufacture, maintenance and appraisal, he said.
In the past few years, China has imported technology to manufacture 200-250 kph bullet trains from France, Japan and Canada, and German engineering giant Siemens agreed to transfer a full set of technology for manufacturing 350-kph trains.
Using Siemens' technology, Tangshan Railway Vehicles Co Ltd in Hebei province has started production of CRH-3, a jointly designed 350-kph train, and is expected to be able to manufacture 50 such trains by next year.
China has also fostered an experienced team through the previous six speed-up campaigns and the building of the nation's first high-speed railway between Beijing and Tianjin, he said.
"We have mastered core technologies in terms of manufacturing high-speed trains and made innovative achievements in the process," he said.
"It is possible that we can start to manufacture 380-kph trains in two years' time, and put them into service on the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway," he said.
Construction of the railway is progressing smoothly, according to He Huawu, the ministry's chief engineer.
It is likely that the high-speed line can be finished within four years, and become operational in 2012, one year ahead of schedule.
Source: China Daily
Zhang Shuguang, deputy chief engineer with the Ministry of Railways, said the domestically developed train will run at 380 kph, the highest speed for any railway in the world.
The first intercity train between Beijng and Tianjin departs from Beijing South Railway Station for Tianjin, Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 1, 2008.China will produce the world's fastest bullet train for the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway, a senior railway official has said.
And if the project materializes, the travel time between the two metropolises will be cut from five to around four hours, enhancing the rail network's competitive edge against airlines, he said.
Previously, China planned to run trains at 350 kph on the 1,318-km Beijing-Shanghai line, the same speed as on the Beijing-Tianjin intercity passenger railway that opened a month ago.
And the travel time is estimated at five hours, about half of the current time. Manufacturing 380-kph trains in China is already possible in terms of technology, he said.
China has established a comprehensive system for bullet train manufacturing, including basic theory, design, manufacture, maintenance and appraisal, he said.
In the past few years, China has imported technology to manufacture 200-250 kph bullet trains from France, Japan and Canada, and German engineering giant Siemens agreed to transfer a full set of technology for manufacturing 350-kph trains.
Using Siemens' technology, Tangshan Railway Vehicles Co Ltd in Hebei province has started production of CRH-3, a jointly designed 350-kph train, and is expected to be able to manufacture 50 such trains by next year.
China has also fostered an experienced team through the previous six speed-up campaigns and the building of the nation's first high-speed railway between Beijing and Tianjin, he said.
"We have mastered core technologies in terms of manufacturing high-speed trains and made innovative achievements in the process," he said.
"It is possible that we can start to manufacture 380-kph trains in two years' time, and put them into service on the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway," he said.
Construction of the railway is progressing smoothly, according to He Huawu, the ministry's chief engineer.
It is likely that the high-speed line can be finished within four years, and become operational in 2012, one year ahead of schedule.
Source: China Daily
Senior CPC official meets Nepali Congress party delegation
Wang Gang, a senior official of the Communist Party of China , on Monday met in Beijing with a delegation of the Nepali Congress party headed by its vice president, Prakash Man Singh.
In their talks in the Great Hall of the People, Wang noted that this was the first visit to China by the Nepali Congress party since Nepal became a republic in May.
Wang said the talks would play a positive role in promoting bilateral relations.
The CPC and the Nepali Congress party have kept up frequent exchanges and deepened their mutual understanding since the two parties forged official ties in 1992, said Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and also vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Wang said the CPC highly appreciated the Nepali Congress party's friendly policy toward China and would like to enhance communication and cooperation with it to make further contributions to long-term and steady development of China-Nepal good neighborly partnership.
Wang also briefed Singh on China's economic and social development, the Beijing Olympics and other topics.
Singh said Nepal appreciated the assistance China has given to Nepal in the areas of infrastructure, health and other fields.
Prior to their visit to Beijing, Singh and his delegation had traveled to China's financial hub Shanghai.
Source:Xinhua
In their talks in the Great Hall of the People, Wang noted that this was the first visit to China by the Nepali Congress party since Nepal became a republic in May.
Wang said the talks would play a positive role in promoting bilateral relations.
The CPC and the Nepali Congress party have kept up frequent exchanges and deepened their mutual understanding since the two parties forged official ties in 1992, said Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and also vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Wang said the CPC highly appreciated the Nepali Congress party's friendly policy toward China and would like to enhance communication and cooperation with it to make further contributions to long-term and steady development of China-Nepal good neighborly partnership.
Wang also briefed Singh on China's economic and social development, the Beijing Olympics and other topics.
Singh said Nepal appreciated the assistance China has given to Nepal in the areas of infrastructure, health and other fields.
Prior to their visit to Beijing, Singh and his delegation had traveled to China's financial hub Shanghai.
Source:Xinhua
New school term put on hold in latest quake-hit Chinese regions
Schooling in some southwestern regions hit by Saturday's earthquake was suspended for seven days on Monday, the start of a new term for the country's primary and middle schools.
The municipal government of Panzhihua, Sichuan Province, one of the hard-hit areas in the 6.1-magnitude tremor that killed at least 38 people in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, announced Monday that schools and kindergartens will not open for a further seven days.
"School buildings suffered damage. A strict safety overhaul will be held on all schools, and the new term will begin on Sept. 8," said the government.
There are nearly 500 kindergartens, primary and middle schools in Panzhihua, for 150,000 students, said Shen Zhiqiang, an official with the city's educational bureau.
Huili county, the worst-hit area reporting 25 deaths so far, postponed the school opening to Saturday as 20 percent of its school buildings were damaged, according to Li Meihua, head of the county's educational bureau.
The quake affected 153 of the 290 primary and middle schools in the county, causing damage to 2,520 school houses and incurring 140 million yuan in economic loss, Li said.
The local authorities were trying all out to repair destroyed facilities and establish tent schools for the new term and rearranging the timetable.
In Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Chuxiong, Yunnan, more than 18,800 students of 154 schools were not able to go to school after some 4,400 rooms in schools were destroyed or collapsed in the quake.
Some of them are expected to resume class in three days as workers are busy setting up tent schools or makeshift classrooms.
The prefecture reports about 420,000 school-aged children and more than 400,000 of them went to school Monday in unaffected areas.
The quake occurred Saturday afternoon, killing at least 38 people in Panzhihua and Huili in Sichuan and six others in the neighboring Yunnan so far.
Source:Xinhua
The municipal government of Panzhihua, Sichuan Province, one of the hard-hit areas in the 6.1-magnitude tremor that killed at least 38 people in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, announced Monday that schools and kindergartens will not open for a further seven days.
"School buildings suffered damage. A strict safety overhaul will be held on all schools, and the new term will begin on Sept. 8," said the government.
There are nearly 500 kindergartens, primary and middle schools in Panzhihua, for 150,000 students, said Shen Zhiqiang, an official with the city's educational bureau.
Huili county, the worst-hit area reporting 25 deaths so far, postponed the school opening to Saturday as 20 percent of its school buildings were damaged, according to Li Meihua, head of the county's educational bureau.
The quake affected 153 of the 290 primary and middle schools in the county, causing damage to 2,520 school houses and incurring 140 million yuan in economic loss, Li said.
The local authorities were trying all out to repair destroyed facilities and establish tent schools for the new term and rearranging the timetable.
In Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Chuxiong, Yunnan, more than 18,800 students of 154 schools were not able to go to school after some 4,400 rooms in schools were destroyed or collapsed in the quake.
Some of them are expected to resume class in three days as workers are busy setting up tent schools or makeshift classrooms.
The prefecture reports about 420,000 school-aged children and more than 400,000 of them went to school Monday in unaffected areas.
The quake occurred Saturday afternoon, killing at least 38 people in Panzhihua and Huili in Sichuan and six others in the neighboring Yunnan so far.
Source:Xinhua
Tourists returning to China from Thailand as protests continue
The first group of 15 Chinese tourists who were stranded on Thailand's Phuket Island after anti-government protests closed down the airport returned to China on Monday morning.
They arrived here at 6 a.m. after being trapped for two days. Protests closed down three airports in southern Thailand last week: Phuket, Hat Yai and Krabi. The airports re-opened on Sunday.
Chen Jianqiu, a manager with China International Travel Service, which arranged the tourists' trip to Phuket, said all members of the tour groups had returned to China, and tourists with other travel agencies were flying back as well.
More than 300 Chinese tourists had been stranded on Phuket.
A tourist surnamed Wang said they were safe in Thailand and their time there wasn't much affected by the protest.
Travel agencies said they would be very cautious about sending travel groups to Thailand in the short term.
Source:Xinhua
They arrived here at 6 a.m. after being trapped for two days. Protests closed down three airports in southern Thailand last week: Phuket, Hat Yai and Krabi. The airports re-opened on Sunday.
Chen Jianqiu, a manager with China International Travel Service, which arranged the tourists' trip to Phuket, said all members of the tour groups had returned to China, and tourists with other travel agencies were flying back as well.
More than 300 Chinese tourists had been stranded on Phuket.
A tourist surnamed Wang said they were safe in Thailand and their time there wasn't much affected by the protest.
Travel agencies said they would be very cautious about sending travel groups to Thailand in the short term.
Source:Xinhua
Beijing rules out post-Games livability setback, despite challenges ahead
As the Chinese capital hosts its second extravaganza, the Paralympics, less than a month after the Olympic Games, local authorities admit their promise of a "New Beijing, Great Olympics" is only half complete.
An implication of the slogan, barely noticed by the world since its proposal seven years ago, as deputy chief Tan Zhimin of the Beijing City Building Headquarter Office for 2008 revealed to Xinhua, was that the "Great Olympics" had been conceived as a way to lead to the "New Beijing."
"It is impossible and will not be allowed should the city go backward in livability because citizen expectations are already driven up by the Olympics and the demand for further social and economic development."
In 2005, Tan's office was entrusted by the Beijing Municipal government to orchestrate a city facelift. This involved coordinating more than 20 governmental departments in time for the sporting spectacular that was being hosted by the Chinese people for the first time.
Tan said the government would continue to explore and experience the inconveniences plaguing the public after the Olympics and work on the imperfections with circumspection.
Calling citizens "the source of city vitality," he said the goal of a more livable Beijing could not be realized without respecting the opinions of citizens.
From subsistence, entertainment, recreation to transport, a raft of issues needed to be tackled. These included air quality, transport, garbage and sewage disposal facilities, as well as green space and emergency shelters in case of severe natural disasters, he said.
Though detailed measures were yet to be released by the municipal government, Tan said the "New Beijing" theme would run through the tenure of the current government headed by mayor Guo Jinlong.
"We knew this is a long-term task. That's why we seek a permanent cure rather than symptomatic relief in preparations for the Olympics."
LESS RED TAPE
For deputy manager Lin Zhiwei of the environmental construction coordination department of the headquarter office, the charm of the Olympics is not in "its grandiosity" but "its parallel to force majeure."
As governments, both at the central and municipal levels, have summoned all resources available to honor the promise of a "Great Olympics," even grassroots governmental staffers were aware the Olympics-related work stood at the top of the daily agenda. "This has turned the Olympics into a giant impetus to end buck-passing culture and curb red-tape bureaucracy," Lin said.
On Yuegezhuang Bridge, across the Fourth Ring Road in western Beijing, the dangerous but frequent sight of hawkers moving between stopped automobiles to distribute advertising leaflets finally disappeared several months ahead of the Olympics.
Shadow boxing has long been played. The parapolice, responsible for illegal business on the streets, refused to handle it in the first place, arguing it happened on trunk roads where traffic police were posted.
Traffic police took over the enforcement only to bite their nails after failing to find any legal basis to penalize the hawkers. Recognizing some of these distributors of business cards,flyers, maps and driving accessories, among others, were minors, they kicked the ball to the civil service departments who acknowledged their duty to take care of those under-aged. But theyalso asserted their jurisdiction was confined only to relief stations.
The real reason behind the nonfeasance by the parapolice, Lin noted, was that enforcing laws on highways risked triggering car accidents, which might have injured or killed the hawkers and in turn, brought trouble to the law enforcers.
Following a field survey and mediation that took months, Lin and his team figured out a solution where police officers would remove the hawkers away from the traffic first. Parapolice would then step in to issue fines for adults or to escort minors to relief stations run by civil service agencies.
To cut red-tape bureaucracy, the headquarter office also drafted dozens of rules to tackle grey areas. These included highway leafleting and clarifying the duties of different departments in the city facelift, ranging from environmental protection, Hutong refurbishment, greening, street make-over to the setting of public facilities on sidewalks.
All approved by local legislatures, the rules have significantly slashed the administrative costs from "one case, one meeting," said Professor Wang Wei of the China National School of Administration. He foresaw a ripple effect from the Olympics on the country's governmental institution reform.
"After seven years of preparations, most governmental departments felt it a mission impossible to build the 'New Beijing' without support from other departments," Wang said. "They recognized the significance of cooperation and came to know the good of it."
Framed under the planned economy abandoned 30 years ago, the Chinese administrative managing system, though having undergone constant adjustment, was still being diagnosed as micro-managing the economy. There was low efficiency from overlapping responsibilities or power not being matched by responsibilities, and public services ridden by departmental interests.
Recognizing the headquarter office as a "test run" for the country's giant department organization reform at the local level, Professor Wang said if the Beijing Municipality had the guts to push forward the reform for a local government offering better and more efficient public services in seven to eight years, locals would reap a precious legacy from the Olympics.
MORE THAN FACE-CONCERNED
For first-time visitors to Beijing, what undoubtedly caught their eye was the gorgeous Olympic venues, such as the Bird's Nest National Stadium and raft of new high-rises. For locals and others familiar with the city, however, more subtle changes came from renovated airports and railway stations, shopping districts, roads to the Olympic Village and venues and residential buildings facing the streets.
Fully aware these projects had been interpreted as "face-saving projects" by the public, planner Tan admitted the Chinese were indeed face-concerned. "When it comes to the Olympic preparations and the building of a 'New Beijing,' however, it's more than a matter of face-saving."
Tan said the municipality hoped to use the Olympic opportunity to benefit local residents. In total, residents in 171 "villages" within Beijing's Fourth Ring Road moved out of the seedy areas and got better accommodations. This involved more than 6.97 million square meters and cost the government 15.5 billion yuan .
"We don't want the public to sacrifice for the Olympics, it's never our intention," he said.
Before the removal, it was a common sight for families of three generations to live under one crowded roof, with no shower at home and the restroom several minutes' walk away. Now, at new residences away from their former home site, the elders can use their own toilets while kids can read in their own bedrooms.
There were other residents who didn't need to move. In 600 hutongs or alleys inside the Second Ring Road, all apartments have been refurbished, the walls and doors renovated in the style of early last century. Even roads were repaved.
Song Xiulan who had been living in the Shoushuihe hutong in Xicheng District for more than 40 years couldn't recognize her home. Pointing at her apartment equipped with new kitchenware and floor, she said it was the Olympics that brought her the "good fortune."
"Look at the glowing faces of Beijingers on the streets. The vigor comes from the bottom of their heart and their confidence of their life getting better," said academic Wang. He identified the rising awareness of the public in city building and environment as another precious legacy of the Games.
Soon after the closure of the Olympics, more than 400,000 Beijingers joined an online discussion about whether to keep a pre-Games car ban. Nearly half supported a permanent car restriction -- an alternating odd-even license plate system from July 20. Others, mostly car owners, understandably opposed.
Another random survey released by the headquarter office revealed 21 percent of the 6,009 polled households were still unsatisfied with the city's livability in the second quarter, the lowest response since the survey was launched a year earlier.
They expected the government to solve problems such as construction noise at night, unlicensed businesses, illegitimate construction, open-air barbecues and leafleting. Garbage collection, street cleaning and public restroom maintenance, however, were viewed as "improving a lot."
"Without the participation and understanding of the citizens, the New Beijing dream would be utopia," Tan said. "The municipality should seize on the legacies left by the Olympics on its management system and the public to march forward."
Source:Xinhua
An implication of the slogan, barely noticed by the world since its proposal seven years ago, as deputy chief Tan Zhimin of the Beijing City Building Headquarter Office for 2008 revealed to Xinhua, was that the "Great Olympics" had been conceived as a way to lead to the "New Beijing."
"It is impossible and will not be allowed should the city go backward in livability because citizen expectations are already driven up by the Olympics and the demand for further social and economic development."
In 2005, Tan's office was entrusted by the Beijing Municipal government to orchestrate a city facelift. This involved coordinating more than 20 governmental departments in time for the sporting spectacular that was being hosted by the Chinese people for the first time.
Tan said the government would continue to explore and experience the inconveniences plaguing the public after the Olympics and work on the imperfections with circumspection.
Calling citizens "the source of city vitality," he said the goal of a more livable Beijing could not be realized without respecting the opinions of citizens.
From subsistence, entertainment, recreation to transport, a raft of issues needed to be tackled. These included air quality, transport, garbage and sewage disposal facilities, as well as green space and emergency shelters in case of severe natural disasters, he said.
Though detailed measures were yet to be released by the municipal government, Tan said the "New Beijing" theme would run through the tenure of the current government headed by mayor Guo Jinlong.
"We knew this is a long-term task. That's why we seek a permanent cure rather than symptomatic relief in preparations for the Olympics."
LESS RED TAPE
For deputy manager Lin Zhiwei of the environmental construction coordination department of the headquarter office, the charm of the Olympics is not in "its grandiosity" but "its parallel to force majeure."
As governments, both at the central and municipal levels, have summoned all resources available to honor the promise of a "Great Olympics," even grassroots governmental staffers were aware the Olympics-related work stood at the top of the daily agenda. "This has turned the Olympics into a giant impetus to end buck-passing culture and curb red-tape bureaucracy," Lin said.
On Yuegezhuang Bridge, across the Fourth Ring Road in western Beijing, the dangerous but frequent sight of hawkers moving between stopped automobiles to distribute advertising leaflets finally disappeared several months ahead of the Olympics.
Shadow boxing has long been played. The parapolice, responsible for illegal business on the streets, refused to handle it in the first place, arguing it happened on trunk roads where traffic police were posted.
Traffic police took over the enforcement only to bite their nails after failing to find any legal basis to penalize the hawkers. Recognizing some of these distributors of business cards,flyers, maps and driving accessories, among others, were minors, they kicked the ball to the civil service departments who acknowledged their duty to take care of those under-aged. But theyalso asserted their jurisdiction was confined only to relief stations.
The real reason behind the nonfeasance by the parapolice, Lin noted, was that enforcing laws on highways risked triggering car accidents, which might have injured or killed the hawkers and in turn, brought trouble to the law enforcers.
Following a field survey and mediation that took months, Lin and his team figured out a solution where police officers would remove the hawkers away from the traffic first. Parapolice would then step in to issue fines for adults or to escort minors to relief stations run by civil service agencies.
To cut red-tape bureaucracy, the headquarter office also drafted dozens of rules to tackle grey areas. These included highway leafleting and clarifying the duties of different departments in the city facelift, ranging from environmental protection, Hutong refurbishment, greening, street make-over to the setting of public facilities on sidewalks.
All approved by local legislatures, the rules have significantly slashed the administrative costs from "one case, one meeting," said Professor Wang Wei of the China National School of Administration. He foresaw a ripple effect from the Olympics on the country's governmental institution reform.
"After seven years of preparations, most governmental departments felt it a mission impossible to build the 'New Beijing' without support from other departments," Wang said. "They recognized the significance of cooperation and came to know the good of it."
Framed under the planned economy abandoned 30 years ago, the Chinese administrative managing system, though having undergone constant adjustment, was still being diagnosed as micro-managing the economy. There was low efficiency from overlapping responsibilities or power not being matched by responsibilities, and public services ridden by departmental interests.
Recognizing the headquarter office as a "test run" for the country's giant department organization reform at the local level, Professor Wang said if the Beijing Municipality had the guts to push forward the reform for a local government offering better and more efficient public services in seven to eight years, locals would reap a precious legacy from the Olympics.
MORE THAN FACE-CONCERNED
For first-time visitors to Beijing, what undoubtedly caught their eye was the gorgeous Olympic venues, such as the Bird's Nest National Stadium and raft of new high-rises. For locals and others familiar with the city, however, more subtle changes came from renovated airports and railway stations, shopping districts, roads to the Olympic Village and venues and residential buildings facing the streets.
Fully aware these projects had been interpreted as "face-saving projects" by the public, planner Tan admitted the Chinese were indeed face-concerned. "When it comes to the Olympic preparations and the building of a 'New Beijing,' however, it's more than a matter of face-saving."
Tan said the municipality hoped to use the Olympic opportunity to benefit local residents. In total, residents in 171 "villages" within Beijing's Fourth Ring Road moved out of the seedy areas and got better accommodations. This involved more than 6.97 million square meters and cost the government 15.5 billion yuan .
"We don't want the public to sacrifice for the Olympics, it's never our intention," he said.
Before the removal, it was a common sight for families of three generations to live under one crowded roof, with no shower at home and the restroom several minutes' walk away. Now, at new residences away from their former home site, the elders can use their own toilets while kids can read in their own bedrooms.
There were other residents who didn't need to move. In 600 hutongs or alleys inside the Second Ring Road, all apartments have been refurbished, the walls and doors renovated in the style of early last century. Even roads were repaved.
Song Xiulan who had been living in the Shoushuihe hutong in Xicheng District for more than 40 years couldn't recognize her home. Pointing at her apartment equipped with new kitchenware and floor, she said it was the Olympics that brought her the "good fortune."
"Look at the glowing faces of Beijingers on the streets. The vigor comes from the bottom of their heart and their confidence of their life getting better," said academic Wang. He identified the rising awareness of the public in city building and environment as another precious legacy of the Games.
Soon after the closure of the Olympics, more than 400,000 Beijingers joined an online discussion about whether to keep a pre-Games car ban. Nearly half supported a permanent car restriction -- an alternating odd-even license plate system from July 20. Others, mostly car owners, understandably opposed.
Another random survey released by the headquarter office revealed 21 percent of the 6,009 polled households were still unsatisfied with the city's livability in the second quarter, the lowest response since the survey was launched a year earlier.
They expected the government to solve problems such as construction noise at night, unlicensed businesses, illegitimate construction, open-air barbecues and leafleting. Garbage collection, street cleaning and public restroom maintenance, however, were viewed as "improving a lot."
"Without the participation and understanding of the citizens, the New Beijing dream would be utopia," Tan said. "The municipality should seize on the legacies left by the Olympics on its management system and the public to march forward."
Source:Xinhua
Shenzhen plans to build 6 new ports
The southern city will accelerate its integration with Hong Kong with the construction of another six ports linking it with the special administrative region.
Cao Shaoye, director of Shenzhen Port Office, was quoted by Hong Kong-based newspaper Ta Kung Pao as saying that the scheme had received initial backing from the National Development and Reform Commission and concrete construction plans are under deliberation.
According to the newspaper, the six ports to be constructed are Liantang Port, Longhua Railway Port, Fujian Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Passengers Port, Dachan Gulf Harbor Port, Nan'ao Tourists Port and a port connecting the airports in Shenzhen and Hong Kong via an undersea tunnel. The ports will link Shenzhen and Hong Kong by land, sea and rail.
Meanwhile, Shenzhen will renew and expand Wenjindu Port in the wake of the work to renovate Huanggang Port.
Work at Wenjindu Port will be launched by the end of the year, with its planned capacity for customs clearance set at 3,000 vehicles and 30,000 passengers a day as compared to the present 1,100 vehicles and 9,000 passengers.
Huanggang Port, work on which started last March, is scheduled for completion in the first half of next year.
"With existing ports being expanded and new ports in service, the population flow will become seamless between Shenzhen and Hong Kong in the foreseeable future," added Li Yan, a deputy section director of Shenzhen Port Office.
According to Li, Shenzhen's long-term plan is to set up 20 ports linking it with Hong Kong. He did not disclose further information about the schedule for the construction of the additional ports.
Source: China Daily
Cao Shaoye, director of Shenzhen Port Office, was quoted by Hong Kong-based newspaper Ta Kung Pao as saying that the scheme had received initial backing from the National Development and Reform Commission and concrete construction plans are under deliberation.
According to the newspaper, the six ports to be constructed are Liantang Port, Longhua Railway Port, Fujian Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Passengers Port, Dachan Gulf Harbor Port, Nan'ao Tourists Port and a port connecting the airports in Shenzhen and Hong Kong via an undersea tunnel. The ports will link Shenzhen and Hong Kong by land, sea and rail.
Meanwhile, Shenzhen will renew and expand Wenjindu Port in the wake of the work to renovate Huanggang Port.
Work at Wenjindu Port will be launched by the end of the year, with its planned capacity for customs clearance set at 3,000 vehicles and 30,000 passengers a day as compared to the present 1,100 vehicles and 9,000 passengers.
Huanggang Port, work on which started last March, is scheduled for completion in the first half of next year.
"With existing ports being expanded and new ports in service, the population flow will become seamless between Shenzhen and Hong Kong in the foreseeable future," added Li Yan, a deputy section director of Shenzhen Port Office.
According to Li, Shenzhen's long-term plan is to set up 20 ports linking it with Hong Kong. He did not disclose further information about the schedule for the construction of the additional ports.
Source: China Daily
China Union Pay, Singapore's DBS Bank sign deal to expand CUP card services
China-based electronic payment operator China Union Pay and Singapore's DBS Bank signed a deal in Singapore on Monday, allowing 1.6 billion Chinese CUP cardholders the convenience of using their credit and debit cards at more retail outlets in Singapore.
With this strategic alliance, DBS said it can now offer the full suite of CUP card products and related services in markets it operates in, including China and Indonesia. This covers debit and credit card issuance, CUP card acceptance at DBS point-of sales terminals and CUP card acceptance for cash withdrawal at all DBS's ATMs regionally.
At present, CUP cardholders already can withdraw cash at more than 950 DBS ATMs in Singapore and Hong Kong through an initiative launched last April. CUP cars are also accepted at DBS POS terminals in Macao and Hong Kong.
Kicking of the DBS' CUP merchant card acceptance program here on Monday is Singapore's largest department store, Takashimaya Department Store, which is also one of Chinese tourists' favorite shopping destinations.
DBS said it would take some time for all its thousands current merchant partners in Singapore to sign up to the new CUP payment service.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Cai Jianbo, the Chinese electronic payment company's first executive vice president, said, "Through this collaboration with DBS, shopping and dining will nowbe much convenient for Chinese tourists, as well as the growing number of Chinese expatriates and students residing here."
Rajan Raju, managing director and head of consumer banking group of DBS, said, "The signing of this memorandum of understand underscores DBS's commitment to strengthen our product and service offerings to Chinese both at home and away. It reinforces our focus in Asia, especially Greater China, and leverages on our existing regional networks."
About 1.1 million Chinese tourists visited Singapore in 2007, a29 percent increase from 2005's number of 850,000. Their total spending increased by almost 50 percent over the same period to 934 million Singapore dollars last year.
Source:Xinhua
With this strategic alliance, DBS said it can now offer the full suite of CUP card products and related services in markets it operates in, including China and Indonesia. This covers debit and credit card issuance, CUP card acceptance at DBS point-of sales terminals and CUP card acceptance for cash withdrawal at all DBS's ATMs regionally.
At present, CUP cardholders already can withdraw cash at more than 950 DBS ATMs in Singapore and Hong Kong through an initiative launched last April. CUP cars are also accepted at DBS POS terminals in Macao and Hong Kong.
Kicking of the DBS' CUP merchant card acceptance program here on Monday is Singapore's largest department store, Takashimaya Department Store, which is also one of Chinese tourists' favorite shopping destinations.
DBS said it would take some time for all its thousands current merchant partners in Singapore to sign up to the new CUP payment service.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Cai Jianbo, the Chinese electronic payment company's first executive vice president, said, "Through this collaboration with DBS, shopping and dining will nowbe much convenient for Chinese tourists, as well as the growing number of Chinese expatriates and students residing here."
Rajan Raju, managing director and head of consumer banking group of DBS, said, "The signing of this memorandum of understand underscores DBS's commitment to strengthen our product and service offerings to Chinese both at home and away. It reinforces our focus in Asia, especially Greater China, and leverages on our existing regional networks."
About 1.1 million Chinese tourists visited Singapore in 2007, a29 percent increase from 2005's number of 850,000. Their total spending increased by almost 50 percent over the same period to 934 million Singapore dollars last year.
Source:Xinhua
Chinese shares fall on corporate profit concern
Chinese equities fell on Monday as the hopes of investors for market-boosting measures over the weekend failed to materialize and concerns about listed companies' profitability increased.
The Shanghai Composite Index was down 72.23 points, or 3.01 percent, to 2,325.14. The key index has tumbled more than 55 percent this year.
In Shenzhen, the market shed 3.99 percent, or 319.01 points, to close at 7,685.24. Aggregate turnover shrank to 43.3 billion yuan from 56.7 billion yuan the previous trading day.
Losses outnumbered gains by 673-141 in Shanghai and 613-74 in Shenzhen.
Source:Xinhua
The Shanghai Composite Index was down 72.23 points, or 3.01 percent, to 2,325.14. The key index has tumbled more than 55 percent this year.
In Shenzhen, the market shed 3.99 percent, or 319.01 points, to close at 7,685.24. Aggregate turnover shrank to 43.3 billion yuan from 56.7 billion yuan the previous trading day.
Losses outnumbered gains by 673-141 in Shanghai and 613-74 in Shenzhen.
Source:Xinhua
Hong Kong's retail sales value grows 13.8% in July
Total retail sales value in Hong Kong in July surged 13.8 percent to 24.2 billion HK dollars year on year, revealed the Census and Statistics Department's latest statistics released Monday.
After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the total retail sales volume rose by only 6.6 percent, according to the department.
The department said the stay-home effect and weaker inbound tourism during the Beijing Olympics may have affected the local retail market in August while an uncertain global economy and the less robust stock market also may have affected consumer sentiments.
However, the department said firm labor market conditions and the expected rebound in inbound tourism after the temporary fall- off should support the retail business.
Analyzed by type of retail outlet, the sales volume of electrical goods and photographic equipment led the growth by surging 22.2 percent from the same month of last year.
Electrical goods and photographic equipment's growth was followed by sales of motor vehicles and parts ; fuels ; furniture and fixtures ; miscellaneous consumer goods ; commodities in department stores ; miscellaneous consumer durable goods ; wearing apparel ; and footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories .
The sales volume of food, alcohol and tobacco dropped 3.1 percent year on year, while that of supermarket commodities fell 1. 4 percent. The sales volume of jewelry, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts also dipped 0.8 percent.
Taking the first seven months of 2008 together, total retail sales rose 15.6 percent in value or 8.9 percent in volume over a year earlier, according to the department.
Source:Xinhua
After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the total retail sales volume rose by only 6.6 percent, according to the department.
The department said the stay-home effect and weaker inbound tourism during the Beijing Olympics may have affected the local retail market in August while an uncertain global economy and the less robust stock market also may have affected consumer sentiments.
However, the department said firm labor market conditions and the expected rebound in inbound tourism after the temporary fall- off should support the retail business.
Analyzed by type of retail outlet, the sales volume of electrical goods and photographic equipment led the growth by surging 22.2 percent from the same month of last year.
Electrical goods and photographic equipment's growth was followed by sales of motor vehicles and parts ; fuels ; furniture and fixtures ; miscellaneous consumer goods ; commodities in department stores ; miscellaneous consumer durable goods ; wearing apparel ; and footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories .
The sales volume of food, alcohol and tobacco dropped 3.1 percent year on year, while that of supermarket commodities fell 1. 4 percent. The sales volume of jewelry, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts also dipped 0.8 percent.
Taking the first seven months of 2008 together, total retail sales rose 15.6 percent in value or 8.9 percent in volume over a year earlier, according to the department.
Source:Xinhua
Slower 1H profit growth for listed Chinese firms
The profit growth of China's listed companies dropped sharply in the first half, a result of economic slowdown and a weak domestic stock market.
China Securities News reported on Monday the sales revenue of the listed companies amounted to 5.65 trillion yuan in the January-June period, a rise of 27.98 percent year on year. The net profit totaled 553.3 billion yuan, up 16.04 percent compared with a year-earlier growth rate of 70 percent.
The newspaper cited figures generated from the interim statements released by 1,619 listed companies by Aug 30.
Analysts said profits were affected by an economic slowdown and a weak domestic stock market, while last year's results were boosted by a bullish equity market. The stock market has declined by more than half since its peak last fall.
The top-10 companies, including six financial heavyweights contributed 52.6 percent of the profits. Electronic, telecom and food and beverage enterprises experienced more than a 50 percent rise in earnings on average.
Companies in power supply, oil and gas, insurance, furniture and paper making were plagued by loss.
Operating cash flow of the companies contracted sharply as 631 companies saw negative inflow and 762 firms had a cash flow decline.
Operating cash flow per share dropped 45.45 percent to 0.3 yuan.
The nation saw a 10.4 percent rise of gross domestic product in the first half. This was 1.8 percentage points lower than the same period last year, amid slowing world economic activity and domestic policies intended to cool China's economy.
About 10 percent of the companies had yet to release interim reports. In addition, 580 listed firms forecast their performance growth for the first three quarters, with net profit predicted to total 107.35 billion yuan, 22.78 percent more than a year ago.
Source:Xinhua
China Securities News reported on Monday the sales revenue of the listed companies amounted to 5.65 trillion yuan in the January-June period, a rise of 27.98 percent year on year. The net profit totaled 553.3 billion yuan, up 16.04 percent compared with a year-earlier growth rate of 70 percent.
The newspaper cited figures generated from the interim statements released by 1,619 listed companies by Aug 30.
Analysts said profits were affected by an economic slowdown and a weak domestic stock market, while last year's results were boosted by a bullish equity market. The stock market has declined by more than half since its peak last fall.
The top-10 companies, including six financial heavyweights contributed 52.6 percent of the profits. Electronic, telecom and food and beverage enterprises experienced more than a 50 percent rise in earnings on average.
Companies in power supply, oil and gas, insurance, furniture and paper making were plagued by loss.
Operating cash flow of the companies contracted sharply as 631 companies saw negative inflow and 762 firms had a cash flow decline.
Operating cash flow per share dropped 45.45 percent to 0.3 yuan.
The nation saw a 10.4 percent rise of gross domestic product in the first half. This was 1.8 percentage points lower than the same period last year, amid slowing world economic activity and domestic policies intended to cool China's economy.
About 10 percent of the companies had yet to release interim reports. In addition, 580 listed firms forecast their performance growth for the first three quarters, with net profit predicted to total 107.35 billion yuan, 22.78 percent more than a year ago.
Source:Xinhua
Hong Kong stocks slump 1.67%
Hong Kong stocks tracked Wall Street's huge losses on the weekend to close 1.67 percent lower on Monday.
The benchmark Hang Seng Index fell 262.57 points, or 1.23 percent, to open at 20,999.32 and floated between the day's highest 21,21,031.08 and the day's lowest 20,844.15 before closing at 20,906.31.
Turnover fell sharply to 41.1 billion HK dollars from Friday's 63.44 billion HK dollars as market sentiment remained weak.
Among 43 components of the Hang Seng Index, declining shares outnumbered advancers 39 to 4.
Market heavyweight HSBC, which accounts for the largest weighting of the Hang Seng Index, lost 1.46 percent to 121.7 HK dollars, dragging the index by 50.22 points alone.
China Mobile, the largest stock measured by market capitalization, weakened 2.34 percent to 87.5 HK dollars, downing the index by 54.26 points.
Wharf, Hong Kong's largest property leasing company outperformed the entire market by adding 0.88 percent to 28.75 HK dollars. HK Electric, the city's utilities company, edged up 0.5 percent to 50 HK dollars. China's largest Internet and on-line gaming company Tecent and the country's largest alumina producer CHALCO were two other out performers, up 0.75 percent to 67.5 HK dollars and 1.14 percent to 7.1 HK dollars respectively.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, the market's sole operator, dropped 1.96 percent to 100 HK dollars.
Local property companies in Hong Kong all fell on Monday. Cheung Kong, one of Hong Kong largest house developers controlled by tycoon Li Ka-shing, shed 0.89 percent to 111.2 HK dollars. SHK Property, the largest house developer in Hong Kong, lost 1.02 percent to 106.5 HK dollars. New World Development slumped 4.17 percent to 11.5 HK dollars. Sino Land weakened 2.32 percent to 13.5 HK dollars. Henderson Land dropped 1.58 percent to 46.75 HK dollars. Hang Lung Property fell 3.2 percent to 24.2 HK dollars.
China Enterprise Index, or H-shares composed of companies registered in the Chinese mainland, went down 225.55 points, or 1.93 percent, to 11,438.88 as stock markets in the Chinese mainland were still weak.
Energy companies were lower. PetroChina, or the country's largest oil producer, fell 1.59 percent to 9.88 HK dollars. Sinopec, Asia's largest oil refiner, went down 2.93 percent to 7.3HK dollars. CNOOC, China's largest offshore oil producer, dipped 0. 5 percent to 12 HK dollars.
China's banks and insurance companies listed in Hong Kong all retreated. ICBC, China's largest lender, slid 0.74 percent to 5.37HK dollars. Bank of China, the country's second largest bank, fell1.77 percent to 3.33 HK dollars. China Construction Bank lost 1.88percent to 6.28 HK dollars. Bank of Communications shed 1.65 percent to 8.92 HK dollars. China Merchants Bank weakened 1.71 percent to 25.95 HK dollars.
China Life, the country's largest insurer, also lost 2.01 percent to 29.25 HK dollars. Ping An, the second largest insurance company, moved down 1.21 percent to 57 HK dollars.
Source:Xinhua
The benchmark Hang Seng Index fell 262.57 points, or 1.23 percent, to open at 20,999.32 and floated between the day's highest 21,21,031.08 and the day's lowest 20,844.15 before closing at 20,906.31.
Turnover fell sharply to 41.1 billion HK dollars from Friday's 63.44 billion HK dollars as market sentiment remained weak.
Among 43 components of the Hang Seng Index, declining shares outnumbered advancers 39 to 4.
Market heavyweight HSBC, which accounts for the largest weighting of the Hang Seng Index, lost 1.46 percent to 121.7 HK dollars, dragging the index by 50.22 points alone.
China Mobile, the largest stock measured by market capitalization, weakened 2.34 percent to 87.5 HK dollars, downing the index by 54.26 points.
Wharf, Hong Kong's largest property leasing company outperformed the entire market by adding 0.88 percent to 28.75 HK dollars. HK Electric, the city's utilities company, edged up 0.5 percent to 50 HK dollars. China's largest Internet and on-line gaming company Tecent and the country's largest alumina producer CHALCO were two other out performers, up 0.75 percent to 67.5 HK dollars and 1.14 percent to 7.1 HK dollars respectively.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, the market's sole operator, dropped 1.96 percent to 100 HK dollars.
Local property companies in Hong Kong all fell on Monday. Cheung Kong, one of Hong Kong largest house developers controlled by tycoon Li Ka-shing, shed 0.89 percent to 111.2 HK dollars. SHK Property, the largest house developer in Hong Kong, lost 1.02 percent to 106.5 HK dollars. New World Development slumped 4.17 percent to 11.5 HK dollars. Sino Land weakened 2.32 percent to 13.5 HK dollars. Henderson Land dropped 1.58 percent to 46.75 HK dollars. Hang Lung Property fell 3.2 percent to 24.2 HK dollars.
China Enterprise Index, or H-shares composed of companies registered in the Chinese mainland, went down 225.55 points, or 1.93 percent, to 11,438.88 as stock markets in the Chinese mainland were still weak.
Energy companies were lower. PetroChina, or the country's largest oil producer, fell 1.59 percent to 9.88 HK dollars. Sinopec, Asia's largest oil refiner, went down 2.93 percent to 7.3HK dollars. CNOOC, China's largest offshore oil producer, dipped 0. 5 percent to 12 HK dollars.
China's banks and insurance companies listed in Hong Kong all retreated. ICBC, China's largest lender, slid 0.74 percent to 5.37HK dollars. Bank of China, the country's second largest bank, fell1.77 percent to 3.33 HK dollars. China Construction Bank lost 1.88percent to 6.28 HK dollars. Bank of Communications shed 1.65 percent to 8.92 HK dollars. China Merchants Bank weakened 1.71 percent to 25.95 HK dollars.
China Life, the country's largest insurer, also lost 2.01 percent to 29.25 HK dollars. Ping An, the second largest insurance company, moved down 1.21 percent to 57 HK dollars.
Source:Xinhua
Athletes get red-carpet welcomein village
The Paralympic Village was opened formally on Saturday with the Chinese squad hoisting its flag and moving in.
The Paralympic Village, transformed from the Olympic Village, will play host to more than 7,000 athletes and officials from 148 countries and regions.
Special accessories and facilities have been added to the village to meet the needs of physically challenged athletes, Deng Yaping, village spokeswoman, said.
"Tactile and accessible pavements, as well as other facilities have been added to the village," Deng said.
"The dining tables have been lowered and the passageways enlarged to help provide better access to the athletes. And a wheelchair-traction service by golf carts has been introduced."
Some layouts in the village have been changed too. A part of the dining hall has been altered to keep wheelchairs and the Olympics Casual Diving Hall has been converted into a wheelchair and prosthetic repair center.
All the toilets have special seats, rolls of tissue and toilet paper and bigger trash bags.
About 30 wheelchair accessible coaches will carry the athletes around the venues, and more volunteers will be present to help the participants.
Athletes and officials have praised the facilities. "It's very nice. The apartments, the streets everything is good," said Rubicela Guzman, a Paralympian from Mexico.
Spread over 66 hectares, the village has 42 apartment buildings, a hospital, a bank, places of worship and many shops.
Advanced teams from more than 41 countries and regions had reached Beijing till Saturday.
Village Mayor Chen Zhili told the Chinese delegation: "Your arrival marks the official opening of the village, which is now ready to embrace athletes and officials from around the world."
The Chinese delegation, with 332 athletes and 215 officials, is the country's largest at the Paralympics.
A commemorative wall with the inscription of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in Chinese and English, was also unveiled on Saturday.
The convention was unanimously approved by delegates of the 192 UN members two years ago, and became effective from May 3 this year.
All athletes, officials and visitors to the village can sign their names on the wall, which will be retained as a legacy of the Beijing Paralympic Games.
Source: China Daily
The Paralympic Village, transformed from the Olympic Village, will play host to more than 7,000 athletes and officials from 148 countries and regions.
Special accessories and facilities have been added to the village to meet the needs of physically challenged athletes, Deng Yaping, village spokeswoman, said.
"Tactile and accessible pavements, as well as other facilities have been added to the village," Deng said.
"The dining tables have been lowered and the passageways enlarged to help provide better access to the athletes. And a wheelchair-traction service by golf carts has been introduced."
Some layouts in the village have been changed too. A part of the dining hall has been altered to keep wheelchairs and the Olympics Casual Diving Hall has been converted into a wheelchair and prosthetic repair center.
All the toilets have special seats, rolls of tissue and toilet paper and bigger trash bags.
About 30 wheelchair accessible coaches will carry the athletes around the venues, and more volunteers will be present to help the participants.
Athletes and officials have praised the facilities. "It's very nice. The apartments, the streets everything is good," said Rubicela Guzman, a Paralympian from Mexico.
Spread over 66 hectares, the village has 42 apartment buildings, a hospital, a bank, places of worship and many shops.
Advanced teams from more than 41 countries and regions had reached Beijing till Saturday.
Village Mayor Chen Zhili told the Chinese delegation: "Your arrival marks the official opening of the village, which is now ready to embrace athletes and officials from around the world."
The Chinese delegation, with 332 athletes and 215 officials, is the country's largest at the Paralympics.
A commemorative wall with the inscription of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in Chinese and English, was also unveiled on Saturday.
The convention was unanimously approved by delegates of the 192 UN members two years ago, and became effective from May 3 this year.
All athletes, officials and visitors to the village can sign their names on the wall, which will be retained as a legacy of the Beijing Paralympic Games.
Source: China Daily
Feature: "Mulan" blooms in Vienna State Opera House
When the curtain rose at the prestigious Vienna State Opera House on Saturday evening, blooming magnolia flowers allured the eyes of all the 2,000 viewers, who immediately indulged themselves into the legend of a Chinese girl called Mulan living some 1,500 years ago.
As one of the world's most famous opera houses, it staged " Mulan," a made-in-China opera which is based on the legend, for its European debut.
Mulan, by its literal meaning, is the magnolia flower in Chinese. With the explanation in German at the small LCD screen at the seats, local audience are aware of links between Magnolia flowers and Mulan, the heroine, and they were drawn to the fate ofthe girl.
"Tsiek tsiek and again tsiek tsiek, Mulan weaves, facing the door," members of the Vienna Imperial Philharmonic Choir sang the "Ode of Mulan" in chorus, unveiling the prelude to the four-act opera.
Mulan, played by celebrated Chinese folk singer Peng Liyuan, emerged at the center of the stage in the costume of a girl at home but then changed into a military uniform after she decided tojoin the army in place of her ailing father in the country's anti-intruder efforts.
When Mulan waved good-bye to her parents in tears, some audience also wept, including a gentleman sitting close to the Xinhua reporter.
Mulan and General Liu Shuang, the hero who was played by renowned tenor Dai Yuqiang, fell into love after Mulan revealed her real identity, vowing to pursue their joint aspirations for peace.
The opera thus reached its climax when Magnolia flowers were blooming again at the stage, which drew thunderous applause from the audience.
Performers had to give several curtain calls amid the thunderous applause to extend their thanks to the audience.
Mulan's legendary story and the Chinese artists' marvelous performance have impressed the local audience and struck a sympathetic chord from them.
Andrzej Guzial, a Polish diplomat, was moved by Mulan's story. Though he had never heard about the story before, he said "I love it."
"This is an excellent work," said Vienna-based musician Peter Woells, clapping his hands with no intention to stop.
"Mulan is an old Chinese legend, but the opera interprets the legend in a brand new style, which is very successful," Woells said.
As Saturday is his wife's birthday, Woells said that watching such "excellent work" with his wife was an "excellent birthday gift" for her.
As "Mulan" adopts a new style by integrating traditional Chinese music, songs, dance with symphony and choir, it fascinatedmany local opera lovers.
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" sets a milestone as this is the first time for a Chinese opera to stage at the Vienna State Opera House, one of top three opera houses in the world, said some Chinese critics.
Source: Xinhua
As one of the world's most famous opera houses, it staged " Mulan," a made-in-China opera which is based on the legend, for its European debut.
Mulan, by its literal meaning, is the magnolia flower in Chinese. With the explanation in German at the small LCD screen at the seats, local audience are aware of links between Magnolia flowers and Mulan, the heroine, and they were drawn to the fate ofthe girl.
"Tsiek tsiek and again tsiek tsiek, Mulan weaves, facing the door," members of the Vienna Imperial Philharmonic Choir sang the "Ode of Mulan" in chorus, unveiling the prelude to the four-act opera.
Mulan, played by celebrated Chinese folk singer Peng Liyuan, emerged at the center of the stage in the costume of a girl at home but then changed into a military uniform after she decided tojoin the army in place of her ailing father in the country's anti-intruder efforts.
When Mulan waved good-bye to her parents in tears, some audience also wept, including a gentleman sitting close to the Xinhua reporter.
Mulan and General Liu Shuang, the hero who was played by renowned tenor Dai Yuqiang, fell into love after Mulan revealed her real identity, vowing to pursue their joint aspirations for peace.
The opera thus reached its climax when Magnolia flowers were blooming again at the stage, which drew thunderous applause from the audience.
Performers had to give several curtain calls amid the thunderous applause to extend their thanks to the audience.
Mulan's legendary story and the Chinese artists' marvelous performance have impressed the local audience and struck a sympathetic chord from them.
Andrzej Guzial, a Polish diplomat, was moved by Mulan's story. Though he had never heard about the story before, he said "I love it."
"This is an excellent work," said Vienna-based musician Peter Woells, clapping his hands with no intention to stop.
"Mulan is an old Chinese legend, but the opera interprets the legend in a brand new style, which is very successful," Woells said.
As Saturday is his wife's birthday, Woells said that watching such "excellent work" with his wife was an "excellent birthday gift" for her.
As "Mulan" adopts a new style by integrating traditional Chinese music, songs, dance with symphony and choir, it fascinatedmany local opera lovers.
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" sets a milestone as this is the first time for a Chinese opera to stage at the Vienna State Opera House, one of top three opera houses in the world, said some Chinese critics.
Source: Xinhua
Paralympic licensed products to fill Beijing store shelves
According to reports, since the end of the Olympic Games, Beijing has been preparing to welcome a new batch of athletes and tourists, and will launch many kinds of Paralympic-related information manuals. All licensed product stores will be full of commodities with the theme of the Paralympic Games.
Currently, many domestic and overseas customers are flocking to the flagship Olympic Licensed Product Store in Wangfujing Street to buy the goods. Wang Jian, general manager of this store predicted that as the Paralympic Games approach, customers will further increase. He said that "around the opening of the Paralympics in September, 70 percent of goods will be on the shelves."
According to reports, Paralympics licensed products come in more than 10 categories, including clothing, toys, pens and mugs. These commodities will remain on sale until March 2009.
The main souvenir of this year's Paralympic Games will be various models and textured mascots - "Fu Niu Lele."
By People's Daily Online
Currently, many domestic and overseas customers are flocking to the flagship Olympic Licensed Product Store in Wangfujing Street to buy the goods. Wang Jian, general manager of this store predicted that as the Paralympic Games approach, customers will further increase. He said that "around the opening of the Paralympics in September, 70 percent of goods will be on the shelves."
According to reports, Paralympics licensed products come in more than 10 categories, including clothing, toys, pens and mugs. These commodities will remain on sale until March 2009.
The main souvenir of this year's Paralympic Games will be various models and textured mascots - "Fu Niu Lele."
By People's Daily Online
Cross-strait charter flights 90% full on weekends
The Taiwan civil aviation administration recently announced that the load of the eighth week of cross-strait passenger charter flights rose significantly. The average load from both sides brokethrough 90% for the first time, reaching 92%. The load on airlines from mainland was 92.5 percent; and the Taiwan airlines load reached 91.6 percent.
Director of the Taiwan civil aviation administration Li Longwen said that businesses from both sides of the strait hope to expand the number of weekend charter flights, destinations and routes and to achieve a "straight channel鈥�flight route.
By People's Daily Online
Director of the Taiwan civil aviation administration Li Longwen said that businesses from both sides of the strait hope to expand the number of weekend charter flights, destinations and routes and to achieve a "straight channel鈥�flight route.
By People's Daily Online
Senior CPC official meets Nepali guests
The Communist Party of China will devote efforts to make China and Nepal be good friends and neighbors forever, said the senior CPC official Wang Jiarui in Beijing on Monday.
Wang, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a meeting with the delegation of the Nepali Congress.
He said the CPC will make efforts to enhance exchanges between the two countries' political parties, and to push forward the state-to-state relations.
Prakash Man Singh, head of the delegation and vice president of the Nepali Congress, said the Nepali Congress cherished the friendship with the CPC, and would work with the CPC to boost the two countries' bilateral relations.
Singh extended heartfelt congratulations on the Beijing Olympics' success, saying the Nepali people felt proud of the glory won by the brotherly Chinese people.
Wang also elaborated the Chinese government's position on Tibet-related issues, and Singh reaffirmed the Nepali Congress would always adhere to the one-China policy.
Source:Xinhua
Wang, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a meeting with the delegation of the Nepali Congress.
He said the CPC will make efforts to enhance exchanges between the two countries' political parties, and to push forward the state-to-state relations.
Prakash Man Singh, head of the delegation and vice president of the Nepali Congress, said the Nepali Congress cherished the friendship with the CPC, and would work with the CPC to boost the two countries' bilateral relations.
Singh extended heartfelt congratulations on the Beijing Olympics' success, saying the Nepali people felt proud of the glory won by the brotherly Chinese people.
Wang also elaborated the Chinese government's position on Tibet-related issues, and Singh reaffirmed the Nepali Congress would always adhere to the one-China policy.
Source:Xinhua
Maoming constructs nation's third 20 million-ton refinery
The Maoming Petrochemical 20 million-ton refinery expansion project recently was approved by the State Development and Reform Commission, according to the Guangdong Maoming Petroleum & Chemical Corporation.
This is the third approved 20 million-ton oil refining project in China following Dalian Petrochemical, Zhenhai Refinery, and it is among the Top 10 key projects in Guangdong Province. After the completion of the project, Maoming Petrochemical's refining capacity will rise from 13.5 million tons to 25.5 million tons; and can mass produce clean oil products which are currently in shortage. This is essential for alleviating the tense oil supply situation and stimulating regional economic development in Southwest China and Guangdong province.
By People's Daily Online
This is the third approved 20 million-ton oil refining project in China following Dalian Petrochemical, Zhenhai Refinery, and it is among the Top 10 key projects in Guangdong Province. After the completion of the project, Maoming Petrochemical's refining capacity will rise from 13.5 million tons to 25.5 million tons; and can mass produce clean oil products which are currently in shortage. This is essential for alleviating the tense oil supply situation and stimulating regional economic development in Southwest China and Guangdong province.
By People's Daily Online
Interview: Former Dutch ambassador says resurgent China well on way to becoming major world power
Thirty years of reform and opening-up has put China on the world map and the country is well on its way to becoming an important world power, former Dutch ambassador to China Dirk Jan van den Berg told Xinhua in a recent interview.
Van den Berg, who returned to the Netherlands in February after a two-and-a-half-year tenure in China, said opening-up has enabled the Chinese to lead a better life and benefited world consumers. But development has taken a heavy toll on the environment, which will remain a predominant issue in China for a long time, he added.
OPENING-UP A SUCCESS
Three decades of reform and opening-up has changed China fundamentally, Van den Berg said, adding that the statistics are testimony to a success story.
"Hundreds of millions of Chinese have been lifted from poverty and taken along the road of development. This is not just in the cities but also in rural areas. I think you can consider that a big success," he said.
Van den Berg, who is now president of the Delft University of Technology's executive board, believes that the majority of Chinese have profited from the opening-up policies.
"Ask the Chinese themselves, 90 or even 99 percent would say their lives have improved in the past 30 years," he said.
China's gain in prosperity is also good for the rest of the world, the former ambassador said.
"Imagine that China is still closed off from the world, with a quite strained capacity to produce enough food for the Chinese people, we would be facing a completely different situation, perhaps a much more difficult one."
Van den Berg is optimistic about China's economic prospects and cites its potential in terms of consumer power.
"Although China is now very dependent on what's happening in other parts of the world, in 10 years' time the picture will look different. China's economy will also depend very much on what's happening domestically," he said.
"Once income levels rise in China, you will see an increasing level of national consumption, and that will make a major impact on the Chinese economy."
In that sense, China's economy still has a lot of opportunity to continue its growth, Van den Berg said. He predicts that China will maintain its high growth rates for many years to come.
THE PRICE OF PROSPERITY
Even as China enjoys its new-found wealth, prosperity has not come without a price. One negative effect is the serious damage to the environment.
Environmental concerns have become dominant issues in China and need to be addressed urgently, said Van den Berg.
He commended the Chinese authorities for being open about the problem and giving it priority on the policy agenda.
"But the government management system in China will have to be strengthened to ensure that Beijing's pragmatic policies are implemented in the provinces," he said.
While the measures put into place by China before and during the Olympic Games have brought back blue skies for a short while, Van den Berg does not think they represent a long-term solution.
"China needs to implement measures that will address structural issues," he advised.
Another problem is the uneven distribution of wealth. "The growing income gap among people could increase tension in society, and could nourish wrong developments in terms of crime," Van den Berg warned.
CHINA'S SUCCESS BENEFITS NETHERLANDS
Chinese products are well received in the Netherlands as in other parts of the world. "We are profiting from the fact that China is economically so successful," Van den Berg said.
The port of Rotterdam, the so-called "gateway to Europe," has benefited immensely from the surging trade between China and Europe.
Dutch companies such as Royal Dutch Shell and Philips are among the biggest investors in China. Ordinary Dutch people also benefit from China's links to the world as Chinese imports have kept down the price of consumer products on the Dutch market for years.
Although Chinese goods sparked talks about dumping in some European countries, Van den Berg does not believe closing the markets to Chinese products would help.
He said the Netherlands is willing to work with China and engage in dialogue, rather than turn its back on the Asian giant.
OPEN SOCIETY
When he set foot in China for the first time in 2005, Van den Berg had expected a tightly controlled society where people are not allowed to discuss politics and are afraid to speak their minds.
But to his great surprise, many things could be talked about openly in China, including the government's rights and wrongs.
"Chinese society is much more open and transparent than we expected," he said. "Chinese people talk a lot with each other. There are actually very few secrets in China."
Van den Berg was also impressed by the friendliness of the Chinese. "They are very understanding and easy to approach. I didn't feel any antagonism because of my appearance," he said.
Although he did not speak Chinese, he seldom had problem communicating with people there.
"Once you are trying to communicate with someone, always someone else pops up who speaks English, and the conversation is saved," he said, smiling
In recent years, more and more Dutch companies have set up shops in China. Not only are big companies like Akzo Nobel successful in China, many small and medium-sized firms are also doing well in the country.
"Of course you have to use your brains and be realistic about business opportunities in China," Van den Berg said. "But overall China is a less complicated market than countries like India."
In his opinion, despite a major difference in cultural background, the Dutch and the Chinese have similar mindsets when it comes to business. Either side is very direct, focused on what the business is and able to make decisions.
"So basically what you see is that Chinese and Dutch businessmen do understand each other quite well," he said.
Source:Xinhua
Van den Berg, who returned to the Netherlands in February after a two-and-a-half-year tenure in China, said opening-up has enabled the Chinese to lead a better life and benefited world consumers. But development has taken a heavy toll on the environment, which will remain a predominant issue in China for a long time, he added.
OPENING-UP A SUCCESS
Three decades of reform and opening-up has changed China fundamentally, Van den Berg said, adding that the statistics are testimony to a success story.
"Hundreds of millions of Chinese have been lifted from poverty and taken along the road of development. This is not just in the cities but also in rural areas. I think you can consider that a big success," he said.
Van den Berg, who is now president of the Delft University of Technology's executive board, believes that the majority of Chinese have profited from the opening-up policies.
"Ask the Chinese themselves, 90 or even 99 percent would say their lives have improved in the past 30 years," he said.
China's gain in prosperity is also good for the rest of the world, the former ambassador said.
"Imagine that China is still closed off from the world, with a quite strained capacity to produce enough food for the Chinese people, we would be facing a completely different situation, perhaps a much more difficult one."
Van den Berg is optimistic about China's economic prospects and cites its potential in terms of consumer power.
"Although China is now very dependent on what's happening in other parts of the world, in 10 years' time the picture will look different. China's economy will also depend very much on what's happening domestically," he said.
"Once income levels rise in China, you will see an increasing level of national consumption, and that will make a major impact on the Chinese economy."
In that sense, China's economy still has a lot of opportunity to continue its growth, Van den Berg said. He predicts that China will maintain its high growth rates for many years to come.
THE PRICE OF PROSPERITY
Even as China enjoys its new-found wealth, prosperity has not come without a price. One negative effect is the serious damage to the environment.
Environmental concerns have become dominant issues in China and need to be addressed urgently, said Van den Berg.
He commended the Chinese authorities for being open about the problem and giving it priority on the policy agenda.
"But the government management system in China will have to be strengthened to ensure that Beijing's pragmatic policies are implemented in the provinces," he said.
While the measures put into place by China before and during the Olympic Games have brought back blue skies for a short while, Van den Berg does not think they represent a long-term solution.
"China needs to implement measures that will address structural issues," he advised.
Another problem is the uneven distribution of wealth. "The growing income gap among people could increase tension in society, and could nourish wrong developments in terms of crime," Van den Berg warned.
CHINA'S SUCCESS BENEFITS NETHERLANDS
Chinese products are well received in the Netherlands as in other parts of the world. "We are profiting from the fact that China is economically so successful," Van den Berg said.
The port of Rotterdam, the so-called "gateway to Europe," has benefited immensely from the surging trade between China and Europe.
Dutch companies such as Royal Dutch Shell and Philips are among the biggest investors in China. Ordinary Dutch people also benefit from China's links to the world as Chinese imports have kept down the price of consumer products on the Dutch market for years.
Although Chinese goods sparked talks about dumping in some European countries, Van den Berg does not believe closing the markets to Chinese products would help.
He said the Netherlands is willing to work with China and engage in dialogue, rather than turn its back on the Asian giant.
OPEN SOCIETY
When he set foot in China for the first time in 2005, Van den Berg had expected a tightly controlled society where people are not allowed to discuss politics and are afraid to speak their minds.
But to his great surprise, many things could be talked about openly in China, including the government's rights and wrongs.
"Chinese society is much more open and transparent than we expected," he said. "Chinese people talk a lot with each other. There are actually very few secrets in China."
Van den Berg was also impressed by the friendliness of the Chinese. "They are very understanding and easy to approach. I didn't feel any antagonism because of my appearance," he said.
Although he did not speak Chinese, he seldom had problem communicating with people there.
"Once you are trying to communicate with someone, always someone else pops up who speaks English, and the conversation is saved," he said, smiling
In recent years, more and more Dutch companies have set up shops in China. Not only are big companies like Akzo Nobel successful in China, many small and medium-sized firms are also doing well in the country.
"Of course you have to use your brains and be realistic about business opportunities in China," Van den Berg said. "But overall China is a less complicated market than countries like India."
In his opinion, despite a major difference in cultural background, the Dutch and the Chinese have similar mindsets when it comes to business. Either side is very direct, focused on what the business is and able to make decisions.
"So basically what you see is that Chinese and Dutch businessmen do understand each other quite well," he said.
Source:Xinhua
Vice premier: China to pursue "strategic, long-term" ties with Germany
China values relations with Germany and will, together with Germany, promote the relationship from a "strategic, long-term perspective," said Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Monday.
Li told German Federal Minister of Finance Peer Steinbrueck that China and Germany had enjoyed fruitful cooperation since establishing diplomatic ties 36 years ago.
The vice premier said China's economy had undergone challenges and tests but still showed "stable and rapid development."
He said China would push forward the reform and opening-up drive, speed up the transformation of the mode of development and raise living standards.
Steinbrueck congratulated China on the successful Beijing Olympic Games, saying Germany attached importance to relations with China and would continue to enhance the relationship.
Source:Xinhua
Li told German Federal Minister of Finance Peer Steinbrueck that China and Germany had enjoyed fruitful cooperation since establishing diplomatic ties 36 years ago.
The vice premier said China's economy had undergone challenges and tests but still showed "stable and rapid development."
He said China would push forward the reform and opening-up drive, speed up the transformation of the mode of development and raise living standards.
Steinbrueck congratulated China on the successful Beijing Olympic Games, saying Germany attached importance to relations with China and would continue to enhance the relationship.
Source:Xinhua
Traffic expected to resume soon on blocked Sichuan-Tibet highway
Traffic is expected to resume on Tuesday afternoon if weather improves on the mudflow-blocked highway between southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region and Sichuan Province, said repair workers.
More than 100 motor vehicles are still stranded by the mudflow as of Monday. Chen Falin, an armed police officer in charge of the repair work, said about 10,000 cubic meters of mud and rocks had to be removed to resume traffic.
The section of the highway, 10 meters above a river at Pailonggou in Nyingchi Prefecture, was damaged on Saturday by mudflow caused by heavy rainfall.
More than 20 armed police had repaired 30 meters of the damaged part and evacuated 109 vehicles and 267 people. But the repair work was hampered by fresh landslides caused by continuous rainfall.
August is a rainy season in the area, and rainfall has increased by 30 percent in the first half of this year over normal.
Source:Xinhua
More than 100 motor vehicles are still stranded by the mudflow as of Monday. Chen Falin, an armed police officer in charge of the repair work, said about 10,000 cubic meters of mud and rocks had to be removed to resume traffic.
The section of the highway, 10 meters above a river at Pailonggou in Nyingchi Prefecture, was damaged on Saturday by mudflow caused by heavy rainfall.
More than 20 armed police had repaired 30 meters of the damaged part and evacuated 109 vehicles and 267 people. But the repair work was hampered by fresh landslides caused by continuous rainfall.
August is a rainy season in the area, and rainfall has increased by 30 percent in the first half of this year over normal.
Source:Xinhua
China May quake death toll remains unchanged at 69,226
The death toll from the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan Province and its neighboring region remains unchanged at 69,226 as of Monday noon, according to a statement released by the State Council Information Office.
The number of people listed as missing and injured still stood at 17,923 and 374,643 respectively.
As of Monday noon, a total of 1,486,407 survivors had been relocated.
Among the 96,544 who had been hospitalized for injuries, 93,035 have been discharged, the statement said.
Government spending on relief and reconstruction had reached 67.17 billion yuan , including 59.8 billion yuan from the central budget and 7.35 billion yuan from the local budget.
According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, domestic and foreign donations had exceeded 59.31 billion yuan in cash and goods by Monday noon. Of this, 25.31 billion yuan had been forwarded to quake-hit areas.
About 1.58 million tents, 4.87 million quilts, 14.1 million garments, 3.5 million tonnes of fuel and 7.47 million tonnes of coal had been sent to the quake-hit areas, it said.
As of Sunday, relief workers had built 671,200 temporary houses and another 2,200 were being installed.
Between Thursday noon and Monday noon, 691 aftershocks at or below magnitude 3.9 were monitored in the quake zone, while no aftershock at or above 4.0 magnitude were reported, according to the China Earthquake Administration. A total of 27,256 aftershocks had been detected since May 12.
The 6.1-magnitude quake that occurred at the juncture of Renhe District in Panzhihua and Huili County in Yi Autonomous Prefectureof Liangshan, Sichuan at 4:30 p.m. Saturday was not an aftershock of the May quake, according to experts.
The statement said 430,924 tonnes of grain and 9,886 tonnes of edible oil have been allocated to the quake zones from central reserves as of Sunday. It also said that 128,062 of the 138,960 businesses damaged had reopened.
By Monday noon, 5,315 large-scale enterprises with annual revenue above 5 million yuan had resumed operation. Production at another 330 companies of the same scale was still suspended, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said.
Of the 48,276 km of ruptured water supply pipelines, 45,166 km had been restored as of Monday noon, according to the statement.
As of Monday noon, 185,881 survivors had found jobs outside of the area, while another 685,281 were employed in their home towns.
Source:Xinhua
The number of people listed as missing and injured still stood at 17,923 and 374,643 respectively.
As of Monday noon, a total of 1,486,407 survivors had been relocated.
Among the 96,544 who had been hospitalized for injuries, 93,035 have been discharged, the statement said.
Government spending on relief and reconstruction had reached 67.17 billion yuan , including 59.8 billion yuan from the central budget and 7.35 billion yuan from the local budget.
According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, domestic and foreign donations had exceeded 59.31 billion yuan in cash and goods by Monday noon. Of this, 25.31 billion yuan had been forwarded to quake-hit areas.
About 1.58 million tents, 4.87 million quilts, 14.1 million garments, 3.5 million tonnes of fuel and 7.47 million tonnes of coal had been sent to the quake-hit areas, it said.
As of Sunday, relief workers had built 671,200 temporary houses and another 2,200 were being installed.
Between Thursday noon and Monday noon, 691 aftershocks at or below magnitude 3.9 were monitored in the quake zone, while no aftershock at or above 4.0 magnitude were reported, according to the China Earthquake Administration. A total of 27,256 aftershocks had been detected since May 12.
The 6.1-magnitude quake that occurred at the juncture of Renhe District in Panzhihua and Huili County in Yi Autonomous Prefectureof Liangshan, Sichuan at 4:30 p.m. Saturday was not an aftershock of the May quake, according to experts.
The statement said 430,924 tonnes of grain and 9,886 tonnes of edible oil have been allocated to the quake zones from central reserves as of Sunday. It also said that 128,062 of the 138,960 businesses damaged had reopened.
By Monday noon, 5,315 large-scale enterprises with annual revenue above 5 million yuan had resumed operation. Production at another 330 companies of the same scale was still suspended, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said.
Of the 48,276 km of ruptured water supply pipelines, 45,166 km had been restored as of Monday noon, according to the statement.
As of Monday noon, 185,881 survivors had found jobs outside of the area, while another 685,281 were employed in their home towns.
Source:Xinhua
Ruling parties of China, Vietnam to share governing experience
Senior officials of the ruling parties of China and Vietnam on Monday proposed further sharing of their experience in national and party governance.
Li Yuanchao, head of the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Tran Luu Hai, deputy head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, in the Great Hall of the People.
Li reviewed China's increasingly stronger cooperation with Vietnam in recent years, citing the fact that Chinese President Hu Jintao and General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee, Nong Duc Manh, reached a consensus on developing a comprehensive strategic partnership.
"The ruling parties should share more experience on national and party governance under the framework of party-to-party exchanges," Li said.
Echoing Li's view, Tran hailed the traditional friendship forged by the older leaders in the past century.
He said Vietnam would like to work more closely with China to bring the comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.
Tran and his delegation will leave China on Tuesday.
Source:Xinhua
Li Yuanchao, head of the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Tran Luu Hai, deputy head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, in the Great Hall of the People.
Li reviewed China's increasingly stronger cooperation with Vietnam in recent years, citing the fact that Chinese President Hu Jintao and General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee, Nong Duc Manh, reached a consensus on developing a comprehensive strategic partnership.
"The ruling parties should share more experience on national and party governance under the framework of party-to-party exchanges," Li said.
Echoing Li's view, Tran hailed the traditional friendship forged by the older leaders in the past century.
He said Vietnam would like to work more closely with China to bring the comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.
Tran and his delegation will leave China on Tuesday.
Source:Xinhua
At least 5 dead after torrential rain in central China's Hubei
At least five people were killed and three others were missing after four consecutive days of torrential rain in central China's Hubei Province.
The heaviest rain to hit the province this year has so far affected more than 5 million people in 43 counties, damaged 4,841 houses and resulted in a direct economic loss of 1.978 billion yuan , the Ministry of Civil Affairs said here on Monday.
The ministry initiated a grade-4 emergency response at 4:30 p.m. and sent a work group to the province to help with relief work.
Source:Xinhua
The heaviest rain to hit the province this year has so far affected more than 5 million people in 43 counties, damaged 4,841 houses and resulted in a direct economic loss of 1.978 billion yuan , the Ministry of Civil Affairs said here on Monday.
The ministry initiated a grade-4 emergency response at 4:30 p.m. and sent a work group to the province to help with relief work.
Source:Xinhua
Visiting China's Olympic gold medalists drive Macao nuts
Although being delayed for half an hour, the arrival of China's Olympic gold medalists here Sunday night still drew loud cheers from Macao people and tourists.
The delegation led by China's sports chief Liu Peng finished their Hong Kong visit and came to Macao by sea this evening. They were greeted at the Outer Harbor by Chui Sai On, secretary for social affairs and culture of the Special Administrative Region , and other officials.
Since this is a rare chance that almost all of China's gold medalists came to Macao for visit, the SAR government arranged 450local middle-school teenagers, each waving flags of the SAR and the nation, to line up in the departure hall of the Outer Harbor welcoming the visiting delegation.
Many local citizens and tourists, who were desperate to see themedalists, came to the Harbor more than one hour earlier than the arrival of the delegation. They said it was worth the long waiting, given the medalists' great attraction to them.
Ms. Lin, a tourist who came from China's Zhejiang province, considered herself "a lucky one". She said, "I originally came here for traveling, but as soon as I heard they were coming, I shorten my sightseeing and rushed here to wait for them."
The delegation, including 63 gold medalists from the Beijing Olympic Games, will meet with the SAR's Chief Executive Ho Hau Wahlater today. They will also attend a series of activities in the city, including a gala show to be held Monday night, and will takea short tour of the city that is known to the world for its casinos.
The delegation will finish their visit here and leave for the mainland Tuesday.
Source: Xinhua
The delegation led by China's sports chief Liu Peng finished their Hong Kong visit and came to Macao by sea this evening. They were greeted at the Outer Harbor by Chui Sai On, secretary for social affairs and culture of the Special Administrative Region , and other officials.
Since this is a rare chance that almost all of China's gold medalists came to Macao for visit, the SAR government arranged 450local middle-school teenagers, each waving flags of the SAR and the nation, to line up in the departure hall of the Outer Harbor welcoming the visiting delegation.
Many local citizens and tourists, who were desperate to see themedalists, came to the Harbor more than one hour earlier than the arrival of the delegation. They said it was worth the long waiting, given the medalists' great attraction to them.
Ms. Lin, a tourist who came from China's Zhejiang province, considered herself "a lucky one". She said, "I originally came here for traveling, but as soon as I heard they were coming, I shorten my sightseeing and rushed here to wait for them."
The delegation, including 63 gold medalists from the Beijing Olympic Games, will meet with the SAR's Chief Executive Ho Hau Wahlater today. They will also attend a series of activities in the city, including a gala show to be held Monday night, and will takea short tour of the city that is known to the world for its casinos.
The delegation will finish their visit here and leave for the mainland Tuesday.
Source: Xinhua
300 Chinese tourists stranded in Phuket
More than 300 Chinese tourists have been stranded in Phuket since Friday because anti-government protesters have forced the suspension of services at the Thai island's airport.
Demonstrators demanding the ouster of the Samak Sundaravej government have disrupted services at other Thai airports, too.
A Chinese embassy official in Bangkok said yesterday that efforts were being made to help the Chinese nationals return home. "Some of the Chinese tourists have already left Phuket by bus, and they will fly home from Bangkok," he said.
The Foreign Ministry issued a statement yesterday, saying it had asked the Thai government to ensure the safety of the Chinese tourists and arrange for their return flights as soon as possible.
About 15,000 passengers are stranded on the island resort since anti-government protesters took over the airport on Friday and forced the cancellation of nearly 120 flights a day.
Wu Jiaoli, public relations manager of Ctrip.com, a leading online hotel- and ticket-booking agent in China, said 50 of its customers were stranded in Phuket.
The company, however, has arranged for a bus to carry them to Bangkok and asked China Eastern Airlines to arrange for their return trip.
A stranded Beijing tourist surnamed Hou said she was running out of money and that her plane ticket had expired. "I am very worried But we are safe because the protesters are friendly to Chinese tourists."
She said her group reached Phuket on Aug 24 and was scheduled to return home on Friday. But protesters took over the airport on Thursday, when railway workers too joined the protests paralyzing train services on many routes.
A Chinese tour group's woman member, surnamed Wang, said only one plane carrying some Western tourists had been able to fly out of Phuket since Friday following negotiations between protesters and airport officials.
She said members of a tour group from Zhejiang province were forced to sleep in the open on Saturday because they had run out of money.
China International Travel Service said three of its tour groups comprising 50 people had been stranded in Phuket, and it was trying to arrange for their return.
Source: China Daily
Demonstrators demanding the ouster of the Samak Sundaravej government have disrupted services at other Thai airports, too.
A Chinese embassy official in Bangkok said yesterday that efforts were being made to help the Chinese nationals return home. "Some of the Chinese tourists have already left Phuket by bus, and they will fly home from Bangkok," he said.
The Foreign Ministry issued a statement yesterday, saying it had asked the Thai government to ensure the safety of the Chinese tourists and arrange for their return flights as soon as possible.
About 15,000 passengers are stranded on the island resort since anti-government protesters took over the airport on Friday and forced the cancellation of nearly 120 flights a day.
Wu Jiaoli, public relations manager of Ctrip.com, a leading online hotel- and ticket-booking agent in China, said 50 of its customers were stranded in Phuket.
The company, however, has arranged for a bus to carry them to Bangkok and asked China Eastern Airlines to arrange for their return trip.
A stranded Beijing tourist surnamed Hou said she was running out of money and that her plane ticket had expired. "I am very worried But we are safe because the protesters are friendly to Chinese tourists."
She said her group reached Phuket on Aug 24 and was scheduled to return home on Friday. But protesters took over the airport on Thursday, when railway workers too joined the protests paralyzing train services on many routes.
A Chinese tour group's woman member, surnamed Wang, said only one plane carrying some Western tourists had been able to fly out of Phuket since Friday following negotiations between protesters and airport officials.
She said members of a tour group from Zhejiang province were forced to sleep in the open on Saturday because they had run out of money.
China International Travel Service said three of its tour groups comprising 50 people had been stranded in Phuket, and it was trying to arrange for their return.
Source: China Daily
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