BEIJING, July 25 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic Media Village opened on Friday for 21,600 domestic and foreign registered reporters, amid some foreign media's concerns about free reporting in China. Friday's People's Daily, the mouthpiece of China's ruling party, ran a commentary appealing to administrations and common people to "befriend the media." "To serve the media is to serve the Olympic Games," the article said. "To befriend the media is to befriend the audience." About 30,000 reporters are expected to cover the Games, the most in Olympic history, which means the number in the audience could be the highest ever too. "It is through the media that the audience across the world are learning about the Olympics, China and Beijing," the newspaper said. Volunteers provide service for reporters at an entrance to the media village for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, July 25, 2008. The media center opens on Friday to journalists from all around the world.The Beijing Organizing Committee of the 29th Olympic Games (BOCOG) and Chinese government obviously have a full understanding of the role media will play in the coming grand sport event. In early this month, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping included well serving the media in the top eight tasks of the last-minute preparation for the Games. "We should provide a good service to the media according to the promises we made, international practice and Chinese laws. Through rich Olympic news, we are to share the joy of the Games with people worldwide," he said in the speech to officials 30 days before the start of the Games. Beijing has opened three media centers, the Main Press Center (MPC), the International Broadcast Center (IBC) and the Beijing International Media Center (BIMC). The former, on the Beijing National Olympic Green Convention Center, covers 150,000 square meters, the largest in Olympic history. The latter, to receive about 5,000 non-registered reporters, is of 60,000 square meters. A reporter checks in at the media village for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, July 25, 2008. The media center opens on Friday to journalists from all around the world. In the first 12 days since their opening, 23 press conferences have been held at the MPC and BIMC. At the BIMC website, phone numbers of ministries in China's central government are publicized. At the center, printed manuals about covering news outside Beijing are offered with contacts of local governments and major enterprises. About 150,000 guides about China and the Games written in 19 languages have been handed out. And the BIMC staff have received and processed more than 200 requests for interviews, half from foreign media. Although worries about free news reporting are lingering, covering news in China has undergone notable changes. A regulation on reporting activities in China by foreign media during the Games and the preparatory period has, since January last year, lifted several rules over foreign reporters. They no longer need approval from the local government's foreign affairs department but only agreement from the people or organizations to be interviewed. Reporters walk to their rooms at the media village for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, July 25, 2008. The media center opens on Friday to journalists from all around the world.Local authorities are urged to cooperate with media even when the interview involves sensitive topics such as environmental protection, AIDS and housing displacement. They are also cooperating in response to media requests such as to give live report from the Tian'anmen square, China's political symbol, to import satellite news operations, to hire helicopters for shooting and set up cameras in some popular tourists sites. "We could regard the Olympics as a chance to push the country to open to global media," said Ren Zhanjiang, dean of the Department of Journalism and Communication, China Youth University for Political Sciences. Some changes will continue after the Games. In April last year, the Chinese government issued a regulation asking administrations to publicize information that the public should learn about. The law on emergency responses, adopted in August 2007, cancelled an item in its draft that banned media from reporting emergencies without permission from the authority.Reporters from all around the world check in at the reception of the media village for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, July 25, 2008. The media center opens on Friday to journalists from all around the world.It was implemented when the devastating May 12 earthquake jolted southwest China. The first news about the earthquake came minutes after tremors were felt while the death toll, which used to be a taboo in disaster news reporting, was announced and updated daily until now. A day later foreign correspondents were reporting news on the earthquake ruins, and continued to do so. The country faced criticism for not allowing any foreign media to enter Tibet immediately after the Lhasa violence on March 14, although reporters already there were allowed to continue to report until their permits ran out. Chinese news stories were publicized straight after the incident happened in the Tibetan city, including TV footage about violent attacks on the street. This surprised Chinese audiences who have become used to a diet of positive news. As the International Olympic Committee said in its report when choosing Beijing to host the 2008 Olympic Games, the Games would leave a unique legacy to China and to sport. There are reasons to believe that part of the legacy will be a country opening wider to the world.
BEIJING, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Premier Wen Jiabao said on Saturday China was confident and fully capable of keeping a good momentum of economic growth this year despite domestic difficulties and a global economic slowdown. Addressing a seminar for the country's ministerial-level official in Beijing, Wen said this year had been the most difficult year as China faced both global challenges and domestic problems in economic operation. Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday addresses a seminar for the country's ministerial-level official in Beijing. Global financial instability and economic slowdown had exerted a strong influence on the country. In addition, China had to tackle domestic problems, including price increases and regional economic slowdown. However, the country had adopted a series of counter measures and these had proved effective, he said. With huge domestic demand, relatively abundant capital and an improved labor force quality, the country was fully confident and capable of reinforcing the good momentum of economic growth. Wen noted the material wealth collected in the past three decades and accumulated experience would help the country to address problems arising from economic development. Efforts should be made to rein in inflation and ensure macro-economy stability, especially the financial market and the stock market, he stressed. In his speech, Wen urged local governments and officials to put work and food safety at the top of their agendas. The development of enterprises and economy should not be at the cost of people's lives and health, he emphasized. Wen also vowed to beef up efforts to monitor food quality and rectify the food market. All illegal activities should be severely punished to ensure people have safe food. He also championed the balanced development between the rural and urban areas, saying agricultural issues should be the first priority of government work The seminar was presided over Vice Premier Li Keqiang. Vice President Xi Jinping also attended.
BEIJING, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's quality watchdog said here on Sunday that the latest tests on Chinese milk powder found no traces of melamine. It was the fourth round of tests for the industrial chemical since the breaking of the tainted baby formula scandal that left at least three infants dead and sickened more than 50,000 others, according to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. The tests covered 39 batches of baby formula from 10 brands in six provinces and 133 batches of other milk powder from 45 brands in 18 provinces, the agency said. So far, 499 batches of baby formula from 53 brands and 709 batches of other milk powder from 142 brands produced after Sept. 14 have been tested and none contained melamine, it added. Melamine, often used in the manufacturing of plastics, was added to sub-standard or diluted milk to make the protein levels appear higher.
BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Communist Party of China (CPC) chief Hu Jintao has urged Party members to learn the theory on socialism with Chinese characteristics more conscientiously. Hu, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, made the remark at a seminar which was participated in Sunday afternoon by members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Prof. Yan Shuhan from the Party School of the CPC Central Committee and prof. Qin Xuan from the Renmin University of China delivered speeches at the seminar and put forward their views on applying the theory into practice. Presiding over the seminar, Hu said the theory on socialism with Chinese characteristics is a fundamental guideline of the Party and government for social and economic construction. Party members should understand the basic principles of the theory and use them in their practical work, he added. Hu asked Party organs at all levels to make the theory accessible and understood by every Party member and draw long-term plans to promote and develop the theory.
TAIYUAN, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Rescuers on Thursday had finished searching more than half the mud-covered areas in north China after a mud-rock slide left 128 people dead. Shanxi Provincial Government Secretary-General Wang Qingxian said about 60 percent of the area had been combed. Altogether 2,000-plus rescuers, with the aid of more than 110 excavators, were searching for survivors. He said Internet claims that hundreds of people were missing was mere speculation. "The specific figure of the people missing in the disaster has not been established yet," said Wang at a news conference. "We are still evaluating the situation." He promised timely and transparent updated casualty numbers, adding 36 people had suffered injuries. If the weather conditions allowed, searchers would finish looking for survivors in three to five days, he said. Relatives of the dead will get 200,000 yuan (29,215 U.S. dollars) each as compensation, according to the provincial government. The State Council, China's Cabinet, has set up an accident investigation team, including officials from the State Administration of Work Safety, Shanxi provincial government, Supervision Ministry, Land and Resources Ministry and All China Federation of Trade Unions. Wang Jun, the State Administration of Work Safety director, was heading the team. The government has begun examinations to more than 700 tailing ponds in the province to avoid similar accidents from happening again. There was no epidemic at the area and the injured were receiving treatment, said Gao Guoshun, the provincial health department head, at the news conference. The water there was not polluted after examination, Gao added. The disaster happened when the bank of a pond holding waste oredregs of an unlicensed mine burst. Some reports said hundreds were feared to have been buried underneath the mud, but the local government had released no figures concerning the number of missing. Wang Qingxian said the mine was purchased and transferred to a man named Zhang Peiliang when the local government auctioned it off in 2005. But Zhang did not apply for new licenses after its safety production license was suspended in 2006 and the mining license expired in 2007. "It was an accident of grave responsibility after initial analysis," said Wang Dianxue, the State Administration of Work Safety deputy head and also the investigation team deputy head. The accident occurred around 8 a.m. on Monday in a pond holding waste ore dregs of the Tashan Mine in Xiangfen County, Linfen City, which was soaked by torrential rain. In total, an area of 30.2 hectares was covered by the mud. The mud-rock flow damaged buildings, trade markets and some residences lying downstream.
DUSHANBE, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon and Prime Minister Akil Akilov on Saturday pledged to develop all-round cooperation with China while meeting separately with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. In his meeting with Rakhmon, Yang expressed his gratitude for Tajikistan's aid and support for China's earthquake relief. Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon (R) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, July 26, 2008. Yang attended the foreign ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Dushanbe on Friday. Noting that Sino-Tajik relations have been developing rapidly and soundly in recent years, Yang said the political mutual trust is deepening and the two countries have supported each other on such major issues as national sovereignty, territorial integrity and security. Pragmatic bilateral cooperation in all fields has yielded fruitful results, he added. During Rakhmon's visit to China last year, China and Tajikistan signed a treaty on good-neighborly friendship and cooperation, which would guide the future development of bilateral ties, the Chinese foreign minister said. China would like to work with Tajikistan to enhance cooperation and communication and contribute to maintaining regional stability and boosting common development, he said. Rakhmon said Tajikistan highly evaluates relations with China and appreciates China's support to his country's economic and social development. Tajikistan would continue to develop cooperation with China in all fields so as to elevate bilateral relations to a new high, he said. Tajik Prime Minister Akil Akilov (L Front) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, July 26, 2008Both sides also exchanged views on regional situations and the development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). While meeting with Akilov, Yang discussed with him ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. Yang said both sides should try to ensure the smooth implementation of major joint projects and explore other ways of cooperation that are compatible with market principles and conducive to economic growth of both countries. He also expressed the hope that Tajikistan will further improve its investment environment and create more favorable conditions for cooperation. Akilov said Tajikistan expects to expand cooperation with China in such areas as power generation, transportation, mining and human resources and develop stronger economic links between the two countries' border regions. Akilov pledged his government's efforts to support and facilitate Chinese investment in the central Asian nation.
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BEIJING, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- China on Saturday denounced the U.S. government's decision to sell arms worth of about 6.5 billion U.S. dollars to Taiwan. Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said the Chinese government and people firmly opposed this action which seriously damaged China's interests and the Sino-U.S. relations. The U.S. government, in spite of China's repeated solemn representations, on Friday notified the Congress about its plan to sell arms to Taiwan, including Patriot III anti-missile system, E-2T airborne early warning aircraft upgrade system, Apache helicopters and other equipment. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei has summoned the charge d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy to China to raise strong protest against the U.S. move, according to spokesman. China firmly opposes to arms sales by the United States to Taiwan, said Liu, noting that this has been a consistent and clear stance of China. The U.S. government's agreement on arms sale to Taiwan severely violated the principles set in the three joint communiques between China and the United States, especially the communique on the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan signed on Aug. 17, 1982, grossly interfered in China's internal affairs, endangered Chinese national security, and disturbed the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, Liu stressed. "It is only natural that this move would stir up strong indignation of the Chinese government and people," he said. "We sternly warn the United States that there is only one China in the world, and that Taiwan is a part of China," Liu said. He said nobody could shake the strong will of the Chinese government and people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity and to oppose external interference, and nobody could stop the efforts to promote cross Strait exchanges and opening a new chapter of peace in cross Strait relations. China urged the United States to recognize that it is seriously harmful to sell arms to Taiwan, Liu said, noting that the United States should honor its commitment to stick to one-China policy, abide by the three China-U.S joint communiques, and oppose the so-called "Taiwan independence". Liu said the United States should immediately take actions to correct its mistakes, cancel the proposed arms sale, stop military links with Taiwan, and stop disturbing the peaceful development of cross Strait relations, so as to prevent further damage to the Sino-U.S. relations and the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China reserved the right for taking further measures, he noted. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC),China's top legislature, and the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top advisory body, on Saturday also express strong indignation over the U.S. arms sale plan. The foreign affairs committee of the NPC Standing Committee and that of the CPPCC National Committee each issued a statement, stressing that people of all walks of life in China were firmly opposed to the U.S. arms sale to Taiwan. "We firmly support our government's solemn stances over this issue," the statements said. The statements said the cross Strait relations have recently witnessed sound momentum, which accords with the interests of both Chinese and U.S. peoples. The U.S. proposed arms sale to Taiwan actually was a move disturbing the improvement of the cross Strait relations. The statements called for the United States to immediately correct its wrongdoing, and refrain from any further moves that will damage the Sino-U.S. relations and the world peace. China's Defense Ministry also issued a statement Saturday, condemning the U.S. move. Defense Ministry spokesman Hu Changming said the U.S. decision has ruined the good atmosphere of cooperation that had existed between the two armed forces over recent years. The statement also warned China reserves the right of making further reactions.
BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- As a 6.1-magnitude aftershock hit southwest China's Sichuan Province, the country's quake relief headquarters held its 24th meeting on reconstruction here on Tuesday, reiterating its dual focuses: livelihoods and the environment. At the meeting presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao, the headquarters urged giving priority to the basic needs of the survivors of the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan Province. It also promised to improve the local environment step by step, ensuring "fast and sound" reconstruction. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (back R) speaks at the 24th meeting of the general headquarters of quake relief under the State Council in Beijing, capital of China, on August 5, 2008.It vowed to spend three years ensuring several goals: that every family has a house; every household has an income; every person has insurance, and that the infrastructure, economy and environment all improve. A special team on reconstruction planning was set up jointly by the national Development and Reform Commission and the governments of the quake-hit Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. Since May 23, the team has been continuously touring the quake zone and collecting opinions from local officials for a final scheme. The plan involves 19.87 million people in 51 counties. The earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter Scale occurred in Qingchuan County at 5:49 p.m. on Tuesday, leaving one dead and 23 others injured. On Friday afternoon, an aftershock of the same magnitude hit Pingwu and Beichuan counties in Sichuan, injuring 231 people.
ZHENGZHOU, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao visited a special education school and a rural middle school in the central Henan Province to mark the country's 24th Teachers' Day, which falls on Wednesday. At the Zhengzhou Deaf-Mutes School in the provincial capital, Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, commended the teachers for bringing sunshine and hope to the handicapped children with their love and hard work. He said the cause of special education deserved respect from the whole society, urging the 110-strong faculty members to give more care and even better education to the children for their healthy growth. Chinese President Hu Jintao (R Front) shakes hands with a teacher as he visits Gaomiao Middle School in Qinghua Town of Bo'ai County under Jiaozuo City, central China's Henan Province. President Hu Jintao made an inspection tour in Henan Province from Sept. 8 to Sept. 10In the classrooms, the president told the students about the significance conveyed by the ongoing Beijing Paralympic Games, and encouraged them to build themselves a bright future with the help of the society and the teachers. On Tuesday morning, Hu also visited a rural junior high school called the Gaomiao Middle School, in Qinghua Township, Jiaozuo City. He sent his greetings to the teachers, saying their diligent work has helped many children from the countryside realize their dreams. He promised to further improve rural teachers' working and living conditions and told them to foster more talents for the country. Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) shakes hands with a teacher as he visits a school for blind, deaf and dumb students in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, on Sept. 10, 2008, the 24th Teachers' Day of China. President Hu Jintao made an inspection tour in Henan Province from Sept. 8 to Sept. 10Hu also expressed concern about children left behind by parents who were working in cities as migrant workers, saying the country was taking measures to give them better care. The president also visited the school kitchen and the students' dormitory, telling the school to take good care of their life. After playing together with the students on the playground, Hu talked with student Huang Zaizhen, encouraging him to study hard to become a person of use for his hometown and for the homeland. He led the students in the applause in honor of the teachers. Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) shakes hands with a teacher as he visits a school for blind, deaf and dumb students in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, on Sept. 10, 2008, the 24th Teachers' Day of China. President Hu Jintao made an inspection tour in Henan Province from Sept. 8 to Sept. 10
BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- China will give more efforts to strengthen quality supervision of dairy products in rural areas, said Chen Deming, the minister of commerce, on Wednesday. "The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) always gives food product supervision in vast rural areas a priority, although it is not an easy job to carry out as in urban areas," said Chen. Chen said the MOC has urged local authorities to take tangible measures to regulate and stabilize the dairy markets in such areas. The local governments were asked to launch strict supervision and inspection over dairy products in rural shops, enterprises and wholesale markets. Tainted milk products should be removed from shelves in time. "The MOC will continue to work together with local governmental organs to ensure a sound market order, and help farmers get more knowledge about dairy products," said Chen. Meanwhile, Chen noted the country should adopt concrete measures to lift consumer's confidence. "The government should enhance inspection over product quality, while enterprises should take on more social responsibility." China's food quality has been criticized recently, as 13,000 infants nationwide were hospitalized with kidney problems and at least three were killed after drinking baby formula tainted with melamine. The chemical, which was added illegally, makes the protein content of milk appear higher than it actually is. After the Sanlu formula's problem exposure, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine conducted a nationwide examination of baby milk powder to find 22 companies whose formulas were tainted.