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News Research

US position on Taiwan appreciated
Updated: 2007-09-25 07:17

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi discussed bilateral ties and the Taiwan question with his US counterpart Condoleezza Rice in New York on Sunday, when they met on the sidelines of the 62nd session of United Nations General Assembly.

They agreed to expand cooperation through the Strategic Economic Dialogue and the Strategic Dialogue, as well as into new areas like energy and climate change.

"Both sides should respect each other and refrain from doing things that harm the other side's core interests, so as to ensure a sound and stable development of bilateral relations," Yang said.

China appreciates the US' reiteration of adherence to the one-China policy, its abiding by the three Sino-US joint communiqus and its opposition to the Taiwan authorities' proposed referendum on application for UN membership under the name "Taiwan", said Yang, voicing hope that the US will work with China to curb "Taiwan independence" separatist activities in a bid to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and protect the US and China's common interests.

Rice said the US holds a responsible position on the question of Taiwan, adheres to the one-China policy, abides by the three joint communiqus and opposes comments and actions aimed at unilaterally changing Taiwan's status.

Yang and Rice also exchanged views on major international and regional issues including Iran's nuclear program and nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula, as well as agreeing to maintain close consultation and coordination on related matters.

In a round of meetings on Sunday, Yang also met with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

Sino-French cooperation has witnessed sound and steady development in various fields, Yang said, calling for stronger cooperation in issues such as the environment, climate change, energy and African development.

Noting China's constructive role in addressing regional and international issues such as Darfur, Kouchner said Paris wishes to work with China in ensuring the world develops toward peace.

At his meeting with Indian Foreign Minister Mukherjee, Yang expressed the hope that the two countries would maintain high-level exchanges, conduct strategic, defense and security dialogues, properly handle border issues, and strengthen coordination in the UN.

Mukherjee stressed that there is enough room for the two countries to develop and cooperate and that the development of India and China will have a lasting influence on world peace and development.

Mukherjee said India's tourism office, due to be opened in Beijing this year, would further boost cooperation in various fields.

International News

Fukuda elected Japanese PM

(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-09-25 14:15

Tokyo -- Yasuo Fukuda, who has promised to bring stability and moderation to Japan's tumultuous political scene, was elected prime minister by the lower house of parliament Tuesday.

Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda is applauded by fellow lawmakers after being elected prime minister by the lower house of parliament in Tokyo Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007. [AP]

Fukuda garnered 338 votes in the lower house, many more than the 239 needed for a majority. His closest competitor was Ichiro Ozawa, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, with 117 votes.

The vote guaranteed Fukuda's installment as Japan's next leader.

Ozawa won the vote in the weaker upper house, controlled by the opposition party, but the lower house decision holds sway under Japanese political regulations.

Fukuda, 71, the first son of a prime minister to also serve in the post, has pledged to keep Japan as a strong US ally in the fight against terrorism, improve relations with Asia and address growing inequalities in the world's second-largest economy.

The lower house vote came only hours after outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe emerged from the hospital to dissolve his Cabinet and formally resign after only a year in office.

Fukuda was selected president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Sunday, and has been setting up his incoming administration since then. He met Tuesday morning with Akihiro Ota, the head of the LDP's New Komei ruling coalition partner, to reaffirm the parties' alliance ahead of the parliamentary vote.

On Monday, Fukuda tapped the heads of three internal LDP factions that had supported him for top party posts, immediately triggering criticism from the opposition that he was rewarding allies with no regard for policy.

His first political order of business will be winning passage of legislation extending Japan's naval mission in the Indian Ocean in support of US-led forces in Afghanistan. The opposition has vowed to use its majority in the upper house to block the measure, but Fukuda has vowed to launch negotiations in search of a compromise.

The opposition remained defiant.

"We are fully prepared to discuss anything with the LDP, but Mr. Fukuda has not presented us his political vision," said Democratic Party executive Kenji Yamaoka.

Fukuda inherits a political scene left in tumult after a year under Abe's leadership.

Abe, who announced Sept. 12 that he wanted to quit, emerged Tuesday from the hospital where was being treated for stress-related stomach ailments to officially dissolve his Cabinet.

Industry News

Beijing beautiful, HK safe - study

[ 2007-09-11 15:47 ]

Beijing is the most beautiful city in China and Hong Kong the safest and second most beautiful, according to a study by the China Institute of City Competitiveness.

Beijing is the most beautiful city in China and Hong Kong the safest and second most beautiful, according to a study by the China Institute of City Competitiveness.

The capital came in ahead of 558 other mainland cities and the two SARs, with a score of 0.756 points out of one for its impressive historical monuments and tourist attractions.

Gui Qiangfang, the institute's chairman, said: "The capital has a rich history and culture, which have been key to its development."

The assessment took into consideration the cities' urban design, infrastructure, architecture, culture and natural beauty.

Factors including the preservation of historical monuments, forest coverage, air quality, the transportation network, city life, public space and GDP were also considered.

Hong Kong, which ranked second with 0.666 points, won praise for its skyscrapers, Victoria Harbor and the development of its service industry.

Shenzhen took third spot with 0.664 points, scoring highly for its role as the pioneer of China's opening up and reform policies.

Shanghai finished fourth with 0.663 points for being the country's financial center.

In the voting for the safest city, which assessed the social, economic and ecological development, Hong Kong came first with 0.849 points.

In this category, the cities' crime rates, stability of financial policies, authority of the government, industrial accident rate, food safety and pollution situation, were considered.

The institute said Hong Kong had low crime, and the number of work-related casualties is only 18.4 per 1,000 workers last year.

The SAR also attracted $42.7 billion foreign investment last year, up 19 percent on 2005.

Shanghai ranked second in the safe city poll with 0.712 points, followed by Nanjing with 0.666 points.

The institute said Shanghai is developing a harmonious society ahead of the 2010 World Expo.

Domestic News
Luna legends
Updated: 2007-09-14 06:32

China's equivalent of the American Thanksgiving holiday, the Mid-Autumn Festival could be this country's happiest holiday. Like Thanksgiving, it is a time when people reunite with their families, to be with loved ones and celebrate the year's harvest. In China, people come together and enjoy a feast of mooncakes.

Like most Chinese holidays, the mid-autumn festival is rich in oral history and legend. The most popular version is one surrounding the "lady living in the moon" that dates back to ancient times, when ten suns appeared at the same time in the sky. The Emperor ordered Hou Yi, a famous archer, to shoot down the nine extra suns. The Goddess of Western Heaven later rewarded the archer with an elixir that would make him immortal. But it was taken by his beautiful wife Chang E, who became lighter, and floated up into the moon. Even today, Chinese like to think of the moon as home of Chang E and her beauty is greatest on the day of the festival, when the moon itself appears full, bright and round.

Many other myths surround mooncakes and one such tale features their role in the overthrow of the Mongolian leaders of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Mooncakes containing messages outlining the planned rebellion were distributed and the attack was carried out on the night of the Moon Festival.

Today, the festival is a time for family reunion, to come together, to eat mooncakes and perhaps catch a glimpse of Chang E dancing on the silver orb in the sky.