Hot debates about the evolving, if not worsening, global financial crisis offer much needed food for thought as China's financial development enters a new era.
Explanations of the root cause of the current financial tsunami vary greatly, but few disagree on the need for China to further deepen financial reforms to sustain its long-term growth.
"Among all the financial crises, this may be the one that affects China most," Tang Shuangning, chairman of China Everbright Bank, told a financial forum in Beijing Tuesday.
With the world's largest foreign exchange reserve worth more than 1.8 trillion U.S. dollars, China is relatively well positioned to weather the financial crisis. But the impact it may exert upon the Chinese economy remains huge.
According to Tang, such negative consequences may include a crashing stock market, loss of overseas investment, declining exports, economic slowdown, rising unemployment and a collapse of market confidence.
The soundness of the Chinese economy and limited participation in the international financial market have so far saved the country from bearing the brunt of the financial crisis.
"But we cannot take it lightly," warned Tang.
The one-year-old crisis has already resulted in astronomical losses for many established financial giants around the world. The world was particularly shocked over the past few days when Lehman Brothers went bust, Merrill Lynch gave up, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley became regulated banks, and AIG was practically nationalized.
By constantly improving the financial system as well as strengthening the effective regulation of the financial market, the Chinese government has put great efforts and resources into creating an increasingly competitive domestic financial market.
China's financial reform has surely contributed to its rise as an emerging global financial power. But a question mark hangs over how global financial liberalization, securitization and integration will influence China's further financial system reform.
Many domestic experts said one of the key lessons to draw from the US subprime crisis was that regulation should be further strengthened.
In view of the latest developments in international financial regulation, "we should strike a better balance between government regulation and the self-discipline of the financial market," noted Gong Minghua, a researcher from China Banking Regulatory Commission.
Admittedly, China now boasts the most profitable lenders in the world after market-oriented reforms transformed State-owned banks into commercial lenders. But domestic financial market and financial institutions remain unable to meet the country's growing demand for financial services to fuel its economic growth.
For instance, the government has spearheaded a national campaign to revive the rural economy. But by the end of last year, as much as 7 percent of villages and towns lacked any financial outlets offering simple, low-cost financial services to boost local economic growth and raise farmers' living standards.
Therefore, "while emphasizing the importance of market self-discipline, we must overcome such defects in the market with effective regulation", added Gong.
Challenging the argument that the current financial crisis is the result of failed regulation, Didier Cossin, a professor of banking and finance from Switzerland's IMD business school, claimed that the crisis is about a culture of greed rather than a lack of regulation.
He said that the nationalization of a triple-A insurance company is more telling than the fall of a leading investment bank like Lehman Brothers.
"Everyone knows that investment banking is a risky business," said Cossin. The fact that AIG was highly regulated but still failed points to a culture of greed in the financial sector.
As to how long the current financial crisis will last, the professor refused to forecast but insisted that the cost of credit will rise.
"And the long-term consequence of the crisis may be the end of the free-market way of thinking," added Cossin.
Chinese policymakers are trying to use these experiences to minimize risks and avoid potential catastrophes that may be encountered during the process of financial innovation. But it seems that the complexities and consequences of the global financial crisis will make the learning curve long and lead to conclusions that may even contradict each other.
Source: China Daily)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Macao's gaming revenue growth slowdown arouses fears of mass lay-offs
As expectations that Macao's gaming sector will experience a single-digit year-on-year growth in September 2008, the Special Administration Region, the only place in China where gambling is legal, started to feel the pinch after a long lasting boom since opening its gaming sector to international investments in 2002.
The city's gross gaming revenue for the first half of this month only reached 3.6 billion patacas , and the whole month is expected to reach between 7.2 billion patacas and 7.5 billion patacas , according to Portugal's Lusa News Agency, which quoted sources from gaming operators.
That means gaming revenues for September will grow by between less than one percent and around five percent, compared with the same period last year. The drop in the gaming revenue growth was largely blamed on the global economic downturn while China's tightening of its visas arrangement which allow mainlanders to travel to the SAR was also blamed as one of the factors on the decrease of game-doers, a source linked to one of Macao's casinos told Lusa.
The slowdown of the sector's development has caused many speculations that it will trigger a domino effect in the sector, forcing several small-scale casinos to be closed one after another and leading to mass lay-offs among dealers and other casino staff.
If the domino effect materializes, the SAR will be dealt a heavy blow, since gaming taxes and levies account for over 70 percent of the SAR government's income, and a large number of lowly-educated citizens worked at the city's 31 casinos as dealers, the jobs of which the government bans non-permanent residents from taking.
Therefore, the SAR's government is quick to deny such predictions. "Gaming revenue growth slowed down...but there are no signs that the sector is shrinking, and the lay-offs are not common for the current stage," said Tam Pak Yuen, the SAR's Secretary for Economy and Finance, when asked about the issue by the press at a public function on Tuesday.
The lay-offs have actually started months ago, when Galaxy Entertainment, one of the six licensed gaming operators in Macao but based in Hong Kong, sacked several dealers and dealer inspectors working at some of its small casinos. The move led to a strong backlash from local communities, and the laid off locals even took to the street to protest against the operator's "rash decision".
The action brought considerable pressure on the government as well, as local communities yelled for job protection from the SAR government. The result was a government demand that the six gaming operators to promote more local employees to higher positions in the casinos, making more job vacancies for locals to fill.
Tam pointed out that the gaming sector is still undergoing a "stable period", and the domino effect of small and medium casinos being closed one after another is not happening at present. "The SAR government understands that local civilians concern about the development of gaming sector, and any insignificant trifle will bring up sensitive reactions, but the adjustment of staff by individual gaming operator can happen at any time."
He also pointed out that if the gaming operators intends to adjust their staff in a large scale, they will need to communicate with the SAR's labor department, but currently no such plan were brought up by these operators.
However, the government's optimism toward the gaming sector was not shared by the experts.
"The near-term economic data and the gross gaming revenues has evidently sounded the alarm for local gaming sector," said Davis Fong, director of Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming at the University of Macao.
He said that the SAR government should no long expect a significant increase in its gaming tax income, and if the casino companies do not diversify their operations, they will have difficulties running business.
From September till the end of 2008, the gaming sector is expected to see "very slow or even negative growth", Lusa quoted the source as saying.
With regard to the impact on local job market, Fong pointed out that jobs generated by casinos have peaked, although two new casino resort projects, set to be put into operation in the near future, can partly alleviate such employment pressure.
"The society must reach a common consensus on whether to maintain Macao's gaming-led economy or extend vertically diversified development," he said.
He also proposed that since many non-gaming industries, such as hospitality and MICE , are emerging and taking off in Macao, the government should guide market capitals and operators to invest in these industries, in a bid to create more jobs in the non-gaming sectors.
Source:Xinhua
The city's gross gaming revenue for the first half of this month only reached 3.6 billion patacas , and the whole month is expected to reach between 7.2 billion patacas and 7.5 billion patacas , according to Portugal's Lusa News Agency, which quoted sources from gaming operators.
That means gaming revenues for September will grow by between less than one percent and around five percent, compared with the same period last year. The drop in the gaming revenue growth was largely blamed on the global economic downturn while China's tightening of its visas arrangement which allow mainlanders to travel to the SAR was also blamed as one of the factors on the decrease of game-doers, a source linked to one of Macao's casinos told Lusa.
The slowdown of the sector's development has caused many speculations that it will trigger a domino effect in the sector, forcing several small-scale casinos to be closed one after another and leading to mass lay-offs among dealers and other casino staff.
If the domino effect materializes, the SAR will be dealt a heavy blow, since gaming taxes and levies account for over 70 percent of the SAR government's income, and a large number of lowly-educated citizens worked at the city's 31 casinos as dealers, the jobs of which the government bans non-permanent residents from taking.
Therefore, the SAR's government is quick to deny such predictions. "Gaming revenue growth slowed down...but there are no signs that the sector is shrinking, and the lay-offs are not common for the current stage," said Tam Pak Yuen, the SAR's Secretary for Economy and Finance, when asked about the issue by the press at a public function on Tuesday.
The lay-offs have actually started months ago, when Galaxy Entertainment, one of the six licensed gaming operators in Macao but based in Hong Kong, sacked several dealers and dealer inspectors working at some of its small casinos. The move led to a strong backlash from local communities, and the laid off locals even took to the street to protest against the operator's "rash decision".
The action brought considerable pressure on the government as well, as local communities yelled for job protection from the SAR government. The result was a government demand that the six gaming operators to promote more local employees to higher positions in the casinos, making more job vacancies for locals to fill.
Tam pointed out that the gaming sector is still undergoing a "stable period", and the domino effect of small and medium casinos being closed one after another is not happening at present. "The SAR government understands that local civilians concern about the development of gaming sector, and any insignificant trifle will bring up sensitive reactions, but the adjustment of staff by individual gaming operator can happen at any time."
He also pointed out that if the gaming operators intends to adjust their staff in a large scale, they will need to communicate with the SAR's labor department, but currently no such plan were brought up by these operators.
However, the government's optimism toward the gaming sector was not shared by the experts.
"The near-term economic data and the gross gaming revenues has evidently sounded the alarm for local gaming sector," said Davis Fong, director of Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming at the University of Macao.
He said that the SAR government should no long expect a significant increase in its gaming tax income, and if the casino companies do not diversify their operations, they will have difficulties running business.
From September till the end of 2008, the gaming sector is expected to see "very slow or even negative growth", Lusa quoted the source as saying.
With regard to the impact on local job market, Fong pointed out that jobs generated by casinos have peaked, although two new casino resort projects, set to be put into operation in the near future, can partly alleviate such employment pressure.
"The society must reach a common consensus on whether to maintain Macao's gaming-led economy or extend vertically diversified development," he said.
He also proposed that since many non-gaming industries, such as hospitality and MICE , are emerging and taking off in Macao, the government should guide market capitals and operators to invest in these industries, in a bid to create more jobs in the non-gaming sectors.
Source:Xinhua
Chinese shares edge up, led by rebounding of PetroChina
Chinese shares edged up at close despite plunge in the morning session, led by rebounding of PetroChina.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 15.3 points or 0.69 percent to 2,216.81. The Shenzhen Component Index was 0.3 percent or 21.37 points higher to close at 7,083.45.
The combined turnover on the two bourses shrank to 69.5 billion yuan from previous day's 107.9 billion yuan.
Source:Xinhua
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 15.3 points or 0.69 percent to 2,216.81. The Shenzhen Component Index was 0.3 percent or 21.37 points higher to close at 7,083.45.
The combined turnover on the two bourses shrank to 69.5 billion yuan from previous day's 107.9 billion yuan.
Source:Xinhua
China's insurers saw assets decline in August
Insurance sector assets declined in August, reflecting ebbing returns on equity investments and regular payments, the China Securities Journal reported on Wednesday, quoting the China Insurance Regulatory Commission.
Insurance assets totaled just over 3 trillion yuan in the first eight months of this year, down1.26 percent from the January-July period.
From January to August, premiums totaled 713.4 billion yuan, up 12.1 percent over the January-July level and up 71.38 percent year-on-year. The total included 165 billion yuan in property policies and 548 billion yuan in personal policies.
Life insurers' premiums amounted to 491.7 billion yuan nationwide, up 66.5 percent from a year earlier.
Source: Xinhua
Insurance assets totaled just over 3 trillion yuan in the first eight months of this year, down1.26 percent from the January-July period.
From January to August, premiums totaled 713.4 billion yuan, up 12.1 percent over the January-July level and up 71.38 percent year-on-year. The total included 165 billion yuan in property policies and 548 billion yuan in personal policies.
Life insurers' premiums amounted to 491.7 billion yuan nationwide, up 66.5 percent from a year earlier.
Source: Xinhua
New CNPC oil refinery to start up in December, serve SW China
China's largest oil producer, China National Petroleum Corp. , will start up a 10-million-ton oil refinery in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in December, a step to relieve tight energy supply in southwest China, the regional governor said on Wednesday.
Work on the plant, costing more than 15 billion yuan , was launched at the end of 2006 in the coastal city of Qinzhou on the northern shore of the Beibu Gulf.
It is expected to process 10 million tons of crude oil and produce 6.7 million tons of refined products, said Ma Biao, the regional governor.
Annual revenue would be more than 40 billion yuan, he said.
"The distribution of oil plants in China is illogical. Southwest regions like Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan completely rely on outside supply and the refined oil supply is tight at present," said Shen Shaohong, an official with the Qinzhou Port Economic Development Zone said.
CNPC currently supplies its southwest market from a refinery in Dalian, a port city in northeast China's Liaoning Province. By processing imported crude in the Qinzhou refinery, CNPC could cut its transportation costs by 200 yuan per ton.
Source: Xinhua
Work on the plant, costing more than 15 billion yuan , was launched at the end of 2006 in the coastal city of Qinzhou on the northern shore of the Beibu Gulf.
It is expected to process 10 million tons of crude oil and produce 6.7 million tons of refined products, said Ma Biao, the regional governor.
Annual revenue would be more than 40 billion yuan, he said.
"The distribution of oil plants in China is illogical. Southwest regions like Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan completely rely on outside supply and the refined oil supply is tight at present," said Shen Shaohong, an official with the Qinzhou Port Economic Development Zone said.
CNPC currently supplies its southwest market from a refinery in Dalian, a port city in northeast China's Liaoning Province. By processing imported crude in the Qinzhou refinery, CNPC could cut its transportation costs by 200 yuan per ton.
Source: Xinhua
Hong Kong stocks end higher on Buffett's boost
Hong Kong stocks rose 89.14 points, or 0.47 percent, to close at 18,961.99 on Wednesday, on news that U.S. tycoon Warren Buffett was investing five billion dollars in beleaguered U.S. bank Goldman Sachs.
The Hang Seng benchmark index opened the morning session at 18,954.32 points, or 0.43 percent higher, and climbed to the day's high of 19,291.02 before it slid on rumors about Bank of East Asia's stability that was dismissed by both the bank and Hong Kong's financial regulators.
Bank of East Asia tightened its loss to 6.85 percent after a 11.3-percent slump in the afternoon on the strong statement by its management that the malicious rumors were not founded on facts and the bank had reported police and notify regulators in connection to the SMS fabrication.
The rumor on the bank's stability was also rejected as unfounded by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and John Tsang, financial secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.
Total market turnover fell to 59.01 billion HK dollars from Tuesday's 64.37 billion HK dollars (8.29 billion U.S. dollars
Analysts said that the market remained jittery after U.S. lawmakers Tuesday refused to pass the government rescue plan unless amendments were made.
They said Buffett's move will calm markets only briefly, as investor bearishness could return to the fore in the near term.
On local bank stocks side, heavyweight HSBC Holdings was up 0.32 percent, while Hang Seng Bank remained unchanged. BOC HK was down 0.95 percent, but StanChart was up 1.25 percent.
The mainland bank stocks close mixed. CB and Bank of China slid0.95 percent and 0.63 percent while ICBC lifted 0.86 percent. Bankcomm and CITIC Bank climbed 0.27 percent and 0.83 percent. CM Bank lost 3.81 percent.
Property stock Cheung Kong trimmed 1.05 percent, and SHK PPT dipped 0.22 percent despite the news that its substantial shareholder the Kwok family further raised holding by 650,000 shares.
Mainland's telecom stocks moved individually. China Mobile was up 1.99 percent and China Telecom up 1.21 percent. But China Unicom was down 1.2 percent and Netcom down 0.12 percent, With international oil futures easing, CNOOC, the largest offshore oil producer in the mainland, was up 0.42 percent, and PetroChina, thelargest oil firm in the mainland, was up 2.52 percent. Sinopec Corp, the largest oil refiner in the mainland, was up 2.78 percent.
Source: Xinhua
The Hang Seng benchmark index opened the morning session at 18,954.32 points, or 0.43 percent higher, and climbed to the day's high of 19,291.02 before it slid on rumors about Bank of East Asia's stability that was dismissed by both the bank and Hong Kong's financial regulators.
Bank of East Asia tightened its loss to 6.85 percent after a 11.3-percent slump in the afternoon on the strong statement by its management that the malicious rumors were not founded on facts and the bank had reported police and notify regulators in connection to the SMS fabrication.
The rumor on the bank's stability was also rejected as unfounded by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and John Tsang, financial secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.
Total market turnover fell to 59.01 billion HK dollars from Tuesday's 64.37 billion HK dollars (8.29 billion U.S. dollars
Analysts said that the market remained jittery after U.S. lawmakers Tuesday refused to pass the government rescue plan unless amendments were made.
They said Buffett's move will calm markets only briefly, as investor bearishness could return to the fore in the near term.
On local bank stocks side, heavyweight HSBC Holdings was up 0.32 percent, while Hang Seng Bank remained unchanged. BOC HK was down 0.95 percent, but StanChart was up 1.25 percent.
The mainland bank stocks close mixed. CB and Bank of China slid0.95 percent and 0.63 percent while ICBC lifted 0.86 percent. Bankcomm and CITIC Bank climbed 0.27 percent and 0.83 percent. CM Bank lost 3.81 percent.
Property stock Cheung Kong trimmed 1.05 percent, and SHK PPT dipped 0.22 percent despite the news that its substantial shareholder the Kwok family further raised holding by 650,000 shares.
Mainland's telecom stocks moved individually. China Mobile was up 1.99 percent and China Telecom up 1.21 percent. But China Unicom was down 1.2 percent and Netcom down 0.12 percent, With international oil futures easing, CNOOC, the largest offshore oil producer in the mainland, was up 0.42 percent, and PetroChina, thelargest oil firm in the mainland, was up 2.52 percent. Sinopec Corp, the largest oil refiner in the mainland, was up 2.78 percent.
Source: Xinhua
Beware of "mistaking area" in development
"On no account should any business and enterprise seek rapid development and fat economic profits at the expense of the people's life and health," Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping reiterated the importance of the "scientific outlook of development" pinpointing a swirl of food safety scandals set up in recent days. He stressed the industries and local governments in question are obliged to learn a lesson from their mistakes.
Obviously, quickening the pace of economic development in itself is nothing mistaken, for it is the basic means to the settlement of people's livelihood issues. Nevertheless, if the economic development has gone astray, disregarding human conscience, social morality and people's life, and totally running counter to the "scientific outlook of development," the rapid development will go nowhere but to the dead end.
To boost economic development must be based on the principle of "people first," otherwise, the situation will be worrisome. "People first" means economic development must be people-oriented, in the interest of the public, and for the benefit of people's all-round development. More important, economic development must subject to the human survival rights. When the deadly earthquake hit Sichuan, the government called for a desperate rescue of human lives, indicating life is put above all. It is evident that economic development will be meaningless if not in line with the human development.
The costs induced by liability accident and illicit conduct are already too heavy to bear, and the lesson learnt form all these mistakes is that economic development would backfire if it were in violation of the "scientific outlook of development." The disastrous scenes will always remind us of the man-made evils in pursuit of the so-called economic growth: the infamous "cancer villages" along the contaminated Huaihe River, cities engulfed in poisonous gas, vegetables polluted by pesticides and fertilizers, food adulterated with toxic chemicals, and the shoddy buildings scattered almost anywhere in the country-all this reflecting the utter disregard of humans lives.
The "mistaking area" in development is generally created by the unscientific performance testing on officials. For so many years in the largest developing country in the world, the GDP growth rate has been regarded as the only yardstick to judge the officials at different levels qualified or not. Even though the government has began to reverse the course, many local authorities still place their top priority on economic growth, as the achievements scored in developing the local economy still acts as the decisive factor to determine their performance as qualified officials and their promotion. More over, the prosperous economy is also considered the most outstanding "image projects" in many places. Clad in the disguise of developing the local economy, some officials have even gone so far as to be found in collusion with illegal businesses.
In a nutshell, the "mistaking area" in development is not a pitfall luring merely those with some particular ailment to go to such depth, instead, many forces put together create the "mistaking area." In this case, to erase the "harmful area" and prevent economic development from slipping into the "mistaking area," a more comprehensive treatment on the basis of the "scientific outlook of development" will have to be put in place with no time to spare.
By People's Daily Online
Obviously, quickening the pace of economic development in itself is nothing mistaken, for it is the basic means to the settlement of people's livelihood issues. Nevertheless, if the economic development has gone astray, disregarding human conscience, social morality and people's life, and totally running counter to the "scientific outlook of development," the rapid development will go nowhere but to the dead end.
To boost economic development must be based on the principle of "people first," otherwise, the situation will be worrisome. "People first" means economic development must be people-oriented, in the interest of the public, and for the benefit of people's all-round development. More important, economic development must subject to the human survival rights. When the deadly earthquake hit Sichuan, the government called for a desperate rescue of human lives, indicating life is put above all. It is evident that economic development will be meaningless if not in line with the human development.
The costs induced by liability accident and illicit conduct are already too heavy to bear, and the lesson learnt form all these mistakes is that economic development would backfire if it were in violation of the "scientific outlook of development." The disastrous scenes will always remind us of the man-made evils in pursuit of the so-called economic growth: the infamous "cancer villages" along the contaminated Huaihe River, cities engulfed in poisonous gas, vegetables polluted by pesticides and fertilizers, food adulterated with toxic chemicals, and the shoddy buildings scattered almost anywhere in the country-all this reflecting the utter disregard of humans lives.
The "mistaking area" in development is generally created by the unscientific performance testing on officials. For so many years in the largest developing country in the world, the GDP growth rate has been regarded as the only yardstick to judge the officials at different levels qualified or not. Even though the government has began to reverse the course, many local authorities still place their top priority on economic growth, as the achievements scored in developing the local economy still acts as the decisive factor to determine their performance as qualified officials and their promotion. More over, the prosperous economy is also considered the most outstanding "image projects" in many places. Clad in the disguise of developing the local economy, some officials have even gone so far as to be found in collusion with illegal businesses.
In a nutshell, the "mistaking area" in development is not a pitfall luring merely those with some particular ailment to go to such depth, instead, many forces put together create the "mistaking area." In this case, to erase the "harmful area" and prevent economic development from slipping into the "mistaking area," a more comprehensive treatment on the basis of the "scientific outlook of development" will have to be put in place with no time to spare.
By People's Daily Online
What admonishment can China get from Wall Street Crisis?
The financial hurricane emerging from the Wall Street, in essence, is a credit crisis, which is related closely to frenzied overdrafts in the way of consumption. When the weakest link in the debt chain has finally snapped, the zeal for consumption will dampen and subside drastically.
At present, the intelligentsia in the West has begun mulling over and discussing issues on how the ongoing financial crisis will change the American-style consumption. In the meantime, we are reminded that as fewer orders have come in from clients and pressures from prices stepped up, it is more difficult for us to bring about economic growth by relying mainly on exports of key enterprises.
"Global consumption surged 63 percent between 2001and 2007, a bonanza fuelled by easy global credit conditions and soaring equity and housing prices,"indicated by statistics provided by the "Financial Times"of London. Since early 2008, however, the slump global economy has violently slashed these enterprises, and the outbreak of the current financial crisis adds to their problems as they are already deep in trouble.
The United States in recession is no longer the nation that used to go all out boldly to resort to credit for increasing consumption, and it is also sure to be the nation which does not favor "China-made"goods so much it did as before. Likewise, China's another leading trade partner, the European Union , has also been in a trend of an augmented protectionism due to its own slow economic growth, an impact from the American financial hurricane and a growing deficit from its trade with China.
The thorny problem does not merely come from developed nations alone. When the economy loses strength and trade barriers heighten in these developed nations, competition between the developing countries has also turned increasingly more acute and fierce. So Danny Roderick, an ace economist at the Kennedy School, Harvard University, has pointed out that the expansion of South-South trade seems much more difficult than the expansion of North-South trade politically.
So, no one can accurately predict how long such an external economic predicament will sustain? Where is a new area of growth for global economy in months or years to come, and where lies an "engine"for fresh economic growth? These questions look quite ambiguous to date. The trend for the readjustment of global economy is however obvious and apparent and, against this backdrop, Chinese economy is bound to face a process of tough, arduous readjustment or restructuring.
In view of the overall situation in Chinese economy, it is immune to the Wall Street "virus"to some extent, as China has a limited degree of openness in its financial sector. Nevertheless, the more serious challenges ahead cannot possibly be the direct "contagion"but pressure from the transfer of its growth mode. The task we are now facing is not merely how to draw lessons but to make preparations to respond for the next step, that is, to take more initiative in readjusting setup and raise the country's domestic consumption.
When the prices of raw materials are on a steady, repid rise globally today, the endeavor to increase input in industrial sector and in equity and housing property business could possibly stimulate inflation further. Owing to the sluggish global market, more input in China's domestic production will also give rise to the glut of goods. Therefore, in order to enable the expanded domestic demand to achieve an anticipated result, it is essential and imperative to input more in such fields as social security, medicare and health work, and education.
In other words, the main purpose of imput is definitely not to turn out more goods or to build more high-rises or skyscrapers, but to bring about more and more consumers with substantial financial strength, so that ordinary citizens in the country are better able to resist and defend against risks. Such an imput will eventually effect the long-term benign growth of Chinese economy, and China will be capable of making even greater contributions to the development of the entire world.
By People's Daily Online, and its author is senior PD desk editor Ding Gang
At present, the intelligentsia in the West has begun mulling over and discussing issues on how the ongoing financial crisis will change the American-style consumption. In the meantime, we are reminded that as fewer orders have come in from clients and pressures from prices stepped up, it is more difficult for us to bring about economic growth by relying mainly on exports of key enterprises.
"Global consumption surged 63 percent between 2001and 2007, a bonanza fuelled by easy global credit conditions and soaring equity and housing prices,"indicated by statistics provided by the "Financial Times"of London. Since early 2008, however, the slump global economy has violently slashed these enterprises, and the outbreak of the current financial crisis adds to their problems as they are already deep in trouble.
The United States in recession is no longer the nation that used to go all out boldly to resort to credit for increasing consumption, and it is also sure to be the nation which does not favor "China-made"goods so much it did as before. Likewise, China's another leading trade partner, the European Union , has also been in a trend of an augmented protectionism due to its own slow economic growth, an impact from the American financial hurricane and a growing deficit from its trade with China.
The thorny problem does not merely come from developed nations alone. When the economy loses strength and trade barriers heighten in these developed nations, competition between the developing countries has also turned increasingly more acute and fierce. So Danny Roderick, an ace economist at the Kennedy School, Harvard University, has pointed out that the expansion of South-South trade seems much more difficult than the expansion of North-South trade politically.
So, no one can accurately predict how long such an external economic predicament will sustain? Where is a new area of growth for global economy in months or years to come, and where lies an "engine"for fresh economic growth? These questions look quite ambiguous to date. The trend for the readjustment of global economy is however obvious and apparent and, against this backdrop, Chinese economy is bound to face a process of tough, arduous readjustment or restructuring.
In view of the overall situation in Chinese economy, it is immune to the Wall Street "virus"to some extent, as China has a limited degree of openness in its financial sector. Nevertheless, the more serious challenges ahead cannot possibly be the direct "contagion"but pressure from the transfer of its growth mode. The task we are now facing is not merely how to draw lessons but to make preparations to respond for the next step, that is, to take more initiative in readjusting setup and raise the country's domestic consumption.
When the prices of raw materials are on a steady, repid rise globally today, the endeavor to increase input in industrial sector and in equity and housing property business could possibly stimulate inflation further. Owing to the sluggish global market, more input in China's domestic production will also give rise to the glut of goods. Therefore, in order to enable the expanded domestic demand to achieve an anticipated result, it is essential and imperative to input more in such fields as social security, medicare and health work, and education.
In other words, the main purpose of imput is definitely not to turn out more goods or to build more high-rises or skyscrapers, but to bring about more and more consumers with substantial financial strength, so that ordinary citizens in the country are better able to resist and defend against risks. Such an imput will eventually effect the long-term benign growth of Chinese economy, and China will be capable of making even greater contributions to the development of the entire world.
By People's Daily Online, and its author is senior PD desk editor Ding Gang
Chinese premier vows to ensure product quality, especially food safety
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here Tuesday that the Chinese government will go all out to ensure product quality, especially food safety.
When answering a question on China's food safety at a luncheon honoring his visit to the United Nations, Wen said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the quality of the Chinese products, particularly food safety.
Wen arrived here Tuesday morning for a three-day visit. He is scheduled to attend the general debate of the 63rd UN General Assembly Wednesday and a high-level UN meeting for the Millennium Development Goals Thursday.
Speaking of the public health scare caused by contaminated baby milk formula in China, the premier said "as a responsible government, we have taken prompt and resolute steps."
At the luncheon co-hosted by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and other friendly American organizations, Wen briefed participants on the measures that the Chinese government had taken to deal with the incident.
"We have ordered all the hazardous milk powder and dairy products off the shelves, and we have also given the order to seal up and destroy the tainted silk powder and dairy products," he said.
Wen added that other measures taken included destroying tainted products, investigating the incident and holding the perpetrators and involved personnel accountable.
The premier said what was more important was to learn the lesson from the incident.
"We need everything possible to ensure the quality of products, particularly the safety of food as this concerns everyone's life," he said, adding that "we should never try to pursue corporate profit or economic growth at the expense of health and life of people."
The premier also stressed institutional building, saying that "we need to strengthen inspection for every link and process in the production, at the same time, we need to make every effort to protect the interests of consumers in real earnest."
"I want to assure you here that we will take measures to improve product quality and food safety in China in a fundamental way."
Wen pledged that "we want to make sure that our products and our food will not only meet the domestic and international standards, but also meet the specific requirements of the import countries," adding that every effort would be made to attain this goal.
Wen also stressed the importance of social ethics and called on both China and the United States to step up cooperation to ensure product quality and food safety.
Source:Xinhua
When answering a question on China's food safety at a luncheon honoring his visit to the United Nations, Wen said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the quality of the Chinese products, particularly food safety.
Wen arrived here Tuesday morning for a three-day visit. He is scheduled to attend the general debate of the 63rd UN General Assembly Wednesday and a high-level UN meeting for the Millennium Development Goals Thursday.
Speaking of the public health scare caused by contaminated baby milk formula in China, the premier said "as a responsible government, we have taken prompt and resolute steps."
At the luncheon co-hosted by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and other friendly American organizations, Wen briefed participants on the measures that the Chinese government had taken to deal with the incident.
"We have ordered all the hazardous milk powder and dairy products off the shelves, and we have also given the order to seal up and destroy the tainted silk powder and dairy products," he said.
Wen added that other measures taken included destroying tainted products, investigating the incident and holding the perpetrators and involved personnel accountable.
The premier said what was more important was to learn the lesson from the incident.
"We need everything possible to ensure the quality of products, particularly the safety of food as this concerns everyone's life," he said, adding that "we should never try to pursue corporate profit or economic growth at the expense of health and life of people."
The premier also stressed institutional building, saying that "we need to strengthen inspection for every link and process in the production, at the same time, we need to make every effort to protect the interests of consumers in real earnest."
"I want to assure you here that we will take measures to improve product quality and food safety in China in a fundamental way."
Wen pledged that "we want to make sure that our products and our food will not only meet the domestic and international standards, but also meet the specific requirements of the import countries," adding that every effort would be made to attain this goal.
Wen also stressed the importance of social ethics and called on both China and the United States to step up cooperation to ensure product quality and food safety.
Source:Xinhua
17 missing after S Korean cargo ship capsizes off Macao
About 17 crew members on a South Korean cargo ship were missing after the ship capsized off the coast of Macao on Wednesday, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said.
According to Yonhap, the 4,000-ton Zues-ho was found capsized in waters around 57 km southwest of China's Macao Special Administrative Region at 4:10 p.m. by a Chinese rescue ship.
The ship lost radio contact after sending a distress call to Singaporean maritime authorities earlier on the day, Yonhap said.
Eight South Koreans, eight Myanmarians and one Indonesian sailors are missing, Yonhap said.
The Chinese authorities deployed a 3,500-ton rescue ship and an airplane to the scene to find the missing, but Typhoon Hagupit hampered the rescue ship from conducting the rescue operations, South Korea's Coast Guard said.
The Zues-ho, registered in South Korea, left Vietnam on Sunday with 6,200 tons of glass materials on board and was scheduled to arrive at the South Korean port of Masan on next Sunday, Yonhap said.
Source: Xinhua
According to Yonhap, the 4,000-ton Zues-ho was found capsized in waters around 57 km southwest of China's Macao Special Administrative Region at 4:10 p.m. by a Chinese rescue ship.
The ship lost radio contact after sending a distress call to Singaporean maritime authorities earlier on the day, Yonhap said.
Eight South Koreans, eight Myanmarians and one Indonesian sailors are missing, Yonhap said.
The Chinese authorities deployed a 3,500-ton rescue ship and an airplane to the scene to find the missing, but Typhoon Hagupit hampered the rescue ship from conducting the rescue operations, South Korea's Coast Guard said.
The Zues-ho, registered in South Korea, left Vietnam on Sunday with 6,200 tons of glass materials on board and was scheduled to arrive at the South Korean port of Masan on next Sunday, Yonhap said.
Source: Xinhua
Air-sea-land military drill held in northeast China
A unit of China's People's Liberation Army held a military exercise lasting several days in which it tested the synergistic command and battle capabilities of the navy, army and air force, the PLA Daily reported on Wednesday.
The newspaper said the drill, which ended on Tuesday, was organized by the Jinan Military Area Command and involved more than 10 squadrons from the three forces garrisoned in the command. The drill was also the first cross-regional exercise, which spanned an area from the Shandong Peninsula to Liaodong Peninsula.
The newspaper didn't say how many days the exercise lasted.
Land-land, land-air, air-sea, air-air and electromagnetic confrontations were designed for the drill, and missile destroyer, frigate and fighter aircraft were all involved.
Maj.-Gen. Ma Yiming, chief director of the drill, said the exercise was intended mainly to explore how to improve, under current circumstances, the forces' synergistic abilities in data collection, command and control, firepower, electronic confrontation and logistics.
Dubbed "Joint-2008", the exercise would build up data and experience for the various armed forces' coordination and personnel training, military experts were cited by the report as saying.
Source: Xinhua
The newspaper said the drill, which ended on Tuesday, was organized by the Jinan Military Area Command and involved more than 10 squadrons from the three forces garrisoned in the command. The drill was also the first cross-regional exercise, which spanned an area from the Shandong Peninsula to Liaodong Peninsula.
The newspaper didn't say how many days the exercise lasted.
Land-land, land-air, air-sea, air-air and electromagnetic confrontations were designed for the drill, and missile destroyer, frigate and fighter aircraft were all involved.
Maj.-Gen. Ma Yiming, chief director of the drill, said the exercise was intended mainly to explore how to improve, under current circumstances, the forces' synergistic abilities in data collection, command and control, firepower, electronic confrontation and logistics.
Dubbed "Joint-2008", the exercise would build up data and experience for the various armed forces' coordination and personnel training, military experts were cited by the report as saying.
Source: Xinhua
WHO confident in China sharing information on tainted milk
The World Health Organization is confident that the Chinese government has provided timely information on the tainted milk problem, a WHO spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
"We don't really know the scale of the problem, but we are confident that the Chinese authorities are informing us in a timely manner," Fadela Chaib told a news briefing in Geneva.
WHO said nearly 40,000 cases of kidney stones in infants with three confirmed deaths related to the consumption of melamine-contaminated powdered infant formula have been reported from across China as of Sept. 21. Almost 12,900 are currently hospitalized.
According to the spokeswoman, China is not obliged to inform WHO of this case because it is a nationwide problem, not an emergency with an international impact or scale.
WHO is therefore awaiting the results of a full investigation by the Chinese authorities to learn the scale of the problem, she said.
She added that it was not clear if the peak of the crisis had been reached or not. As more and more rural families in China become aware of the problem they are bringing their children to hospitals for check-up.
Meanwhile, a WHO expert said Tuesday that the organization saw no need for an import ban on Chinese milk products.
Up to now WHO has not received reports of infants in other countries affected by tainted milk produced in China, said Danilo Lo-Fo-Wong, a senior scientist in WHO's food safety division.
WHO is concerned with public health in all member states but "does not recommend to just ban all Chinese milk products, at least not at this stage," he said.
Source: Xinhua
"We don't really know the scale of the problem, but we are confident that the Chinese authorities are informing us in a timely manner," Fadela Chaib told a news briefing in Geneva.
WHO said nearly 40,000 cases of kidney stones in infants with three confirmed deaths related to the consumption of melamine-contaminated powdered infant formula have been reported from across China as of Sept. 21. Almost 12,900 are currently hospitalized.
According to the spokeswoman, China is not obliged to inform WHO of this case because it is a nationwide problem, not an emergency with an international impact or scale.
WHO is therefore awaiting the results of a full investigation by the Chinese authorities to learn the scale of the problem, she said.
She added that it was not clear if the peak of the crisis had been reached or not. As more and more rural families in China become aware of the problem they are bringing their children to hospitals for check-up.
Meanwhile, a WHO expert said Tuesday that the organization saw no need for an import ban on Chinese milk products.
Up to now WHO has not received reports of infants in other countries affected by tainted milk produced in China, said Danilo Lo-Fo-Wong, a senior scientist in WHO's food safety division.
WHO is concerned with public health in all member states but "does not recommend to just ban all Chinese milk products, at least not at this stage," he said.
Source: Xinhua
China's satellite launch center open to tourists for free
China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, where the country's third manned spacecraft Shenzhou-7 is due to blast off, is open to all tourists from home and abroad free of charge, said an official with the center on Wednesday.
Any ordinary tourist can visit the center for free if an application is filed and approved and that room and board is self-covered, deputy director Yu Bencheng of the center told Xinhua.
The center is open to tourists all the year around except when important missions are carried out, while overseas visitors need the approval of government foreign affairs departments to enter the area, said Yu.
He dismissed the rumors on the Internet about the center charging tourists and journalists covering the Shenzhou-7 mission, saying the center had never made commercial use of its growing attraction to tourists.
Located in northwest China's Gansu Province, the launch base and its host city Jiuquan have become a popular destination among space fans since the country launched its first manned spaceship there in 2003.
Visits to the center were suspended from the middle of August and would resume after the launch of the Shenzhou-7, said Yu.
"The center now has no extra energy to accept tourists because of the intensity of the Shenzhou-7 space mission," he said. "Besides, it's necessary to strengthen controls as the rocket and the spacecraft have already entered the launch base."
Established in 1958 and 210 km away from the Jiuquan city's downtown, the launch center started to open to the public in 1986.
Source: Xinhua
Any ordinary tourist can visit the center for free if an application is filed and approved and that room and board is self-covered, deputy director Yu Bencheng of the center told Xinhua.
The center is open to tourists all the year around except when important missions are carried out, while overseas visitors need the approval of government foreign affairs departments to enter the area, said Yu.
He dismissed the rumors on the Internet about the center charging tourists and journalists covering the Shenzhou-7 mission, saying the center had never made commercial use of its growing attraction to tourists.
Located in northwest China's Gansu Province, the launch base and its host city Jiuquan have become a popular destination among space fans since the country launched its first manned spaceship there in 2003.
Visits to the center were suspended from the middle of August and would resume after the launch of the Shenzhou-7, said Yu.
"The center now has no extra energy to accept tourists because of the intensity of the Shenzhou-7 space mission," he said. "Besides, it's necessary to strengthen controls as the rocket and the spacecraft have already entered the launch base."
Established in 1958 and 210 km away from the Jiuquan city's downtown, the launch center started to open to the public in 1986.
Source: Xinhua
First Chinese to spacewalk on Friday
The first Chinese astronaut is likely to walk in space around 4:30 pm on Friday, a day after spacecraft Shenzhou VII lifts off, the commander-in-chief of the mission's ground operation has said.
The historic moment will be broadcast live across the world, xinhua.net quoted Cui Jijun as having said yesterday, and the space environment is expected to be fine for the mission.
Shenzhou VII is scheduled to blast off from Jiuquan in Gansu province tomorrow night. The exact time will be announced today.
The Shenzhou-VII mission entered the countdown stage after the final check on the spacecraft, the carrier rocket and the ground operation system was completed yesterday morning.
Scientists simulated the ignition of the rocket and the in-flight moves of the capsule to test how the observation, control and communication systems at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center work.
The rocket will be loaded with fuel after an overall quality review and approval of the mission headquarters. And all the settings of the spacecraft and the observation, control and communication systems will be frozen till the launch.
The spacecraft, its Long-March II-F carrier rocket and the escape tower were fitted on the launch pad on Saturday.
Technicians checked the rocket and the spacecraft on Monday to test how it functioned, Cui said. "All work well."
The space environment will be stable and calm during the mission, the Center for Space Environment Research and Forecast , affiliated to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said.
"After analyzing all the conditions, we predict that the space environment will be safe for the launch and the spacewalk," Liu Siqing, CSERF deputy director, said.
Starting yesterday, the center will submit a report on space environment and all operation systems to the headquarters every day till the completion of mission, Liu said.
The report will cover high-energy electrons, high-energy protons, X-rays and geomagnetic fields, which could affect the spaceship's flight.
Huang Weifen, deputy chief designer of the mission's flight system, said six astronauts - three to fly out and three to be on standby - have reached Jiuquan on Sunday. One of the three on the spaceship will conduct the spacewalk.
The six astronauts have been housed in a guarded quarantine facility, she said.
Other mission staff have to wear masks and sterilized uniforms and undergo health checks before entering the compound, and cannot even shake hands with the astronauts.
Doctors on the compound are closely monitoring the astronauts' physical and psychological states, she said.
All the five satellite-tracking ships are in position to support China's first spacewalk mission. Four of the vessels are in the Pacific Ocean and one in the Atlantic.
Jian Shilong, director of China Maritime Tracking and Control Department, said the ships would track and support Shenzhou VII, and monitor the spacewalk.
The ships, which can control the shuttle's solar panels, its orbit maneuverings and help with its maintenance, are part of China's space telemetry network, which comprises about 20 terrestrial surveying stations, too.
A new purpose-built media center will be opened in Beijing tomorrow for overseas journalists covering China's first spacewalk mission. This is the first time the country will open its space mission to the foreign media.
Xinhua contributed to the story
Source: China Daily
The historic moment will be broadcast live across the world, xinhua.net quoted Cui Jijun as having said yesterday, and the space environment is expected to be fine for the mission.
Shenzhou VII is scheduled to blast off from Jiuquan in Gansu province tomorrow night. The exact time will be announced today.
The Shenzhou-VII mission entered the countdown stage after the final check on the spacecraft, the carrier rocket and the ground operation system was completed yesterday morning.
Scientists simulated the ignition of the rocket and the in-flight moves of the capsule to test how the observation, control and communication systems at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center work.
The rocket will be loaded with fuel after an overall quality review and approval of the mission headquarters. And all the settings of the spacecraft and the observation, control and communication systems will be frozen till the launch.
The spacecraft, its Long-March II-F carrier rocket and the escape tower were fitted on the launch pad on Saturday.
Technicians checked the rocket and the spacecraft on Monday to test how it functioned, Cui said. "All work well."
The space environment will be stable and calm during the mission, the Center for Space Environment Research and Forecast , affiliated to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said.
"After analyzing all the conditions, we predict that the space environment will be safe for the launch and the spacewalk," Liu Siqing, CSERF deputy director, said.
Starting yesterday, the center will submit a report on space environment and all operation systems to the headquarters every day till the completion of mission, Liu said.
The report will cover high-energy electrons, high-energy protons, X-rays and geomagnetic fields, which could affect the spaceship's flight.
Huang Weifen, deputy chief designer of the mission's flight system, said six astronauts - three to fly out and three to be on standby - have reached Jiuquan on Sunday. One of the three on the spaceship will conduct the spacewalk.
The six astronauts have been housed in a guarded quarantine facility, she said.
Other mission staff have to wear masks and sterilized uniforms and undergo health checks before entering the compound, and cannot even shake hands with the astronauts.
Doctors on the compound are closely monitoring the astronauts' physical and psychological states, she said.
All the five satellite-tracking ships are in position to support China's first spacewalk mission. Four of the vessels are in the Pacific Ocean and one in the Atlantic.
Jian Shilong, director of China Maritime Tracking and Control Department, said the ships would track and support Shenzhou VII, and monitor the spacewalk.
The ships, which can control the shuttle's solar panels, its orbit maneuverings and help with its maintenance, are part of China's space telemetry network, which comprises about 20 terrestrial surveying stations, too.
A new purpose-built media center will be opened in Beijing tomorrow for overseas journalists covering China's first spacewalk mission. This is the first time the country will open its space mission to the foreign media.
Xinhua contributed to the story
Source: China Daily
Shenzhou-7 astronauts to meet press before blast-off
The crew of China's Shenzhou-7 space mission is scheduled to meet the press at 17:30 on Thursday.
In addition, the headquarters of China's third manned space mission will hold another press conference at 14:30 Thursday.
The crew, who will conduct the first Chinese space walk, is waiting for a launch window at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern Gansu Province.
The undated photo shows technicians help the Shenzhou-7 manned spaceship to dock with the Long-March II-F rocket at an assembly plant. The spaceship has been finished docking with the rocket recently.
Depending on weather, the launch is scheduled between Sept. 25 and 30.
The Shenzhou-7 spacecraft will send three Chinese astronauts who will make a historical spacewalk.
Six Chinese astronauts are ready for the mission, three pilots who will finally be aboard and three substitutes.
However neither the military or the mission's headquarters has officially released their identities, even though many local websites had reported various stories on six favorites.
According to the headquarters' release, three pilots and three substitutes said they were fully confident to successfully accomplish the mission.
After three hours of tests and safety examinations in the last rehearsal on Monday, the mission has been given the green light.
Scientists working for the mission said on Tuesday that the carrier rocket of the spacecraft was ready to be fueled, bringing the launch to the countdown status.
Source:Xinhua
In addition, the headquarters of China's third manned space mission will hold another press conference at 14:30 Thursday.
The crew, who will conduct the first Chinese space walk, is waiting for a launch window at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern Gansu Province.
The undated photo shows technicians help the Shenzhou-7 manned spaceship to dock with the Long-March II-F rocket at an assembly plant. The spaceship has been finished docking with the rocket recently.
Depending on weather, the launch is scheduled between Sept. 25 and 30.
The Shenzhou-7 spacecraft will send three Chinese astronauts who will make a historical spacewalk.
Six Chinese astronauts are ready for the mission, three pilots who will finally be aboard and three substitutes.
However neither the military or the mission's headquarters has officially released their identities, even though many local websites had reported various stories on six favorites.
According to the headquarters' release, three pilots and three substitutes said they were fully confident to successfully accomplish the mission.
After three hours of tests and safety examinations in the last rehearsal on Monday, the mission has been given the green light.
Scientists working for the mission said on Tuesday that the carrier rocket of the spacecraft was ready to be fueled, bringing the launch to the countdown status.
Source:Xinhua
Former U.S. astronauts wish China's Shenzhou-7 mission good luck
Several former U.S. astronauts told Xinhua that they wish China's upcoming Shenzhou-7 mission a success and the crew members the best of luck.
Depending on weather, the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft launch is scheduled between Sept. 25 and Sept. 30. This will be the third Chinese manned space mission, but the first time Chinese astronauts perform a spacewalk.
"I would like to wish the crew of Shenzhou-7 a safe and successful flight," said Edward Lu, a famous Chinese-American NASA astronaut, servicing in NASA from 1994 to 2007.
As a veteran of three space missions, Lu has logged over 206 days in space, and a spacewalk totaling six hours and 14 minutes.
"Spacewalking is an important capability, and it will mark a big milestone in China's space experience," Lu told Xinhua.
Jeffrey Hoffman, a senior NASA astronaut from 1978 to 2001, told Xinhua that he wished China's next astronauts good luck for a successful mission and look forward to hearing about their spacewalk.
Hoffman made five space flights in his space career. He has logged more than 1,211 hours in space, and he is also the first U.S. astronaut to log 1,000 hours aboard the U.S. space shuttle.
Describing himself as a friend of Yang Liwei, China's first astronaut, NASA former astronaut Winston Scott also wished the first Chinese spacewalker the best of luck.
"He is going to have a fantastic experience. I would urge him take the spacewalk slowly and deliberately. He should relax and enjoy the experience," Scott, with three spacewalks on record, told Xinhua in a recent interview.
Scott hosted a reception in Florida for Yang and a Chinese Space Delegation in 2004. "I think the Chinese astronauts are excellent. They are highly selected, highly educated and trained professionals who will advance the Chinese space program greatly."
Michael Braukus, the public affairs officer at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. told Xinhua on Tuesday that NASA wished China success on the launch of Shenzhou-7 and the safe return of its crew.
Source:Xinhua
Depending on weather, the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft launch is scheduled between Sept. 25 and Sept. 30. This will be the third Chinese manned space mission, but the first time Chinese astronauts perform a spacewalk.
"I would like to wish the crew of Shenzhou-7 a safe and successful flight," said Edward Lu, a famous Chinese-American NASA astronaut, servicing in NASA from 1994 to 2007.
As a veteran of three space missions, Lu has logged over 206 days in space, and a spacewalk totaling six hours and 14 minutes.
"Spacewalking is an important capability, and it will mark a big milestone in China's space experience," Lu told Xinhua.
Jeffrey Hoffman, a senior NASA astronaut from 1978 to 2001, told Xinhua that he wished China's next astronauts good luck for a successful mission and look forward to hearing about their spacewalk.
Hoffman made five space flights in his space career. He has logged more than 1,211 hours in space, and he is also the first U.S. astronaut to log 1,000 hours aboard the U.S. space shuttle.
Describing himself as a friend of Yang Liwei, China's first astronaut, NASA former astronaut Winston Scott also wished the first Chinese spacewalker the best of luck.
"He is going to have a fantastic experience. I would urge him take the spacewalk slowly and deliberately. He should relax and enjoy the experience," Scott, with three spacewalks on record, told Xinhua in a recent interview.
Scott hosted a reception in Florida for Yang and a Chinese Space Delegation in 2004. "I think the Chinese astronauts are excellent. They are highly selected, highly educated and trained professionals who will advance the Chinese space program greatly."
Michael Braukus, the public affairs officer at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. told Xinhua on Tuesday that NASA wished China success on the launch of Shenzhou-7 and the safe return of its crew.
Source:Xinhua
China to launch Shenzhou-7 spacecraft on Thursday
China will launch its third manned spacecraft Shenzhou-7 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Thursday, a spokesperson with China's manned space program said on Wednesday.
One of the major tasks of the mission would be extravehicular activity , or known as space walk, the first of its kind attempted by Chinese taikonauts , said Wang Zhaoyao.
The undated photo shows technicians help the Shenzhou-7 manned spaceship to dock with the Long-March II-F rocket at an assembly plant. The spaceship has been finished docking with the rocket recently.
Other tasks included the release of a small monitoring satellite and trials of satellite data relay, said Wang, also deputy director of China's manned space program office.
The Shenzhou-7, carrying three taikonauts, will be launched on a Long-March II-F carrier rocket and then moved into orbit at an altitude of 343 kilometers.
Two taikonauts would enter the orbital module, where they would put on EVA spacesuits and prepare for the extravehicular activities. One taikonaut would be donned with Chinese-made Feitian EVA suit and the other with a Russian Orlan suit.
"One taikonaut will get out of the cabin and take back the test samples loaded outside the module," Wang said.
"After the EVA is completed, the spacecraft will release a small monitoring satellite. A trial of the data relay of satellite Tianlian I will also be carried out," Wang said.
The Shenzhou-7 is scheduled to land in the central area of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in northern China after its mission is completed, Wang said.
The Shenzhou-7 crew had finished their last rehearsal and a final check of the spacecraft, rocket and ground observation and control system had been completed.
The crew is scheduled to meet the press at Jiuquan launch center 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Source:Xinhua
One of the major tasks of the mission would be extravehicular activity , or known as space walk, the first of its kind attempted by Chinese taikonauts , said Wang Zhaoyao.
The undated photo shows technicians help the Shenzhou-7 manned spaceship to dock with the Long-March II-F rocket at an assembly plant. The spaceship has been finished docking with the rocket recently.
Other tasks included the release of a small monitoring satellite and trials of satellite data relay, said Wang, also deputy director of China's manned space program office.
The Shenzhou-7, carrying three taikonauts, will be launched on a Long-March II-F carrier rocket and then moved into orbit at an altitude of 343 kilometers.
Two taikonauts would enter the orbital module, where they would put on EVA spacesuits and prepare for the extravehicular activities. One taikonaut would be donned with Chinese-made Feitian EVA suit and the other with a Russian Orlan suit.
"One taikonaut will get out of the cabin and take back the test samples loaded outside the module," Wang said.
"After the EVA is completed, the spacecraft will release a small monitoring satellite. A trial of the data relay of satellite Tianlian I will also be carried out," Wang said.
The Shenzhou-7 is scheduled to land in the central area of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in northern China after its mission is completed, Wang said.
The Shenzhou-7 crew had finished their last rehearsal and a final check of the spacecraft, rocket and ground observation and control system had been completed.
The crew is scheduled to meet the press at Jiuquan launch center 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Source:Xinhua
Precipitation enhancement management project to be built in Xinjiang
A precipitation enhancement management project which costs as much as 2.3 billion yuan will be constructed in Xinjiang in the next four years, The precipitation enhancement management regions will be expanded from Tianshan Mountain to Kunlun Mountain and Altai mountain.
Atmospheric Science shows that there is a vapour transportation belt between latitude 30 degree and 50 degree, dubbed as "Tianhe" , which has abundant water vapour. Most area of Xinjiang locates within the "Tianhe" belt with water vapour passing through as much as 1 trllion tons per year.
By People's Daily Online
Atmospheric Science shows that there is a vapour transportation belt between latitude 30 degree and 50 degree, dubbed as "Tianhe" , which has abundant water vapour. Most area of Xinjiang locates within the "Tianhe" belt with water vapour passing through as much as 1 trllion tons per year.
By People's Daily Online
Mobile communication applied to high speed trains
China mobile invited media to experience the only high speed communication network applied to Beijing-Tianjin high-speed railway on September 23.
The mobile get-through rate is 95 per cent, and the network coverage rate is 99.5 per cent, after four months construction.
China mobile's special network of Beijing-Tianjin high-speed railway took use of the RUU and carrier pool system making it possible for 600 passengers to take phone call simultaneously . It also provides EGPRS service such as voice talk, multimedia message, Email, download of music and so on.
By People's Daily Online
The mobile get-through rate is 95 per cent, and the network coverage rate is 99.5 per cent, after four months construction.
China mobile's special network of Beijing-Tianjin high-speed railway took use of the RUU and carrier pool system making it possible for 600 passengers to take phone call simultaneously . It also provides EGPRS service such as voice talk, multimedia message, Email, download of music and so on.
By People's Daily Online
China technically capable of training foreign astronauts
China is technically capable of training foreign astronauts and aims to do so, said an official with the China Astronaut Research and Training Center on Wednesday.
China's two successful manned space missions so far showed the country's technical ability of independently training astronauts and it was one of the center's goals to train international astronauts in future, the center's director Chen Shanguang told Xinhua.
"International cooperation is an inevitable trend in manned space flights, which are large-scale projects with complex technologies and huge investment," said Chen.
China worked together with France and Belgium in several medical programs during the Shenzhou-6 space mission in 2005. It has set up four monitor stations abroad for the country's third manned spacecraft Shenzhou-7, which was scheduled to be launched on Thursday.
During the Shenzhou-6 space mission, joint research with Belgian space medical experts showed Chinese astronauts performed better than foreign astronauts in neural accommodation and stamina in erect posture, said Li Yongzhi, deputy chief designer of the astronaut system.
Chinese taikonauts, or astronauts, started to receive training since 1998. Huang Weifen, deputy chief designer of the astronaut system under China's manned space program, said all the taikonauts were already able to carry out missions in 2003.
It would be a major progress in the country's ability to train astronauts if the crew of the Shenzhou-7 could conduct extravehicular activity smoothly, said Chen.
The EVA, known as space walk, would be the first of its kind attempted by Chinese taikonauts.
The China Astronaut Research and Training Center is the third one in the world to carry out independent astronaut training after NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston and Yuri Gagarin Russian State Scientific-Research and Test of Cosmonaut Training.
Source:Xinhua
China's two successful manned space missions so far showed the country's technical ability of independently training astronauts and it was one of the center's goals to train international astronauts in future, the center's director Chen Shanguang told Xinhua.
"International cooperation is an inevitable trend in manned space flights, which are large-scale projects with complex technologies and huge investment," said Chen.
China worked together with France and Belgium in several medical programs during the Shenzhou-6 space mission in 2005. It has set up four monitor stations abroad for the country's third manned spacecraft Shenzhou-7, which was scheduled to be launched on Thursday.
During the Shenzhou-6 space mission, joint research with Belgian space medical experts showed Chinese astronauts performed better than foreign astronauts in neural accommodation and stamina in erect posture, said Li Yongzhi, deputy chief designer of the astronaut system.
Chinese taikonauts, or astronauts, started to receive training since 1998. Huang Weifen, deputy chief designer of the astronaut system under China's manned space program, said all the taikonauts were already able to carry out missions in 2003.
It would be a major progress in the country's ability to train astronauts if the crew of the Shenzhou-7 could conduct extravehicular activity smoothly, said Chen.
The EVA, known as space walk, would be the first of its kind attempted by Chinese taikonauts.
The China Astronaut Research and Training Center is the third one in the world to carry out independent astronaut training after NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston and Yuri Gagarin Russian State Scientific-Research and Test of Cosmonaut Training.
Source:Xinhua
Shenzhou-7 chief designer: All efforts to be made to ensure astronauts' safety
China will put the lives of the three astronauts onboard the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft at the first place, said Zhou Jianping, chief designer of the country's manned space program Wednesday in Jiuquan.
The manned space activities are highly risky so that they draw so much attention.China will make every effort to ensure the safety of the three astronauts at every phase of the mission, Zhou told reporters at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwestern Gansu Province.
The spacecraft is scheduled to blast off at the center Thursday evening.
A raft of safety measures have been taken including the application of the escape system and the emergency return model to cope with the possible trouble, he said.
The Extra Vehicular Activities , which will be conducted for the first time, make the mission more risky, Zhou said. To ensure the safety of the astronauts, China has developed the highly-reliable EVA suit after three years of research. The astronauts are also capable of fulfilling the tasks after tremendous hard trainings.
"Those are vital to minimize the risks and ensure the success of the mission." Zhou said.
As countless space debris were left in space as a result of human activities, they pose grave threat to the safety of the vessels. Shenzhou-7, however, is unlikely to be hit by the debris, expert said on Wednesday.
"As long as the spaceship could avoid the ten most dangerous period of time, the chance of the collision will stand below one-of-a-million," said Gong Jiancun, director of the research and forecast center of space environment under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The collision chance is below one-of-ten-thousand even during the ten most risky period of time, Gong said.
Besides space debris, high-radioactive high energy particles also pose threats to the spacecraft. Gong said the current forecast showed the space environment would be sound when EVA would be conducted. It is unlikely to see big disturbances and collision.
The detrimental particles will not only cause breath failure, but also pose radioactive threats. In theory, the astronaut's physical condition will be affected undoubtedly when EVA is carried out.
Gong said the warning system will alarm if bad space environment emerges, to keep astronauts from harm.
To make the astronauts feel at ease, the Shenzhou-7 has undergone interiol renovation under the suggestion of Yang Liwei, Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, who fulfilled China's previous two manned space missions.
The brown floor board and the white wall will make the astronauts feel at home despite of the zero-gravity condition." said Zhang Bohan, chief designer of the manned spacecraft system.
Source:Xinhua
The manned space activities are highly risky so that they draw so much attention.China will make every effort to ensure the safety of the three astronauts at every phase of the mission, Zhou told reporters at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwestern Gansu Province.
The spacecraft is scheduled to blast off at the center Thursday evening.
A raft of safety measures have been taken including the application of the escape system and the emergency return model to cope with the possible trouble, he said.
The Extra Vehicular Activities , which will be conducted for the first time, make the mission more risky, Zhou said. To ensure the safety of the astronauts, China has developed the highly-reliable EVA suit after three years of research. The astronauts are also capable of fulfilling the tasks after tremendous hard trainings.
"Those are vital to minimize the risks and ensure the success of the mission." Zhou said.
As countless space debris were left in space as a result of human activities, they pose grave threat to the safety of the vessels. Shenzhou-7, however, is unlikely to be hit by the debris, expert said on Wednesday.
"As long as the spaceship could avoid the ten most dangerous period of time, the chance of the collision will stand below one-of-a-million," said Gong Jiancun, director of the research and forecast center of space environment under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The collision chance is below one-of-ten-thousand even during the ten most risky period of time, Gong said.
Besides space debris, high-radioactive high energy particles also pose threats to the spacecraft. Gong said the current forecast showed the space environment would be sound when EVA would be conducted. It is unlikely to see big disturbances and collision.
The detrimental particles will not only cause breath failure, but also pose radioactive threats. In theory, the astronaut's physical condition will be affected undoubtedly when EVA is carried out.
Gong said the warning system will alarm if bad space environment emerges, to keep astronauts from harm.
To make the astronauts feel at ease, the Shenzhou-7 has undergone interiol renovation under the suggestion of Yang Liwei, Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, who fulfilled China's previous two manned space missions.
The brown floor board and the white wall will make the astronauts feel at home despite of the zero-gravity condition." said Zhang Bohan, chief designer of the manned spacecraft system.
Source:Xinhua
Space environment to be "fine" during China's space mission
The space environment will be "fine" during China's Shenzhou-7 manned space mission, the Center for Space Environment Research and Forecast under Chinese Academy of Sciences said on Wednesday.
The space environment tended to be stable and calm as the solar activities have been reductive, which would be favorable for the launch of the spacecraft and extravehicular activity , or known as space walk, according to the latest prediction of CSERF.
The sunspot group had been exhausted on September 23, and the geomagnetic activities would be in a low level from September 25 to 30, which would provide a favorable environment to taikonauts during the EVA mission, said Liu Siqing, deputy director of the center.
The next two to three years would be favorable for manned space missions, as the solar activities will be in the low level, Liu said.
He, however, added that there could still be ourbursts of solar particles, posing threats to astronauts.
For example, the astronauts were warned to evacuate into the International Space Station when the sunspot appeared suddenly in December 2006, he added.
The high energy particle radiation and the low magnetic field would put the taikonauts' lives on risks, said Gong Jiancun, director of the center.
The space environment is influenced by many factors, in which the solar activity is the most major one, Gong said.
The center made its first prediction in late April and starting from Tuesday it would submit a space environment report to the headquarters and each operation system daily until the mission was completed. This has been the practice ever since the Shenzhou-1 space mission.
The report covers high-energy electrons, high-energy protons, X-rays and geomagnetic fields, which would affect the flight of the spacecraft.
The center will suggest to shorten or change the mission time, or even cancel it, if the space environment turns unfavorable, Gong said.
"The center will keep on high alert to monitor the solar activities to guarantee the mission perfectly safe," he said.
China will launch its third manned spacecraft Shenzhou-7 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu province in the northwest on Thursday, said Wang Zhaoyao, spokesman with China's manned space program.
One of the major tasks of the mission would be EVA, the first of its kind attempted by Chinese taikonauts , said Wang, also deputy director of China's manned space program office.
Other tasks included the release of a small monitoring satellite and trials of satellite data relay.
Source:Xinhua
The space environment tended to be stable and calm as the solar activities have been reductive, which would be favorable for the launch of the spacecraft and extravehicular activity , or known as space walk, according to the latest prediction of CSERF.
The sunspot group had been exhausted on September 23, and the geomagnetic activities would be in a low level from September 25 to 30, which would provide a favorable environment to taikonauts during the EVA mission, said Liu Siqing, deputy director of the center.
The next two to three years would be favorable for manned space missions, as the solar activities will be in the low level, Liu said.
He, however, added that there could still be ourbursts of solar particles, posing threats to astronauts.
For example, the astronauts were warned to evacuate into the International Space Station when the sunspot appeared suddenly in December 2006, he added.
The high energy particle radiation and the low magnetic field would put the taikonauts' lives on risks, said Gong Jiancun, director of the center.
The space environment is influenced by many factors, in which the solar activity is the most major one, Gong said.
The center made its first prediction in late April and starting from Tuesday it would submit a space environment report to the headquarters and each operation system daily until the mission was completed. This has been the practice ever since the Shenzhou-1 space mission.
The report covers high-energy electrons, high-energy protons, X-rays and geomagnetic fields, which would affect the flight of the spacecraft.
The center will suggest to shorten or change the mission time, or even cancel it, if the space environment turns unfavorable, Gong said.
"The center will keep on high alert to monitor the solar activities to guarantee the mission perfectly safe," he said.
China will launch its third manned spacecraft Shenzhou-7 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu province in the northwest on Thursday, said Wang Zhaoyao, spokesman with China's manned space program.
One of the major tasks of the mission would be EVA, the first of its kind attempted by Chinese taikonauts , said Wang, also deputy director of China's manned space program office.
Other tasks included the release of a small monitoring satellite and trials of satellite data relay.
Source:Xinhua
China starts loading fuel to Shenzhou 7 carrier rocket
China's Shenzhou-7 mission headquarters has decided to load fuel into a Long-March II-F carrier rocket, that will launch the capsule and three Chinese taikonauts into space on Thursday.
The loading, which started at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, meant that the launch of the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft is irreversible.
The loading would last for seven hours and two types of propellants will be loaded, sources with the launch center said.
China has announced that the spacecraft will blast off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest Gansu Province set between 9:07 p.m. and 10:27 p.m. Thursday.
One of the major tasks of the mission would be extravehicular activity , or known as space walk, the first of its kind attempted by Chinese taikonauts.
Other tasks included the release of a small monitoring satellite and trials of satellite data relay.
Source: Xinhua
The loading, which started at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, meant that the launch of the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft is irreversible.
The loading would last for seven hours and two types of propellants will be loaded, sources with the launch center said.
China has announced that the spacecraft will blast off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest Gansu Province set between 9:07 p.m. and 10:27 p.m. Thursday.
One of the major tasks of the mission would be extravehicular activity , or known as space walk, the first of its kind attempted by Chinese taikonauts.
Other tasks included the release of a small monitoring satellite and trials of satellite data relay.
Source: Xinhua
BACKGROUNDER: Resumes of taikonauts in Shenzhou 7 spacecraft
The Shenzhou-7 spaceship will carry Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng, all aged 42,for China's third manned space mission that will include the country's first-ever space walk.
Zhai Zhigang was born in October 1966, in Longjiang County, Heilongjiang province, enrolled at the People's Liberation Army Air Force in 1985. He had 950 hours of safe flight time as a fighter pilot. Zhai become one of the first group of Chinese astronauts in January 1998.
Zhai was one of three astronauts who were part of the final group to train for the Shenzhou 5 flight in 2003. Yang Liwei was picked for the flight, with Zhai Zhigang ranked second ahead of Nie Haisheng. Zhai was also one of the six astronauts in the final training for Shenzhou-6 mission in 2005 during which Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng flew the flight.
Jing Haipeng was born in October 1966, in Yuncheng city, Shanxi Province. He joined the People's Liberation Army in 1985 and has clocked 1,200 hours of safe flight time. Jing was also selected to be one of the first group of Chinese astronauts in January 1998.. He was among the six trainees in for the Shenzhou-6 mission in 2005.
Liu Boming was born in Yi'an county, Heilongjiang province, on September 1966. Liu joined the People's Liberation Army in 1985 and has clocked 1,050 hours of safe flight time. Also selected to be one of the first group of Chinese astronauts in January 1998, Liu was one of the six astronauts in the final training for Shenzhou-6 mission in 2005.
Source: Xinhua
Zhai Zhigang was born in October 1966, in Longjiang County, Heilongjiang province, enrolled at the People's Liberation Army Air Force in 1985. He had 950 hours of safe flight time as a fighter pilot. Zhai become one of the first group of Chinese astronauts in January 1998.
Zhai was one of three astronauts who were part of the final group to train for the Shenzhou 5 flight in 2003. Yang Liwei was picked for the flight, with Zhai Zhigang ranked second ahead of Nie Haisheng. Zhai was also one of the six astronauts in the final training for Shenzhou-6 mission in 2005 during which Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng flew the flight.
Jing Haipeng was born in October 1966, in Yuncheng city, Shanxi Province. He joined the People's Liberation Army in 1985 and has clocked 1,200 hours of safe flight time. Jing was also selected to be one of the first group of Chinese astronauts in January 1998.. He was among the six trainees in for the Shenzhou-6 mission in 2005.
Liu Boming was born in Yi'an county, Heilongjiang province, on September 1966. Liu joined the People's Liberation Army in 1985 and has clocked 1,050 hours of safe flight time. Also selected to be one of the first group of Chinese astronauts in January 1998, Liu was one of the six astronauts in the final training for Shenzhou-6 mission in 2005.
Source: Xinhua
China's "mysterious" space mission launch center unveiled to overseas media
The once "mysterious" satellite launch center isolated in a northwest China desert, where the country's third manned spacecraft Shenzhou-7 is due to blast off, has unveiled itself to overseas media.
Eleven journalists with nine overseas media organizations have gathered at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center to cover the Shenzhou-7 program, becoming the first group of journalists from outside the Chinese mainland, since the base's founding half a century ago, to witness and report a space mission of the country at the very site of a launch.
The media organizations include Reuters, the Associate Press, RIA Novosti and Japan's Fuji TV. They participated two news conferences Wednesday afternoon, when the headquarters briefed them on the mission and the trio taikonauts met the press at a window pane-separated, quarantined room.
"I watched China's first two manned space missions on TV. It was very nice for me to report the Shenzhou-7 mission here at Jiuquan," said Konstantin Shchepin, Beijing senior correspondent of RIA Novosti.
Two news organizations from Taiwan were invited to the launch center. "It is amazing that I am allowed to enter this usually mysterious area," said Vicky Chan, a reporter with TVBS of Taipei, who arrived at the launch center on Friday.
TVBS would cooperate with the China Central Television of the mainland to produce programs on the Shenzhou-7 mission, she said.
Located in a remote desert area in northwest Gansu Province, the launch base was established in 1958 and 210 km away from the Jiuquan city's downtown. It started to open to the public in 1986.
Source: Xinhua
Eleven journalists with nine overseas media organizations have gathered at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center to cover the Shenzhou-7 program, becoming the first group of journalists from outside the Chinese mainland, since the base's founding half a century ago, to witness and report a space mission of the country at the very site of a launch.
The media organizations include Reuters, the Associate Press, RIA Novosti and Japan's Fuji TV. They participated two news conferences Wednesday afternoon, when the headquarters briefed them on the mission and the trio taikonauts met the press at a window pane-separated, quarantined room.
"I watched China's first two manned space missions on TV. It was very nice for me to report the Shenzhou-7 mission here at Jiuquan," said Konstantin Shchepin, Beijing senior correspondent of RIA Novosti.
Two news organizations from Taiwan were invited to the launch center. "It is amazing that I am allowed to enter this usually mysterious area," said Vicky Chan, a reporter with TVBS of Taipei, who arrived at the launch center on Friday.
TVBS would cooperate with the China Central Television of the mainland to produce programs on the Shenzhou-7 mission, she said.
Located in a remote desert area in northwest Gansu Province, the launch base was established in 1958 and 210 km away from the Jiuquan city's downtown. It started to open to the public in 1986.
Source: Xinhua
Editor of "Science" urges China to cultivate research, talent
A leading American scientist said China should encourage projects that "continually generate innovative ideas and technologies" in its scientific endeavors.
China has made very good scientific progress over the past 30 years, said Bruce Alberts, editor-in-chief of the American journal Science, noting China has become a leader in fields such as material science.
Alberts, who became editor of the magazine in March, was here to deliver two speeches and meet with prominent scientists. The magazine featured the latest Chinese research into genetically modified cotton as its cover story in the Sept. 19 issue.
China needs to support more small independent projects and more young scientists to generate innovation, he said, adding that achievement should be measured not by the quantity but the quality of scientists' papers.
Alberts said a nation's "scientific temper" was important to its sustainable development.
"We need good scientific education with an emphasis on active enquiry for all nations," he said in a speech on "Science and the World's Future" at Tsinghua University on Tuesday.
"For each of our nations to benefit from science, we must keep science healthy," Alberts said. "Good science must continually generate innovative ideas and technologies."
He was the president of the United States National Academy of Sciences from 1993 to 2005. During that time, he visited China almost every year.
Alberts, also a renowned molecular biologist at the University of California, San Francisco, said that scientists need to "have a much larger presence in world affairs".
He is one of the co-chairs of the Inter Academy Council, representing 15 academies of science and equivalent organizations in China, Brazil, India, the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries.
"I found his talk quite useful and China's scientific policies could benefit from referring to his opinions," said Fan Chunliang, a researcher at the Institute of Policy and Management of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
"I was quite inspired by the words 'science knows no country, knowledge belongs to humanity', which he quoted from Louis Pasteur," said Wu Wei, a doctoral candidate at Tsinghua University. "I think we should all make a strong effort to help science become 'the torch that illuminates the world'."
Science, with 1 million subscribers worldwide, is sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Alberts said that he hoped the magazine would become a powerful platform for setting scientific standards and bringing outstanding science all over the world into public view.
Alberts said that with the opening of the Asia-Pacific news bureau in Beijing last October, the magazine's coverage of China had increased. He hoped that the level of reporting about China could be sustained, while India, Brazil and other developing countries could also get more coverage.
Source: Xinhua
China has made very good scientific progress over the past 30 years, said Bruce Alberts, editor-in-chief of the American journal Science, noting China has become a leader in fields such as material science.
Alberts, who became editor of the magazine in March, was here to deliver two speeches and meet with prominent scientists. The magazine featured the latest Chinese research into genetically modified cotton as its cover story in the Sept. 19 issue.
China needs to support more small independent projects and more young scientists to generate innovation, he said, adding that achievement should be measured not by the quantity but the quality of scientists' papers.
Alberts said a nation's "scientific temper" was important to its sustainable development.
"We need good scientific education with an emphasis on active enquiry for all nations," he said in a speech on "Science and the World's Future" at Tsinghua University on Tuesday.
"For each of our nations to benefit from science, we must keep science healthy," Alberts said. "Good science must continually generate innovative ideas and technologies."
He was the president of the United States National Academy of Sciences from 1993 to 2005. During that time, he visited China almost every year.
Alberts, also a renowned molecular biologist at the University of California, San Francisco, said that scientists need to "have a much larger presence in world affairs".
He is one of the co-chairs of the Inter Academy Council, representing 15 academies of science and equivalent organizations in China, Brazil, India, the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries.
"I found his talk quite useful and China's scientific policies could benefit from referring to his opinions," said Fan Chunliang, a researcher at the Institute of Policy and Management of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
"I was quite inspired by the words 'science knows no country, knowledge belongs to humanity', which he quoted from Louis Pasteur," said Wu Wei, a doctoral candidate at Tsinghua University. "I think we should all make a strong effort to help science become 'the torch that illuminates the world'."
Science, with 1 million subscribers worldwide, is sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Alberts said that he hoped the magazine would become a powerful platform for setting scientific standards and bringing outstanding science all over the world into public view.
Alberts said that with the opening of the Asia-Pacific news bureau in Beijing last October, the magazine's coverage of China had increased. He hoped that the level of reporting about China could be sustained, while India, Brazil and other developing countries could also get more coverage.
Source: Xinhua
Racers gear up for Grand Prix
The Macau Grand Prix, which is held annually in November, has long been recognized as one of greatest road races in the world.
Taking place from November 13 to 16, the 55th running of the Macau Grand Prix, will continue to attract motor-racing fans from around the world.
Each year, a large number of talented drivers make a name for themselves at the race.
Many participants have honed their driving skills through many years of intensive practice before they show off their skills in Macao.
The Macau Grand Prix is known for being the only street-circuit racing event in which both car and motorcycle races are held. Every year more than 300 racing drivers and riders attend the event.
The 2008's motor-racing event will have a brand new sponsor this year - luxurious residential property developer Windsor Arch.
The Windsor Arch Macau GT Cup is a 10-lap invitational race for popular grand touring racing cars. Thirty-six vehicles will line up on the grid to take the start on the Sunday of the Grand Prix week.
Tickets for the Windsor Arch 55th Macau Grand Prix were all snapped up within a very short time.
The event's website is www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo.
Source: China Daily
Taking place from November 13 to 16, the 55th running of the Macau Grand Prix, will continue to attract motor-racing fans from around the world.
Each year, a large number of talented drivers make a name for themselves at the race.
Many participants have honed their driving skills through many years of intensive practice before they show off their skills in Macao.
The Macau Grand Prix is known for being the only street-circuit racing event in which both car and motorcycle races are held. Every year more than 300 racing drivers and riders attend the event.
The 2008's motor-racing event will have a brand new sponsor this year - luxurious residential property developer Windsor Arch.
The Windsor Arch Macau GT Cup is a 10-lap invitational race for popular grand touring racing cars. Thirty-six vehicles will line up on the grid to take the start on the Sunday of the Grand Prix week.
Tickets for the Windsor Arch 55th Macau Grand Prix were all snapped up within a very short time.
The event's website is www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo.
Source: China Daily
Kenya bans athlete for failing doping test
Kenya's athletic officials on Tuesday banned the national 400 meters champion Elizabeth Muthoka for two years after failing a dope test.
The Athletics Kenya has also cancelled a new national 400 meters record of 50.8 seconds that Muthoka set this year and has returned earnings from competitions this year.
Muthoka tested positive for banned substance nandrolone at the National Athletics Championships on June 28. It was at the meet where she sprung to prominence breaking the then national record twice in two days.
"She was one of six athletes selected randomly to undergo tests at the national championships and in accordance with IAAF stipulations, we have handed her an automatic two year ban," AK secretary-general David Okeyo told journalists in Nairobi.
Okeyo said that she had taken prescription medicine before hand, "She had declared on the form that she was taking drugs to boost her haemoglobin levels but whatever she has tested positive for is different from the drugs."
He said AK had kept the matter under wraps until they had comprehensively studied the results and given her time to appeal.
"It is a sensitive matter that could have legal implications so we had to wait until all the paperwork had been completed and resolved before breaking the news."
The reigning Africa 10,000m bronze medallist Grace Momanyi's axing from the team in Beijing also turned out to be a thorny issue with the officials failing to comment until a report is compiled and presented to the National Olympic Committee.
AK chairman Isaiah Kiplagat said the association will introduce dope tests at national championships, trials and any other international meet held in Kenya.
"Kenya has the highest number of athletes in the world and we need to keep on checking because IAAF has taken a very tough stance against drugs. It is very costly exercise but we feel it's an important part of our activities," he said.
Muthoka had a good season this year smashing a 24 year old national record on June 26 clocking 51.4 seconds to smash Ruth Waithera's 400 meters record of 51.56 seconds set way back in 1984during the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Then at the national trials she further lowered it to 50.8 seconds. She was then selected for the Olympics up but she never made the trip.
Two time New York runner-up Susan Chepkemei was banned for a year after testing positive for Salbutamol.
Simon Kemboi tested positive for anabolic steroids in 2000 while boxer David Munyasia was sent home from Athens after testing positive for cathene .
Okeyo said Muthoka has to meet some IAAF requirements before making a come back.
Source: Xinhua
The Athletics Kenya has also cancelled a new national 400 meters record of 50.8 seconds that Muthoka set this year and has returned earnings from competitions this year.
Muthoka tested positive for banned substance nandrolone at the National Athletics Championships on June 28. It was at the meet where she sprung to prominence breaking the then national record twice in two days.
"She was one of six athletes selected randomly to undergo tests at the national championships and in accordance with IAAF stipulations, we have handed her an automatic two year ban," AK secretary-general David Okeyo told journalists in Nairobi.
Okeyo said that she had taken prescription medicine before hand, "She had declared on the form that she was taking drugs to boost her haemoglobin levels but whatever she has tested positive for is different from the drugs."
He said AK had kept the matter under wraps until they had comprehensively studied the results and given her time to appeal.
"It is a sensitive matter that could have legal implications so we had to wait until all the paperwork had been completed and resolved before breaking the news."
The reigning Africa 10,000m bronze medallist Grace Momanyi's axing from the team in Beijing also turned out to be a thorny issue with the officials failing to comment until a report is compiled and presented to the National Olympic Committee.
AK chairman Isaiah Kiplagat said the association will introduce dope tests at national championships, trials and any other international meet held in Kenya.
"Kenya has the highest number of athletes in the world and we need to keep on checking because IAAF has taken a very tough stance against drugs. It is very costly exercise but we feel it's an important part of our activities," he said.
Muthoka had a good season this year smashing a 24 year old national record on June 26 clocking 51.4 seconds to smash Ruth Waithera's 400 meters record of 51.56 seconds set way back in 1984during the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Then at the national trials she further lowered it to 50.8 seconds. She was then selected for the Olympics up but she never made the trip.
Two time New York runner-up Susan Chepkemei was banned for a year after testing positive for Salbutamol.
Simon Kemboi tested positive for anabolic steroids in 2000 while boxer David Munyasia was sent home from Athens after testing positive for cathene .
Okeyo said Muthoka has to meet some IAAF requirements before making a come back.
Source: Xinhua
Russia bans five race walkers for two years
Five Russian race walkers, including a world record holder, have been banned for doping, the Russian athletics federation said on Tuesday.
Sergei Morozov, who holds the world record in the 20km walk, Vladimir Kanaikin, Viktor Burayev, Alexei Voevodin and Igor Yerokhin were banned for two years each after testing positive for EPO.
"They all had failed a test for EPO and after a hearing by our federation's anti-doping board on Sept. 9, each of the five athletes was banned for two years," RAF secretary general Vladimir Usachyov was quoted as saying by the All Sport news agency.
"Both samples A and B of all five athletes came out positive and we had no other choice but to ban them for two years."
All five were forced to miss last month's Olympics.
Kanaikin, 23, and Morozov, 20, had been favorites for the gold in the 20km in Beijing after setting world records over the distance in the past 12 months.
Kanaikin shaved five seconds off the record at last year's Grand Prix final in his home town of Saransk before Morozov shattered it by more than 30 seconds at the Russian national championships in Saransk earlier this year.
Yerokhin, 23, and Burayev, 25, have also achieved good results either in world or European championships in recent years, while Voevodin, 27, won the 50km bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
All five live in Saransk and were trained by Viktor Chegin, who also serves as Russia's chief race walking coach.
Source: Xinhua
Sergei Morozov, who holds the world record in the 20km walk, Vladimir Kanaikin, Viktor Burayev, Alexei Voevodin and Igor Yerokhin were banned for two years each after testing positive for EPO.
"They all had failed a test for EPO and after a hearing by our federation's anti-doping board on Sept. 9, each of the five athletes was banned for two years," RAF secretary general Vladimir Usachyov was quoted as saying by the All Sport news agency.
"Both samples A and B of all five athletes came out positive and we had no other choice but to ban them for two years."
All five were forced to miss last month's Olympics.
Kanaikin, 23, and Morozov, 20, had been favorites for the gold in the 20km in Beijing after setting world records over the distance in the past 12 months.
Kanaikin shaved five seconds off the record at last year's Grand Prix final in his home town of Saransk before Morozov shattered it by more than 30 seconds at the Russian national championships in Saransk earlier this year.
Yerokhin, 23, and Burayev, 25, have also achieved good results either in world or European championships in recent years, while Voevodin, 27, won the 50km bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
All five live in Saransk and were trained by Viktor Chegin, who also serves as Russia's chief race walking coach.
Source: Xinhua
Taikonauts aboard China's spacecraft Shenzhou-7 debut
The Shenzhou-7 spaceship will carry Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng, all aged 42,for China's third manned space mission that will include the country's first-ever space walk, an official said in Jiuquan, Gansu, on Wednesday.
Chen Shanguang, director with the Astronaut Center of China released the identities of the three taikonauts at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
The Shenzhou-7 spaceship is due to blast off on a Long March II-F rocket on Thursday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu province of northwestern China. The launch window was set between 9:07 p.m. to 10:27 p.m. .
A man taks a photo of Chinese taikonauts Jing Haipeng, Zhai Zhigang and Liu Boming during a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province, Sept. 24, 2008. The Shenzhou-7 spaceship will carry the three taikonauts, all aged 42, for China's third manned space mission that will include the country's first-ever space walk.
Chen did not say which two of the three-man crew would carry out the country's first extravehicular activities.
Zhai Zhigang told the press conference that "the Shenzhou-7 mission marks a historic breakthrough in China's manned space program. It is a great honor for all three of us to fly the mission, and we are fully prepared for the challenge," he said.
Liu Boming said ten years of working, studying and training together has contributed to the smooth cooperation among the trio.
According to Liu, only one taikonaut will perform the space walk assisted by a second taikonaut in the orbit module. The third astronaut will remain in the re-entry module during the whole process of the space walk.
"We will support and cooperate with each other during the mission to make sure it ends with a success," he said.
Chinese taikonauts Jing Haipeng, Zhai Zhigang and Liu Boming wave during a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province, Sept. 24, 2008. The Shenzhou-7 spaceship will carry the three taikonauts, all aged 42, for China's third manned space mission that will include the country's first-ever space walk.
Jing Haipeng also said the trio are confident, and capable of making "Chinese astronauts' first step in the space."
Zhai Zhigang, 42, was born in Longjiang County, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang province. Zhai enrolled at the People's Liberation Army Air Force Aviation Institute and studied to be a fighter pilot. In his service as a PLAAF fighter pilot he had accumulated 950 hours of safe flight time.
He was one of three astronauts who were part of the final group to train for the Shenzhou 5 flight in 2003. Yang Liwei was picked for the flight, with Zhai Zhigang ranked second ahead of Nie Haisheng. Zhai was also one of the six astronauts in the final training for Shenzhou 6 mission in 2005 during which Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng flew the flight.
Jing Haipeng, 42, was born in Yuncheng city, Shanxi Province. Jing joined the People's Liberation Army in 1985 and has clocked 1,200 hours of safe flight time. Jing was among the six trainees in for the Shenzhou 6 mission in 2005.
Liu Boming, 42, was born in Yi'an county, Heilongjiang province. Liu joined the People's Liberation Army in 1985 and has clocked 1,050 hours of safe flight time. Liu was also one of the six astronauts in the final training for Shenzhou 6 mission in 2005.
Source: Xinhua
Chen Shanguang, director with the Astronaut Center of China released the identities of the three taikonauts at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
The Shenzhou-7 spaceship is due to blast off on a Long March II-F rocket on Thursday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu province of northwestern China. The launch window was set between 9:07 p.m. to 10:27 p.m. .
A man taks a photo of Chinese taikonauts Jing Haipeng, Zhai Zhigang and Liu Boming during a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province, Sept. 24, 2008. The Shenzhou-7 spaceship will carry the three taikonauts, all aged 42, for China's third manned space mission that will include the country's first-ever space walk.
Chen did not say which two of the three-man crew would carry out the country's first extravehicular activities.
Zhai Zhigang told the press conference that "the Shenzhou-7 mission marks a historic breakthrough in China's manned space program. It is a great honor for all three of us to fly the mission, and we are fully prepared for the challenge," he said.
Liu Boming said ten years of working, studying and training together has contributed to the smooth cooperation among the trio.
According to Liu, only one taikonaut will perform the space walk assisted by a second taikonaut in the orbit module. The third astronaut will remain in the re-entry module during the whole process of the space walk.
"We will support and cooperate with each other during the mission to make sure it ends with a success," he said.
Chinese taikonauts Jing Haipeng, Zhai Zhigang and Liu Boming wave during a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province, Sept. 24, 2008. The Shenzhou-7 spaceship will carry the three taikonauts, all aged 42, for China's third manned space mission that will include the country's first-ever space walk.
Jing Haipeng also said the trio are confident, and capable of making "Chinese astronauts' first step in the space."
Zhai Zhigang, 42, was born in Longjiang County, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang province. Zhai enrolled at the People's Liberation Army Air Force Aviation Institute and studied to be a fighter pilot. In his service as a PLAAF fighter pilot he had accumulated 950 hours of safe flight time.
He was one of three astronauts who were part of the final group to train for the Shenzhou 5 flight in 2003. Yang Liwei was picked for the flight, with Zhai Zhigang ranked second ahead of Nie Haisheng. Zhai was also one of the six astronauts in the final training for Shenzhou 6 mission in 2005 during which Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng flew the flight.
Jing Haipeng, 42, was born in Yuncheng city, Shanxi Province. Jing joined the People's Liberation Army in 1985 and has clocked 1,200 hours of safe flight time. Jing was among the six trainees in for the Shenzhou 6 mission in 2005.
Liu Boming, 42, was born in Yi'an county, Heilongjiang province. Liu joined the People's Liberation Army in 1985 and has clocked 1,050 hours of safe flight time. Liu was also one of the six astronauts in the final training for Shenzhou 6 mission in 2005.
Source: Xinhua
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