BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- In light of an outbreak of swine flu in Mexico, China's Ministry of Health issued a notice Sunday about disease prevention and detection, warning citizens to be careful. The notice defines the symptoms of the disease and how it can be transmitted to humans. Although there is no vaccine yet, the disease is preventable, controllable and treatable, it said. As of Monday morning, no cases of the illness had been reported in China. The ministry said so far, there is no evidence that this flu could be spread through food. It also warned those who travel abroad to be alert for any signs of infection. Swine influenza A/H1N1 is a respiratory disease that infects pigs and does not normally infect humans. But sporadic cases do occur, usually for people who have had close contact with pigs. It has killed more than 60 people out of about 1,000 suspected cases in Mexico. China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (GAQSIQ) issued an emergency notice Saturday requiring people to report flu-like symptoms at the point of entry when returning from affected regions. According to the Health Ministry, the ministry is working with the Ministry of Agriculture and GAQSIQ to monitor the disease. The ministry has contacted scientists who have done viral sequencing on swine flu. It has also stepped up cooperation with the World Health Organization and the U.S. and Mexican governments to obtain updated epidemic information and prepare for a possible outbreak. China should establish an effective disease prevention and control system it it entry-exit inspection and quarantine process, the ministry added.
DAMASCUS, June 29 (Xinhua) -- China's new special envoy to the Middle East Wu Sike said on Monday in an interview with Xinhua that the concerning parties of the Mideast peace process should hold confidence to make progress. Wu, who arrived in Damascus on Monday, starting the fifth leg of his first visit to the Middle East as China's new special envoy. After meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mualem and Vice President Faruk Shareh, he told Xinhua that Syria and China has enjoyed good bilateral relationships and Syria appreciates China's role in the region and the Mideast peace process. China's Mideast envoy Wu Sike (L) meets with Syrian Vice President Faruk al-Shareh in Damascus, Syria, June 29, 2009."It is necessary to enhance the coordination and communication between two countries," said Wu. He also stressed that just and comprehensive Mideast peace could only be achieved by abiding by the relevant international resolutions and the land-for-peace principles. "We held good talks with Minister Mualem on the latest developments in the region," the Chinese official said, adding "we support the return of the occupied Golan heights and the establishment of a viable Palestine state with independent sovereignty." Wu, former Chinese ambassador to Egypt, was appointed as the special envoy in March this year to replace Sun Bigan. He has been director of the Department of West Asian and North African Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and also the first Chinese plenipotentiary to the Arab League. Visiting China's Mideast envoy Wu Sike (L) meets with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem in Damascus, Syria, June 29, 2009.Before visiting Syria, Wu has already visited Egypt, the Palestinian territories, Israel and Jordan. He told reporters that although some positive signs has turned up in the region, confidence is still needed, because "we have a long and tough way ahead to finally reach a just and comprehensive peace in the region." During his first stop in Egypt on June 21, Wu met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abu Gheit, and he also had talks with the Cairo-based Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa. The Chinese official told Egyptian officials that "Negotiation is the only and the best way to solve the conflicts in the region and China will support all the efforts in this regard." After holding dialogues with Arab and Israeli officials, Wu noted that Arab world has seen the positive factors in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent foreign policy speech, which conditionally accepted the two state solution for the first time. However, the Arab world widely opposed the preconditions of establishing a Palestinian state in Netanyahu's speech, highlighting the Palestinian state is unable to exist with those conditions, said Wu. "Israel could not achieve its ultimate security until Israel and the Palestinians realize their peaceful coexistence," said the Chinese envoy, noting that "I have urged the Israeli leaders and politicians to accept the two state solution, stop establishing settlements and negotiate with Syria and Lebanon with concerning issues." Meanwhile, the Chinese envoy, who is also scheduled to visit Lebanon and Russia, stressed that China is willing to support with all effort to make peace in the Middle East. "Both Arab world and Israel are waiting for the other side to make a substantial step, therefore the international community needs to push forward the process," said Wu.
BEIJING, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao attended Friday the cremation ceremony of renowned philosopher, religion scholar and historian Ren Jiyu, who died on July 11 at the age of 93. Ren was born in 1916 in Pingyuan County in east China's Shandong province. He joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in1956. "Ren conducted research and education in the fields of Chinese philosophy and religion for a long time. He has made significant contributions to the country's cultural industry by compiling historical materials," said a statement issued by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee. Li Changchun (R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, shakes hands with a relative of renowned Chinese scholar Ren Jiyu during Ren's funeral in the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing, capital of China, July 17, 2009. Ren, outstanding philosopher, religion scholar, historian and honorary director of the National Library of China, died on July 11 at the age of 93.The cremation ceremony was held Friday morning at the hall of the Beijing Babaoshan Cemetery. Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, also attended the ceremony. Chinese President Hu Jintao, along with former President Jiang Zemin, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang offered their condolences to Ren's family after Ren's death.
BEIJING, June 1 (Xinhua) -- As millions of Chinese children celebrated Children's Day Monday, Premier Wen Jiabao shared a light moment with 100 young students invited to his office in downtown Beijing. In two hours squeezed from tight schedule, Wen danced, sang and chatted with the children from all over the country. He encouraged the youngsters to study hard, and to grow up well-educated with loving hearts. "It is love that brings you together and here today. I hope you understand what love is, how to cherish love and learn to love others," the 67-year-old premier, also a grandfather, told the excited children. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (C) attends a celebration with children for the International Children's Day in Beijing, capital of China, June 1, 2009The outing resulted from an initiative of Beijing's Zhongguancun No. 3 Primary School, which raised funds through student charity work to sponsor visits by children from other parts of China to the national capital on Children's Day. More than 70 children, belonging to 55 ethnic groups, were invited from 18 provinces and autonomous regions. In a letter to Wen, they asked if they could meet him. Their wish came true on Monday when they arrived at Zhongnanhai, the central leadership's compound near the Forbidden City in central Beijing. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (2nd R Front) receives a calligraphy work presented by a child during a celebration of the International Children's Day in Beijing, capital of China, June 1, 2009. Smiling Wen received a gift from the children -- a red scarf usually worn by the Young Pioneers. He showed the children an office used by Premier Zhou Enlai before he died in 1976, where the children recited an article in their textbook describing how the widely-respected statesman was dedicated to his work. At an auditorium specially decorated with children's paintings, balloons and greeting cards, Wen listened attentively as the children discussed their trip to Beijing. Sangye Lhamo, from Medog County in southwestern Tibet Autonomous Region, attracted the premier's attention because he knew Medog was China's only county without paved roads. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (C) views the children's drawings during a celebration of the International Children's Day in Beijing, capital of China, June 1, 2009. "You must come from the remotest place compared with other kids here. How did you make it?" Wen asked. Sangye Lhamo said they spent 10 days traveling, trekking over snow-capped mountains. Wen said he hoped Sangye Lhamo's trip to Beijing would not be so hard in future, "because the government will build a road to your hometown from Lhasa (Tibet's capital) soon." Shan Danleng's hometown, Leigu in Beichuan County, Sichuan Province, was devastated by the magnitude 8 earthquake on May 12 last year. But she told Wen that she and her schoolmates had moved into new classrooms last month, with the support of loving people. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (C) leads the children for a tour of the Zhongnanhai leadership compound during a celebration of the International Children's Day in Beijing, capital of China, June 1, 2009."Today we gather here like a big family. It's all because of love," Wen said. "I hope you will learn to love your parents, your hometowns and your country. With love we can unite together to build a better future for our motherland." He also told accompanying teachers and officials to use the true, the good and the beautiful as principles in education. The young visitors each left with a Chinese language dictionary and a set of Chinese literary classics, all autographed by Wen.
BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Finance announced Monday that the country's fiscal revenue in June rose 19.6 percent year on year to 686.75 billion yuan (100.5 billion U.S. dollars). However, in the first half of this year, fiscal revenue fell 2.4 percent to 3.398 trillion yuan, said the ministry in a statement on its website. The growth rate last month was 14.8 percentage points higher than the growth rate in May. Fiscal revenue fell 9.9 percent in the first four months this year from a year earlier to 2.05 trillion yuan due to shrinking business profits hit by the global economic slowdown and active fiscal policies including tax cuts to buoy domestic economic growth. The ministry attributed the revenue rise in June to the stabilization of overall economic performance, growing business profits and the increase in the cigarette tax. The government announced on June 20 the tax on cigarette cartons costing 70 yuan or more would rise to 56 percent from 45 percent, and the tax on cigarette cartons costing less than 70 yuan would rise from 30 to 36 percent. Sales tax revenues rose 63.1 percent year on year in June, with business tax revenues edging up 6.4 percent, but the ministry did not specify the figures. In June, China's fiscal expenditure increased 21.5 percent to 640.56 billion yuan from a year earlier. From January to June, the figure stood at 2.89 trillion yuan, up 26.3 percent from the same period last year. The government unveiled a 4-trillion-yuan stimulus package in November last year to be spent over the next two years to shore up the world's third largest economy, with 1.18 trillion yuan from the central government. Fiscal revenue includes taxes as well as administrative fees and other government income, such as fines and income from state-owned assets.
BEIJING, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing mansion of former Chinese Honorary President Soong Ching-ling reopened to the public on Sunday after a two-year renovation and restoration project. Rebuilt as a museum and memorial, Soong Ching-ling's former residence will have on display more historical artifacts used by Soong and her husband Sun Yat-sen, the pioneering Chinese revolutionary and political leader. Jia Qinglin (R Front), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visits the former residence of Soong Ching Ling in Beijing, capital of China, May 31, 2009Top political advisor Jia Qinglin Sunday paid his respects at Soong's statue at the former residence. Soong (1893-1981) married Sun Yat-sen in 1915 and fought for China's independence and liberty. She devoted herself to education and health affairs for children and women after the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949. Jia Qinglin (C Front), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, poses with guests for a group photo ahead of the re-opening ceremony of the former residence and life exhibition of Soong Ching Ling in Beijing, capital of China, May 31, 2009Du Qinglin, head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Sunday at Soong's former Beijing residence that the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation should continue to promote China's social progress and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait.Jia Qinglin (L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, talks with guests ahead of the re-opening ceremony of the former residence and life exhibition of Soong Ching Ling in Beijing, capital of China, May 31, 2009.
都匀市精神医院
BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhua) -- China's political advisors Thursday underlined the importance of a proactive fiscal policy and a more active employment policy to cope with the global downturn. They offered their advice as the standing committee of the 11th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee continued its sixth meeting, which started here Tuesday. The committee members warned of difficulties ahead, citing the worsening impact of the global slowdown, and called for more efforts from all sides to combat the situation. They also stressed the importance of a moderately easy monetary policy, increased investment in improving living standards, and expanded coverage of social security. Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, was present at the meeting.
BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government's fiscal revenue in the first five months of 2009 reached 2.7 trillion yuan (400 billion U.S. dollars), down 6.7 percent from the same period of last year, Finance Minister Xie Xuren said Wednesday. Xie revealed the figure in a report to the ninth session of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature. Of the total, the central government collected about 1.4 trillion yuan, down 14 percent. This accounted for 39.6 percent of the annual budget. Local governments collected the other 1.3 trillion yuan, up 2.9 percent, which accounted for 42.4 percent of the annual budget. Xie cited four factors for the drop in fiscal revenues: a fall in international trade due to the global economic downturn; a fall in revenue value relative to the consumer price index and producer price index; structural tax reduction polices and a slowdown in China's economic growth. Structural tax reduction policies reduced taxes by about 230 billion yuan in the first five months, according to the report. He said in the first five months, fiscal expenditure nationwide amounted to almost 2.25 trillion yuan, up 27.8 percent over the same period last year, accounting for 29.5 percent of the budgeted figure. Central government expenditure totaled 459.3 billion yuan, up 21.4 percent, while local governments spent 1.79 trillion yuan, up29.5 percent, he said. The funding went mainly to expanding public investment, increasing subsidies for low-income groups, ensuring sufficient money for education, health, social security, employment, basic housing and culture, and supporting technological innovation, energy conservation and emission reduction. Xie stressed that the government would continue to ensure the stable growth of investment and actively implement structural tax reduction policies to ease the burden on business and consumers. Doing so would encourage companies to invest and individuals to consume. "Efforts should be made to boost revenues and cut spending," he said, calling for frugality and strict control of expenditures by reducing government vehicle purchases, reception fees and official travel. He said: "The construction of government and Party committee buildings should be rigidly limited." The government would promote the scientific and meticulous management of public finances, boost efficiency and deepen fiscal system reform, he said, adding that resource tax reform would be advanced and the consumption tax system would be adjusted. Xie said the outstanding national debt reached 5.3 trillion yuan at the end of last year, which was within the 5.5-trillion-yuan limit in the annual budget. The government's fiscal revenue reached about 6.13 trillion yuan last year, 19.5 percent more than in 2007. Xie said the central fund for reconstruction from last year's May 12 earthquake reached 74 billion yuan and expenditures were 69.77 billion yuan last year. This year, the central budget allocated 130 billion yuan for reconstruction work.
BEIJING, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Most parts of China would experience cold weather and precipitation during the next week, forecast of the country's central observatory said Saturday. Northeastern parts of China were to embrace lower weather and scattered precipitation during the period, which would help ease the drought plagued the region, said the National Meteorological Center. Moderate or heavy rains would sweep most parts of south China. Some regions south to the Yangtze River and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region would experience rain storm or strong convective weather.People walk on the street in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, June 5, 2009. A heavy rain cooled the hot weather in Hefei on Friday eveningOn Sunday, most parts of Sichuan Province, western and northern Chongqing, southwestern Yunnan and Guangdong provinces would be hit by heavy rain or rainstorm. Strong convective weather was to hit these regions, resulting in strong wind, thunder storm or hails. According to statistics of the Ministry of Civil Affairs Friday, storms sweeping five provinces in central and east China killed 27people and damaged more than 341,000 hectares of crops.
L'AQUILA, July 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama said on Thursday that he was looking forward to visiting China later this year. Obama made the remarks when meeting with Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo, who was here to attend the leaders' meeting of the Group of Eight (G8) and five leading emerging economies (G5) on behalf of Chinese President Hu Jintao. During the meeting, Obama said the U.S. side attached importance to the U.S.-China relations, and he hoped that the upcoming U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue could generate fruitful results, according to a press release issued by the Chinese delegation. It is important for the United States and China to enhance cooperation on major international issues, Obama said, adding that it benefits both countries and both people. The two also exchanged views on bilateral relations and other major international and regional issues, said the press release. Dai conveyed Hu's greetings to Obama while Obama asked Dai to pass on his greetings and good wishes to Hu. Hu cut short his stay in Italy and skipped the G8 meeting due to the situation in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. He returned to Beijing Wednesday.