China-News

Tuesday, 13. June 2006, 07:09 Uhr

Energy Conservation Law to Be Revised

China's legislature is studying how to revise the country's energy conservation law to meet the goals of both economic development and energy conservation, a senior Chinese legislator said on Monday.

Li Tieying, vice-chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that the current energy conservation law no longer meets the country's development needs.

Li said that changing the focus of economic development from energy and resources consumption to energy saving will have a profound effect on relations between people, society and nature.

The NPC Standing Committee enacted the Energy Conservation Law of China in November 1997. It governs the administration of energy, the proper use of energy resources, promotion of energy-saving technology and protection of the environment.

Research into the effectiveness and enforcement of the law is being conducted by the NPC Standing Committee, he said. The NPC Standing Committee also wants to revise the Energy Conservation Law to secure a strong legal framework for building an energy-saving society, he said.

Li called for the law and policies to encourage economic growth and energy conservation, noting that economic development that features high energy consumption which results in serious pollution and waste is not sustainable.

Li made the remarks at a seminar on energy conservation and legislation. Li noted that development can not only be concerned with the growth of the GDP, it must also be in harmony with nature.

According to a report released by the Development Research Center of the State Council, energy supply uncertainties can be effectively addressed with a comprehensive national energy policy that stresses energy efficiency, renewable energy and a more market oriented oil and gas sector.

China should more aggressively promote energy efficiency and commercialization of its national oil and gas companies by opening the sector to international oil companies. This will attract investment and needed new technologies, said the report.

The country should clarify the security-enhancing roles of both international and national companies. This could lead to the creation of a market-oriented, multi-source, robust national energy economy that would provide an important basis for security of supply, the report said.

The "right mix" of a specific security of supply measures should be selected according to China's needs from a suite of measures that includes: maintaining spare domestic production capability; protection of its import oil transport channels; accumulated reserves; allocation and possibly rationing systems to share scare supplies equitably; and close international cooperation with trading partners for whom secure oil supplies are essential for their economic well being and with energy exporters who have a similar interest in secure markets, the report stressed.

Recognizing the country's interdependence in the global energy sector and incorporating security of supply into the country's long term strategy could be the first steps on the road towards a stable energy supply, which is one of the pillars of sustainable development for the sector and the overall economy during the coming decades, the report said.

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Sunday, 04. June 2006, 15:24 Uhr

Zhongnanhai designated key site of cultural relics protection

BEIJING, June 2 -- Zhongnanhai, the office compound of China's central leadership, has been designated a "key site" of cultural protection, according to a government announcement Friday.

Located to the west of the Forbidden City, the historic royal garden of Zhongnanhai has been the headquarters of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council, since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Former Chinese leaders Mao Zedong, Zhu De, Liu Shaoqi and Zhou Enlai also had residences in the compound.

Zhongnanhai is one of 1,080 "key cultural relics sites" published Friday by the State Council, the central government. This is the sixth list of its kind.

"Zhongnanhai has witnessed important events in China's history. It is a key cultural relics site also for its cultural value," said Xie Chensheng, honorary chairman of the Chinese Academy of Cultural Relics Study.

The site was created during the Liao Dynasty (915-1125), then rebuilt and renovated continually during the subsequent Yuan (1279-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

The central government collected suggestions from experts on the protection of Zhongnanhai soon after it moved in. Over the past half century, different administrations had attached great importance to its protection, said 83-year-old cultural relics expert Luo Zhewen.

"The cultural relics in Zhongnanhai have mostly largely intact, although some were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution," Luo said.

Many protected sites and buildings were still used for offices and residences in China, just like the Zhongnanhai compound, said Luo. "The preservation of Zhongnanhai will set an example for the maintenance and protection of other sites across the nation."

"Its protection is the wish of many Chinese experts," he said.

The sixth list of key cultural relics sites also includes the Grand Beijing-Hangzhou Canal -- the world's oldest and longest canal still in use -- on which the construction began during the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC).

Another site is the the grave of Italian missionary Matteo Ricci (1552-1610) and other overseas missionaries. A Jesuit who arrived in Macao in 1582, Ricci introduced Western culture to China and reported news of China to Europe among other achievements during his 28-year stay, including drawing a map of the world map and making astronomical instruments.

Also listed is the starting place of the Red Army's epic Long March in the mid 1930s and the burial site of victims of the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese invaders in 1937.

The latest list brings the total national key cultural relics sites to 2,351.

Sunday, 04. June 2006, 15:24 Uhr

Zhongnanhai designated "key site" of cultural relics protection

BEIJING, June 2 -- Zhongnanhai, the office compound of China's central leadership, has been designated a "key site" of cultural protection, according to a government announcement Friday.

Located to the west of the Forbidden City, the historic royal garden of Zhongnanhai has been the headquarters of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council, since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Former Chinese leaders Mao Zedong, Zhu De, Liu Shaoqi and Zhou Enlai also had residences in the compound.

Zhongnanhai is one of 1,080 "key cultural relics sites" published Friday by the State Council, the central government. This is the sixth list of its kind.

"Zhongnanhai has witnessed important events in China's history. It is a key cultural relics site also for its cultural value," said Xie Chensheng, honorary chairman of the Chinese Academy of Cultural Relics Study.

The site was created during the Liao Dynasty (915-1125), then rebuilt and renovated continually during the subsequent Yuan (1279-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

The central government collected suggestions from experts on the protection of Zhongnanhai soon after it moved in. Over the past half century, different administrations had attached great importance to its protection, said 83-year-old cultural relics expert Luo Zhewen.

"The cultural relics in Zhongnanhai have mostly largely intact, although some were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution," Luo said.

Many protected sites and buildings were still used for offices and residences in China, just like the Zhongnanhai compound, said Luo. "The preservation of Zhongnanhai will set an example for the maintenance and protection of other sites across the nation."

"Its protection is the wish of many Chinese experts," he said.

The sixth list of key cultural relics sites also includes the Grand Beijing-Hangzhou Canal -- the world's oldest and longest canal still in use -- on which the construction began during the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC).

Another site is the the grave of Italian missionary Matteo Ricci (1552-1610) and other overseas missionaries. A Jesuit who arrived in Macao in 1582, Ricci introduced Western culture to China and reported news of China to Europe among other achievements during his 28-year stay, including drawing a map of the world map and making astronomical instruments.

Also listed is the starting place of the Red Army's epic Long March in the mid 1930s and the burial site of victims of the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese invaders in 1937.

The latest list brings the total national key cultural relics sites to 2,351.

Sunday, 04. June 2006, 15:21 Uhr

Kunqu strives to win young audience

HONG KONG, June 3 -- "The greatest contribution of The Youth Version of The Peony Pavilion, which will leave an important chapter in the history of Kunqu Opera, is to have won back young audience," acclaimed Kunqu artist Wang Shiyu.

The Youth Version of The Peony Pavilion, a production of SuzhouKunqu Opera Theater of Jiangsu, will be on stage for a nine-hour performance over three days from June 5 to 7 at Hong Kong Cultural Center. As the general director of the play, Wang shared his conception and experience with local fans Friday evening.

Regarded as "the mother of all operas", Kunqu has a long history of over 500 years and is one of China's extant oldest dramatic forms. It was listed as one of the 19 inaugural " Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO in 2001.

However, it is in danger of being phased out because the artists are aging, so is their audience. In order to attract young audience, Wang hoped to meld ancient and 21st-century aesthetics in producing a Youth Version of the best-known Kunqu classic – The Peony Pavilion.

"The first work we have to do is to produce a concise script from the original one which consists of 55 highlights and would last 10 whole days and nights to perform. It is obviously impossible for contemporary people living in a speeded life to enjoy the complete set," Wang said.

The concision is largely based on one word - Love. The Peony Pavilion, as Wang regarded, is essentially a eulogy on love - the leading roles in the play Liu Mengmei and Du Liniang die for love and are reborn for love, leaving a most romantic story in the Chinese literature just like Romeo and Juliet in the British drama history.

By cutting out all else, Wang kept every plot related to the two leading roles while producing the script. There comes the present version which consists of three parts and lasts nine-hour performance.

"The length is acceptable, and of course maintains all classic highlights," Wang said.

Another keynote for the Youth Version is "beauty". "From lightening, costume to stage design, we did our utmost to make it beautiful. In other words, we clothe a traditional opera in a modern garb," Wang said. As for the leading actor and actress, they were chosen as if from a "beauty competition". Even mass performers should be beautiful and similar in height.

"In the old days, people enjoyed opera with ears, but now they will keep their eyes wide open because every scene of the Youth Version is an aesthetic enjoyment," Wang said.

The Youth Version also made some adjustments in character building. Taking Liu Mengmei as an example. Unlike an over-sentimental, introversive gentleman in the traditional play, Liu in the Youth Version is more open and unconventional, which adapts better to the contemporary taste.

"The original version is predominated by the performance of Du Liniang with Liu as a supporting role. We add more performance for Liu in the Youth Version so that the story appears more balanced and vivid," Wang said.

Since premiering in Taipei at the end of April 2004, The Youth Version of The Peony Pavilion, which was produced by internationally acclaimed Taiwan writer Pai Hsien-yung, has played to full houses in Hong Kong, Macao, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Beijing, Tianjin and Foshan. Over the past two years, nearly all its 72 performances were sell-outs. Feedback, especially from the younger audience, is overwhelming.

"To let Kunqu live on, it is not a task exclusive for performers. We also need audience of new generation. An art is no promising without younger audience. The Youth Version has caused a sensation in the youngsters, which is our greatest success," Wang said.

Sunday, 04. June 2006, 15:17 Uhr

China clamps down on sale of fake college entrance exam papers

BEIJING, June 2 -- The Chinese government has warned the public to be alert to the sale of fake college entrance exam papers through the Internet and mobile phones after a string of fraud cases were cracked.

In a joint announcement, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Security said that questions and answers for this year's college entrance exams, which fall on June 7th and 8th this year, are national secrets before they are authorized to issued. They are now under the strict control of relevant government departments.

Examinees and their parents should keep alert to avoid being cheated of their money, according to the announcement.

Stealing, divulging and selling college entrance exam questions and answers, selling false college entrance exam papers and disturbing the exams in any way will all be severely punished, the announcement said.

Police in east China's Fujian Province on May 31 arrested three people responsible for selling fake papers online and confiscated their bank deposit books, credit cards and computers.

According to their confessions, they have been spreading false information via the Internet since April, saying that they have this year's college entrance exam papers. They pretended to be officials of education departments receiving calls and selling exam papers at 1,000 yuan a subject.

Policemen in east China's Shandong Province also arrested a criminal suspect who spread false information via the Internet saying that he could send college entrance exam answers just 45 minutes after the exam started. The case is under further investigation.

Sources from the Ministry of Education said all the people who participated in designing the college entrance exam questions have signed a written pledge, vowing never to divulge what they knew. Breaking the contract can lead to three to seven years imprisonment.

Ministry of Public Security said policemen will be deployed at the neighboring areas of the exam spots to avoid organized gangs making cheating by using high-tech means and deploying accomplices both inside and outside the exam spots.

Statistics from the Ministry of Education showed that 9.5 million people have registered to attend this year's national college entrance exam, while China's higher learning institutions are planning to recruit 5.3 million students.

The Ministry of Education has also ordered local education departments to enhance electronic monitoring this year by installing handset detection instruments and monitoring devices in exam halls.

Police departments last year uncovered nearly 30 cases involving more than 30 suspects who were caught using hidden telecommunication equipment to cheat on the exams or illegally selling exam contents.

Sunday, 04. June 2006, 15:15 Uhr

Ancient engraved chessboards found on Great Wall

SHIJIAZHUANG, June 4 -- Archaeologists have found two ancient engraved chessboards probably used by soldiers on the Great Wall more than 700 years ago at Qinhuangdao, North China's Hebei Province.

The two boards, one for Chinese chess and the other for the ancient game "Tiger Eats Sheep", were engraved on a stone in front of a Great Wall beacon tower possibly in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), said officials with the provincial department of cultural relics.

Archaeologists believe that soldiers from all parts of ancient China used to play chess to while away the time on the remote wall.

The chessboards were never mentioned in documents on the Great Wall or in local chronicles, said an official. However, more work was needed to identify the exact date of the boards, he added.

Archaeologists have also found 17 Chinese characters in five lines engraved on a stone nearby, of which the names of two soldiers are still clear.

China's first emperor, Qinshihuang, founder of Qin Dynasty, had the Wall built as a defense by over one million workers in 12years against attack by the Xiongnu, an ancient nationality in North China.

Rebuilt many times through the centuries, the wall stretches6,000kilometers from Jiayuguan Pass in northwestern Gansu Province to end at Shanhaiguan Pass on the shores of Bohai Bay in the east.

Sunday, 04. June 2006, 15:13 Uhr

China-U.S. industrial park project starts in Henan

ZHENGZHOU, June 4 -- A China-U.S. cooperative industrial park project "California industrial city" has started construction in Zhengdong District of Zhengzhou, capital of central Henan Province.

The project lies in the southeastern part of Zhengzhou, between the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway in the west and the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway in the east. The project will be built in three phases,to accommodate industries such as aerospace, pharmacy, new materials, building materials, automobiles and electronics.

The project is sponsored by Zhengzhou State-owned Assets Management Company and California Industrial City Development Corporation.

The overall investment in the project will be higher than two billion U.S. dollars, with the infrastructure to be finished within three years. Foreign companies and some joint-venture companies will be introduced to the industrial park.

Sunday, 04. June 2006, 15:11 Uhr

China Gas acquires shares from mainland's gas operator

HONG KONG, June 4 -- Chinese mainland piped-gas operator China Gas Holdings Limited (China Gas) announced on Sunday that it has acquired 38.69 percent equity interest in Chongqing Ding Fat Industries Co. Ltd (Chongqing Ding Fat) for a total consideration of 62.16 million yuan (7.75 million U.S. dollars) from a listed A-share company.

According to a press release from the China Gas, Chongqing Ding Fat is the only regional gas operator in the Chinese mainland with gas exploration right. The company owns 40 gas wells with total annual purification and production capacity of 150 million cubic meters.

The Hong Kong listed company said, this is not only a major step in its advance upstream into gas exploration and processing in the natural gas production chain, but also allows the company to ensure stable gas supply for its city gas projects. China Gas is optimistic about the development potential of Chongqing Ding Fat. The acquisition of equity interest in Chongqing Ding Fat represented the company's first step to tap the natural gas business in Congqing as well as its first attempt to participate in upstream natural gas supply operations. China Gas is a natural gas services operator, principally engaging in the investment, operation and management of city gas pipeline infrastructure, distribution of natural gas to residential and industrial users, construction and operation of oil stations and gas stations.

China Gas has exclusive piped gas development rights in 49cities and regions in Chinese mainland and has pipeline network of more than 4,200 kilometers serving over 720,000 household users and nearly 1,300 industrial & commercial users.

Sunday, 04. June 2006, 15:09 Uhr

Chinese seamen return from international rescue operation

BEIJING, June 3 -- Rescue teams have returned home on three ships involved in China's biggest international maritime operation, after helping hundreds of Vietnamese fishermen caught in a typhoon last month.

Vice-Minister of Communications Xu Zuyuan was among those welcoming the crews of the rescue ships in south China's GuangzhouCity, saying the operation demonstrated China's commitment to international maritime rescue conventions and humanitarian assistance.

The 16-day operation was launched after appeals from the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam from May 17 to 25, which said dozens ofVietnamese boats and hundreds of fishermen were missing in the South China Sea.

The China Maritime Search and Rescue Center (CMSRC) said it immediately launched an emergency rescue program on May 17 when the typhoon struck.

The CMSRC said the crew of the Dejin rescued 24 Vietnamese fishermen, while the Nanhaijiu 111 found 22 fishing boats, and offered emergency assistance to 330 fishermen and fuel to 15 of the ships.

Sunday, 04. June 2006, 15:07 Uhr

Nation's 1st desulferized generating units operational

BEIJING, June 3 -- China's first desulferized coal-fired power generators have gone into commercial operation, operators of the units said Saturday.

China Huaneng Corp. said on Saturday the operation of the desulferized facilities could avoid emissions of sulphur dioxide by 10,000 tons each year.

The two generating units with an installed capacity of 300,000 kw each went into commercial use in Yueyang city, Hunan Province, after 168 hours of trial operations, the company said in a statement.

The company said the units were the first of their kind in China, which has been troubled by acid rain due to air pollution from coal burning at power plants, the country's primary method of electric power production.

Rising damage from air pollution in recent years has prompted the government to increase investment in projects to curb air pollution, including acid rain from coal-fired power plants.

Official statistics indicate that over one-third of China's territory has been ravaged by acid rain as coal produced in southwest China and central China is rich in sulphur.

The new units cost 2.47 billion yuan (308 million U.S. dollars) and the desulferized facilities cost 180 million yuan (22.5 million dollars).

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