Common Talk Weeklyshuang yu zhou kan
issue date

Economics, society, sports, education
December 3, 2003

Economics

Housing prices in Xiamen shoot up
厦门房价全面飚升
Commercial housing prices in Xiamen reached a record high of RMB 4317 yuan per square meter in October, with the price of on-island residential commercial housing averaging a hefty RMB 4072 yuan per square meter and remaining at a high level.

Xiamen Tourism attracts RMB 1.1 billion
厦旅游招商拿下11亿
During recent discussions on important achievements of the tourism festival, Xiamen signed agreements on 27 projects which worth RMB 1.108 billion, ranking No. 1 among all cities in the province.

China stone processor launches first overseas plant
中国石材首次境外设厂
Xiamen Wanlishi Stone Materials Co., Ltd., China's largest stone export enterprise, recently set up China's first overseas stone processing plant in South Africa.

Flower Expo held
海峡两岸花博会召开
On November 28, the 5th Strait (Zhangzhou, Fujian) Flowers Exposition opened at Zhangpu Makou Flowers Exposition Park, allowing domestic and international flower business owners as well as flower lovers to exchange their experience on gardening and industry.

M-Zone allied with McDonald's
动感地带与麦当劳“结盟”
On November 24, M-Zone of China Mobile entered into a strategic alliance with McDonald's in order to cash in on booming consumption by young people.

Society

Power supply limited again
我市又开始限电
On November 27, the daily power supply in Xiamen switched back to 850,000 kw, which was the level prior to the International Tourism Festival. This means that from that day on, power supply in Xiamen would be limited again.

Wastewater treatment capabilities to be improved
污水处理能力将提高
According to the city's Water Treatment Investment & Construction Co., Ltd., further construction plans have been drawn up for the city's wastewater treatment efforts. It is projected that by 2020, up to 85% of local wastewater will be treated, putting the city's wastewater treatment capabilities on a par with the level of developed countries.

Artistic waxwork become Xiamen souvenirs
蜡像艺术成为厦门旅游产品
The "Ancient Historical Town" hall on Gulangyu Islet, which is the first tourism spot to display waxwork in our city, has recently been opened to the public. On display are lifelike wax figures including prominent Chinese statesmen such as Mao Zedong, Zhu De, Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping.

Water supply ensured for next 10 Years
厦门用水十年无忧
The renovation project of Xiamen section of the North Brook water diversion program, which cost RMB 227 million yuan, has recently passed the acceptance inspection. The completion of the construction of the dual canals for diverting water from the North Brook would ensure adequate water supply to Xiamen for the next 10 years.

23 more HIV cases detected in Fujian
我省新发现23例艾滋病人
The latest statistics from the provincial health bureau indicate that by the end of September this year, in Fujian Province there are 142 HIV carriers in total, including 23 newly diagnosed cases and nine fatalities.

Gym built for children
为孩子们建体育馆
In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the foundation of Haicang Experimental Middle School, Xiamen Linde Gas Co., Ltd. donated RMB 1.2 million yuan to build a gym for children.

Sports

Next marathon race winner to receive higher prize
明年马拉松赛奖金提高
The runner with the world's best score at the 2004 Amoi Xiamen International Marathon Championship, scheduled for March 27 at 8 am at Xiamen International Conference && Exhibition Center, will receive a handsome reward of USD 100,000, which is a big jump over the RMB 500,000 yuan offered in the 2003 race.

Education

Freshmen pursue education in Singapore
厦大新生赴新留学
Thirteen newly admitted Xiamen University students who passed relevant examinations departed for Singapore on November 26 for higher education under the university's open-style talents nurturing program. These students will supply a six-year service after graduation to the Singaporean firms which have sponsored their education.