Birds watchers
爱护鸟类
Photo by Yao Fan



On April 2, the Birds Watching Society subordinated to Wild Animals Protection Association, City Forestry Bureau held a series of activities to broaden people's knowledge of birds and to generate their concerns over birds protection. Here are citizens who are watching pictures of birds at the SM City Plaza.

 

 

Economics

Garment, shoe and hat exports encounter "storm"
服装鞋帽出口遭"风寒"
The European Union has recently implemented a new Generalized System of Preferences, under which China's exports of 50 products in 16 categories, including textiles and shoes, will no longer be entitled to tariff concessions; the EU's new measures will also have an impact on Xiamen's exports of garments, shoes and hats.

ECCO launches Xiamen operations
ECCO厦门工厂投产
The Phase 1 Investment Project of ECCO, a leading Danish shoemaker, has recently officially commenced production. By the year's end, ECCO Xiamen will be able to produce 20,000 pairs of the world's top-quality leather shoes per week. After all of its five planned production lines become operational, ECCO annual output capacity in Xiamen will reach 5 million pairs.

 

 

Society

1, 000 Pilipino students learn Chinese culture
千名菲籍学生学习汉文化
Over 1,000 Pilipino students have recently flown to Xiamen for a three-month Chinese culture studies program. These students, mostly from primary and secondary schools, are divided into three groups for traditional culture courses at Xiamen University, Huaqiao University and Jimei University respectively. They are the largest culture study group in recent years.

20, 000 ml blood donated in 5 years
5年献血2万毫升
At the 8th anniversary of the promulgation of Xiamen Free Blood Donation Ordinance, Zhu Liuji made a blood donation again. To date, he has cumulatively donated 20,000 milliliters of blood. As staff at the blood station put it, "This blood donation record is rare in the whole country!"

Local scientists join scientific expedition
厦门科学家参加科考
On April 2, "Ocean No 1" scientific expedition vessel raised anchor in Qingdao for China's first scientific expedition across three oceans. Five Xiamen-based scientists will be involved in the total process of the mission; they are Lin Rongcheng, Luo Zhuhua, Zhang Xiaobo, Liu Xin, Shao Zongze.

Seawater flush toilets put on agenda
海水冲厕提上日程
Experts from the 3rd Research Institute under the State Oceanic Administration have recently finished a feasibility study report of the plan to build 20,000 square meters of seawater flush toilets in Xiang'an District as a demonstration project. Engineering and construction costs are estimated at around RMB 12 million; the project will start in April 2005 and conclude in April 2006.

Money-minded landlord penalized
租给逃犯房东被罚
A murder suspect surnamed Li, who sneaked into Xiamen from Chongqing, has recently been captured by Wucun police. The fugitive "implicated" a total stranger, his landlord surnamed Huang, who rented his flat at East Hexiang Road to him. Huang will face a punishment for failing to check the tenant's identity card.

Thief mistaken for blacksmith
错把小偷当工人
A weird incident recently occurred at the residential complex at No. 85, Hubin Yili. A man who resides in the neighborhood thought to be a blacksmith dismantling the gate for repairs turned out to be a thief after he had failed to return with the gate for days. As the resident complex faces the road, people here now have to pool money for a new gate.

 

 

Medicine

RMB 1 billion earmarked for grass-roots medical services
基层医疗要投10亿元
Small grass-roots hospitals are complaining of few patient visits while larger ones are packed with patients. Officials of the city's health authority have recently indicated that the local government will spend 1 billion RMB this year to build more grass-roots medical facilities. This investment will exceed all spending over the previous 20 years for this purpose. At present, foreign capital amounting to 2 billion RMB is attempting to make inroads into the local medical sector.

Basketball-sized tumor removed
篮球大的肿瘤被摘除
A man surnamed Xu has recently had his basketball-sized 3kg malignant tumor removed from his stomach at No 1 Hospital. This is the first-ever such complicated operation performed in Fujian Province for the removal of a tumor which was connected to blood vessels. After the operation, Mr Xu devoured 18 steamed dumplings out of delight with the operation; unfortunately, he developed ileus, and had to stay in the hospital for another couple of days.

Burn victim miraculously recovers
全身烫伤基本痊愈
Three months ago, a worker in Caitang surnamed Pu slipped and fell into a boiling cooling pond; he was seriously burned all over, with only a patch of skin on his sole remaining intact. Doctors treating him said considering his condition, he would have only three days to live. But, he has recently miraculously recovered after a series of treatment at No 174 Hospital, with even no striking scars.

 

 

City News
Edited by Lily

Beijing 北京

Controversial project suspended
搁置有争议的湖底加膜计划
A controversial project which involves laying a plastic cover at the bottom of the lakes in Yuan Ming Yuan Park (the Old Summer Palace) to prevent water from seeping into the ground was suspended. It was estimated that the project would save more than 1.5 million cubic metres of water annually for the heritage site, but ecologists claimed it would bring an "ecological disaster" to the park.



Rate hike worry spurs mortgage repayments
利率调高刺激房贷回笼
Major Chinese banks, had planned, or have even begun, to charge those who have paid off their mortgages ahead of time because they are worried it will have an impact on their profits. It's confirmed that people who have paid off their loans ahead of time have increased since last October. The People's Bank of China announced last October that it would raise mortgage rates in a move partly to curb speculative house buying.

Bad habits anger Beijing residents
市民最憎恶习有三
Beijing residents say spitting is what they hate most about living in the city,which is one of the multitude of anti-social behaviors to be witnessed on a daily basis. Following are dog owners who fail to clear up their pets' excrement. Third on the list of irritating practices is improper disposal of rubbish.

Shanghai 上海

Low-priced housing
为低收入家庭建房
Shanghai will build 20 million square meters of apartments for low and medium-income residents. These homes will be used primarily for families relocated by urban renewal projects.
With average residential housing prices soaring 25 percent to 8,756 yuan (US$1,058) a square meter in 2004, Shanghai recently initiated a series of measures to prevent a speculative property bubble and ensure affordable housing for its citizens.

Cabbies to receive monthly subsidy
出租车获月补贴
According to a new scheme, all taxi companies should give each cab a monthly allowance of up to 200 yuan (US$24) to help drivers cover higher fuel costs. The city started the project last year, hoping empty cabs would wait at taxi stands instead of cruising streets for customers. However, cab drivers were not impressed, saying the allowance can cover only part of their extra expenditure due to higher gas prices.

Traffic police get high-tech backup
高科武装交警
Thirty new high-tech police cars and 170 motorcycles began patrolling city streets, providing local lawmen with better ammunition to track down traffic violators. The new additions are the city's first-ever batch of police vehicles whose standards are in exact accordance with national police facility standards - including size and symbols. The "electronic patrol cars" are equipped with a radar speedometer and a powerful camera connected to a computer system inside the vehicle.

Vaccine for deadly disease invented
发明对付致死疾病疫苗
Scientists from Fudan University have invented a new type of genetic vaccine to prevent foot and mouth disease in pigs - which, compared to normal vaccines, can enhance the animal's "immunity".
The group obtained a license from the central government to mass-produce the medicine, which researchers say will boost the country's pork exports.

Guangzhou & Shenzhen 广州 & 深圳

Rare pediatric disease found
发现罕见儿科疾病
A disease with symptoms similar to respiratory diseases was found in a hospital. Given the name "plastic pneumonia", the disease presents plastic-like white fibers growing inside the windpipe and doctors could find no associated virus or bacteria. Children with the disease usually had kidney and cardiovascular problems. Immediate surgery was the only way to treat the disease, as there was no effective medicine.

Shenzhen considers changes to franchise
深圳欲调整对特权单位的政策
A draft regulation for public utility franchises centered on access to the market for private enterprises and the monitoring of franchise enterprises is now being discussed. Public utilities provide electricity, water, gas and public transport services. Since they are usually monopolies, there are no competitors and consumers have no alternatives. Monitoring their expenditure is particularly important. It's suggested the current form of access be replaced by public tender and comply with the international practice of a contract term to a maximum of 20 years.

Chongqing 重庆

International seminar on Dazu Stone Carvings to be held
大足石刻国际研讨会在即
The carving of Guanyin (Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) with 1,000 arms is believed to be the oldest of its kind among the ancient stone carvings in Dazu County. The carvings were added to the list of World Heritage sites by UNESCO in December 1999. An international seminar on Dazu Stone Carvings will be held in Chongqing from August 18 to 28, 2005.



Sculptures of energetic girls find a home
矗立活力少女雕塑
A group of sculptures called "Chongqing Vigorous Girls" was stationed on the scenic avenue by the Yangtze River in Chongqing. The sculptures, with different models, were shaped to reveal the elegant demeanor of the girls of Chongqing and to greet the Asia Pacific Cities Summit, which will be held there this October.

Hong Kong 香港

Anti-smoking bill to be tabled
禁烟令将出台
A bill banning smoking in indoor public places will be tabled in the Legislative Council in May. Key proposals include a ban on smoking in indoor workplaces and public places, including restaurants, bars and karaoke places with no exemptions. The bill will also set more restrictions on the promotion of tobacco products.

Disneyland kicks off search for talent
迪斯尼全球招募精英
Hong Kong Disneyland launched one of the city's largest ever recruitment drives, inviting about 3,000 front-line workers to apply. From April 1, Hong Kong Disneyland will invite eligible candidates to apply for Cast Member roles from a variety of disciplines including hotel operations, merchandise, food & beverage, entertainment, park operations, costuming and security services.

Bridge linking three areas
连接三地跨海大桥敲定
The design for the long-awaited bridge connecting Guangdong's Zhuhai Special Economic Zone with Hong Kong and Macao has been decided.
The Y-shaped bridge to be built over the water will start from Gongbei in Zhuhai and end in Hong Kong's Lantou Island, where a Disney theme park is being constructed and the Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok International Airport is located.

Opening cross-border real estate trusts
拟放开边界房地产投资信用
HK plans to open the door for mainland and overseas property owners to list real estate investment trusts (reits), paving the way for Hong Kong to catch up with regional rivals. After an 18-month study, the securities watchdog has proposed the geographic ban restricting reits to Hong Kong properties be lifted from June.

Taipei 台北

Science council to offer 50 jobs to Taiwanese abroad
为留学生提供50个职位
The Science Council will offer 50 job opportunities for second-generation Taiwanese who were brought up here, but then studied and settled oversees, so that they can return to work in Taiwan. The program, nicknamed the "migratory bird program", will be held this summer. This program aims to introduce their lifelong wisdom and experience into Taiwan, and hopes to have them observe Taiwan's industries, offer suggestions, and introduce the latest innovative and research directions and marketing models into Taiwan.


Vocabulary
tariff 关税
concession 优惠
feasibility 可行性
implicate 有牵连
malignant 恶性的
ileus 肠梗阻
multitude 众多
excrement 粪便
wedge-shaped 楔形的
rein 控制
speedometer 里程计
franchise 特权
streamline 简化