Saving rare animals
保护珍稀动物
Photo by Yao Fan



On April 15, a mobile team from Kekexili National Nature Reserve arrived in Xiamen to promote the protection of rare plateau animals like the Tibetan antelope. Students from the Tibetan class in Xiamen University are seen signing their names in support of naming the Tibetan antelope as their mascot.

 

 

Economics

Expatriates in Tong'an pay over RMB 1 million yuan in taxes
同安老外缴税突破百万
In the first quarter of this year, personal income taxes paid by foreign expatriates working in Tong'an totaled RMB 1.47 million, surging 267.5% over the same period last year. This is the first time that individual income taxes on foreign expatriates in Tong'an have even exceeded one-million yuan.

First report on IPR protection status published
首发知识产权保护状况
The city's Intellectual Property Rights Work Leading Group recently unveiled the 2004 Xiamen Intellectual Property Rights Protection Status, which is the first one of its kind in Xiamen. The leading group says that the report will be published on an annual basis.

10% less sea fish caught
少捕了一成海鱼
Xiamen will soon enter a no-fishing season. The latest information released by the city's Ocean && Fishery Administration shows that during the first quarter of this year, Xiamen harvested 3,669 tons of sea fishes, down 11.10% over the same period last year. The rapid decline of fishery resources has resulted in a noticeable drop in fish harvest.

Eupa to open three more outlets in Xiamen by year's end
灿坤年内在厦再开3店
Eupa 3C recently announced its plan to increase investment in its two base regions of Fujian and Shanghai and to open at least eight new outlets in Fujian by the year's end, with three to be located in Xiamen.

Pioneer Park launched for returned overseas students
留学人员创业园成立
China Xiamen Pioneer Park for Returned Overseas Chinese Students, jointly built by the Ministry of Personnel and Xiamen authorities, was recently inaugurated, making it the 24th national-level Pioneer Park in China.

 

 

Society

Concert naming rights to be auctioned
公开拍卖音乐会冠名权
Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra will auction off the naming rights of its 8th Music Season and "Walking into Symphony" Concerts, which are scheduled for August 1 2005-July 31 2006. The bids will start at RMB 200,000 and RMB 100,000 respectively. Insiders of the music sector commented that this is a bold move of the philharmonic orchestra towards marketization.

Special pathway to be built for Foxtail Hill
登狐尾山将有专用道
A pathway behind the Foreign Trade Building (Hubin North Road) which has been unused for a couple of years will be reopened to the public next month after renovation. Local residents will be able to ascend the hill for physical exercise or sightseeing through using this pathway. The newly renovated pathway will be around 860 meters.

Tougher penalties for exhaust emission offences
尾气治理惩罚将更严厉
Xiamen authorities will strengthen its management of exhaust emissions which exceed the limit. Under the new management measures, any vehicle seen emitting black exhaust constitutes breaking the limit, requiring no inspection and verification by technical personnel which was necessary previously.

Zheng He "Treasure Vessel" to call at Xiamen
郑和"宝船"抵厦
A replica antique wooden sailboat recently sailed into the Citong Ancient Port in Quanzhou amid the cheering of hundreds of local residents and students who had gathered to welcome the boat.
The marine voyage named "Sailing across China - In Commemoration of the 600th Anniversary of Zheng He's Voyages to the West Ocean" will sail along the former routes of Zheng He's westward voyages to promote China's marine culture.
Quanzhou is the fourth port of call after Qingdao, Ningbo and Wenzhou; the vessel will call at Xiamen today.

Drunkard nearly drowned in the sea
醉汉下海险送命
A few days ago, a drunkard who went swimming at a beach on Gulangyu was stranded in the sea and nearly drowned. It was said that the man dived into the sea after a fiery argument with his wife.

Air passengers steal life jackets in the air
飞机上偷救生衣
Two Guizhou passengers who were flying to Xiamen stole two "attracting" flight life jackets in the cabin for swimming purposes were intercepted on their return trip by the local police. Their flight was canceled and each received a RMB 200 fine.

 

 

City News
Edited by Lily

Beijing 北京

Foreign Ministry opens house to public
外交部对外开放
Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing (centre) signs an autograph for visitors to his ministry at its "Open House" last Friday. 160 everyday people in front row seats, usually reserved for foreign correspondents, were treated to a very professional yet humorous presentation as the Foreign Ministry spokesman hosted an "Open House."



Rise in peak hour price of electricity
提高高峰期电价
Charges on the use of electricity at peak hours in Beijing will be 0.94 yuan (0.11 US dollars) this summer, more than quadruple the charges in low use periods. The peak-hour price, the first of its kind, was to alleviate the capital's imminent pressure on the power supply. Peak hours are 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. from July to September.

Gem fruit from Taiwan
台湾精品水果展
Visitors to the Taiwan Elegant Fruit Show in Beijing last week taste various kinds of fruit from the island. The show, organized by the Straits Economic Cooperation Center and some agricultural associations in Taiwan, drew more than 10 types of champion fruits from Taiwan.



Shanghai 上海

Number of job seekers sets record
求职者创新高
There are more than 335,000 job seekers during the first quarter of this year, representing a 10.5 percent increase from the same period last year. University graduates are veteran internet users compared with other job-hunting groups, their strong employment intention will give rise to the booming online job market.
Meanwhile, positions in government departments or agencies were the most popular among local job applicants.

Quick appraisals speed traffic flow
事故速评保交通顺畅
Experienced accident appraisers are helping speed the traffic flow on the city's elevated highways by working with police and motorists to quickly clear up road wrecks. Huge backups often occur during accidents. Drivers have been told to move their cars after a mishap to avoid traffic congestion, but many don't comply until police arrive.
Disagreement over compensation is the main reason. The appraisers provide an on-the-spot damage assessment, and most drivers are willing to accept their mediation.

Higher incidence of cancer
癌症发病率升高
Shanghai has seen a rising incidence of cancer in recent years, with 300 cases reported among every 100,000 people. The ratio is very close to that in some developed countries, adding cancer has become the second leading cause of death following cardiovascular disease in the city. Lung cancer and breast cancer are the two major causes of death of local cancer patients. Experts said that higher incidence of cancer has much to do with aging, unhealthy lifestyles and the environment.

Guangzhou & Shenzhen 广州 & 深圳

Guangzhou schools go on influenza patrol
学校谨防流感
Guangzhou schools are sterilizing classrooms to prevent students catching the flu after several primary schools and kindergartens reported flu cases this term. The number of suspected flu cases had been on the rise since March. Health authorities were keeping a close eye on the epidemic as the city had entered a flu season. Schools are using ultraviolet radiation lamps and vinegar to disinfect the classrooms.

Chinese export commodities fair opened
广交会开幕
The 97th Chinese Export Commodities Fair opened last Friday. About 170,000 overseas purchasers attended the fair, with rising price of raw material and textile exports the focusing issue. China has witnessed a 25 percent increase in textile exports in this year's first quarter, due to the abolishment of the global textile quota. Eight multinational purchasers attended this year's fair, double the number of last year.

Airport tries to lower prices
机场餐饮降价
The Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is attempting to lower prices of goods sold at the facility. The airport would increase the number of fast food restaurants and supermarkets to try to lower food prices at the terminal. Restaurants could sell food at the same price as Guangzhou's five-star hotels in the past but now they have to restrict prices to levels no higher than three-star hotels.

Shenzhen's newborn sex ratio more balanced
深圳新生儿比例趋衡
Shenzhen's newborn sex ratio imbalance dropped dramatically from 118 in 2002 to 108 in 2004, closer to the 103-107 range suggested by the United Nations last year. The sex ratio is the number of males per 100 females. Traditional views that only sons will carry on the family name meant there were a lot more boys born than girls in many places in China. The city will continue the "caring for girls" project this year to ensure the survival and health of baby girls.

Chongqing 重庆

Poster boards with aphorisms to prevent corruption
反贪警句上宣传报廊
A poster board was established in Jiulongpo District, Chongqing. On the board is an aphorism -"Never flinch even if you are threatened with destruction and leave a fair name for posterity." Recently some 30 boards with such aphorisms have been set up CPC Jiulongpo in order to carry out the outline by the CPC Central Committee to prevent corruption.



Hong Kong 香港

HK, Hangzhou airports establish joint venture
香港杭州拟合建机场
The Hong Kong Airport Authority and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport in Zhejiang Province have formed a joint venture that will operate and manage the Chinese mainland airport. The two parties will jointly operate and manage Hangzhou Airport, aiming to enhance operation efficiency, service quality and management standards to bring it to world-class standards.

Endangered species bill to be gazetted
保护濒危物种新法将公布
A bill will soon replace the existing Animals and Plants Ordinance, which regulates the import, export or possession of endangered species by a licensing system. Most of the existing and potential license holders will be paying less under the streamlined system.
Under the existing ordinance, control over international trade in medicines made from regulated species does not fully meet the requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Taipei 台北

LCD maker to enter mainland
台光电制造商进入内地
Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp, a big Taiwan-based LCD maker, has won approval from the Taiwan authorities for its first investment in the Chinese mainland. Chi Mei has co-operative deals with all the major Chinese mainland TV producers and supplies 50 per cent of all LCDs used on the mainland. The mainland market will grow very quickly in the coming years and account for 15 per cent of the world market by 2008, rising from the current 3-4 per cent.

Puppet troupe performs for Taipei audiences
粤木偶剧团台北献艺
A six-member team from a Guangdong Puppet Troupe has departed to perform in Taipei. The musical puppet show will be performed 18 times in the city, ending its run on April 25. The show is considered a landmark event since it is the first co-operative project between a Guangdong Puppet Troupe, Hong Kong and Taiwan.


Vocabulary
plateau 高原
expatriate 外籍人士
antelope 羚羊
auction 拍卖
exhaust 废气
replica 复制品
strand 陷入
intercept 截留
gem 精品
ordinance 法令
posterity 子孙
gazette 公报
fauna 动物
flora 植物

 

 

Dinosaur exhibition
恐龙化石展
Photo by Yao Fan



April 15 saw the opening of "Ancient Traces - China Valuable Dinosaur Fossil Exhibition" on 5th floor of SM City Plaza. Sixty-three exhibits are provided by Chongqing Natural Museum, including 13 large dinosaur skeletons, 5 machanically operated dinosaurs and dinosaur egg fossils. The show will conclude on July 5.