CHENGDU, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu called on Thursday Asian and European countries to improve their disaster prevention and relief abilities through cooperation and sharing of information. Hui made the remark at an Asia-Europe workshop on cooperation and capacity building in disaster prevention and relief, held in Chengdu, capital of southwest Sichuan Province. Hui said natural disasters are common challenges facing the whole mankind, and cooperation between Asian and European countries in disaster relief not only has an important bearing on the economic development and livelihood of the people, but also on the sustainable development of the mankind. "Asian and European countries should further enhance exchange and cooperation in monitoring and forecast of disasters, as well as emergency response and relief efforts," said Hui, who also suggested building of a cooperation mechanism and information sharing, that would serve the improvement of disaster prevention and relief abilities of all countries. China had frequent natural disasters and would share its experience in coping with disasters with other countries, Hui said. He said China would continue to provide support and aid within its ability to the capacity building in disaster relief for other developing countries. On the country's disaster prevention and relief capacity building, Hui said, China would further improve its monitoring of natural disasters and emergency rescue system, raise anti-disaster standards for buildings and increase public awareness of disasters and push for international cooperation in disaster relief. The vice premier expressed China's appreciation for international help and support to the country's disaster relief and quake relief after the 8.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Wenchuan of Sichuan on May 12, 2008.
BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to end a de facto suspension of initial public offerings (IPOs) on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, after the securities regulator unveiled Wednesday the final guidelines for new IPOs. The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said the guidelines would take effect Thursday. An unidentified CSRC spokesman said the commission will give approvals to applying firms any time after the guidelines become effective. The commission announced draft guidelines on May 22 to solicit public opinions till June 5. The new guidelines aim to improve the price discovery function of the stock market, and help retail investors subscribe to newly issued stocks. The draft said the quotation system for new issues should be revised so that issue prices faithfully reflect market demand, and lead underwriters should take steps to avoid "unreasonably" high prices. Under the new rules, stock subscribers need to use either the online or off-line subscription system, but not both, to purchase new stocks. Institutional investors used to enjoy the privilege of subscribing through both systems, while retail investors could use only the off-line system. Three revisions were made to the draft to follow public advices that the commission deemed reasonable. The final version said a single investor is refined to use one account only to purchase new stocks, as some institutional investors have multiple accounts. The revision is aimed to help more smaller investors get access to new stocks. In addition, the commission said it would consider to increase the number of tradable stocks in response to suggestions the lock-down of too many stocks would do no good to curb speculation. However, the spokesperson said shares lock-down of large shareholders would remain in place, as it is aimed to prevent frequent changes in managerial staff that could jeopardize a firm's operation and create risks and the practice is followed on many overseas markets. The commission also added the content about improving the "clawback" and the offering suspension mechanisms upon requests of the public. The "clawback" mechanism is used in the event that the deal is subscribed by 100 times or more. The CSRC effectively suspended all new stock issues last September, as it halted approvals. Since then the stock market has plunged more than 50 percent from its peak 6124.04 in October 2007,compared to Wednesday's closing. The CSRC spokesman anticipated that the first few new IPOs may not be satisfactory (in boosting the market), but he believed that the goals of the new guidelines could be achieved over time, which would play a positive role in boosting the market in the long run. A total of 32 firms are on the waiting list to launch their IPOs on the A-share market, expecting to issue a combined more than 14 billion shares. China State Construction Engineering Corp. is expected to issue12 billion shares.
BEIJING, June 16 (Xinhua) -- China would like to join with Myanmar to promote comprehensive, stable and lasting relations, Vice President Xi Jinping said Tuesday. During talks with Myanmar State Peace and Development Council Vice-Chairman Maung Aye, Xi said China valued good-neighborly relations with Myanmar. He said Myanmar was among the first group of countries that forged diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China, and Sino-Myanmar relations had maintained good momentum. Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping (L) holds a welcome ceremony in honor of Maung Aye (R), vice-chairman of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 16, 2009. Xi also said the two countries should implement on-going projects to boost their economies amid the global downturn. He stressed that the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence were the cornerstone of China's diplomacy, and as a good neighbor, China hoped Myanmar would overcome difficulties to achieve stability and prosperity. Maung Aye expressed gratitude for China's long-term assistance. He particularly mentioned that China sent medical teams after Myanmar was hit by a cyclone last year. He reaffirmed Myanmar would support China's stance on the Taiwan and Tibet issues. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Maung Aye earlier Tuesday. Hailing the 60-year diplomatic relationship, Wen said the two nations enjoyed traditional friendship and broad common interests. Maung Aye said his government valued the relationship with China. Maung Aye came to China on an official visit scheduled for June15 to 20 at Xi's invitation.
BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese official Jia Qinglin called on Friday Chinese anti-independence organizations to continue their unique role and make new contributions to the promotion of national peaceful reunification. Jia made the comments in a meeting attended by representatives of overseas Chinese anti-independence organizations here. Jia, head of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification, said that anti-independence organizations had played an important role in creating favorable conditions for the peaceful development of relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits. Jia Qinglin (L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and director of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification (CCPPR), meets with directors of CCPPR's overseas branches in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2009 Jia, who is also chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, noted that last year, anti-independence organizations actively promoted exchanges and communications between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan and had firmly opposed separatist activities supporting "Taiwan independence" and "Tibet independence." They had also united overseas Chinese and compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao and especially those from Taiwan, he said. In promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, the global alliance of anti-independence organizations shouldered important responsibilities and would continue to play their unique and important role, according to Jia, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. He urged anti-independence organizations to oppose separatist activities in any form. He warned anti-independence groups to be vigilant against and firmly oppose separatist attempts by the ** Lama and his followers, and asked anti-independence organizations to boycott the infiltration of "Tibet-independence" forces. He also extended a message to those who had proposed "Taiwan independence" or had participated in or followed "Taiwan independence" forces, saying they were most welcome to return to the track of promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.
CHENGDU, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu called on Thursday Asian and European countries to improve their disaster prevention and relief abilities through cooperation and sharing of information. Hui made the remark at an Asia-Europe workshop on cooperation and capacity building in disaster prevention and relief, held in Chengdu, capital of southwest Sichuan Province. Hui said natural disasters are common challenges facing the whole mankind, and cooperation between Asian and European countries in disaster relief not only has an important bearing on the economic development and livelihood of the people, but also on the sustainable development of the mankind. "Asian and European countries should further enhance exchange and cooperation in monitoring and forecast of disasters, as well as emergency response and relief efforts," said Hui, who also suggested building of a cooperation mechanism and information sharing, that would serve the improvement of disaster prevention and relief abilities of all countries. China had frequent natural disasters and would share its experience in coping with disasters with other countries, Hui said. He said China would continue to provide support and aid within its ability to the capacity building in disaster relief for other developing countries. On the country's disaster prevention and relief capacity building, Hui said, China would further improve its monitoring of natural disasters and emergency rescue system, raise anti-disaster standards for buildings and increase public awareness of disasters and push for international cooperation in disaster relief. The vice premier expressed China's appreciation for international help and support to the country's disaster relief and quake relief after the 8.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Wenchuan of Sichuan on May 12, 2008.
优化宝贝排名
BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhua) -- China's central authorities issued a circular here Saturday urging candidates to practice fair play in direct elections of village heads amid complaints of bribery and other dirty tricks to win votes. "The villagers' committee election work in some rural areas is not properly conducted as bribery situation is grave and seriously harms the impartiality of election," said the circular jointly issued by the General Office of the State Council and the General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. According to the circular, candidates' behaviors must be "strictly regulated". Punishment ranging from disqualification from election, removing current post to criminal penalty will be given to those who try to win votes from villagers with money, violence or intimidation and those who cheat in vote count. Villagers have the rights to report any improper behaviors of the candidates and such reports should be investigated and managed immediately, the circular said. "Currently, the country's rural areas are experiencing fresh reform and farmers' ideas are also undergoing deep changes," said the circular." Improving the work of election will help ensure villagers to practise their rights and develop grass-root democracy." In addition, government organizations at provincial, city, county and township levels should set up special departments to regulate and guarantee the smooth run of village elections. According to the circular, related organizations are also urged to "carefully" deal with post-election issues, such as auditing the work of former villagers' committees, ensuring former committee members' social welfare and even comforting candidates who lose. A villagers' committee in China's countryside is a mass organization of self-management comprising local villagers, usually five members that manage village affairs. China has introduced the practice of self-administration and direct elections at village levels since the Organic Law of Villagers' Committees was enacted in 1988. The law, which sets out basic principles to ensure democracy at a local level, states that any villager aged 18 years or over has the right to vote or stand as a candidate.
MILAN, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo arrived in the Italian city of Milan on Monday for an official goodwill visit to the country. Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), began his tour in Italy at the invitation of Italian Senate President Renato Schifani and Chamber of Deputies President Gianfranco Fini. In a written statement released at the airport upon his arrival, Wu said China is ready to work with Italy to maintain the sound momentum of practical cooperation so as to make contributions to overcoming the international financial crisis and spurring the recovery of the world economy. Wu Bangguo (R Front), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, arrives in Milan on May 18, 2009 at the start of an official goodwill visit to Italy Wu is scheduled to meet with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi as well as heads of both houses of the Italian parliament and other Italian leaders to exchange views on bilateral relations and other regional and international issues of common concern. Wu is also to visit a research and development center of the Italian National Agency for New Technology, Energy and the Environment (ENEA), which shows China's interest in using European technologies to improve energy efficiency of its economy. After Chinese President Hu Jintao's attendance at the London G20 summit in April and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's Europe tour in January, Wu is yet another senior Chinese leader to visit Europe in the past few months. Against the background of the worsening global financial crisis, Wu's visit highlighted the importance that China attaches to cooperation with Europe in addressing global challenges. Italy, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the G8 group, will host a summit between the leaders of G8 nations and developing countries in June. Hu is expected to attend the meeting. Wu's visit coincides with a G8 environment ministers meeting that is to be held in Italy on May 22. China and Italy have witnessed smooth development of bilateral ties in recent years. Berlusconi visited Beijing for the Asia-Europe summit last October. Besides Milan, Wu is also to visit Rome, Florence and Venice. Italy is the final leg of Wu's three-nation Europe tour, which had already taken him to Russia and Austria.
HANOI, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi attended the 9th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Asia-Europe Meeting here on Monday and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. Yang said with deepening globalization, the destinies of Asia and Europe have been tied together. Countries must intensify cooperation, deepen mutual trust and build a new and closer Asia-Europe partnership. To build such a partnership, Yang said countries should enhance mutual understanding through dialogue on an equal footing. Countries should promote development through intensified cooperation. Countries should advocate mutual tolerance through expanded exchanges. Countries should strengthen its institution building to ensure the vitality. Yang made several suggestions to cope with the ongoing financial and economic crisis and other global challenges. First, Yang said countries should strengthen confidence and strive for economic recovery and growth. Countries should firmly oppose all forms of protectionism and take concrete steps to help develop countries maintain financial stability and work together to overcome the international financial crisis. Second, countries should take active measures to counter the threat of A/H1N1 flu and other infectious diseases and minimize the impact of the flu on global trade and economic activities, said Yang. Third, countries should think for the future, remain committed to the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" and step up cooperation in tackling climate change. Fourth, countries should increase input and foster and follow anew energy security concept that calls for win-win cooperation, diverse forms of development and common security through coordinated supply, said Yang. Fifth, countries should promote peaceful and negotiated settlement of hotspot issues and regional disputes on the basis of mutual respect, mutual trust and cooperation. The international community should fully respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries concerned, provide active and constructive help, and avoid willfully applying pressure or sanctions. Yang said to deal with the international financial crisis, China has adjusted its macro-economic policies and implemented positive fiscal policy and loosened its monetary policy in an appropriate manner. China has launched a package of measures to expand domestic consumption and stabilize export market and these measures have started to take effect. As a responsible member of the international community, China will continue to work together with other ASEM members to strengthen coordination in the macro-economic policy, advance the reform of international financial system and actively safeguard the stability of the multi-lateral trade system. The 9th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) opened here on Monday with the participation of foreign ministers and delegates from 45 ASEM members in the two-day meeting. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung delivered the opening speech of the meeting.
BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhua) -- China unveiled Saturday credit rating standards for the sovereignty entity of a central government, the first sovereign credit rating standards in China, aiming broader participation in global credit rating. The standards were announced by Dagong Global Credit Rating Co., Ltd, one of the first domestic rating agencies in China. The sovereign credit rating standards would be able to evaluate the willingness and ability of a central government to repay its commercial financial debts as stipulated in contracts, said the company. The rating results could reflect the relative possibility of a central government to default as a debtor, and the rating is based on the country's overall credit value, according to Dagong. Elements of credit risks will include the country's political environment, economic power, fiscal status, foreign debt and liquidity, said the company, adding that it judges the credit of a sovereign entity on the basis of a comprehensive evaluation of its fiscal strength and foreign reserves. Compared with other rating agencies, Dagong pays more attention to the different economic stage of each country, and examines the features of its credit risks in a holistic and systematic view, according to Dagong. Jiang Yong, director of the Center for Economic Security Studies under the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said the financial crisis exposed a risk of the international society relying solely on the credit rating institutions of a single country, which is the largest risk of the world economy. Luo Ping, head of the training center under China Banking Regulatory Commission, said the launch of the sovereign credit rating standards would help improve the transparency of credit rating information, and would strengthen China's position in the international financial arena.