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In the summer of 2006 southern and southeastern regions of China were hit hard by typhoons, rainstorms, floods, mud flows, rock slides and other natural disasters. Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi were among the badly affected provinces, and relief work as supported by the Chinese Government is ongoing. |
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Relief Follows Natural Disasters
During the summer of 2006, southern and southeastern regions of China were hit hard by typhoons, rainstorms, floods, mud flows, rock slides and other natural disasters. Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi were among the badly affected provinces. In particular, the extremely powerful Typhoon Saomai delivered a heavy economic blow to China’s southeast coastal provinces.
Disaster relief supported by the Chinese Government is now underway to aid the victims in rebuilding their homes and getting their lives back to normal.
IAAF World Junior Championships
The 11th IAAF World Junior Championships, held in Beijing from August 15 to 20, 2006, drew more than 2,400 athletes, coaches and officials from 182 countries and regions. During the six-day contest comprising 44 events, 44 delegations were awarded medals, and among those were 21 gold medals. Kenya took the most medals with six gold, six silver and three bronze. China was ranked second with five gold, five silver and seven bronze - far surpassing the nation’s medal count at the previous event.
The venue received its share of praise from participants, and relevant suggestions and comments are expected to be useful in ongoing Olympic venue construction.
HouseholdTextileArtCenter
A seminar on China’s intangible cultural relics of household textile art was held on August 30, 2006 inNantong, Jiangsu Province, and a foundation laying ceremony for the ChinaHouseholdTextileArtCenter also took place.
After completion of the project, the center will integrate functions of product display and trade, demonstration of traditional waving arts, exhibition of textile history, shopping, information exchange and training. Products created through 26 traditional textile skills on the list of China’s Intangible Cultural Relics, were displayed, and preservation schemes to safeguard the relics were put forward for discussion.
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The 11th IAAF World Junior Championships was held in Beijing from August 15 to 20, 2006.
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Sound
Protection of Wild Fauna and Flora
A spokesman for the State Forestry Administration of China revealed at a State Information Office press conference that the Chinese Government has put forth major efforts to crack down on the illegal trafficking of wild animals and plants, and greater legal measures are now in place.
China has formulated strict supervision procedure for the importing of timber and forest products, according to the spokesman. The Ministry of Commerce, China Custom, the State Forestry Administration and other government departments jointly exercise control and supervision over importing and exporting timber and forest products, and the crack down on illegal actions. China has also enhanced its cooperation with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), World Customs Organization, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora organization, and other governmental organizations in various countries.
China Water Market Welcomes Investment
At a recent State Information Office press conference, an official of the Ministry of Construction of China reported on the status of China’s water market. He said in abiding by the WTO principles, China’s water market welcomed investment from foreign countries, and many foreign-invested water companies in China have enjoyed strong economic performance.
Cross Culture Communication Forum
On August 31, Cai Wu, the director of the State Council Information Office, attended the opening ceremony of 2006 Cross Culture Communication Forum and delivered a speech. He suggested that the splendid aspects of China’s culture should be promoted in varied ways to better acquaint the world with China. Cai Mingzhao, the deputy director of the State Council Information Office and the director of China International Publishing Group (CIPG), also stressed the importance of cultural communication in international exchange. He explained that many misunderstandings and misconceptions result from differences in culture and values. Experts from the fields of business, politics, and education also attended and provided their informed views. The Cross Culture Communication Forum was a CIPG event.
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A seminar on China’s intangible cultural relics of household textile art was held and a foundation laying ceremony for the ChinaHouseholdTextileArtCenter was conducted in August 30, 2006 inNantongJiangsuProvince. Pictured is the waxed painting of the ethnic Miao. |
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Numbers
$3.064 Billion
According to sources form the State Forestry Administration of China, the total supply and consumption of timber in China is essentially at a balance. In 2005, a favorable balance of $3.064 billion was achieved for the first time in the trade of major forest products in China. The figure indicates a substantial volume of imported timber was not consumed in China, and China’s exporting of forest products is a result of the expansion of the international market and the optimized allocation of global resources.
In terms of timber, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and nations like the US and Japan are major importers, accounting for 60% of the market share. Meanwhile Russia, the US and Indonesia are major exporters. With the rapid expansion of planted forests and industrial raw material forests, the total volume of timber harvested for lumber in China will gradually expand.
30 to 40 Percent
According to the data released at the National Toy Information Conference, toy purchases in China have increased at an annual rate of 30 to 40 percent. By 2010, total consumption in the Chinese market will surpass 100 billion yuan. There are about 30,000 varieties of toys in China’s domestic market, and among these soft and model toys (mainly cars) are most popular. Industrial experts pointed out that since the population under 14 is as large as 286 million in China, the children’s toy market will enjoy a bright future. Also of note is big business potential in the adult market. It has become a trend for adults to enjoy more mature toys in their leisure time, especially for the purposes of mental challenge.
Policy Express
Foreign Capital in Real Estate Market
With the consent of the State Council, related government departments jointly issued the Opinions on Standardizing Foreign Capital Access and Management of the Real Estate Market. On the basis of adhering to the principle of opening to the outside world, the Opinions refer to practices in many countries, address the situation newly occurred in the real estate market, and further standardize and perfect policies concerning foreign capital’s access of the real estate market in China.
The Opinions clarify conditions for foreign capital’s access and related management in this regard. According to the Opinions, branches and representative offices of overseas institutions in China, and overseas individuals who have worked or studied in China for more than one year, are permitted to purchase commodity houses for their own use, or own residences that comply with actual needs.
Amended Compulsory Education Law
The newly amended Compulsory Education Law of the People’s Republic of China which took effect on Sept. 1, 2006, assumes the rural compulsory education investment guarantee system as its core. Emphasized is the duty the government should assume in investing to ensure that children in underdeveloped rural areas receive a nine-year compulsory education.
The amendment marks a major revision since the law was issued in 1986. It clarifies the compulsory education’s duty and its purpose for the public welfare. Approximately 180 million students will benefit.
