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FBIS4-2879_1 | National Economy Benefits From World Bank Loans | a main area using World Bank loans, with projects covering soil amelioration, cultivation of improved varieties, breeding of aquatic products, forestry, harnessing of rivers and construction of irrigation facilities. With a 60 million U.S. dollar World Bank loan, salinization of soil has been greatly alleviated and flood and drought have been well controlled in central China's Henan and east China's Shandong and Anhui Provinces. According to a contract on the Yellow River project, the World Bank is to provide 360 million U.S. dollars for use in projects to prevent flooding, reduce the menace of ice floes and silt deposits from the riverbed, as well as to generate electricity. This project will greatly promote the economic development in the regions on the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. China's infrastructure construction is another major area to absorb World Bank loans. Construction of seven hydro-electric power stations, including two of the country's largest -- Lubuge and Ertan -- which has greatly improved electricity supply of China, were funded by World Bank loans. Renovation and expansion projects of almost all the country's harbors and the electrification and improvement of signal systems in seven railway projects have utilized loans provided by the World Bank. Also thanks to World Bank loans, an expressway from Beijing to Tanggu by way of Tianjin and another from Jinan, capital of Shandong Province, to Qingdao, a coastal city in the same province, have been completed, adding two communication arteries in northern China. China has also cooperated actively with the World Bank in education, environmental protection and improvement of medical services, especially projects of rural drinking-water supply and prevention and control of infectious diseases in backward regions. The World Bank has highly praised China's implementation of projects. Four inspections carried out by the World Bank have proved that China is among the countries which have the most successful project operations. Nicholas C. Hope, the new director of the bank's China and Mongolia office, expressed his satisfaction with China's strong management, efficient organization and loan repayments, during his visit to Shandong. The World Bank has also carried out research into China's economy in coordination with some Chinese government departments and has provided policy and other useful advice to the country. It will soon provide technological assistance for China's reform of its finance and tax systems and the improvement of its legal system, according to officials from the World Bank. |
FBIS4-2894_0 | UN To Send Team to Disputed Area Between Chad, Libya | BFN [Text] United Nations, April 14 (XINHUA) -- The UN Security Council adopted a resolution today to pave the way for Secretary- General Butrus Butrus-Ghali to send a reconnaissance team to Aouzou strip, a disputed area between Libya and Chad. On April 4, Libya and Chad signed an agreement concerning the practical modalities for the implementation of the judgment delivered by the international court of justice regarding the Aouzou strip. They agreed that the withdrawal of Libyan administration and troops from Aouzou should start on April 15, under the supervision of a mixed team of 25 Chadian officers, 25 Libyan officers and UN observers. Butrus-Ghali wrote to the Security Council Wednesday on his intention to send a reconnaissance team to the area to conduct a survey of conditions on the ground for the possible deployment of UN observers to monitor the Libyan withdrawal. Noting that the team would travel to Libya by UN aircraft, the Security Council decided that paragraph 4 of Resolution 748, which imposed sanctions, including aviation embargo, on Libya, should not apply in respect of the UN aircraft flying to or from Libya for the purpose of conveying the team. Resolution 748 was adopted in March 1992 because of Libya's refusal to hand over to the United States and Britain two Libyan suspects for the Pan Am jet bombing over Scotland in 1988 which killed 270 people. |
FBIS4-2895_0 | U.S. Government To Provide Financial Aid to Kenya | BFN [Text] Nairobi, April 14 (XINHUA) -- The United States has decided to provide seven million U.S. dollars to the Kenyan Government to promote construction of development projects in the country. An agreement signed here today by the United States Information Service and the Kenyan Government said that the money will ensure the continuation of these projects in family planning, primary and preventive health services, agricultural research and rural infrastructure. According to the agreement, about half of the funds will go to family planning services projects. About 2.5 million U.S. dollars will go to agriculture research projects, the agreement said. |
FBIS4-2930_0 | Minister Says Action on Illegal Road Tolls To Continue | BFN [By Xie Yicheng: "Zero Tolerance for Illegal Road Tolls"] [Text] Chinese authorities will press ahead with their clampdown on illicit highway checkposts, charges and fines, which block traffic and can undermine social stability, said Communications Minister Huang Zhendong at a recent meeting in Beijing. A thorough probe will be launched this year by the ministry to identify all toll posts across China's 1.07 million-kilometre highway network. Then the ministry intends to pool efforts to clear out any illegal or excessive tolls. The ministry has also drafted a regulation on the installation of highway toll stations, which is expected to take effect later this year. Under the rules, the rationale, location and charges of highway toll stations will be standardized across the country. The 2,800-kilometre State-level highway from Beijing to Shenzhen will be set up as China's first "model road," where all the checkposts, charges and fines are based on relevant rules. The "model road" standard will be applied to all State-level or provincial-level highways next year. The ministry will also tighten its grip over its own law enforcement teams on the highways to rein in any abuses of power. To encourage local enthusiasm for highway construction, the central government determined years ago that jurisdictions borrowing money to build highways and bridges could levy tolls to pay back their loans. But many local departments abused the policy and put up tollposts without approval, or collected tolls before building the highways. Also, many individuals seeking easy money have blocked the roads and posed as officials to compel passing vehicles to pay "tolls." In some chaotic highway sections drivers and trucking firms are afraid of highway bandits at night and irrational charges or fines during the day. China's crackdown began in 1990 and has gathered momentum since last August as part of the country's anti-corruption drive. More than 10,000 officials participating in the crackdown have covered 340,000 kilometres of highways -- about one-third of the country's total. Incomplete statistics show that 467 tollposts have been removed and 54 irrational highway or waterway charges have been halted over the past seven months. |
FBIS4-2931_9 | Crime and Punishment in the PRC 29 Mar-15 Apr | Province-Wide Crackdown on Vehicle Theft Between January and February, 263 motor vehicles were stolen or hijacked in Shenzhen, representing a 11.4 percent increase over the same period last year. According to Shenzhen's public security authorities, 92 percent of the hijackings occurred on remote roads on the outskirts, while 86 percent of the thefts occurred in the vicinity of residential areas, hotels, and restaurants. It is said that criminal syndicates hire thieves from Hong Kong who often succeed in stealing a car in 10 minutes or so. [Summary] [Hong Kong MING PAO in Chinese 26 Mar 94 p a13] A total of 2,246 cases of car theft and carjacking occurred in Shenzhen in 1993, inflicting losses amounting to 430 million yuan. [Summary] [Hong Kong TA KUNG PAO in Chinese 30 Mar 93 p 4] Shenzhen police recently set up a special operational group and office to combat car theft. This morning, a large-scale operation was launched to hunt down car thieves after statistics -- 105 vehicles and 150 motorcycles stolen in the first two months of the year -- showed that car theft has become a major problem for the city. According to concerned officials, during the operation, first they will issue notices urging citizens to report crime, set a deadline for criminals to surrender themselves, and ban illegal car transactions and changing car colors or license plate numbers. Investigations then will be stepped up, leading to the arrest of identified gangs that steal, ship and sell stolen cars. Roadblocks will be set up in Baoan and Longgang Districts on nine highways leading to Huizhou and Dongguan Counties, and 600 officers from the police and armed police corps -- including PLA soldiers -- will be deployed to mount a 24-hour guard in interception operations. The city also will launch a full cleanup of the auto trade and repair industry. Auto maintenance plants that refit and handle stolen cars must be shut down to await rectification, and some with serious involvement may see their licenses revoked. Unauthorized remodeling of car engines and changing of license plates also will become punishable by law. [Excerpts] [Hong Kong ZHONGGUO TONGXUN SHE in Chinese 1203 GMT 29 Mar 94] At a news conference on 30 March, the Guangdong Public Security Department said that a province-wide campaign would be launched to combat car theft. The campaign will include 28 roadblocks on major highways to intercept stolen cars |
FBIS4-2931_15 | Crime and Punishment in the PRC 29 Mar-15 Apr | three characteristics: 1) They concentrated in economically open areas like Beihai, Qinzhou, Dongxing, and Fangchenggang, with cars and electric machinery as the main items; 2) Drug and gun smuggling occur mostly in border areas, exploiting the complicated terrain there; 3) Smuggling is run by individuals. Guangxi has adopted the tactic of "making arrests at sea, intercepting on the coast, carrying out inspections on land, and tightening up controls over markets." Last year, Beihai Customs solved 47 smuggling cases involving 180 million yuan, seizing 350 cars, 8,600 air conditioners, 4,523 color televisions, and 5,992 compressors. A particularly serious car smuggling case that was solved in Qinzhou straddled four provinces, three regions, and one city, and involved some $11.2 million. [Summary] [Hong Kong ZHONGGUO TONGXUN SHE 1022 GMT 2 Apr 94] Large Number of Abducted Women, Children Rescued Miss Liu, 18, has left her 57-year-old "husband" and returned to her native place in Jingxi County, thanks to rescue efforts by the police. One year ago, she was sold by human traffickers to Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, which is thousands of kilometers from her hometown. A person in charge of the Guangxi Office for Cracking Down on the Abduction and Sale of Women and Children said that Guangxi is one of the country's major disaster areas for the abduction and sale of women and children, and that according to statistics, the number of women and children abducted and sold in Guangxi ranks second in the country, just after Sichuan. In order to crack down on the abduction and sale of women and children, Guangxi's public security organs have adopted many measures simultaneously, and have tried their best to rescue abducted and sold women. According to reports, since 1991, public security personnel have rescued thousands of women and children every year. From August to September 1993, Guangxi carried out a special campaign to crack down on the abduction and sale of women and children, and the whole autonomous region transferred more than 60 public security personnel from nine cities and prefectures, organized them into six work teams, and sent them to Hebei, Shandong, Anhui, Jiangsu, Fujian, Guangdong, and other places, to verify and rescue women and children who had been abducted and sold. During the campaign, 84 women and children were rescued. In 1993, Guangxi cracked more than 1,740 cases of abduction and sale of people, detected 1,928 human traffickers, crushed 292 criminal gangs, |
FBIS4-2959_3 | RENMIN RIBAO on Losses in State Enterprises | yet made good came to 1.7 billion yuan plus 3.7 billion yuan in hidden losses [qian kui 3383 5719]. Second, enterprises are overstaffed and shoulder a heavy burden. Ordinary state-owned enterprises have approximately 20 to 30 percent redundant staff. Since the current social security system is unsound, it is difficult to place them in society. Moreover, there is a high percentage of retired personnel. The retired personnel in ordinary state-owned enterprises account for 20 percent or more of their total staff and workers and those in some enterprises even account for 50 percent. At present, the yearly public insurance expenditure for state-owned enterprises across the country comes to 30 billion yuan. Third, machinery is outdated, technology and expertise are backward, and consumption is high. The current loss-making enterprises are mostly China's key enterprises. Under the old planned economic structure, their profits were all turned over to the State, their depreciation rates were low, and they were unable to carry out major technological transformation. As a result, they are backward in technology and equipment, their products are poor in quality and highly priced, and they have lost competitiveness. 3. The economic operation factor. Since last year, China's industrial output and fixed assets investments have increased by too much, the restriction of the factors of production has further been consolidated and the restriction of resources has become increasingly salient. This is firstly reflected by the short supply of energy resources and raw and semifinished materials and their continually rising costs. The state has readjusted the prices of coal, crude oil, electricity, and transportation and has twice increased the interest rates for bank loans and increased the wages of staff and workers. The enterprises themselves have had difficulty digesting these factors of increasing expenditures and decreasing profits, which have pushed costs up considerably and so some profit-making enterprises have begun to make losses or increase their losses. According to an estimate by Hebei Province, industrial enterprises at and above the township level across the province had to pay an additional 760 million yuan, representing 88.4 percent of the new losses, as a result of the rising costs of raw and semifinished materials, electricity, and transportation, as well as the increased wages of staff and workers. As price controls on crude fuels are being lifted and oil and grain prices are being increased this year, this will push costs up further. Second, the grim |
FBIS4-2971_0 | Editorial Views Report on Reform, Sino-UK Ties | BFN [Editorial: "Questions of Policy"] [Text] The conclusions of Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee are as unremarkable as expected. Having no power to alter British Government policy, and with no influence over China (except perhaps in provoking further outbursts of venom over British perfidy), the committee has largely confined itself to voicing support for the Governor's political reform proposals. It endorses Chris Patten's handling of the reform package and the thinking behind it - even though it warns that the Government will have to weigh up how far China will be prepared to use economic weapons as a reprisal for democratic changes here and admits that Britain will be powerless to prevent China disbanding the Legislative Council elected in 1995. Given the all-party support the Governor's policies have enjoyed to date, any different conclusion would have been astonishing. The Governor need not fear his stance will be undermined by Parliament in such a public manner, whatever may happen behind the scenes at the Foreign Office. But in areas where it has gone out on a limb, the committee deserves a serious hearing. On matters of citizenship, it recommends that both the wives and widows of ex-servicemen and the non-Chinese ethnic minority population should be given full British citizenship. It also has come out in support of proposals for a statutory Human Rights Commission, despite the negative attitude of the Hong Kong Government, and the Governor's assumption that this would antagonise China. The committee has been more outspoken on China's human rights record than anyone in the British or Hong Kong governments, and is scornful of those who claim to detect "significant progress" on this front. Sadly, the ruling Conservative Party is too bound up in its own internal problems at present to heed the awkward suggestions of an all-party foreign affairs watchdog. Nevertheless, other Members of Parliament will take note. There is still hope the committee's positions will prompt some tough questioning of Government policy in future debates on Hong Kong, immigration and human rights. |
FBIS4-2997_0 | Two Investment Groups Visit Southeast Asia | BFN [By Y.C. Tsai] [Text] Taipei, April 15 (CNA) -- A Taiwan food industry delegation left Friday [15 April] for Subic Bay in the Philippines, where it will look at investment possibilities. Led by Fu Kuang-yen, secretary-general of the Taiwan Gourmet Powder Industrial Association, the group comprises a dozen senior business executives. Group members include Secretary-General Shen Ta of the Taiwan Association of Frozen Food Industries, Secretary-General Wang Yuan-chuan of the Taiwan Regional Association of Carbonated Beverage Industries, and Secretary-General Shih Fu-yuan of the Taiwan Association of Frozen Vegetable and Fruit Manufacturers. Taiwan and the Philippines are jointly building a 325-hectare industrial park in Subic Bay, and Lu said Taiwan investors could use the site as a production base from which they could sell foodstuffs to neighboring Vietnam and Singapore, whose residents have a taste for Chinese food. The delegation is scheduled to return to Taipei on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Vice Chairman Wu Kuan-hsiung of the China External Trade Development Council (CETRA) will head a mission to the Philippines and Indonesia beginning April 24. Wu said the CETRA mission will go to Subic Bay and to Batam, Medan, Surabaya, and Jakarta in Indonesia to seek trade and investment opportunities for Taiwan's machinery manufacturers. The visits of the two delegations are regarded as part of domestic investors' efforts to push for increased investments in Southeast Asian countries in response to the government's southern strategy. |
FBIS4-2998_0 | Enterprises To Invest $2 Billion in Indonesia | BFN [From the "News" program] [Text] A ranking economic official said that state-run enterprises are expected to funnel a total of approximately $2 billion of investment into Indonesia in the coming three years, part of the effort to comply with the government's go-south investment policy. Vice Economic Minister S.J. Lee made these remarks at a press conference held after his return to Taiwan from a 9-day trip to Indonesia as the leader of the 33-member Taipei delegation. The group comprised senior executives from state-run enterprises under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Lee said his ministry will try to speed up efforts to materialize the go-south investment policy, greatly advocated by both President Li and Premier Lien, by helping government-owned and private enterprises with investments in Southeast Asian countries, especially Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. During the 9-day stay in Indonesia, senior executives of seven state-run enterprises and their Indonesian counterparts reached a consensus on 13 joint venture investments and technical cooperation projects. |
FBIS4-3000_0 | Siemens Set To Transfer Turbines to Taipower | BFN [By T.C. Hu] [Text] Washington, April 14 (CNA) -- The state-run Taiwan Power Company will begin commercial single-cycle operation of its Hsinta plant near Tainan in mid-1995, with gas turbines and other power generation equipment provided by Siemens, a global electronics-electrical firm. Siemens' Milwaukee-based Power Generation Group (PWU) said Thursday [14 April] that at least eight of the 15 gas turbines ordered by Taipower will be manufactured, assembled, and shipped to Taiwan soon. With the equipment, Taipower's Hsinta plant will become the largest power plant on the island, a facility capable of producing 2,364 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power a city of more than two million residents. When the Hsinta plant begins combined-cycle operation in 1998, it will become the world's largest power plant for 60-hertz cycle generation. Electricity in Taiwan, like in North America and several other countries in Asia, is generated on a 60-hertz cycle, it added. The gas turbines to be installed in the Hsinta plant are worth about US$500 million, and are Taipower's second order from Siemens. The first gas turbines manufactured at the PWU were exported to Taipower's Nan Pu Combined-Cycle Power Station in 1992. In addition to the gas turbines, Siemens will supply five steam turbines, 15 heat recovery steam generators, plant instrumentation and controls, and other equipment to Taipower. Taipower will begin to add the steam turbines to the Hsinta plant's gas turbine operation in late 1996. |
FBIS4-3006_0 | Beijing Professor Detained for `Illegal Activities' | BFN [By Geoffrey Crothall in Beijing] [Text] China has extended its dragnet on dissent, detaining another leading intellectual who was active in the official Protestant Church and sympathetic towards the free labour union movement. Xiao Biguang, a professor of Chinese literature at Beijing University, was detained by six officers from the ministries of Public Security and State Security at his home on Tuesday. His home was searched and several books and manuscripts were confiscated, a relative said. Prior to his detention, Professor Xiao, 32, had been under constant police surveillance for about week. He is being held under a "shelter and investigation" order issued by the Beijing Public Security Bureau and has not been allowed visits from his family. The police did not say why he was being detained. The detention order simply stated that he had engaged in "illegal activities" related to State Council Document No 56, issued in 1980, an administrative decree on the use of "shelter and investigation", which technically has no legal basis. However, Professor Xiao was a friend and colleague of the well- known jurist and labour activist, Yuan Hongbing, who was detained last month. It is believed Professor Xiao might have been detained in connection with Mr Yuan's case and or his work in the official Protestant Church. Mr Yuan was detained on March 3 in the southwestern city of Guizhou and has been kept incommunicado ever since. His wife has been to the Ministry of State Security in Beijing four times to inquire about her husband's whereabouts but officials at the ministry refused to discuss the case. When she tried to contact the Guizhou State Security Bureau, officials denied knowledge of Mr Yuan's arrest. Another labour activist, Zhou Guoqiang, who was detained in Beijing at the same time as Mr Yuan has also been refused contact with his relatives. Meanwhile, a government spokesman has defended the crackdown on dissent saying all those detained or arrested in the past six weeks were not democracy activists but "criminals" many of whom were still on parole. "While such criminals are on parole, the Chinese judicial authorities have the right to take action against them," Foreign Ministry spokesman Shen Guofang said yesterday. Mr Shen criticised Western politicians and journalists for concentrating on a few famous dissidents such as Wei Jingsheng and not looking at the wider human rights situation in China. The case of Mr Wei was |
FBIS4-3074_0 | Beijing Higher Court Upholds Sentence on Xi Yang XINHUA Domestic on Sentencing | BFN [Text] Beijing, 15 Apr (XINHUA) -- Tian Ye, deputy director of the General Office of the Foreign Affairs Bureau of the People's Bank of China; and Xi Yang, a Hong Kong MING PAO reporter, were today respectively sentenced by the Beijing Municipal Higher People's Court to 15 years in prison and deprived of political rights for three years, and to 12 years in prison and deprived of political rights for two years, for stealing and illegally gathering state financial and economic secrets. The Beijing Municipal Higher People's Court reached the final ruling on maintaining the sentences decided on after the first trial of the two defendants. Xi Yang, 38, went to Hong Kong from the mainland in June 1992 after inheriting property, and became a MING PAO reporter in August the same year. From June to July 1993, he was assigned by the person in charge of the newspaper to conduct activities in Beijing in the name of covering the Sino-British talks and inauguration of the Preliminary Work Committee of the Preparatory Committee of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. During his stay in Beijing, he spent most of his time illegally gathering state financial and economic secrets. Under Xi's instructions, Tian Ye provided him with top-secret information concerning China's bank note printing pattern and the People's Bank of China's plans to sell gold on the international market; to readjust the foreign exchange rates; and to again raise bank deposit interest rates, which Tian Ye had stolen and illegally gathered. Tian Ye also illegally provided Xi Yang with documents on "An Explanation on the Provisional Regulations Governing the Dealing of Renminbi by Foreign-Funded Financial Institutions," which were marked "confidential." Xi Yang incorporated these state secrets into articles and sent them to MING PAO for publication, causing serious economic losses to the state. Tian Ye and Xi Yang were arrested separately according to the law in October 1993. The Beijing Municipal People's Procuratorate instituted proceedings according to the law against Tian Ye and Xi Yang on 14 December 1993. Because the case involved state secrets, the Beijing Municipal Intermediate People's Court, according to article 111 of the "Criminal Procedural Law," conducted a nonpublic trial of the case. During the trial, because some evidence required further confirmation, the Beijing Municipal Intermediate People's Court returned the case on 27 January 1994 to the Beijing Municipal People's Procuratorate for evidence substantiation. On 15 |
FBIS4-3077_3 | Beijing Higher Court Upholds Sentence on Xi Yang Paper Views Verdict | one time a reporter with a newspaper publisher in Beijing. Someone like him who received long periods of education in citizen ethics and the legal system naturally knows the state security law and the serious consequences of violating it. His obtaining secrets through Tian Ye by illegal means points to his awareness that he was stealing state secrets, which he candidly confessed afterward. Some people believe that "one country, two systems" means using Hong Kong's legal standards to handle the issue of guilt and innocence in the mainland. If the executive personnel of a newspaper published in Hong Kong wish to obtain some confidential information, they can instruct reporters to "run the risk to overcome the obstacle" and get hold of it. Even if it is a state secret or confidential document, they can also take as they like without being restricted by the law of the mainland system. What is the "risk?" And what is the "obstacle?" They regard the criminal act banned by the mainland law as a "risk" and refer to the act of obtaining the secrets that the Chinese authorities have time and again requested functionaries at all levels not to divulge as "overcoming the obstacle." This means some people are openly despising and challenging the laws of the Chinese mainland. This dangerous argument finally led Xi Yang into a dangerous situation and landed him in the misfortune of imprisonment. Xi Yang's case is in essence a criminal case of violation of the mainland China's law. It is a question of abiding by the law or violating the law, not an issue of freedom of press. Hong Kong has its own security laws. If, when the exchange rate of the Hong Kong dollar plummeted to the level of one U.S. dollar to 9.6 Hong Kong dollars in September 1983, someone had colluded with some official in the financial department and got hold of the relevant confidential documents, facts about the abortive effort to salvage the market by flight from the U.S. dollar and the proposal for pegging the exchange rate, both the official and the reporter who had pried out the secrets through the official would have violated the law and faced prosecution. Each year, thousands of Hong Kong reporters go to the mainland to gather news. There are many reports that criticize China and cases of fabricating stories to vilify the Chinese Government have also |
FBIS4-3078_0 | Police Detain Two Dissidents in Shanghai `Briefly' | BFN [Text] Beijing, April 17 (AFP)--Chinese police briefly held two leading Shanghai dissidents for questioning less than one week after releasing them from detention, one of the activisits said Sunday. Yang Zhou, spokesman of the Chinese Human Rights Association, said by telephone that he was taken from his home at 3:30 p.m. (0730 GMT) Saturday and released at about 10:30 p.m., adding that fellow activist Bao Ge had also been pulled in. The 50-year-old veteran dissident described his detention as a "warning," saying police had told him to stop his campaigning. Bao's father said his 31-year-old son was taken away by two policemen at 5:15 p.m. (0915 GMT) Saturday as he left his home, adding that he was released at about the same time as Yang. Yang and Bao were last detained on April 9 in a sweep on dissidents as French Prime Minister Edouard Balladur arrived in Shanghai. They were released the following day but kept incommunicado in their flats for several hours until the French delegation left the city. Bao, an ardent campaigner for Japan to pay reparations for atrocities committed in the 1937-1945 Sino-Japanese war, has said he wants to form a new human rights organisation dedicated to solving concrete social issues. "We absolutely must be closer to the people," he said recently. Activists have begun reemerging from the shadows in recent months, forming groups again for the first time since Beijing's Tiananmen Square massacre on June 4, 1989, and publicly demanding more democracy in China as discontent grows over soaring inflation, corruption and other social ills. The continuing detentions are part of tightened security as the government seeks to stamp out such activities in the run-up to the sensitive fifth anniversary on June 4th of the army's violent suppression of Beijing's democracy movement. |
FBIS4-3092_1 | Foreign Investment Sought To Develop Power Industry | capacity of at least 120 million kilowatts must be installed by the year 2000. That means an average 17 million kilowatts of generators should be installed each year. The government plans 12 million kilowatts for this year, but financing has not been fully-arranged. Some 10 billion yuan ($1.15 billion) of the 66 billion yuan ($7.6 billion) needed is not available. Ministry officials said the capital shortage will probably be eased later this year as the central government gives the sector top priority and the new State Development Bank begins supporting construction of infrastructure. But they pointed out that bigger problems lie ahead. Fewer projects were kicked off last year than were expected and no projects have been approved so far this year. Big power plants that are planned may not be completed, they said. This scaled-down construction, they caution, would jeopardize long-term economic growth. The government does not want to let big capital construction projects drive up inflation, which in the first two months of the year stood at 20 percent. Building a large power plant requires billions of yuan. Plants with total capacity of 53 million kilowatts are under construction, but that is at least 7 million kilowatts less than expected. At the same time last year, 54 million kilowatts were under construction. Officials warn that if enough investment is not found, construction would further shrink. In France, Shi is expected to sign an agreement with the French power sector to extend a 10-year power co-operation treaty that expires this year. The minister, leading five key officials from the ministry, is to explain China's energy policies to the French Government and business community, discuss possibilities for further co-operation, and learn about French corporate management. Coming on the heels of French Prime Minister Edouard Balladur's visit to China, the mission is expected to be fruitful, trade analysts said. Balladur's visit was described as a turning point, following about four years of relatively cool relations between the two countries. Shi's visits to Spain and Israel are also considered important. A Western European power union is based in Spain, and Israel has ties with financial organizations worldwide. China is also to rely on foreign power groups for know-how to improve its efficiency. The Ministry of Power Industry said late last year that China would need $25 billion in foreign investment by the year 2000 to generate enough electricity to support its economy. |
FBIS4-3097_1 | Officials Turn to Market To Modernize Railways | expand production. Later it will be authorized to become a share holding company and manage State property. This in effect will make the 35 manufacturing and repair plants independent and responsible for State assets. Simultaneously, profound reforms will take place in the railway planning, pricing, investment, financing and wage systems. The ministry will continue cutting production quotas for vehicles so that in the near future all manufacturing orders will be through contracts. The industry now is far from being independent. Indeed, mandatory orders still account for 85 percent of its production value. The State will also relax its tight hold over prices of rolling stock so that in three to four years market forces will be the primary determinants of pricing. Prices for vehicle parts are expected to be freed this year, for passenger and freight cars, in 1995; and, for locomotives, 1997. There remains a big gap between prices paid by the State and prices set by the market. For example, the market price for a Dongfeng-4 diesel locomotive is 4.8 million yuan ($552.000) but the ministry will pay only 3.1 million yuan ($356,000). The system for deciding investments will also depart from arbitrary allocation by the State and rely more on market financing and self financing by enterprises. Fu cautioned that the industry must prepare for domestic and foreign challenges as it advances into the highly-competitive market place. Loric's decades-old monopoly over freight car production has become feeble, allowing a legion of competitors to squeeze into the manufacturing and repair businesses. The ministry plans to spend $10 billion yuan ($1.15 billion) this year for new rail vehicles. In 1994 Loric will arrange the production of about 800 locomotives, 2,000 passenger cars and 32,500 freight cars. About 80 per cent of the new locomotives will be for large-haul service on trunk lines, primarily the Dongfeng-4 diesel and Shaoshan-4 electric models. For passenger cars the focus will be on the Model 25, which accommodates more travellers at higher speed and with more comfort than the obsolete Model 22, still the backbone of passenger service. Production of the Model 22 will be phased out by next year. Despite the shortage of capital and raw material, Loric last year built 670 diesel locomotives, 19 per cent more than in 1992; 220 electric locomotives, 10 per cent more; 1,850 passenger cars, 12 per cent more; and 29,000 freight cars, 34 per cent more. |
FBIS4-3197_1 | Officials Transfer Dissident Bao Tong to Hospital | for permission to see his doctors. The source said, although he was admitted to hospital in Beijing last month, it was not an indication that the senior member of the Communist Party's liberal faction would be granted "parole for medical treatment". The news came despite hints by Chinese officials that in return for unconditional Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status from Washington, Beijing might grant "medical bail" to a number of dissidents in April and May. A source close to the family said Bao, the former political secretary of the Politburo who is serving the second half of his seven-year jail term for alleged offences, including "leaking state secrets", had recently undergone treatment for a serious thyroid gland complaint. "Six tiny tumours have been detected in his thyroid glands by doctors in the downtown hospital to which he was transferred from Qincheng Prison," the source said. "The doctors told Bao the tumours do not appear to be malignant but a further period of observation is warranted. No plans for surgical removal of the tumours have been made." The source said it was unlikely Bao would be moved back to Qincheng, which is in the outskirts of Beijing, in the near future. It is understood, however, that relatives had expressed dissatisfaction about the "inadequate medical attention" Bao was given. They feared that since a few tumours had shown signs of fusion, the abnormal growths might be a symptom of cancer. Moreover, according to a relative, Bao's face was swollen and he could no longer speak clearly because of problems with his vocal cords. He added that immediately before he was taken into hospital, Bao was in severe pain suffering from inflammation of shoulder joints. The relative added that, while medical facilities food, and general living conditions were slightly better in the hospital than in Qincheng, Bao's overall physical condition continued to deteriorate. Sources in the dissident community in Beijing said, in view of China's confidence in securing MFN, it was unlikely the authorities would grant medical bail to high-profile prisoners of conscience including Bao. Meanwhile, the authorities have stepped up surveillance of dissidents suspected of organising protest activities in the run-up to the fifth anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre in June. For example, relatives said Liu Nianchun, a labour activist who organised a petition for improvement in workers' rights in the spring, had been under virtual house arrest since last month. |
FBIS4-3198_0 | Wei Jingsheng `Under Police Surveillance' at Hotel | BFN [Text] Beijing, April 19 (AFP) -- China's best known dissident Wei Jingsheng has been placed under police surveillance in a hotel in the Beijing suburbs, his family said Tuesday. "Police told my father that Wei Jingsheng was in a medium-class hotel in the suburbs," said Wei Ling, his younger sister told AFP. But they did not give the name of the hotel, she added. A security ministry official contacted by telephone refused comment. Wei was detained on April 1 on suspicion of having "committed new crimes" but his family has not been told if new charges have been brought against him. Last week a foreign ministry spokesman said Wei was a "criminal" and that his case had nothing to do with human rights. Wei, 43, was freed on parole last September after serving 14 years in jail for his role as a leader of the Democracy Wall movement in 1978-79. Since then he has given several interviews to the foreign press in which he said he planned to continue his fight for democracy in China. Wei's secretary Tong Yi, has also been detained by the authorities, but Wei's family is without news of her. |
FBIS4-3203_0 | Commentator Article Advocates Media `Guiding' People | BFN [Commentator's Article: "It Behooves One To Help Another"] [Text] On 28 March, this newspaper carried a newsletter entitled "The Affection and Tears of a Foster Mother of Korean Minority," and a commentary entitled "Everyone Comes To Give Some Love," attracting attention and strong responses from the broad masses of readers. On the Harbin-Beijing No. 18 express train, in the Harbin Railway Bureau, in the Heilongjiang Grain Bureau, in Shenzhen, by the south China coast...people are trying to show they care by donating money. Before this, on 22 March, this newspaper carried an article entitled "Live Like `Father'" reporting on Xiang Shixin and his wife in Shenyang, who, though earning a moderate income, financially supported a youth in school who was neither a relative nor an old friend, also causing strong responses from readers. Similar stories have often been carried by newspapers recently, making people feel that a warm current of love and offering is flowing in the vast motherland, spreading to millions of households, and encouraging billions of people. In the 1990's, the fine social habit of "one helping another" is still striking deep roots in the Chinese soil. In the big family on our motherland, no matter where you live, what you do, or what ethnic group you belong to, everyone is the builder of the socialist undertaking, and has common interests, ideals, undertakings, and pursuits. When people are as close as brothers, love one another, and help one another, we will increase the nation's cohesive force and form a strong integrating force for invigorating the Chinese nation. In society, there is always a group of people who are comparatively poor or very poor, who are leading a comparatively difficult or very difficult life, and who sometimes even slip into a very dangerous situation and badly need the help of other people. "One helping another" is required by our socialist system, as well as a duty to be performed by every person who has a sense of social responsibility and a sense of righteousness. A majority of people in society are doing so. However, in a certain period, some people were influenced by mammonism and thoughts of extreme individualism, so they turned a blind eye to other people's difficulties, and turned a deaf ear to other people's call for help. When a hooligan insulted a woman, they stood aside to watch....When a child fell into the water and |
FBIS4-3212_3 | Article Views Changes in Deficit Enterprises | a total annual decrease of 5.85 billion yuan in losses. The losses incurred by coal, petroleum and tobacco industries decreased by 17 percent, 54.4 percent, and 66.2 percent, respectively. While their losses were due to policy factors, the decrease in losses was mainly because the state readjusted prices in favor of them, reduced their tax burden, and let them retain more profits. The losses incurred by local industries showed a rising tendency in 1993. The local industrial enterprises which incurred losses in 1993 accounted for 31.5 percent of the total, up 7.4 percentage points. Their total loss was 19.03 billion yuan, up 72.2 percent or 7.98 billion yuan from 1992. The increase in losses was due to local industries -- mostly textile, light, chemical, and machine-building industries -- being in a period of structural readjustment and change, subject to more uncertain factors. [passage omitted] Geographically speaking, the ratio of deficit-incurring enterprises slightly decreased in Shandong and Tibet, while it increased to a varying degree in other provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities during the 1985-1992 period. In 1993, however, of China's 35 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, and cities with provincial-level economic decision-making authority (excluding Tibet), the ratio of deficit-incurring enterprises decreased in Beijing, Dalian, Fujian, Xiamen, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and Yunnan. Another good trend is worth mentioning. Over the last two years, state-owned enterprises have shown a tendency toward increased profits. The profits earned in 1992 by the enterprises covered in the state budget increased by 32.1 percent as compared with the previous year, and their profit from a 100-yuan sale increased by 14.1 percent, from 2.06 yuan to 2.35 yuan. In 1993, they maintained the tendency toward increased profits. This is inspiring. [passage omitted] During our coverage, the plant directors and managers of many large and medium state-owned enterprises told the reporters: The diversified, changeable market demand contains opportunities for the revival of deficit-incurring enterprises. Large and medium state-owned enterprises have several decades of development experience and enjoy the advantages of specialized personnel, technology, and skilled workers, which village and town enterprises do not enjoy. In order to seize the opportunity, it is necessary to apply the new concepts of the market economy and assume a new vision of development and change in treating the advantages and disadvantages of state-owned enterprises. It is necessary to make changes to deal with the changing situation and to develop new supports for enterprises. |
FBIS4-3213_0 | Sino-U.S. Study Views Work Environment | BFN [Text] Hefei, April 16 (XINHUA) -- An initial survey of a large-scale Sino-U.S. joint investigation of the impact of environment and occupations on people's health was recently concluded in East China's Anhui Province. It has produced a large body of data for experts to process and analyze. The survey was sponsored by the International Research Center of Environmental Epidemiology, an institution jointly founded by Anhui Medical Sciences University and the U.S. Harvard University. The four-month initial survey began last August 1 among almost 60,000 residents near Anqing City. Each survey form contained more than 2,300 items of information. It focused on two subjects: natural history of respiratory system diseases and the relations between pesticide pollution and disease. Regular follow-up surveys will be carried out among the same group of people in the next 15 years and will occupy generations of experts to research and find solutions to problems. |
FBIS4-3218_2 | Guangdong Authorities Hold Four After Riot | of the money gone?" angry villagers asked. The entire community gathered in the main street, waving banners bearing the words "anti-corruption". Shortly afterwards dozens of PSB officers arrived and fired tear-gas to curb the protest. "It was just like a war, I was really scared. Tear-gas was everywhere," one eye witness said. Shan Yuexin, whose son Sin Sanguang was arrested during the riots, said he was caught only because several Hong Kong reporters were in his restaurant when the protest broke out. "They pulled my son out of the restaurant and beat him up with a police stick, they were so cruel," he said. "They said my son had hidden Hong Kong reporters, but it was a fact the journalists were interviewing villagers in our restaurant." There were three Hong Kong reporters in the establishment when the disturbance started, and it was reported the crowd prevented the police arresting the journalists. "I went to the PSB office but they didn't allow me to visit my son. I was told that he was beaten again," Mr Shan said. Another three young villagers, two of whom were brothers, were also detained. The brothers' mother burst into tears when she spoke to the Sunday Morning Post "I don't like to talk anymore, I am very scared. I am afraid they [the PSB] will give my sons trouble again," she said. Village representatives deny the allegations. "We have invested the money in some enterprises and villagers can get their money back after they make a profit," said one, but who refused to give his name. Meanwhile, the peasants have been scraping together the little spare cash they have to help win the release of the four still detained, even though their families have not been notified of the conditions for their release. In a bid to appease the angry villagers, the authorities also announced that every villager would get 200 yuan compensation for their loss of farmland. But residents said the amount was far from enough and added they were considering taking their case to the Guangdong provincial government. "It isn't even enough for us to live for a month," one said. Newspapers and Guangzhou Television have reported the case without mentioning the riots, saying there was only some discontent among villagers. Locals set up an anti-corruption movement last year after complaining of official graft concerning land compensation. This latest outburst over land and |
FBIS4-3233_0 | Serious Pollution Reported in Beijing Rivers | BFN [Text] Beijing, 16 Apr (ZHONGGUO TONGXUN SHE)--In recent years river channels inside and outside Beijing have suffered from human-made destruction and serious pollution. Therefore, some experts have time and again warned relevant departments and citizens that because there is a serious shortage of water resources and pollution is getting worse, many river channels on the outskirts of Beijing have silted up. The River and Lake Management Section of the Beijing Municipal Water Resources Bureau revealed that former Beijing Mayor Chen Xitong personally inspected the Erdao channel in Jintailu last year. This channel was called a "present-day dragon beard ditch" [meaning the channel was full of residue]. He immediately instructed the relevant department to improve the situation. In a week the dregs were cleared but the channel stilted up again the following week. It was learned that the river water passing through this channel was for the Beijing No. 1 Thermal Power Station to generate electricity. The silt in the channel caused by pollution threatened the normal operation of the power station. Once, the relevant department dredged up some tree branches, foam plastics, bicycles, three-wheeled carts, dead pigs, and dead dogs from a silted-up section of the channel. Pollution similar to this is not rare in Beijing. Some experts said that apart from industrial pollution, the most threatening is human-made pollution. Most of the 175-km long river channels on the Beijing outskirts are clean in the upper portions, green in the middle, and black in the lower reaches. Protecting water resources, which are seriously in short supply, has become an urgent task for Beijing. |
FBIS4-3244_0 | Taipei Lags Behind ROK in Steel Production | BFN [By Y.C. Tsai] [Text] Taipei, April 16 (CNA) -- Taiwan's crude steel production lagged behind South Korea's in 1993, the Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) reported Saturday [16 April]. However, Taiwan's steel consumption topped that of South Korea, CEPD officials noted. The officials said South Korea was the world's sixth largest crude steel producer in 1993, with an output of more than 33 million tons. Taiwan ranked 15th with 12 million tons, they said. Both countries completed the establishment of state-run steel mills in the mid-1970s, they pointed out. In terms of per capita crude steel consumption, Taiwan consumed an average of 916 kilograms in 1993, compared to South Korea's 643 kilograms, they said. Moreover, they pointed out, South Korea exported 50 percent of its crude steel output, while the ratio in Taiwan was below 10 percent. They attributed Taiwan's strong demand for crude steel to the ongoing six-year national development plan. |
FBIS4-3248_1 | Demonstrators Seek Release of Journalist Xi Yang | pro-democracy activists, social workers and students. They walked to the Xinhua (New China News Agency) office at Happy Valley, escorted by 185 police. Chinese officials watched from the building as the crowd arrived at about 5 pm. The police initially allowed the petitioners to sit only on the pavement outside the Queen Elizabeth Stadium and did not allow the protesters' truck, fitted with loudspeakers, to stop in the east- bound lane of Queen's Road East, opposite the Xinhua building. After a short negotiation, the police sealed off two of the three east-bound lanes. United Democrat legislator Szeto Wah said if a country did not have press freedom and an independent judiciary, everyone would be "walking towards a dark hell". He also criticised the Chinese Government for saying no one should interfere with another nation's sovereignty and demanded the release of Xi. He said sovereignty did not belong to a government which turned a deaf ear to the people. Mr Szeto said "today's Xi Yang was tomorrow's Hong Kong people". "We have to fight to the end for the release of Xi Yang, for freedom of press and for an independent judiciary in China," he said. Daisy Li Yuet-wah, chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists' Association, said Xi had become a scapegoat for the Chinese Government to give a warning to the already-fragile press freedom in Hong Kong. Noting that journalists were prepared to face more pressure as 1997 approached, Ms Li said: "But we never expected that we would need to contend with the Chinese Government for the next 12 years because of one Hong Kong reporter." Dissident Lau Shan-ching, who was jailed in China for 10 years for "counter-revolutionary activities", recalled his experience of being secretly arrested and tried in China. He said he was questioned every night and the interrogators always tried to lead or force him to admit crimes he had never committed. Mr Lau said he was given a so-called "open trial" but his parents were not allowed to attend. "It was like a theatre where the Government arranges some people to come to the court room just to show that it was an open trial," he said. Yesterday's rally ended at about 6 pm. A candlelight vigil will be held on Saturday outside the Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui. Meanwhile, pro-China legislator Tam Yiu-chung yesterday responded with reservation to a proposal by United Democrat |
FBIS4-3250_1 | Further on Demonstrators Demanding Xi Yang's Release | slogans and sang songs, including "We Shall Overcome" and "Unity," while at the same time distributing leaflets and asking onlookers to join. While they were marching, a large number of pedestrians stopped to watch and people in residential buildings stuck their heads out to look. Some pedestrians joined the demonstration to express their support. The police made special traffic arrangements along the way so that the demonstrators could pass through. The demonstrators sat down on the opposite side of the XINHUA NEWS AGENCY on Queen's Road East, where they held a gathering, during which four speakers spoke. Subsequently, a member of the joint action read out a statement. In the statement, the "Joint Action To Rescue Xi Yang" demanded that the Chinese authorities immediately rescind all the charges against Xi Yang and Tian Ye and release them; it should announce all the details of the case and affix the responsibility for this; it should revise the relevant law and practice freedom of the press. In her speech at the gathering, Li Yuet-wah, chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists' Association, said: As the 1997 power transfer is approaching, Hong Kong reporters will face heavier pressure and this is something to be expected, but unexpectedly, these reporters will have to carry out 12 years of combat for Xi Yang's sake. She continued: The Xi Yang case has sounded the alarm for the prospects of Hong Kong's press freedom, but as long as Hong Kong residents and reporters work with one heart and one mind, there will still be hope for Hong Kong's press freedom. MING PAO employees' representative Lam Man-chong said: The Xi Yang case is not an unfortunate matter for Xi Yang alone, nor is it only a concern of MING PAO employees, it is an important matter of how to maintain Hong Kong people's free lifestyle. Legislative Councillor Szeto Wah and Lau Shan-ching, a pro- democracy activist who had been jailed for 10 years by China, also said at the gathering that China's secret trial of Xi Yang violated Chinese law, was unfair to Xi Yang, and affected Hong Kong's press freedom. After the reading of the statement, more than a dozen mass representatives marched to gate of the XINHUA NEWS AGENCY amid slogans and songs, and stuck the statement and a streamer on the gate. The gathering ended at 1800 and the 2,000 demonstrators peacefully dispersed. Yeung Ying-wai, assistant |
FBIS4-3258_6 | Qian Qichen Comments on International Issues, Hong Kong | do not contradict it in that arena. What we oppose is that the Taiwan authorities are sparing no efforts to create "two China's" and expand their so-called diplomatic "international space," and behavior which jeopardizes the motherland's reunification runs counter to the trend and is unpopular. World Issues [TA KUNG PAO] The U.S. Clinton administration believes that there are other aspects of its cooperative relations with China aside from trade and the human rights issue. What is the Chinese Government considering to push forward its relations with the United States and to reduce trouble? [Qian] China and the United States, as two powers in the world, bear a great responsibility in safeguarding peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific Region and the world, promoting global economic growth, and improving the environment of mankind. There are extensive common interests between China and the United States, as well as differences on some issues. These are objective facts. In handling those issues, the two sides should base themselves on the future and the world's overall situation. They should learn to establish relations of mutual benefit and mutual respect with countries with different social systems and ideologies, while refraining from focusing attention on disputed issues. In this way, trouble can be reduced and continuous progress made in Sino-U.S. relations. [TA KUNG PAO] During the Cold War period, Europe was the focus of contention between the superpowers, and China supported the unification of Western Europe. Now, changes have taken place in East and West European relations and turmoil has surfaced in the Balkans. Will Foreign Minister Qian analyze the changes in the European situation under the international backdrop? [Qian] The changes in the European situation have been the greatest with the end of the Cold War. However, Europe has not entered a period of peaceful development as expected. Many countries of the former USSR and East Europe have met difficulties in their economic conversion, and the political situation there is comparatively turbulent. Regional conflict has occurred in the former Yugoslavia, and has evolved into a hot war. Western Europe is suffering from economic recession, with unemployment rates remaining high. Some progress has been made in the unification of Europe, along with quite a few new problems. In short, the relatively stable post-war European situation has broken down, but a new pattern has not finally taken shape. [TA KUNG PAO] Viewing the growing influence of Vladimir Zhirinovskiy, the |
FBIS4-3258_8 | Qian Qichen Comments on International Issues, Hong Kong | Russian ultra-nationalist, the election of a right-wing alliance in Italy, and the expansion of German xenophobia, Europe seems to be beginning an adverse trend of discord. What is China's attitude toward this? How should one forecast and deal with this adverse trend? [Qian] Various forces in post-Cold War Europe have disintegrated and are under reorganization, with some new political ideological trends and forces surfacing; that is a reflection of a complicated European political situation and people's resentment against reality. Only by building a new international political and economic order based on peaceful coexistence and doing away with the practice of hegemonism and power politics, will it be possible to do a good job of resolving the issue of peace and development while maintaining a stable situation. [TA KUNG PAO] When Japanese Prime Minister Hosakawa visited China last month, the two countries established an understanding of striving to build bilateral relations characterized by "facing the future." A report said that the two countries were augmenting a Beijing-Tokyo axis which would help resist pressure from Washington. How will China deal with Sino-Japanese relations and their development from now on? [Qian] Japan is an important neighbor of China, and the development of Sino-Japanese relations is a matter of course, but this does not aim at a third country, nor will it affect relationships with third countries. Basically, there is no axis relationship to speak of. [TA KUNG PAO] Asians hope for a nuclear-free Korean peninsula, but actual conditions show that it will be comparatively difficult to remove such worries. With patience, do you think that this issue can be effectively resolved? [Qian] To realize a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, and safeguard peace and stability on the peninsula as well as Northeast Asia falls in line with the basic interests of the northern and southern parts of the peninsula and the common aspiration of the countries in this region. Viewing progress in the past year, through dialogue and negotiations between all sides directly involved, progress has been made in efforts to resolve the Korean nuclear issue. True, some difficulties have surfaced today, but if all of the sides involved continue dialogue and talks within the original framework with a realistic and flexible attitude and patience, the issue will be resolved. [TA KUNG PAO] Some national issues in Central Asia have roused universal concern in the world. Regarding this, with what attitude will China deal with |
FBIS4-3300_0 | State Councillor Meets Burmese Buddhist Delegation | BFN [Text] Beijing, April 19 (XINHUA) -- Chinese State Councillor and Secretary-General of the State Council Luo Gan met here this afternoon with a Buddhist delegation headed by the Myanmar [Burmese] Minister of Religious Affairs, Lieutenant-General Myo Nyunt. The 17-member delegation from Myanmar (formerly Burma) arrived here on April 18 to accompany the Buddha's tooth relic from China on its trip to Myanmar. Before the meeting, the vice-president of the Buddhist association of China, the Ven. Ming Yang, hosted a ceremony to see the Buddha's tooth relic off and he will also lead a delegation to escort the Buddha's tooth relic to Myanmar tomorrow. This is the second time for the Buddha's tooth relic to visit Myanmar. |
FBIS4-3333_2 | Article Views Religious Groups, Foreigners | and religious affairs should not be directed by overseas forces. No foreigner should interfere in China's religious affairs. The eighth article of the regulations on the management of religious activities of aliens, for example stipulates that "foreigners must not set up religious organizations, offices or sites in China, recruit religious followers among Chinese citizens, or appoint religious ecclesiastics." Just 10 days after the promulgation of the two laws, seven people from the Hong Kong Revival Christian Church, including the Reverend Dennis Balcomb, were detained for several days in Henan Province for their illicit religious activities. The incident touched off erroneous stories in some overseas newspapers. The Reverend Balcomb is not a new name in China. He wrote a statement of repentance several years ago when he was given a serious warning for similar illegal undertakings, Han said. Today, peace and development are the common pursuits of people worldwide, requiring an environment of conciliation. Objective and accurate reporting will help create better understanding between different peoples. Although the Cold War has drawn to a close, the influence of the media from that time lingers. Quite a few people abroad have taken it for granted that the atheistic Chinese Communist Party (CPC), the ruling party in China, racks its brains to wipe out religion. "Biased, they turn a blind eye to or disbelieve in the achievements made by the State's religious policies," Han said. The reality of' Chinese Christians has long been ignored by the foreign press. When visiting the United States in 1993, Han talked about Christian honesty and ethics with Christian journalists from the major news media. He called for impartial reporting, both domestic and overseas, to enhance understanding between China and the rest of the world. Han notes that only a few foreigners are malicious to China. Many Christian associations and individuals abroad deem the two Chinese decrees as fair and reasonable. Han said his Christian council is grateful for the clarification made by 21 foreign Christian reverends residing in Hong Kong. The past decade has witnessed dramatic changes in China's Christendom. According to Han, 8,000 churches are now open to Christians. On top of that, China has set up 13 seminaries to train clergy for its 6 million to 7 million Christian believers. Since 1985, the Amity Foundation, founded by Christian believers in China, has been sponsoring around 80 foreign teachers annually for China's institutions of higher learning. |
FBIS4-3348_0 | XINHUA Carries Economic News Briefs 17 Apr | BFN [Text] Beijing, April 17 (XINHUA) -- Today's economic news briefs: Engineering Industry Develops Rapidly in Guangxi The engineering industry has been developing rapidly in south-west China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region over the past few years, thanks to the adoption of a series of effective measures aimed at improving the management set-up of enterprises. According to local officials, last year the autonomous region's engineering industry had a 7.5 billion yuan output value, with a sales ratio of 98 percent. In the same year, enterprises in the engineering industry generated 1.4 billion yuan in profits and taxes for the autonomous region, and contributed 30 million U.S. dollars to the region's finances, from the exports of their products. Yunnan Transmits More Electricity to Guangdong Southwest China's power-rich Yunnan Province has transmitted 540 million kw/hour of electricity to south China's Guangdong Province since late last year. Local officials from Yunnan Province say that they will continue to transmit an additional 900 million kw/hour of electricity to the south Chinese province this year. Non-Governmental Investment Zone in Fuzhou Lures More Foreign Funds [subhead] Fuxing Investment Zone in Fuzhou City, capital of east China's Fujian Province, has so far approved the establishment of 160 businesses, of which, 127 are Sino-foreign funded enterprises, involving a promised foreign investment of 300 million U.S. dollars. At present, 70 enterprises in the zone have begun production. Fuxing Investment Zone was established in 1991 by Gushan Township in the suburbs of Fuzhou with self-raised funds. Shanghai To Have More Telephones [subhead] Shanghai plans to add 400,000 to 500,000 more lines to its telephone network this year, officials from the telecommunications authority said. The largest city in China had 1.08 million lines by the end of 1993, of which 60 percent were house telephones. One fifth of the families in the city had telephones in their homes. New Power Generating Sets in Operation The first generating set of a 21,000-kw hydro-power plant in Zhaoping County of south-west Guangxi went into operation on Friday, following a third 220,000-kw generating set at the Tianshengqiao hydro-power plant on April 2. Dehydrated Vegetable Plant Building of a Sino-Israeli dehydrated vegetable plant able to treat 13,000 tons of fresh vegetables a year recently started in Wuhan, capital of central Hubei Province. The Merhav Group, a leading Israeli company, will provide 2.61 million U.S. dollars worth of first-class dehydration equipment as well as technologies for its first |
FBIS4-3351_1 | Journal on Supply, Demand for Major Materials | in 1994 First, total demand will not decrease. 1. The macroeconomic regulation and control this time is a structural readjustment and a change in the investment direction and flow volume of capital, not total retrenchment. Therefore, the ultimate demand of the means of production will not decrease. It is only a question of time difference. 2. In 1994, the total demand will grow on the basis of 1993 and the investment scale will not be smaller than in 1993, coupled with such factors as the undampened investment incentive of the localities and the belated effects of macroeconomic regulation and control. Thus, the demand will not decrease considerably in 1994. 3. The infrastructural projects initiated in 1993 constitute a very big demand market and will play an important part in the total demand for materials in 1994. Second, the prices of the means of production will tend to be stable or on the rise. 1. The push from costs keeps the means of production prices high. The continuously increasing costs and lowering profits of productive enterprises prevent product prices from being lowered and this, in turn, keeps the prices of the means of production from plummeting. 2. Prices are influenced by the regulation and control of the state's macroeconomic policy. The fact that one-third of the coal output under unified distribution has had price controls lifted, that the iron and steel industry has resolved the question of "market price and fixed price," and that oil, electricity, and transportation industries have cut rising costs, coupled with the cancellation of the state's mandatory distribution plans for eight types of materials and the removal of all their price controls, will have an influence on the prices of the means of production. 3. The fact that the state is importing large quantities of materials from abroad will cause the prices of some means of production to stabilize and pick up. Third, communications and transportation and capital input are major factors affecting the materials supply-demand balance. Communications and transportation are not developing very quickly at the present time so that ships are too plentiful, ports are inadequate, and traffic congestion has obviously increased. Railway freight transportation in general can only meet less than 70 percent of the total need and in some places, only 40 percent or so. It is also worrying that ports are seriously inadequate for sea transportation. The transportation capacity is so low |
FBIS4-3351_6 | Journal on Supply, Demand for Major Materials | to fill the timber-shortages gap in 1994. In the meantime, affected by world timber shortage and the frantic increases in prices, timber prices in 1994 are expected to be consistently high. Fourth, cement demand will slightly decrease and the price differences between regions are obvious. Because fixed assets investments are being reduced and real estate development is being slowed down, cement demand and supply tends to be stable and prices are decreasing. However, since the state has delegated the power of fixing cement prices to productive enterprises in eastern China, northeastern China, and Hunan, coupled with the shortages of high-grade and special-grade cement in the cement markets and with the drive from the construction projects already launched, supplies will tend to be short in the second half of 1994 and prices will gradually rise. Fifth, nonferrous metals are regulated by the market and their supply and demand are stable. Since the Shanghai Metal Exchange was established, the nonferrous metals market is already linked to the international market and has been developing well on a daily basis. In addition to meeting market demand, nonferrous metal resources also play a role in guiding and stabilizing market prices. In 1994, affected by fund shortages and exchange rates, the domestic nonferrous metals market will not fluctuate very much as a result of the resources shortages and market prices will fall steadily. Sixth, petroleum products will rise steadily. From 1994 onward, the state will only use fuels under the plan in key industries such as the defense industry, fertilizer production, and electricity generation, while oil for other sectors will basically have price controls lifted. In addition, the increased output of Middle East oil and Iraq's restoration of oil exports, strike a balance between oil supply and demand on the international market and oil prices are decreasinging. This is favorable for China to import oil to make up for the shortage of local resources caused by the inadequate transportation capacity. Moreover, affected by the international market, oil prices on China's market will also begin to fall. Therefore, supply and demand in 1994 will be stable in the domestic oil products market and their prices will fluctuate by a small margin. Gasoline prices will remain at the 1993 level but diesel oil prices will increase due to inadequate supplies as the state increases agricultural investment. Seventh, chemical raw materials will be less in demand. Since there is |
FBIS4-3354_0 | Fujian Official on Foreign `Exploitation' of Workers | BFN [By Daniel Kwan] [Text] In a comfortable air-conditioned meeting room on the third floor of the Fujian Labour Bureau, labour-dispute arbitrator Peng Weidong drew on a cigarette, sipped some Fujianese tea, lay back on a sofa and said: "They say they respect human rights, I say what they do is exploitation." "If they are sincere about human rights, then they should stop exploiting Chinese workers," he added. "They" are the thousands of foreign entrepreneurs who operate factories in Fujian to make such goods as running shoes and plastic toys. Statistics show these businesses -- many of them medium-to-small Taiwanese companies -- employed more than 400,000 Chinese last year, mostly from other provinces. Although Fujian is one of the few relatively rich provinces, labour disputes, particularly those involving foreign businesses, have surged alarmingly. In one instance, a female worker in a Taiwanese factory in Fuzhou was beaten and locked in a cage with two wolfhounds after she was caught stealing some unused rubber. Fellow workers went on strike after one of them, who helped the woman escape, was sacked. Dangerous work conditions were also common, and some factories like deathtraps. Last year, 64 textile workers were burnt to death when fire broke out in a factory at which bosses had double-locked the doors. Mr Peng described workers in a Taiwanese factory, mostly young women with little education, who sat quietly along the production line when he visited. "They just put their hands in front of us, some without fingers -- they had been chopped off by machines," he said. Another factory with 400 workers reported 36 industrial accidents -- some causing permanent injury -- in two years. And although low wages were often cited as an incentive to invest in China, some foreigners sought to maximise this advantage. Mr Peng said he knew of a worker who was paid only 60 yuan (HK$52) after laboring six months in a factory. Her manager had devised such exorbitant fees to be paid by workers each month that the woman was left with barely enough money for her train fare home. Other factories were run like military camps, said Mr Peng. Workers had to ask permission to go to toilets and in some cases, women were not allowed to close toilet doors so they would not "stay there too long". Working hours were "eternally" long, Mr Peng said. Sixteen hours a day with |
FBIS4-3391_0 | Hong Kong-Backed Funds Help Eliminate Poverty | BFN [Text] Beijing, April 19 (XINHUA) -- Three projects -- in Henan, Hunan and Shanxi provinces -- were given awards here yesterday as outstanding contributions to the elimination of poverty in China. At the same awards giving ceremony, 75 technologists were presented with the service award of the Zhenhua poverty relief by technology fund. The fund has been donated by Hong Kong academic circles. A leading official of the State Science and Technology Commission (SSTC) said at the ceremony that the fund was of great importance, because the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong are jointly promoting the work of poverty elimination through technology. Sponsored by the society of Hong Kong Scholars (SHS), the fund aims to encourage and support technological and professional personnel to go to poverty-stricken areas to help citizens there to escape poverty. Elimination of poverty and common prosperity are considered as the basic requirement of socialism and a reflection of the advantages of a socialist system in China. At the national conference on poverty elimination held last month, China promulgated an ambitious seven-year plan to wipe out abject poverty by the year 2000, solving food and clothing shortages for the remaining 80 million poverty-stricken citizens. The official said that the key to the goal lies in the advancement of science and technology and improvement of knowledge and skills of farmers. Since 1986, the state commission for science and technology has given 8.5 million yuan of special funds for poverty elimination, and 200 million yuan in loans. Furthermore, it helped poverty-stricken areas to bring in more than 400 poverty elimination projects and 2,700 suitable techniques, which made direct profits of 800 million yuan for the poor. Most of the below-poverty-line citizens live in rural areas of 699 counties in the central and western parts of China. |
FBIS4-3402_10 | Jiangsu Economic, Social Development Plan | Completion of Key Projects. This year, the state set the fixed assets investment scale for our province's collective-owned units at 82.92 billion yuan. The state-owned units will invest 34.05 billion yuan in fixed assets. A total of 12.31 billion yuan and 16 billion yuan will be used for basic construction and technological transformation at state-owned units. Under that arrangement, we will devote greater efforts to readjust investment structure, and we will use limited funds and materials for key projects conforming to industrial policy and for key projects that can generate good economic returns. In water conservancy projects, we will mainly direct our efforts to harness Huaihe and Taihu, and to divert Yihe, Shuhe, Sihe, and Tongyuhe. In the area of power supply, we will strive to add 1.225 million kwh of power generation capacity to our province this year. In transport, we will continue to build the Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway, first-class Nanjing-Lianyungang Highway and Nanjing-Nantong Highway, the Sunan Canal, and to start building the New Nanjing Airport, the Changjiang Highway Bridge at Jiangyin section, and the Xinchang Railway. In telecommunications, we will increase the number of telephones in urban and rural areas to 1.25 million. In raw materials, we will continue to strive to do well in steel and polyester production, to try to complete ongoing machinery, electric, light textile projects, urban infrastructure facilities, and other social undertakings at an early date. This year we will concentrate efforts to upgrade technologies for producing major products. We will see to the implementation of key projects and will monitor the progress of key projects. We will accelerate the construction pace of the state's and province's key projects and see to the completion and putting into production of 100 projects, including medical equipment, and digital-controlled machine tools as scheduled. We will step up the startup work on the key projects of the "87 projects." We will also strive to do well in the "landmark projects." (4) Accelerate the Development of Tertiary Industry and Continue To Raise Its Proportion. We will concentrate on the following to accelerate the development of tertiary industry. First, we will accelerate the establishment of a market system, foster and improve a number of commodity markets, as well as the finance, technology, labor, real estate, and information markets. Second, we will stress improving transport, telecommunications, civil administration, and public services. Third, we will encourage the development of insurance business, the entry |
FBIS4-3418_0 | Huaihe River Improvement Projects Making Progress | BFN [Text] Beijing, April 18 (XINHUA) -- Water-control projects on the Huaihe River are making good progress, according to sources at the Ministry of Water Resources. The river flows through Henan, Anhui, Shandong and Jiangsu Provinces in the eastern part of China. With close co-operation between the four provinces, a large number of water-conservancy facilities have been built along the river. They have widened and dredged over 1,000 km of river courses, consolidated over 2,000 km of embankments and removed 350 million cu m [cubic meters] of earth. Five reservoirs have been repaired on the river. According to the ministry, 18 major projects are planned to be completed by the year 2000; construction has already started on 13 of them. The river system passes through 13.1 million ha [hectare] of land populated by 140 million people, amounting respectively to about one-eighth of China's total and land population. Throughout history the area has suffered from severe floods and droughts. |
FBIS4-3463_11 | `Excerpts' of 1993 Jiangsu Court Work Report | they handled pass the examination of history. In particular, they made sure that all big, important cases they handled become "iron [incontestable] cases." Sixty defendants in criminal cases were pronounced not guilty in accordance with the law. They insisted on conducting public trials; public trials of 97.94 percent of various cases were conducted by law courts across the province. They further improved their internal mechanism for law enforcement; established and improved various systems for handling cases; and paid close attention to their implementation. The Jiangsu Provincial Higher People's Court drew up "Interim Provisions on Investigating and Determining the Responsibility for Cases Which Have Been Given Wrong Verdicts." The provisions played an important role in ensuring strict law enforcement after they went into effect in the whole province. A total of nine cases and nine persons were investigated for handling cases in violation of the law in the whole year. We strengthened supervision over court trials and improved guidance for judicial work. When law courts at the higher level discovered mistakes in the court decisions pronouced by those at the lower level, they resolutely corrected them in accordance with the law. In the whole year, law courts at the higher level wound up a total of 11,086 various cases in the second instance; they changed court decisions pronounced on 1,938 cases by those at the lower level or requested that a trial be conducted again for some of them. We conscientiously handled cases lodged by procuratorial organs in protest of verdicts rendered, and corrected verdicts which were indeed wrong in accordance with the law. We wound up a total of 60 cases protesting verdicts given, and changed the verdicts for 32 cases or requested that a trial be conducted again for some of them. The Jiangsu Provincial Higher People's Court persisted in conducting survey and study of the new situations and new problems confronting judicial work under the conditions of a market economy, and improved job-related guidance for courts at the lower level. It drew up a total of 13 various standardized documents suitable for legal guidance. 4. Vigorously Strengthen the Building of the Contingents of Personnel of Law Courts and Lay a Sound Foundation in the Grass-Roots Units To Guarantee That Judicial Work Is Carried Out Effectively In compliance with the new requirements on the contingents of cadres raised by our reform and opening up and by the new situation |
FBIS4-3484_1 | Wan Li Inspects Tianjin Municipality | Zheng Zhiying, standing committee member and secretary general of the municipal party committee; and Ye Disheng, vice mayor of the municipality, Comrade Wan Li inspected the bonded area of Tianjin harbor, the Tianjin economic and technological development zone, and the Tianjin steel tube company, from 9 to 10 April. Comrade Wan Li, at the age of 78 years, zestfully visited some enterprises, including the Aojin electric cable corporation and the Motorola electronics corporation; and heard the work reports of the bonded area, the development zone, and the steel tube company. After hearing the reports, Comrade Wan Li pointed out: I am very glad to see Tianjin's vigorous progress in reform, opening up, and economic construction. Your such great achievements made through the efforts to develop the development zone in the past 10 years and the bonded area in the past three years fully prove the gigantic power of reform and opening up. At present, so long as we unswervingly work in accordance with the party Central Committee's 20-character policy on "grasping favorable opportunities, deepening reform, expanding the scale of opening up, promoting development, and maintaining stability," will we be able to make greater achievements. During the inspection, Comrade Wan Li especially stressed the importance of science and technology and skilled persons. He said: Things should be done by the people. In conducting reform and opening to the outside world, we need a large number of specialized talents with the knowledge of technologies, management, and foreign languages. Open cities must open themselves to the outside world. We should learn foreign languages since childhood. Capable of foreign languages, our younger generation will better assimilate the advanced and scientific things in the world and spread the excellent culture of our Chinese nation to the outside world. At the Motorola corporation, Comrade Wan Li saw that the world advanced production line was operating at a highly-clean, sealed workshop. He was very glad to know that last year, this corporation generated 820 million yuan in output value and 130 million yuan of profits and taxes. He said: Science and technology are the primary productive forces. This is the truth. Advanced sciences and techniques can produce gigantic productive forces. Our aim to conduct joint investment and bring in techniques, capital, and skilled persons is to bring in the most advanced techniques and managerial skills. We cannot bring in the things that have been eliminated by others. |
FBIS4-3495_0 | Official Views Indonesia Agricultural Cooperation | BFN [By Sofia Wu] [Text] Taipei, April 21 (CNA) -- Taiwan will continue to promote agricultural cooperation with Indonesia despite recent violent labor protests in Medan which later turned into a highly- charged race riot against the economically dominant ethnic Chinese, the Council of Agriculture (COA) said Thursday [21 April]. "Agricultural cooperation will help boost economic development in rural Indonesia, so it should not be affected by the anti-ethnic Chinese sentiment in some Indonesian cities or areas," said Chiu Yung-chung, director of the COA's Secretariat. "As Taiwan has a wealth of experience in agricultural development, Indonesia can benefit from cooperation with Taiwan," he noted. The cabinet-level council held a meeting to discuss the promotion of agricultural cooperation with Southeast Asian countries under the government's "southern strategy" which encourages Taiwan businessmen to increase investment in Southeast Asia instead of Mainland China. The meeting decided that the council will organize a delegation of agricultural experts and business executives to visit Indonesia in June to seek possible cooperative projects there. Chiu said most COA officials agreed that Taiwan should continue deep-sea fishing cooperation with Indonesia and that shrimp raising has great market potential in that country. The COA will also encourage Taiwan manufacturers to invest in fruit juice and sweetmeats production in Indonesia, Chiu noted. Meanwhile, a Ministry of Economic Affairs official urged local businessmen to carefully choose suitable locations before they invest in Indonesia. "Taiwan investors should choose regions where racism is less serious and study local customs and culture in order to avoid unnecessary troubles," the official said. He pointed out although Indonesia has several advantages to attract foreign investors, such as abundant natural resources and labor force, foreign entrepreneurs face a host of problems there, including persistent racism in some regions, a widening gap between the rich and the poor, growing sentiment for labor rights, red tape and factional squabbling within its government agencies. The official suggested that prospective Taiwan investors choose suitable Indonesian or Overseas Chinese joint-venture partners and seek to develop good relations with relevant Indonesian officials. Taiwan companies there should also promote as many Indonesians as possible to factory management positions in order to better understand the mentality of Indonesian workers, he added. Ethnic Chinese account for only 4 percent of the total Indonesian population, but control 70 percent of the country's economy. Ethnic Chinese, however, have little voice in the Indonesian political arenas because of legal |
FBIS4-3538_2 | Article Views U.S. Administration Policies | has always been a world leader in aeronautic, astronautical, and computer technology. In traditional industrial sectors such as the auto industry, it is also enhancing its competitiveness. At the end of last year, Vice President Gore announced that the nationwide information network called the "information highway" will be completed in 10 to 15 years, which is a sign that the United States will lead the world in the information revolution. As for domestic policy, the Democratic president is enjoying a Democratic-majority Congress, so he is getting along much better than the previous administration. The proposal Clinton put forward to Congress last year received 88 percent approval. Compared with the first-year administration records of preceding U.S. presidents before and after the World War II, this percentage was just lower than Eisenhower's. Although Clinton does not have a high popularity rating, he is better off with his domestic situation than the leaders of other major Western countries. All this, of course, does not affect Clinton's diplomatic achievements. However, his modest successes in the economic, science and technology, and domestic areas have added to the United States' bargaining chips in dealing with other Western countries. The Three Big Moves in the Economic Field Although some people at home have repeatedly criticized Clinton, saying that he has not had a clear foreign policy and that he always wavers in handling foreign affairs, this "inexperienced" president from Arkansas has made the biggest readjustment in U.S. foreign policy since World War II -- putting economic security as the center of foreign policy for the first time. The United States' major diplomatic activities last year were generally centered on economic relations and trade. Whether at the Group of Seven Summit in Tokyo, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Seattle, or at the U.S.-EC trade talks on agricultural products or the GATT Uruguay Round talks, Clinton and his high-ranking officials have strived to better the U.S. economy. After the arduous multilateral talks, agreements were ultimately reached in these diplomatic rounds which can be viewed as the limited success of the Clinton administration. The process of global economic integration is, in the final analysis, a drive for the U.S. economy, although the United States will have to pay a considerable price. Explaining the significance of the Uruguay Round, Clinton said: "The successful signing of the GATT agreements will create 1.4 million employment opportunities (for the United States) and increase |
FBIS4-3538_8 | Article Views U.S. Administration Policies | Forces. No sooner had he become the president than he legalized homosexuality in the Armed Forces and continued to cut military expenditures, thus offending many high-ranking military personalities. Recently, U.S. leaders had an internal argument as to how to use limited foreign aid. Clinton and Gore were on one side, favoring using more foreign aid to promote environmental protection and "democratization" of other countries, and not on traditional items related to national security, and this was another issue with the military. At the end of last year, compelled by pressure from the military, Clinton could not but agree to lower the military spending cuts. In the future, faced with frequent regional military conflicts, nationality confrontations, religious disputes, and the proliferation of sophisticated weapons about which the United States is most worried, it is doubtful whether or not the Clinton administration can really place its foreign policy emphasis on the economy. Values Are Challenged The Clinton administration considers the safeguarding of economic security, maintaining powerful Armed Forces, and promoting global democracy as the "three pillars" of its foreign policy. In promoting the values of American-style "democracy" and "human rights," Clinton really has nothing to brag about. At international forums such as the World Human Rights Conference held last June, Western human rights concepts sharply contradicted the views of many developing countries. In the face of the speedy economy development of East Asia, many Americans admit that it is not merely Western political and social development patterns that can lead to economic prosperity. In an article entitled "the Clash of Civilizations," Harvard University Professor Samuel P. Huntington predicts that conflict between civilizations will supplant ideological conflict, and Confucian civilization and Islamic civilization may join hands to pose a strong challenge to Western interests, values, and power. Some commentators hold that Huntington's argument shows a pessimism of being incapable of making the world accept American values. Various facts show that in promoting "democratization" in the world today, the United States meets no less resistance than it did during the Cold War. The Clinton administration has set aside $1 billion to strive to support Russia economically so as to expand the "democratic family." But President Yeltsin's American-supported radical political and economic reforms have not produced obvious results. The bloody disputes in Moscow last October ended with the "democratic faction's" temporary victory. But no sooner had Americans had a breathing spell than the worrying "Zhirinovsky |
FBIS4-3539_0 | Article Views Shift to South in Sino-U.S. Ties | BFN [By Zhang Baijia (4545 4102 1367): "A Shift to the South in Focus and Fulcrum--a Noteworthy Change in Sino-U.S. Relations"] [Text] Chairman Jiang Zemin and President Clinton had a formal meeting in the second half of last November in Seattle. The two leaders agreed that Sino-U.S. relations were very important. The relations concerned more than bilateral ties; they should be looked at in a global context, with the focus on the 21st century. Details of the talks were not revealed, but the choice of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference as the venue for the meeting for the two state leaders after an almost five-year break was itself profoundly significant. Security Considerations Replaced by Economic Factors When China and the United States normalized their relations 22 years ago, leaders of the two countries were looking at the north of Asia. Despite the then ongoing Vietnam war, the two countries, mainly motivated by a desire to ward off the hegemonism of the former Soviet Union, improved their relations. Twenty-two years later, when leaders of the two countries are thinking of and discussing their relations, they are looking at the dynamic region of Southeast Asia (including China). The truth is, the shift of their focus was prompted by the shift of the overlapping interests (mutual or conflicting) between the two countries. The shift was reflected not only in geographical changes, but also in the changed proportions of various key factors in overall Sino-U.S. relations. Twenty-two years ago, security was almost the sole factor in Sino- U.S. relations. Today, the new economic factor is becoming increasingly bigger. The shift toward the south in Sino-U.S. relations has just started, but its impact on bilateral relations, multilateral relations in the Asia-Pacific region, and the future multipolar world cannot be ignored. The Three Causes Behind the Shift Toward the South Why have Sino-U.S. relations shifted toward the south? Stated simply, there are three causes: First, it was a result of recent changes and developments in the global political and economic situation. I do not intend to repeat the arguments as the movement of the post-Cold War global political world toward multipolarity and the lone brilliant performance of the Southeast Asian economy amid the yet-to-recover global economy have been covered by many articles. Second, for four years, China stood up to pressures from the West, increased the pace of reform and opening up, actively developed relations with |
FBIS4-3539_5 | Article Views Shift to South in Sino-U.S. Ties | of new elements may emerge from, and what kind of new problems we may have to face in future Sino-U.S. relations. In my view, the following two points are important: First, cooperation between the two countries is absolutely necessary, though competition will run alongside it. In the early days of improvement in Sino-U.S. relations, the security interests were clear, easily seen, and mutual. And given the then limited economic ties, there were no trade frictions. Cooperation then was relatively smooth. But the situation began to change in the early 1980's and looked quite different by the 1990's. When the center of bilateral relations shifted to the southeastern part of Asia, China and the United States still shared a common interest in maintaining the security and stability of the Asia-Pacific region, but on specific issues their interests began to diverge and even clashed. The Western media hype about "threats from China" on the Taiwan issue was a case in point. Another key factor was the increasing proportions of economic and trade and technological considerations in Sino-U.S. relations. In economic relations, what is inevitable is competition. Although China, the United States, Japan, and other Asia-Pacific countries strongly complement each other economically, it is plain to see that in many areas there is competition, and that it is increasingly fierce. Apart from the economic factor, the Clinton administration's adjustment of its Asia policy, and its great concern for it, was also prompted by political considerations. How to face this cooperation-competition situation in future Sino- U.S. relations is an important subject we must think through. Second, multilateral ties between China, the United States, and the Asia-Pacific region mean that there will be more international factors acting as constraints on Sino-U.S. relations. The "macrotriangular relations" between the United States, China, and the Soviet Union in the Cold War era were relatively simple. With the end of the Cold War, the center of Sino-U.S. relations moved south and exercised far greater influence on the stability and development of the entire Asia-Pacific region and made all kinds of relations much more complicated. On the one hand, the ups and downs of Sino-U.S. relations will impact on their respective relations with other Asia-Pacific countries; and on the other hand, developments and changes in any of their respective relations with Asia-Pacific countries will bounce back on Sino-U.S. relations. The prospects for Sino-U.S. relations is a great concern for Asia- |
FBIS4-3570_1 | Beijing Sentences Zhejiang Official for Bicycle Theft | in Beijing and Willy Wo-lap Lam] [Text] After being beaten up by a policeman in Beijing last year, Yan Zhengxue, a well-known deputy from the People's Congress of Zhejiang province, has been sentenced to two years in a labour-education camp for allegedly stealing a bicycle. The sentence came just two weeks after the police officer who beat up Yan was given just a one-year suspended sentence. Yan's detention has been cited by Beijing's dissident community as yet another effort by the authorities to muzzle pro-democracy activists, who had championed the legislator. The Beijing Municipal Labour-Education Administrative Committee handed down Yan's sentence on Tuesday after he had been found guilty of stealing a new Forever-brand bicycle, worth about 400 yuan (HK$355), from outside a Beijing University canteen on September 17 last year. The committee did not say why Yan had been given such a severe penalty for a relatively trivial offence but yesterday's BEIJING DAILY described the legislator as an "inveterate evil-doer" who basically deserved everything he got. The newspaper said that the outrage expressed by many people at the lenient treatment of the police officer who beat up Yan reflected an inadequate understanding of the law. The officer acted strictly within the law in forcibly detaining an "unreasonable and argumentative" Yan after he "caused chaos" on a public bus by demanding to be let off in between designated stops, the paper said. Yan, a painter associated with the artistic community at Beijing's Old Summer Palace, had become something of a cause celebre in the capital after he took the police officer to court last year. Analysts said the sentencing of Yan and lenient treatment of the police officer was probably designed to act as a warning to the people of Beijing not to challenge the authority of the police and the Government. In January, more than 300 of the nation's leading intellectuals put their names to a petition addressed to National People's Congress Chairman Qiao Shi demanding an investigation into the abuse of police power as evidenced in the Yan case. Leaders of the petition included Beijing University law lecturer Yuan Hongbing and law graduate student Wang Jiaqi, who were arrested in early March for masterminding another petition demanding improvements in labour rights. "The authorities are taking it out on Yan because the Yan-related petition is seen as the one that galvanised the pro-democracy movement this Year," a source said. |
FBIS4-3572_0 | Article Views Life for Dissidents Facing Harassment | BFN [By A.R. Wilkie] [Text] As Gou Qinghui was returning home from work on April 12, she looked up at the window of her flat. When she saw there was no light on, she knew immediately that something was wrong. She had already tried unsuccessfully to telephone her husband at his office and knew he had not been to work. Gou's husband, who had still been asleep when she left for work at 6.30 am, had vanished. At 9.20 pm, four men -- police and state security agents -- arrived at the flat. They ordered Gou to sign and put her thumbprint to a piece of paper which informed her that her husband, 32-year-old Xiao Biguang, had been detained for "shelter and investigation". The document Gou was shown said Xiao had been involved in "illegal activities" related to State Council Document number 56, issued in 1980. The police searched the flat and confiscated several manuscripts written by Xiao and books in Chinese and English, mostly about Christianity. They listed the titles on an official form which Gou was also required to sign. One of the English titles, copied down awkwardly in an uncomprehending police hand, read Cherish No Illusions, Nor Despair. The flat Gou lives in is in a block owned by the party's Central Discipline Inspection Commission, where her father works. On her front door, Gou displays an Easter message which reads, in English, "Christ is Risen". Inside the one-room apartment, a cassette tape of choral music by Handel played as Gou, her curly hair tied back and wearing a simple blue sweater and checked skirt, told the story of her husband's disappearance. She is a strong and feisty woman who is not afraid to challenge the police. But by the end of her tale, she had broken into wrenching sobs, her voice rising in outrage that the man she described as a good Christian had been taken away from her. China's dissidents and their families are, in the main, a stoic lot. They have to be. Many dissidents have spent much of their lives in prison. Their relatives may have no contact or information about their loved ones for years at a time, though the policy on visits has become somewhat more relaxed. In recent months, some high-profile dissidents have been in and out of police detention like yo-yos. Others are on the run, facing what may be |
FBIS4-3572_1 | Article Views Life for Dissidents Facing Harassment | Despair. The flat Gou lives in is in a block owned by the party's Central Discipline Inspection Commission, where her father works. On her front door, Gou displays an Easter message which reads, in English, "Christ is Risen". Inside the one-room apartment, a cassette tape of choral music by Handel played as Gou, her curly hair tied back and wearing a simple blue sweater and checked skirt, told the story of her husband's disappearance. She is a strong and feisty woman who is not afraid to challenge the police. But by the end of her tale, she had broken into wrenching sobs, her voice rising in outrage that the man she described as a good Christian had been taken away from her. China's dissidents and their families are, in the main, a stoic lot. They have to be. Many dissidents have spent much of their lives in prison. Their relatives may have no contact or information about their loved ones for years at a time, though the policy on visits has become somewhat more relaxed. In recent months, some high-profile dissidents have been in and out of police detention like yo-yos. Others are on the run, facing what may be years of exile from families and friends. But it is rare that the emotion shows through. Most dissidents claim they are not afraid of anything the authorities can do to them. Wei Jingsheng, before his re-arrest, would describe how the prison guards force-fed him, twisting a tube down into his stomach. He said he was prepared to live through it again. Just once in a while, however, the fear shows through. A young student who had escaped from jail and was on the run admitted in despair "I don't want to go to prison again" just days before being re-arrested. Gou and her husband met at the Yanjing seminary, where she teaches. They married in 1991, though they had little in the way of prospects or worldly goods. Her tears were a reminder, if any was needed, of the real pain and frustration suffered by those involved in dissent in China and those who love them. The men who visited Gou the night of her husband's arrest refused to give her any more information about her husband's alleged crime. She was told to inquire at the police and state security bureau on Zhengyi Road, about an hour's bus ride away. |
FBIS4-3572_3 | Article Views Life for Dissidents Facing Harassment | do to them. Wei Jingsheng, before his re-arrest, would describe how the prison guards force-fed him, twisting a tube down into his stomach. He said he was prepared to live through it again. Just once in a while, however, the fear shows through. A young student who had escaped from jail and was on the run admitted in despair "I don't want to go to prison again" just days before being re-arrested. Gou and her husband met at the Yanjing seminary, where she teaches. They married in 1991, though they had little in the way of prospects or worldly goods. Her tears were a reminder, if any was needed, of the real pain and frustration suffered by those involved in dissent in China and those who love them. The men who visited Gou the night of her husband's arrest refused to give her any more information about her husband's alleged crime. She was told to inquire at the police and state security bureau on Zhengyi Road, about an hour's bus ride away. Her conversation at the Zhengyi Road office the next day went like this: "Can I see regulation number 56?" "We don't have it." "Please tell me what law he's broken." "We have no comment." "Please tell me where he is being held." "We have no comment." "That," Gou said, "was when I decided to walk out, and to make public what had happened to my husband." Xiao is believed to have been detained because of his friendship with Yuan Hongbing, a labour activist and legal expert who was detained on March 3 in Guizhou. Xiao has, however, been known to the police ever since 1985 for his involvement in the underground Protestant church. He frequently attended Gangwashi church in Beijing, where the aged pastor, Yang Yudong, has incurred the wrath of the authorities for his failure to co-operate with the state- controlled "Three Self Patriotic Church". Xiao had been an associate professor in comparative literature at Beijing University, but he had had to surrender his university ID card after 1989. Recently he has been working in a trading company. He had always wanted to study at a seminary, but was refused official permission to do so. Gou does not despair. "I believe God will keep my husband safe," she said through her tears. But like millions of her fellow countrymen and women, she does not cherish any illusions. |
FBIS4-3573_22 | Article Views Deng Design of Country's `Image' | foothold in the past, at present, and in the future. He also stressed that China is now a poor country, but why can it hold the position of a pole in the multipolar pattern of the world? Because we do not act according to other peoples' orders and do not sit on other people's chariots; instead, we are an independent country. "Why do we say that we are independent? Because we insist on the socialist road with Chinese characteristics." Persisting in independence and self-determination is closely linked with the position of opposing hegemonism and power politics. In the late eighties and early nineties, there was a furious countercurrent in the world, and the imperialist Western world tried to force us to give up socialism and slide into the capitalist road through peaceful evolution, thus finally subjecting ourselves to the rule of international monopoly capital. Comrade Deng Xiaoping pointed out sternly out of a sense of justice: "Now, we must resist the countercurrent with a clear-cut attitude." "China can never be intimidated." "Those who try to interfere with us and threaten us will eventually fail. The Chinese people have self-confidence, and a sense of inferiority will get us nowhere. In the past, our nation felt itself inferior for more than a century, and stood up under the leadership of the CPC. The huge monster is rather frightening, we Chinese people are not afraid of it." "The Chinese people are not afraid of being isolated and will not be frightened by evil spirits." "In the world, China is the nation that is the least afraid of isolation, blockades, and sanctions." He required of the whole party and the entire people throughout the country that "we must not be weak." It was against such a background that Comrade Deng Xiaoping called for "keeping the image of being independent and being unafraid of evil spirits." During the past years, the sanctions imposed by the West on our country have been broken through, and this fully demonstrated the power of our policy of being independent and being unafraid of evil spirits. In the future, we must continue to pass on the fearless national spirit from generation to generation as the mental force of our nation, and should safeguard our nation's independence and continue to be unafraid of evil spirits, external pressure, and threats at any time, thus making indomitable efforts to reinvigorate our great nation. |
FBIS4-3614_0 | Article Views CPC's Hong Kong Policy | BFN [By Fan Chun (5400 0689) ] [Text] Forces From Various Quarters Vie With Each Other To "Step Forward" At the Second Session of the Eighth National People's Congress [NPC], the proposal put forward by Cheng Yiu-tong (an NPC deputy from the Hong Kong region) suggesting that Hong Kong's constitutional structure should not straddle 1997 was bearing down menacingly, as if to hand down a "death penalty" on the Hong Kong Government. But his motion did not make it onto the agenda of the session. The "abortion" of this proposal for "denouncing Britain" greatly disappointed the forces from various quarters who were eager to seize power. One would seem to be blaming the pro-China people wrongly if one thinks they have misjudged the situation and vied with each other to "step forward." There is one "encouraging" factor in all this, that is, the People's Liberation Army [PLA] has also put forward proposals for "denouncing Britain." Because the proposals were very sensitive, after the high-level CPC personalities did some "persuasive work," they were quietly withdrawn. Commanders of Three Military Regions Submit Proposals for "Denouncing Britain" Signed by 88 People It is learned that the undisclosed proposals were handed in to the general meeting on 12 March, after they had been signed by 88 members of the PLA delegation. The three initiators of the proposal are powerful people. They are: Lieutenant General Li Zhu, commander of Beijing Military Region; Lieutenant General Gu Hui, commander of Nanjing Military Region; and Li Xilin, commander of Guangzhou Military Region. They submitted two proposals, the thrust of which was to condemn Britain for confronting China and causing disturbances in Hong Kong, and they demanded the termination of its colonial rule in Hong Kong. According to some personalities who read the proposals, this was tantamount to the military openly expressing their opinion on the Hong Kong issue. Judged by the wording of the proposals, they are very unhappy with the current policy toward Hong Kong, thinking that it is weak and even smacks of capitulation. The Military Decided for Themselves and Demanded the Remaking of Hong Kong Policy This is a very subtle mentality. One wonders if it is because Deng Xiaoping's repeated emphasis on "reflecting sovereignty through the stationing of armed forces" has imperceptibly upgraded the status of the gun barrel. As things stand now, the military is showing a tendency toward making decisions for themselves |
FBIS4-3626_1 | Pro-Democracy Activist Wang Jiaqi Reportedly in Hong Kong | control of the public security personnel and, thereafter, was assisted by another person to flee safely to Hong Kong. According to sources, this pro-democracy activist, who has a "special status," was a high official in Tangshan City Public Security Bureau's Legal System Office. Because he had worked for 11 years in the public security bureau and was involved in a wide range of work, he had the opportunity to examine files which were not known to outsiders. Therefore, the authorities are very nervous about Wang Jiaqi's sudden escape and the possible leak of internal files. Beijing's Public Security Ministry has already issued notices to various localities, demanding that they strengthen precautions and prevent similar incidents from happening. Several days ago, Tangshan City Public Security Bureau received a notice from the senior level demanding a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident. According to information, the relevant personnel will face disciplinary action and will lose their jobs. Information has it that Wang Jiaqi, 34, was admitted to the graduate program at Beijing University Department of Law after the 4 June incident. Thereafter, he and some dissident intellectuals, such as Yuan Hongbing, were involved in pro-democracy organizations. During the period of the "two meetings" on the mainland, Wang Jiaqi, Yuan Hongbing, and Zhou Guoqiang initiated an underground labor organization called the "Labor Union." Because the organization involved more than 100 people, the authorities viewed it as "illegal" and banned it, and several dozen of the participants, including the abovementioned three persons, were summoned by the authorities. Zhou Guoqiang, the lawyer representing Han Dongfang, was also arrested by mainland public security personnel after a secret "seven-day tour" of Hong Kong. According to information, Wang Jiaqi was the lawyer representing Yan Zhengxue, a deputy to Jiaojiang City People's Congress in Zhejiang Province, in a case of conflict between the people and the police in Beijing last September, a case which drew widespread attention in the municipality. On 19 April, the Eighth Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Fifth Jiaojiang City People's Congress in Zhejiang decided that the relevant department should educate Yan Zhengxue through labor. Wang Jiaqi, who is now overseas, does not have the opportunity to defend Yan. Szeto Wah of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Democratic Movement in China, said yesterday that as regards Wang Jiaqi's arrival in Hong Kong, he was not aware of his whereabouts. |
FBIS4-3631_0 | Commentator Laud's Doctor's `Bethune Spirit' | BFN [Commentator's article: "Let the Bethune Spirit Reappear"] [Text] After reading reports about Zhao Xuefang's deeds, who could not but be deeply touched by them? It is not at all going too far to call her a living Bethune because she vividly embodies Norman Bethune's spirit; neither is it going too far to call her a banner in medical circles because what the motherland demands and what the people look forward to are precisely good doctors like her. As a communist party member, she has turned the lofty ideals she is pursuing and the aim of wholehearted service to the people into practical actions of giving quality service to patients. The relationship between a communist party member and the masses should be as completely harmonious as that between her and her patients. As a doctor, she regards the work of healing the wounded and rescuing the dying as her duty. She constantly improves her skills; has an unremitting sense of responsibility in her work; treats her patients enthusiastically, patiently, and cordially; looks at all their angles; takes care of their every need; and tries by every possible means to relieve them of their pain. For this reason, she is highly trusted, loved, and held in high esteem by vast numbers of patients. As a "daughter of the Taihang Shan," she never forgets the people's upbringing and kindness. She never forgets the difficulties caused by the shortage of doctors and medicines in the mountain areas and takes advantage of every opportunity to examine and treat the diseases of the women of the mountain areas. She has devoted her love to the masses of the people. As a section head and secretary of the party branch in a hospital, she takes the lead in setting an example and leads her colleagues in working conscientiously and sternly resisting the corrosion of such unhealthy practices as money worship and egoism in medical circles. She has maintained the pure image of a people's doctor. As a patient who suffers from two types of cancer, she thinks first of patients who suffer from lingering diseases and then of herself. Before undergoing an operation, she made only one request to the party organization: she should be allowed to first perform gynecological and obstetrics operations on patients who had been admitted to the hospital. After undergoing two operations, she tenaciously threw herself into her work again. What she |
FBIS4-3652_0 | PLA Chief of Staff Attends Exhibit in Malaysia | BFN [By reporter Ding Baozhong (0002 1405 1813)] [Text] Kuala Lumpur, 19 Apr (XINHUA) -- Malaysia's "1994 Asia Defense Exhibition," scheduled to last for four days, opened here today. In his opening speech, Malaysian Defense Minister Najib Razak said more than 500 firms from 37 countries and regions are participating in the exhibition. The reason why so many firms from all parts of the world vigorously are taking part in this exhibition is that Southeast Asia is one of the world's economic centers experiencing a vigorous growth and that Southeast Asian countries are now carrying out defense modernization. The Malaysian Asia defense exhibition, held every two years, began in 1988. This year's exhibition exceeds all previous ones in scope. Many new weapons and equipment are displayed at the impressive British, German, U.S., and Australian pavilions. Zhang Wannian, chief of the general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, attended the opening ceremony. He also viewed the exhibition. |
FBIS4-3664_4 | Editorial on Importance of Sino-U.S. Cooperation | of U.S. threats having made full preparations for the worst a long time ago. Just as Wu Yi, minister of foreign trade and economic cooperation, said: "If there is darkness in the east, there is sunlight in the west," and "if the north turns dark, the south is bright," so "the sky over China will never collapse." Recently, China sent a number of high-level delegations to visit the United States and clarify its points of view, showing its sincerity in seeking positive development and cooperation with the United States. We are now waiting to see if the Clinton administration will make the correct political decision. There is an old Chinese saying: "It is impolite not to reciprocate." If the United States makes a choice for development and cooperation, the Chinese will certainly coordinate with it so that there will be fruitful results arising from equal and reciprocal exchanges; but, if the United States disrupts the trade relations which are based on MFN status, the Chinese side will certainly "give tit for tat." China is opposed to linking trade with human rights because they belong to entirely different matters. Fair-minded people in various countries have noted that, along with the economic development and increased democracy and legal system in China, the human rights situation has improved considerably and will continue so to do. There are only a handful of anti-Chinese elements in the United States who take advantage of a couple of criminals to attack China and who are not actually concerned with human rights in this country. What merits our attention is that some U.S. forces hostile to China have not only stirred up trouble on the issue of MFN status but have also availed themselves of various opportunities to provoke incidents and confront China. There is a rumor that they want to take advantage of the Dalai Lama's upcoming visit to the United States to set off another new surge against China. There is also a report that the United States is going to increase its sales of weapons to Taiwan to create tension across the Taiwan Strait. All this obviously runs counter to the U.S. commitment to a "one China" policy and is deliberately aimed at splitting China. In the face of this, under no circumstances will China sit idly by and remain indifferent. Certainly, the objective of these individuals in the United States will never be achieved. |
FBIS4-3668_2 | Column Views Political Situation | prevented. At present, the consensus reached by the ruling coalition on the taxation issue is an agreement to reduce direct taxes, improve or remove current consumption taxes, and greatly increase indirect taxes while calling for the nation's understanding. The Social Democratic Party originally strongly opposed the option of substantially raising indirect taxes and held that this meant no tax reduction at all. It insisted that the new taxation system must be endorsed by the nationals. At present, the compromise is: The new taxation system being endorsed by the nationals is changed into "being understood by the nationals," and the bill concerned will be formulated by June this year. As for the issue of nuclear development in Korea, both sides also reached a compromise. They agreed that according to the specifications of the Japanese Constitution, preparations be made against emergencies, and "close coordination be made with the United States and the ROK" and at the same time "cooperation be carried out with the Asian countries concerned if necessary." The Social Democratic Party originally stressed "cooperation between Japan and China" on the Korean issue and opposed Japan's participation in sanctions against Korea. It worried that Japan might follow the United States, and once U.S. forces carried out a maritime blockade against Korea, the Japanese Self-Defense Force would support U.S. military action from the rear. Because the United States and Japan have signed a security treaty, if the United States acts recklessly, Japan could be entangled by events. Shinseito's Ozawa proposed that Japan should take part in military missions by the United Nations. This evoked an outcry in society. Therefore, the Korean "nuclear mystery" is very sensitive in Japan. Because of the U.S.-Japan security treaty, if the United States or the United Nations takes action, Japan will have to make a choice. Since Clinton took office, the United States has often overreacted to some local disputes in the world. Clinton once mentioned the option of taking preemptive action on Korea's nuclear mystery, and this has naturally aroused Japan's nervousness, causing the Social Democratic Party to call for cooperation with China. After Hata takes office, the weak points of the Hosokawa cabinet and such serious issues as political reform, the new taxation policy, Japanese-U.S. trade frictions, the new budget, and stimulating domestic demand will all be put before the new cabinet. It is expected that the Hata cabinet's workload will be no less arduous. |
FBIS4-3734_0 | Foreign Investment in Power Generators Considered | BFN [By Chang Weimin: "China May Open Up its Power Industry"] [Text] The Chinese Government is considering allowing foreign investments in the manufacture of large electrical generators. Westinghouse Electric Corp of America and Siemens AG of Germany reportedly desire to co-operate with Chinese manufacturers. For years domestic production of large power generators has failed to meet demand. China, which expects its economy to grow by 8 to 9 per cent over the next seven years, needs to add more than 12 million kilowatts of capacity each year. Capacity is expected to increase from the present 181 million kilowatts to at least 300 million kilowatts by the year 2000. However, State planners predict that the manufacture of large power generators over the next seven years will be short of demand by a big margin. Large generators representing more than 3.2 million kilowatts of capacity were imported last year. Imports this year will account for 4 million kilowatts. Between 1990 and last year, generators of about 47.2 million kilowatts were installed. About 30 per cent, or 13.75 million kilowatts worth, were imported. China now has the ability to turn out 9 million kilowatts of generators each year. Three-quarters are machines above 100,000 kilowatts. Power industry officials point out that insufficient production of generators jeopardizes the government's long-term economic goals. One industry official said manufacturing large power generators with investment and advanced technology from overseas would benefit the country. The official said foreign-funded ventures are expected to fill the gap between production and demand. Economists say the growth in power production should at least match that of the economy. That means a large number of big power plants must be built. Production of generators above 300,000 kilowatts has been on the rise over the past several years. Stimulated by rising demand, production of small machines, or those below 25,000 kilowatts, has also been increasing. In 1991, some 230 small generators with combined capacity of 1.36 million kilowatts were manufactured. In 1992, production increased to 256 generators with 1.4 million kilowatts. Industry officials predict that production will continue to increase so that it will eventually surpass demand. However, the official said more large generators will have to be imported to ensure enough new power plants are built to support the booming economy, the official said. In China, large power generators are produced by plants controlled by the Ministry of Machinery Industry. They are to |
FBIS4-3734_1 | Foreign Investment in Power Generators Considered | to at least 300 million kilowatts by the year 2000. However, State planners predict that the manufacture of large power generators over the next seven years will be short of demand by a big margin. Large generators representing more than 3.2 million kilowatts of capacity were imported last year. Imports this year will account for 4 million kilowatts. Between 1990 and last year, generators of about 47.2 million kilowatts were installed. About 30 per cent, or 13.75 million kilowatts worth, were imported. China now has the ability to turn out 9 million kilowatts of generators each year. Three-quarters are machines above 100,000 kilowatts. Power industry officials point out that insufficient production of generators jeopardizes the government's long-term economic goals. One industry official said manufacturing large power generators with investment and advanced technology from overseas would benefit the country. The official said foreign-funded ventures are expected to fill the gap between production and demand. Economists say the growth in power production should at least match that of the economy. That means a large number of big power plants must be built. Production of generators above 300,000 kilowatts has been on the rise over the past several years. Stimulated by rising demand, production of small machines, or those below 25,000 kilowatts, has also been increasing. In 1991, some 230 small generators with combined capacity of 1.36 million kilowatts were manufactured. In 1992, production increased to 256 generators with 1.4 million kilowatts. Industry officials predict that production will continue to increase so that it will eventually surpass demand. However, the official said more large generators will have to be imported to ensure enough new power plants are built to support the booming economy, the official said. In China, large power generators are produced by plants controlled by the Ministry of Machinery Industry. They are to be used by the Ministry of Power Industry, which oversees construction of new power stations. Foreign-funded power plants in China are usually equipped with imported generators. In large joint ventures, both the Chinese and foreign partners prefer imported machines. By the end of l992, China had signed some $12 billion in power-related contracts with international banks and foreign governments, enterprises and businessmen. Several pump-storage power plants are under construction, including projects in Guangzhou, Tianhuangping in Zhejiang Province and Shisanling in Beijing. Key equipment for the plants is to be imported. Still, more pump storage power plants are planned. |
FBIS4-3736_1 | Scientists Propose Deepening Yangtze River Course | meters. Upon completion of the project, the channel may allow the passage of 100,000-ton common vessels in high tide and of 50,000-ton container ships day and night, said Yan Kai and Dou Guoren, academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Currently, it allows the passage of only 10-ton vessels in high tide. The proposed project is believed to be significant toward making the Shanghai harbor a rising new hub of international transportation on the western shore of the Pacific Ocean, and it will greatly enhance the economic development of the Chang Jiang river delta and the whole of the Chang Jiang river valley. The State Planning Commission has approved the plan, saying it is "technically feasible and economically profitable." The "river mouth," from Nanjing to Shanghai, is a cross-point of China's coastal areas with the vast Chang Jiang river valley areas. It is the shipping route for 200 million tons of goods a year. There are more than 100 over-10,000-ton ports along the edges of the mouth, including Shanghai harbor, one of the world's ten 100- million-ton harbors. The current difficulty in the Chang Jiang river mouth costs several hundred million yuan each year, since ships have to unload part of the goods or wait for high tides in order to sail into or to enter harbors. The two academicians said that the project will bring 4.05 billion yuan in profits to the transporters, harbors and manufacturers in the first five years of construction; later, it will save them an additional 7.36 billion yuan. Ten years after the project is completed, 28.8 billion yuan will be saved. The proposal was based on a key national research project on the Chang Jiang waterway, the results of which have been approved by the State Planning Commission. The research was conducted by nearly 100 scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Shanghai Waterways Bureau and the Nanjing Water Control Institute. Studies on the evolution of the Chang Jiang river bed and physical and mathematical model verification measures were used to produce the proposal. Experiments show that the project will neither affect the river's ability to drain floods, nor affect the water supply to cities along the river, despite an increase in the inflow of sea water. Experts believe the project will be conducive to the comprehensive management of the Chang Jiang river mouth and urged that it be put into action soon. |
FBIS4-3762_0 | Taiwan Lawmaker Accuses PLA of Involvement | BFN [From the "News" program] [Text] About eight to 10 renegade soldiers of the People's Liberation Army [PLA] were involved in the mass murder of 24 Taiwan tourists last month and the three mainland civilians arrested were just scapegoats, lawmakers quoted Taiwan's top intelligence officials as saying. Lawmaker Chen Shui-pien quoted National Security Bureau Director (Yin Chung-wen) as saying that their intelligence sources in the Mainland showed that PLA soldiers were behind the Chientao [Qiandao] lake murder. From the beginning of the incident, the National Security Bureau sources indicated that it was a premeditated robbery and murder case, not an accident as earlier claimed by Chechiang [Zhejiang] authorities, the lawmaker said. Mainland authorities on Sunday [17 April] announced the arrest of three civilian suspects, all natives of Chechiang, on charges of murder, robbery, and arson but they gave few details about them or the evidence against the suspects. In Peking [Beijing] on Wednesday [20 April], an Mainland Foreign Ministry spokesman categorically denied Taiwan's allegation of army involvement in this pleasure boat arson. |
FBIS4-3821_0 | Wang Juntao Released From Jail for Medical Treatment | BFN [By Laura Beck and agencies] [Text] Tiananmen Square "black hand" Wang Juntao left China yesterday after being released from jail to gain medical treatment abroad for severe hepatitis. Mr Wang's mother, Ge Yumei, said by phone that her son -- sentenced in 1991 to 13 years' jail, in the heaviest sentence given to 1989 pro-democracy activists -- was put on an early morning flight. Officials had arrived unexpectedly at her house at about 7 am and driven her to the airport, where she briefly met her son, she said, adding that she was unclear who had arranged or who had paid for the trip. Hong Kong legislator Lau Chin-shek said Mr Wang was last night on a flight bound for New York, where his wife Hou Xiaotian has been studying since last year. XINHUA NEWS AGENCY quoted a justice ministry spokesman as saying Mr Wang was released on bail "on account of the conditions of his illness". A spokesman for the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China, Lee Cheuk-yan, last night said: "We welcome such a move, but we are disappointed that he is a chip in MFN (most-favoured-nation) renewal. Just one move to benefit one dissident does not mean the human rights situation has changed in China," he said. Legislator Cheung Man-kwong said: "The main reason for Wang's release is because of MFN. We are sorry the Chinese government will use our people to get MFN." Mr Lau said: "I think Wang's release is for economic reasons. Because there is no freedom of speech in China, people voicing their opinions will continue to be arrested." However, fellow dissidents welcomed Mr Wang's release, saying it appeared in part to be aimed at improving ties with Washington ahead of the decision which must be made by 3 June on the renewal of China's MFN trade status -- which United States President Bill Clinton has linked to human rights improvements. "This is the result of (U.S. Secretary of State) Warren Christopher's visit to China," Shanghai dissident Bao Ge said, noting that Mr Wang's case was highlighted on a list handed to the Chinese authorities by the US delegation in March. But the decision to release Mr Wang at a time when the authorities are launching a concerted crackdown on dissidents also suggests the condition of his liver disease, contracted in jail before his trial, is |
FBIS4-3822_0 | Wang's Release Raises Hopes of Other Detainee Families | BFN [By John Kohut in Beijing] [Text] The early release from prison of democracy advocate Wang Juntao calls into question the continued detention of other 1989 activists and is raising the level of both hope and indignation from the families of jailed dissidents. "Theirs was the same case. Why not let Chen Ziming free?" said Wu Yongfen, the mother of Chen, who like Mr Wang was sentenced to 13 years in jail for allegedly being one of the "black hands" behind what the Chinese Government calls an attempt to topple the Communist Party five years ago. On Saturday, China announced the release of Mr Wang, allowing him to travel to the United States for medical treatment. "It was a deal for MFN [Most Favoured Nation trade status]," Ms Wu said of Mr Wang's release. She said her family would press for the release of Chen. "We want more foreign pressure," she said. The Chinese Government says the nation's laws make provision for the release of prisoners on humanitarian grounds but, in fact, China has used these legal provisions primarily as an excuse to make human rights concessions when it sees a political advantage from doing so. While Mr Wang's wife Hou Xiaotian, had single-handedly launched a tireless campaign for the release of her husband, frequently meeting with the foreign press in on-the-record interviews, the families of Chen and other dissidents have kept a far lower profile. Since the beginning of Chen's imprisonment almost five years ago, he has contracted a series of ailments, including a skin disease, high blood pressure, and heart trouble. His hair is falling out and his teeth are coming loose. Chen, ex-head of the Beijing Social and Economic Sciences Research Institute is being held in the Beijing No. 2 Prison. "We want him to get the same as Wang Juntao. The case was the same. Wang Juntao was ill, so is Chen Ziming. Why let one go abroad and not let the other out on parole for medical treatment in China?" said Ms Wu. "My concern is, who is the next?" said Bao Pu, the son of Bao Tong, the principal secretary of ousted Communist Party leader Zhao Ziyang. The elder Mr Bao is serving a seven-year sentence for allegedly "leaking state secrets." Mr Bao has had 17 polyps removed since being imprisoned in Qincheng Prison in 1989. The authorities say the polyps have so far |
FBIS4-3822_1 | Wang's Release Raises Hopes of Other Detainee Families | release of Mr Wang, allowing him to travel to the United States for medical treatment. "It was a deal for MFN [Most Favoured Nation trade status]," Ms Wu said of Mr Wang's release. She said her family would press for the release of Chen. "We want more foreign pressure," she said. The Chinese Government says the nation's laws make provision for the release of prisoners on humanitarian grounds but, in fact, China has used these legal provisions primarily as an excuse to make human rights concessions when it sees a political advantage from doing so. While Mr Wang's wife Hou Xiaotian, had single-handedly launched a tireless campaign for the release of her husband, frequently meeting with the foreign press in on-the-record interviews, the families of Chen and other dissidents have kept a far lower profile. Since the beginning of Chen's imprisonment almost five years ago, he has contracted a series of ailments, including a skin disease, high blood pressure, and heart trouble. His hair is falling out and his teeth are coming loose. Chen, ex-head of the Beijing Social and Economic Sciences Research Institute is being held in the Beijing No. 2 Prison. "We want him to get the same as Wang Juntao. The case was the same. Wang Juntao was ill, so is Chen Ziming. Why let one go abroad and not let the other out on parole for medical treatment in China?" said Ms Wu. "My concern is, who is the next?" said Bao Pu, the son of Bao Tong, the principal secretary of ousted Communist Party leader Zhao Ziyang. The elder Mr Bao is serving a seven-year sentence for allegedly "leaking state secrets." Mr Bao has had 17 polyps removed since being imprisoned in Qincheng Prison in 1989. The authorities say the polyps have so far been benign. His white blood cell count is well below normal and his carcinoembryonic antigen level has been increasing to well above normal, suggesting cancer. Doctors say Bao has thyroid tumours and suffers from salivary gland atrophy. Recently Bao has been transferred to a hospital for treatment. While on the face of it, the principle of fair treatment would suggest that Chen, Bao, and other political prisoners should be released, analysts said the Chinese authorities might well decide to keep them in jail if they saw the release of Mr Wang as being enough to sway U.S. opinion towards renewing MFN. |
FBIS4-3823_0 | Escaped Dissident Granted Asylum by Western Country | BFN [By Willy Wo-lap Lam and Chan Wai-fong] [Text] A rising star in the dissident movement has fled China and made his way safely to the West through Hong Kong. Informed sources said yesterday that Wang Jiaqi, 34, who was detained by Beijing police in early March for helping organise a petition for labour rights, arrived in Hong Kong last Friday. The sources said the dissident, a graduate student in the Law Faculty at Beijing University, was granted asylum by a Western country and left Hong Kong on Thursday. Wang, a police officer for several years before his enrolment at Beijing University, escaped from a detention facility in his native Tangshan, a city in northern China where he was taken under heavy guard after his arrest. Chinese sources said the Miniseries of Public Security and State Security had been ordered by the leadership to conduct a nationwide investigation of his daring escape and to take remedial measures to plug the loopholes. Sources in the dissident community said that although Wang joined the pro-democracy crusade after the June 4, 1989 massacre, he was deemed a rising star because of his leadership qualities. Early this year, Wang reportedly formed a non-governmental labour organisation of 100 activists to press for such rights as freedom to strike. Two other leaders of the unit, Beijing University law lecturer Yuan Hongbing and veteran trade unionist Zhou Guoqiang, were detained with Wang. Yuan and Zhou, who are being held incommunicado in Beijing, are expected to be given at least two to three years of "re-education through labour", according to Western diplomats. Aside from his association with the labour movement, Wang used his legal expertise to help a number of people sue the Chinese Government and enterprises for infringing their civil rights. While in Hong Kong, Wang, who is in good health except for an ear infection, reportedly told friends he had great expectations of the pro-democracy and labour movements. Wang, who is divorced, expressed confidence that the crusade could be strengthened in spite of the recent spate of arrests of its leaders. A Hong Kong government spokesman said yesterday that it was policy not to comment on "individual cases." A spokesman for the Tangshan Public Security Bureau said he had no knowledge of the Wang case. |
FBIS4-3873_2 | Article Rejects U.S. Stance on Human Rights | in society. The idea of human rights has developed from the 18th century to its third generation at present. The first generation of the human rights concept stresses civil rights. In the second generation of the idea, economic rights, social rights, and cultural rights were added. The third generation, which emerged 20 years ago, includes the right to protect the environment and the right to death. China holds that the development of the idea of human rights from that of the human rights of the individual alone to stressing the human rights of the collective is human progress, because damage to the human rights of the collective is an infringement upon the human rights of most individuals. For example, an encroachment upon a country's sovereignty is an infringement of the right to independence of each citizen of that country. Although some U.S. scholars have criticized the outdated U.S. idea of human rights, the influence of the old idea remains very strong, and the idea of only stressing the human rights of the individual still occupies a dominant position in the United States. Since individualism is one of the mainstays of U.S. ideology, the idea of the human rights of the collective cannot be easily accepted by the government. The third is that China's understanding of human rights standards is different from that of the United States. China holds that the standard for human rights has international and national characteristics. As a human right, each natural human being should of course enjoy some identical rights, and this part of human rights should be based on international standards, for example, the right to safeguard peace, the right to oppose armed aggression, the right of racial equality, the right to oppose terror and threats, the right to protect the natural environment, and so on. However, because people live in different countries and the political system, economic level, history, culture, customs, and habits of different countries vary greatly, some human rights can only be determined according to the standards of the respective nations and countries and cannot be unified. For example, a murderer still has the right to subsistence in countries where the death penalty has been abolished, but does not have such a right in countries where the death penalty still exists. Since the death penalty has been abolished in only some U.S. states, the criminals' right to subsistence varies even within the |
FBIS4-3873_4 | Article Rejects U.S. Stance on Human Rights | country. However, the United States holds that human rights have only one standard, which is the international standard of the West. In fact, the human rights standards of various western countries are not the same. For example, Canada has accepted the "International Convention on Eliminating All Forms of Racial Discrimination," but the United States has not. The fourth is that China and the United States hold different views on the relationship between the rights and obligations of human beings. China holds that the rights and obligations of human beings are equal. While enjoying legitimate rights, each individual or nation must undertake the obligation of not preventing another individual or nation from enjoying legitimate rights. If this principle is not followed, it is impossible to guarantee that people can enjoy human rights fairly. When U.S. Armed Forces sent Panamanian President Noriega under armed escort to the United States for trial on 3 January 1990 under the pretext that drugs threatened U.S. security, the right of the United States to defend its security was based on depriving the Panamanians' right to defend the political security of their country. Therefore, China holds that when the human rights standard of one country differs from another, no country should impose its standard on another, otherwise this means depriving the people of that country of their right to make a decision on their standard for human rights. Such an act itself would be an infringement of human rights. Nevertheless, the United States does not think that the rights and obligations of human beings are necessarily intrinsically connected. The United States holds that human rights are endowed by nature and that God has not endowed each individual with equal rights and obligations. For example, the United States only stresses that parents have the right to give birth to children and to divorce, but does not talk about parental obligations to raise and educate children. As a result, the number of single parents has rapidly increased, and many children have lost their right to enjoy normal family life and to receive tertiary education. [as published] Causes of differences on human rights between China and the United States can be classified under two categories: objective causes and subjective causes. Objectively speaking, China's culture is different from that of the United States. China's culture praises the collective spirit highly, while U.S. culture praises individualism highly. Economically speaking, China is a |
FBIS4-3873_9 | Article Rejects U.S. Stance on Human Rights | reform-through-labor prisoners engage in production of export goods violates human rights, but the United States itself is enthusiastically engaged in exporting goods made in prisons. According to a report by the CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, Higgs [xi ge 1585 2706], the marketing manager of Oregon State's prison industries, said that the state would export $3 million of prison products this year and would export jeans, shirts, and shorts made by prisoners to Japan, Italy, and other countries. California would also export on a trial basis similar goods to Japan and Malaysia. China, of course, cannot agree to the U.S. practice of adopting double standards on human rights. Third, much of the human rights criticism in the United States is based on groundless rumors. In criticizing China's human rights situation, the United States has seldom taken facts into consideration, but has often used hearsay as a basis. For example, the United States said the Beijing No. 1 Prison Qinghe Socks Plant exported socks made by reform-through-labor prisoners to the United States, but the results of an investigation showed no such thing. The U.S. government publication FEDERAL REGISTER announced the conclusion of an investigation in December 1993, which confirmed that socks made by prisoners at that plant were not, and could not have been, exported to the United States. The United States says that under communist rule, Tibetans have lost their human rights, however, in fact, Tibetan serfs escaped their status as serfs and were put on an equal footing politically with other people only after liberation. China has done nothing which infringes upon human rights and naturally cannot accept groundless U.S. accusations. Fourth, the United States has disagreed with China's rational views on human rights to cover up its poor human rights situation at home. For example, China has put forward that human rights should include the right to subsistence and the right to development. This view tallies with the fundamental principle of the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" and has won universal support and the recognition of the international community. The "Bangkok Declaration," the "Tunis Declaration," and the "Pact of San Jose" have accepted this view from China. However, the United States disagrees that the right to subsistence and the right to development are part of human rights. The main reason why the United States has disagreed with China's view is that the United States, being a country with the best |
FBIS4-3874_0 | Racial Homicides Suspected, Proven in U.S. | BFN [Text] Washington, April 25 (XINHUA) -- At least 30 Asian Pacific Americans were killed in 1993 as a result of homicides in which racial animus was suspected or proven, the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium reported today. In its "Audit of Violence Against Asian Pacific Americans 1993," the first comprehensive, nationwide, non-governmental survey to assess the extent of anti-Asian violence, the consortium found 335 reported anti-Asian incidents in 1993, or one incident almost every day, despite significant underreporting. "As this report documents, incidents of anti-Asian violence are a problem for communities around this country," said U.S. Congressman Norm Mineta, calling the consortium's report "a telling indicator, both of the scope of this problem and how far we have to go to solve it." "Our trade tensions with Asian nations, the shakiness of the economy, and racism continue to drive a search for scapegoats," said Mineta. "All too often, those scapegoats turn out to have Asian Pacific faces." The consortium found the total of 335 anti-Asian incidents includes 153 incidents with demonstrable anti-Asian motivation and 182 incidents where this animus was suspected. "Among the incidents where there was demonstrable anti-Asian animus, assault, vandalism and threat or intimidation were reported most commonly," said Philip Tajitsu Nash, executive director of the consortium. The study found Asian Pacific Americans are most vulnerable where they reside, with commercial business sites also being dangerous places. In one incident, Sam Nang Nhem, a 21-year-old Cambodian American, was killed on August 14, 1993, when Nhem and his family were picnicking at their home in Fall River, Massachusetts. As Nhem was disposing of the trash in a dumper only 100 yards from his apartment, he was brutally attacked by white neighborhood residents, the report said. Nhem, father of a four-month-old infant, was called a "gook," repeatedly kicked and finally beaten to death. The Federal Bureau of Investigation states that the most frequently-reported anti-Asian crime is intimidation, but in contrast, our finding are that assault and vandalism are most common, said Nash. "Anti-Asian violence is widely underreported," Nash said. "as of January 1994, most jurisdictions had statistics for only the first three months of 1993." He said the majority of incident reports were collected in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco while limited data was available from only 14 states. He urged federal and local governments to thoroughly investigate all suspected hate crimes, promptly and completely collect |
FBIS4-3874_1 | Racial Homicides Suspected, Proven in U.S. | result of homicides in which racial animus was suspected or proven, the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium reported today. In its "Audit of Violence Against Asian Pacific Americans 1993," the first comprehensive, nationwide, non-governmental survey to assess the extent of anti-Asian violence, the consortium found 335 reported anti-Asian incidents in 1993, or one incident almost every day, despite significant underreporting. "As this report documents, incidents of anti-Asian violence are a problem for communities around this country," said U.S. Congressman Norm Mineta, calling the consortium's report "a telling indicator, both of the scope of this problem and how far we have to go to solve it." "Our trade tensions with Asian nations, the shakiness of the economy, and racism continue to drive a search for scapegoats," said Mineta. "All too often, those scapegoats turn out to have Asian Pacific faces." The consortium found the total of 335 anti-Asian incidents includes 153 incidents with demonstrable anti-Asian motivation and 182 incidents where this animus was suspected. "Among the incidents where there was demonstrable anti-Asian animus, assault, vandalism and threat or intimidation were reported most commonly," said Philip Tajitsu Nash, executive director of the consortium. The study found Asian Pacific Americans are most vulnerable where they reside, with commercial business sites also being dangerous places. In one incident, Sam Nang Nhem, a 21-year-old Cambodian American, was killed on August 14, 1993, when Nhem and his family were picnicking at their home in Fall River, Massachusetts. As Nhem was disposing of the trash in a dumper only 100 yards from his apartment, he was brutally attacked by white neighborhood residents, the report said. Nhem, father of a four-month-old infant, was called a "gook," repeatedly kicked and finally beaten to death. The Federal Bureau of Investigation states that the most frequently-reported anti-Asian crime is intimidation, but in contrast, our finding are that assault and vandalism are most common, said Nash. "Anti-Asian violence is widely underreported," Nash said. "as of January 1994, most jurisdictions had statistics for only the first three months of 1993." He said the majority of incident reports were collected in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco while limited data was available from only 14 states. He urged federal and local governments to thoroughly investigate all suspected hate crimes, promptly and completely collect hate crime statistics and recruit more Asian police officers to have an ethnically and linguistically diversed law enforcement force. |
FBIS4-3889_0 | Beijing Increases Tapping, Surveillance of Foreign Firms | BFN [By staff reporter: "Beijing Tightens Control Over External Communications to Prevent Foreign Businessmen From Leaking State Secrets"] [Text] As an increasing number of foreign businessmen have come to the mainland to invest, in order to prevent them from gathering information on the mainland in the name of investment, the State Security Ministry has intensified supervision over the external communications of foreign-funded enterprises. According to sources, in recent years, some intelligence agents from other countries have gone to the Chinese mainland especially to collect information by using investment and business opportunities, and this has caused great losses to China. In order to prevent leakage of state secrets, the departments concerned in mainland China have been intensively monitoring and eavesdropping on the telephones, faxes, and correspondence of foreign-funded enterprises. At the same time, they are also keeping watch on the external communications of people who have access to various types of state secrets in important state organs. At present, when mainland officials discuss confidential issues, they must try to avoid being tapped by other people. The sources said: After Hong Kong reporter Xi Yang and bank official Tian Ye were found guilty by the courts, the relevant mainland authorities tightened up the management of confidential documents in various state organs. People are strictly prohibited from leaking any documents to outsiders classified as "top secret," "confidential," and "secret," and even some internally circulated documents that are not classified as state secrets. The scope of control has been expanded. If it is discovered that any government officials have connections to external communications, they become surveillance targets of the State Security Ministry. The sources also said that people have found that many international telephone calls have been tapped. When double voices are heard on the telephone, this indicates that the phones has been tapped. Some mainland officials now do not dare to discuss important and sensitive matters using telephones or faxes and prefer to talk about such things in personal meetings. As a number of mainland people have been sentenced to stiff prison terms because they revealed state secrets to Hong Kong reporters in the past few years, people who have access to "state secrets" are very careful about coming into contact with people from outside the mainland. They are afraid that talking with people from outside the mainland may lead to the leakage of "state secrets" and that they may thus be jailed. |
FBIS4-3927_0 | Fujian Determines Site for Third Nuclear Power Plant | BFN ["Special dispatch" by staff correspondents Yang Hsiao-yang (2799 1420 3152) and Shih Ping (0670 0365): "Huian Chosen as the Site for the Fujian Nuclear Power Plant; Feasibility Studies Have Been Approved"] [Text] Quanzhou, 23rd--Shanqian Township in Fujian's Huian County has been chosen as the site for the third nuclear power plant, after the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant in Guangdong and the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant in Zhejiang. A feasibility study on the site was approved a few days ago. The township in Huian County is the only site among the three initially picked by state nuclear power departments in Fujian that is not near an earthquake zone. Following numerous surveys and scientific demonstrations, concerned experts finally determined that Shanqian Township was the best site for a nuclear power plant in the province. The new plant will be located in the middle region of coastal Fujian at the mouth of Quanzhou Wan, near a hillside and facing the sea, and is 140 km north of Fuzhou and 20 km south of Quanzhou. The Huian Nuclear Power Plant project plans to build six 900,000 kw generating units with a total installed capacity 5.4 million kw, commanding over 50 billion yuan in total investment. Phase one has been listed in the "Ninth Five-Year Plan" and will include two 900,000 kw generating units requiring 30 billion yuan in total investment. The units will be integrated with the eastern and central China power grids. Huian County has begun the early phase of preparations for the nuclear power plant project in Shanqian township, which includes resettling villagers and educating people about nuclear power. According to the electricity departments, because the project requires a huge amount of capital and the province itself is short on construction funds, the departments concerned are hoping to solve the funding problem by inviting bids and attracting foreign capital. |
FBIS4-3967_1 | Editorial Says Wang Release Needed for MFN Renewal | a decision many believed was already inevitable, then the sudden release from prison of democracy activist Wang Juntao removed them at a stroke. With an astute eye on the U.S. political scene, China handed Mr Clinton the gilt-edged gesture he so desperately needed to honourably fulfil his pledge of no MFN without "significant progress" on human rights. For good measure, Beijing even threw in a second smaller carrot, with the revelation it had reached unspecified "understandings" with the International Committee of the Red Cross over another issue that has been at heart of the MFN debate; that of access to mainland prisons. The news will come as an unexpected gift to Chief Secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang as she today begins her mission to lobby Washington for a renewal now almost assured, even as she contemplates the unfortunate impact the death of former President Richard Nixon will have on her previously jam-packed schedule. Much of the credit for Wang's release must go to his brave and indefatigable wife Hou Xiaotian, who by ceaselessly campaigning for his freedom, at great personal risk, made his plight a matter of international concern. Now she has helped to achieve what was once believed almost impossible -- Wang was, after all, freed after serving little more than four years of a 1 3-year jail term -- relatives of other dissidents may be encouraged to adopt a similar approach, thus causing further headaches for the Chinese security authorities. But that is a small price for Beijing to pay to reap the benefits of a strategy which became startlingly clear yesterday. Having repeatedly humiliated Washington in recent months, especially by rounding up dissidents during the visit to Beijing of U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher, China has now thrown in a last-minute concession -- therefore not only securing MFN renewal, but also ensuring Washington will think long and hard before ever linking trade to the mainland's human rights record again. That will be good news for Hong Kong, which has had to live with the uncertainties caused by the annual arguments over MFN for the past four years. It is sad to see sick dissidents being exploited in such a cynical way. But it can only be hoped that his release will be followed by many more: especially fellow victims of the 1989 crackdown, such as Chen Ziming and Bao Tong, who were jailed on similar charges. |
FBIS4-3984_0 | Dissident Wang Jiaqi Arrives in New York via London | BFN [Dispatch by reporter Tseng Hui-yen (2582 1979 3601): "Wang Jiaqi Arrives in New York Smoothly"] [Text] This newspaper has learned that mainland dissident Wang Jiaqi, who was helped by a Hong Kong underground rescue organization called "yellow bird operation" in his flight from China, has already been granted political asylum by the United States. After spending some time in London, Wang Jiaji arrived in New York smoothly on 25 April, as arranged by a human rights organization, and has since begun a new life. Wang Jiaqi, 34, was a graduate student of law at Beijing University before fleeing China. He had worked in Hubei Province's Tangshan City Public Security Bureau for 11 years, taking charge of a large quantity of "state secrets." His escape has allegedly caused a great shock in internal circles on the mainland, and the Ministry of State Security has already received an order to investigate the incident and determine the responsibility of the relevant persons. On 27 January 1994, Wang Jiaqi joined hands with Yuan Honghing, a law teacher at Beijing University, and Zhou Guoqiang, a trade unionist, in releasing an appeal letter signed by various circles regarding the incident of police beating up Yan Zhengxue, a deputy to the Jiaojiang City People's Congress in Zhejiang Province; the letter asked the public security organs to stop infringements of citizens' rights. A total of 350 persons signed the appeal, including scholars, artists, reporters, lawyers, workers, cadres, and standing committee members of a certain provincial people's congress, as well as pro-democracy activists such as Wang Dan, Liu Xiaobo, and Liu Nianchun. In early March, the mainland authorities arrested a number of active pro-democracy activists in Beijing and Shanghai, and Wang Jiaqi was also detained by Beijing; thereafter, he escaped while being escorted from Beijing to Tangshan, the place of his registered household. Hong Kong has often played the role of a refuge when communist China persecuted dissidents. Particularly at this sensitive time -- when Sino-British relations have deteriorated -- Wang Jiaqi's trip to Hong Kong and his travel to the United States via London will make the already sour bilateral relations even worse. |
FBIS4-3992_1 | Article Views Ways To Improve Sino-U.S. Relations | At the same time, U.S. media has given voluminous coverage to "China's miraculous economic growth," which created a positive climate of opinion for the Clinton administration to review its China policy in a comprehensive way and to improve Sino-U.S. relations. However, since the beginning of the third quarter, some troubles have surfaced in Sino-U.S. relations. For example: The U.S. implementation of "Category II trade sanctions" under the pretext of China's having sold M-11 guided-missile technology to Pakistan, the "Yinhe" incident, and the continued U.S. sales of advanced weapons and equipment to Taiwan. The United States Tries Hard To Mend Its Relations With China Reviewing Sino-U.S. relations over the past six months or so, it is not difficult to see that the United States has been getting impatient with waitng for China to make corresponding concessions in such arenas as human rights and weapon proliferation. In addition, an all-encompassing and consistent China policy on the part of the Clinton administration, as well as a continuous guiding principle in this arena, are not on the horizon. Thus, it has been impossible to effectively control the escalation of friction between the two sides, resulting in greater turbulence in the unstable bilateral relations. However, the United States has misgivings over the growing tension in Sino-U.S. relations. This being the case, the Clinton administration has taken a series of initiatives. For example, Anthony Lake, assistant to the President for national security affairs, submitted a comprehensive policy document to Clinton in mid-September last year, in which he proposed mending U.S. relations with China. In Seattle, the Chinese and U.S. heads of state finally accomplished their first meeting since February 1989. "Economic Security Equates With National Security" The factor prompting the United States to readjust its China policy lies primarily in the fact that focus of U.S. diplomatic strategy has shifted to the economy. While summarizing the six key points in U.S. diplomatic strategy, U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher said: "Economic security equates with national security," while stressing that the economy is primary among all diplomatic focal points, and emphasizing the importance to U.S. economic revival of U.S. participation and leadership in Asia-Pacific economic operation. He believed that "no other area in the world is more important than the East Asian and Pacific region." In recent years, bilateral trade between the United States and the Asia-Pacific region has increased, with an average annual growth rate of |
FBIS4-3992_10 | Article Views Ways To Improve Sino-U.S. Relations | as scholars. The issues of human rights in China, as well as in the United States, can be discussed. According to a U.S. State Department official, this the minimum requirement of the U.S. side on the "human rights" conditions, the fulfillment of which will somewhat help the extension of the MFN status. Releasing Counterrevolutionaries 3. According to the revised penal code, some imprisoned counterrevolutionaries should be released in all at once. At present, the definition of "counterrevolutionary crime" is comparatively vague in China's current penal code, and it would be very difficult for the code to be compare with foreign penal codes, and to be understood and accepted in the world, so the code's revision seems imperative. Furthermore, this practice will enable China to have a law by which to abide when dealing with issues in this category, as well as sufficient legal grounds to deal with U.S. "human rights diplomacy," in contrast to the practice of releasing one or two political prisoners each year when the United States is set to discuss the extension of China's MFN status. 4. Further relax restrictions on emigrants: The United States regards freedom of emigration as one of the basic human rights. Although China has relaxed its emigration policy on several occasions, it is still impossible for Chinese citizens to leave the country freely. "Human rights" issues are derived from such conditions, which then are linked to the issue of the "imprisonment of political offenders," and used to deal with China. In Clinton's order to extend MFN status to China last year, he continued including freedom of emigration as a prerequisite, while requiring China to "permit Chinese citizens to emigrate overseas for political or religious reasons, without any restriction." This being the case, we suggest that the departments concerned further relax restrictions on citizens' crossing the border, so that legitimate emigrants many enjoy full freedom, and the United States' additional human rights condition thus lose its "legal grounds." 5. Further reveal the truth concerning U.S. exports of prison-produced products: Many states in the United States have prison factories, and the law permits the export of their products. The United States, however, is making a great fuss over products turned out by Chinese prisoners. China has failed to fully expose this unreasonable behavior, and seems to be very passive. China also should investigate and publish the conditions under which U.S. prison products are exported. |
FBIS4-4043_0 | Activist Wang Dan To Leave Beijing for 4 June Anniversary | BFN [By Geoffrey Crothall in Beijing] [Text] Wang Dan, one of the most prominent leaders of the 1989 student movement, will not be in Beijing for the fifth anniversary of the June 4 massacre. Mr. Wang, 25, said yesterday he had decided to leave the capital towards the end of May and return a few days after the anniversary. "The political situation here is very sensitive at the moment so it really would be inconvenient for me to be here on June 4," he said. Analysts said the absence of Mr. Wang, the only significant leader of the student movement still in Beijing would make it difficult for any meaningful commemorative protest to take place on June 4. "Any commemorative activity would require a figurehead and Wang Dan is just about the only person who fits the bill," a Western diplomat said. "Everyone else is either in detention or abroad." Mr. Wang had earlier said he felt a moral responsibility to be in Beijing during the anniversary but admitted yesterday to having a change of heart. "I've come to the conclusion that things will only get worse if I stay," he said. Mr. Wang said he would probably be travelling on his own and at his own expense although he had not yet decided where to go. He has been under intense pressure from the security forces to curtail his political activities and stay away from foreign journalists. Friends of the democracy activist said the pressure was affecting him and it was not surprising that he had decided to lay low for a while. |
FBIS4-4044_0 | Dissident Trials Reportedly Postponed `Indefinitely' | BFN [By Angel Lau and Michael Smith] [Text] China is secretly maneuvring to polish its human rights image after the authorities suddenly postponed the trials of 14 dissidents held on counter-revolution charges for nearly two years. The decision was made in the runup to June when the United States decides if the most-favoured-nation (MFN) trade status will be granted. Family sources said yesterday that Chinese authorities had suddenly postponed, to an unspecified date, the trials of at least 14 dissidents originally scheduled for this week, following the weekend release of imprisoned dissident Wang Juntao. The brother of one defendant said: "The trial for the entire group has been postponed indefinitely -- lawyers for each of the defendants informed us by phone on Saturday." The wife of another family member said: "I have no idea why they have decided to postpone it. There is a good chance it has something to do with MFN status." A Beijing Intermediate Court spokesman said the case of the 14, the largest batch of political dissidents to be tried in China since prosecutions following the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, was still in the pre-trial stage. She said by phone it was difficult to say when the formal court session would be held. Meanwhile, the Chinese trade minister said in Hong Kong she was confident of China getting the renewal after her lobbying mission to the U.S. last week. Wu Yi, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, said U.S. entrepreneurs and congressmen favoured an unconditional U.S. renewal of MFN to China. "I have met a large bunch of big entrepreneurs this time and all of them unanimously think that MFN should be granted to China unconditionally," she said, adding that the same attitude prevailed among some 30 senators she visited during her stay. The dissidents were charged for alleged involvement in underground pro-democracy and labour groups, among them the Free Labour Union of China and the Liberal Democratic Party of China. Two, Gao Yuxiang and Li Quanli, have been excused from prosecution, at least temporarily, because of illness, the relatives said. In Washington, the visiting Chief Secretary Anson Chan continued to lobby key congressmen for unconditional renewal of MFN. A leading proponent of linking MFN and human rights congressman Nancy Pelosi brought forward a meeting with Mrs. Chan. The two met last night (HK time) following an interview with Mrs. Chan on the national CNN |
FBIS4-4045_4 | Article Discusses `Policy' of Exiling Dissidents | in China could actually help Beijing defuse tension in the dissident community and society in general. In spite of Wang's reputation as the "black hand" of the 1989 movement and his being characterised by Premier Li Peng as a "tiger which should never be allowed to return to the hills," the economist and editor is a moderate within the pro-democracy movement. "Since his activism began in the late 1970s, Wang has always believed in evolutionary changes inside the system," a source said. During the Democracy Wall period, Wang worked with the liberal wing of the CCP, then led by the late party chief Hu Yaobang, to bring about progress from within. "Wang and Hu struck up a friendship which lasted into the early 1980s," the source said. In the three or so years before the June 4, 1989 crackdown, Wang -- together with fellow "black hand" Chen Ziming, who was also given 13 years in jail in 1991 -- was involved with a quasi-private institute for economic and social research as well as the now- defunct Economics Weekly, a paper that urged market reforms. "Wang has never advocated revolution," another friend said. "Right through early June 1989, he tried hard to prevent radicals among the students and intellectuals in the Square from directly confronting the regime." Until the eve of the massacre, Wang maintained ties with liberal cadres and the children of party elders. Analysts said if the hardline faction of the CCP could put aside its prejudices, Wang together with Chen, another candidate for "medical bail" -- would be an ideal mediator between Beijing and the dissidents. Instead, the CCP has refused to consider options other than using the weapons of the "dictatorship of the proletariat" to impose control. It is true that Beijing might, through a spate of detentions since the spring, be able to stifle the voice of opposition in the run-up to the fifth anniversary of June 4. However, the underlying causes of revolt -- hyperinflation, unemployment, corruption and the party's total refusal to share power are more acute now than in early 1989. Without the moderating influence of "evolutionists" like Wang and Chen, the next outbreak of the democracy movement could be more extreme -- and violent -- than ever. Packing the likes of Wang into exile merely ensures that when the conflagration erupts, there could be no dialogue between the administration and its critics. |
FBIS4-4063_10 | Jiangsu Province Procuratorate Work Report | finally changed to eight years' imprisonment plus the deprivation of his political rights for two years. (2) Improve Procuratorial Work at Detention Centers; Supervise the Implementation of Court Verdicts and Rulings on Criminal Cases, and Court Decisions on Reeducation Through Labor and Remold Through Education Under Custody in Accordance With the Laws. Last year, procuratorial organs throughout the province focused attention on examining and correcting the implementation of court rulings and decisions not in accordance with the provisions of the law; the use of money to avoid jail terms; and the collection of unwarranted fees from reducing a penalty, granting parole, and accepting bail on medical reasons. They proposed a total of 11,413 opinions on correcting such violations of the law. The detention center at Dafeng County arbitrarily accepted money for bail and pledges, and released 14 criminals serving jail terms. After procuratorial organs timely proposed their opinion on correction, all the released criminals were again taken into custody to serve their jail terms, and all the money taken for bail and pledges was returned. Wu Yilin, former deputy chief of the Dongtai Public Security Bureau, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for fraudulent practice out of personal considerations. Less than two months after he began serving his jail term, his penalty was reduced to 11 months. After procuratorial organs proposed a correction in accordance with the law, the court ruling on the reduction of his penalty was annulled. In addition, procuratorial organs in all areas placed on file, investigated, and handled criminal cases committed by 17 working personnel of custody and remold centers involving corruption, taking of bribes, releasing inmates without authorization, and subjecting inmates to corporal punishment and maltreatment. (3) Improve Procuratorial Work on Civil Cases and Cases Involving Administration, and Fulfill the Duty of Legal Supervision Over Court Trials on Civil and Administration Cases. Throughout the entire year, procuratorial organs throughout the province handled a total of 702 appeal cases lodged by citizens and legal persons against verdicts and rulings given by people's courts on civil cases, economic cases, and cases involving administration; placed 163 cases on file for investigation; and lodged 16 cases in protest of court verdicts. The number of protest cases lodged by the Jiangsu Provincial People's Procuratorate alone totaled seven. They made suggestions to judicial organs on conducting a trial again, or served circulars on correcting law violations; the number of such cases |
FBIS4-4067_44 | Zhejiang Publishes Government Work Report | and Promote the Integration of Science, Technology, and Education with the Economy We will further put into practice the strategy of invigorating Zhejiang with science and education and closely integrate science, technology, and education with the economy. This is aimed at making science, technology, and education serve economic construction more consciously and at making economic construction rely on science and technology and on skilled labor. Science and technology should serve the needs of economic construction. While focusing on strengthening the foundation of agriculture and transforming traditional industries and town and village enterprises, we will develop industries using high and new technologies; continue to implement the "problems tackling," "Spark," "Torch," and "bumper harvest" plans and the "Golden Bridge" project; and promote application of science and technology, development of science and technology, and research in basic science. We will drawn up integrated development plans for agriculture, science, and education; set up agriculture demonstration zones that stresse the use of fine strains and high yields; and speed up the importation and cultivation of new seed strains. We will earnestly implement plans for developing new and high technologies and for transforming traditional industries; and conduct experiments in the reform of the petro-chemical and electronic industries. We will develop new and high technologies and gradually build up a number of new- and high-tech enterprises in the fields of electronics, information, new materials, new energy, biological technology, as well as in the manufacturing of machinery and electrical products. We will strengthen research in basic science and do a good job in building the second batch of 17 provincial-level laboratories and experimental bases. We will deepen reform of the scientific and technological system. In accordance with the principle of "holding fast to one end and leaving the whole field open," we will stabilize and strengthen the number of specialized personnel needed for research in basic science. On this basis, we will vigorously promote the restructuring of various scientific research institutions; redeploy personnel; strive to build economic entities embracing scientific research, production, and operations; or directly deploy research personnel in enterprises or enterprise groups, thus becoming the technical development centers of enterprises. We will strengthen the leading role of enterprises in technical progress, encourage large and medium enterprises to set up and improve their technological development centers, and encourage medium and small enterprises to form their own technological backing. We will vigorously promote technological cooperation among enterprises, schools |
FBIS4-4068_1 | Zhejiang Secretary on Nuclear Power, | rapid development can be attributed to two major reasons. First, Zhejiang benefited from Deng Xiaoping's policy of reform and opening up. Second, Zhejiang enjoys unique conditions for developing its economy. [passage omitted on Zhejiang's superiority in development] [CHUNG KUO SHI PAO] What about the current operations of the Qinshan nuclear power plant? [Li] The Qinshan nuclear power plant was the first nuclear power plant designed and built by China. Its current electricity-generating capacity is 300,000 kilowatt hours [kwh]. A report prepared by experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency following their inspection of the Qinshan nuclear power plant in 1989 testified to the safety and reliability of this nuclear power plant in the areas of design, machinery equipment, and installation. The Qinshan nuclear power plant was designed with three protective layers. The operation of the nuclear power plant has been normal following two years of electricity generation. [CHUNG KUO SHI PAO] The Qinshan nuclear power plant is located at Hangzhou Bay, which is a densely populated area. Was this factor taken into consideration when making the decision to build this nuclear power plant? Were there objections from the masses and cadres about building this nuclear power plant? [Li] The Qinshan nuclear power plant is located at Hangzhou Bay, which is an area between Hangzhou and Shanghai that is known for its economic development and for its dense population. At the beginning, the masses did harbor some misgivings about the nuclear power plant, but following our explanations, local cadres and the masses realized that their safety could be guaranteed. We also told the local cadres and the masses that nuclear power is a form of power generation that is relatively safe and that produces less pollution. Therefore, we did not encounter problems with the cadres and masses over the construction of the nuclear power plant. The state plans to go ahead with the second-stage project of installing another two power-generating units, with each of them being capable of generating 600,000 kwh of electricity. I have visited the nuclear power plant several times. It is protected on the outside by a layer of cement. Unlike the former USSR's Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which looked like a workshop at an ordinary factory, our nuclear power plant is enveloped by a very thick layer of cement. Even if an accident should occur, it would not endanger the safety of the staff at the nuclear |
FBIS4-4077_0 | Guangdong Police Crack Down on Vehicle Theft | BFN ["Special Dispatch" by staff reporter Hu Hsiao-i (5170 2556 0308): "Guangdong Organizes Army-Police Joint Discipline Teams to Investigate Bogus Army, Police Vehicles"] [Text] Guangzhou, 25 Apr (TA KUNG PAO)--Commencing tomorrow, the Guangzhou Military Region, Guangdong Military District, and Guangdong Public Security Department will take joint action to crack down on the use of bogus Army and police vehicles. The 20 joint disciplinary teams, each composed of 80 men, have been organized jointly by the Guangzhou Military Region, Guangdong Military District, and Guangdong Public Security Department, will leave Guangzhou tomorrow for the Guangzhou-Conghua, Guangzhou-Shenzhen, Guangzhou-Shantou, and Guangzhou-Nanhai highways to check the violation of regulations by military and police vehicles and crack down on the illegal use of bogus military and police vehicles. This is the third unified action following the ones in 1991 and 1993 against vehicles with special plates. The current action will be the largest in scale and will last a long time--until the conclusion of the struggle against the theft of motorcycles and vehicles. The headquarters--which will have Chen Shaoji, director of the Public Security Department, as its head and an official in charge of the Guangzhou Military Region as deputy head--will continue to exist and exercise management over special vehicle plates. This reporter also learned from the Guangdong Public Security Department that since moves were taken to counter the theft of motorcycles and vehicles on 1 April, the number of stolen vehicles has dropped by two-thirds and that of motorcycles has dropped by 50 percent. Figures provided by the Public Security Department indicated that, by 20 April, the province arrested a total of 1,781 persons involved in stealing motorcycles and vehicles, cracked 2,086 theft cases (12 of which involved murder), uncovered 396 rings (which had 1,600 members) involved in stealing and selling stolen vehicles, recovered 1,560 stolen vehicles and motorcycles (267 vehicles and 1,293 motorcycles), smashed 120 dens which sold the stolen goods, and demolished 4 underground factories which produced counterfeit license plates. Moreover, a total of 351 shops were ordered to close down for selling remodeled and stolen cars, and the licenses of 29 other shops were revoked. An official from the Guangdong Public Security Department said that, thanks to the precautions and stern measures taken against the criminal activities, the sharp rise in the theft of motorcycles and vehicles in Guangdong has been brought under control. In the first quarter of this year, the |
FBIS4-4100_0 | Trade Minister Thanks Hong Kong for MFN Lobbying Effort | BFN [By reporters Xu Hong (1776 3126) and Wang Huicun (3769 1920 1317): "Wu Yi Expresses Appreciation for the Efforts Made by the Hong Kong Authorities and Businessmen To Lobby for China's Most-Favored-Nation Status"] [Text] Macao, 27 Apr (ZHONGGUO XINWEN SHE)--Wu Yi, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, said here that she would like to express appreciation for the efforts made by the British Hong Kong Authorities and many personalities from Hong Kong's industrial and commercial circles to lobby for China's most-favored- nation (MFN) status in the United States. Wu Yi said that MFN was the foundation for developing trade and economic cooperation between China and the United States. China has always maintained that MFN status is purely a trade issue. China has never accepted linking MFN with other issues which have nothing to do with trade. Wu Yi said: We hoped there would not be confrontation between China and the United States on the MFN issue. If confrontation were to emerge between the two sides on the MFN issue, it would not be in the interest of either country. Besides, the impact on Hong Kong and the losses the territory would suffer would be even greater. Therefore, we hope that the U.S. Government can properly settle the MFN issue between China and the United States. Wu Yi pointed out: We have expressed our appreciation to any country or stratum which has lobbied the United States to renew China's MFN status. The British Hong Kong Authorities and personalities from Hong Kong's industrial and commercial circles have lobbied in the United States for China's MFN statue, and we would like to express our appreciation for this. At seven o'clock yesterday afternoon, Wu Yi arrived in Macao from Hong Kong for a three-day visit. She had just returned from a visit to the United States and had come to Macao via Hong Kong to attend a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Nanguang Holdinqs Company Limited. Wu Yi will meet Macao Governor Rocha Vieira and will attend a meeting of the Chinese Enterprises Association of Macao tomorrow morning. At noon tomorrow, she will attend a welcome banquet held in her honor by Ma Man Kei, president of the Macao Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, at the Manyuen Restaurant. |
FBIS4-4126_1 | Gansu Province Enjoys Economic Boom | mine second in the world, while reserves of 23 other minerals take fifth place in China, and those of 10 more deposits take first place in China. Nonferrous and rare metals such as nickel, copper, zinc, antimony, cobalt, platinum, rhodium, and iridium have realistic and potential advantages for extraction. Gansu is one of China's five major pastoral areas. Meat, hide, wool, and milk are the main products. There are over 4,000 kinds of wild plants, of which 950 are sources of Chinese medicinal herbs. Particularly important is the production of Chinese angelica, dangshen, licorice root, red and yellow vetch, Chinese rhubarb, safflowers, the bulb of fritillary, elevated gastrodia, and glossy ganoderma. It is especially famous for Minggui (angelica root) and wendan (root of baily asiabell) both in Ghina and abroad. Besides grain production, the province produces huge quantities of honeydew melons, black melon seeds, dongguo pears, rose oil, black moss, garlic, dates, apples, day lily, and lily flower. Many of China's important industry bases have been set up in the province. Of particular note are the Jiuquan Satellite Town, Baiyin Copper Town, Jinchan Nickel Town, and Jiayuguan Iron and Steel Town. Gansu has a complete network of railways, highways, and airlines, taking Lanzhou as the geographical centre. It also has an important section of the continental bridge, the international railway between Europe and Asia, from Lianyungang in Jiangsu province to Amsterdam in Holland. Gansu has over 20 airlines connecting it with cities at home and abroad. Telecommunications and telephone calls to every city in China and 152 countries and regions are available. In the educational field, there are over 130 research institutes and 18 universities and colleges with 310,000 technical personnel of various specialities. All of these have formed a synthetical study base in science and technology and such an impressive capacity in science and technology ranks Gansu ninth in the country. Approved by the state government, Gansu enjoys preferential policies on a par with the opening eastern coastal cities. The province introduced preferential measures to encourage foreign investment in August 1992. According to the measures, all overseas investors and investors from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan can enjoy the following preferential policies: -- Enterprises run outside downtown areas can operate free of charge in land usage during their construction and five years after they become operative. -- Enterprises involved in cultural, educational, scientific research, medicine, social welfare, traffic, mining, |
FBIS4-4127_0 | Newsletter on Ningxia Drug Crackdown | BFN ["Newsletter" by Wu Guoqing (0702 0948 3237): "Ningxia Curbs Drug Trafficking"] txt}[Text] Yinchuan, 8 Apr (XINHUA) -- International drug trafficking rings have gone all out in recent years in an attempt to open up a so-called "China passageway." Drug traffickers who ply their trade from their provinces emerged even in remote, outlying places in the north. These drug trafficking activities were quickly held back. Beacon-Fire Rose in the North In the late 1980s, some self-employed traders from Ningxia region who transported goods to Yunnan and Guangzhou or dealt in native and special products there became addicted to drugs. Lured by the promises of gain from international drug trafficking rings, they gradually joined the business of drug trafficking. With money raised in Ningxia, they went to Yunnan to buy narcotics from the "Golden Triangle" and took them to Guangzhou for sale, playing the role of "mazai" [ma zai 7456 0098 -- drug runner] for the international drug trafficking rings. Thanks to the extraordinary profits of drug trafficking, some of these lawbreakers became very rich overnight. More and more people from Tongxin County and neighboring mountainous areas in southern Ningxia joined the drug trade. For many, trading in drugs outside Ningxia became a "shortcut" to wealth. They either provided capital, services, or both, and sometimes hired help to traffic in narcotics. People with no money joined in the action with borrowed capital or worked as a "mazai" for others. Also emerged were big-time drug kingpins like Ma Shixin, Zhou Yanji, and Hai Zongru whose drug-trafficking activities even had some nationwide impact. They had well-organized, clandestine drug-trafficking set-ups to handle everything from purchasing, transportation, to marketing, and they organized frequent transregional drug trafficking. These outbound drug traffickers also brought narcotics back to Ningxia, resulting in drug taking in many parts of Ningxia. All circles of society--including the broad mass of Hui and Han nationalities--called for cracking down on outbound drug trafficking and strictly enforcing the ban on narcotics to make the north clean again. The Capture of Drug kingpins As the saying goes: To catch bandits, first catch the ringleader. Ningxia's public security departments launched an aggressive crackdown to hold in check the evil trend of outbound drug trafficking. Their first targets were the ringleaders. Target No. 1 was drug kingpin Zhou Yanji. A native of Weizhou Town in Tongxin County, he goes by the nickname of "Zhou Da," as he is |
FBIS4-4149_0 | China Joins Association of Tin-Producing Countries | BFN [Text] Bangkok, April 29 (XINHUA) -- China joined today the Association of Tin Producing Countries, becoming the eighth member of the organization. On behalf of the Chinese Government, Chinese ambassador to Thailand, Jin Guihua, signed the "agreement establishing the Association of Tin Producing Countries" at the Foreign Ministry of Thailand, the depository country of the document. Chinese Embassy sources said that China had laid three pre- conditions for joining the tin body, which had been accepted by the association. As China's tin production is mainly for its domestic market, its export is only secondary. China will report its tin exports to the association on a quarterly basis. China will pay its membership dues in proportion to its actual exports. China shall not be invited to join the tin research body of the association. Other members of the association, which was founded in 1983, are Australia, Bolivia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria and Zaire. |
FBIS4-4163_4 | Article Views Changing Anglo-American Relations | relations must obviously change," but the question lies in "whether or not the United States and Britain still have similar interests. In this regard, I am not sure." Have No Alternative But To Face Reality In recent years, Anglo-American relations have become cooler and cooler, which is inseparable from the fact that Britain's international status and influence has declined since the end of the Cold War. In a certain sense, Britain was a beneficiary of the Cold War. As one of the major victor countries in World War II and the second power of the capitalist world during the initial post-war stage, Britain played an important role, along with the United States, in the process of forming and developing the post-war political and economic order. Later, Britain gradually declined and became a second-class, moderately developed country. However, it enjoyed certain prerogatives and superiority in defense in the West and in high-level global diplomacy under the Cold War situation, particularly due to its long-standing status as the closest ally of the United States. Therefore, it could play a larger role and exert greater influence than its strength allowed and played a certain mediating role in U.S.-Soviet dialogue, in East-West relations, and in relations between Europe and the United States. With the end of the Cold War, Britain's position has been weakened. Today, a country's international status is directly affected by its economic strength, and thus, Britain is weak. At present, Britain's population accounts for 1 percent of the world population, its GDP accounts for 4 percent, and its volume of trade accounts for 5 percent. Britain's economic strength ranks fourth in Europe (after Germany, France, and Italy). In addition, as NATO becomes less important as a military organization, Britain's military strength and political superiority due to its contribution to NATO's defense is gradually becoming less valuable. In short, at present, the importance of Britain to U.S. diplomatic and global strategy is obviously weakening. A sharp contrast with Britain is Germany. After shaking off various restrictions and fetters imposed on it under the Cold War system, Germany has appeared in the international arena as a leading or dominant power and has superseded Britain as the United States' key partner for cooperation. In particular, the drastic changes in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union's disintegration have given Germany much room for maneuver. Now, the United States treats Britain coldly and sets the focus |
FBIS4-4163_6 | Article Views Changing Anglo-American Relations | of its Europe policy in striving for Germany's support and cooperation, saying that its relations with Germany is a kind of leading partnership. The fact that Anglo-American relations have weakened is also closely related to the eastward shift of the U.S. diplomatic focus. As pointed out by certain western scholars, the United States, in a certain sense, was also a loser in the Cold War. The Cold War caused a heavy burden to the United States and led to a relative decline in its power. At present, the United States is perplexed by domestic economic problems, and it is gradually shifting its attention and international interests from Europe to America as well as to the East Asia and Pacific regions, where rapid economic development is in sight. The United States has drastically reduced and will continue to cut its forces stationed in Europe, and its influence in Europe has already shrunk and will continue to shrink. Meanwhile, the fact that Britain and the United States are becoming estranged from each other also reflects the Clinton administration's declining interest in and attention to Western Europe. Mutual Support Still Counts As a European country with a moderate level of strength, Britain is focussing its key national interests and policies on Europe. It is irreversibly involved in the process of European integration. However, the former Great Britain is not willing to confine its role and influence to Europe. The ruling clique in Britain will not easily give up its special relationship with the United States and still wants to rely on residual close ties with the latter to continue to "punch above its weight" in the world (a remark made by Douglas Hurd). In fact, special Anglo-American ties and British's membership of the EC may not necessarily be incompatible with each other. Close Anglo-American historical and cultural ties enable it to better understand the U.S. way of thinking and exert influence on the United States more easily. On the other hand, Britain is also a member of the EC and its pragmatic tradition, balanced thinking, and broad field of vision from a global viewpoint can contribute to the formation of a united and sound "European choice," thus playing a certain unique role in coordinating European-American relations. It seems that even after the Cold War, the United States still needs Britain, its faithful ally. Although the United States won the Cold War, its relative |
FBIS4-4164_2 | `News Analysis' Views Trade With U.S. | open" than the U.S., Japan and other East Asian countries, with "extremely high" import penetration in some sectors. As an obvious contrast with Japan, China is the only country with which the U.S. has run a trade deficit that has not been a global trade surplus country as well. "China has run a systematic global trade and current account deficit since reform began, its external debt has grown continuously," Lardy said. "I believe China is likely to be a net borrower over the mid-term." According to the U.S. Government, U.S. exports to China grew 54 percent in 1991-92 and 21.5 percent in the first three quarter of 1993, roughly twice the speed of that to Mexico, Singapore, Hong Kong and China's Taiwan. China's position in U.S. exports has been underestimated, observers said, since U.S. goods re-exported to China from Hong Kong were not treated as exports to China. If accounted otherwise, as they should be, China is the fifth largest export market for the United States. David Richardson, author of "U.S. Export Disincentives", estimated that U.S. exports to China in 1989 would have been five to 10 billion dollars higher in the absence of national security controls on the U.S. side. Most of the shortfall in exports to China, exceeded only by exports foregone to the Soviet Union, was in chemicals, industrial machinery, electronic and electrical equipment, transportation equipment, instrument and related products. "The U.S. cannot afford economically costly symbolism, especially when the costs are borne by its most dynamic, technologically competitive sectors," wrote Richardson, professor at Syracuse University. As to export credits, observers said, American firms seeking to sell in China are provided with far less export credits by the administration than those provided to European and Japanese firms by their governments. The U.S., the only industrial country without a concessional loan or mixed credit programs for China, has only a few modest trade promotion programs to China. Washington, for example, does not guarantee the investment involving transfer of resources to China. Concessional finance and export credits, observers here noted, will be unusually effective sales tools for American companies if they are willing to be involved in China's infrastructure projects like electric power generation, telecommunications and transportation. "U.S. policy towards China," Lardy said in his book, "ignores the factors that contribute to China's unique combination of a global trade deficit and a bilateral surplus in trade with the U.S.." |
FBIS4-4208_2 | Li Ruihuan Meets European Diplomats Before Visiting Europe | and your five countries maintain good ties, which have been furthered in the past few years. High-level contacts have been constantly on the increase, and economic, trade, scientific, and technological cooperation and cultural exchanges have borne new fruit. The volume of two-way trade between China and your five countries has increased by a fairly big margin. [The preceding sentence is omitted in the variant version] Your countries have plenty of advanced science and technology and management expertise that China should draw on. The economies of the two sides are mutually complementary to a great extent, and there exist good conditions for the two sides to further develop their relations. I hope that the two sides will tap potentials and actively promote trade and economic cooperation and exchanges. [variant version reads: ...two sides will make concerted efforts, tap potentials, and ... (adding "make concerted efforts")] Li Ruihuan said: China is deepening reforms, opening itself up wider, and promoting development. It needs not only a stable and harmonious domestic environment but also a peaceful and friendly international environment. China is in Asia while your countries are in Europe. Our national conditions and social system are different from yours, but China and your five countries have no conflicts of fundamental interests and share much common ground on the maintenance of world peace and promoting common development. This is a very good basis for our friendship and cooperation. China is ready to further develop its ties with your five countries on the principles of seeking common ground while reserving differences and of mutual respect, noninterference in each other's internal affairs, and equality and mutual benefit. Li Ruihuan briefed the diplomatic envoys of the five countries on the CPPCC. He expressed the belief that the CPPCC will make new contributions to promoting the existing friendly ties between China and the five countries. Danish Ambassador to China William Friis-Moller expressed his welcome of Chairman Li Ruihuan's visit on behalf of the five countries' diplomats. He said that the governments and peoples of the five countries attach great importance to Chairman Li Ruihuan's visit. He expressed the hope that the visit will deepen mutual understanding, promote the development of bilateral ties, and provide a chance for the five governments and parliaments to learn more about China. Present at the meeting were Zhu Xun, deputy secretary general of the CPPCC National Committee, and Vice Foreign Minister Jiang Enzhu. |
FBIS4-4209_0 | Article Views Prospects for Trade With Western Europe | BFN ["International Commentary" by Li Changjiu (2621 7022 0036): "Broad Prospects for Economic Cooperation between China and Western Europe"] [Text] In early April, Finnish Prime Minister Esko Aho, French Prime Minister Edward Balladur, and Portuguese Prime Minister Cavaco Silva arrived on different occasions in Beijing for formal visits. The media pointed out that "China fever" is raging again in West European countries. The PRC has experienced some twists and turns in its relations with some West European countries in the 40-odd years following its founding, though on the whole bilateral relations with Western Europe have developed continuously. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in visits between Chinese and West European state leaders, key officials, and entrepreneurs, and traditional friendly cooperation is being restored and developed, especially in trade and economic cooperation, where the trend has been one of accelerated development. Both Chinese and West European leaders and entrepreneurs see many favorable conditions for developing bilateral relations and expanding economic cooperation and trade. First, China and Western Europe share the same or similar views on many key international issues and have a good basis for cooperation. China has consistently supported the integration, cooperation, and development of West European countries, which have supported China's reform and opening up and its effort to integrate its economy with the world economy. In mid-March this year, the GATT China Working Unit held its 16th meeting in Geneva to continue scrutinizing the issue of restoring China's GATT signatory status. EC representatives reiterated that they want to conclude the work of the unit swiftly so that China can resume its GATT's signatory status as soon as possible. French Prime Minister Balladur said during his talks with the Chinese premier that France supported the restoration of China's signatory status and allowing China to be a founding member of the World Trade Organization. China has much common ground with West European countries in safeguarding world peace and promoting world economic development, which is a good basis for developing bilateral ties and expanding trade ties and cooperation. Second, there is strong complementary economic and trade cooperation between China and West European countries. West European countries are stronger in capital, technology, and equipment, while China, in its pursuit of modernization, requires huge amounts of capital, technology, and equipment and is a potentially enormous market. The achievements scored by Germany's Chancellor Kohl during his China visit in mid-November last |
FBIS4-4217_1 | Hu Jintao Meets Argentine President Menem Visits Argentine Training Center | "He was working at the vegetable farm just now." Hu Jintao praised him: "You really are a good boy." After hearing this, his parents smiled happily. Hu Jintao presented gifts of embroidered table cloth, a Chinese painting, and colorful velvet birds to Cuellar's family. Holding a velvet bird, young Miguel innocently asked: "Where did the bird come from?" Hu Jintao humorously said: "It flew over here from China." The answer made everyone laugh. Community training centers are a type of nongovernment educational organization that has appeared in Argentina in recent years. Their objectives are to train youngsters from poor areas to master certain skills to earn a living or get jobs. The government has affirmed the project and supplied partial subsidies. The San Nicolas Community Training Center has 17 teachers and nearly 100 students. It mainly teaches techniques for carpenters, bricklayers, blacksmiths, and vegetable farmers. Hu Jintao asked detailed questions on the course system, curricula, the number of students, and the source of funds. Personnel in charge of the training center answered all his questions in succession. Hu Jintao visited the training center's vegetable farm and noticed that sprinkling irrigation facilities -- made by students out of plastic bottles and plastic pipes -- were sprinkling water evenly on the young plants. He said happily: "These are home-made sprinkling irrigation facilities. The kids are very smart." It has been learned that the vegetable farm has been converted from a garbage dump. Vegetables growing in the farm include green lettuce, unripened tomatoes, big cabbages, eggplants, onions, and greens. Hu Jintao asked Orlando, a student working at the farm, how long he has been training. Orlando answered: "Two years." Hu Jintao asked again: "Can you properly handle a vegetable farm if one is handed over to you?" The student nodded and said: "Yes." The Chinese guest wished him success. Hu Jintao said to the teachers, students, and residents who gathered at the edge of the vegetable farm: "On behalf of the Chinese people, I am extending cordial greetings to you. The community conducts technical training classes to help youths get jobs in an effort to improve everyone's living standards. We are very interested in the project. Some people in China are still poor and the government is taking measures to help them shake off poverty. We have come to learn from your experiences." As soon as he finished, everyone energetically clapped their hands. |
FBIS4-4241_0 | Statistics on Diseases, Immunizations Reported | BFN [By staff reporter Zhu Baoxia: "Small Town Model for Immunizing Children"] [Text] The small town of Zhaohegou in Hebei has turned into a national model for vaccinating children against epidemic diseases through its immunization insurance effort, now in its 10th year. For several years, the town outside Sanhe City has not reported a single epidemic disease in its 2,800 children under 7. It has one township hospital and 20 village clinics to support a population of 19,000. In 1984 the town adopted a contracted responsibility system for preventive health care, a policy to supervise and urge village doctors to rededicate their efforts. Each child is registered immediately after birth to ensure that no one misses the vaccinations. Every household is charged 7 yuan ($0.8) a year for immunization insurance. If an insured child gets an epidemic disease, the village clinic will be fined and is responsible for paying all medical fees. The system has won over the town farmers. "Seven yuan a month [as published] is not too much and most important we don't have to worry about our child's health," said Zhao Yuhua, 30, the mother of a 2-year-old girl in Zhaotuzhuang Village. The town has attracted attention from the central government and some international organizations. Representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) called for the rest of China and other developing nations to follow Zhaohegou's lead by immunizing their children. "Wiping out children's epidemic diseases like polio in China would be a great contribution toward the Asian and Western Pacific Region and the whole world as well," said Dr R.W.K. Gee of WHO. State Councilor Peng Peiyun and Public Health Minister Chen Minzhang also want to spread the small town's success to other rural areas, where about 900 million Chinese live. Immunizing these areas is the critical portion of the national immunization programme. If all the rural areas succeed like Zhaohegou, Peng said, China could wipe out polio next year. Peng and Chen visited the town on Monday. The ministry said its expanded immunization programme has dramatically reduced incidence and death rates of children's epidemic diseases by 89.93 and 88.78 percent. Last year just 653 polio cases were reported, the lowest figure in Chinese history. Measles cases dropped from more than 1 million in 1981 to last year's 117,800, and the incidence of whooping cough and diphtheria also dropped by |
FBIS4-4251_0 | Agriculture First Priority for Foreign Investment | BFN [By staff reporter Song Ning: "Agriculture Needs Overseas Cash"] [Text] Agricultural technology is the most favoured form of overseas investment sought by the government. Technology is required for high yield seeds, animal feed, low-poison pesticides, fertilizers, and agricultural machinery, said Lin Kun, deputy director general of the Foreign Investment Administration under the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation. Lin revealed the government's list of overseas investment priorities on Tuesday. Other areas which need foreign cash include infrastructure, high technology development, export production, and know-how to recycle industrial waste. So far, China has approved 186,062 foreign-funded enterprises, with an accumulated contractual investment of $241.5 billion. The actual foreign investment amounted to $67.2 billion since 1978, Lin said. In the first three months of this year, overseas investors pledged $19.6 billion in 11,834 projects. And more than $5.4 billion flooded into the country during this period. Foreign companies have been keen to enter the vast and rapidly developing Chinese market. And numerous multinationals have made long-term investment plans in China. They include General Electric, American Telephone and Telegraph Corporation and Ford of the United States; Northern Telecom of Canada; Matsushita, Nippon Electric Corporation, Mitsui and Company Limited, and C. Itoh of Japan; Citroen of France; Volkswagen and Siemens of Germany; Royal Dutch Shell of Britain; Philips of Holland; and Ciba-Geigy of Switzerland. Eighty of the top 500 companies ranked by Fortune magazine, have invested in China. "We will encourage foreign businessmen to invest in sectors like infrastructure, basic industries, technical renovation, and capital and technology-intensive industries," Lin said. Special government approval is needed to invest in banking, insurance, securities, retail sales, foreign trade, audio-visual products, printing and publication, and air cargo service. And overseas firms are barred from running enterprises which affect social security and national economic development, those that pollute the environment, as well as those which mine radioactive minerals. They are also prohibited from running posts and telecommunications services, radio and television stations, newspapers, and enterprises producing military goods. "We encourage foreigners to invest in existing Chinese enterprises and produce goods for Chinese and foreign markets," Lin said. "The vast Chinese market is open for foreign-funded enterprises provided they can balance their foreign exchange earnings and expenditure." Besides agricultural technology, China also needs overseas funds for projects like energy, transport, and raw material production. It will invite foreign firms to take part in the construction and management of |
FBIS4-4256_0 | Shandong Devises Strategy on More Competitive Products | BFN [Text] Shandong Province has planned to devote three to five years to cultivate and develop 16 competitive brand name industrial products through technological transformation. This is one of the important strategic moves for readjusting Shandong's industrial product mix determined by the provincial technological transformation leading group. The 16 competitive products to be developed on a priority basis are motorcycles, vehicle parts, engineering machinery, microcomputers, telecommunications equipment, household electric appliances, garments, beverage, ceramics, numerical-controlled machine tools, electric cables, communications electric cables, medicines, radial tires, elevators, ships for special use, and petrochemical products. It is planned that 9.3 billion yuan will be invested in the technological transformation projects for cultivating and developing competitive products and that over 60 enterprises will undertake these projects. Upon completion, these projects may form a production capacity of 1 million motorcycles, spare parts for 300,000 cars, 10,000 engineering machines, 100,000 microcomputers, 200,000 fax machines, 1.5 million shirts, 3,000 numerical-controlled machine tools and some processing centers, and 20,000 sanitary wares. By that time, the largest antibiotics and febrifuge producing enterprise, the largest engineering machinery group, and the largest brewery and sanitary ceramic wares manufacturing plant of China will emerge in the vast land of Shandong. Because the production capacity of these products are mainly concentrated on key enterprises, the annual sales income of 15 enterprises producing these products will exceed 1 billion yuan and 11 will reach 500 million yuan. In order to successfully carry out the technological transformation items of these 16 competitive products, the provincial authorities have decided to attach prime importance to arranging for the development of technological items of competitive products while determining the province's 100 key transformation projects every year, give priority to making investments in this aspect, and regard some supporting projects as the major items of various cities and prefectures. At present, the relevant provincial departments are stepping up their efforts to formulate implementation plans and supporting preferential policies for developing competitive products. Thirty-eight items have been arranged in the province's 100 major technological transformation projects, and have been initiated. |
FBIS4-4278_0 | Minister Criticizes China Airlines Over Nagoya Crash | BFN [Text] Taipei, April 28 KYODO--Taiwan's Transportation and Communications Minister Liu Chao-shiun on Thursday [28 April] said that the government will instruct China Airlines to sufficiently improve its safety measures in the wake of its jetliner crash at Nagoya airport in central Japan, which killed 263 people. Liu, speaking at a cabinet meeting, said if the national flag carrier fails to implement the instruction demand within a specific period, the government may suspend some of its routes. Li also said the government will take some disciplinary measures against China Airlines in connection with the Tuesday crash. Earlier in the day, President Li Teng-hui reportedly told a meeting of the Central Committee of Taiwan's ruling Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) that a special committee has been set up within the Transportation and Communications Ministry to supervise corrective measures to be undertaken by China Airlines in the aftermath of the crash. All but eight of the aircraft's 271 passengers and crew, mostly Japanese and Taiwanese, were killed in the crash of the Airbus A300- 600R, arriving in Nagoya from Taipei. Two of the survivors are Taiwanese. It was the fifth China Airlines crash since 1986 and the 11th since 1969, giving the airline a significantly higher ratio of crashes per flight hours than the world average. Many of the crashes, in which a total of 410 people have died, involved human error. |
FBIS4-4280_0 | Exodus of Labor-Intensive Industries Harms Exports | BFN [By Sofia Wu] [Text] Taipei, April 29 (CNA)--The exodus of labor-intensive industries to Mainland China and Southeast Asia has taken its toll on Taiwan's export business, the Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) said Friday [29 April]. Exports grew a marginal 0.4 percent in the first quarter of this year, far lower than the originally targeted 4.6 percent growth. Outbound shipments in the first two weeks of April also dropped 8.1 percent as compared with the same period last year. Responding to the lackluster trend, the CEPD said it has decided to lower the export growth target for this year to 5 percent from the previously-set 7.2 percent. K.C. Li, director of the CEPD's Economic Research Department, attributed the slow export growth to several factors: -- The exodus of labor-intensive industries to Mainland China and Southeast Asian countries has curtailed Taiwan's exports of furniture, toys, textiles and footwear. -- Growth in exports of high-technology or high value-added products is too slow to make up for decreases in labor-intensive exports. -- Sales to the mainland have declined since Beijing implemented economic austerity programs in the second half of last year. Moreover, many Taiwan-owned companies on the mainland have opted to purchase needed raw materials there instead of Taiwan to save transport costs. Growth in mainland-bound shipments slid from last year's 28 percent to only 9.5 percent in the first quarter of this year. However, Li said further study is needed before concluding that Taiwan's export trade faces the threat of recession as a result of the exodus of labor-intensive industries. Li pointed out that despite a slowdown in exports, other major economic indicators showed signs of improvement in the January-March period. For example, overall industrial production rose 5.9 percent from the year-earlier level. Textile production increased 5.93 percent, chemical output climbed 16.4 percent, petrochemical production advanced 8.25 percent, electronics and computer output also registered gains. Li said domestic demand accounted for 54 percent of total sales in the first quarter, while foreign demand made up 46 percent. As export orders received in the first quarter rose 5.39 percent from the year-earlier level, Li said outbound shipments will gradually regain momentum in the coming months. With domestic and foreign demand increasing and industrial output growing, Li said, the country will still be able to register at least 6 percent economic growth this year. |
FBIS4-4285_0 | Buddhist Escort Group Ends Burma Visit | BFN [Text] Yangon [Rangoon], April 27 (XINHUA) -- The Chinese escort group of Buddha tooth relic to Myanmar [Burma] led by Ven. Ming Yang, vice president of The Buddhist association of China (BAC) left here for home this afternoon after ending a one week visit to Myanmar. The group was seen off by Myanmar Minister for Religious Affairs Lieutenant-General Myo Nyunt and officials, Myanmar Ambassador to China U Set and Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Liang Feng. The escort group of Buddha's tooth relic to Myanmar arrived here on April 20 with the Buddha's tooth relic. To further strengthen the traditional friendship between China and Myanmar and between the religious communities of the two countries, the sacred tooth of Lord Buddha of China will make a temporary residence in Myanmar from April 20 to June 5. During their stay in Myanmar, Ven. Ming Yang and his escort group members visited some famous pagodas in Yangon, Mandalay, Pagan, Sagaing hill and Pyin-oo-Lwin, and met with chairman Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Sobita and other venerable monks With patience and earnestness, many pilgrims waited about four hours for their turns to pay homage to the tooth relic at the Maha Pasana cave at Kaba Aye Pagoda and nearly 100,000 pilgrims paid homage to Buddha's tooth relic up to now. |
FBIS4-4299_0 | Vice Finance Minister Departs for ADB Meeting | BFN [By Danielle Yang] [Text] Taipei, April 29 (CNA)--A 10-member Republic of China [ROC] delegation, led by Vice Finance Minister Li Chung-ying, is leaving for France Friday [29 April] to attend the 27th Asian Development Bank (ADB) annual meeting. Some 54 ADB member countries are expected to attend the May 3-5 meeting in Nice. An annual report will be released at the meeting and participants will discuss economic prospects in Asia, common problems Asian countries are facing, and problems funding infrastructure development in Southeast Asia. During the meeting, Li will report on Taiwan's overseas investment and economic development as well as express the island's strong desire to join the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Li said before departure that delegation members will also explain Taiwan's "southern strategy," which encourages investment in Southeast Asia, as well as Taiwan's financial situation. In addition, Taiwan delegation members will attend a meeting of the procedures committee. This will be the first time since 1970 that the ROC, a founding member of the ADB, has been allowed into the 12-member committee. During the meeting, Li will protest the ADB's unilateral decision to change the ROC's designation at the international banking institute to "Taipei, China." The ADB changed the ROC's representative name after Beijing joined the group in 1986. Taipei refused to take part in any ADB activities in protest of the unfair treatment in 1986 and 1987. Participation resumed in 1988. The delegation is scheduled to return to Taipei May 8. |
FBIS4-4322_1 | * Golkar Leadership To Evaluate Voter Mood | Golkar, the level of the people's political maturity was still low and the system for running the general elections favored Golkar. In future elections, on the other hand, the situation will be very different. The strong impetus towards democratization, ABRI's neutral position, the people's increased political maturity, the quality of the system running the general elections, and the consolidation of two political parties are all serious challenges which Harmoko will have to face. This list doesn't even include the increasingly distant relations between Golkar and the NU, the largest mass organization, which played a big role in jacking up Golkar's votes in the 1987 general elections, Golkar's greatest achievement and one which it would find hard to repeat. It is not hard to notice the increasingly distant relations between Golkar and the NU. After the tug-of-war between Golkar and the NU just before the 1992 general elections, which resulted in a drop in Golkar votes, the make-up of the leadership of Golkar's DPP for the period 1993-1998, which emerged from the Fifth Party Congress and is often called the work of Habibie, was seen as the low point in Golkar-NU relations. This time Habibie will really play an important role at the Party Congress. Habibie's troops are now putting their stamp on the Golkar leadership which emerged from the Fifth Party Congress. But it is unfortunate that he is probably incapable of understanding the political anatomy of the Islamic community and so he is not introducing NU figures into the ranks of Golkar's leaders. This is really a fatal decision because it is believed that it will influence the NU's political position in future general elections. The NU is the religious social organization with the largest membership in Indonesia. It seems that it will be hard to improve the increasingly distant relations between Golkar and the NU in the future. Besides that, both Golkar and the NU also want to become independent organizations. The NU does not want to depend on Golkar's political positions but wants to give its members the freedom of political choice. At the same time, Golkar itself also does not want to depend on the size of the NU or of any other social organization because Golkar's political style is clearly not to be dictated to by other organizations, especially after learning the lessons of the 1987 and 1992 general elections, in which Golkar's rise and |
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