Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Barclays in talks to sell iShares
BEIJING, March 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Barclays has been in talks with several parties about selling iShares, its San Francisco-based asset management unit, according to media reports from UK Tuesday.
The UK's third largest bank also said it was talking to the Treasury and the Financial Services Authority about taking part in the Government's asset protection scheme (APS), in which country insures banks' assets against future losses for a fee.
Barclays businesses continue to perform well and have had a strong start to 2009, the company stressed in an announcement to the London Stock Exchange, attempting to cheer the investors.
Experts said the Barclays' exchange traded funds business could net between 3 billion pounds (about 3.41 billion U.S. dollars) and 5 billion pounds (about 5.41 billion dollars), which could help it strengthen its position before the deadline of March 31 to apply for APS and avoid joining the scheme for bank assets.
Barclays' decision whether and to what extent to participate in the scheme will be based on the economic merits to shareholders of any such participation, the company added.
Sandy Chen, an analyst at Panmure Gordon The contemplated disposal of iShares, the continued wrangling over the APS, and the disclosure of significant credit derivatives-related payouts from troubled counterparties all reinforce our view that Barclays' risk profile is high.
Click for more news in Biz China>>
Monday, March 9, 2009
Female Dragon Boat racers to represent China
For over 2000 years, Dragon Boat racing has been traditionally practiced by male teams only.
Well, things have changed. Women are now at the forefront of this team sport.
Today we'll talk to a female paddler at the National Team Selection trials.
Huang Huanhuan, 18 years old, and just one of the 20 girls who paddle for the Zhaoqing city Dragon Boat team. She's new to the sport of Dragon Boat racing, but has plenty of experience in canoeing.
Huang Huanhuan, Zhaoqing City Dragon Boat Team, said, "Every year, we girls from the canoeing and kayaking teams will join forces to participate in the annual dragon boat competition held in Zhaoqing City."
Huanhuan and her teammates started training for the National Team Selection Trials at the end of last year. That certainly paid off, because they came in first place in the 1000 meter final here. Thus, all 22 girls were able to advance to the individual testing portion.
"My coach said the male paddlers won't have to gone through, but us girls have made it."(With only 5 seconds of footage, can you make this shorter?)
Competitive dragon boat racing has only been open to women for the past 25 years. The women here know that if they want to win, they'll have to endure more than their male counterparts. They need to be twice as strong.
Huanhuan said, "I felt so bad during that period of transition, because my movements were wrong and I couldn't learn the right movements for dragon boat racing. Our coach stopped helping others and only taught me, but I still didn't get it. At times I felt like my coach wanted to give up on me."
Despite the difficult learning curve, Huanhuan eventually got the movements down right. She might have been the slowest learner on her team, but she is easily the strongest. During the individual testing, Huanhuan amazed every one: She's the only female here able to bench 70 kilograms -- that's about the same weight as one of her teammates.
Like all the competitors here, Huanhuan treasures the opportunity she has to try out for the National team. But don't let her strength and love for a traditionally male dominated sport fool you. She keeps up with all the latest hairstyles, and complains that she hasn't had the time to get hers cut. She also misses home.
"Each spring festival, I would spend it with my coach and their family. I've been here for two years and I haven't once gone back home. I miss my family so much.I spent past three spring festivals with my coach family." Huang told us.
FIFA assess 2010 World Cup preparation
FIFA officials were in South Africa to gauge progress ahead of the 2010 World Cup on Tuesday, and gave an encouraging assesment of the development of the stadia. The organising committee also expressed their outright condemnation of Tuesday's attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan, describing the situation as 'terrible'.
FIFAofficialswereinSouthAfricatogaugeprogress
aheadofthe2010WorldCuponTuesday,andgavean
encouragingassesmentofthedevelopmentofthestadia.
Secretary General Jerome Valcke told a news conference in Johannesburg that FIFA will put security at the 'maximum level' during the World Cup and the Confederations Cup in June 2009. Valcke also discussed issues such as ticketing arrangements with the local organizing committee. However, despite progress on stadium construction, Valcke was disappointed about the general level of enthusiasm prevalent in South Africa ahead of the two events.
Jerome Valcke, FIFA General Secretary, said, "I am a little bit disappointed when I went from the hotel to the SAFA house this morning I have not seen a single promotion of the Confederations Cup on my way. Not a single. From the time you are at the airport to the time you are at the hotel, then to SAFA House and to Soccer City stadium there is not a single promotion of the Confederations Cup and not a single one of the World Cup, I have to say."
EngineersworkonDurban'sMosesMabhida2010WorldCupstadium.
SouthAfrica'seconomyshrankforthefirsttimeinadecade,
contracting1.8%inthefourthquarterof2008,hitbyaslowdown
inmanufacturing,StatisticsSAhassaid.
(AFP/File/RajeshJantilal)
Art of glass exhibition
Glass is not just a utilitarian material, but one that can also be made into exquisite works of art.
In today's "Style Watch", we'll take you to Shanghai to visit an exhibition about the art of glass and see how the glossy medium allows the artists' creativity to shine through.
Penelope Cruz wins best supporting actress
Penélope Cruz is one of the most prominent Spanish actresses of international standing. She has received three Goyas, two European Film Awards, the Golden Palm for Best Actress, and a BAFTA. Then, to cap these honors, on February the 22nd, she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."
On April the 28th, 1974 Penélope Cruz Sánchez was born in Madrid, Spain. By the age of 20, she had already appeared in a number of movies in her home country.
In 1994, Cruz went to the United States and met the director Pedro Almodóvar. Her roles in the renowned filmmaker's works soon brought her fame in the international arena, and eventually paved her way to the podium at the Academy Awards.
In 1997, the movie Live Flesh offered her the chance to work with renowned Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar. Cruz made a few more forays into English-language film, but her first big international hit was Almodóvar's All About My Mother in 1999, in which she played an unchaste but well-meaning nun. The film was showered with awards and accolades, and Cruz suddenly found herself in demand on both sides of the Atlantic.
Click for more news in Culture Express
Coming Attractions: March 3rd - 14th
The latest movies, concerts, dramas and dances, we've got plenty of entertainment news in today's Coming Attractions.
"24 city" to hit big screen
Director Jia Zhangke's latest film "24 City" will hit big screens across China on March the 6th.
"24 City" is set in a state-owned factory during the transitional period of China's modernization drive from 1958 to the present. Leading actresses Lv Liping, Joan Chan and Zhao Tao each play a factory worker representing three generations.
The film has been slated in competition for the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. Over 30 countries will release this movie, which is poised to be one of the most important Chinese-language films of the year.
Jia Zhangke, one of the so-called sixth generation of Chinese film directors, says his film reflects the impact of China's urbanization on ordinary people.
Click for more news in Culture Express
Friday, March 6, 2009
Best-ever field for Asias best-ever Ladies event
The strongest field of golfers ever seen in Asia rode into town for this week's US$2 million HSBC Women's Champions. The tournament, to be played on the Tanah Merah Country Club's Garden Course from March 5th to the 8th, boasts the richest prize in women's golf in Asia, and with 34 of the world's top 40 players in the line up, has exceeded last year's inaugural event by drawing the deepest pool of talent ever assembled in Asia.
Fanslinethefairwayatlastyear'sHSBCWomen'sChampions.The
2009fieldwillbethestrongesteverassembledinAsia.[Andrew
Redington/GettyImages]
![Fanslinethefairwayatlastyear'sHSBCWomen'sChampions.The2009fieldwillbethestrongesteverassembledinAsia.[AndrewRedington/GettyImages]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v3pdrIYPfaf0LRSZ6pvI6QTaWnP49GNBsNkjbBikzUrJKy7wdRQKiswRQhAPfoOqvUx5qytUuIiF0jMPjr0YOv_z1NRVAjvYv60M5w5DexyisrJFTtavny8aGHieRDK9STFMmQMzwlxIdpoNDu8-NcPsMIuheukguZwCdi=s0-d)
More exciting for the region's golf fans is the emergence of a group of exciting young Asian players at the top of the world rankings, including 2008 Major winners Yani Tseng, Inbee Park and Jiyai Shin, who are all just 20 years old.
HSBC's Group Head of Sponsorship Giles Morgan welcomed their arrival in the Lion City: "When we first conceived the idea of a sister tournament to the HSBC Champions in China, we believed Asia was ready and that the world was also ready for a truly top-quality women's tournament here. It was rewarding enough to realise last year that we had successfully brought a genuine world-class women's tournament to Asia. You can see now that we have done it just as the most talented generation of young Asians, possibly in any sport ever, has emerged," Morgan said.
"It's especially rewarding because having created a stage that this new generation can shine on, we're already seeing just how inspiring it is to the young girls on the HSBC junior programmes in Singapore and China," he added.
To celebrate the start of the tournament week, for what was rated by many players and officials as one of the top five events worldwide in women's golf, world number one and defending champion Lorena Ochoa was joined by some of her closest rivals in world number two Yani Tseng of Taiwan, world number four Norwegian Suzann Pettersen and reigning US Open Champion Inbee Park for a trishaw [1] ride beside the Singapore River.
Boozer gets double-double in Jazz win over Rockets
Carlos Boozer looked like an All-Star again. Boozer had his best game since returning after missing three months with a knee injury, scoring 20 points and pulling down 17 rebounds as the Utah Jazz increased their winning streak to nine with a 101-94 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
Boozergetsdouble-doubleinJazzwinoverRockets
China draw 0-0 with Sweden in Algarve Cup
ALGARVE, Portugal, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Two-time champions China Wednesday ended with a goalless draw against Sweden on the opening day of the Algarve Cup.
Two-time champions China Wednesday ended with a goalless draw
against Sweden on the opening day of the Algarve Cup.
The windy and rainy weather made it a difficult match for both the Group A teams. Chinese striker Xu Yuan twice charged into the box in the second half but Swedish defenders twice denied her chances of scoring.
Chinese coach Shang Ruihua, however, was satisfied with the result.
"After the Olympics, we brought new players into the team and it will take time for them to adapt," he said. "Hopefully they can have better form in the next match."
China next take on two-time world champions Germany, who went to the top of Group A by beating Finland 2-0 on goals from Naid Berringer and Kerstin Garefrekes.
In Group B, the United States beat Denmark 2-0 while Iceland upset four-time Algarve champion Norway 3-1.
In Group C, featuring teams not competing for the title, Austria beat Wales 2-1. Portugal was due to play Poland later Wednesday.
The 12-team women's soccer event will see the final on March 11.
Pole vault queen Isinbayeva arrives in Beijing to sign Chinese deal
Beijing March 1st- Russian pole vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva will sign a sponsorship deal with Chinese sportswear firm Li Ning, and she arrived in Beijing on March 1st.
PolevaultqueenIsinbayevaarrivesinBeijingtosignChinese
dealonMarch1st.
AC Milan hopeful of Beckham loan extension
BEIJING, March 3 -- AC Milan are working to extend David Beckham's loan from Los Angeles Galaxy until the end of June with an eye to signing him permanently next year, chief executive Adriano Galliani said Monday.
England'sDavidBeckham(C)passestheballbetweenSpain'sMarcos
Senna(L)adXavi(R)duringtheirinternationalfriendlysoccer
matchattheRamonSanchezPizjuanstadiuminSeville,Feb.11,
2009.(Xinhua/ReutersPhoto)
"Negotiations are getting more intense. I hope to manage to arrange for him to stay here at least until June 30 on loan," Galliani told the club's in-house TV channel.
"Then he could return to Los Angeles and come back in January. It's a complicated path, as we have always known, but I'm trying."
The clubs are close to an agreement for the loan extension which should be finalised by the end of the week, the Los Angeles Times reported on its website (www.latimes.com).
Beckham is due to return to Galaxy on March 9 if a deal is not reached. The clubs had been in talks over a permanent transfer but were unable to agree on a fee.
Click for more news in Sports Scene
Liu Xiang to be absent from Two Sessions
Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang will not be able to attend this year's "Two Sessions" in Beijing as he is still receiving medical treatment in the United States, the organizers said Monday.
GrimaceisseeninthefaceofLiuXiangafter
thegamesuspendedforafalsestartinthe
firstroundofthemen's110hurdlesatthe
BeijingGamesonMonday,August18,2008.
[Photo:Xinhuanet]
![GrimaceisseeninthefaceofLiuXiangafterthegamesuspendedforafalsestartinthefirstroundofthemen's110hurdlesattheBeijingGamesonMonday,August18,2008.[Photo:Xinhuanet]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vEeqNpX5AiFrhqxHlkDL7tTtZfrXBtj3ScCtWv65evoz4E_48fGmydMYujUh6ysqePPe5QkcfSguslGdBk5WfBA8I2Ja8h7OHaDAjEXicCRawmIZGPrNimEziNh8FwWE9goHxosV6uiw7pe8ISd55Rgmzydli7EM83MNkV=s0-d)
Liu, 25, is one of the youngest among the 2,235 members of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the nation's top political advisory body.
The "Two Sessions" refer to the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress, China's top legislature, and the Second Session of the 11th National Committee of CPPCC.
Liu has asked for absence from this year's CPPCC session, according to the CPPCC reception office.
"Liu is still in the United States to have his injury treated, and is not expected to return home till mid March," Liu Xuegen, father of Liu, told Xinhua upon inquiry.
Liu, from Shanghai, was once the world record holder of the men's 110m hurdles. He stunned the world by withdrawing from the 110m hurdles at the Beijing Olympics as a result of his right foot injury.
Liu was also absent from the CPPCC session last March, when he was in Spain to compete in the world indoor championship.
This year's CPPCC session is scheduled to open on Tuesday and last nine days.
Click for more news in Sports Scene
09/03/04 Voices and Vote: Drought fuels water scarcity
Watch Full Video
Background Report:
Intro:
Hello, I am Yang Rui with Voices and Votes broadcasting live from Beijing. In day two of our special coverage on the country's annual session of political consultation, we shall focus on the worst drought in 50 years, water shortage, water pollution, poor water rights administration as well as weak water demand control in the first half of the program.
The environmental degradation arising from China's rapid growth is part of the picture of global warming as ozone depletion needs to be tackled through global coordination. In times of crisis when extreme weather conditions increase sharply, law makers and political advisors of China try to protect their common homeland for our children and children's children.
Here in the studio we are joined live by Mr. Ma Jun, director of the Institute for public and environmental affairs and Ms. Wu Changhua, China CEO of the Climate Group. After the short break, we shall be talking to Mr. Carter Brandon, lead environmental specialist of World Bank China Office in a telephone interview.
09/02/28 China vows to protect food safety
Watch Full Video
Intro:
Hello, I am Yang Rui and live with Dialogue, our daily current-affairs talk show on CCTV International. Today we focus on the latest approval of a food safety law.
After several shock waves of food scandals last year, law makers who will soon converge in Beijing in March to deliberate how to crackdown on illegal use of misuse of food additives. Public figures are warned against advertising tainted food and problem drugs.
Today we are joined here live by professor Luo Yunbo, dean to the college of food science of the China Agricultural University and Mr. Lester Ross, partner of Wilmerhale. Mr. Ross is an American lawyers. But, up first, let's look at this report.
Background Report:
Royksopp present their inner child
It's been three years since a new collection of sounds has originated from electronic dance duo Royksopp. The band members say they're a little nervous about releasing their new album "Junior" after a long time away. But they say variety is necessary for a harmonious life.
It'sbeenthreeyearssinceanewcollectionofsoundshasoriginated
fromelectronicdanceduoRoyksopp.
The duo have written, performed, arranged, mixed and produced all 11 tracks on the record. It's billed on their website as an album that sheds "light" on an otherwise "bleak reality".
The first single from the album "Happy Up Here" is due for release on March 16th. Royksopp sold more than one million copies of their 2001 debut "Melody AM". They also won an MTV Europe Award for Best Video for "Remind Me". Torbjorn says the success of the group comes from their insistence on staying out of the mainstream music scene.
Theduohavewritten,performed,arranged,mixedandproducedall
11tracksontherecord.
Torbjorn Brundtland from Royksopp said, "I think if you go into, you know, electronic dance music you'll find that whenever we see a new plug in, you know, you test it out and there's some special sound on it, it's like 'ok, in two weeks there's going to be a floor filler using that sound, which is a good thing, it's fun you know, that's what it is. But somehow, we've chosen a path where we're a bit more particular in our sound sources."
Torbjorn and Svein were schoolmates in their hometown of Troms in Norway. Torbjorn says the duo have felt like they are OLD people trapped in younger people's bodies since they were kids. But at the same time they feel like the eternal child, Peter Pan.
"Junior" is scheduled for release on March 23rd and reflects their more playful side. And "Senior" is due out in the autumn, expected to represent a more introverted side of the electronic duo. Torbjorn says the album will ask listeners to take their time.
Click for more news in Culture Express
Iron artworks
Have you ever thought of decorating your home with something totally out of the ordinary?
Well, in today's "Style Watch", we'll take you to an art studio in Shanghai to have a glimpse of some unique artwork made from scrap iron.
You'll see how the artists combine creativity and technical skill to turn this hard metal into a masterpiece.
Click for more news in Culture Express
09/03/03 Chairman Maos porcelain (Part 1)
Watch Video >>
These porcelain set includes table ware and tea sets. The cup has several plum blossom on the surface.
Vegetable artist Ju Duoqi
Anyone for Da Vinci's Mona Lisa composed of Chinese cabbage, kelp, celery, tofu, pepper and potatoes? Or a last Supper, lovingly prepared with ginger, radish, tomato, mushrooms, bean curd, seaweed and rape? A Chinese artist is taking the sensual side of food to its ultimate extreme, by recreating Western masterpieces out of vegetables and photographing the results. On today's the List, let's see how the artist chops, slices and eats her representations of the old masters.
"La Liberte guidant le peuple", or Liberty Leading the People, is a painting by Eugene Delacroix commemorating the July Revolution of 1830. It's also the inspiration of Chinese artist Ju Duoqi's "Liberty Leading the Vegetables".
Chinese cabbage, mushroom, potato, seaweed, radish and a bunch of wooden toothpicks, that's all she needs for breathing new life into ordinary vegetables.
Artist Ju Duoqi said, "I pick two potatoes, a big one and a small one. There are some little pits on the small one, which can be seen as eyes and a nose. I see a vivid facial expression on it. With the help of lights, you will see it more clearly on the photo."
The different types, shapes and colors of vegetables, with a bit of rearranging, can make for a rich source of imagery. Fresh, withered, rotting, dried, pickled, boiled or fried - and all with a dash of digital manipulation - Ju presents a puzzling series of vegetable compositions representing world famous paintings, such as The Last Supper and Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci, and Vincent Van Gogh's Self Portrait.
To Ju, the quirky idea of blending art and vegetables is natural and fun.
Ju Duoqi said, "These western masterpieces are very theatrical and have magnificent scenes. I think it's fun to organize various vegetables to play a drama as in the paintings. When I find an appropriate vegetable which perfectly fits the scene or the costume of the character, I'm very excited."
Click for more news in Culture Express
Crazy Ning Hao
"Silver Medalist" Director Ning Hao's latest effort has won big at the box office. The film has generated a wave of movie ticket buying sweeping director Ning Hao back into the public spotlight. But what's behind his latest success?
In 2006. Ning Hao's work -- "Crazy Stone" -- gained a robust box office return about ten times its three million yuan budget. And three years later. Ning is back with "Silver Medalist" which has generated an astonishing box office return of over one hundred millions yuan. On Tuesday, cast members held a party in Beijing celebrating its blockbuster success. Movie investor Han Sanping and actor Zhang Guoli together presented a check of 500-thousand yuan to the 32-year old director.
Actor Huang Bo, who has collaborated with Ning many times, says he's delighted for Ning.
Actor Huang Bo said, "From the very beginning, we thought we could gain 80-million yuan at the box office. Of course we had bigger ambitions, but at that time no one was sure whether we could earn over a 100-million or not. I'm so happy we did. Simply speaking, this is a victory for domestic movies, because there's no such case in the past like this one, winning big with just an average budget. You know, movies with an average budget, say ten to twenty million yuan, have become something that no one has dared to dabble with for years. I'm happy we did it. And I'm happy for domestic movies. I'm happy for Ning Hao and I'm happy for myself."
Click for more news in Culture Express
Monday, March 2, 2009
Experts cautious of online securities consulting
With the rise of the stock market at the beginning of this year, more and more so-called "securities consulting companies" appeared online. They claim their service will give investors large gains. But many of them are illegal.
If you search online, you can find over two hundred websites that claim to be security consulting firms in Shanghai. Many of them say they can provide inside information and offer expert advice. They promise investors high profits, no matter if it's a bull or a bear market.
But investigations have found many of them to be illegal and are fraudulent businesses.
Wang xiong, the vice president of Guotai Junan securities said, "Those illegal websites have some common characteristics. Firstly, they often claim to be a branch of a famous security firm or financial institution, but their websites are badly designed. Secondly, they lure investors to become their club members. They claim some famous experts work with them. Thirdly, they always promise high returns. And lastly, they post their account number. Legal security firms never publish their account numbers on their websites."
Obama: Iraq combat mission to end by Aug. 2010
Click for more news in World Wide Watch>>
US President Barack Obama has moved to fulfill the defining promise of his campaign, saying all US combat troops will be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of August 2010.
USPresidentBarackObamahasmovedtofulfillthedefining
promiseofhiscampaign,sayingallUScombattroopswillbe
withdrawnfromIraqbytheendofAugust2010.
Obama made the announcement on Friday before US marines and military leaders at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
US President Barack Obama said, "We have acted with careful consideration of events on the ground, with respect for the security agreements between the United States and Iraq, and with a critical recognition that the long-term solution in Iraq must be political not military."
China to gives support to small & medium enterprises
Financing has long been a problem for China's small and medium sized companies. Amid the current financial climate, these companies are encountering more difficulties. Banks and related authorities are trying more measures to help these firms.
Many small and medium sized companies in east China have seen a decline in the number of orders and shrinking margins. Many are short of capital, with almost 40 percent of these firms suffering a shortage of more than 10 billion yuan. It is not easy for them to borrow money from the banks, because they have few assets to be mortgaged and a lack of complete fiscal information required by lenders.
Wang Yuejun, General manager of Zhejiang Fusheng Furniture Industrial Co., said, "We're not as normative as large companies in financial works, and our sales are not stable."
Data shows China has around 42 million small and medium sized companies which created 60 percent of the country's GDP and 75 percent of jobs. But only 15 to 20 percent of them could get loans from banks. Most banks were cautions when lending money to these firms, given their low capability to resist risks. The banks are more likely to lend money to big enterprises.
Zhao Xijun, Deputy director of Financial Securities Inst., Renmin University of China, said, "Competition will be fiercer if all the banks provide financial services only to big companies, then the returns will lower because big firms have more opportunities to raise their requirements.
Industry insiders suggested that banks should dispatch expertise to small and medium companies to provide financial consultation.
Shao Bin, Vice president of Jiangsu branch of China Construction Bank, said, "We banks should be more innovative with credit products, and provide diversified financial services."
There are also suggestions that a credit guarantee system be set up as soon as possible.
Zhao also said, "Neither the banks nor the firms can guarantee, then we need a reliable institute to take this responsibility. Currently, the role should be played by government bodies."
China's central bank has said it will continue the moderately easy monetary policy and boost lending to small and medium sized companies. The country's banking regulator has also urged lenders to support the development of small and medium sized firms. QTX CCTV
Chinese policy bank to issue 350 bln yuan financial bonds in 2009
CHANGSHA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Agricultural Development Bank of China (ADBC), one of the country's major state-run policy banks, plans to issue 350 billion yuan (51.47 billion U.S. dollars) worth of financial bonds in 2009. That's up 25 percent year-on-year, said ADBC vice governor Ding Jie here Friday.
The money will be used to expand the coverage of rural credit to support the country's agriculture. It will also ensure funds for loans for agriculture-supporting programs over the year, Dingsaid at a bank meeting here.
By the end of February, the ADBC had accumulatively issued more than 1 trillion yuan worth of bonds, making it the third largest bond issuer in China's interbank market, said Ding. It entered the interbank market in 2005.
The ADBC gained profits of 20.4 billion yuan in 2008, up 5.5 billion yuan, or 37 percent year on year.
Iceland names interim governor of Central Bank
STOCKHOLM, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Iceland on Friday hired a Norwegian economist as interim governor of Sedlabanki, the country's central bank, according to reports.
Svein Harald Oeygard, who has 11 years of experience in Norway's central bank, finance ministry and parliament, was appointed as interim governor, Sedlabanki said in a statement.
Arnor Sighvatsson, the bank's chief economist, was named interim deputy governor.
Oeygard and Sighvatsson will hold their positions until the government makes permanent appointments, the statement said.
Oeygard has extensive experience from Norwegian administration and company consultancy, which should come in handy, Olafur Isleifsson, an economics professor at Reykjavik University, told the Iceland newspaper Morgunbladid.
The parliament passed a reform bill on Thursday that paved the way for the removal of David Oddsson as bank chief.
Oddsson had been viewed by many Icelanders as one of the key figures responsible for the country's economic collapse in October. Oddsson had already announced his resignation earlier Thursday before parliament passed the bill.
The new government, which was sworn in Feb. 1, had demanded Oddsson's resignation and when he refused to do so, presented a reform bill to parliament in an effort to remove him.
Indian economy sees lowest quarterly growth in 5 years
NEW DELHI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- India's economy registered a 5.3 percent growth from October to December last year, the lowest quarterly growth in five years, said the semi-official Press Trust of India on Friday.
This is in contrast to an 8.9 percent growth rate in the same period of 2007.
Manufacturing dropped by 0.2 percent in the last quarter last year, while agriculture fell by 2.2 percent, said the report.
In the first nine months of the current fiscal year, from April to December last year, the economy grew by 6.9 percent, compared with 9 percent in the same period of 2007, said the report.
The current fiscal year will end on March 31.
The Indian government expects growth in the current fiscal year to attain 7.1 percent despite the economic slowdown.
NZ dairy exporters to benefit from ASEAN-Australia-NZ trade deal
WELLINGTON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser said Saturday New Zealand dairy exporters will be among the big winners in a free trade deal signed between New Zealand, Australia and 10 Southeast Asian nations.
The agreement, signed in Thailand on Friday night, will eliminate tariffs on 99 percent of New Zealand exports to Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam by 2020.
It will give similar rights to imports from countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, although many such imports are already duty-free.
Groser said dairy co-operative Fonterra has already indicated to him how significant the free trade deal is, Radio New Zealand reported.
He said 2.5 billion NZ dollars (1.3 billion U.S. dollars) worth of dairy products are going into the Asian market and there will be significant long term benefits for dairy exports.
The agreement covers investment and services as well as trade in goods.
It also covers temporary migration, allowing in 100 nurses from the Philippines and 200 professionals from Vietnam.
The 10 member states of ASEAN are already New Zealand's third largest export market, worth 4.6 billion NZ dollars last year.
ASEAN comprises Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei and the Philippines.
The region is home to over 600 million people and, according to the Singaporean government, has a combined GDP worth over 2 trillion U.S. dollars.
China to subsidize 20 bln yuan to boost electronic appliance sales in 2009
BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Friday that the government would grant 20 billion yuan (2.93 billion U.S. dollars) subsidies in 2009 to boost electronic appliance sales in rural areas.
The plan was expected to stimulate rural consumption up to 150 billion yuan, the MOC said.
An official with the MOC, Liu Haiquan, told a press conference that rural residents' average income in 2008 reached 4,761 yuan (697 U.S. dollars), which was similar to urban residents' income in the late 1990s, when electronic appliances sales registered a significant growth in urban areas.
Meanwhile, Liu said the government would make the procedures easier for farmers to claim the subsidies. "The MOC and the Ministry of Finance are jointly working on a plan to ensure the funds would be used properly while facilitating procedures for farmers to claim the subsidies."
So far, a total of 2,851 electronic products have been selected in the stimulus plan, including different types of color televisions, refrigerators and mobile phones.
STRENGTHEN COOPERATION BETWEEN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS AND SUPERMARKETS
The Chinese government also planned to launch about 200 projects this year to create platforms for cooperation between agricultural product producers and supermarkets so as to stabilize food prices.
The total sales of agricultural products now stood at 130 billion yuan. Yet 70 percent of the circulation was made in grain wholesale markets and special markets for agricultural products.
"The sales and production are closely linked in Western countries. Farmers will plant what supermarkets need," an MOC official Chang Xiaocun said.
"Such connection between the supermarkets and farmers could provide up-to-date market information to farmers so they would plant what the market really need. Meanwhile, it would help to stabilize food prices and farmers' income," he said.
The retail giant Wal-Mart has established such a connection in China, which "not only ensured the supply and quality, but also reduced circulation cost by at least 20 percent," Chang said.
In the United States, more than 80 percent of the supermarkets operate in such a business model. In Asia-Pacific regions, the ratio stood at 70 percent.
However, only 15 to 18 percent of the Chinese supermarkets operate in such a model.
MORE JOBS TO BE CREATED IN RURAL AREAS
The Chinese government will establish and renovate more than 150,000 stores and 1,000 distribution centers in rural areas, which are expected to offer more than 500,000 jobs.
Meanwhile, it plans to build 200 to 300 agricultural product wholesale markets as well 400 to 500 smaller food markets in rural areas, which would offer a combined 600,000 to 700,000 jobs.
The above two plans are expected to create 1.1 million to 1.2 million jobs in rural areas as to ease unemployment pressure and increase income for rural residents, Chang said.
Mitsubishi Motors recalls 9,390 cars in China
BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Mitsubishi Motors, one of Japan's major car producers, will recall 9,390 vehicles in China from March 7 for brake system problems, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (GAQSIQ) announced Friday.
The problematic vehicles include 9,108 Outlander EX models produced in the period from Nov. 7, 2007 to Dec. 5, 2008, and 282 Lancer EX vehicles produced from Oct. 3, 2008 to Nov. 20, 2008.
The report said the brake vacuum booster of the cars could fail to function because of inside valve defects, posing a potential danger.
The GAQSIQ said Mitsubishi vehicle owners could have their cars examined and repaired free of charge at the company's service centers across the country.
The Japanese auto-maker recalled 12,985 vehicles last December, including 6,090 Grandis and 6,895 Outlander EX models, imported to China as the brake lights had problems because of a short circuit in the switch.
U.S. stocks plunges on Citi deal, U.S. GDP data
NEW YORK, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Wall Street plunged Friday with the Dow Jones average and S
Chinese trade mission highly appreciated in Spain
MADRID, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese business delegation was warmly received on Wednesday by their Spanish hosts, who hailed the visit as an important step in deepening bilateral trade ties, and a good example of joint efforts to combat the impact of the global financial crisis.
Spanish and Chinese companies earlier in the day, signed more than 20 contracts and agreements worth about 320 million U.S. dollars, covering products from aircraft equipment and auto parts to seafood and wine.
More than 80 Chinese companies and some 100 Spanish enterprises took part in a Sino-Spanish economic and trade cooperation forum, where they explored the possibility of future cooperation.
After attending the forum and witnessing the signing of the deals, Spanish Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Miguel Sebastian told Xinhua that he was very satisfied with the visit of the 200-member Chinese delegation, and he believed the trip was important to promoting bilateral trade ties.
We are two market economies, he said, The only way to promote trade and investment is to know each other. With these trips and meetings, we get to know each other. This is very important to the future of our bilateral relations.
The minister described the visit as short but very constructive, saying that China is making an effort to address the imbalance in the Spanish-Chinese trade, which is welcomed by Spain.
He said the two sides had discussed not only exports of agricultural products to China, but also high-tech exports. Spanish companies are eager to sell advanced technologies to China, and the government has no limitations (in this regard) at all, he said, citing renewable energy, railway systems and infrastructure.
Angel Martin Acebes, chief executive officer of the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade, said the Chinese mission was highly appreciated by Spanish enterprises.
Some Spanish businessmen were also impressed by the efficiency and speed with which the Chinese trade mission was set up. Barely one month after Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Spain, China sent a team Wen had promised, and to honor its commitments. This is almost unthinkable in Spain, a Spanish entrepreneur told Xinhua.
The Chinese delegation arrived in Madrid on the third leg of a four-nation trip. The Chinese entrepreneurs have visited Germany and Switzerland, where they signed more than 14 billion dollars worth of procurement deals covering products from vehicles, machinery to software and metals.
On Thursday the delegation leaves for London.
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Spain looks to enhance trade ties with China
MADRID, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Spain is set to strengthen its economic and trade ties with China, Spanish Minister of Industry, Tourism and Commerce Miguel Sebastian said here Wednesday.
Spain attaches great importance to promoting economic and trade ties with China, and the government has drafted a "China plan" to expand trade and investment between the two countries, the minister said.
Speaking after Spanish and Chinese companies inked more than 20 procurement deals worth 320 million U.S. dollars in Madrid, Sebastian said he was pleased that the Spanish-Chinese trade has been growing rapidly in the past few years.
"Five years ago our exports to China were less than our exports to the tiny country of Andorra. In the past five years our exports to China have increased five times," he said.
According to China's official figures, China is Spain's biggest trading partner outside the European Union, while Spain is China's sixth largest trading partner in the 27-nation bloc. Bilateral trade almost quadrupled in the past five years to 26.2 billion dollars last year.
Official: No protectionism in Chinas economic stimulus plans
BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- There were no protectionist measures in China's stimulus plans for 10 key industries, Liu Tienan, vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, told reporters here Friday.
We are against trade protectionism and there are no protectionist measures in our economic stimulus plans, Liu said.
Liu cautioned against the rise of protectionism in various forms as the world strove to address the impact of the financial crisis and maintain economic growth.
Protectionism may have some effects in the short term, but it is a short-sighted option, he said.
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China confident of 8% growth target
Vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, Liu Tienan said China is confident of achieving its 8-percent gross domestic product growth target for 2009.
Liu says the Chinese financial system remains strong and the economy's fundamentals are unchanged. This and government stimulus measures should enable it to achieve stable growth. And quick development has facilitated industrialization and urbanization, trends that provide huge consumption potential.
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Mainland to boost tourism with Taiwan
The Mainland and Taiwan are looking for greater cooperation in the tourism industry. The two sides met in Taipei for discussions on Thursday, and promised to work together to overcome the financial crisis.
The head of the Mainland delegation, Shao Qiwei, brought along more than 450 travel agents and tourism officials. They represent 30 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.
Shao Qiwei says the number of Mainland tourists to Taiwan reached an average of 800 a day in the past two weeks. The Mainland has also raised the number of tourists in each tour package from five to ten.
Shao Qiwei, Director of Cross-Strait Tourism Communication Ass'n said "We will urge the designated agencies to organize Taiwan tour packages for as early as March, and try to get more than a thousand tourists to the island each day."
Shao Qiwei says the Mainland's tourism department has approved more than ten thousand tourists to make the trip on passenger liners. It's the first batch following last November's sea transport pact.
Shao Qiwei says the Mainland is going for more inclusive packages.
Shao Qiwei, Director of Cross-Strait Tourism Communication Ass'n said "One tour includes several destinations such as Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. This is cost-efficient for travellers."
Shao Qiwei says he also welcomes more Taiwan tourists to the Mainland.
Standing Committee Session wraps up
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The Seventh Session of the Standing Committee of the Eleventh National People's Congress came to a close on Saturday morning. Lawmakers approved the Food Safety Law, as well as the agenda of the 11th NPC's second plenary session.
After four readings in the last three years, the Food Safety Law was approved by Chinese lawmakers. The law will provide a legal basis for the government to ensure food safety, "from the production line to the dining table."
The law will set in motion the establishment of a monitoring and supervision system, a set of national standards on food safety and a recall system. It will also implement severe punishment for offenders.
The NPC Standing Committee gave its green light to the amendments to the Criminal Law and the Insurance Law during a bimonthly session, ending on Saturday morning.
The lawmakers also approved the agenda of the Second Plenary Session of the Eleventh National People's Congress which will open on Thursday.
Chinese Commerce Minister: trip of fulfilling commitments commitments
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Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming has described his delegation's Europe visit as one of fulfilling commitments, made by Premier Wen Jiabao during his recent visit to continent.
Chen Deming says that as the global economy deals with recession, China and Europe need to enhance Sino-European trade. Hepledged that China will do more to cooperate with European countries, so as to combat the global financial crisis.
Chen Deming, Chinese Commerce Minister, said, "This trip of fulfilling commitment is only a start of our European trip to deal with the financial crisis. We are working to make similar visits to other European countries at an appropriate time and through appropriate ways. "
China, Britain sign trade deals worth US$2 bln
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A Chinese business delegation in London has signed agreements worth two billion US dollars with British firms. Britain is the last stop on the Chinese purchasing mission's four-nation tour in Europe, after Germany, Switzerland and Spain. The tour is seen as a significant move for China, to stave off protectionism in the wake of the global financial crisis.
AChinesebusinessdelegationinLondonhassignedagreements
worthtwobillionUSdollarswithBritishfirms.
Of the 11 deals signed, the agreement between Hainan Airlines and Rolls-Royce is the largest, totaling a little over one billion US dollars. Rolls-Royce is set to provide 20 engines for the Airbus 330 of the Hong Kong fleet, in addition to service support.
China, US defense officials hold talks
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China has urged the United States to remove obstacles to improving military ties. Relations suffered a serious setback last year after a US arms sale to Taiwan.
QianLihua,directoroftheForeignAffairsOfficeofthe
DefenseMinistry,wasspeakingbeforetalkswithUSDeputy
AssistantSecretaryofDefenseDavidSedney.[FilePhoto]
![QianLihua,directoroftheForeignAffairsOfficeoftheDefenseMinistry,wasspeakingbeforetalkswithUSDeputyAssistantSecretaryofDefenseDavidSedney.[FilePhoto]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sbljmMFQ2ID_r_Cv5H80pdEyK7Cw0g2ZQzjnMSwkFKqufzkAASmDoOPUlCVg16jA4Tb8EPue3MFBjWYDArAD81rkhzWPl5StE6ffQr5FC_zyIOCL1jceWv_z2XT-Kv2FTBHSlW6pG7dE_aUoJcYGBY=s0-d)
Qian Lihua, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Defense Ministry, was speaking before talks with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense David Sedney.
The two-day Defense Policy Coordination Talks, began on Friday morning in Beijing. This is the fifth round of talks since they began in 2005.
Defense officials from the two countries were due to meet in November as part of annual talks. But the meeting was postponed after the Pentagon announced a 6.5-billion-dollar arms deal with Taiwan in October.
National advisory body to discuss intl challenges
JiaQinglin(CFront),chairmanoftheNationalCommittee
oftheChinesePeople'sPoliticalConsultativeConference
(CPPCC),attendsthefourthmeetingoftheStanding
Committeeofthe11thCPPCCNationalCommitteeinBeijing,
capitalofChina,Feb.27,2009.Themeetingwenttoa
successfulconclusionhereFriday.(Xinhua/HuangJingwen)China's top political advisor says the national advisory body will have to contribute to decisions on major national and global challenges at its annual session next week.
At Friday's meeting of the Standing Committee of National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the Chairman of CPPCC National Committee -- Jia Qinglin -- noted this year will be crucial for China's development.
He says CPPCC members will conduct research and offer effective opinions and proposals to the Communist Party of China and government for their decision-making.
The Second Session of the 11th CPPCC National Committee is scheduled to open on March 3rd.
U.S. skier retains title in World Cup giant slalom
U.S. skier Ted Ligety successfully defended his title on Saturday in the World Cup giant slalom meet in Slovenia's Kranjska Gora.
The 24-year-old defending champion clocked a time of two minutes and 19.92 seconds after two runs to prove unbeatable for first-run leader Didier Cuche of Switzerland, who finished the race 0.19 seconds behind him, the Slovenia news agency STA reported.
Ligety produced an attacking second run to rise from third to first place in a repeat of last year's winning performance. It is his fourth career victory, and the first this season.
Massimiliano Blardone of Italy dropped from second to third in the second run, finishing 0.34 seconds behind Ligety.
The venue in Kranjska Gora is my favorite in the World Cup, only Alta Baldia comes close, Ligety said after the event on Saturday.
Search for swimming talent on in Zimbabwe
Following the success story of Kirsty Coventry at the last two Olympic Games in Greece and China, a major talent identification program aimed at unearthing future swimming stars is underway in Zimbabwe, The Herald reported on Saturday.
Zimbabwe Olympic Committee board member Kathy Lobb is heading the program with the assistance of the Zimbabwe Aquatic Union who have identified a number of provincial coaches for this scheme.
This program on Friday got a major boost when Lobb handed over a swimming kit that she sourced during last April's world short-course championships in Manchester, England.
The kit was presented to the provincial coaches who are currently attending the national swimming championships at Harare's Les Brown Pool.
According to Glenda Heard, the project's manager, a number of coaches were selected in October last year and have been given the task to identify talented Zimbabwean swimmers. The swimmers will then be nurtured by ZOC on this talent identification program to take them to the highest possible level internationally.
Vonn retains world cup downhill title
American skier Lindsey Vonn retained her women's World Cup downhill title on Saturday, despite finishing in 12th-place. Andrea Fischbacher of Austria won the race to claim the second world cup victory of her career.
Switzerland's Fabienne Suter, who won her first downhill on the same piste Friday, was going for a repeat win at the Bulgarian resort of Bansko. She was third out of the starting gate and set a challenging time. Suter completed the course in one minute, 46.20 seconds. Slovenia's Tina Maze, who was sixth in Friday's downhill, was ahead of Suter at the first timing, and was more than a quarter-of-a-second ahead by the next. She took the lead by 0.13 seconds after crossing the finish line. Victory went to Andrea Fischbacher, who displayed her super-G skills perfectly to give Austria their first victory in a women's downhill event in almost two years. Fischbacher, who was second behind Suter in Friday's first downhill here, claimed the second World Cup victory of her career in one minute, 45.81 seconds. American World Cup leader Lindsey Vonn was still struggling with a thumb injury that she got from crashing out during practice and had to be content with joint 12th place. However, Vonn shouldn't be too upset: She retains her World Cup downhill title and still leads in the overall standings, making her a clear favourite to keep the overall crown.
Juventus beat Napoli 1-0
Turning to the Italian Serie A. Juventus have cut Inter Milan's lead to six points, after beating Napoli 1-nil on Saturday.
Visiting Napoli were able to hold off strong attacks from the home side for most of the match. Keeper Nicolas Navarro was good at blocking a David Trezeguet shot from a close range, and an Alessandro Del Piero free kick. But the Goddess of Fortuna stood aside the hosts. On the stroke of halftime, midfielder Claudio Marchisio's shot looked to be going wide, before taking a deflection off Napoli's Manuele Blasi. 1-nil the final score.
Harbin eyes holding Winter Olympics
The 24th Winter Universiade will conclude on Saturday night in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province. After holding the event successfully, the city has now set its sights on holding a Winter Olympics in the future. Cheng Youdong, the executive vice president of the organizing committee was quite confident of this prospect.
Cheng Youdong, Executive vice president of 24th Winter Universiade Organizing Committee, said, "The 2010 Winter Olympics is in Vancouver then it is in Sochi. The earliest Winter Olympics we can bid for is the 2018 Games, which is nine to ten years away. Depending on our speed of development, I am quite confident about our goal."
Canada defeat China 3-1 in ice hockey
There was disappointment for China in the ice hockey competition when Team Canada defeated them to claim gold at the Universiade.
TherewasdisappointmentforChinaintheicehockey
competitionwhenTeamCanadadefeatedthemtoclaim
goldattheUniversiade.
Canada and China gave their best in front of a capacity crowd of 5,700 hockey fans. It was team Canada who opened the scoring in the game, and they would hold that advantage at the end of the first period. 20 seconds into the second period, China used their power play well and Jin Fengling scored for the hosts.
Halfway through the period though, Courtney Unruh scored the second for the Canadians. And in the last period, Canada collected on a power play via Ravanne Reev to put the puck in the net to seal the deal for Canada as they took the Winter Universiade Ice Hockey gold.
Anhui style cuisine festival hold in Beijing
A festival celebrating Anhui style cooking -- one of China's eight major cuisines -- is being held in Beijing. Anhui cuisine is applying for status as part of the country's national intangible cultural heritage.
AfestivalcelebratingAnhuistylecooking--oneofChina'seight
majorcuisines--isbeingheldinBeijing.
Anhui Cuisine originated in the Tang dynasty, and flourished in the Ming and Qing dynasties. It features light flavors which accentuate the true taste of the ingredients. It also emphasizes food's medicinal properties and is considered to be very healthy. Many dishes have stories and legends behind them. A full line-up of famous and authentic Anhui dishes are on offer at Beijing's Anhui Mansion during the three-week festival. Anhui Cuisine is the first of China's eight major cuisines to apply for national intangible heritage status.
AnhuiCuisineoriginatedintheTangdynasty,andflourishedin
theMingandQingdynasties.
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Hair cutting becomes fashionable in Nepal
Short, long, curly, straight, or dyed hairstyles crown the fashionable set's latest looks. In the former Himalayan kingdom of Nepal, the under-30s are experimenting with what's hot for 2009.
IntheformerHimalayankingdomofNepal,theunder-30sare
experimentingwithwhat'shotfor2009.
This used to be one of the most conservative societies in the world, but now traditions and cultural beliefs are giving way to more cutting edge influences.
This is most apparent in the way younger people are opting for bolder, more colorful styles, especially when it comes to hairstyles.
Local resident Rajesh Rai said, "It is always good to update hairstyles to attain a new look that suits the new generation. New hairstyles give a fresh look. Initially, I had shorter hair and I often shaved my hair off. But then I decided to keep my hair long and I feel I look good."
Exposure to global fashion and styling has helped reverse young people's mindset on traditional hairstyles. A greater degree of social acceptability has also contributed to women becoming more adventurous with their hair - and styles come in any color of the rainbow. Changing social mores have also blurred the boundaries between the sexes.
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Annual N.M.E. music awards unveiled
Oasis has walked away with NME music magazine's award for best British band. Meanwhile, "The Killers" took top honors as Best International Band and the Brit-pop sensation from the 1990's "Blur" reunited for the NME awards, on Wednesday.
OasishaswalkedawaywithNMEmusicmagazine'sawardforbest
Britishband.
NME's readers decide the awards. They voted "Muse" best live band for the second year in a row. The group fended off competition from fellow Brits "Oasis" and Tennessee foursome "Kings of Leon".
"Muse" also received the award for best artwork for its album "HAARP".
Meanwhile, Peter Doherty, arriving with former Libertines band member Carl Barat was named "Best Solo Artist".
And Barack Obama, the newest occupant of the White House, was named hero of the year.
OasishaswalkedawaywithNMEmusicmagazine'sawardforbest
Britishband.
Readers gave Las Vegas band "The Killers" the title of best international band for the third year in a row.
Scottish rockers "Franz Ferdinand" performed Blondie's "Call Me" with up-and-coming La Roux.
And in a bit of recent nostalgia. Blur's Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon were reunited on stage for the first time in NINE years.
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Gala recital of literary classic holds in Chongqing
Ancient poems are a sometimes overlooked part of China's diverse cultural heritage. A poem recital reminding young people about the ancient literary classics has been held in Chongqing Municipality in southwest China.
Apoemrecitalremindingyoungpeopleabouttheancientliterary
classicshasbeenheldinChongqingMunicipalityinsouthwestChina.
Students from colleges, middle schools and elementary schools joined municipal government leaders among the audience at the recital. Eight hundred people recited twenty-four literary classics -- mainly ancient Chinese poems, including those by Li Bai, Bai Juyi and Meng Jiao. They also recited a famous essay by well-known scholar Liang Qichao. And a few poems penned by late Chinese leader Mao Zedong also formed part of the program, while some college students recited sections of foreign literary classics.
Studentsfromcolleges,middleschoolsandelementaryschoolsjoined
municipalgovernmentleadersamongtheaudienceattherecital.
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