Learn Mandarin: February 2008

Friday, February 29, 2008

Learn mandarin - Zeroing in on violator not a solution

Opinion / Raymond Zhou

Zeroing in on violator not a solution
By Raymond Zhou (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-04-29 07:12

A highly educated young woman crossed a street in Shanghai where she was
not supposed to and was stopped by the police. Several times she pushed
back the cop who tried to slap her with a 50-yuan penalty for jaywalking.

The scene was videotaped and has been on the air many times in the past
week.

The woman, surnamed Liu, was eventually detained for 10 days for
"interfering with police duties." Media reports highlighted her
background, noting she was educated overseas and holds a master's degree.

Liu apologized for her behaviour. But the public's outpouring of both
scorn and sympathy might have surprised her.

Liu was said to be the first jaywalker in Shanghai to be fined. Like her
own immediate reaction, many feel outraged that she was singled out for a
minor traffic violation that hundreds of thousands commit on a daily
basis. Others are similarly riled up, but come from disdain that a
cultured lady would do something so uncultured or unladylike.

I would not have scuffled with the police, but I would also have felt it
unfair to take the fall for a common misdemeanour.

On the other hand, one must admit that city administrators are justified
to enforce the traffic law if it exists. But they also have the
obligation to publicize it and not enforce it haphazardly.

Simply put, one should not jaywalk. It endangers everyone. As Confucius
illuminated, "Don't commit evil because it's small."

Among all small "evils" (or rather nuisances) common in China, jaywalking
probably ranks behind spitting, jostling in a queue and reckless driving.

In big cities, most people will wait for the pedestrian's "walk" sign to
flick on. But once one or two people start to ignore the traffic signal,
the whole crowd will follow suit, leaving only a minority of the legally
conscious waiting for the green light.

It is a typical manifestation of the herd mentality. It shows that most
people know what is right or wrong, but they don't want to be seen as
those who either lead in a mini intersection rampage or remain behind by
Javert-ishly sticking to traffic codes.

There are thousands of such examples in any human society, not just in
China. And it has little to do with a person's education or upbringing.

The law is just one set of conduct. In a school of higher learning, if
cheating is rampant and goes unpunished, many will be tempted because
ultimately it's the honest ones who end up being penalized. And in the
extreme case of war, lawlessness is often the survival instinct that
governs.

So, if traffic cops are serious about deterring jaywalking, they should
"shoot the birds who stick out their heads" so to speak. The signal will
be loud and clear to the majority who intuitively knows where the wind is
blowing.

However, there are situations when the fault of jaywalking rests
primarily with city planners.

Many busy streets in our big cities should have footbridges or
underpasses. But because of poor planning or inadequate funding, huge
pedestrian crowds are left to traffic signs. The road partitions in the
middle may work to some extent, but in some cases, they only exacerbate
the situation.

In a scene in the Mexican movie "Y Tu Mama Tambien," a migrant worker is
killed while trying to cross such a divided road. If he had obeyed
traffic law, he would have had to walk half an hour longer to use the
nearest pedestrian crossing.

The scene sent shivers down my spine because I've seen a similar accident
in a Chinese city.

When city planners build an elevated or underground crossing, the top
priority should be the number of people who can benefit from it. Yet, in
our cities, such facilities are sometimes in locations where there are
few pedestrians, and as a result, they become a security hazard. At the
same time, there are no such structures in places with overflowing foot
traffic. Should city officials calculate and forecast traffic flows
before constructing a footbridge or underpass?

Shanghai is right to crack down on jaywalking. But it takes more to solve
the problem than handing out a fine and broadcasting it.

And it takes a lot more to maintain laws and order than simply targeting
one form of traffic violation.

Email: raymondzhou@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/29/2006 page4)

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Learn Chinese - Internet not a tool to cheat the public

? ?

Opinion / Li Xing

Internet not a tool to cheat the public

By Li Xing (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-07-26 07:09

The words "Brutal stepmother", in big, bold Chinese characters, continue
to scream out from the "top tags" of the society news on one of the most
popular local Internet portals. Another site, of similar renown, carries
the same story under a tag of "Fury".

Until Tuesday, the Internet in China was raging with reports claiming a
young girl called Lilac was dying of excessive bleeding and multiple bone
fractures. And the person responsible for her enormous suffering was said
to be her stepmother.

It all began with an article posted online on July 17, entitled: "Brutal
stepmother beats 6-year-old stepdaughter".

Soon every major portal and media website was carrying it: Or at least
8,200 of them, according to a Google search.

Some attempted to clarify what happened, quoting doctors from local
hospitals, Lilac, Lilac's birth mother and father, the neighbors, and
even the stepmother, who was shown kneeling down and crying that she
didn't do it.

However, other angry readers were said to have even besieged the girl's
home, to "reason" with the "cruel stepmother".

Meanwhile, donations poured in and kindhearted people took Lilac to a
hospital in Shanghai for a thorough checkup.

On Tuesday, the event took a new turn. The local police issued an
official statement declaring the stepmother was innocent after a
painstaking investigation. At the same time, doctors from the hospital in
Shanghai said the girl was suffering from a blood disease, which caused
bleeding and bone fractures.

I don't know how much psychological pain the stepmother, a rural woman,
has gone through even though I don't think she has been fully aware of
the sound and fury on the Internet.

However, she has been chased by journalists and camera people and called
in a few times by the police for questioning. And she must have seen
strangers staring at her in anger, so much so that she went into hiding
with the help of the local police.

Some media have started to call it an Internet hoax, stories cooked up to
raise money for the girl's medical treatment, even though they call it a
"kindhearted white lie".

Some people have speculated that a story of a dying girl would not have
aroused sympathy, but a tragic tale of an abused little girl would surely
win hearts and tears.

I understand that the girl requires urgent medical assistance and that
the current public health system can do very little to help rural
families with few resources.

The family's predicament also testifies to the failure of the local
health and welfare administrations in caring for those in dire need.

However, it is simply immoral to use the Internet as a tool to cheat the
public out of their kindness. It is even worse when the fact was twisted
at the expense of one's integrity and reputation. It cost taxpayers a lot
of money sending the local police on a wild goose chase.

Worst of all, the lie was created to enhance the traditional
discrimination against stepmothers, most of whom still live with social
prejudice.

Above all, the public has the right to know the truth and decide how to
help the little girl and other people in need of support. A more helpful
way is to make people aware of all the real charities and foundations,
which raise money to help people like Lilac.

One white lie might work, but if too many people cry wolf, it won't be
long before the genuine help disappears altogether.

E-mail: lixing@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 07/26/2007 page10)

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Learn Mandarin online - Non-confrontational Attitude

Opinion / Forum Digests

Non-confrontational Attitude
By Citizen ( bbs.chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2005-09-20 09:01

As a Chinese citizen of 72 years, I advocate a non-confrontational
attitude toward all nations (including Japan).

Patience is a really wise virtue that only comes with age. The young and
hawkish in every generation always bring about ruin to their respective
countries. Just as we criticise those in Japan, US, and other countries
that have the attitude of "standing up" to perceived threats, or even
evidential past injustices (like in the case of Japanese brutality in the
WW2 infamy), we should not forget that being bullied is never a simple
case of external evil or unfair behaviours by others. Its root cause is
always internal weakness, corruption, and even power struggle and pride.

Like the human body, a nation is never ruined by external forces, just as
there will always be bacteria in the outside, but it is the body's
well-functioning immune system that keep the naturally occuring bacteria
at bay. In this world, past, present or future, it will always be the
same, there will be threat when the internal system in the country is
weak. That is as true as is the case of the human body defence system.

If China continues to ignore the true problem of cultural weakness and
society's inclination to divert attention to external forces as the cause
of its own problems, it reminds me of some of my unergraduate students
just before I retire six years ago. There are those who simply work hard
and blame their lack of discipline and passion to succeed, and there are
those that always complain about lack of support from friends, relatives,
or even the weather condition, or that of the classmates, teachers, or
just about anybody else, that could possibly stand in their way to
succeed.

My observation is that the hardy hearted, with strength of character
coming even from the poorest of families suceeed, whilst the spoilt brat
drift to failures after failures. Perhaps, there is a lesson and cosmic
justice to learn from all of these lessons? It is not where you begin
from but what you make of what adversity that faces you that builds
character, attitude, and invariably, through the long-term, sweet success.

China's most important mission for the next generation is to develop
maturity and steadfastness of character through honestly using history as
a mirror to see what was the weak in our national and cultural values,
and system, and not delude oursleves with too many excuses. We can never
change history, but we can change ourselves by learning from the past
with a courage of honesty with excuses or blames.

Lastly, look at the bigger picture, where the danger lies and not pick a
fight with our Asian brothers and neighbours, even if at present some of
them have short-sighted hawkish leaders, because it will damage our
long-term future for the sake of a temporary good feeling of vindication
through forcing them to recognise their mistakes and apologise. This is
because, confucius once said, we can change oursleves, but we can never
change someone, if they refuse to be changed. The western version of the
statement is " the only person you have control of is only yourself" any
other subjugation or coercion on someone else is only an outward change,
it has no real impact on the inside.

Only the wise can be truly be strong, and China with a long history
should be the first to know that, which we cant expect from all other
younger nations; they have to learn the lesson that we had paid for with
our past national sufferings.

The above content represents the view of the author only.

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Learn Mandarin online - biography

��

Jiang Zemin was re-elected General Secretary of the Communist Party of
China (CPC) at the First Plenary Session of the15th CPC Central Committee
following the last CPC National Congressin this century.

His re-election as head of the world's largest ruling party with 58
million members is viewed as the measure of the confidence of the Chinese
people he enjoys.

Over the past eight years when Jiang served as the top leader of the
Party, China has been in a period featuring "most stable political
situation, the strongest national strength, the most active diplomatic
activities and the most remarkable improvement in the people's life,"
said a local analyst.

Overseas press commented that the prestige of CPC's third generation
leadership is just the kind of prestige that could be expected from a
country where economy has registered double-digits growth for more than a
decade.

Jiang officially took over the post of Party General Secretary in June,
1989 when China faced great difficulties, politically,economically and
diplomatically.

In just two years, Jiang succeeded in bringing about big changes in the
situation. The GNP grew steadily at an average annual rate of 12.1
percent, the fastest in the world.

Jiang was elected President of the People's Republic of China in March
1993 and continued to serve for another term as Chairman of the Central
Military Commission. His status as the core of the leadership is
attributable to his outstanding achievements, ability and a steady and
down-to-earth style of work.

Born on August 17, 1926, of an intellectual family in Yangzhou, a
culturally famous city in east China's Jiangsu Province,Jiang received
his higher education in the prestigious Shanghai Jiaotong University and
his major was electrical engineering.

Both his grandfather and father were noted local scholars.

During his college years, Jiang participated in the CPC-led students
movements and joined the Communist Party of China in 1946.

After the founding of New China, Jiang served as associate engineer,
deputy director of a factory, section head of an enterprise. In 1955, He
went to the then Soviet Union and worked in the Stalin Automobile Works
as a trainee for one year. After his return home,he served as deputy
division head, deputy chief power engineer, director of a branch factory,
and deputy director, director of factories and research institutes in
Changchun, Shanghai and Wuhan.

In the ensuing years, Jiang served as deputy,then director of foreign
affairs department of the No. 1 Ministry of Machine-Building Industry. He
speaks good English, Russian and Romanian, and knows some Japanese and
French.

Before he became Shanghai Mayor in 1985, Jiang served as minister of
Electronics Industry.

His unique career experiences have enabled him to observe and solve
problems from the perspectives of profound relations between China and
the world.

Jiang was the first planner of Shenzhen, China's first special economic
zone (SEZ). In 1979 when the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping proposed
to build SEZs in China, Jiang was the first to settle concrete matters in
Shenzhen on behalf of the central government. He was then serving as
deputy director and concurrently secretary general of the State Import
and Export Administration and the State Foreign Investment
Administration. Facing the wilderness, Jiang put forward his guiding
ideas that had a far-reaching effect on Shenzhen's construction in the
following years. "All construction projects in the SEZ should be started
from a long-term point of view and in line with international standards."
The development of Shenzhen over the past 10 years and more has testified
to the correctness of his ideas.

Soon after Jiang became Shanghai mayor in 1985,he planned a series of key
infrastructure projects using overseas capitals.The city raised 3.2
billion US dollars from international capital market,of which 1.4 billion
dollars were poured into such key projects as the city's subway, Nanpu
Bridge, polluted water treatment, airport expansion and
program-controlled telephone exchanges. People are stunned by the
profound changes that have taken place in Shanghai.

Jiang was elected member of the 12th CPC Central Committee in September
of 1982. In November, 1987, Jiang was elected memberof the Political
Bureau at the First Plenary Session of the 13th CPC Central Committee. He
was elected member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau in
June of 1989 at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 13th Central Committee,
general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. Five months later, he was
elected chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission at the Fifth
Plenary Session of the 13th Central Committee. At the Third Session of
the Seventh National People's Congress, he was elected chairman of the
Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China (PRC). At
the first Plenary Session of the 14th Central Committee, he was
re-elected member of its Central Committee, member of the Political
Bureau, memberof its Standing Committee, general secretary of CPC's
Central Committee and at the Eighth National People's Congress held in
March, 1993, he was elected president of the PRC and chairman of the
Central Military Commission.

During the past eight years, what he always puts high on his agenda is
grain, cotton, edible oil and vegetable productionand supply, all closely
related to the people's daily life. "Any reform should benefit the
majority of the people and it should be carried out within the capacity
of the people to bear upon," he often said. Thanks to the implementation
of these principles, the thorny reforms of the country's public finance,
taxation, monetary and investment systems have been going on smoothly
without sharp fluctuations.

Over the past eight years, Jiang toured almost all provinces, autonomous
regions and municipalities except Taiwan. What he is concerned with most
is the life of the people in poor and remote areas where ethnic groups
live. He initiated the ambitious anti-poverty campaign in 1992, vowing to
eradicate poverty before the end of the century.Thanks to the intensified
efforts, China's population under the poverty line has been reduced from
80 million to 58 million by 1996.

Jiang loves to make friends with intellectuals.He has many good friends
in economic, scientific, art and press circles.Some friends called him a
"scholar statesman." Early in 1987 when he was still Shanghai mayor, he
initialed a bi-monthly seminar with scholars in the theoretical circle
in Shanghai. Each time he would raise a hot or sensitive or difficult
issue for the experts and scholars he invited to discuss.

Jiang stresses national self-esteem, self-confidence,national dignity and
the cohesion of the Chinese nation. Jiang is highly accomplished in
classic Chinese literature and often quotes ancient poems off-hand. Jiang
has a wide range of interest and plays piano and erhu, a two-string
traditional Chinese musical instrument. In his spare time,he may indulge
himself in the music of Mozart and Beethoven. In his eyes,the Chinese and
Western cultures are "communicable."

Jiang loves reading and devotes most of his spare time to reading the
latest science books. He also loves to read Mark Twain.Sources close to
him said Jiang could recite the monologue of "To be or not to be" in
Hamlet and "Ode to the West Wind" by Shelley. In his last official tour
of Russia, his analysis of the literary masterpieces by Leo Tolstoy and
other Russian authors surprised the Russian guides.

Wang Yeping, his wife, graduated from the Shanghai Foreign Languages
Institute and used to be head of an electrical engineering research
institute in Shanghai. Now she has retired. The couple have two sons.
Jiang Mianheng, the eldest, obtained his doctor's degree in electronic
engineering in the United States. After returning to Shanghai, he has
been appointed director of the Shanghai Metallurgical Research Institute.
Their younger son, Jiang Miankang, studied in Germany for a while after
finishing Shanghai No. 2 University of Engineering. Now he is a
researcher of software at the Shanghai Underground Pipeline Information
System.

(People's Daily Database)

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Learn mandarin - China Beijing Shanghai Tour, Shanghai Beijing Tour Package, 24 Hours

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6-Day Standard Tours of Beijing - Shanghai

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Departure: Daily

Day 01: Arrival in Beijing
Our guide will pick you up at Beijing airport and transfer to the hotel.
The rest of the day is on your own to explore the city.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Central Plaza - the best Holiday Inn Hotel in
Beijing

Day 02: Beijing
Visit the Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven.
The Beijing Duck Dinner is served at the original, century-old Quan Ju De
restaurant followed by a lively Peking Opera performance at the Liyuan
Theatre. (B+L+D)

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Central Plaza - the best Holiday Inn Hotel in
Beijing

Day 03: Beijing
Visit the Badaling Great Wall. To avoid having lunch at shopping site
restaurants, you will be driven to have Sichuan food at a local popular
restaurant. Visit the Sacred Way and the Ming Tomb. (B+L)

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Central Plaza - the best Holiday Inn Hotel in
Beijing

Day 04: Beijing - Shanghai
Visit the Summer Palace and Lama Temple. Take flight to Shanghai and
transfer to the hotel. Visit the Bund. (B+L)

Accommodation: River Bund Hotel

Day 05: Shanghai
Visit the Shanghai Museum, the Yu Yuan Garden and a local family. The
farewell dinner is served at Central Hotel, whose restaurant Wang Bao He
has a history of around 260 years and is the best place to serve Shanghai
Cuisine. The memorable dinner will be followed by the Portman Acrobatic
Show at the Shanghai Centre Theatre. (B+L+D)

Accommodation: River Bund Hotel

Day 06: Departure from Shanghai
See off. (B)

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you to join us for a truly unforgettable experience!

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High season Double Occupancy $879.00 $709.00 $599.00
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Remark : Quotations listed are valid excluding the periods of F1 Grand
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Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Chinese language - Performance marks Chinese army's 80th anniversary

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�� Performance marks Chinese army's 80th anniversary

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Performance marks Chinese army's 80th anniversary

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-31 09:39:28

(Source: Xinhua)

Chinese leaders watch the performance marking the 80th anniversary of the
founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), in Beijing,
capital of China, July 30, 2007.(Xinhua Photo)

Performers sing a song during a performance marking the 80th anniversary
of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), in
Beijing, capital of China, July 30, 2007. (Xinhua photo)

BEIJING, July 31 - A grand performance was staged in Beijing Monday
evening to mark the 80th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's
Liberation Army (PLA), with the presence of President Hu Jintao and other
top leaders.
The singing and dancing performance is an artistic retrospect of the 80
years of history of the PLA, which was founded on August 1, 1927.
Top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao, and Jia Qinglin, Zeng
Qinghong, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun and Luo Gan, all members of the
Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of
China (CPC) Central Committee also joined more than 6,000spectators to
watch the performance.

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Chinese language - Yuncheng to host Miss Model Contest

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�� Creeping to keep fit

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Yuncheng to host Miss Model Contest

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-29 22:08:20

On July 28, 2007, Yuncheng, Shanxi Province was confirmed to be the host
of the next Miss Model Contest, which will be held on December 8 to
December 12 this year, when contestants from all around the world will
gather here for the crown of Miss Model.

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Lotus festival
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Learn Chinese, Chinese language, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing, Travel to Tibet

Learn Mandarin online - Special Olympic torch flashes in Washington

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Special Olympic torch flashes in Washington

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-27 11:06:13

The Flame of Hope for the Shanghai 2007 Special Olympic World Summer
Games lit the torch, which was carried to pass through a string of
landmark sites in Washington, on Thursday, July 26, at the White House
hosted by U.S. President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush. More than 200
Special Olympic athletes and law enforcement officials from the United
States and China attended the torch run covering about 12.4 kilometers.
The torch stopped at the Chinese Embassy to the United States, where held
a special welcoming ceremony.

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Learn Chinese online - Hostage freed in Nanjing

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�� Hostage freed in Nanjing

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��Home>>Life

Hostage freed in Nanjing

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-26 10:27:28

Chinese policemen carry a freed hostage to an ambulance in Nanjing, East
China's Jiangsu Province on Wednesday, July 25,2007. The suspect Lu
Siwen, 42, held a woman hostage after robbing her 300 yuan in a car,
demanded 100,000 yuan and threatened to kill her. The woman was lightly
hurt in fingers and right arm, local police said. [Photo: China Foto
Press]

Chinese policemen persuade a suspect to free a female hostage in a car in
Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province, July 25,2007. The suspect Lu
Siwen, 42, held a woman hostage after robbing her 300 yuan in a car,
demanded 100,000 yuan and threatened to kill her. The woman was lightly
hurt in fingers and right arm, local police said.

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Learn Mandarin online - Classical garden attracts painters

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�� Classical garden attracts painters

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Classical garden attracts painters

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-24 17:10:54

With charming summer scenery, Suzhou's Zhuozheng Garden (or Humble
Administrator's Garden), one of China's four famous classical gardens,
attracts many painters. The photos were taken on July 22.

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Fingernail
Dominos
Beer Festival
Crowd

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Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Free Chinese Lesson - High-wire act on bicycle

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�� China wastes heavily in public memorial ceremonies

�� Chinese people always in a rush

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�� Beijing kids make models of ancient buildings

�� Three Gorges Dam withstands largest flood peak

�� Doctors separate conjoined twin girls

��Home>>

High-wire act on bicycle

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-23 10:26:50

An acrobatic troupe from Jiangxi Province performed high-wire act in
Liaoyang, Liaoning Province. The acrobat even rode a bike on the wire.

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Fan art
Bikinis
Hairstyle
Giant shoe

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Chinese School - Modern hairstyle show

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�� China might encounter labor shortage by 2015

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�� Giant leather shoe

�� Mainland donates bone marrow to Taiwan

�� Gold bars to commemorate 80th anniversary of PLA

��Home>>

Modern hairstyle show

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-20 17:32:53

The 13th China International Cosmetics Expo was kicked off on July 18 in
Beijing. At the opening ceremony, a modern hairstyle show was held, based
on expressionism. Many vistitors were impressed by the amazing hairstyle
of the models.

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Giant shoe
Shadow play
Silk museum
Rock climbing

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Chinese Mandarin - China might overtake Germany to rank 3rd in GDP

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�� China might encounter labor shortage by 2015

�� China wastes heavily in public memorial ceremonies

Photos

�� Fan Art Expo in Shanghai

�� Performance art to show migrant workers' life

�� Miss Tourism in bikinis

��Home>>Business

China might overtake Germany to rank 3rd in GDP

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-19 16:47:17

Chinanews, Beijing, July 19 �C Based on the current GDP in China and
Germany, some experts predict that China might overtake Germany to rank
third in GDP in the world this year, only next to the United States and
Japan, the China Securities Journal reported.
According to information released by the National Statistics Bureau last
week, in 2006 China��s GDP reached 21.087 trillion yuan, or 2.70 trillion
US dollars, which was very close to Germany, whose GDP stood at 2.30
trillion euros (2.86 trillion US dollars).
The National Statistics Bureau has released a set of information about
China's macro economy during the first half of this year on Thursday
morning. China's GDP totaled 10.68 trillion yuan in the first half of the
year, a growth of 11.5% year on year, according to latest figures.
However, analysts point out that GDP growth rate of Germany might reach
at most 2.8%.
If China can maintain the current GDP growth rate, by the end of 2007,
its GDP for the whole year will reach at least 23.428 trillion yuan,
while the GDP of Germany might reach 2.364 trillion euros at most. If
converted by the official exchange rate ratio released on July 17 (on
that day, the exchange rate ratio of euro against yuan was 1: 10.4198),
then the GDP in Germany will be more than that of China. However, it
should be considered that during the first half of this year, the yuan
exchange rate against the euro was at an unusually low level. So, it is
still probable that China��s GDP might exceed Germany by the end of this
year.
Recently, Nobel Prize winner for economics Robert William Fogel wrote an
article, in which he predicts that by 2040, China's GDP might reach
123.675 trillion US dollars, which will account for 40% of the global GDP
and more than the combined GDP total of the United States, India, the
European Union, and Japan.

��GDP grows 11.5% in first half year
��
Mundell: China��s total GDP to be quadrupled

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Banquet
Lhasa
Diamond
Beach Carnival

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Chinese School - Largest rock formation for rock climbing

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�� Shadow play attracts foreigners

�� Puppy and kitten pull a wagon together

�� Zhazidong Prison damaged by flood

��Home>>

Largest rock formation for rock climbing

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-18 14:05:22

Asia's largest steep rock formation for rock climbing has been completed
in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 17, 2007. The rock
formation is 130-meter wide and 36.6-meter high, and covers more than
7,000 square meters. Many top-grade competitions will be held here in
future.

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Beach Carnival
Therapy
Huangshan
Cool house

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Learn mandarin - Automobile-style dress show

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�� Automobile-style dress show

�� Liu takes 110meter hurdles in England

�� Green house brings coolness

��Home>>

Automobile-style dress show

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-16 14:44:12

Models present creations with many modern automobile elements in a dress
show during the sixth Shandong Auto Cultural Festival in Jinan, Shandong
Province, July 15, 2007. Novel and original designs highlight the
festival.

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Cool house
Olympics
Lingerie model
Dance

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Chinese School - HK Fashion Week kicked off

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�� HK Fashion Week kicked off

�� Transformers the movie premiered in Beijing

�� Quintuplet lions born in Huaian

��Home>>

HK Fashion Week kicked off

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-12 17:51:48

Models displayed night-suits at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition
Centre July 10, 2007, when the Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer
2008 raises its curtain.

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HK Fashion
Transformers
Quintuplets
Extra classes

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Learn Mandarin online - Condom-made costumes and craftworks

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�� Dragon-canoe festival in Guizhou

�� Quintuplet lions born in Huaian

�� Blind broadcasters receive training

��Home>>

Condom-made costumes and craftworks

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-11 17:36:43

The photos taken on July 9 show a series of novel costumes and craftworks
made of colorful condoms. These special eye-catching works of arts will
be on display at the 4th China Reproductive Health/Family Planning New
Technologies & Products Expo to be held in Beijing from July 11.

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Dragon-canoe
Fashion
Fire balloon
Horse riding

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Chinese Online Class - China might encounter labor shortage by 2015

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�� Chinese people always in a rush

�� China to suffer from long-term labor surplus

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�� Roller skaters compete in Suzhou

�� Senior citizen made 800 Beijing opera masks

�� China executes former SFDA chief

��Home>>China Observer

China might encounter labor shortage by 2015

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-10 17:42:12

Chinanews, Beijing, July 10 �C According to a prediction made by related
departments, by 2013-2015, China's labor population will reach its best
time for work. After that, the labor population will decline and China
might start to encounter labor shortage problem, said an article recently
published at the China Youth Daily.
The article was written by Cai Fang, director of the Population and Labor
Economics Research Institute at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
As social wealth increases and changes take place in social structure,
traditional family mode is being challenged. According to a national
population census, in 1982 every Chinese family had an average of 4.41
people, and in 2005, the number had dropped to 3.13, the economic scholar
says in his article.
16% of the old people at the age of 65 or above live alone, and 42% of
the old couples at the age of 65 or above live by themselves.
Meanwhile, the single child generation, being spoiled by their parents,
tend to be self-centered. These children are usually unwilling to take
care of their parents after they grow up.
These children change parents' expectation for them, as well. In a survey
conducted by the Population and Labor Economics Research Institute at the
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, 70% of the old people give an
affirmative answer when asked whether they expect their children to take
care of them. However, among parents at the age of 35-45 (a generation
that usually have only one child in their families), only 63% give an
affirmative answer. The younger the parents are, the smaller the
proportion giving an affirmative answer.
Today, as most people retire earlier than before, the social and family
financial burden increases. According to a survey released in 2002, the
retiring age for male workers in cities was 57, and that for female
workers in cities was 50. Meanwhile, a separate survey showed that in
2002, the average life expectancy for males was 70, and that for females
was 75, Cai says.
This means that most male workers can live for 13 years after retirement,
while most female workers will live for 24 years after retirement.
Judging from these statistics, it can be said that the financial burden
resulting from caring for the aging population in society will become
intolerably high.

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High school alums
Rare lotuses
Pilaf feast
Restaurant

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Chinese School - Silk Road Dress Festival 2007

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�� Free hugs popular in Hong Kong

�� Silk Road Dress Festival 2007

�� Taiwan youths join summer camp in Beijing

Coconut Oil, Flash Mp3 Player , Fruit , Electric Scooter, Leather Sofa,
Swimwear, Beverage Dispenser, Kitchen Furniture, GSM Phone, Juice
Concentrate, Tractor Fertilizer, Car Engine , Electric Atv, Automotive
Switch , Display Showcase, Zinc Sulphate, Access Point, Network Card,
Laptop, Recovery Card, Aluminium Profile, Granite Countertop, Wind
Generator, Power Strip, Milk Powder, Ice Cream, Sweet Corn, Ketchup,
Yellow Tea, Instant Noodle, Frozen Seafood, Apple Juice, Nescafe,
Beverage Container, Baby Food, Digital Photo Frame, Silk Flower, Bamboo
Handicraft, Christmas Tree, Badge, Candle.

��Home>>

Silk Road Dress Festival 2007

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-09 10:55:44

Models presented middle and west Asian folk creations in a fashion show
in Urumchi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on July 7, 2007. "Silk
Road" International Dress Festival 2007 raised curtain here on that day.

Photos More

High school alums
Rare lotuses
Pilaf feast
Restaurant

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Monday, February 25, 2008

Chinese School - Beijingers visit Lugou Bridge

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�� Mimics of royal chinas on display

�� Rare lotuses in full blossom

�� High school alums meet in Nanning

��Home>>

Beijingers visit Lugou Bridge

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-07 21:46:09

On July 7, a large number of Beijingers, particularly young people, came
to the Lugou Bridge, where the Lugouqiao Incidence broke out 70 years
ago, marking the beginning of China��s Anti-Japanese War.

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Domestic servants
Martial arts
Dough figurines
Plastic sculptures

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Chinese Online Class - Plastic sculptures attract eyeballs

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�� Asia's largest dinosaur fossil unearthed

�� Railway station becomes an "outdoor hotel"

�� Kids dream to be martial arts masters

��Home>>

Plastic sculptures attract eyeballs

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-05 17:56:13

A set of transparent plastic sculptures designed by an Italian artist are
shown by the roadside in Shanghai July 2. These creative and original
works attracted many passers-by.

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Dinosaur fossil
Railway station
Summer camp
Parachutes

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Learn Chinese online - Chinese people always in a rush

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�� Strategic oil reserve base to be established

�� China faces a task to improve skills of labor force

Photos

�� Summer camp for Chinese and Russian students

�� PLA soldiers perform parachutes

�� Olympic sculptures on display in Hong Kong

��Home>>China Observer

Chinese people always in a rush

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-04 09:14:22

Chinanews, Beijing, July 4 �C Many years ago, a native of Beijing, who
spent much of his time in Shanghai, once cited Beijing and Shanghai as an
example to describe the difference between the two cities. As he said,
Beijing people liked to live a leisure life. They normally walked with a
slow pace. If they saw their bus coming, they wouldn��t run to catch it.
Instead, they would rather wait for the next bus to come. By contrast,
Shanghai people seemed always to be running. If one happened to stop by a
bus stop for a while in Shanghai, one would notice that many people
rushed to catch the bus as if they feared there would be no more buses,
the Beijing Youth Daily reported.
Things have changed now. Today, some Beijingers, who once saw the film
Those Sunny Days, might still remember the hero of the film, Ma Xiaojun,
who was always seen riding a bike with his heels in a pair of cloth shoes
strolling idly among the Hutong alleys in Beijing. These people might
sigh that such typical life of Beijingers, as described by the film, has
gone forever.
Nowadays, people pursue efficiency. Everything is done with a fast speed.
Last week, the China Youth Daily Social Investigation Center and Sina
website��s Information Center carried out a survey among 1,707 people.
The result shows that 84.0% of the respondents agree that they live in a
��rush�� society. Only 8.3% of them object to the assertation.
While 71.6% of the respondents think that they are now at the ��busiest��
period in their life, 86.1% of them say they felt very busy when they got
their first job.
Most people feel that they live under high work pressure and 71.1% of the
people attribute it to their doing everything in a hurry. When asked what
makes them feel that they live in a ��rush�� society, 60.2% of the people
say people��s life tempo has become quicker. 54.7% of the people say they
can��t calm down. 53.4% of them say they have become more and more
��impatient.��
50.4% of the respondents say today, nobody wants to be left behind by
society and this makes people do everything they can in order to catch up
with others.
44.3% of the people say they feel life is not interesting and their life
quality is deteriorating.
When asked what makes people always in a hurry, 85.8% of the respondents
give an unanimous answer �Cthat's "society".

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Summer camp
Parachutes
Sculptures
Lotus festival

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Free Chinese Lesson - Wen: Water quality a major priority

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�� China��s promising military talents

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�� Fireworks marks 10th yr of HK return

�� Olympic sculptures on display in Hong Kong

�� 3 VS 3 basketball match in Beijing

��Home>>

Wen: Water quality a major priority

www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-02 10:06:54

(Source: China Daily/Xinhua)

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (second from right) drinks boiled tap water at
a resident's home to inspect the water quality in Wuxi, East China's
Jiangsu Province, June 29, 2007. An algae bloom contaminated the Taihu
Lake a month earlier and halted water supply for two million people in
the lakeside city of Wuxi. [Xinhua]

July 2 - The management of the country's fresh water supplies should now
be a major national priority and handled as a "State project", Premier
Wen Jiabao said.
Wen's comments come after a string of algae outbreaks tainted drinking
water supplies.
Since May, blue-green algae outbreaks have been reported in eastern Taihu
Lake, Chaohu Lake and southwestern Dianchi Lake.
Pollution has largely been to blame.
"We need to take environmental management of the three lakes as a state
project and put it at a more prominent, pressing and important position,"
Wen said at a meeting over the weekend on pollution control work of the
three lakes in Wuxi of East China's Jiangsu Province.
"We should tackle the problem with scientific approach, good leadership,
and high standards and confidence."
The priority is to protect the lakes from further pollution and ensure
the safety of drinking water for the local residents, Wen said.
At the meeting, Wen instructed local officials to "strengthen supervision
and ban factories from discharging pollutants into the lakes".
He also urged strengthened efforts to draft regulations on the
environmental protection of the three lakes.
Stung by a series of water crises, the country will adopt a new national
compulsory drinking water safety standard from this month to secure safe
water supplies for citizens.
The new standard is the first amendment to the outdated former one,
enacted in 1985.
According to the amendments, a total of 106 parameters have been
developed.
"Safe drinking water is vital to people's health and, to a great extent,
important to social stability as it's one of the primary and basic needs
for human survival," Wang Xuening, deputy director general of the Bureau
of Health Supervision under the Ministry of Health (MOH), said.
"Given the fact that amending work headed by MOH has convened specialists
in fields like public health, environment protection, and water supply,
and has solicited public opinions as well, the long-anticipated new
standard would further improve the nation's drinking water safety and
finally enhance people's quality of life."
Chen Changjie, a researcher on environment protection with the Chinese
Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told China Daily that when all
the parameters under the new standard are fully met, people should be
able to drink water straight from the faucet.
"To be more exact, the tap water is safe to drink without boiling with
the pretext of no second-time contamination during the transfusion, as
long as the 42 regular parameters under the new standard are met," Chen
said.
"Most of the time, the water fresh from the supplier is up to the
standard and safe for direct use. However, the pipes used to deliver the
water to the consumer remains substandard."
It is recommended that in the meantime, water intended for drinking
should be boiled, Chen added.
The new standards define the basic condition of drinking water and safe
quality on a national basis.
Other secondary parameters are devolved to provincial governments and
given regional variations. It is expected that all standards be fully
implemented nationally by 2012.

Photos More

Nanjing pupils celebrate anniversary of HK's return
Birthday party for centenarian couple
Qing Ming Shang He Tu on stage
Human statues in Shanghai

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Learn Mandarin online - Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar in Urumqi

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�� Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar in Urumqi

�� Night scene beside Xinan River

�� Classic oil paintings on display in Hangzhou

��Home>>

Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar in Urumqi

www.chinanews.cn 2007-06-29 18:18:02

These pictures were taken in Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar (market place) in
Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on June 28, 2007. Now the Bazaar
has become a famous tourism spot.

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Nanjing pupils celebrate anniversary of HK's return
Birthday party for centenarian couple
Qing Ming Shang He Tu on stage
Human statues in Shanghai

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Learn Mandarin online - Fashion show in Guangxi

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�� China faces a task to improve skills of labor force

�� China��s promising military talents

�� New social stratum contributes greatly to society

Photos

�� Fashion show in Guangxi

�� Baby egrets in Anhui

�� Anhui draw Yangtze River water to Chaohu Lake

��Home>>

Fashion show in Guangxi

www.chinanews.cn 2007-06-27 20:08:43

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region hosted its ninth fashion design contest
of ordinary citizens on June 26, 2007.

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Shanghai International Film Festival
Root sculpture like the map of China
Feast for elders in Hong Kong
CIEPEC 2007 in Beijing

Learn Mandarin online - Mundell: China��s total GDP to be quadrupled

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China Observer

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�� New social stratum contributes greatly to society

�� New social strata shoulder more social responsibilities

Photos

�� Shanghai International Film Festival

�� Root sculpture like the map of China

�� Feast for elders in Hong Kong

��Home>>Business

Mundell: China��s total GDP to be quadrupled

www.chinanews.cn 2007-06-26 10:39:39

Chinanews, Beijing, Jun. 26 �C Prof. Robert Mundell, the 1999 Nobel Prize
Winner regarded as ��father of the Euro�� said on last Saturday that
Chinese economy would be developed by an annual growth of 7% in the next
20 years, and the total volume of China��s GDP would be quadrupled in the
next 20 years.
He revealed that several factors would help to push forward the economic
growth in China, including high bank deposits rate, high demand for
Chinese products, increasing foreign investment and China��s foreign
exchange reserves.
Mundell also believed that in a short period of time China��s economy
would be affected by high oil price and fluctuation of RMB exchange rate.
He said that China should also foster good relations with its neighboring
countries, and the central government should also pay more attention to
environment and agriculture.
Mundell expected that China��s comprehensive national strength would be
able to surpass Japan in 2050, and European Union by 2060.

��Mundell: RMB will be the No.3 world currency in 2030
��Mundell said China should keep RMB exchange rate unchanged
��Mundell discussed the RMB exchange rate

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Shanghai International Film Festival
Root sculpture like the map of China
Feast for elders in Hong Kong
CIEPEC 2007 in Beijing

Learn mandarin - Root sculpture like the map of China

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�� China��s promising military talents

�� New social stratum contributes greatly to society

�� New social strata shoulder more social responsibilities

Photos

�� Six treasures returned to Wudang

�� Landslide hit Chongqing

�� Paper cutting scroll to be completed

��Home>>

Root sculpture like the map of China

www.chinanews.cn 2007-06-23 16:32:14

This is the picture of Nation of Dragons, a huge root sculpture on
dispaly in Tianshui, Gansu Province, taken on June 22, 2007. The
sculpture, carved by Liang Zhitao, looks just like the map of China.

Photos More

Six treasures returned to Wudang
Earliest seismpgraph reproduced
Competition for volutary fire fighters
Wedding dresses expo

Chinese School - Wedding dresses expo

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China Observer

�� China��s promising military talents

�� New social stratum contributes greatly to society

�� New social strata shoulder more social responsibilities

Photos

�� Wedding dresses expo

�� Competition for volutary fire fighters

�� Folk residences in Huangshan

��Home>>

Wedding dresses expo

www.chinanews.cn 2007-06-22 11:33:22

Shanghai hosted its wedding dresses expo for local wedding ceremony
photographers on June 19, with many luxurious wedding dresses displayed.

Photos More

BLD Dolls
Monroe cakes
Famous mustache
Lavender harvest

Learn Mandarin online - River lanterns on Dragon-boat festival

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�� China��s promising military talents

�� New social stratum contributes greatly to society

�� New social strata shoulder more social responsibilities

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River lanterns on Dragon-boat festival

www.chinanews.cn 2007-06-20 11:28:19

Residents of Huishui, Guizhou Province released more than 5,000 lanterns
to the Lianjiang river on the night of June 19, the Dragon-boat Festival.
The lanterns formed various groups, making the river look like blazing.

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Chinese School - Huge zongzi for the Dragon-boat Festival

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Huge zongzi for the Dragon-boat Festival

www.chinanews.cn 2007-06-18 10:53:28

A huge zongzi, or Chinese rice pudding, was put on display outside a food
store on Heping West Street in Beijing on June 17 to welcome the
forthcoming Dragon-boat Festival (on June 19). It took nearly 150 kg of
rice and 50 kg of dates to make this 2-m-tall zongzi. Five days later,
the zongzi will be auctioned at 1 yuan as a beginning price.

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Colorful pandas
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Chinese language - Fire Balloon Festival kicked off

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�� Fire Balloon Festival kicked off

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Fire Balloon Festival kicked off

www.chinanews.cn 2007-06-15 15:28:46

Many local citizens gathered to experience fire balloon tour in Haikou,
south China's island province of Hainan, on June 15, 2007, marking the
start of the first Haikou Fire Balloon Festival, which has attracted some
top fire balloon athletes in China.

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Learn mandarin - French students learn Chinese painting

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�� Collection of ancient potteries and porcelains

�� Lotus blooms in Hangzhou

�� Copper sculptures display old folk life

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French students learn Chinese painting

www.chinanews.cn 2007-06-14 10:32:35

Several French college students arrived in Kaifeng University of Henan
Province on June 8 to take part in a summer camp of Chiense culutre,
which would last for 3 weeks. The pictures were taken on Juen 13, when
the French students were learning Chinese painting.

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Learn Chinese - 4th Shanghai Folk Art Expo

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4th Shanghai Folk Art Expo

www.chinanews.cn 2007-06-12 11:07:46

The 4th Shanghai Folk Art Expo, with its theme of "gathering Chinese
treasures", is being held in Shanghai. Many folk treasures and folk
artists take part in the expo, including the bronze model of Leifeng
Tower and the Taiwan granny on the pictures taken on June 11, 2007.

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Chinese ethnic performance staged in Russia

www.chinanews.cn 2007-06-09 19:01:17

A grand Chinese ethnic performance named "Colorful Guizhou" was staged in
Moscow, Russia at the night of June 6, marking the Chinese Cultural
Festival during the Year of China in Russia. The marvelous singing and
dancing won much applause among the local audience.

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Learn Chinese - Leaders of 5 developing nations meet in Berlin

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Leaders of 5 developing nations meet in Berlin

www.chinanews.cn 2007-06-08 09:51:19

(Source: Xinhua)

Chinese President Hu Jintao, right, meets with Indian Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh at the collective meeting of leaders of five developing
countries, a sideline event of the Group of Eight (G8) summit, in Berlin
on Thursday, June 7, 2007.

Leaders of five major developing countries: Manmohan Singh, Prime
Minister of India, Luiz Inacio da Silva, President of Brazil, Felipe
Calderon, President of Mexico, Hu Jintao, President of China and Thabo
Mbeki, President of South Africa, pose for a group photo during their
meeting in Berlin, on Thursday, June 7, 2007. [Photo: Xinhua]

BERLIN, June 8 - Leaders of five major developing countries met here
Thursday to discuss the world economy, climate change and other key
issues ahead of a meeting with leaders of the Group of Eight (G8)
industrialized nations.
Attending the meeting were Chinese President Hu Jintao, Brazilian
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Mexican President Felipe Calderon,
South African President Thabo Mbeki and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh.
The leaders will also hold "an outreach session" with their counterparts
of the G8 countries on Friday in Heiligendamm, a Baltic resort town in
northern Germany.
On the world economy, the Chinese president said developing countries
should "cooperate with each other to jointly cope with the risks of
economic globalization, safeguard our common interests, create favorable
conditions for our development and promote coordinated global
development."
On climate change, Hu said China gives high priority to environmental
protection and sustainable development.
"We follow the scientific thinking of development which is
people-oriented and calls for all-round, coordinated and sustainable
development," he said.
China strictly complies with relevant international conventions and has
taken a series of measures to contribute to mitigating the impact of
global climate change, he said.
To more effectively tackle climate change, Hu said, the Chinese
government has adopted a national climate change program.
"We will fully implement this program. In so doing, we are not only
living up to our responsibilities for our own people, but also
contributing our share to the global cause of sustainable development,"
he said.
The leaders from the five nations pledged to abide by the principle of
"common but differentiated responsibilities" while tackling climate
change and urged developed nations to take the lead in reducing
greenhouse gas emission.
On the Doha round of trade talks, the leaders said efforts should be made
to conclude the negotiations at an early date and the results should
reflect the interests and concerns of developing countries. They also
urged developed nations to reduce subsidies for agricultural products and
lower import tariffs.
On the development issue, the leaders vowed to continue efforts in
eradicating hunger and poverty and urged developed nations to honor their
commitments on aid and help developing countries achieve the UN
Millennium Development Goals.
Developing countries should participate in decision-making and actions in
a more active attitude so as to meet various challenges in this
inter-dependent world, the leaders said in a communique issued after the
meeting.
On the issues to be discussed with G8 countries, the leaders said they
saw opportunities for cooperation in cross-border investment, research
and innovation, climate change, energy and development.
All of these challenges "must be addressed from multi-lateral, regional
and bilateral perspectives and the interests and capabilities of
different countries should be taken into consideration," the document
said.

��President Hu in Germany for G8 meet
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