News » China » Deputies say prayer room a show of 'respect'

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• Deputies say prayer room a show of 'respect'
• Calls for Taiwan-funded hospitals in Fujian
• Netizens demand cleaner sky
• China justifies Yarlung Zangbo River exploitation
• 7 detained for 'house sister' scandal
• Spring Festival gala accessible to the hearing impaired
• Chen Min'er elected governor of Guizhou Province
• Wang Xiankui re-elected governor of Heilongjiang Province
• Zhang Qingwei re-elected Hebei Province governor
• 5.1-magnitude quake jolts NW China province
• Xi extends festival greetings to veterans
• China detains 7 for 'house sister' scandal
• China detains 7 for 'house sister' scandal
• Chinese navy depart for West Pacific training
• 5.1M quake jolts NW China's Qinghai
• S. Korea successfully launches space rocket
• China urges Japan to foster normal relations
• Peace depends on constructive mindset, mutual respect
• China urges Japan to create conditions for normal relations
• Three Gorges Dam migration ends, transition ongoing

Deputies say prayer room a show of 'respect' Posted: 30 Jan 2013 07:55 AM PST Kahar Usman, a devoted Muslim and newly elected deputy to the People's Congress of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, was "pleased and a bit surprised". He noticed a VIP room next to the conference hall, where he and other deputies make plans for the region's future, has been temporarily turned into a prayer hall. About 90 minutes into the afternoon group discussion session, which started at 4 pm on Tuesday, Usman, an imam from the Shirengou village mosque in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, excused himself from a heated debate on how to ensure all land planned for schools will not be used for other purposes. "The issue is very important. I will have my say after prayers," the 51-year-old said. A total of 550 deputies attended the first session of the 12th Xinjiang Regional People's Congress, which opened on Saturday. More than 43 percent of them are members of the Uygur ethnic group, most of which are Muslims, who are required to pray five times a day. Usman noticed the prayer room, with signs written in the Chinese and Uygur languages, on the first day of the meeting and has been praying with others during sessions ever since. "It's really convenient for us, and we won't miss anything at the meetings as well," he said. "What's more, it shows respect and inclusiveness, which are the keys to stability in Xinjiang." Tables and chairs in the VIP room have been removed and the carpet is covered with a white sheet where Muslim deputies can kneel and pray. The sign outside reminds passers-by to be quiet. The prayer room might be new to Usman, but providing facilities for prayer at the deputies' residences has been a tradition during the Xinjiang Regional People's Congress, according to its organizing committee. "All deputies' residences have prayer rooms because the meeting schedule might conflict with the deputies' daily prayer time, so they can attend the meetings without any worries. We also try to provide bigger rooms for delegations, such as those from Hotan and Kashgar prefectures, with more Muslim deputies," the committee said on Wednesday.

Calls for Taiwan-funded hospitals in Fujian Posted: 30 Jan 2013 07:55 AM PST Fujian province should encourage investors from Taiwan to set up wholly owned hospitals as part of an effort to promote cross-Straits cooperation in the health sector, according to a proposal. In the proposal to the ongoing annual session of the Fujian legislature, the Fujian committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, one of the eight non-Communist parties on the mainland, said the province should open wider in terms of cross-Straits medical cooperation. According to the proposal, growing demand for high-end medical services shows the huge potential of the mainland's medical services market. Taiwan investors are allowed to set up wholly owned hospitals in Shanghai as well as Fujian, Jiangsu, Guangdong and Hainan provinces. But most Taiwan-funded medical establishments on the mainland are joint ventures. Issues such as investment in hospital's apparatus and management are likely to cause disputes between the mainland and Taiwan investors, the proposal said. "In that case, the establishment of wholly owned hospitals can avoid the problem," said Luo Shaming, vice-chairman of the party's Fujian committee. Luo suggested Fujian's Xiamen city and the Pingtan experimental development zone should serve as the pioneer to host wholly Taiwan-invested hospitals. Shanghai Landseed International Hospital, the only totally Taiwan-invested hospital on the mainland, opened for business in Shanghai on June 26. According to the Ministry of Health, by the end of 2011, 22 Taiwan-funded hospitals, all joint ventures, had started operation on the mainland. Fujian's first hospital created from joint mainland and Taiwan investments, Xiamen Chang Gung Hospital, was established in 2008. Fujian Governor Su Shulin said recently that deepening cross-Straits ties, an effort including strengthening medical cooperation, will remain high on the government's agenda over the next five years. Chen Qiuli, deputy director of Fujian's health department, pledged this month to offer Taiwan investors preferential policies on things such as land for construction, tax and insurance. Chen also said the department will simplify procedures and policies on Taiwan doctors' applying for a practicing certificate. Shanghai's move A political adviser in Shanghai called for incentives to attract Taiwan companies to set up their regional, or even global, headquarters in the city. Liu Yan, a member of the city's political advisory body, said on Monday that financial incentives should be given to attract influential Taiwan companies, like Formosa Plastic Group and Far East Group. Liu, also a member of the Shanghai committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, said Shanghai should use its advantages as a financial center to lure more Taiwan banks, securities houses and insurance companies. Authorities should roll out local regulations to protect Taiwan investors, offer them preferential tax policies and encourage Taiwan companies to list in the yuan-denominated A-share stock market, she said. By the end of 2012, Shanghai had attracted investment from Taiwan of 29 billion yuan ($4.66 billion), which takes up 15 percent of the city's total inbound investment, Liu said. Contact the writers at humeidong@chinadaily.com.cn

Netizens demand cleaner sky Posted: 30 Jan 2013 07:55 AM PST SHANGHAI - More measures to clean up the air are being considered by municipal departments of Chinese cities after netizens began to point the finger at the government over heavy smog. There were calls for action over vehicle emission, which is allegedly a major contributor to the murky sky. Xue Manzi, a Chinese start-up investor and prolific microblogger living in Beijing, said Wednesday on Sina Weibo that low-quality fuel is threatening people's lives. He called for immediate action to curb air pollution. The latest round of smog on Tuesday hit a total of 1.3 million square kilometers across the country's central and eastern regions. Beijing is shrouded in the fourth round of heavy smog that has hit the capital in four weeks. This year, Shanghai, another megacity suffering from dense haze, will follow Beijing to implement a tighter National 5 vehicle emission standard, which is equivalent to Euro 5, according to Zhang Quan, director of the Shanghai Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau. More than ten provinces including Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu adopted National 4 standard on January 1, which is expected to reduce vehicle emission pollutants by 30 percent to 50 percent. In addition to a stricter emission standard, some netizens said the government should keep the number of vehicles low, especially that of the official cars. "I suggest that all the officials take public transportation as much as possible," said Sina Weibo user "Mengxiangchuanyueshiguang." Beijing, along with Jinan city in Shandong Province and Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province, announced this week that some 30 percent of official cars in these cities will be suspended from running in cases of heavy smog. In addition, Shanghai is considering a draft to compulsory suspend official vehicles when the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches 301 and above, according to Zhang. The draft also aims to control air pollutants from factories and  construction sites, Zhang said. Wang Rong, a senior municipal official from Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province, replaced his gasoline-powered official car with an electric one earlier this month. More Shenzhen officials will use electric cars in the future, said Xu Qin, the mayor of the city. However, there are concerns that the effects of airflow will carry pollutants to neighboring areas as smoggy weather disturbs more and more cities. "Nearby regions contribute to 30 percent to 60 percent of Beijing's smog. What we need is joint efforts by cities and provinces," said Sina Weibo user "Xiaoxiaotang'er." Zhou Shengxian, China's environment minister, said last Thursday that the ministry is considering setting up a trans-regional work team consisting of various provincial departments to cope with the haze in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area as well as the Yangtze River Delta. Vice minister Wu Xiaoqing also said that the ministry will help to revise the existing laws and regulations related to air pollution, emphasizing that legislation will be a key solution to the problem. "What we need is not only a new act or revision, but firm implementation," said netizen "Amindejianghu" on Sina Weibo.

China justifies Yarlung Zangbo River exploitation Posted: 30 Jan 2013 07:55 AM PST BEIJING - China has clarified its stance on exploiting the Yarlung Zangbo River, saying it takes a responsible attitude to using cross-border water resources. At a daily press briefing Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the comments when responding to a question on the issue. Media reports have said China plans to build three hydropower stations on the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, also known as the Tsangpo River. The reports quoted an energy plan for China's 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015). This has worried India on the lower reaches of the river. Hong said, "The Chinese side always takes a responsible attitude towards the exploitation of cross-border rivers and every new project will be planned and reasoned in a scientific way (before being started)." He added that the interests of the countries on the upper and lower reaches are all taken into consideration.

7 detained for 'house sister' scandal Posted: 30 Jan 2013 07:55 AM PST BEIJING - Seven people have been detained after being implicated in the scandal of the "house sister," a woman alleged to have illegally amassed 20 homes using multiple identities. They will be subjected to criminal investigation for their suspected violations, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on Wednesday. Those detained include four former police officers, one who worked in Beijing, two in Shanxi Province and another in Shaanxi. Previous investigation found Gong Ai'ai, a resident in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, has at least two identities and hukou, Chinese household registration records. Chinese netizens dubbed her "house sister" after an online microblogger exposed that she owns 20 homes worth about 1 billion yuan ($159 million), some of which were purchased using her fake identities. According to a MPS statement last week, Gong first registered as a resident in the town of Shenmu in Shaanxi. She later registered three identities respectively in two counties in the neighboring Shanxi Province and Beijing between 2004 and 2008. Hukou is a Chinese permanent residence registration and personal identification system governed by public security departments. In China, one individual only has one legitimate identity and hukou record. In Wednesday's statement, the ministry said it has launched a special campaign in the identity and hukou administrative system to comb out fake and duplicated identity records. To date, 121 police officers have been punished for violations found in the campaign. The ministry also promised further efforts to ensure the authenticity of identity and hukou information. No one will be allowed to gain unfair benefits from having multiple fake identities and those in police departments who are found to be involved in such violations will not escape punishment, the ministry statement said. China's property market controls restrict individuals buying multiple homes, but "ghost" identities can help the holders evade restrictions. Multiple identities also raised public concern of possible corruption, such as unfair distribution of government-subsidized affordable housing and officials' evasion of personal property supervision.

Spring Festival gala accessible to the hearing impaired Posted: 30 Jan 2013 07:55 AM PST After trials in the past two years, China Network Television plans to make it a yearly practice to provide subtitles for people with hearing problems during the Spring Festival gala show, the most-watched show on the eve of the lunar new year in China, said Qiu Chun, director of the program. According to Qiu, the subtitles are attached to the gala show's online version, which will be broadcast simultaneously with TV starting 8 pm on Feb 9. "Because of poor hearing, they cannot appreciate the happiness others enjoy on lunar new year's eve," said Qiu. "This program is intended to give those who have hearing problems equal happiness, so that they can laugh together with their family members." CNTV is also adding an online interaction session where Internet users can send new year wishes or donate to the handicapped. Broadcasts accessible to the hearing impaired by CNTV started in 2011. Last year, hearing-impaired people from 15 countries and regions visited the website to watch the gala program on the lunar new year's eve, collecting donations worth 1.5 million yuan ($240,000) for hearing aids.

Chen Min'er elected governor of Guizhou Province Posted: 30 Jan 2013 05:27 AM PST Chen Min'er was elected governor of southwest China's Guizhou Province on Wednesday at the first session of the 12th provincial People's Congress, the local legislature.

Wang Xiankui re-elected governor of Heilongjiang Province Posted: 30 Jan 2013 05:25 AM PST Wang Xiankui was re-elected governor of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Wednesday at the first session of the 12th provincial People's Congress, the local legislature.

Zhang Qingwei re-elected Hebei Province governor Posted: 30 Jan 2013 05:23 AM PST Zhang Qingwei was re-elected governor of north China's Hebei Province on Wednesday at the first session of the 12th provincial People's Congress, the local legislature.

5.1-magnitude quake jolts NW China province Posted: 30 Jan 2013 05:05 AM PST A 5.1-magnitude earthquake hit Zadoi County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai Province late on Wednesday afternoon, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

Xi extends festival greetings to veterans Posted: 30 Jan 2013 05:05 AM PST 30 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Wednesday extended Spring Festival greetings to military veterans.

China detains 7 for 'house sister' scandal Posted: 30 Jan 2013 04:44 AM PST Seven people have been detained after being implicated in the scandal of the "house sister," a woman alleged to have illegally amassed 20 homes using multiple identities.

China detains 7 for 'house sister' scandal Posted: 30 Jan 2013 05:31 AM PST Seven people have been detained after being implicated in the scandal of the "house sister," a woman alleged to have illegally amassed 20 homes using multiple identities.

Chinese navy depart for West Pacific training Posted: 30 Jan 2013 12:58 AM PST A fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has set off from a military port in east China's Qingdao City for regular open-sea training in the West Pacific Ocean, military sources revealed on Wednesday.

5.1M quake jolts NW China's Qinghai Posted: 30 Jan 2013 02:47 AM PST A 5.1-magnitude earthquake hit Zadoi County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province at 17:27 p.m. Wednesday Beijing Time, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

S. Korea successfully launches space rocket Posted: 30 Jan 2013 04:35 AM PST South Korea on Wednesday successfully launched its space rocket in its third attempt to put a satellite into space.

China urges Japan to foster normal relations Posted: 30 Jan 2013 04:35 AM PST Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Wednesday urged Japan to create conditions for the normal development of bilateral relations.

Peace depends on constructive mindset, mutual respect Posted: 30 Jan 2013 01:15 AM PST In his Tuesday speech, Chinese leader Xi Jinping not only reiterated the country's long-term foreign strategy, but also elaborated on how realistic it will be to achieve.

China urges Japan to create conditions for normal relations Posted: 30 Jan 2013 01:11 AM PST Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Wednesday urged Japan to create conditions for the normal development of bilateral relations.

Three Gorges Dam migration ends, transition ongoing Posted: 30 Jan 2013 12:14 AM PST The Chongqing municipal government has removed a report on migration efforts related to the Three Gorges Dam from the ongoing legislative session's review process, marking the end of the nation's largest migration project.

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