18th - 19th of December 2010
The Lion Awakes
Daily News, Culture & Current Affairs about China
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China Daily
China urges 'calm, calm, calm' on the peninsula (19/12/2010)
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun urged the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to show calm, restraint and not to take any action that may escalate the tension on the peninsula.
"The situation is highly complex and sensitive, and China is deeply concerned and worried. " Zhang said Saturday, in a latest call of talks, similar to the earlier statement by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu.
Zhang said China has made unremitting efforts recently to defuse the tension by sending State Councilor Dai Bingguo to visit the DPRK and ROK to exchange ideas candidly and also encourage the engagement and dialogues.
"To ease, not nervous, to dialogue, not confrontation, to peace, not war, is the strong desire and voice of the people in the region and international community. There should be no more escalation on the peninsula. China will resolutely oppose any actions that could lead to a deterioration and escalation in the situation and wreck regional peace and stability," Zhang said.
"China calls on both countries to be calm, calm and calm, restraint, restraint and restraint, give top priority to the safety of 70 million Koreans, give priority to the regional peace, and avoid any new military clash. China hopes relevant parties could seek solutions in a responsible and peaceful way"
"The situation also highlights the necessity and urgency of holding Six-Party Talks. China calls again all parties to return to the right path of dialogue."
China, Pakistan PMs hold talks to cement ties
ISLAMABAD - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani held talks Friday to deepen their countries' bilateral strategic cooperative partnership and cooperation in various fields.
At the beginning of their talks, Wen extended appreciation for the hospitality of the Pakistani people for his visit. He said the two nations enjoy a profound friendship that has laid a solid foundation for bilateral relations.
"I hope to tell the world through my visit that China and Pakistan have been good friends, and we will continue to do so in the future," Wen said.
Wen delivers on flood aid as Pakistan visit begins
China's premier inks many deals including major disaster relief
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan/BEIJING - Beijing fulfilled its promise to give massive assistance to Pakistan's post-disaster reconstruction and signed several other agreements on Friday as Premier Wen Jiabao kicked off a three-day visit to the country.
In Islamabad, China delivered on its previous commitment of an additional $200 million in unconditional aid to the flood-stricken country, bring China's total commitment to $250 million.
The premier also witnessed the launch ceremony of the first branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) in Pakistan."China's investment in Pakistan is growing, not only in the infrastructure industry but in all sectors, including IT and communications, and they all urgently need financial services from businesses like ours," Yang Kaisheng, head of ICBC, told China Daily in Pakistan's capital.
A total of eight agreements were signed on Friday evening relating to a wide range of issues, including city security, energy, cultural centers, transportation and electronics.
Japan adopts proactive defense policies
TOKYO - Japan's Cabinet adopted Friday a new fiscal 2011-2015 midterm defense buildup program which eyes more proactive policies and "dynamic defense capability".
The new guidelines reflect a shift from the old basic defense concept, which is designed to maintain the minimum necessary basic defense capability for Japan to avoid becoming a destabilizing factor in the region.
The new concept, called "dynamic defense capability", aims to make Japan's Self-Defense Forces troops more ready, mobile and flexible to address security concerns.
The outline sees a reorganization of Japanese troops to cut down on personnel in Hokkaido Prefecture in the country's north and reduce the Cold War-era equipment and formation and instead boost security around southwest islands.
The guidelines also stress Japan's need to strengthen its defense cooperation with those countries it shares "democratic values" such as South Korea, Australia and India, in addition to its key ally, the United States.
The outline also plays up China's military threat, saying China's rise and increasing naval activities in waters surrounding Japan a "matter of concern".
China uses pork reserves to rein in price
BEIJING -- China has put on the market state pork reserves to stabilize prices and ensure adequate supplies during the upcoming New Year Festival, an unnamed official with the Ministry of Commerce said Friday.
China to boost interest-rate liberalization
BEIJING - China's central bank governor, Zhou Xiaochuan, said Friday that the country would promote liberalization of interest rates during the next five years.
China will make "obvious progress" in interest-rate liberalization during the 12th Five-Year Plan period, which runs from 2011 to 2015, said Zhou, head of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), at a financial forum in Beijing.
Pricing was a key part in the liberalization of interest rates, Zhou said.
Lenders with the best ability to monitor risks should be given more freedom to set rates according to market conditions, ahead of those without sufficient ability to monitor risks, Zhou said.
PBOC vows interest rate prudency
Central bank chief highlights measures to 'slow down the mulitplication of money'
BEIJING - People's Bank of China Governor Zhou Xiaochuan said that the nation needs to take more measures to solve its problem of liquidity-driven inflation but warned that the bank should be cautious in hiking interest rates.
"Apart from soaking up excessive liquidity (through raising reserve requirement), we can also take measures to slow down the multiplication of money," he said, without elaborating on specific methods.
Zhou added that the government is taking a very prudent approach toward raising interest rates given the unstable and rapidly changing global economic situation.
Bush greets China Daily's debut in Houston
BEIJING - China Daily, a Beijing-based national English-language newspaper, on Friday began printing its U.S. edition in Houston, marking the paper's sixth publishing base in the United States.
In a congratulatory letter, former U.S. president George H. W. Bush hailed the paper for making the decision to start publishing in Houston, Texas, according to a statement released Friday by the China Daily.
"I consider the U.S.-China relationship the most important we have as a nation. The China Daily's decision to publish in the United States will only help further enhance understanding between our two great countries and cultures," Bush said in the letter.
News from China will be more open, official vows
BEIJING - The government will be more open and transparent in delivering information and news about China to the outside world, a top official in charge of media affairs vowed on Thursday.
Wang Chen, minister of the State Council Information Office, made the remarks at a New Year reception attended by nearly 400 guests, including representatives of major news organizations, spokesmen from government agencies and diplomats stationed in Beijing.
"In the coming year, the office will constantly enhance communication with the media both at home and abroad to make China's voice heard in an accurate, objective and comprehensive manner," he said.
The disseminating of news from China markedly improved in 2009, and the management of Internet information was standardized, he noted.
Countries join in copyright crackdown
BEIJING - Cracking down on copyright infringement needs more cooperation between police from different countries, given the international nature of such cases, the Ministry of Public Security said on Thursday.
Meng Qingfeng, head of the economic crime investigation department of the ministry, said China has been establishing closer relations with law enforcement agencies in other countries to crack down on intellectual property crime.
Desert sunshine helps solar energy industry
A photovoltaic (PV) power system is assembled at the edge of Tengger Desert in Zhongwei city, Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, Dec 14, 2010. Thanks to the ample sunshine and vastness of the desert, Ningxia has introduced PV equipment and built solar power stations to develop a whole PV industry chain.
Building Big - The Top 10
China has a tradition of building big. Tracing back to the Great Wall and the splendid imperial palaces, the ancient Chinese were addicted to the massive impact created by building gigantic constructions.
China never stopped constructing, especially after the government injected four trillion yuan to the market to stimulate the economy two years ago. The country's people decided to let the tradition continue by building new construction wonders in the cradle of civilization.
Following are 10 examples of how Chinese people endured the great legacy in the passing year:
1. Beijing-Shanghai in four hours 3. Disneyland comes to Shanghai 5. 15-story hotel built in six days 6. Asian Games Town ready for sports gala 7. Nuke power firm fuels mega investment plan 8. China's longest subway set to open 10. Water transfer system to end drought
China-India trade target set at $100b
EW DELHI - China and India vowed on Thursday to raise bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2015, from $60 billion in 2010, and called for a stronger partnership between Asia's two giants.
"I believe with our joint efforts ... we'll be able to raise our friendship and cooperation to a high level in the new century," said Premier Wen Jiabao, standing alongside Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Indian presidential palace after a red-carpet welcome ceremony.
In response to Wen's remarks, before they started their formal meeting, Singh said a strong partnership between India and China "will contribute to long-term peace, stability, prosperity and development in Asia and the world".
China is India's largest trade partner and the trade has been heavily in China's favor.
Wen: Patience needed to resolve boundary question
NEW DELHI -- The China-India boundary question is a "historical legacy" and its resolution requires patience, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in a speech delivered Thursday at the Indian Council of World Affairs.
"It will not be easy to completely resolve this question. It requires patience and will take a fairly long period of time," Wen said.
"Only with sincerity, mutual trust and perseverance can we eventually find a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution," he added.
China commemorates Nanjing Massacre victims
See Kaixin's - Nanking, Nanking
Snowfall sweeps many parts of China
Heavy snow blankets the road outside the Galongla Tunnel in Bome county, Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region.
The Galongla Tunnel, built at an altitude of 3,750 meters, is a highway tunnel that links Tibet's Metok county to the outside world. It took more than two years to complete the construction. The highway is scheduled to open in 2011. Metok county, with a population of 11,000, is China's last county with no highway link.
For investors, glamorous bounty lies in looted treasures
Chinese nouveau riche join the hunt for 'safe' status symbols. Cheng Yingqi in Beijing reports.
Yet, although patriotism is playing a part in this hunt to recapture looted treasures, experts say the majority of buyers are in fact more interested in the investment potential of ancient works - and the glamour.
"Buying looted artwork has become high-street fashion among China's elite, especially in the past year," said Zhao Xu, director of Poly International Auction Co Ltd.
No official figure exists for the number of looted artworks bought back by rich Chinese, yet industry insiders say the market is booming.
In the past 13 months, at least 16 Chinese antiques have sold for more than 100 million yuan ($14.9 million) at domestic and overseas auctions - almost four times the total number between 2005 and 2009.
"As artworks inside China are rare, more are setting their sights on looted artwork abroad," explained Zhao.
Artifacts seldom go under the hammer on the Chinese mainland, with most already on display at museums nationwide.
A host introduces one of nine ancient bronze relics returned to China from abroad during a show in Beijing on Mar 20. The set cost a total of 300 million yuan to buy at auction.
'People first' governance bears fruits
BEIJIN - Thirty-three-year-old Wang Binglang, a laid-off worker in Northwest China's Shaanxi province, felt much relieved following positive changes in his life during the past two years.
Wang's family moved into a new apartment two years ago.
Such apartments were specially built by property developers and sold at affordable prices to low-income families in the country at the demand of the Chinese government. They are much less expensive than other apartments in the market, as their developers are only allowed to gain marginal profits from them.
His 8-year-old son now goes to a school near their apartment, and all three family members are covered by the country's medical care insurance.
"The sound housing, schooling and medical care arrangements are very reassuring for a small vendor like me," he said.
The Chinese government has been increasingly attending to ordinary people's lives and rights in recent years.
China published its first working plan on human rights in 2009, pledging to further protect and improve human rights conditions.
As a developing country with a population of 1.3 billion, China must give priority to the protection of the people's rights to subsistence and development, such as the rights to employment, education, medical and old-age care and housing, the plan stressed.
In 2009, the Chinese government began a three-year healthcare reform program designed to provide universal healthcare services, especially iThe government chipped in more funds into the sector, channeling 13.8 billion yuan ($2.07 billion) to medical and health care in 2006, while the central budgetary spending on the sector rocketed to 138.92 billion yuan in 2010.
The government input on education has also been on the rise for years. The central government invested 53.6 billion yuan into education in 2006, while the central budgetary spending on the sector jumped to 215.99 billion yuan in 2010.
"China has been upgrading its concept for development. If we forget our goal of development is the happiness of the people, such development is only unilateral, which neglects human rights," said Zhang Xiaoling, director of the human rights research center of the Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.
Zhang Xianguo, a 46-year-old citizen in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu province, received 200 yuan as a subsidy on Thursday.
The Jiangsu provincial government has introduced a system to issue subsidies to low-income groups when the commodity price hike hits a set limit.
The local government activated the system twice in July and November this year, with various levels of governments in the region allocating nearly 200 million yuan as a subsidy.
"The subsidy comes just in time. It can bail my family out," Zhang said.
The CPC Central Committee proposed guidelines in October for mapping out a blueprint for China's development over the next five years .
The proposal pledges intensified protection of human rights in the country.
The "fundamental end" of economic transformation was to improve people's lives, which could only be achieved by giving priority to job creation, providing equal public services to every citizen and stepping up reform of the income distribution system, the proposal says.
Liu Jie, director of the human rights research center of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences said, as the largest developing country in the world, China has never ceased to promote modernization and progress in human rights.
"The development of human rights cannot be achieved overnight. Any opinion that expects China to improve all of its human rights conditions overnight is unpractical or made with ulterior motives," Liu said.n the less-developed rural areas, and cut expenditures. (Published in full because of its importance).
Kaixin OpEd - A seminal article if you want to understand China's socialsim and also how it will unlock savings and encourage consumption.
Why is in so important in Kaixin's opinion?
Because Deng Xiaoping’s exhortation ‘to be rich is glorious’ was seen as socialist China’s capitulation to capitalism.
This was a mistake.
The full quote has to be seen in context.
‘Poverty is not socialism, to be rich is glorious.’
Deng sought to use capitalism to create wealth, which could then be used to achieve socialist ends.
The ‘west’ in its usual hurry enjoy pointing out the faults in China, the inevitable cracks that come with such a rapid economic and social transformation.
Deng’s first objective was always clear, in Kaixin’s opinion: the creation of wealth for China.
China has gone a long way to achieving that objective. Helped not a little by the impatience, greed and sloth of the ‘west’ seeking a free ride and worshiping at the shrine of lucre, with the economist handmaidens rushing about trying to look wise.
It all ended in tears of course, and China is using its wealth to pick up some of the more tasty morsels.
It is also starting to use its wealth for socialist ends: a fairer, equitable and more just society.
The first thirty years were used to focus on wealth creation. Thirty years is but a sneeze for a dragon. There is now plenty of time to consolidate that wealth base and use it for socialist ends.
Capitalism with Chinese characteristics.
See Kaixin’s – ‘ Poverty is not Socialism, to be Rich is Glorious’
VIDEO - Interview with US think tank
The United States and China are at a point to establish a new collaborative relationship to deal with the possible conflicts emerging between the two big economies which happen to be two big militaries in the world, said US think tank analysts during interview by China Daily.
Kaixin OpEd - Well worth seeing
Para Games opening ceremony performance
A world of beauty and care, depicted by outreached hands, is highlighted during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Asian Para Games at the Aoti Main Stadium in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, on Sunday night.
Games of humanity starts
GUANGZHOU - It was not all about spectacle or splendor at the opening ceremony of the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games on Sunday night - humanity stole the show.
Emotional scenes throughout the ceremony were the real highlights instead of the traditional attraction of fireworks and the illuminated background.
Zhang Lixin (R) andZhang Haiyuan cooperate to pass torch during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Asian Para Games in Guangzhou
See Kaixin's - INSIGHTS INTO CHINA
A brilliant multi-media presentation on how the world sees China, concentrating on one country at a time.
The man who was Mao's hero
The Bruce Lee legend never fades but it might surprise some to learn that among his legion of fans was Chairman Mao, who called him a hero.
Chairman Mao Zedong (1893-1976) and Bruce Lee the martial arts legend (1940-1973) both declared - in their unique ways - that the Chinese people had "stood up".
Mao made this proclamation on the founding of the People's Republic of China, on Oct 1, 1949, Lee said it in a cinematic way that needed no translation when he kicked and smashed a wooden panel bearing the words: "Chinese and dogs not allowed", one of the iconic scenes steeped in fiery nationalism from Fist of Fury.
The words are supposedly from notices at the entrance of public parks in colonial Shanghai, and have come to symbolize the country's humiliation.
It turns out the Great Helmsman was a huge fan of the kungfu legend.
Netizens find a word to sum up frustration
BEIJING - The Chinese character "涨" (zhang), which is used to describe a rapid price rise, has been voted "Character of the Year" in an online poll in a move that suggests the public is becoming increasingly dissatisfied with inflation and soaring house prices.
Vote for China's Top 10 Cultural Events in 2010
China's Economy by Numbers
Top 10 New Investment Ideas in China
Special Coverage: Beijing, I have a dream
A special coverage on people’s dreams in Beijing under its This is Beijing program, and this is the third part of five people's dreams.
The 16th United Nations Climate Change Conference
Green Living Top 10
Global Times
There is room for two ambitious Asian giants 
Chinese premier Wen Jiabao begins his three-day official visit to India Wednesday with a huge trade delegation of more than 300 businesspeople. As two emerging Asian powers, China and India now face a new opportunity to dissolve misgivings and build mutual trust in a pragmatic way.
Days ahead of Wen's visit, some Indian media outlets listed various problems between the two powers. The timing and tone of displaying these problems was however inappropriate. The subtext in the Indian media is not optimistic. It would be more appropriate to pursue mutual interests by taking a more positive stance.
It is not easy to solve problems and conflicts between the two countries. However, is there an alternative to building good neighborly and friendly relationships? Probably not. As two Asian powers with vast territories, neither country could bear strategic confrontation, nor could the entire region. More benefits would come to both countries by solving problem, rather than expanding and focusing on conflict.
From China's perspective, strategic calculations are not in conflict with the goodwill of boosting friendship with India. The problem is that India's public mentality toward this relationship is relatively complicated.
Some Indian people applaud the notion that Asia is slowly growing into an "arc of freedom and prosperity," while others propose to create a triangle of interests among India, China and the US.
Both countries need to further understand each other's diplomatic interests. The countries should work together instead of forming blocs to segregate each other. The bottom line is that each should practically demonstrate goodwill to consolidate the friendship.
Neither China nor India should impose its own requirements on the other country. Both countries should further understand each other's interests and concerns, and properly address existing divergences.
Fundamentally speaking, tolerance is needed in the relationship between the two countries. Both China and India should accept that there is a neighbor running next to it at a rapid pace, rather than being suspicious about each other's achievements. Each should see its partner's success as stimulating and encouraging, rather than a slap in the face.
With a positive mentality, there are actually no haunting barriers between the two countries.
After all, Asia is big enough to accommodate the ambitions of both emerging powers.
Trade to top Wen's India trip
Premier Wen Jiabao begins his three-day visit to India Wednesday, a trip that will revolve around the inking of multi-billion-dollar deals in several important sectors.
Who wins the Dragon-elephant contention?
Many Westerners are asking, who will be the next Asian leader? Will it be the Chinese dragon or the Indian elephant? Their discussions of the dragon-elephant contention have polluted mutual observation between China and India.
The rise of China and India has an inevitable context: a world dominated by the West. No matter whether the two emerging powers like it or not, Western interests will exert profound impact on each of their choices.
It is strange that the contention between China and India is especially singled out. What do they contend for? A faster GDP growth rate? Favor of the West? China is not interested. A more correct development model? This is more like a trap set by the US and Europe against China.
Contention over their borders is real. However, both countries don't want to resort to military force on this issue.
Compared to promoting prosperity, the border disputes are not the most urgent item on either country's agenda.
Both countries endeavor to build a strong economy, whereas neither thinks about hegemony in Asia. Both are seeking further modernization and first-class civil livelihood.
Senseless comparisons between China and India are not meaningful in either country.
Nevertheless, such comparison does exist in both countries, and India is especially excited on this. Some Indian opinions that smear China, in turn, have sparked passionate reaction among the Chinese public.
The so-called dragon-elephant contention mainly exists at the social level in the two nations, and some impulsive words appear quite ludicrous. Nevertheless, both governments generally hold steady and levelheaded attitudes.
India and China have a similar self-identity: a big developing nation. At times, India claims itself as the biggest democratic nation in the world. But in reality, India's key international interests are closely related to its former identity. For instance, it clearly knows its own stand on how to distribute its responsibility toward global climate change, how to combat trade protectionism, and whether to limit US financial privilege or not.
The title of "the biggest democratic nation" looks like a glass of red wine enjoyed together by India and the West. But it doesn't generate anything substantial that is of India's national interests.
With a huge population and much work left to be done in developing the economy, perhaps India won't get too drunk to act superior in front of China, because such superiority will delight India much less than it delights the West.
The dragon-elephant contention is a pseudo-proposition, but a true desire of US and European conservatives. Hopefully both nations will witness a peaceful rise that is good for everyone.
Dialogue
A 30 Minute Current Affairs Programme on CCTV - 9 (In English) where current issues are discussed by experts from China and Internationally:
60th anniversary of China-India ties; China seeks better ties with India
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of sino-india diplomatic relations. The two countries have made great stress in the bilaterial relations in the past six decades which have been reflected by close cooperation in various fields.
Trade cooperation has made significant growth. Culture exchanges carried out by the two countries in education, tourism, religion, media and sports have grown steadly.
Where are their bilaterial relations are heading and how can their bilaterial relations be mutually benefitial?
International News Sources
The Wall Street Journal - China RealTime Report
The Wall Street Journal
Pictures of China
Slideshows
Video: China Vows Friendship With India
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh say they are optimistic about the future, as talks between the two Asian nations wrap up. Video courtesy of Reuters.
Wen Arrives in Pakistan for Three-Day Visit
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan—Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Pakistan Friday for a three-day visit aimed at expanding economic and defense ties, while at the same time assuaging concerns over Beijing's recent friendliness with India.
North Korea Threatens More Attacks
SEOUL—North Korea warned Friday that it would attack South Korea more violently than it did last month if Seoul proceeds with plans to test-fire artillery from the island Pyongyang shelled.
The statement raises the stakes on what was already seen as a risky test of the fortitude of both Koreas to dispute the inter-Korean maritime border.
PBOC Governor: Interest Rates to Gradually Liberalize
BEIJING—People's Bank of China Gov. Zhou Xiaochuan said Friday that China will gradually make interest rates more market-determined and that interest rate liberalization can improve the allocation of resources, adding to calls from officials for a shake-up of China's rigid interest rate regime.
Interest rates should reflect the needs of macroeconomic control and China should create conditions for market reforms of interest rates, which will make monetary policy more effective, Zhou said at a financial forum. He also said he hopes companies that meet certain standards can receive more interest-rate pricing power earlier than ...
For Sale on Taobao: Christmas Romance With a CEO
Fans of China’s Taobao have long maintained you can find almost anything on the EBay-like shopping site. They might not be far off.
Not content hocking oatmeal soap and skin-whitening cream, a Taobao cosmetics store is now offering up one of its male staff as a “Christmas boyfriend”–and he’s not just any schlub.
See Kaixin's - INSIGHTS INTO CHINA'S SOCIETY & CULTURE
The New York Times
Chinese Premier Visits Pakistan to Reinforce Ties
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao arrived in Islamabad on Friday for a three-day visit that Pakistani officials said was aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership and economic cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
China Leader Says Anti-Inflation Measures Needed
BEIJING — One of China’s top leaders said at a government meeting that measures needed to be taken to tamp down inflation in the coming year, according to a report on Friday by Xinhua, the state news agency. The comments were one of the clearest signs yet that Chinese leaders are increasingly concerned about popular resentment arising as a result of soaring living costs.
Kaixin OpEd – Kaixin speaks to many people in China regularly, including family and friends. They are all what you would deem ‘ middle class’.
They say that prices are certainly rising, particularly food, but the government now has control of that. They are all relaxed and not at all concerned.
Caixin Online
Out of Africa, Successful Bet for Sinosteel
Sinosteel helped build a China business beachhead in Africa by waiting on diplomats and accepting risks at a South African mine
(Johannesburg) – The glitter of mineral-rich South Africa caught the eye of corporate Japan during a hunt for overseas investment opportunities in the mid-1990s. But a closer look at the investment landscape revealed political risks, and the Japanese pulled out.
China's largest metals trader, Sinosteel Group, saw something more – and bet on South Africa for the long haul.
Xinjiang's Wilting Mountain Meadows
Once teeming with goitered gazelles and Tibetan antelope, Northwestern China's pastures have gone silent with increasing habitat loss from industrial activity
On a cold winter day, an empty landscape reels to the horizon on both sides of China National Highway 216. The road cleaves across the Kalamaili Ungulates Nature Reserve located in the Gurbantunggut Desert. Once considered a vibrant oasis for wildlife, it now accommodates a dwindling population of some of the world's most endangered animals.
Once teeming with goitered gazelles and Tibetan antelope, Northwestern China's pastures have gone silent with increasing habitat loss from industrial activity.
WSJ - India, China Set $100 Billion Trade Target
NEW DELHI—India and China said they aim to lift their annual bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2015, more than double the total last fiscal year, illustrating renewed efforts to boost cooperation between the world's two fastest-growing major economies.
Mr. Wen's promises that Beijing will open its large consumer market more to India, which runs a huge trade deficit with China, was welcomed in India.
Asia Times Online
Bridging a Himalayan divide
By Sudha Ramachandran 
Beyond Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao's weighty political and economic agenda in India lies an important opportunity to banish ugly stereotypes so often displayed in times of Sino-Indian crises. Though separated for a millennium by the Himalayas, the shared experiences and values of the peoples provide more reason to turn to each other than to the West.
Tibetans celebrate Karmapa's anniversary
By Saransh Sehgal
Buddhists around the world have been celebrating the 900th anniversary of the birth of their original reincarnated spiritual leader, the first Karmapa. And Tibetans have been heeding the words of the Karmapa's 17th reincarnation, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who is expected to succeed the Dalai Lama as their spiritual leader.
NYT - IHT Business Navigator
Saving Face in China
This is an excerpt from the first in a series of iPhone applications created by the International Herald Tribune to explain the culture and etiquette of major business centers.
When it comes to doing business in China, “respect for people’s feelings is paramount — this sensitivity that needs to be taken in respect to people’s ‘face,’ ” Tom Doctoroff of J. Walter Thompson advertising said.
“Face — a cliché, but it’s so true — is the currency of advancement,” he said. “It’s like a social bank account. You spend it and you save it and you invest. And when you take away somebody’s face you take away someone’s fundamental sense of security.”
See Kaixin's - INSIGHTS INTO CHINA - Which includes a feature on the 'Culture of Face'
NYT - Puppet Masters Try to Bring Art Out of the Shadows
THE Cui Yongping Shadow Play Art Museum exhibits shadow puppets. Which is like saying the Louvre exhibits paintings.
NYT - Book Review
The Final Conflict
A Stanford historian views the clash between East and West from a long perspective, and argues that we face an immediate choice — East-West cooperation or catastrophe.
NYT - Book Review
Under a Fishbone Clouds
In Sam Meekings’s fable-like first novel, a couple’s devotion is tested during Mao’s Cultural Revolution and beyond.
China, 1946: the Japanese occupation is over, and the people of Fushun are wondering when prosperity will return. But 16-year-old Yuying is anticipating the answer to her own big question — what her new husband will be like.
WSJ - A 546-Million-Ton Elephant in China’s Grain Silo
Jaw-dropping as this new record is, however, it also invites a fair bit of chin scratching.
The sustainability, or not, of China’s grain output matters because a shift in just a few percentage points in the country’s grain demand or output means millions of tons of shipments diverted from other parts of the world.
Kaixin OpEd - An important 'canary in the cage' article.
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