mainland

Pacts offer businesses better prospects, but financial woes may slow cross-strait trade

admin — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0800

Mainland companies doing business with Taiwan expect lower costs and more convenience to flow from agreements the two sides signed this week allowing direct flights, shipping and postal links. But the full potential unleashed by the deals may not be realised quickly because of the global financial crisis, company officials said.

Guangdong sees dramatic slowdown

admin — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0800

Fresh evidence of the impact of the global economic crisis on the mainland economy emerged yesterday, with Guangdong's governor warning output growth in China's export hub had slowed dramatically this year.

Three arrested over gunpowder explosion

admin — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0800

At least three men have been arrested in Wushenqi, Inner Mongolia, over a massive gunpowder blast that injured 20 people and damaged more than 560 commercial and residential buildings last week, mainland media reported. But the main suspect in the case was still on the run, Xinhua reported yesterday.

In Brief

admin — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0800

Almost all reporters are in poor health because of heavy smoking and a sedentary lifestyle, Xinhua reports. About 97.5 per cent of Chinese media workers are in sub-optimal health, meaning that their general physical condition is poor even though they have no specific disease, Xinhua said, citing a survey by the Chinese Medical Doctors' Association. The survey involved 23,640 health check-ups.

HK to fund five more reconstruction projects in quake-hit Sichuan

admin — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0800

Hong Kong will fund five more reconstruction projects in the earthquake-stricken areas of Sichuan, including a comprehensive rehabilitation centre for quake victims and an Olympic school to train local sporting talent.

UN panel wants more information on torture

admin — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0800

A United Nations torture watchdog yesterday pressed the mainland to disclose more details about the people it has detained, including those who are said to have died in custody.

Economy may affect greenhouse gas targets

admin — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0800

China would have a difficult task in overcoming economic hurdles to meet its greenhouse gas emissions targets, a senior central government official said yesterday.

More stimulus measures likely

admin — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0800

Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday sidestepped the issue of whether China would inject more into the International Monetary Fund - an appeal made by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown - but said further stimulus measures would be introduced to curb a slowdown in the mainland's economy.

Stalagmite analysis links dynastic collapses to climate change

admin — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0800

Chinese dynasties have risen and fallen over the past 2,000 years like solar clockwork, flourishing and declining according to the intensity of the Sun, an academic study by Chinese and American researchers has found.

Trip paves way for systematic talks, says Taiwan affairs chief

admin — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0800

The mainland's top official on Taiwanese affairs hailed this week's landmark cross-strait trip by a senior mainland envoy as a success, paving the way for the start of systematic talks between the two sides.