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Top News

Export barriers 'disastrous to firms'
Punitive measures proposed by some US lawmakers against Chinese exports would be "disastrous" to companies in both countries, Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai said yesterday.

Pre-marital check-ups 'should be encouraged'

Aviation trading giant seeks strategic investors before listing

Chirac bids adieu after 45 years in politics

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Top News

Corn output reaches record high
China's corn production last year hit a record 144 million tons, 3.3 percent more than in 2005, the National Grain and Oil Trade Center said yesterday.

Unsafe water tops environment fear

Rule to monitor science funding

Surplus soars tenfold

IN BRIEF (Page 2)

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Nation

Guangdong sees slow income growth
GUANGZHOU: South China's Guangdong Province, one of the nation's economic powerhouses, has been urged to put more effort into increasing the per capita income of rural and urban residents.

Credit check for public servants

Staff of consumers' hotline criticised for poor service

IN BRIEF (Page 3)

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China Scene

When Ningbo has rats, they call the 'ratman'
Zhang Hongguang calls himself "the black cat detective". Who else can catch 50 rats a night?

China Scene: West

China Scene: East

China Scene: North

China Scene: South

China Scene: Central

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NPC/CPPCC 2007

Promise of clean air for all during Olympics
Bai Keming, Party secretary of Hebei Province, has promised that every effort will be made to keep the areas surrounding Beijing pollution-free during next year's Olympics.

Beijing, it's time to show your best manners

Landmark property, tax drafts revised

Large plane to fly by 2020

Smoking curbs could 'upset China's stability'

Party looks to protect private property

A sophomoric bill from an actress

Oil region looks to the future

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NPC/CPPCC 2007

'No short-term solutions to trade imbalance'
It will take time to adjust the trade imbalance between China and some of its trade partners, two high-level officials said yesterday.

Central bank governor downplays market swings

High-speed link to boost bottom line

Inspiring profiles in dedicated service

Fast rail looks ready for approval

Working to build trust in China's NGOs

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NPC/CPPCC 2007

Public purse to be better protected
China's top auditor has pledged tougher measures to crack down on public money being wasted.

Preserve cultural heritage

Sound Bites

Debt warning for universities

IN BRIEF (Page 7)

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NPC/CPPCC 2007

Power is fine, but duty is more important
Wang Ying is extremely happy. She is a 40-year-old Bai minority doctor attached to a clinic in Southwest China's Yunnan Province. But that's not the reason why she's happy. Rather the satisfaction of playing a role in setting up rural clinics across the province is.

To live is to learn

Working for the good of people

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Comment

Market forces cannot cover nation's welfare
The welfare of millions of mortal beings now enjoys top priority on the government agenda.

Cartoon

Balancing HK's big finances, small gov't

Cutting trade imbalance

Hope for peace in Iraq

Protecting our heritage

Fireworks won't save culture

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Opinion

US bucks can't buy Latin America
The US media have gone all-out in their analysis and comments on US President George W. Bush's ongoing five-nation visit in Latin America. Yesterday Bush arrived in Mexico City on the last leg of his trip, which has taken him to Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia and Guatemala.

Best quotes from Japan and beyond

Letters and Blogs

From our archives

Do today's blogging teenagers have no sense of shame?

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International

Au revoir Jacques: Chirac's reign ends
After 45 years in frontline politics, French President Jacques Chirac has announced he will not seek re-election next month.

Jacques Chirac: a life in politics

US missile defence could divide allies: NATO chief

Kosovo talks end in bitter deadlock

Bush asks for even more Iraq troops

US plans 'Iraq fallback strategy'

Recycled restaurant grease can power your car

Across asia: Indonesia

Across asia: Pakistan/India

Across asia: Japan

Across asia: Libya

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International

IAEA chief cautious over DPRK nuke disarmament
The head of the UN nuclear watchdog said yesterday that moving to inspect and close facilities behind the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear weapons program would be complex as the two sides seek to rebuild severed ties.

Chavez taunts Bush with tour

Nepal PM says king should abdicate

5 kidnapped Europeans' whereabouts known: PM

Swiss convicted of lese majeste, faces Thai jail

Dubai airport shut for 7 hours

Around the world: Nigeria

Around the world: Zimbabwe

Around the world: Russia

Around the world: Gaza Strip

Around the world: United States

Around the world: Morocco

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Business

Arcelor Mittal bid to buy Laiwu nixed
China has reportedly rejected the proposed purchase of Laiwu Steel Corp by international steel giant Arcelor Mittal.

Tom Group makes an offer on online unit

Poor service poses high risk for banks

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Business China

Chalco to buy plants to meet aluminum demand
Aluminum Corp of China Ltd, or Chalco, the nation's largest maker of the metal, will buy processing plants from its parent to meet the domestic demand forecast of a 20 percent annual growth.

Firm set to list in Shanghai soon

Full steam ahead for Tyco

Developer to triple China investment

Novartis upbeat on industry prospects

Cardholders can draw money in Australia

IN BRIEF (Page 14)

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Business Indepth

Tom Online buyout plan may help restructure
Tom Group's recent efforts to buy out Tom Online may make the company, which took over eBay's auction business in China last year, retreat from the capital market. But experts said the buyout might mark the beginning of Tom Online's business restructuring.

GE strives to make its mark

Biz Scene: MARKET

Biz Scene: BIZ UNUSUAL

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Special Supplement

Haier marches on in int'l market
Haier Group, one of China's leading home appliance makers, will continue to implement its "global strategy" to capture a bigger share in the overseas home appliance market.

Changyu sets higher wine standard

Laigang committed to protecting environment

Huatai helps China win bigger slice of global pie

Doosan expects larger market share

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Life

Search for inner peace
"For quite a long time, I devoted all my energy to amassing a fortune. Now, I've found that a bigger fortune has not given real joy and happiness to me and my family," Chen Xiaoxu, a millionairess and famed actress, told local media before taking the tonsure (head-shaving ceremony) last month at a Buddhist monastery in Changchun, capital of Northeast China's Jilin Province.

Zen and the art of tourism

Who's in

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Life Pulse

New direction for old journey
Having spent 15 hours on a boat, 62-year-old Pu Yueqing arrived in Hangzhou of East China's Zhejiang Province at 3:30 am. Despite the long trip, she could hardly contain her excitement as if it was the first time she had visited the place.

Arctic monkeys are stating the freezing obvious

Reviews: DVD

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Special Supplement

Bonded harbor area to sharpen Dalian's edge
Dalian, a port city in Northeast China's Liaoning Province, is revving up for the construction of a bonded harbor area, marking a milestone in the city's opening-up history, Mayor Xia Deren said.

Traditional port injected with new vigor

Dayaowan to bolster shipping center ambition with favorable policies

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Sports China

Hopes rest on a talented few
China's swimmers are hoping to make a splash at the upcoming World Championships in Melbourne, and they know they'll have to beat the world's best to win gold.

Liang targets majors after Singapore win

Owner rewards players for defeating champions

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Sports

For fans, it helps to be barmy
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: It's cost thousands of dollars to get here and, when they arrive, hotel prices have tripled, traffic doesn't move and telephones have a mind of their own.

Australia favorites, but slow pitches to aid sub-continent teams

Shuttlecock lovebirds on winning street again

Top Shot

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Sports

Federer stunned on day of upsets
INDIAN WELLS, California: World No 1 Roger Federer suffered a stunning 7-5, 6-2 upset defeat by Argentine Guillermo Canas in the Pacific Life Open second round on Sunday.

Yao rediscovers Magic touch to fire Rockets

Li feels heat but through to last 16

Inter fight back to win derby

IN BRIEF (Page 24)