From our archives

April 10, 1984

Farmers go down coalmines under contract system

China, in a radical departure from previous labor policy, has introduced farmers into coalmines under short-term contracts.

The new system, a step in reforming personnel management as well as part of a national effort to absorb surplus labor from rural areas, has been a success in increasing productivity in State-owned mines.

There were 45,600 farmers working in 34 mines throughout China by the end of last year under three-to-five-year contracts. The system is to be expanded.

Sale dip threatens "home of tea" image

China might soon lose its reputation as the "home of tea" unless it takes immediate measures to improve its tea management system.

Tea production fell last year by about 15 million kilograms to about 382.5 million kilograms, the first decline in 20 years.

The fall resulted from decreasing tea sales on domestic and international markets. China's annual tea exports now represent only about 10 percent of the world total, compared with 90 percent in the late 1800s.

Solar energy: a sensible, profitable course for Tibet

Boasting the richest resources in solar energy, Tibet has the least natural reserves in terms of conventional energy such as coal and oil. Wide use of solar energy is an effective way to solve the problem of the high energy demand in Tibet.

The vast areas of Tibet are sparsely populated and all kinds of small-sized and portable solar energy facilities could be used to advantage.

The domestic utilization of solar energy has been proved technically feasible and has to be put to wider use. Solar ovens, stoves and boilers are working in many homes in the suburbs of Lhasa.

(China Daily 04/10/2009 page9)