IN BRIEF (Page 2)

Ministers meet, pledge closer cooperation

Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi said on June 19 that China is ready to work with Botswana to boost collaboration in agriculture, the processing industry, infrastructure, human resources, and medical care.

He was speaking after meeting with his Botswanan counterpart, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi.

Hailing the countries' time-tested bilateral relations, Wang said he looked forward to enhanced political trust, more people-to-people exchanges, and closer coordination in international affairs.

Venson-Moitoi said her country was appreciative of China's contribution to the development of Africa within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Renovated Abidjan culture center opens

A major cultural center in Cote d'Ivoire that was destroyed in the post-election violence of 2010 and 2011 has been renovated using financial support from the Chinese government.

The Culture Palace of Abidjan was bestowed to the West African country as a gift from China, and was inaugurated in 1990. Restoration work began in June 2013 and has cost $48 million.

Inside the refurbished center is now a 2,800-seat theater, a concert hall, a training room and a multipurpose hall, all equipped with modern sound and lighting systems.

At a handover ceremony at the weekend, Cote d'Ivoire Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan praised the excellent relationship between his country and China, which has created, among other things, a center to research and combat malaria, a hydroelectric dam, the expansion of Abidjan's port, and several academic and health centers.

Djiboutian officials finish Chinese course

Fifteen Djiboutians who enrolled in a Chinese language course at the Djibouti Institute of Diplomatic Studies have been awarded level 1 and 2 certificates.

The graduates, who included both public and private sector officials, form the first group of Djiboutians trained in Mandarin at the institute, constructed last year with Chinese funding.

Zahra Arale Riale, a secretary with Djibouti's Energy Ministry, said receiving the certificate was a dream come true. "I love the Chinese language because I've always been fascinated by Chinese culture, which dates back centuries," she said.

Osman Abdi, a civil servant, said he was inspired to learn Chinese by his two young daughters, who are studying the language school. "I do not intend to stop," he added.

President hails scholarships

Namibian President Hage Geingob on June 19 praised Sun Investment Group, a Chinese-owned company, after it awarded six scholarships for Namibians to study medicine in China.

The students will join 28 others sponsored by the Namibia China Loving Foundation, a charity administered by Sun Investment.

Geingob hailed the excellent bilateral relations between Namibia and China, and called on multinational companies operating in Namibia to emulate the example set by Sun Investment.

The scholarship will cover the cost of insurance, tuition and other expenses for two academic years - about 400,000 yuan ($65,200) - as well as flights between Namibia and China. Sun Investment said it has so far spent more than 14 million Namibian dollars ($1.1 million) on Namibian students.

Province twins with Namibian region

Jiangsu province, on the east coastal of China, has signed a twinning agreement with Namibia's central Khomas region aimed at promoting mutual understanding and friendly relations.

Li Xueyong, governor of Jiangsu, who signed the deal along with Khomas Governor Laura McLaud-Katjirua, said the move lays a solid foundation for competitive investment.

The two sides agreed to promote people-to-people exchanges on economic and trade cooperation, and to strengthen exchange programs in areas of education, training, health, culture, sports, and technology.

Nigerian students savor Dragon Boat fun

Nigerians students in Lagos were given a taste of Chinese culture in celebrations for the annual Dragon Boat Festival at the Confucius Institute on June 19.

Up to 300 teachers and students from primary and secondary schools and universities got to learn about dragon boats, and Chinese language and history, and were treated to zongzi, a sweet dumpling made with glutinous rice and traditionally wrapped in bamboo leaves.

R. D. Cilliers, principal of Grace School in the Gbagada area of Lagos, said the Chinese language was introduced to students to facilitate their communication and to give them an added advantage.

"It's important to learn (Chinese) because China is a cultural and economic giant in today's world," he said.

China unveils plans for V-Day parade

China has announced plans for its commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, which includes inviting foreign militaries to participate in a parade on Sept 3.

President Xi Jinping will speak at the event and present medals to war veterans and families of the deceased, Wang Shiming, deputy director of publicity for the CPC Central Committee said on June 23.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of China's victory in War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45). It will be the first time China has held a parade to commemorate the event.

VP hails key China-US dialogue

Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Yang said on June 22 that the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue has helped the world's two largest economies identify and expand common interests and strengthen bilateral relations.

In an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, Wang said the dialogue has helped the countries to effectively manage differences and minimize their impact on bilateral relations, and also helped US leaders and the public to learn more about 21st-century China.

Over the past six years, direct investment from Chinese companies to the US has increased fivefold, creating more than 80,000 jobs, he said, adding: "The convergence of interests has gone beyond many people's imagination."

Fugitives returned from Indonesia

Six fugitives were returned to China from Indonesia on June 21, the Ministry of Public Security said. They join the 256 fugitives who have been returned to China from more than 30 countries and regions since Operation Fox Hunt started in April. Interpol had issued red notices for three of the six suspects, including one who is suspected of contract fraud involving about 10 million yuan ($1.63 million).

Calls for further China, US cultural exchanges

Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Yandong has called for further exchanges in culture and art between China and the United States.

Speaking before the opening concert of the China-US Composers Project in Washington on June 22, she said music has no boundaries and can play a unique role in the exchanges between China and the United States.

Evan Ryan, US assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs, said that over the past year, ent musicians, dancers, filmmakers, writers and students to China for cultural exchange programs.

Special care for childless seniors

Beijing is to set up a nursing home to care for senior citizens who have lost their only child and provide targeted services.

No 5 Welfare Nursing Home was chosen as a pilot project to receive seniors whose only child died because of disease or accident, the Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau said.

The latest official statistics show that, in 2013, 8,781 seniors in Beijing lost their only child.

Laser radar to help cities combat smog

Chinese engineers are developing a laser radar that can monitor and analyze air pollutants such as PM2.5, the leader of the project has revealed.

"Laser radar is a new monitor and measurement tool in the environmental and meteorological fields, capable of monitoring airflow and particulate matter and other air pollutants," said Song Yubin, a radar expert at the Beijing Huahang Radio Measurement Institute.

The institute, part of the Third Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, specializes in radar and photoelectric equipment and previously focused on the space sector.

Third agriculture survey next year

China will conduct its third national agriculture survey in 2016, collecting basic information on agriculture, rural areas and farmers. Central authorities will use the data in decision-making, the State Council said on June 22. Previous surveys were carried out in 1997 and 2006.

Exhibition sets Guinness record

A Tibetan Buddhist shrine in Shangri-La has set Guinness World Record on June 21 for the largest exhibition of thangka, traditional scroll paintings. Guinness representative Gulnaz Ukassova conferred the certificate at the opening of the exhibit of 1,699 paintings, which also marked the inauguration of the 12-story shrine and exhibition center.

25b yuan allocated to water projects

The central government is to spend 25 billion yuan ($4.08 billion) on water projects, the Ministry of Finance said on June 23.

Part of the fund will replenish capital for 29 existing projects, with the rest to be used on 143 new projects in irrigation, diversion and water conservation, and for cleaning up lakes and rivers.

The country's total investment in water projects reached 488 billion yuan last year. Vice-Minister of Water Resources Jiao Yong has predicted investment will top that figure this year.

New route for Indian pilgrims to Tibet

A new route has been opened via the Himalayan Nathu La Pass for Indian pilgrims traveling to Tibet, to facilitate their trip and further promote religious exchanges, authorities said.

The first group of Indian Buddhist followers entered southwest China's Tibet autonomous region through this pass at 10 am on June 22, starting a 12-day pilgrimage to Mount Kangrinboqe and Mapam Yumco Lake in Ngari Prefecture.

The Nathu La Pass sits 4,545 meters above sea level and is wedged between Yadong county of Tibet's Xigaze Prefecture and India's Sikkim State.

Watchdog to inspect agencies, SOEs

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, China's anti-graft watchdog, is to send inspection teams to 26 central government departments, institutions and state-owned enterprises, it was announced on June 23.

The organizations will include the CPC Central Committee's Taiwan Affairs Office, the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Administration, the National Railway Administration, People's Daily, and China Eastern Airlines.

Nansha navigates path to growth

Construction of port facilities and international cooperation will be given priority in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, which aims to build an international shipping center within three years, authorities said on June 23.

Construction of the third phase of the Nansha port, a major component of the Guangzhou Port, will be completed this year.

The Nansha port, in the new China (Nansha) Pilot Free Trade Zone, already has 10 container berths. The number of berths will increase to 16 on completion of the third phase. Construction of the fourth phase will begin soon, making the Nansha port into one of the top-five ports in the world in terms of handling capacity, according to the port authority.

Think tank advises move to Tongzhou

Beijing should relocate municipal administrative bodies to eastern Tongzhou district to ease pressure on public services, a leading think tank has advised.

In its annual report on June 23, the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences said there has been no change in the gap between public services in different areas of the city in recent years.

Suburban areas have been given more attention to promote economic growth, while public services such as education and health have not attracted the same attention.

The report suggests the city government relocate its administrative bodies from downtown area to Tongzhou to improve the public services and attract more people out of overcrowded areas.

Ministries draft Internet Plus action plan

Chinese ministries are drafting an Internet Plus action plan, focusing on the Internet of Things, sources at the Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the National Development and Reform Commission, the economic planner, have also set up funds for the Internet of Things and launched demonstration projects, cnstock.com reported on June 23.

More policies to encourage rural startups

The State Council has announced policies to encourage migrant workers, college graduates and discharged soldiers to return to their rural hometowns and start small businesses.

Issued on June 21, the policy package is the latest move to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation to boost jobs and drive economic growth.

The government promised to ease the business registration procedure for small businesses and allow them to enter rural infrastructure development and public services that are normally operated by the government.

Chinese scientists honored with award

Three scientists, two Chinese and one American, have been named as recipients of the 2015 Bernd T. Matthias Prize for Superconducting Materials, an international prize awarded for innovative contributions to the field.

The winners are Chen Xianhui of the University of Science and Technology of China, Zhao Zhongxian of the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Zachary Fisk of the University of California-Irvine.

The prize, considered as the top on in superconductivity field, was created in 1989 in memory of Bernd T. Matthias, a German-born American physicist noted for his discovery of nearly 1,000 superconducting materials. The award is granted every three years.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 06/26/2015 page2)