Bush warns Taiwan over referendum: US President George W Bush has warned Taiwan against any steps towards independence, after talks with the Chinese prime minister in Washington.
Group of uninhabited South China Sea islands for sale: A group of uninhabited islands in the South China Sea are for sale to be developed for tourism and industrial purposes, state media reported.
China trademarks astronaut: Chinese businesses hoping to cash in on the country's first man in space are to be sorely disappointed. Space officials in Beijing have registered the image, name and signature of Colonel Yang Liwei, as a trademark. They are seeking to prevent the use of Colonel Yang to sell products, although he has already been used in advertisements, and on calendars and playing cards.
Toyota car ads belittle dignity of the Chinese nation: Toyota lately roused resentment from Chinese people when it makes two stone lions, a traditional symbol of power in China, salute and bow to Toyota's Land Cruiser and Prado GX in two ads respectively. The two ads had drawn widespread indignation and criticism from China's netizens.
Beijing 2008 Olympic logo's rights stir debate: The "Dancing Beijing'' logo—the emblem for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games#151;has triggered heated debate among officials and experts regarding who is the legal proprietor of its trademark and intellectual property rights.
Miss China takes third in Miss World: Nineteen-year-old Miss Ireland, Rosanna Davison, daughter of singer Chris de Burgh, was crowned Miss World 2003 on Saturday in China's first international beauty pageant. It was China's first time hosting an international beauty pageant . . . Host country's Miss China, Guan Qi, took third. . . . Tickets sold briskly, though the prices between $80 to $2,000 were hugely expensive in a country where the monthly urban salary averages $100.
Hollywood movies enjoy great popularity in China: Following the debut of the blockbuster "Pirates of the Caribbean" in China last week, another movie, "The Italian Job" has also been a hit, as Hollywood movies conclude their 2003 run in China, gaining another impressive annual box office revenue.
Profile—Wen Jiabao: Wen Jiabao, who as China's Premier is charged with overseeing the country's economic reforms, has a reputation as a strong administrator and technocrat.
My grandma was a missionary in China: Joy Davies tells how bandits and bound feet were all in a day's work for her grandmother, a missionary in 1890s China.
China Opens Doors for Miss World Pageant: It looms above the palm trees, gleaming like a tiara—the $12 million convention hall built for a Miss World pageant that this picturesque but poor Chinese city hopes will put it on the global tourism map.
China sets its sights on the Moon: China has outlined plans to land a man on the Moon by 2020, the country's chief space official said in comments broadcast on state television.
President details missile threat: Chen Shui-bian, looking to win support for a 'defensive referendum' on sovereignty, said China has 496 ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan.
China's Secrecy Syndrome . . . : It has become almost a cliche to talk about the fact that China is changing rapidly, and therefore doesn't require the kind of pressure that was needed with the Soviet Union. But to the thousands who are locked up in prisons and in mental institutions for their beliefs, that is cold comfort.
China plans to ease rapid [economic] growth: China is set to touch the brakes in 2004, taking the edge off wildfire growth.
China issues report on wife abuse: Sixteen percent of married women in China have reportedly been beaten by their spouses.
Baby smugglers sentenced to death: A court in China has sentenced two people to death for selling 118 babies to smugglers.
PlayStation braves Chinese waters: The PlayStation 2 console is being launched in China next month, despite concerns about widespread piracy.
China's first spaceman breaks the Great Wall fallacy: Elementary school teacher Xiao Chunlan is puzzled by a sudden jolt to her long-held belief that she thought was as rock solid as the Great Wall. Namely, the Great Wall is one of only two man-made structures that astronauts can see from space with their naked eyes
China Teaches HIV Prevention on AIDS Day: Health workers hit the streets of China's capital Monday, marking World AIDS Day by teaching prevention in a country whose leaders have promised an aggressive fight against the disease - and a new openness learned during the battle against SARS.
China Market Fuels African Ivory Activity: An increase in ivory-carving workshops in China fuels the poaching of endangered elephants in central and eastern Africa, a researcher said Friday. The illegal workshops appear to make China the largest single Asian market for illegal African elephant tusks, Esmond Martin told reporters attending a presentation of his research.
China to meet new 'Friends': The Chinese state broadcaster, China Central Television, will begin broadcasting the popular U.S. sitcom "Friends" to the world's biggest potential audience next year, the Beijing Star Daily newspaper reported in Friday's editions. In Chinese, the show will be called "laoyouji" -- "Old Friends' Story."
China sacks drunken police: The Shanghai Daily said a total of 587 officers were being investigated after new rules were imposed aimed at improving police behaviour.
China's mobile phone users exceed fixed telephone users: By the end of October, the number of fixed telephone users and mobile phone users in China reached 255.139 million and 259.638 million, respectively, as China's mobile phone users exceeded fixed telephone users for the first time.
China—Use of force may be 'unavoidable' if Taiwan pursues independence: In unusually strong language, China ratcheted up the rhetoric against Taiwan in remarks published Wednesday and threatened that "the use of force may become unavoidable" if the island's leaders pursue independence.
China announces DVD alternative: Seeking to compete on its own terms in the lucrative entertainment industry, China announced a government-funded project Tuesday to promote an alternative to DVDs and "attack the market share" of the global video format.
Measles mini-outbreak under control in Guangdong: A sudden, mini-outbreak of measles in Shanwei in Guangdong Province's east has been brought under control. A total of 13 measles patients have been discharged from hospitals and 15 others are still under care in stable conditions.
China plans smoking curbs: China will ban all cigarette advertising, promotion and sponsorship in the middle of next year if a global agreement on tobacco control is passed by China's top legislative body early in 2004.
China announces verdict for gang trafficking women: Two ringleaders of a large Chinese gang have been sentenced to life in jail after being convicted of kidnapping and trafficking 46 young women.
Restoring Beijing's ancient style: The Beijing Administration of Land Resources and Housing announced last week that all the flat roofs of residential buildings along the streets within the city's Third Ring Road will be changed into sloping ones.
Shanghai gears up for baby boom: Shanghai is in for a baby boom from 2006 to 2009 when the newborn population will hit 165,600 per year, double the present figure.
China Set to Act on Fuel Economy; Tougher Standards Than in U.S.: The Chinese government is preparing to impose minimum fuel economy standards on new cars for the first time, and the rules will be significantly more stringent than those in the United States, according to Chinese experts involved in drafting them. (NY Times requires registration)
Bone marrow match found for adopted Chinese girl: The family of a 6-year-old adopted Chinese girl who desperately needs a bone marrow transplant believes they have found a match in China. Kailee Wells suffers from severe aplastic anemia, which prevents bone marrow from producing new blood cells. (Also see the webpage for Kailee!)
Chinese shoppers happy to spend: China's October retail sales rose at their fastest pace in two years as the week-long National Day holiday gave consumers their first chance to flex their spending muscles since the SARS outbreak.
BBC to launch first ever Chinese comedy: Forget the ancient stereotypes about stale prawn crackers, kung fu, Chinese laundries and 19th-century opium dens. The BBC is planning to emulate the success of the award-winning Asian sketch show Goodness Gracious Me with Britain's first ever all-Oriental comedy series.
In China, It's Easier to Get Lost in the Crowd: These days, China has one currency, the renminbi, but hawking is still a national pastime, as evidenced by easy availability of the latest movies on DVD. Vendors will mutter "DVD?" to anyone who looks remotely foreign. During my recent time in Beijing, I was approached but much less frequently than I was 10 years ago, and mostly, I suspect, because the 15-minute walk between my hotel and the office, along Jian Guo Men Wai Avenue, is chockablock with hotels, embassies, imported-goods stores and even two Starbucks coffee shops.
Shanghai in talks on Disneyland: China's biggest city Shanghai has said it is talking to Walt Disney about building a Disney theme park by 2010.
Clinton offered US$2 million to represent a small Chinese clothing firm: A small clothing manufacturer in eastern China says it hopes to sign the former US president to represent its brand, citing his "worldwide charisma."
National geographic photo exhibition opens in Beijing: An exhibition of photographs taken for America's National Geographic Society over the past 100 years has opened at Beijing's Millennium Altar. [Included photos]
China steps up tobacco warnings: China, the world's biggest maker and consumer of cigarettes, says it is planning to slap new, larger health warnings on cigarette packets.
China to invest in Linux-based software: The Chinese government plans to throw its financial weight behind Linux-based computer systems that could rival Microsoft Corp's Windows in one of the world's fastest-growing technology markets.
100 million Chinese inhale polluted air: Two in every five Chinese town and city dwellers, or over 100 million people, are inhaling polluted air every day. In water quality, China also faced a serious situation.
China's first lefty shop opens: China's first shop for left-handed people has been opened in Dalian, northeastern Liaoning Province, by a 56-year old right-handed man, Ma Bo.
China reports record 16 giant panda births this year: A record 16 giant pandas have been born successfully in captivity in China this year.
China wants space station by 2013: A leading Chinese space official, Hu Shixiang, told a news conference here Tuesday that he has three new goals for the next decade: a space station, a spacewalk and docking technology. It was the first time Chinese officials publicly announced a timeframe for their space station plans.
China to reduce 200,000 servicemen by 2005: On Tuesday, CMC (Central Military Commission) chairman Jiang Zemin said in Beijing that reform within China's military arena would continue, for the purpose of improving the army's mobility, competitiveness and combating ability.
Three Gorges shares go on sale: Although the dam has caused controversy overseas because of its environmental and social impact, analysts forecast that the share offer will be vastly over-subscribed. The massive hydroelectric project is designed to supply a tenth of China's energy needs and stop devastating floods of the Yangtze river.
China's Appeal for Cabbage Is Withering: To the Chinese capital, the dawn of November long meant one thing—the invasion of winter cabbage, the government-subsidized, not-too-tasty "patriotic vegetable'' that sustained the masses through the icy months.
China Did Not Violate Trade Law, U.S. Says: The Bush administration said Thursday that China was not manipulating its currency to gain an unfair trade advantage, a finding that angered Republican and Democratic lawmakers whose states have been hard hit by job losses they blame on cheap foreign goods.
Wal-Mart to open first Sam's Club in SW China: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, is expected to set up its first Sam's Club in Guiyang city, capital of southwest China's Guizhou province in 2004.
In defence of Chinese characters: The existence of so many Chinese dialects makes a writing system based purely on phonetic representation impractical. For instance in rural China one villager can observe marked difference in the accent of another villager who lives only a few kilometres away.
Nine killed, 43 injured by two major quakes in northwest China: Two powerful earthquakes have struck northwest China's Gansu province, killing nine people and injuring 43 others. The quakes, measuring 6.1 and 5.8 on the Richter scale, jolted areas between Minle and Shandan counties of Gansu province's Zhangye city on Saturday.
Shanghai's shoreline swiftly vanishing: Geological experts warn Shanghai is rapidly losing its waterfront and if efforts to protect beaches aren't made soon, the coastline along the Yangtze River will shrink to half its size in 20 years.
Gender imbalance prompts more care for girls in China: Zhang, father of two daughters in Liugou village of Huaiyuan county in east China's Anhui province, found his life turned around in 2001 when China launched a national "care for girls" campaign to help control the gender imbalance in this world's most populous nation. "Raising girls is as good as raising boys now," Zhang said.
China May Send Two Into Space Next Time: China's next manned space launch might carry two astronauts into orbit, a government news agency said Saturday, citing a senior space program official.
China's first man in space triggers trademark race: China's success in sending a man into space has triggered a feverish race among businessmen to cash in on the astronaut's fame by securing the right to use his name as a trademark, state media said.
Wushu a world popular sport: Wushu has turned out to be an international popular modern sport with increasingly more professional players and fans worldwide after development and improvement during the past decades.
China's Biggest Brands: Many Chinese manufacturers have little choice but to go global. Fierce competition at home means future profits lie in selling branded goods in rich countries, just as Japanese and South Korean firms found. It will require a combination of attractive products, good service and first-rate technology. Top Chinese companies are now getting into the branding game. We pick 15 with a good shot.
Computer viruses rampant in China: If you use a computer in China, the chances are that you have to do battle with a virus sooner or later. Official figures quoted by the Xinhua state news agency show that about 85% of computers were infected with a computer virus this year.
