Day: August 21, 2020

(Xinhua)09:14, August 07, 2019

BEIJING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) — A spokesperson on Tuesday urged people in Hong Kong to stop the violence and chaos and bring back order.

It is the immediate task facing all Hong Kong residents, which is very clear given the severe state of affairs in the region today, said Yang Guang, spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, at a press conference.

Yang called on people in Hong Kong to stand firm and guard their beautiful homeland, stressing that now is the crucial moment.

Here we sincerely hope the compatriots in Hong Kong will think calmly about the questions: Who will suffer if the situation becomes irremediable, and who will benefit in the end?

All departments and organs of Hong Kong should never be soft on violent violations of the law, Yang stressed.

Reiterating the central governments unswerving support for Chief Executive Carrie Lam, the spokesperson said the oppositions attempt to force her to resign is doomed to fail.

We hope that the people of Hong Kong understand the nature of the current situation and firmly support Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam in leading the HKSAR governments law-based governance, the Hong Kong police in enforcing laws rigorously and departments of the HKSAR government and the judiciary body in punishing violent criminals in accordance with the law, Yang said.

He then made it clear to the very small group of unscrupulous and violent criminals and the dirty forces behind them that those who play with fire will perish by it, and that whoever participates in violent and criminal activities would be held accountable according to the law.

All in all, the fate of Hong Kong will be decided by all Chinese people including Hong Kong compatriots, Yang added.

Xu Luying, also a spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, said the violence and conflict that transpired recently in Hong Kong were, in essence, manipulated behind the scenes by elements who aim to destabilize and damage Hong Kong.

They use young people as the chess pieces and cannon fodder for their political schemes, Xu said, noting that more and more young people will see their true colors, realize the errors and turn back from the wrong path.

Acknowledging that young people in Hong Kong do face many difficulties growing up, Xu said that these can not be resolved through violence or law-breaking.

We advise those young people who have participated in the protests or even some violent conflicts to stop and return to the correct path of law and order, Xu said.

Yang said that the deteriorating situation in Hong Kong is linked to the irresponsible remarks concocted by some western politicians.

Hong Kong is part of China. Interference into the Hong Kong affairs by any foreign countries should not be allowed, he said.

(Xinhua)09:24, August 07, 2019

CHANGSHA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) — A small fleet of taxis equipped with autonomous driving technologies and devices are now taking test runs in central Chinas Changsha as part of the Hunan capitals smart city push.

These robotaxis, co-produced by Chinese artificial intelligence giant Baidu and domestic carmaker FAW Hongqi, are L4-level autonomous passenger vehicles capable of handling driving without human intervention under limited conditions and areas.

Baidu and two local firms set up a joint venture in April to help promote the project after the parties inked a strategic agreement to turn Changsha into a demonstration city for autonomous driving last October.

Changsha has built a national test zone for intelligent connected vehicles and a rather sound industrial chain.

Autonomous driving has become one of the investment priorities for Baidu in recent years. The company launched an open platform named Apollo in 2017 to coordinate cross-sector efforts in autonomous driving, which has been granted over 100 licenses for public road testing of self-driving vehicles in cities like Beijing, Tianjin and Chongqing.

(Peoples Daily Online)12:01, August 05, 2019

(Photo.Chinanews.com)

Myopia, otherwise known as nearsightedness, has become severe among Chinese children and teenagers in recent years, with more people being affected at a younger age. Last year, about 53.6 percent of children and teenagers had myopia.

The prevalence of severe eyesight problems is alarming, with 21.9 percent of high school students wearing glasses stronger than six diopters.

Excessive homework, insufficient outdoor exercise, and abuse or improper use of electronic devices are thought to be the major causes of myopia among Chinese children and teenagers.

The country has intensified efforts to prevent and combat nearsightedness among teenagers. It plans to reduce the overall myopia rate among teenagers by more than 0.5 percentage points per year from 2019 to 2030, according to a recently released health guideline.

The guideline requires schools to guarantee that students exercise for at least an hour a day at school, perform eye exercises regularly and read and write for no more than 40 minutes without a break both in the classroom and at home.

The Ministry of Education calls on parents to reduce the time their children spend using electronic devices to within one hour per day.

(Xinhua)08:48, August 05, 2019

HONG KONG, Aug. 3 — Members of the public in Chinas Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Saturday gathered outside the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong to protest against the U.S. interference in Hong Kong affairs.

Hundreds of protesters, who came in group in the drizzle, raised banners and placards with slogans expressing their anger, including Stop meddling in HK affairs and causing chaos and Foreign forces have no right to interfere.

Give the peaceful life back to the Hong Kong people! the crowd chanted.

Some tried to pass letters of protest to the consulate but no one came out to receive the letters.

We want stability and hope the U.S. side will stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and causing chaos, said Mr. Wong, one of the protesters.

Wanton remarks of the U.S. side and other foreign forces have misled some of the radical youth to violence. Recent protests have severely disrupted Hong Kong residents daily life, said Yeung, another protester.

The Hong Kong people can handle Hong Kongs affairs, and I believe things will get better, he added.

Young people and elderly residents alike joined the protest outside the consulate in Central District of Hong Kong.

An elderly protester surnamed Wong told reporters that he believed foreign forces were behind recent violent incidents.

Those violent radicals can not represent Hong Kong residents. What we want are stability, prosperity and well-being, he said.

Weeks of demonstrations and violent incidents have undermined the rule of law and the social order of Hong Kong, and taken a toll on its retail and tourism sectors.

The recent incidents have disrupted our life. We cant eat well or sleep well, said a female protester surnamed Wong.

We hope the United States will stop their interference and give a peaceful Hong Kong back to us, she said.

(Xinhua)16:39, August 05, 2019

BEIJING, Aug. 5 — The bottom line of the one country, two systems principle brooks no challenge.

Black-clad, masked protestors removed the Chinese national flag from a flagpole in Tsim Sha Tsui of Hong Kong and later flung the flag into the water Saturday, an unforgivable, lawless act that has blatantly offended the national dignity, is an insult to all Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, and must be severely punished in accordance with law.

Escalating violence by radicals instigated by behind-the-scenes masterminds since mid-June has severely undermined the law-based governance and social order of Hong Kong, negatively impacted the local economy and peoples livelihoods, and damaged the regions image.

From storming the Legislative Council Complex and blocking roads, to attacking police officers with bricks, sharpened iron rods and even petrol bombs, from surrounding Hong Kong police headquarters and disrupting the normal work of local government departments, to besieging the building of the Liaison Office of the Central Peoples Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and defacing the national emblem, as well as Saturdays flag-insulting, all these evil acts have exposed the attempts of some radicals and the forces behind them to paralyze the HKSAR government, undermine the one country, two systems principle, seize control of the HKSAR and use the chaos in Hong Kong to contain the overall development of China.

Since the return of Hong Kong, the central government has repeatedly stressed that it will ensure the principle of one country, two systems remains unchanged, is unwaveringly upheld, and is fully applied without any distortion or alteration.

It has also stressed that any attempt to endanger Chinas sovereignty and security, challenge the authority of the central government and the sanctity of the Basic Law of the HKSAR, or use Hong Kong as a channel for infiltration and sabotage against the mainland is an act that crosses the bottom line, and is absolutely impermissible.

Hong Kong compatriots should have a sober understanding of the harm and nature of the violence by this tiny number of radicals, resolutely uphold the one country, two systems principle, and safeguard the rule of law and social order.

We can be confident that Hong Kong will overcome all these challenges and difficulties and further advance the one country, two systems practice.

(Xinhua)07:28, August 06, 2019

BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) — A guideline on supporting the innovation of institutions and mechanisms for talent development in southern Chinas Hainan Province has been released by Chinese authorities.

Jointly issued by the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Education and four other authorities, the guideline stresses support for the islands innovation of the training, introduction and utilization of talent to provide a solid guarantee for its deeper reform and opening-up in all areas.

It calls for efforts to establish a more inclusive mechanism to introduce talent, further improve the mechanism for the evaluation and stimulation of talent and enhance the services for talent.

The guideline aims to help train and cultivate ranks of talent in 10 to 15 years who are well-structured, competent, vigorous and commensurate with Hainans bid to become a free trade port with Chinese characteristics.

Hainan was approved in April 2018 to build a pilot free trade zone and explore the establishment of a free trade port with Chinese characteristics. Enditem

(Xinhua)07:48, August 06, 2019

HEFEI, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) — For Koelnam Wim, a 68-year-old Dutchman, nothing compares with an idyllic life in his village in eastern Chinas Anhui Province.

In a small cottage, Koelnam Wim and his Chinese wife Gu Yan switch off the Internet and live in tune with seasons.

Spring, a time for growth, is when they get up early to pick tea-leaves and sow seeds. The arrival of the hot summer marks a slower-pace of life for the couple. Autumns cool weather brings with it the harvest season, and chilly winter days are a time to rest and read by the fireplace.

Such a peaceful pastoral life for the couple began eight years ago when Wim retired after working in Nanjing, capital of eastern Chinas Jiangsu Province for 12 years.

The city is so noisy that we wanted to find a quiet house near a hillside. A big yard was also a must so we could grow vegetables and be self-sufficient, said Wim.

On a friends recommendation, they came to Zhaji Ancient Village which has a history of over 1,000 years in Anhui Province.

Encircled by mountains, the quaint yet lively village and the enthusiastic and simple villagers here impressed them. Exploring the village for about three months, they finally decided to settle down in a secluded old cottage on a hill.

They began to renovate the house, build up the yard and reclaim a garden. With the help of locals, the once run-down house became clean and bright, and the garden gradually took shape over the course of a year.

For the couple who had lived in the city for many years, farming, growing vegetables and raising chickens were all new experiences that required a long learning process and dedication.

Wim recalled that in the beginning, tulips was the only plant that he knew, and he would accidentally mix up grass and vegetables when hoeing.

Continuously learning from books, neighbors and constant practice have turned Wim into a qualified farmer. Instead of spraying pesticide, they insist on planting green organic vegetables and sometimes catch insects by hand.

After years of effort, their field has increased from one plot to more than 10, where they grow over 20 kinds of vegetables and flowers thrive. They also have dozens of chickens and ducks.

Long-term labor and farming have left their hands callused, but it has also brought them great pleasure.

I love living in nature. In cities, people keep burying themselves in work whether its rainy or hailing outside. But here, you can feel the slightest changes in nature and enjoy the pleasure of labor, said Wim.

It seems we have returned to the original state of humans to create things with our hands, said Gu.

Villagers here have also gradually accepted the outsiders as part of their own. Zha Qianjin, 49, has already grown accustomed to the foreign neighbors. He speaks Chinese very well and is very friendly, said Zha.

Wim loves to ride around the village in his leisure time. People greet me with smiles along the way, and I will stop to chat with them. Everyone is so passionate, which makes me feel warm, said Wim, adding that this is what adds to the charm of this small village.

The couple always sends flowers, vegetables and seeds to other villagers, who also give small gifts in return.

Today, the galsang flowers introduced by Wim and his wife are blooming in Zhaji Village, and Wim always tells others that this is just the life that he has always longed for.

(Xinhua)07:49, August 06, 2019

CHENGDU, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) — Sichuan Airlines will resume operating the flight between Chengdu, capital of southwest Chinas Sichuan Province, and Jiuzhaigou, where a 7.0-magnitude quake hit and forced the closure of the Jiuzhaigou National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Starting on Aug. 8, the flight will resume every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday with an Airbus A319 model. The flight will depart Chengdu at 10:20 a.m. and arrive at Jiuzhaigou at 11:20 a.m. The return flight will leave Jiuzhaigou at 12:10 p.m. and arrive at Chengdu at 1:15 p.m.

The national park, also known as the Jiuzhai Valley, contains around 20 tourist sites and is known for its spectacular waterfalls, lush forests, serene plateau lakes and karst rock formations.

Located in the mountains on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it is one of the most acclaimed tourist destinations in China.

However, the pristine scenery was left scarred by landslides and falling rocks triggered by the powerful earthquake in 2017. It remains closed to the public.