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VOL. XXVII No. 8 August 2015 Rs. 20.00
Beijing Wins Bid to Host 2022 Olympic Winter Games 2
China Embassy celebrated the 88th anniversary of the founding of PLA on July 22nd, 2015.
Chinese Ambassador to India Le Yucheng visits the Chinese Ambassador to India Le Yucheng meets with Vivekananda International Foundation on August 6th ORF senior research fellow Dr. C. Raja Mohan on July 30th, 2015.
Chinese Ambassador to India Le Yucheng meets with Chinese Ambassador to India Le Yucheng visits the Shashi Tharoor, chairman of the Indian Parliamentary headquarter of The WEEK magazine on August 10th Foreign Affairs Committee on August 3rd, 2015. 3 CONTENTS
BEIJING WINS BID TO HOST 2022 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
1. Winter Olympics Brings Opportunities for Ancient City's Revival 6 2. 2022 Olympics Effect Emerging in China 7 3. Economic Impact of Beijing Winter Olympics 8 4. For Beijing Winter Olympics, Why the Sour Grapes? 14
CHINA-INDIA RELATIONS
1 New Dynamism in China-India Relations 15 Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Le Yucheng at Vivekananda International Foundation 2. Ambassador Le Yucheng's Interview with The WEEK 19 3. Discovering Happiness in Bhutan 22 4. A Trip to the God's Own Country 25
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
1. Chinese Premier Hails BRICS Bank 28 2. BRICS Bank Hailed as Contributive to Building Fairer Global Governance 29 3. Yang Jiechi and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 31 Philip Hammond of the UK Co-chair China-UK Strategic Dialogue 4. Wang Yi on the South China Sea Issue at the ASEAN Regional Forum 32 5. Link up China's "Belt and Road" Initiative with Development Strategies of 36 ASEAN Nations to Open up New Prospects for China-ASEAN Relations 6. Chinese FM Calls for Closer Cooperation Among ASEAN, China, Japan, S. Korea 39 7. Grasping the Historical Opportunity to Promote ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation 41
CREATED IN CHINA
1. BYD 44 2. DAJIANG 45 3. SMARTISAN PHONE 47
CULTURE & LIFE
1. Images From China: The China Flicks 51 2. When the Internet Meets Agriculture 54 3. China's Box Office at Record High 55 4. China’s Growing Interest in Fitness Shapes up Industry 57 5. JET LI – King of Kungfu 59
TIBET TODAY
1 Ten Data Reflecting Tibet's Changes Over the Past 50 Years 61 2. Achievements of Tibet Autonomous Region in 50 Years 63 Book Review 66 Flights Between China and India 67 CCTV 69 CRI72 70
6 Beijing Wins Bid to Host 2022 Olympic Winter Games News From China August 2015
BEIJING WINS BID TO HOST 2022 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
Winter Olympics Brings Opportunities for Ancient City’s Revival
Shijiazhuang, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) — ski jumping, snowboard, and freestyle skiing Zhangjiakou was once a booming horse and fur events in the 2022 Winter Olympics, rose to 1.67 hub in ancient China, but with cars and textiles million in 2014, up more than 60 percent than replacing its economic lifeblood in modern that of 2012, according to official statistics. times the northwestern city has been reduced Property prices in the county rose from to poverty. 4,000 yuan per square meter in 2012 to more Located 200 kilometers northwest of than 7,000 yuan per square meter in 2015, Beijing, the city is home to 10 national-level according to a housing agent surnamed Hou. poverty-stricken counties, accounting for a quarter in the province. SACRIFICE, INTEGRATION WITH BEIJING Hundreds of years ago, it played an A location of military importance for international role as a gateway to Russia for centuries, Zhangjiakou opened to the outside China’s booming horse and fur trade. It also world in 1995, more than 10 years after China’s boasts China’s first independently-built railway, introduction of economic reform and opening- the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway built in 1909. up policies. But it has lagged far behind its eastern peers The city has seen slow economic growth due and moved slowly since the opening-up reform to its heavy responsibility as an ecological in 1978. with a population of 4.6 million, its per protective screen for Beijing. capita gross domestic product (GDP) in 2014 In order to shield sandstorms from Inner was 30,729 yuan (5,021 U.S. dollars), less than a Mongolia, Zhangjiakou constantly spent money third of Beijing. to plant trees. As it is on the upper reaches of the With a weak industrial foundation, it is now Miyun Reservoir, the biggest source of water for facing a tough economic situation. Its annual Beijing, it needs to provide abundant water flow GDP growth dropped to 5.2 percent in 2014 and ensure its quality. from 14 percent in 2010. Agriculture and industrial projects with The attention brought by the 2022 Winter high water consumption and pollution risks are Olympics will translate into economic benefits banned in the city. Paddy rice was ordered to be that will be a windfall for the city’s changed into less profitable corn crops in order development, said Chen Jian, deputy head of the to save water since 2007. China Society of Economic Reform. Around 16,600 hectares of farmland in C o n s t r u c t i o n o f s p o r t s v e n u e s , Chicheng County, Zhangjiakou City, have been infrastructure and rising tourism revenues will transformed into forest since 1992, which contribute 7 percent to the annual GDP growth reduced the local government’s revenue by in Zhangjiakou, lifting poor people out of about 260 million yuan annually. poverty in 2022, said Chen. Although Beijing has given massive The number of tourists in Chongli County, ecological compensation to Zhangjiakou over which will host the biathlon, Nordic combined, the past decade, the investment did not News From China August 2015 Beijing Wins Bid to Host 2022 Olympic Winter Games 7 translate into new growth. development,” said Gu Shengzu, a Beijing-based Without transferring industry, capital or senior economist. resources, Zhangjiakou cannot have substantial “Without the exceptional snow in Chongli development, said Liang Haoguang, head of the County and Beijing’s experience and reputation, economy research institute with the Beijing the bid would not have been successful.” Academy of Social Sciences. The State Council, or China’s cabinet, has Improving transportation infrastructure approved the establishment of a renewable will speed up the transfer process. A high-speed energy demonstration zone in Zhangjiakou, railway is currently under construction and will which will bring unprecedented opportunities cut the travel time between Beijing and to the city, said Guo Junfeng, deputy head of the Zhangjiakou from three hours to around 40 municipa l development a nd reform minutes once completed in 2017. commission. Zhongguancun Science and Technology High-tech industry, new energy vehicles, Park, a high-tech pioneer in the country, will high-end equipment manufacturing, biological set up a branch in Zhangjiakou, which will medicine and tourism have become bring electronics and information industry as Zhangjiakou’s new development focus, said well as advanced manufacturing to the city, Guo. said Liang. More than 200 programs with 20 million A guideline on coordinated development U.S. dollars investment each were signed in for Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei was approved Zhangjiakou in 2014. More than 80 wind power by the Political Bureau of the Communist projects are under construction or planning, he Party of China Central Committee in April. said. Liang suggested using Zhangjiakou’s The Winter Olympics will bring more than abundant tourism resources in the regional 200,000 jobs to the local residents and framework. drastically change lives in Zhangjiakou, said Hou “The joint bid for the Winter Olympics is a Liang, mayor of the city. milestone of the regional coordinated
2022 Olympics Effect Emerging in China
Beijing, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) — Still roughly specific measure to clear smog. seven years to go before the 2022 Winter And, Chongli has attracted more tourists Olympics open in Beijing, the “Olympic Effect” and skiing fans since Beijing launched the joint has begun to emerge. bid with Zhangjiakou in November, 2013. For co-bidder Zhangjiakou, the successful The 2022 Winter Games is expected to bid not only means holding snow events, but further bolster local tourism and the skiing also a catalyst for social and economic industry. Zhangjiakou expects the 2022 event to development. generate 350 billion yuan of investment and Changes have already taken place in create 200,000 jobs. Chongli, a county in Zhangjiakou where cross Preparations for the Winter Olympics will country, freestyle and other skiing events would accelerate the economic integration of this area be held. Polluting mines are being closed, a into Beijing and Tianjin, its two developed 8 Beijing Wins Bid to Host 2022 Olympic Winter Games News From China August 2015
neighboring municipalities. by 2017, and by 45 percent in 2022. The A high-speed railway under construction Olympics will push Beijing to clean its sky. In linking Beijing and Zhangjiakou will cut the another word, more blue skies might be the travel time from the capital to Chongli to around most important legacy of the event. 50 minutes. Beijing beat Almaty by 44 votes to 40 to win In Beijing, the authorities have vowed to the hosting rights of the 2022 Winter Olympics curb air pollution, cutting PM2.5 by 20 percent at the 128th IOC session on July 31.
Economic Impact of Beijing Winter Olympics
Beijing, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) — Clinching the budget for the winter games is projected at 1.56 winter olympics will provide hefty economic billion US dollars, with a further 1.51 billion opportunities for Beijing and its surrounding used on infrastructure renovation. regions, analysts say. With a rich legacy left by the summer Seven years after the capital successfully olympics, China plans to re-use the existing 11 hosted the summer olympics,Beijing’s venues and only needs to build a new rink for victorious winter olympic bid last Friday has speed skating, effectively easing possible triggered a string of investment in venues, problems of facilities being left idle after the transportation and environment. games. According to Beijing’s bid committee, the On transportation, a high-speed railway News From China August 2015 Beijing Wins Bid to Host 2022 Olympic Winter Games 9 linking Beijing and Zhangjiakou, where some of statistics from the Beijing Municipal the skiing events will be held, is expected to be Environmental Protection Bureau. constructed around 2019 to cut travel time According to an existing plan, the city aims between the two cities to 50 minutes. to cut PM2.5 density by 20 percent by 2017, As air quality and snow conditions are c o m p a re d w i t h 2 0 1 2 . H o w e ve r, a n regarded as two of the major challenges for environmental official of the city predicted the Beijing’s Winter Olympic Games, investments reduction could reach 25 percent. will be made to address the issue. In the co-host city Zhangjiakou, the State Beijing began implementing a five-year plan Council has approved a renewable energy from 2013 that cost 130 billion US dollars to demonstration zone that aims to fully rely on upgrade heating systems, cut car emissions and renewable energy to provide electricity and close heavy-polluting plants. Neighboring heating for the Olympic center and venues. metropolitan Tianjin and Hebei province have Chen Jian, deputy head of the China Society adopted similar measures. of Economic Reform, said Beijing’s successful A second five-year plan to further improve bid for the Winter Olympics will significantly air quality is being studied, according to Beijing promote infrastructure and environment Mayor Wang Anshun. development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei The policies are already producing notable region, as well as development of many other effects. Concentration of PM2.5, airborne industries. particles measuring less than 2.5 microns, has been reduced by 15.2 percent year-on-year in SPORTS INDUSTRY the first half of the year in Beijing, according to On the back of the Winter Olympics, the 10 Beijing Wins Bid to Host 2022 Olympic Winter Games News From China August 2015
Beijing municipal government is looking at offer unprecedented benefits to its less fostering sports-related industry as a new developed neighbors and help them upgrade growth driver to power its economy. growth models. According to the government plan, Beijing Chongli County under Zhangjiakou city, aims to bring the value of its sports industry to where about 50 gold medals will be on offer for 300 billion yuan by 2025, and develop world- snow events in 2022, has evolved from a small, class sports enterprises. unknown place where residents relied on To encourage the industry, the city mining for income into a hot tourist destination government plans to set up an investment fund for skiing fans. to guide social capital into sports. Last year, the county received more than 2 Chen forecast by 2025, China’s sports million tourists that brought related revenue to industry will be valued at 800 billion U.S. 1.41 billion yuan. dollars, generating around 600,000 new jobs. The Winter Olympic Games are expected to further bolster local tourism and the skiing GROWTH TRANSFORMATION industry. Zhangjiakou expects the event to Apart from the massive opportunities for generate 350 billion yuan of investment and Beijing, the 2022 Winter Olympics will also create 200,000 jobs for the city. News From China August 2015 Beijing Wins Bid to Host 2022 Olympic Winter Games 11
14 Beijing Wins Bid to Host 2022 Olympic Winter Games News From China August 2015
For Beijing Winter Olympics, Why the Sour Grapes?
Beijing, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) — China’s national strength grows amid skepticism. Beijing’s bid for hosting the 2022 Winter Olympic Games is a latest example. S ke p t i c i s m c o n t i n u e s though the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has endorsed Beijing’s bid. While some doubts deserve serious consideration, those habitual China skeptics should answer at least one question: for the Beijing event, why can’t you take it as a sweet grape?
Their first doubt is that President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach announces that Beijing and its co-host city Beijing won the bid to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the 128th International Olympic Committee session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 31, 2015.(Xinhua/Gong Zhangjiakou are short of snow. Lei) It’s true that snow is the first and foremost thing for a Winter Games, but Change is already taking place in Chongli, a don’t forget artificial snow. county in Zhangjiakou where some of the skiing Beijing’s bidding committee has assured the events will be held. Polluting mines are being world that snow-making facilities can satisfy closed, a specific measure to clear smog. the demand for the event. If critics don’t believe The county is also embracing more tourists in Beijing, they should wait and see if the IOC’s and skiing fans. It is estimated that China has choice lest them down. about one million skiing fans. Chongli’s resorts A concern related to artificial snow is the attract skiers from neighboring Beijing, Tianjin consumption of water, which Beijing is short of. and other areas in north China. Artificial snow will consume only one percent of The Olympic Games is expected to further the local water supply, far less than the so-called bolster local tourism and the skiing industry. “environmental disaster” claimed by some Zhangjiakou expects the event to generate 350 critics. billion yuan of investment and create 200,000 It’s true that smog is a serious issue, but the jobs. government is tackling the problem. Now with Infrastructure investment and job the successful bid, Beijing has vowed to treat air opportunities are believed to be able to drive pollution, cutting PM2.5 by 20 percent by 2017, local economic development in Zhangjiakou and by 45 percent in 2022. The event will push and its neighboring areas, part of a poverty belt Beijing to clean its sky. In another word, more around Beijing. blue skies might be the most important legacy of Preparations for the Olympics will the event. accelerate the economic integration of this area News From China August 2015 China-India Relations 15 into Beijing and Tianjin, its two developed games, but has seven years to ready itself. neighboring municipalities. A high-speed Critics also have the same time to wait and railway under construction linking Beijing and see, long enough for them to look back at their Zhangjiakou will cut the travel time from the similar doubts, skepticism and even accusations capital to Chongli to around 50 minutes. when Beijing bid and prepared for the 2008 It’s true that not all Beijingers or not all Summer Games. Chinese back Beijing’s bid for the Winter Beijing and China are quite different now Games, but it’s at least equally true that many compared to the years when it bid for the 2008 Beijingers and many Chinese people support it. event, but the critics seem to have remained Western media critics should not neglect the unchanged. One truth for them to learn: those other half. who get the grapes know quite well they are It’s needless to say that Beijing has many sweet. Sour-grapes are for the disappointed problems to resolve before a successful winter fox.
CHINA-INDIA RELATIONS
New Dynamism in China-India Relations Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Le Yucheng at Vivekananda International Foundation
Distinguished Guests, On my way here, it dawned upon me that I’ve Ladies and Gentlemen, been Chinese Ambassador to India for nearly 11 Good morning! It gives me great pleasure to months now. Well, 11 months is a short span in come to Vivekananda International Foundation the flow of history or in the context of (VIF), a world renowned think tank, and see so international relations. But thanks to joint many heavy weight figures and familiar faces. I efforts from both sides, the past 11 months have am a loyal reader of your publications and find seen tremendous and tangible changes in them inspiring and thought-provoking. You China-India relations, changes that would be have extensive exchanges with Chinese think hard to envisage a year ago. Let me illustrate my tanks and scholars and have done a lot to point by sharing with you a few milestone advance China-India relations. I wish to events that happened in the past year. commend your efforts and contribution, and 1. President Xi and PM Modi met for five hope you will keep up the good work. times, including their mutual visit. VIF is named after Swami Vivekananda, so I 2. Two Chinese industrial parks in would like to begin my remarks today by Maharashtra and Gujarat are taking shape. q u o t i n g a l i n e f r o m V i v e k a n a n d a , 3. Peace and tranquility have been “Relationships are more important than life, but maintained at the border areas. it is important for those relationships to have 4. Nathula pass was opened for Indian Yatris life in them.” I can’t agree more and I think the to Kailash Manasarovar. relationship between our two countries is now 5. E-visa was launched for Chinese tourists. full of life, dynamism and opportunities. 6. The Local Leaders’ Forum was set up and 16 China-India Relations News From China August 2015
Ambassador Le Yucheng meets with the Chairman of V.I.F.
first meeting was held. how President Xi tried his hand on a legendary 7. More sister city and State/Province Charkha and swung on the typical Gujarati relationships were established. Jhoola with Prime Minister Modi during his visit 8. Indian Yoga and Chinese Taichi met in to India, how the two leaders walked together in exchange. the Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an, and how Prime The list can be much longer, not to mention Minister Modi opened his Weibo account to the growing mil-to-mil relations, people-to- communicate with Chinese fans and took the people exchanges, and contacts between media “super selfie” with Premier Li. Those pictures and think tanks, etc. But it’s already clear that suggest evident chemistry and amazing human the page has been turned, game changed, and a touch that were rarely seen before. Take Nathula new chapter opened. There are many new pass as another example, what used to be a point defining features of the new chapter. I wish to of military face-off has now been opened up for summarize the features with 4Ds: friendly exchanges and become a path for First, breakthrough development. The Indian pilgrims to realize their dream of life, events I listed above are not small ones or Yatra to Kailash Manasarovar. I personally went chance event, but real, significant and to Nathula Pass to welcome the yatris. The unprecedented changes. They tell us how far opening of the new route is not only significant our relations have come from estrangement to in a religious sense, but will also promote trade, engagement, from divergence to convergence, tourism and personnel exchanges and and from possible cooperation to irreversible cooperation. cooperation. The chemistry between our Second, clear direction. If China-India leaders is a telling example. We still remember relations can be likened to a train, the past News From China August 2015 China-India Relations 17 narrative had an ambiguity as to where the train without much result, and it was only after the is headed to. Over the past decades, we did have normalization of relations and with growing moments when the relationship showed signs cooperation and exchanges that we finally of warming up, but each time we were too much resolved the issue. The same spirit applies to focused on disputes and sensitive issues, our boundary talks. Agreement cannot be neglecting or even curbing practical reached without basic trust and cooperation. If cooperation and personnel exchanges. And we even don’t know each other well, how can we security issues seemed to have the veto power make a deal? As I said, the border areas have over our relations. As a result, a warming maintained overall peace and tranquility. This is relationship inevitably cooled down and hard-won result, we have done a lot to make it opportunities lost. But now the direction is possible. Yes, we still have and will continue to clear and consensus reached to focus on have differences, but as Foreign Secretary c o o p e ra t i o n a n d b u i l d i n g a c l o s e r Jaishankar said in his recent speech in developmental partnership while properly Singapore, the direction we are moving should managing differences and preventing them be clear even if much work remains to be done. from affecting the overall relations. By making To build trust and advance cooperation, that’s the pie of cooperation bigger, we will gradually the direction where our train is headed to. build the reservoir of mutual trust and Third, all-round dynamism. Dynamic accumulate necessary conditions for the participation by all society is crucial if the problems to be addressed. I participated the relationship is to enjoy all-round growth. Unlike boundary talks between China and Russia. In the past when China-India relations were the last century, the talks went on for decades mainly driven by government contacts and
Ambassador Le Yucheng makes a speech at V.I.F. 18 China-India Relations News From China August 2015
l e a d e r s h i p - l e v e l exchanges, now every cell of the society is mobilized to address the familiarity gap and promote cooperation: businesses, localities, media, academics and the general public. There is growing passion in each other and the business community is a major driving force. Business people from both sides are eager to explore the potential of each other’s market. M a n y C h i n e s e companies, optimistic about the promises the may well exceed one million. With e-visa comes Indian market has to offer, have scaled up their not only more tourists, but also better mutual investment in India, among them such well- understanding, greater affinity, more business known brands as Xiaomi, Alibaba and Huawei. opportunities and expanding cooperation. Chinese real estate giant Wanda plans to work Fo u r t h , d e e p e n i n g m u l t i l a t e r a l with Haryana government to build a township coordination. As the largest developing in Kharkhoda. The first phase, a cultural and countries and emerging market economies, entertainment park, involves US$10 billion China and India have many common language investment, and the second, an industrial park, and similar positions on regional and global will soon follow. As for local relations, the Local affairs such as climate change, counter- Leaders’ Forum is a good platform, and there is terrorism and financial reform, and enjoy close also the mechanism of exchange visits between coordination on multilateral fora, including the Chinese governors and Indian Chief Ministers. UN, G20, East Asia Summit, BRICS, etc. At the So a number of Indian Chief Ministers have just concluded Ufa Summit, the Shanghai visited China and every week I receive local Cooperation Organization (SCO) ratified the delegations from China. People-to-people resolution on India’s membership process. I am exchanges have picked up remarkably. The sure that India’s membership will boost the recent story of a Chinese volunteer donating influence of and inject positive energy to the stem cells to an Indian boy suffering from SCO and open a new platform for our unfolding leukemia have moved many people. The recent cooperation. China and India are both founding implementation of e-visa for Chinese tourists is members of AIIB, and its largest and second the best footnote of the amity between our largest shareholders. The well-know Indian people and is warmly received in China. Here I banker Mr. Kamath was appointed President of must say that credit should be given to PM Modi the BRICS New Development Bank. When I met for this popular move. In a couple of years, the with him shortly before he left Delhi for the new number of Chinese visitors traveling to India is post in Shanghai, Mr. Kamath voiced his expected to soar from the current 100,000 and commitment to running the new Bank with new News From China August 2015 China-India Relations 19 ideas and in a different way so that it will better took root in China and made the ultimate serve the interests of member states and the sacrifice. In return, he is respected by a grateful developing world. I believe our cooperation in nation and loved by a grateful people. all these institutions and areas will go a long This year, China will join many other way in shaping the global economic and countries in commemorating the 70th political order and promoting peace and anniversary of the end of the World Anti-Fascist development in Asia and beyond. War. We hope to draw lessons, pool wisdom and I hope the above 4D features will give you a gain strength from the past, cherish peace, and sense of the all-dimensional and dynamic work with India and all countries to usher in a growth of China-India relations. better tomorrow. History has witnessed the friendly Profound changes are taking place in the exchanges China and India have enjoyed over global landscape, and a new order and the millennium and the mutual support we equilibrium are in the offing in Asia Pacific. rendered each other in our struggle for China-India relations, with growing breadth independence and liberation in modern times. and depth, have gone beyond the bilateral scope During WWII, while fighting for independence, and are acquiring increasing global significance. India provided valuable and selfless support for As major players, we must take up our due the Chinese people’s anti-Fascist war. responsibility with a sense of purpose and We will not forget the Indian medical team mission. As ancient civilizations, we can and who came to China in the most difficult days of should leverage our potential and contribute the struggle to care for the wounded and save our wisdom to regional and global lives. Among them Dr. Kotnis, who came from an development. Together, we can make a affluent family yet chose to give up the comfort difference. of life for a just cause in a brotherly country. He Thank you!
Ambassador Le Yucheng's Interview with The WEEK
On August 14, 2015, Indian English Magazine The WEEK published the interview to Chinese Ambassador to India Le Yucheng. The full text is as follows: What do you think of India’s China policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi? Do you have any suggestions about improving people-to-people contacts between the two countries? Prime Minister Modi attaches great importance to developing relations with China. He paid a successful visit to China in May, and the commercial agreements signed during the visit were worth more than $20 billion. A few days ago, he announced that India formally extended e-visa to Chinese tourists. In June, China and India agreed to open a new 20 China-India Relations News From China August 2015
pilgrimage route through Nathu La to Kailash- which is skewed in China’s favour. Manasarovar. The root of the imbalance lies in the China and India have a combined differences in the industrial structures of the population of 2.5 billion, which is 40 per cent of two countries. China has done a lot to increase the world’s population, but our people know too import from India. Since 2008, China has sent little about each other. I think much remains to six trade delegations to India to help boost be done. imports from India. China hopes that India will We will enhance tourism cooperation. We make full use of a variety of trading platforms will also improve local cooperation and offered by China to promote trade. We also hope encourage more cooperation between young that India can ease export restrictions on people, because they are the future of a country. products like iron ore and reduce export duties, We will step up cultural exchanges and enhance encouraging Indian enterprises to expand the friendship between the general public. A exports of agricultural produces. Chinese volunteer recently donated his stem We should not use trade in goods as the only cells to an unknown Indian boy. Last year, a measure to scale the economic relations group of Indian businessmen in Zhejiang between the two countries. Finally, we will Province donated blood to a Chinese girl increase mutual investments to promote suffering from leukaemia. The amity between balanced trade. To encourage more Chinese the peoples holds the key to sound relations companies to invest in India and contribute to between states. “Make in India”, the key is to relax the visa Although trade ties between India and restrictions for Chinese enterprises and provide China are growing, so is the trade imbalance, more investment facilitation. As more Chinese News From China August 2015 China-India Relations 21 business people come, i n v e s t m e n t o p p o r t u n i t i e s w i l l increase. This is an important way to tackle trade imbalances. A s C h i n a g o e s forward with its “Belt and Road” strategy, India seems to be w o r r i e d a b o u t a possible China-Russia- Pakistan axis. China’s “Belt and Road” initiative is in response to the need of the times, and the goal is to strengthen economic Ambassador Le Yucheng meets with the managing editor of The WEEK magazine. cooperation among neighbouring countries, and the Spice road, and now in the intersection promote cultural exchanges and achieve of “Belt and Road”. common development. It has nothing to do with The Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi case has geopolitics. Russia and Pakistan are important caused serious disquiet in Delhi. What neighbours of China and important countries prompted China to take such a position? along the Silk Road. They support the “Belt and When it comes to counter-terrorism, China, Road” initiative and take an active part in it. Our India and Pakistan are all victims of terrorism, cooperation with them is going on well. India, and are firmly opposed to terrorism. There is no with its unique geographic location, is an contradiction between China and India on this important country along the ancient Silk Road issue as it involves our common interests. The issue related to Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi is of multilateral nature, and a s s u c h r e q u i r e s communication and coordination among parties. It is natural that China and India do not see eye to eye on every issue. In fact, China and India are strengthening cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Does China refuse to see the Indian Ocean region as a sphere of 22 China-India Relations News From China August 2015
influence for India? Are you satisfied with the progress on the I have read the cover story of The WEEK on border issue? July 25, titled “Indian Ocean becomes Chinese Historically, the Sino-Indian border has Ocean”. It has an attractive cover photo, but I never been delimited. Indians and Chinese have don¡¯t agree with the conclusion. lived in peace without dispute for a long time. China cannot develop without the Indian But, unfortunately, when the western colonists Ocean, while India will grow beyond the invaded Asia, they also brought the Sino-Indian Indian Ocean. The sea routes via the Indian border dispute. The border, however, has seen Ocean are very important to China’s maritime peace and stability in recent years and the two trade and energy supply and China hopes countries are making constructive efforts to India will respect China’s legitimate interests address the issue through negotiation. Special and position in this region. Last year, the Representatives for the border question have Chinese navy docked in some ports of held 18 meetings and achieved initial results. countries around the Indian Ocean for Both sides have agreed with the political replenishment. This is an internationally guiding principles for solving the border common practice and the regularly scheduled question and are doing close consultations in mission of Chinese naval escort fleet to Gulf of accordance with the “three-step” road map. Aden and Somali waters. Both countries have made significant progress India is the largest country in south Asia and in controlling disputes and jointly maintaining the Indian Ocean Rim and no country can peace in the border region. contain India. What China does is not against The Sino-Indian border question is a hassle India and we have no hidden agenda. China does left by western colonialists. However, as ancient not have the so-called “string of pearls” strategy civilisations, I am sure China and India will one to contain India. day resolve the problem with oriental wisdom.
Discovering Happiness in Bhutan
On July 25, 2015, the largest newspaper of modern buildings, with a touch of the unique Bhutan “The Kuensel” published the article architectural features, fit in well with the “Discovering Happiness in Bhutan” of Chinese pristine environment. Yes, Shangri-la would be Ambassador Le Yucheng. The full text is as the right description, I thought to myself. follows: Bhutan is open as much as it is traditional. Known as the “Kingdom of happiness” and Like people elsewhere, the Bhutanese people the “last Shangri-la”, Bhutan has always had a watch TV, shop online, and use Twitter and special appeal for me. Now that it is part of my WeChat, yet at the same time, they still keep to portfolio as Chinese ambassador to India, I am their tradition and live a simple life, wearing the excited to have the opportunity to visit the national dress Gho and Kira, enjoying the local Kingdom of Thunder Dragon and look for songs and dances, and playing the national sport Bhutanese answers to happiness. archery. Despite the hustle and bustle of the From Paro to Thimpu, everywhere I went, I outside world, Bhutan has found its own pace feasted my eyes on the breathtaking landscape: and composure, and manged to strike a balance towering mountains, clear rivers, ancient between tradition and modernity, not temples and colorful prayer flags. Even the overwhelmed by greed or disturbed by material News From China August 2015 China-India Relations 23 desires. The successive kings are all visionary and loved by the people. His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo is no less than a legendary figure. It was him that introduced democracy to Bhutan and “invented” the world-renowned Gross National Happiness (GNH). Thanks to this people-oriented policy, Bhutanese people enjoy free health care from cradle to grave and free education from kindergarten to university. Basic necessities are guaranteed and not a single beggar or slum met our eyes. My audience with His Majesty the Fifth King is a particularly unforgettable experience. Though only 35 years old, His Majesty has great wisdom, strategic far-sight and a sense of humor. He talked about his vision for Bhutan that calls for not only good governance, but also intelligent governance; a Bhutan with democracy, but not the kind of democracy
blindly copied from other countries, and a Bhutan with development strategies that look beyond the short-term interests. He also spoke of his admiration for China’s development and his commitment to advance China-Bhutan relations. I was profoundly moved by his wise words and modesty. In my extensive contacts with the Bhutanese people, what struck me most was the outpouring of friendship, not just towards us foreigners, but also among themselves. Whenever people meet, strangers and acquaintances alike, smile was always on the face. It seems that courtesy and politeness is in their DNA, and quarrel or fight is simply not in their dictionary. For the Bhutanese people, religion is an important part of life. The mountains and valleys are dotted by temples. In Paro, I visited the famous Taktsang Monastery. Some 3120 meters above the sea level in a dramatic cliff setting, the Buddhist temple is majestic wonder. Ambassador Le Yucheng meets with His Majesty the Fifth King of Bhutan As I watched countless believers making the 24 China-India Relations News From China August 2015
long pilgrim in the rugged terrain up to the sacred temple, it dawned upon me that the further away you are from worldly desires, the closer you are to real happiness. Indeed, the pursuit of happiness is a universal topic. Through the short visit to the Kingdom of Happiness, I’ve come to realize that happiness is neither unfathomable nor out of reach. It is in the harmony of nature, the preservation of tradition, the kindness of people, the power of faith and peace of mind. Happiness is also a result of wise leadership and good governance, and a result of gratitude and contentment. I wish the Bhutanese people greater happiness! Taktshang Monastery, Bhutan
Thimphu, Bhutan News From China August 2015 China-India Relations 25 An Exciting Trip to God's Own Country
Le Yucheng
In Hindu mythology, Kerala was created by Lord Parasurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu by throwing his axe across the sea to create a new land for his people to live peacefully. Hence it is called God’s own country. With its beautiful landscape, charming coast and pleasant weather, Kerala truly lives up to this name and was chosen by National Geographic as one of the “ten paradises of the world” and “50 must see destinations of Ambassador Le Yucheng speaks at 63rd Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Kerala. a lifetime”. land. Recently at the invitation of the State I have been Chinese Ambassador to India for Government of Kerala as the Chief Guest of the nearly a year and heard a lot about this wonder 63rd Nehru Trophy Boat Race, I embarked on the three-day trip to God’s Own Country.
As an important harbor along the ancient maritime route, Kerala h a d p l e n t y o f interactions with other parts of the world. In 1405, Admiral Zheng He, a g r e a t C h i n e s e navigator of the Ming Dynasty, commanded the largest fleet of the time, sailed across the Pacific towards Africa and stopped at Colicut. He exchanged gifts and conducted fair trade Ambassador Le Yucheng makes a speech at Cochin with the king of ancient 26 China-India Relations News From China August 2015
Colicut, and forged a profound friendship with local people. In his later voyages, Zheng He’s fleet stopped at Colicut five more times. Sixty- four years later, in 1469, the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, drawn by the wealth of the Orient, traveled to this legendary place across the Atlantic Ocean. He left with considerable fortune for himself and a new colony for his kingdom, and later returned as the Governor to the colony. Perhaps it was destiny that the two pioneers of exploration both came here within one century and both were laid to rest here. Standing in front of the tomb of Vasco da Gama, I was lost in thought. It were these brave hearts that opened the gate of exchanges between the East and the West and started the dialogue among civilizations. And the land of Kerala, as part of history, has also been recorded in the epoch of discovery. The extensive exchanges Kerala had with other countries contributed to its openness and diversity. A narrow street in Kochin, a major city in Kerala, is a telling example of this tradition. Here a Jewish synagogue, a Christian church, a Muslim mosque and a Hindu temple stand side by side in incredible harmony. Touring around Ambassador Le Yucheng visits St. Francis Church the city, we saw imprints left by many countries, Portuguese, Dutch, British, Arabs, Persian, etc. the world’s first fully solar-powered airport and In this sense, Kochi is a living museum of diverse the LRT will become the basis for the low- cultures and crystallization of the philosophy: carbon high-efficient public transport system of harmony with diversity. Kochi in the coming decades. In fact the concept Such open and inclusive tradition keeps of eco-friendliness was everywhere in Kerala. Kerala ahead of the times. In the 1960s, two The villas in the resort we stayed in, Coconut agricultural revolutions took place in India, the Lagoon, are reconstructed from antique “white revolution” drove India to the throne of materials transported from other parts of the world’s No.1 milk producer while the “green state. The compound itself has a recycle and revolution” achieved significant increase in filtration system to collect and reuse rain water. food production. Dr. Verghese Kurien and Mr. M. And the manager told me that all hotels of their S. Swaminathan, the heralds of these two group are environment-friendly and plastic bag revolutions, both have close links with Kerala. free—the garbage bags are made of non-woven And now this state of innovation begins to lead fabrics and the handbags are made of sterilized India’s “ecological revolution”. Once out of Kochi used newspapers. airport, I was impressed by a large area of solar The open spirit and advanced development panels and the Light Rail Transit under approach help create a series of impressive construction. The solar panels are providing figures in Kerala: an average life expectancy of green energy for the airport, which is set to be 72 years and a literacy rate of over 90 percent, News From China August 2015 China-India Relations 27 both highest in India. Three million among its 33 million citizens are working abroad, and remittance accounts for nearly one-third of its GDP. Kerala is also home to quite a few media giants in India, among t h e m M a l a y a l a M a n o r a m a G r o u p , whose influence is felt not only in India but also in the Middle East and the Gulf region. Kerala, famous for its rich water resources, is know as the “Venice of t h e E a s t ” . W h e n freshwater from its Ambassador Le Yucheng visits Kerala Folklore Museum. rivers meets the seawater of the Arabian Sea, of herbs. And I found the local cuisine closer to “backwaters” are formed. Using coir and Chinese food, fresh, delicate and delicious. thatches, local people turned old rice boats into In addition to these intangible similarities, I houseboats for sightseeing. And boating in the did find quite a few tangible Chinese elements backwater becomes a major tourist attraction. here. Along the Vembanad lake in Kochi Fort, we The annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the most visited the “Chinese Fishing Net”, brought here celebrated festival here. A traditional snake by Chinese people 700 years ago and still in use boat in the race is 39 meters long and can today. As I walked in and around the hotel, I accommodate a team of 110 people. As I spotted jars, potteries and porcelains from watched the rowers competing with passion China, some 200 years old. In a private museum, and heard tens of thousands of spectators the curator showed me some ancient Chinese cheering in excitement along the 1.3 km coins dating back to centuries. riverbank, I can’t help but think of the Chinese The boat race, martial arts, traditional dragon boat race. Though in different shape, medicine, as well as Chinese fishing nets and both call for teamwork and sportsmanship, and antiques, be they symbols of tangible or both harvest happiness and hope. intangible links, all speak volume about the During the dinner hosted by Chief Secretary, splendid ancient civilizations of our two JiJi Thomson, I had the pleasure of watching countries and their exchanges that inspired Kalaripayattu performance, the traditional each other to stimulate sparks of wisdom and Martial Arts of Kerala with a history of 3000 illuminate the history of mankind. years. For a moment, I almost thought I was Today the two great nations of China and watching Chinese Kungfu for there was such India are at a new historical point. By joining striking similarity between the two. The local hands and aligning development strategies, we traditional medicine, Ayurveda, is quite similar can revive the glory of the ancient Silk Road and to traditional Chinese medicine in terms of Spice Route, achieve national renewal and harmony between man and nature and the use contribute more to the progress of mankind. 28 External Affairs News From China August 2015
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Chinese Premier Hails BRICS Bank
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with President of the New Development Bank (NDB) K.V. Kamath in Beijing, capital of China, July 23, 2015. The NDB opened in Shanghai on Tuesday to finance infrastructure projects, mainly in BRICS countries — the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. (Xinhua/Li Tao)
Beijing, July 23 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier finance infrastructure projects, mainly in BRICS Li Keqiang on Thursday hailed the opening of countries — the emerging economies of Brazil, the New Development Bank (NDB) as an Russia, India, China and South Africa. “important step forward” in cooperation among “We are ready to work with other partners BRICS countries. to improve governance structure, and build the “This is great progress in financial NDB as a professional, efficient, transparent and cooperation among developing countries and green 21st-century multilateral development emerging economies, as well as a helpful bank,” Li said. supplement to the global financial system,” Li He expressed hope that the NDB can aid the said while meeting NDB President K.V. Kamath industrialization of developing countries, and in Beijing. help with global connections. The NDB opened in Shanghai on Tuesday to The NDB will have an initial authorized News From China August 2015 External Affairs 29 capital of 100 billion U.S. dollars, and initial income. subscribed capital of 50 billion U.S. dollars He attributed these achievements to three equally shared among the five founders. factors: a deepening of reform and Kamath told Li the NDB will exploit encouragement of entrepreneurship and mass potential for economic growth and industrial innovation, structural adjustment expanding cooperation among BRICS countries in an domestic demand, and attracting more foreign innovative way, to achieve common investment. development. The Chinese government is confident and Li noted that China’s economy posted 7- capable of properly handling risks and percent growth in the first half of 2015 in the challenges, to achieve medium-high growth and face of various challenges, and the country also push the Chinese manufacture to the medium- witnessed growth in employment and people’s high end of the value chain, the premier said.
BRICS Bank Hailed as Contributive to Building Fairer Global Governance
Beijing, July 22 (Xinhua) — The New global governance system. Development Bank (NDB) launched Tuesday by According to an agreement Brazil, Russia, the emerging-market bloc of BRICS has won India, China and South Africa reached at the high praise from the international community, sixth BRICS summit in Brazil a year ago, the particularly its role in helping establish a fairer Shanghai-based bank aimed at financing
Shanghai Mayor Yang Xiong (R), Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei (M) and K.V. Kamath, president of the New Development Bank(L), celebrate together as the New Development Bank, more commonly known as the BRICS Bank, was officially launched in Shanghai today. (Source:Shanghai Daily/Wang Rongjiang) 30 External Affairs News From China August 2015
Shanghai, China
infrastructure projects will start operations at The NDB will have an initial authorized the end of this year or in early 2016. capital of 100 billion U.S. dollars, with the initial “Without flowers or ribbon-cutting, the subscribed capital of 50 billion dollars equally opening ceremony of the NDB lasted no more shared by the founding members. than 30 minutes,” a report from the website of According to Jim O’Neill, a British economist Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao said Wednesday, who coined the term “BRIC”, the BRICS’ describing Tuesday’s ceremony in Shanghai as influence is likely to rise as a group in terms of “low-key.” global governance. “The establishment of the bank will help “What the bank will prioritize in terms of solve the bottleneck of infrastructure lending and projects, we will have to wait and investment and financing facing emerging see,” he said. “But one can think of many good markets and developing countries, promote ideas including shared road and rail sustainable development and boost global infrastructure challenges, especially those with economic recovery and growth,” the report some common borders.” quoted Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei as Reinaldo Goncalves, a professor of saying. international economics at the Federal A BBC report said Tuesday that the NDB will University of Rio de Janeiro, told the Brazilian lend money to developing countries to help website Sputnik Brasil that the NDB and the finance infrastructure projects, and noted that Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) are “an “the group says it is not a rival” to the World interesting alternative” to the IMF. Bank and the International Monetary Fund Last July, the BRICS countries also agreed to (IMF). establish the CRA. China will contribute 41 “Our objective is not to challenge the billion dollars to the capital stock; India, Brazil existing system as it is, but to improve and and Russia will each pay in 18 billion dollars; complement the system in our own way,” the and South Africa’s share will be 5 billion dollars. report quoted NDB President Kundapur Vaman Goncalves said he agreed with the Brazilian Kamath as saying. government’s viewpoint that the NDB will play a News From China August 2015 External Affairs 31 decisive role in BRICS cooperation, promote development assistance to the most investment in infrastructure and sustainable marginalized,” it said. development, and benefit not only BRICS “With their often-problematic loan nations but also other developing countries. conditions, they have at times impeded rather An article published recently on the website than promoted equitable development. The of the Indian Express highlighted the NDB could change this,” the article added. importance of the BRICS bank at a time when Indian paper Business Standard said the the current Western-dominated international creation of newer multilateral development financial system has been underperforming. banks such as the NDB and the Asian “Despite the best intentions of many Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) working at the World Bank and IMF, existing “demonstrate the aspirations of the developing international financial institutions have world for greater infrastructure and economic consistently fallen short of their aim to provide development.”
Yang Jiechi and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Philip Hammond of the UK Co-chair China-UK Strategic Dialogue
On August 13, 2015, State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Philip Hammond of the UK co-chaired in Beijing the China-UK Strategic Dialogue. They agreed to take the opportunity of President Xi Jinping¡¯s visit to the UK to open up a new chapter in China-UK relations together. Yang Jiechi expressed that at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II, President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to the UK. The visit will play an important guiding role in the long-term development of bilateral relations and be of historic significance. China will enhance coordination with the UK to earnestly prepare for the visit and accumulate the results, and take the opportunity of President Xi Jinping¡¯s visit to the UK to re-orient and blueprint bilateral relations, usher in a new prospect for bilateral practical cooperation and set a new model for international cooperation. Yang Jiechi noted that as this year marks the beginning of the second decade of China-UK comprehensive strategic partnership, it is 32 External Affairs News From China August 2015
hoped that the UK will apply a China policy that Philip Hammond stressed that President Xi is more active and open and join hands with Jinping¡¯s state visit to the UK will make 2015 an China to construct bilateral comprehensive important year in UK-China relations. The UK strategic partnership. On the occasion of the government is speeding up various preparation 70th anniversary of the World Anti-Fascist War work and will enhance cooperation with China and the founding of the UN, China will work to ensure a complete success of and positive with the international community including the results from the visit thus elevate bilateral UK to commit to safeguarding the victorious relations to a new level. outcome of the World War II, and to promote the Both sides also exchanged views on new type of international relations with win- international and regional topics of common win cooperation at the core in line with the interest. purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Wang Yi on the South China Sea Issue at the ASEAN Regional Forum
On 6 August local time, during the Foreign Ministers’ Meetings of the East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Philippine Foreign Minister attacked China on its South China Sea policy and trumpeted the arbitration case against China. The Japanese Foreign Minister supported the Philippines and claimed that artificial land features do not generate legal rights and interests. Foreign Minister Wang Yi made an impromptu response by comprehensively elaborating China’s position and refuting the groundless accusations from the Philippines and Japan. The following are Wang Yi’s remarks: At both the EAS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in the morning and the ARF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the South China Sea issue has been raised by some countries. Therefore, it is necessary for China to get the facts out and set to exaggerate the disagreements, hype up the record straight so as to win the confrontation and heat up tensions, which do understanding and support from various not conform to reality. parties. China also has a stake in the freedom of First, the situation in the South China Sea is navigation in the South China Sea. The majority stable on the whole, and there is no possibility of Chinese cargo are shipped through the South of major conflicts. China therefore objects to any China Sea, so freedom of navigation in the South non-constructive words or deeds that attempt China Sea is equally important to China. China News From China August 2015 External Affairs 33
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi makes an address during EAS & ARF. always maintains that countries enjoy freedom were illegally occupied by Japan and resumed of navigation and overflight in the South China exercise of sovereignty. As a matter of fact, the Sea in accordance with the international law. Up military vessels China used in recovering the to now, there has not been a single case in which islands were provided by the United States, an freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is Allied Nation. This historical fact must have impeded. China stands ready to work with other been recorded in the archives of the countries parties to continue to ensure freedom of you represent. It was not until the 1970s when navigation and overflight in the South China Sea. there were reports about oil under the South As for the disputes on Nansha islands and China Sea that some countries began to invade reefs, this is a long-standing issue. The South and occupy Nansha islands and reefs, China Sea Islands are China’s territory. There is undermining China’s lawful rights and interests. a history of two thousand years since China According to international law, China has the discovered and named the islands in the South right to defend its sovereignty, rights and China Sea. This year marks the 70th anniversary interests, and China has the right to prevent the of the victory of the Second World War. Seventy repeat of such illegal moves as encroaching years ago, pursuant to the Cairo Declaration and upon China’s lawful rights and interests. the Potsdam Proclamation, China lawfully The delegate of the Philippines mentioned recovered the Nansha and Xisha Islands which the South China Sea issue, but he fell short of 34 External Affairs News From China August 2015
speaking out the truth. For instance, the Philippines. Philippines claimed that the Huangyan Island Another example is that in 1999, the and the relevant islands and reefs of Nansha Philippines illegally “stranded” an old warship belong to it. But that is not true. The fact is, on the Ren’ai Reef, which is part of China’s according to the Treaty of Paris in 1898, the N a n s h a I s l a n d s . W h e n C h i n a m a d e Treaty of Washington in 1900 and the representations, the Philippines claimed that it Convention Between the United States and could not tow the warship away due to “the lack Great Britain of 1930 which defined the of spare parts”. Later, the Philippine side territory of the Philippines, the western indicated to the Chinese side that it would not be boundary of the Philippines is delimited by 118 the first country to violate the Declaration on degrees east longitude. The Huangyan Island the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and Nansha Islands are completely to the west (DOC). Now 15 years have passed and the old of 118 degrees east longitude. They are not the warship has already become extremely rusty. Philippines’ territory. After the Philippines The Philippines, instead of keeping its promise gained independence, the domestic law of the of removing the warship, has publicly stated Philippines, and the relevant treaties concluded that it had stealthily transported cement and by the Philippines all accepted the legal force of other building materials to the warship in order the three treaties mentioned above, and to reinforce the installation. On 14 March, the confirmed the scope of its territory to be limited Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines by 118 degrees east longitude. Nevertheless, admitted that the very purpose of grounding the after the 1970s, the Philippines staged four warship on the Ren’ai Reef was to occupy it. The military operations and illegally invaded and Philippines has exposed its own lie of 15 years occupied eight islands and reefs of China’s and failed to fulfill its own commitment. What Nansha Islands. This is what is at the bottom of international credibility is there in the conduct the territorial dispute between China and the of the Philippines? News From China August 2015 External Affairs 35
Just now, the delegate of Japan also maintaining peace in this body of water. Second, mentioned the South China Sea issue and the parties shall implement the DOC in good claimed that all artificial land features cannot faith and work toward a Code of Conduct (COC) generate any legal rights. But let’s first have a through consultation. Now, smooth progress look at what Japan has done. Over the past has been made in implementing the DOC, and years, Japan spent 10 billion yen building the COC consultation is also moving forward. In less Rock of Okinotori, turning this tiny rock on the than two years since the beginning of the sea into a man-made island with steel bars and consultation, we have already adopted two lists cement. And on that basis, Japan submitted its of commonalities, started consultation on claim to the United Nations over the continental “crucial and complex issues”, and agreed to shelf beyond the 200-nautical-mile exclusive establish two hotline platforms which will be up economic zone. The majority members of the and running soon. Third, China has taken the international community found Japan’s claim initiative to propose the formulation of inconceivable and did not accept it. So before “preventive measures on managing perils at making comments on others, Japan had better sea”. On this new platform, various parties may first reflect on what itself has said or done. put forward proposals and ideas for discussion. China is different from Japan. Our claim over If consensus is reached, action may follow. rights in the South China Sea has long been in Speaking of proposals, the US side recently existence. We don’t need to strengthen our proposed “three stops”. But in our view, the US position through land reclamation. proposal is not feasible. For instance, what is to In fact, China is a victim on the South China be stopped? As parties have different positions, Sea issue. Yet, with a view to upholding peace what are the criteria for stopping? Who will set and stability in the South China Sea, we have the specific criteria? There is no answer to these exercised utmost restraint. Here is China’s basic questions. That said, China still welcomes proposition: we seek to peacefully resolve constructive suggestions from all countries on disputes through negotiation and consultation maintaining peace and stability in the South on the basis of respecting historical facts and in China Sea. But such suggestions must be accordance with international law, including feasible and, more importantly, should not the United Nations Convention on the Law of the impose double standards. Sea (UNCLOS). This position will not change. As for the land reclamation in the South Through friendly consultations, China and China Sea which is of interest to some countries, ASEAN countries have developed a full set of it is nothing new and does not start with China. mechanisms to properly handle the South China In other words, people have been bringing Sea issue. First, the issue shall be resolved changes to the “status quo” all these years. It was through a dual-track approach, which means only recently that China, for the first time, specific disputes should be addressed carried out certain construction on some peacefully by parties directly concerned stationed islands and reefs in the Nansha through consultation and negotiation. This is Islands in order to improve the working and stipulated in Article 4 of the DOC, and it is also a living conditions of personnel there. In the joint commitment by China and the 10 ASEAN process, we have enforced strict environmental countries. The dual-track approach also means standards. At the end of June, China announced that peace and stability in the South China Sea the completion of land reclamation. Next, we shall be jointly upheld by China and ASEAN will build facilities mainly for public good countries. I would like everyone to know that purposes, including multi-functional China and ASEAN are fully capable of lighthouse, search and rescue facilities for 36 External Affairs News From China August 2015
maritime emergencies, meteorological finds such an action hard to understand except observatory station, maritime scientific and that the Philippines is pursuing a hidden research center, as well as medical and first aid agenda. The Philippines should have known facilities. China stands ready to open these that as early as in 2006, China made a facilities to other countries upon completion. As declaration in accordance with Article 298 of the largest littoral state in the South China Sea, the UNCLOS to exclude such disputes from China has the capability and obligation to arbitration, which is a lawful and legitimate provide regional countries with these much right of China. The Philippines knew only too needed public goods at sea. well that China would never accept arbitration At the EAS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and on this matter, yet it insisted on pursuing the so- the ARF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the called arbitration with no regard to Article 4 of Philippines twice mentioned the South China the DOC and its earlier agreement with China to Sea arbitration case in an attempt to smear settle dispute through bilateral channels. So China. I wish to make a rebuttal by facts. First, to why did it do this? There can be only one settle disputes through direct negotiation and explanation, that is, it wants to provoke consultation by countries directly concerned is confrontation with China. But, will such practice what the UN Charter encourages and a common by the Philippines solve the problem once and international practice. More importantly, it is for all? Does it serve the fundamental interests also the explicit provision of the DOC. That is of the Philippines and its people? I think the why China always proposes bilateral dialogue answer is “No”. People of the Philippines with the Philippines, which is still valid today. deserve the truth, and the future of the However, up till the present moment, the Philippines should not be held hostage by a tiny Philippines has stubbornly rejected our number of individuals. China advises the proposal. The Philippine response is very Philippines not to go further down the dead unusual. Normally, before international alley. China’s door is still open for the arbitration proceedings are initiated, Philippines to have dialogue with us. After all, consensus would have been reached among our two countries are inseparable neighbors. countries concerned. However, in this case, the We advise you to return to the right track. I Philippines neither informed China beforehand believe that as long as both sides get down to nor sought China’s consent. Instead, it chose to serious talk, we will eventually find a solution. unilaterally go ahead with the arbitration. China
Link up China's "Belt and Road" Initiative with Development Strategies of ASEAN Nations to Open up New Prospects for China-ASEAN Relations
On August 5 local time, Foreign Minister in hard times and share weal and woe. Both Wang Yi attended the ASEAN-China Ministerial sides are special dialogue partners and Meeting (10+1) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. backbone forces in safeguarding regional peace, Wang Yi noted that China and the ASEAN, stability and development. The China-ASEAN which are close in geography and friendly in cooperation serves as the main platform for relations between the peoples, help each other China to participate in regional cooperation. News From China August 2015 External Affairs 37
With joint efforts of both sides, the China-ASEAN relations have been advanced constantly with the preparation work for the Asian I n f r a s t r u c t u r e Investment Bank (AIIB) achieving substantial progress, a series of initiatives including upgrading the free trade area scoring positive results and the maritime c o o p e r a t i o n y e a r between China and the A S E A N s m o o t h l y progressing. Wang Yi expressed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends the ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting that China regards the ASEAN as a priority in its community, the leading role played by the diplomatic relations with neighboring nations, ASEAN in regional cooperation and the positive a key region in the construction of the 21st role played by the ASEAN in international and Century Maritime Silk Road as well as an regional affairs. China is willing to link up the important partner in building a new type of “Belt and Road” initiative with the development international relations with win-win results strategies of the ASEAN members and the and cooperation as the core. The most blueprint of the building of the ASEAN important common interest, common demands community so as to provide new impetus and and common aspiration for us are to accelerate open up new prospects for the solidarity, development, maintain stability and deepen cooperation, development and revitalization of cooperation respectively. China always firmly China and the ASEAN. supports the construction of the ASEAN Wang Yi said that in building a more closely-knit China-ASEAN community of c o m m o n d e s t i n y a n d p r o m o t i n g t h e “ 2 + 7 ” cooperation framework, the Chinese side is ready to further deepen China-ASEAN cooperation by putting forward a new ten-point proposal. First, plans shall be m a d e f o r a c t i v i t i e s commemorating the 25th a n n i v e r s a r y o f t h e establishment of China- 38 External Affairs News From China August 2015
A S E A N d i a l o g u e relationship in the next year. 2016 shall be designated as the year of C h i n a - A S E A N educational exchanges. Second, the formulation of the Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity (2016- 2020) shall be finished. Third, a working group shall be formed to discuss the signing of a and wisdom to manage and control differences, China-ASEAN treaty on good-neighborliness, accumulate consensus, safeguard stability and friendship and cooperation. Fourth, keep peace. All parties both in and outside the international production capacity cooperation region have the responsibility and obligations to shall be carried out to drive forward the support the efforts made by China and the complementary economic growth of China and ASEAN. Wang Yi put forward a three-point ASEAN as well as their common renewal. Fifth, initiative to uphold peace and stability in the connectivity shall be advanced. The Chinese South China Sea. First, States in the South China side would like to consult with ASEAN on the Sea region undertake to fully and effectively formulation of an overall plan about implement the Declaration on the Conduct of connectivity. Sixth, efforts shall be made to Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in its ensure the year of China-ASEAN maritime entirety, accelerate the consultation on the cooperation a success, creating new highlights “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea” (COC), for maritime cooperation. Seventh, joint efforts and actively explore “preventive measures on shall be made to promote Lancang-Mekong managing risks at sea”. Second, states outside cooperation and render more support to the the region undertake to support the above- building of ASEAN community. Eighth, the mentioned efforts made by states in the region Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia and refrain from taking moves that could raise Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone shall be signed as tension and complicate the situation in the soon as possible. Ninth, defense and security South China Sea. Third, all states undertake to cooperation shall be strengthened. The first follow the international law in exercising and informal China-ASEAN defense ministers’ upholding the freedom of navigation and over- meeting will be held in China. Tenth, peace and flight in the South China Sea. stability of the South China Sea shall be jointly Foreign Ministers from ASEAN nations upheld. present at the meeting expressed that the Wang Yi noted that the hard-won peace in ASEAN-China partnership serves as the most the South China Sea attributes to the joint active and fruitful relations among the efforts of China and the ASEAN nations. China relationship between the ASEAN and its and the ASEAN members have the willingness partners. The ASEAN highly appreciates the News From China August 2015 External Affairs 39 great contributions made by China to the three-point initiative to uphold peace and development of ASEAN-China relations and stability in the South China Sea put forward by positively evaluates the new ten-point proposal Wang Yi and the positive progress achieved in in deepening bilateral relations put forward by Senior Officials’ Meeting on implementing the China. ASEAN attaches great importance to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the ASEAN-China strategic cooperative partnership South China Sea (DOC) and the joint working and stands ready to make joint efforts with group meeting on the “Code of Conduct in the China to jointly build the 21st Century Maritime South China Sea” (COC) held in Tianjin recently. Silk Road, enhance connectivity, upgrade the ASEAN nations are willing to work with China to construction of the China-ASEAN free trade earnestly implement the Declaration on the area, deepen cooperation in all fields including Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), investment, production capacity, education, speed up the pace in the consultation on the science and technology and public health and “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea” (COC) boost people-to-people and cultural exchanges. and build the South China Sea a sea featured The ASEAN nations positively evaluate the with peace, friendship and cooperation.
Chinese FM Calls for Closer Cooperation Among ASEAN, China, Japan, S. Korea
Kuala Lumpur, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that the building of ASEAN Community, East Asian economic community and Asian community of common destiny should be prioritized among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, Japan and South Korea. Speaking at the ASEAN+3 (China, Japan a n d S o u t h K o r e a ) meeting, Wang said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi significant progress has been made under the ASEAN+3 pragmatic a rare historical opportunity. They, in their next cooperation with more that 230 projects having development stage, should strive to build the been launched and the Chiang Mai Initiative three communities. Multilateralization being implemented. In order to support the ASEAN Community, Wang said as a leading platform of East Asia the countries should help the 10-nation bloc to cooperation, the ASEAN+3 countries are facing narrow development gaps among its members, 40 External Affairs News From China August 2015
reduce poverty and improve livelihood. On the East Asian economic community, they should make full use of the 10+3 mechanism and the existing cooperation in finance and food for further cooperation in various areas. As for the Asian community of common destiny, Wang said China encourages countries to dovetail their development strategies with China’s “Belt and Road” initiative, so as to boost integration in Asia Logo of ASEAN and realize complementarity and common development. well as the trading platform for livestock Noting that China has been an active products in Asia. participant and promoter of East Asia On closer cooperation in infrastructure cooperation, Wang said China has put forward a construction and production capability, he said six- point proposal for the peace, security and China is willing to provide Southeast Asian stability in the region. countries with the most-needed infrastructure On the free trade zone, the Chinese minister on the basis of voluntariness, equality and proposed effective implementation of free trade mutual benefit. agreement (FTA) between China and South The 10+3 countries should increase Korea, and completion of negotiation on the cooperation in key industries and areas of iron upgraded China- ASEAN Free Trade Zone in and steel, non-ferrous metals, construction 2015. material, telecommunication for the synergy He also called for negotiation on the FTA between development strategy and the between China, Japan and South Korea and the advantage of resources, in order to achieve the completion of substantive talks on the Regional region’s sustainable development. Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) On maritime cooperation, Wang said ASEAN this year. and China should work for a success of “the Year On financial cooperation, the countries of China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation,” and should push forward the Chiang Mai Initiative cooperate in maritime connectivity, technology Multilateralization, explore possibilities on and environment protection, disaster platform-building of communication and prevention and reduction, maritime economy, cooperation in Asian financial institutions, among others, while expediting the building of while improving the fund-raising for regional East Asia maritime cooperation platform. infrastructure by actively making use of the On cultural cooperation, the countries Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) should actively promote ministerial level and the Silk Road Fund. discussion mechanism on tourism, education, On agricultural cooperation, Wang culture and press, strengthen social-cultural suggested implementation of the agreement on exchanges and cooperation in the region, and poverty reduction and the building of model give full play to East Asia Forum and other bases of modern agricultural cooperation as institutions. News From China August 2015 External Affairs 41
Foreign ministers of other 10+3 countries while jointly confronting non-traditional spoke highly of the significant role of the threats. They also hailed China-proposed AIIB, cooperation among ASEAN and China, Japan believing the bank will play an important role in and South Korea in promoting peace, stability improving regional infrastructure. and prosperity. Founded in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, They agreed on further cooperation in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, finance, connectivity, production capacity, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and trade, agriculture, technology, public heath Vietnam.
Grasping the Historical Opportunity to Promote ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation
On August 6 local time, the ASEAN Plus Three (10+3) Foreign Ministers Meeting among the ASEAN countries and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the meeting. Wang Yi expressed that since last year, all parties have joined hands to make progress and blaze new trails in a pioneering spirit,
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting 42 External Affairs News From China August 2015
5th East Asia Summit, Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
promoting the 10+3 practical cooperation for communities. positive progress. Parties have confirmed over First, support the building of the ASEAN 230 cooperative projects, and the course of Community. The mechanism should help the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization ASEAN further narrow development gaps (CMIM) has developed towards the direction of among its members, reduce poverty and actual running. Positive progress has also been improve people’s livelihood. It should grasp the achieved in practical cooperation in momentum that at present the China-Japan- connectivity, economy and trade, energy, ROK cooperation is getting back on track to maritime affairs, social and cultural exchanges increase input to the ASEAN, so as to join efforts and other fields. of parties concerned to inject impetus to the Wang Yi expressed that currently East Asian building of the ASEAN Community. cooperation is on the rise, and various Second, support the building of the East proposals for development are constantly Asian Economic Community (EAEC). The springing up, which together make East Asia countries should make full use of the role of the gradually become an indivisible community of 10+3 mechanism as main channel, energetically interests. As the main channel of East Asian expanding cooperation in various fields based cooperation, the 10+3 mechanism is facing a on the existing cooperation in finance, food and rare historical opportunity. other areas. Wang Yi emphasized that the 10+3 Third, support the construction of the Asian mechanism, in its next development stage, Community of Shared Destiny. The Chinese side should focus on supporting the building of three welcomes other 10+3 countries to dovetail their News From China August 2015 External Affairs 43 development strategies with the “Belt and Road” initiative, so as to boost regional integration in A s i a a n d r e a l i z e c o m p l e m e n t a r i t y o f advantages and common development. Wang Yi expressed that the Chinese side is the active participant and propellant for East Asian cooperation. To make greater contributions to the maintenance of the regional peace, stability and development, the Chinese side puts forward six suggestions: The first is the construction of free trade The fourth is strengthening cooperation in areas (FTAs). The countries should promote the infrastructure and industrial production effective implementation of China-ROK free capacity. The Chinese side stands ready to, on trade agreement, strive to conclude the the basis of free will, equality and mutual negotiation on the upgrading version of the benefit, provide the most-needed infrastructure China-ASEAN FTA within this year, continue to for economic and social development to propel the negotiation on the China-Japan-ROK Southeast Asian nations. Cooperation in steels, FTA and complete the substantial negotiation nonferrous metals, building materials, progress for the “regional comprehensive electricity, telecommunication and other key economic partnership (RECP)” within this year. industries and fields will be enhanced to achieve The second is financial cooperation. The the connection of development strategies and countries should continue to facilitate the advantageous resources, so as to jointly progress of CMIM, discuss on the construction improve the sustainable development of the of the communication and cooperation region. platform for Asian financial institutions, and The fifth is maritime cooperation. To hold give active play to the Asian Infrastructure successful the activities of China-ASEAN Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Silk Road Fund, Maritime Cooperation Year, launch cooperation so as to jointly raise the financing level of in maritime connectivity, environment regional infrastructure. protection with science and technology, The third is agricultural cooperation. The disaster prevention and reduction, maritime countries should earnestly implement “the economy, maritime humanity and other areas, initiative on poverty reduction cooperation in and speed up the building of East Asian East Asia”, facilitating the construction of maritime cooperation platform. demonstration bases for modern agricultural The sixth is people-to-people and cultural cooperation and trading platform of livestock cooperation. The countries should actively products in East Asia. advance the development of ministers’ meeting 44 Created in China News From China August 2015
mechanisms on tourism, education, culture, prosperity. They agreed to further enhance journalism and others, enhance social, people- cooperation in finance, connectivity, production to-people and cultural exchanges and capacity, trade, agriculture, science and cooperation in the region, and give full play to technology, public health and other fields, and the East Asia Forum, the Network of East Asian jointly deal with non-traditional security Think-tanks (NEAT) and other think tanks. threats. The parties gave a high appraisal to Foreign ministers present at the meeting China’s proposal to set up the AIIB, believing spoke highly of the significant role played by the that the AIIB will make significant contributions cooperation between ASEAN and China, Japan to the enhancement of regional infrastructure and the ROK in boosting the East Asian construction. integration and the regional peace, stability and
CREATED IN CHINA
BYD
in urban conditions. This makes it one of the longest-range, pure EVs in the world. The projected top speed is 87mph. These characteristics make the e6 ideal for daily commutes, city driving and even long distance travel. In addition, during braking, deceleration and downhill coasting, the vehicle's kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy and stored in battery packs through regenerative- braking functions, further improving energy e6 Introduction utilization to increase the e6's range. The e6 is a long-range, pure-electric utility vehicle. It is a cross between a sedan and an SUV Electric Bus introduction with superior interior space (over 88.3 cu-ft or The BYD Electric Bus is the first of its kind in 2.5 m^3). With over 800 operating as public service worldwide.Utilizing BYD's proprietary eTaxis, the e6 fleets have an accumulated range of over 45 million miles . The nominal range of the BYD e6 on a single charge (in an eTaxi duty- cycle) is about 186 miles (300 km) and it operates two shifts for nearly 24 hours with one mid-day supplemental charge.
Power and Performance The e6 will be equipped with a 75kW motor and the BYD-developed Fe battery, powering the e6 to a range of 186 miles on a single charge News From China August 2015 Created in China 45
Iron- Phosphate battery, it meets roughtly 80% pressures and severe impacts, BYD's internally of urban transit needs with typical range of developed Fe battery boasts excellent reliability 155+ miles. and a 10-year warranty. The system can Communities around the world love BYD's automatically detect leakage currents in the electric bus as it quietly crusies past its noisy high voltage power supply system and damage polluting competitors. to the battery housings. An emergency maintenance switch disconnects the high- Feature and Performance voltage battery pack to ensure the safety of the Environmentally-friendly, non-toxic,BYD driver and passengers in case of system failures Iron-Phosphate ("Fe" Battery) powered or when the car needs to be repaired. The High-efficiency, in-wheel traction motors parking gear motor controller receives the lock/ allow for ultra-low floor loading options and unlock order sent by the driving motor and simplified maintenance performs the relevant operations to ensure Energy recovery and battery recharging maximum safety while parking or starting. through optimal Regenerative braking reduces brake component wear Convenient Charging Bi-directional AC Charging allows full Charging the e6 is convenient and fast. It charging from 0-100% SOC within 5 hours, the only takes 40 minutes to fully charge the e6 bus can be used as a mobile generator using the 100kW fast charging cabinet; it takes 6 hours with a standard 10kW standard charging Definite Safety pole (like a residential garage over-charging Resistant to high temperatures, high scenario).
DAJIANG
DJI (Da-Jiang Innovations Science and American Federal Aviation Administration Technology Co., Ltd) is a Chinese technology (FAA) proposed some regulations and company founded in 2006 by Frank Wangand guidelines to ensure proper operation of these headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong vehicles. province, China. It manufactures commercial and recreational unmanned aerial vehicles Flight Controllers (UAV) for aerial photography and videography. DJI makes professional and amateur flight According to The Economist, the company is controllers intended for multi-rotor at the forefront of the civilian-drone industry. stabilization control of various platforms or heavy payloads in aerial photography. In Company products. addition to the main A2 main controller model DJI manufactures a range of products like (intelligent orientation, landing, home return), flying cameras (ex. Inspire and Phantom series), there are the IMU (damper module), the GPS- flying platforms, flight controllers for multi Compass Pro Plus (high end antenna, satellite rotors, accessories for helicopters, camera receiver), the PMU (voltage alarm) and the LED gimballs (aerial, handheld) and ground b l u e t o o t h i n d i c a t o r ( s m a r t p h o n e stations. These products are for industrial, connectivity). professional and amateur use. Recently, the 46 Created in China News From China August 2015
The Ronin platform The DJI Ronin is the company's first stand alone ground based camera stabilization platform developed for everyday cinematography and aerial f i l m m a k i n g i n p r o f e s s i o n a l environments. It is built for professional videography and photography and targets the movie-making industry. By using the 3 individual motors to balance the system the DJI Ronin has the ability to stabilize the camera when moving vigorously. evolved into an integrated flying system with aircraft, camera, Wi-Fi connectivity, a controller The DJI Modules and the pilot’s mobile device. These DJI offers several add-on modules for their quadcopters are mainly intended for aerial base products such as power management and cinematography and photography applications. video modules. The Phantom 2 Vision+ features a camera and a gimbal system manufactured by DJI. It is capable The Flame Wheel series of taking 14 MegaPixel still shots and recording DJI has developed a series of multirotors high definition (1080p) video. In comparison, flying platforms called Flame Wheel (Feng-Huo- the DJI Phantom 3 Professional, the latest Lun or Fenghuolun, for aerial photography in Phantom model to be released can shoot 4K entertainment. In 2013, there was a total of resolution video and take 12MegaPixel still three electrically powered Flame Wheels: the photos. hexacopter Flame Wheel F550, and quadcopters Flame Wheel F330 and Flame The Spreading Wings series Wheel F450. The most recent one is the Flame DJI S800 hexacopter Wheel ARF KIT DJI has also developed a series of hexacopters called Spreading Wings (Gen-Dou- The Phantom series Yun or Gendouyun, for carrying heavy cameras A DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ V3.0 in aerial photography, search and rescue, and DJI has also developed a series of surveillance. In 2013, two models have been quadcopters called the Phantoms that have released as Spreading Wings S800 and Spreading Wings S800 EVO.
The unmanned helicopter DJI unmanned helicopter is a small unmanned helicopter jointly developed by Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) with DJI. This small unmanned helicopter is intended for high elevation missions and can operate with wind scale of 6. The News From China August 2015 Created in China 47 general designer is Professor Li Ze-Xiang, and applications in industry and in everyday life the chief designer for software is associate with models for professionals and amateurs. Professor Zhu Xiao-Rui. The unmanned Although initially known for military and helicopter is completely indigenously intelligence applications, drones have many developed in China and Hong Kong, without surprising civilian uses. For example, they can using any foreign technology, except the be used for hurricane hunting, 3-D mapping of constellation of GPS satellites developed by landscape, nature protection, farming, and other nations on which its navigation relies. search and rescue.[26] DJI drones have made dramatic appearances at the Consumer Applications and usage Electronics Show (CES) of Las Vegas, Nevada, DJI products have a wide range of U.S. for several years
SMARTISAN PHONE
Simplicity is hidden complexity Smartisan draws on nuanced thinking and precision artisanship to create the perfection of simplicity and beauty. Whether in software or hardware, we allow insightful design to speak for itself.
Right is right. Left is also right. Symmetry is beauty. No matter which hand you are accustomed to using with your phone, it should be equally comfortable. Thus, Smartisan T1 uses symmetrical left and right side keys, strengthening its overall form symmetry, thus thoughtfully removing any difference for left- or right-handed use, while so unexpectedly offering matchless new features.
Supple, yet robust. Smartisan T1’s frame uses a combination of glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate resin and stainless steel. Countless flexible glass fibers are wrapped in resin and ingeniously structured to ultimately form a highly durable body while still maintaining a light weight.
The essence of flat is super curved. With a 3D camber effect ground into the Corning Gorilla Glass, the edges of the back of Smartisan T1 have a subtle 48 Created in China News From China August 2015
curved transition. This minute transformation not only enriches the aesthetics of the phone, but also creates an iridescent effect through the elegant curvature.
Uncomfortable is the new comfortable. Smartisan T1’s USB plug has one convex side and one concave side, allowing you to know which side goes up the instant you touch it. It becomes an intuitive guide, so that you can plug it in correctly every time without a second thought.
All wrapped up with a bow. We have arranged the phone and its accessories in a clean, orderly layout, simply to crystallize our pride and pursuit of perfection for that one, quiet moment when you first open the box and discover an irrepressible joy.
Smartisan OSbased on Android™ With its exquisite interface, entrancing animations, near-perfect Chinese typography, and hundreds of thoughtfully designed features, Smartisan OS is a joy to use, every minute of every day.
Launcher Smartisan OS’s launcher reconstructs the classic 9- or 16-grid design, while its unique mode of operation gives it unprecedented efficiency. With a two-finger pinch or press on the Menu key you can switch to a multi-screen view, as well as move apps en masse or easily hide and password-protect them under the edit mode. Smartisan OS’s launcher also supports a variety of elegant themes.
Phone We completely re-designed the keypad layout, making it easy to dial one-handedly. The contacts list supports sorting numbers not just by name, but also by call frequency, date added, location, and more. With just a slide on a contact’s picture you can quickly make calls and send texts. The i n c o m i n g c a l l s screen can display i m p o r t a n t reminders about a caller, as well as r e c o g n i z e annoying calls and more than 60,000 public numbers. News From China August 2015 Created in China 49
Music Smartisan OS’s built-in music player is designed in honor of classic vinyl, with moving turntable and record needle, just like on a real record player. You can search by artist, album, track, and directory, and it supports album cover displays. We also partnered with Xiami Music, providing 5 million licensed music for you to stream and download.
Messages The messages app contains many thoughtful touches, such as a four-second delay before sending messages, verification codes that automatically reside in the status bar, and more. When receiving texts, a pop-up lets you read, respond to, or delete messages in the same window, without having to turn away from what you’re doing.
Browser With the high-speed Chromium core, page-loading is fluid. Optimized Chinese character display makes for an excellent reading experience, and you can switch search engines within the address bar to quickly get more results
Market Every app has been carefully selected and rigorously checked. We strive to create the most trustworthy app market for the Android™ platform.
Calendar The calendar app lets you view tasks by day, week, or month, and tag tasks with icons so you can find them at a glance. You can change a task’s date simply by drag-and-drop, and mark a task as done with just a swipe to the side. You can also sync your calendar with Google or Smartisan’s Smiling Cloud accounts.
Mail The mail app is impressively efficient. With a swipe to the right you can quickly mark, reply to, forward, move, and delete emails. You can also quickly add content from an email to a task on your calendar.
Recorder The recorder supports .wav format and multiple levels of sound quality. When recording you can add time markers, making it easy to quickly find key parts on replay. The recorder lockscreen plugin also lets you pause, resume, or stop recording right from the lockscreen. 50 Created in China News From China August 2015
Calculator Owning a Smartisan T1 also means you have one full- featured and visually beautiful calculator. In landscape mode or with a two-finger rotation gesture you can conveniently switch to scientific mode.
Notes It might just be the most beautiful notetaking app ever, and you may find yourself falling in love with taking notes all over again. You can also share what you write on Twitter, Facebook or Sina Weibo at any time. The elegant notepaper and finely crafted typography and layout make notetaking a pleasure.
Weather The elegantly simple weather app shows all important information at a glance. With an algorithm for accurate apparent temperature, thoughtful notices of the temperature difference between the current and previous day, and being able to understand weather conditions with one look, you will come to feel Smartisan OS’s care and consideration for the user.
Clock The skeuomorphic interface and animations make the flow of time all the more vivid. The world clock has settings for more than six hundred cities and support for regional time and current weather information. The world clock’s appearance shifts from light to dark depending on local sunrise and sunset times.
Camera The camera uses leading-edge automatic scene recognition technology, allowing it to automatically recognize multiple scene modes and optimize the image accordingly. The camera is also equipped with 180º to 360º panoramic shooting, QR code scanning, and more.
Gallery The gallery app offers ten different styles of photo filters for your use. You can share photos on all types of social media platforms, and you can hide your albums in a list to keep them neat and orderly. News From China August 2015 Culture & Life 51
CULTURE & LIFE Images From China/ The China Flicks
"Overwater highway" seen in Hubei：a highway linking Gufu Township and Zhaojun Bridge in Yichang City, central China's Hubei Province, Aug. 9, 2015. The highway, which is 10.9 kilometers long, is built overwater on a river. (Xinhua/Zou Yuanjing) 52 Culture & Life News From China August 2015
Air-dried crops: Wuyuan people's traditional custom on "Liqiu" ：A local dries hot peppers in Huangling Village of Wuyuan County, east China's Jiangxi Province, Aug. 8, 2015. Saturday marks "Liqiu", the first day of autumn on Chinese lunar calendar. As a traditional custom, villagers in Huangling village dry crops on bamboo baskets outside houses. (Xinhua/Hu Dunhuang)
People enjoy fun games at goat fair in Xinjiang, China ： People compete as they run carrying goats during a goat fair in Hami, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 8, 2015. (Xinhua/Li Hua) News From China August 2015 Culture & Life 53
Taizhou police help to evacuate Soudelor-affected residents ： Typhoon Soudelor dumped heavy rain and winds in Huangyan District of Taizhou, leaving many areas waterlogged and people suffering. Taizhou Armed Police Detachment help to evacuate about 160 residents there, and the rescue is still in progress. (Xinhua/Li Jialin)
Torch Festival marked in Guangxi ：People of Yi ethnic group dance to celebrate the Torch Festival at De'e Township of Longlin Autonomous Prefecture in Baise City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Aug. 8, 2015. (Xinhua/Wei Wanzhong) 54 Culture & Life News From China August 2015 When the Internet Meets Agriculture
Being a farmer in China no longer means eking out a living in a backward industry. Farmers nationwide are adopting new business practices made possible by the Internet, boosting their earnings and modernizing the sector. For Zhang Guoqin, g r o w i n g c r o p s s o m e t i m e s s i m p l y needs a few clicks of the mouse. In northeast China’s Monitoring fields through computers Heilongjiang Province, he monitors his rice fields on computer screens. and lack of access to loans have been squeezing He uses a system of sensors and automatization farmers’ earnings and dragging down the rural which takes a lot of the toil and inefficiency out economy. of his business. For example, his fields are In 2014, the per capita disposable income of irrigated automatically if sensors detect that rural residents rose 9.2 percent year on year to they need it. 10,489 yuan (1,720 U.S. dollars), less than half “Thanks to the data, we are able to track the of that of urbanites, and 70.17 million rural conditions of crops, assess nutrient levels and Chinese earned an annual sum less than 2,300 forecast disasters,” Zhang said. yuan, the official poverty line. Such innovation is a new trend in Chinese However, the Internet, especially mobile farming, a welcome change of direction for a networks, have provided agriculture with a new rural economy that has long been seeking vision. By the end of 2014, nearly 30 percent of modernization. China’s rural population were online. China’s cabinet unveiled an “Internet Plus” E-commerce enables farmers to sell goods action plan at the beginning of July targeted at quickly, conveniently shop around for materials integration of the Internet with traditional and obtain small loans more easily. The Internet sectors to make them smarter and more has made intensive mechanized production efficient. Along with manufacturing, agriculture achievable, boosted yields with fewer laborers was on the top of the list. and made agriculture greener and food safer. Farming in China has been booming for over Given the bright outlook, Internet three decades. The summer grain output companies and e-commerce giants are reached a record high of 141.07 million tonnes thronging to take a bigger share of the in 2015 after 11 consecutive years of increases. agricultural pie. Though harvests were good, inefficient Taobao.com, China’s largest online sales channels, a shrinking labor population shopping platform, has launched an agricultural News From China August 2015 Culture & Life 55 channel. users as it requires no more than a mobile Its Internet conglomerate owner, Alibaba, phone and a SIM card, simplicity which is crucial also ambitiously plans to invest 10 billion yuan in the Chinese countryside, where Internet into 100,000 new service centers in Chinese infrastructure lags behind the situation in cities. villages in the next three to five years to help Han Guiyin, a farm owner in east China’s train farmers in Internet use. Shandong Province, turns to Cloud Farm “Following the new generation of farmers, whenever he needs to source fertilizer or online stores selling farm produce have logistics services, apply for loans or even witnessed explosive growth and e-commerce is technological support. reshaping the whole industry,” said Chi Fulin, However, there are still bottlenecks that director of the China (Hainan) Institute for have to be addressed to facilitate the national Reform and Development. ambition of upgrading agriculture. Internet firms don’t need the might of Analysts agree the government needs to Alibaba to get involved. Beijing Tianchen Cloud improve infrastructure and logistics in Farm Co., developed Cloud Farm, an app mountainous regions, cultivate IT professionals designed as a one-stop shop for farming and provide more information services to help business. farmers access the web. It has amassed over a million registered
China's Box Office at Record High
Chinese cinemas’ box office hit a record high of 5.49 billion yuan (897.5 million U.S. dollars) in July, official figures show. An office in charge of film funds under the State Administration of Press, Publication, R a d i o , F i l m a n d Television (SAPPRFT) said on Saturday that a total of 159 million people went to cinemas A poster of “Monkey King: Hero is Back” last month and box office revenue this year has totaled 25.85 billion yuan. animation “Monster Hunt,” animated feature The office said the new monthly record “Monkey King: Hero is Back,” and comedy “Jian owes much the success to Chinese films, which Bing Man” — took up more than 60 percent of raked in more than 5.2 billion yuan, about 95.6 the ticket sales. percent of the overall figure. The SAPPRFT last week announced that The three biggest earners — live-action “Monster Hunt” has overtaken 2012 low-budget 56 Culture & Life News From China August 2015
A poster of 'Monster Hunt'
comedy “Lost in Thailand” to become the most international competitor in July,” said a Chinese successful domestic film of all time in box office movie critic who insists on going by the name income. “Tubingenmujiang.” According to a U.S. box office count, “However, the need to go to the cinema is not “Monster Hunt” has also outperformed a rigid demand for people, and if the films being Hollywood productions “Minions” and “Ant- shown are not good enough, audiences may Man” in total box office gains. simply choose not to see them,” he said. “In fact, It is estimated that the film earnings in China has experienced fallow seasons when China last month exceeded the yearly numbers fewer foreign movies were on screen and from 2002 to 2005 combined. domestic films failed to attract movie-goers.” As with national holidays like Lunar New China started to import American movies in Year and National Day, the month of July has 1994 and competition between domestic and long been a busy time for cinemas as most overseas titles has grown even more intense Chinese schools and universities start their since 2012, when China announced a significant summer holidays in the month. increase in its quota for overseas movies. Over the last five years, the summer holiday In 2014, about 70 percent of the top 30 films period has contributed about a quarter of the in North American were screened in China. annual box office takings. “ P ro p e r p ro te c t i o n fo r d o m e s t i c productions is needed so Chinese films are not PROTECTION AND COMPETITION stifled as they bud,” said Tubingenmujiang, “but There has been much discussion about the protectionism should be limited so Chinese role of Chinese movies in the July figures, as they movies don’t become hothouse flowers.” had little foreign competition last month. Observers also attributed the success of “It is true that domestic films lacked an domestic films to the country’s “Internet Plus” News From China August 2015 Culture & Life 57 strategy, which is encouraging Internet firms to GLOBAL AMBITION integrate with other industries. Despite the huge success in China, experts Most of the best-performing films in July noted that the Chinese film industry still has a featured investments from Internet long way to go if it is to reach a global market. enterprises, and the novel Internet finance Shi Chuan, a professor with the Shanghai mode of crowdfunding also weighed in. Theatre Academy, said Chinese movies need to The credits of “Monkey King: Hero is Back” be better if they are to compete with Hollywood listed as producers 109 children, whose and other overseas productions. parents pooled money to aid the movie’s However, considering the enthusiastic marketing. consumers, most observers expressed “The Internet is no longer a simple technical confidence in domestic films. assistant in China’s film industry. With vigorous “The July record should be regarded as a moves through financing, mergers and milestone in China’s film industry,” said Zhang cooperation, it is reshaping the industry,” said Hongsen, head of the SAPPRFT film bureau. “Also, Rao Shuguang, secretary-general of the China Chinese filmmakers should keep in mind what is Film Association. really driving the success — the audience.”
China’s Growing Interest in Fitness Shapes up Industry
BeijingG, July 28 (Xinhua) — As grannies regimen in September, 2013, Zhang’s body fat “cut a rug” square dancing in public parks, percentage dropped to 17 percent from 23 young Chinese prefer breaking a sweat in the gym or with online w o r k o u t s t o b u r n calories. Zhang Jianming, a 29-year-old research fellow at East China’s Suzhou Industrial Park, is active at the gym. He works out five to six days a week, and focuses on hitting different body parts each day. For him, t y p i c a l t r a i n i n g programs include an h o u r o f l i f t i n g o r bodyweight exercises, and half an hour of cardio session.‘ After beginning the workout 58 Culture & Life News From China August 2015
percent. He is noticeably bulkier, and feels more time when Zhang begun hitting the gym, Wang, confident. a financial professional-turned-fitness guru, Fitness fanatics like Zhang have been started blogging with his wife on WeChat and springing up in China over the past two years. microblog Weibo. An industry report shows that the total number “I felt like a new man after finishing a two- of gym attendees in 70 major Chinese cities has month workout regimen,” recalled Wang. He increased by four to five million each year since was also startled to find how little those who 2011. crave a thinner life know about health and Behind the exercise trend is growing fitness. enthusiasm for fitness and health. As wealth “Most of them, especially the girls, will hit accumulates, the country’s increasingly the dead end circle of ‘diet, give up, get fat’. They sophisticated middle class increasingly have simply don’t know how to chisel away body fat the urge to disengage from work, relax and through exercise,” he said. move around. The Shanghai-native then decided to share Jogging has taken off in big cities, despite the health, nutrition and fitness knowledge he has notorious smog problem. More urbanites wear learnt with others. His blogs became an instant fitness tracking bracelets or other wearables as success. He has garnered about one million a manifesto for healthier lifestyle. Celebrities followers on Weibo, and nearly 400,000 on also actively jump on the fitness bandwagon. WeChat over the past two years. They post gym selfies to show off their abs and As the Chinese government has been more importantly, win fans. looking to entrepreneurship and innovation Public awareness of fitness generally begins among the bright spots in a slowing economy, when a nation’s GDP per capita hits 5,000 U.S. Wang also felt he has found a sweet spot to cash dollars. Should it surpass 8,000 U.S. dollars, the in on the booming demand for keeping fit. fitness industry will become a pillar in the He resigned from his post at a private equity national economy, said Liu Qing, deputy firm to launch a startup company called Fit- secretary-general at Chinese Association of start in September, 2014, which happened to Sport Industry. coincide with the one year anniversary of his China’s GDP per capita exceeded 5,000 U.S. blogs. dollars in 2011 and reached 7,575 U.S. dollars “The market has immense potential,” said last year, according to official data. Wang, with over five years of investment The fitness fanaticism sweeping the world’s experience. second largest economy coincides with the On June 19 this year, Fit-start introduced growth of mobile Internet and the boom of apps offering custom online workout and social media. Unlike the older generation of dietary plans on the iOS and Android app stores. gymrats, younger fitness enthusiasts like Zhang Wang said there have already been more than are more apt to explore online resources to 100,000 downloads by now. work out smarter. However, Wang’s rivals have also been Under his WeChat account, China’s biggest looming large. RJFitTime, another influential social messaging service, Zhang follows a dozen blog operated by two twenty-somethings, has of fitness blogs. Every day he sift through the attracted two million followers combined news feeds to learn about new workout across all social media platforms. RJFitTime programs or dietary instructions. launched apps earlier this year, streaming a Wang Yin, 30, is one of Zhang’s favorite variety of exercise programs to its subscribers. bloggers. In September, 2013, almost the same An estimated 50 health and fitness apps News From China August 2015 Culture & Life 59 came online in the first half of this year. Most of the free content is already enough. them eye the same niche market as Fit-start and That mentality is certainly not pleasing to RJFitTime - the beginners. Wang, who has been working hard to bind users “When we start our business, the fitness with online paid trainers. But the former industry was still a ‘blue ocean’, where the investment banker is still optimistic about the market space is vastly uncontested,’ Wang said, future of China’s fitness market. “but now, it’s fairly crowded.” “After all, this is a budding industry. The For users like Zhang, the swarm of fitness market is huge, and there is no dominant player apps allows them to get a lot of services for at the moment, which means everything is nothing. Zhang said he will not consider trying possible, “ Wang said. paid options of those apps, because he thought
JET LI – King of Kungfu
F r o m S h a o l i n Temple, to the series ofOnce Upon a Time in China, to the recent Danny the Dog and Fearless, Jet Li is a name closely connected with action movie, kung fu, and wushu (or martial arts). Jet Li has achieved s p l e n d i d s u c c e s s , whether as a wushu practitioner or as an a c t i o n s t a r . H i s handsome appearance, bicycle. It was quite a haphazard that Jet Li took fortitude, and resoluteness, as well as brilliant up wushu training when he was eight years old. martial arts movements, have attracted a large At that time he audience for him. Known as the “Gene Kelly of had no idea what the action film,” Jet Li is part of the wave of new wushu was. Yet Asian stars taking Hollywood by storm. Jet Li Jet was selected has kicked and punched his way out of the cult- out from more film underground and into global mainstream t h a n 1 , 0 0 0 superstardom, making the world crazy for him. c h i l d r e n b y coach Wu Bin, The Legend of a Wushu Genius who believed Jet Jet Li was born in Beijing , China on April 26, was born with 1963. As a child, he was a quiet and meek boy limitless talents who was not allowed to do any risky activities in wushu. At the such as swimming, skating, or even riding a beginning, the 60 Culture & Life News From China August 2015
t r a i n i n g w a s l i k e extracurricular activity; soon it became more and more rigorous. Half a year later, Jet had to attend the full time training, and wushu became everything and the only thing in his life. He even performed for VIPs including Premier Zhou Enlai at the Great Hall of the People. Wushu training was always painstaking. In order to have a thorough mastery of basic skills, Jet Li and his fellow students had to practice the same movements day after day. When wintertime came, they had more than 40 countries with the team doing no choice but to practice outside, for there were demonstrations of wushu. no indoor facilities.Beijing’s winters were In the following year China staged its Third extremely cold, and the children’s hands hurt National Games. The National Games were like a constantly. Doing hand-slaps was a no-win domestic version of the Olympics; they included proposition: if one didn’t slap hard enough to all competitive sports: swimming, gymnastics, make a sound, he’d get scolded. If he did make a track and field, and so on. The 1975 National sound, it stung like mad! The tough training also Games were only the third since Liberation (the taught Jet Li not to complain about injuries, founding of the People’s Republic of China in which also formed a tenacious personality in 1949), and the first since the early part of the him. Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). For the What Jet received was not only the government as well as the entire nation, it was traditional martial arts training; moreover, he an extremely important and greatly symbolic was trained as a modern wushu athlete, so he event. also had to go through the strict physical Jet started to notice a shift in his training. training. Besides, his coach Wu Bin also The pressure began to increase. People had encouraged him to study dancing to make his higher expectations of him because he’d just movements more exquisite. won the youth championship. Personally, he The year 1974 saw Jet Li’s perfect debut in didn’t think too much of it. He knew that there the national wushu competition, on which he were plenty of other athletes who trained a lot was the all-round youth champion. After harder than he did, especially the adults. But winning the national championship, Jet Li was winning the youth championships had allowed selected as a member of China Wushu Team. As him to “skip a grade,” making him eligible to part of a world tour the same year, he also had compete in the 18-and-over category. There he the honor of performing a two-man fight for was, a 12-year old competing against people in President Nixon on the White House lawn. In all, their 20s and 30s. in the following years, Jet Li would travel to Once again, his perfect performance caused News From China August 2015 Tibet Today 61 a sensation in martial arts field in China, as Traveling abroad at a very young age afterward, Jet Li won a total of five gold medals opened up Jet Li’s minds, he learned to think in the national championships for five independently from an early age. After winning consecutive years, from 1974 to 1979. In 1979, five all-round championships in China, Jet Li Jet received his highest achievement in martial decided that he would rather do something else arts when he was crowned Gold Champion at now that he had already achieved a the Chinese National Martial Arts Competition. considerable height. His consummate skills in No person has ever broken this record to this martial arts also won him a lot of opportunities. day. (To be continued)
TIBET TODAY
Ten Data Reflecting Tibet's Changes Over the Past 50 Years
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region,ten major data were sorted, involving economy, key p r o j e c t s , f i n a n c i a l r e v e n u e , h o u s i n g , transportation, ecology, tourism, etc., to show Tibet’s great changes in various economic and social aspects over the past 50 years.
Datum one: an increase of 68.5 times in Tibet's GDP Tibet's GDP skyrocketed to 92.083 billion arranged construction of a large number of key yuan in 2014 from 327 million yuan in 1965. In projects with great significance and far- particular since the Third WorkConference on reaching influence in succession, remarkably Tibet, its GDP has maintained a double-digit improving the infrastructure of Tibet. From growth for 21 consecutive years 1965 to 2014, total investment in Tibet's fixed . assets amounted to nearly 600 billion yuan. In Datum two: an investment of nearly 600 particular, since the Third Work Conference on billion yuan in key construction projects Tibet, the accumulated investment in Tibet's According to the demand of Tibet's fixed assets has reached 594 billion yuan, with economic and social development,China has an average annual increase of 22 percent. 62 Tibet Today News From China August 2015
Datum three: local financial revenue accounting for 13.5 percent of the GDP Since the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region, the central f i n a n c i a l t r a n s f e r payment to Tibet has kept growing. From 1965 to 2014, the Central Government’s financial subsidies to Tibet added up to about 600 billion yuan. Tibet's local financial revenue was in a state of negative Qinghai - Tibet Railway growth before 1989, but began to realize positive growth from 1989 onwards and hit 12.4 billion yuan in 2014. Its west, with Qinghai in the north and India and proportion in the GDP rose from 0.6 percent in Nepal in the south; and also leading to every city, 1989 to 13.5 percent in 2014. county and township within the region. In addition, the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Datum four: the total industrial output Railway, Lhasa-Shigatse Railway and 58 value reaching 15 billion yuan international and domestic air routes has There was almost no modern industry in old greatly shortened the distance between Tibet Tibet. Since the founding of the Tibet and the inland and other parts of the world. Autonomous Region, it has seen a growing modern industry under the premise of strict Datum six: per-capita disposable income ecological protection. So far, a characteristic of residents getting to 10,730 yuan industrial system has taken shape in the region, The past 50 years has witnessed historic with advantaged mining industry, aquaculture, growth in incomes of urban residents and ethnic handicraft industry and Tibetan farmers and herdsmen of Tibet. In 2014, the per- medicine industry as pillars. The total capita disposable income of urban residents of industrial output value skyrocketed from 9 Tibet reached 22,016 yuan, an increase of 39 million yuan in 1965 to 15 billion yuan in 2014, times from 1978; and the per-capita disposable with an average annual increase of 16 percent. income of rural residents in the region was 7,359 yuan, an increase of 42 times from 1978. Datum five: 75,000 kilometers of highway The per-capita disposable income of all the mileage open to traffic residents in Tibet got to 10,730 yuan. In the old days, Tibet had no roads in the modern sense. After 50 years of construction, Datum seven: dream of 2.3 million farmers highway mileage open to traffic in Tibet reached and herders for new houses realized 75,000 kilometers: linking Tibet with Sichuan Over 90 percent of people in old Tibet didn’t and Yunnan in the east, with Xinjiang in the have their own housing. The housing project for News From China August 2015 Tibet Today 63
Tibetan farmers and herdsmen was launched in always put environmental protection as a 2006. By the end of 2013, the total investment in baseline. Currently, the region has set up 22 the project amounted to 27.8 billion yuan, ecological function protected areas, eight realizing the dream of 2.3 million farmers and national forest parks, five national wetland herdsmen for new houses. parks, four geological parks, three national- level scenic spots and 47 nature reserves, with a Datum eight: the average life expectancy total protected area of 412,200 square increasing to 68.2 years old kilometers, accounting for 34.5 percent of the Due to high altitude, cold and oxygen deficit, area of Tibet. Tibet was once considered the world’s most unsuitable region for human habitation. Thanks Datum ten: over 15 million domestic and to the improvement in living standards and foreign tourists received in the whole medical conditions in the past 50 years, year Tibetans’ average life expectancy has constantly With unique natural and cultural increased. It has risen to 68.2 years old now landscape, Tibet attracts large numbers of from 35.5 years old in the past. The total domestic and foreign tourists. The number of population of Tibet has also increased from 1.14 tourists to Tibet increased from 8,624 in 1981 million in the past to 3.17 million now. to 15.53 million in 2014, a rise of nearly 1,800 times. Tourism has become an important Datum nine: the protected areas accounting window for the world to understand the new for 34.5 percent of Tibet’s land area Tibet. In the development process, Tibet has
Achievements of Tibet Autonomous Region in 50 years
When the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) added up to nearly 700 billion yuan, was established in 1965, its GDP stood only at representing an average 16.5 percent increase 327 million yuan. In 2014, the figure rose by year on year. nearly 300-fold to 92.08 billion yuan. Over the past five decades, local finances Particularly since the Third Tibet Work grew steadily. Since its establishment, Tibet has Conference convened in 1994, Tibet’s GDP gained full support from the central maintained double digit growth ¨C averaging government: socialist systematic and 12.4 percent year on year ¨C for 20 consecutive institutional advantages have been played to the years. This was unprecedented in the history of full and nationwide efforts have been mobilized. Tibet. The central government offered Tibet up to 600 Over the past five decades, investment from billion yuan in financial assistance of various the central government in Tibet has been on the forms in the years between 1965 and 2014. rise year by year. In response to Tibet’s social, Local fiscal revenue remained a negative growth economic development needs under different till the year of 1989 in which a reversal was seen. circumstances and in different periods, the In 2014, Tibet’s fiscal income reached 12.4 central government rolled out a large number billion yuan. of major projects that had far-reaching and Over the past five decades, Tibet’s aggregate important impact. The total fixed investments industrial volume kept increasing. A Tibet- 64 Tibet Today News From China August 2015
specific industrial system, comprising break the local traffic bottleneck and improve competitive mining, construction and building the backbone of the main road network in materials, nationality handicraft and Tibetan central Tibet. medicine industries, whether developed from There was not a single highway in Tibet scratch or on the basis of existing industries, has before it officially became an autonomous begun to take shape. The gross industrial region. However, the state of isolation and output value increased from 1965’s 9 million underdevelopment was completely changed yuan to 2014’s 15 billion yuan. with heavy investment from the central Over the past five decades, both internal and government in such infrastructure sectors as external trade grew with tremendous transportation, energy, communications and momentum in Tibet. In 2014, the total retail urban construction. sales of consumer goods reached 32.43 billion By far, a network of highways has been built. yuan, up by 132.4-fold from 245 million yuan in The network takes Lhasa as its centre and from 1978; in 2012, the total import and export there extends to Sichuan and Yunnan in the east, volume stood at 3.42 billion US Dollars, up by Xinjiang in the west, Qinghai in the north, and 1,424-fold from 2.4 million US Dollars of 1965. India and Nepal in the south. The network also includes road connections among cities, Building infrastructure for a new look counties, towns and villages. The total length of A landmark project symbolizing Tibet's highways open to traffic in Tibet reached 75,000 leapfrog development in transportation, Lhasa- km by the end of 2014. Nyingchi Highway is looking to be open to traffic The Qinghai-Tibet Railway put an end to in late July, 2015. Saving at least 2 hours from Tibet’s zero-railroad history. The Lhasa- Lhasa to Nyingchi, the highway will further Shigatse Railway, an extension line of Qinghai-
Qinghai - Tibet Railway News From China August 2015 Tibet Today 65
Tibet Railway was put into use in 2014. Now the for seven consecutive years and tops 38 major construction of the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway is Chinese cities for three consecutive years in also in full swing. terms of satisfaction degree for basic urban In terms of the aviation industry, today public services. In 2014, the city also continued there are five airports in Tibet where eight to lead the 38 major Chinese cities in terms of airline companies are running a total of 48 public sense of security. domestic or international routes to 33 More than 95 percent of the population in destinations in and outside China. By far, a old Tibet was either serfs or slaves who led a multi-dimensional transport system miserable life of no fixed residence, few clothes dominated by highways and supplemented by and little food, let alone the basic rights of air, railways and tunnels has taken shape. education, medical care and democracy. Yet the In terms of energy system building, the past 50 years have seen Tibet make leapfrog completion and operation of the Lhasa Loop development not only in economy, but also in Grid Project , the Qinghai-Tibet DC the whole range of social undertakings. Interconnection Project (the world’s highest, Tibet's drive to build a new socialist longest, and most difficult power transmission countryside, which took housing projects for and substation project), and the Sichuan-Tibet low-income families as the breakthrough point, Grid Interconnection Project in succession has benefited the broad masses of farmers and ended the history of isolated operation of herdsmen. For example, 2.3 million farmers or Tibet’s power grid. Moreover, the Lhasa Heat herdsmen from 460,300 households moved Supply Project enabled the historical shift from into safe, spacious and affordable new homes in traditional heating methods to modern urban 2 0 1 3 . C o m p r e h e n s i v e s u p p o r t i n g heat supply from clean energy. Therefore, infrastructure¨C water/electricity/gas supply, today’s Tibet has a new energy system roads, communications, radio & TV, postal dominated by hydroelectric power and service, and so forth ¨C is also improving step by complemented by geothermal energy, wind step. energy and solar energy. Tibet's per capita disposable income As for communications, Tibet is building a reached 10,730 yuan in 2014. The per capita net modern communication network system that is income of rural residents rose by 12.3 percent complete with fiber-optic cables, satellites and year on year to 7,359 yuan, achieving double- Internet. So far, mobile phone signals cover digit growth for 12 consecutive years, while the basically all administrative villages across TAR, per capita net income of urban residents of which 670 or 98 percent have access to fiber- reached 22,016 yuan. Furthermore, Tibet’s per optic cables. capita consumption expenditure amounted to In terms of urban construction, an urban 7,317 yuan in 2014 as consumer goods such as space layout that features Lhasa as the center refrigerators, TVs, computers, washing and six other prefectures or cities and county machines, motorbikes and mobile phones seats (either city or town) as regional centers is entered homes of ordinary people. rapidly taking shape. The urbanization rate in Tibet's urban and rural medical and Tibet rose from 19.8 percent in 2005 to the healthcare system gradually improved over the current level of 25.8 percent. past five decades. A medical and healthcare network has been put in place that spread out Improving people’s livelihood and from Lhasa to across urban and rural areas in enjoying fruits of development Tibet. A free healthcare system was built to Lhasa is listed as the "happiest city" in China cover all farmers and herdsmen in farming and 66 Book Review News From China August 2015
pastoral areas. In addition, Tibet is the first in As history and practice have repeatedly the nation to achieve urban and rural proven, the central government¡¯s policies and integration and whole-society coverage in guidelines on the construction of Tibet have terms of medical and healthcare provision. been right, practical and wise. Looking forward, The strategy of giving priority to the we have reasons to believe that the people of all development of education was fully ethnic groups in Tibet will continue to implemented in Tibet in the past five decades. A unswervingly follow the path of development relatively complete education system that with Chinese and Tibetan characteristics and covers general education, preschool education, work with the rest of the nation to achieve the adult education, vocational education and goal of building a moderately prosperous special education has been built. Tibet is also society by 2020 and realize the great the first in China to provide 15-year free rejuvenation of the Chinese nation ¨C the education from pre-school to high school. Chinese dream.
BOOK REVIEW
Dear Readers, Ma Huateng is the Bill Gates of China. Much like Microsoft, Tencent is a many tentacle company that everbody “ loves to hate” . Although its products may not be at the cutting edge of technology, they have sticking power and broad applicability. Starting as a developer of messaging software, in ten short years Ma Huateng steered Tencent into all phases needed for a dominant presence on the Chinese internet: from value-added wireless operations, games, portal and search operations to e-commerce, and third-party payments. With ease and aplomb, Ma made Tencent the pattern-setter of China's whole internet industry. Here we'd like to present you a book of “Leaders of Business Community in China” series---“ The Tencent Empire, a story about its founder, Mr. Ma Huateng. You can come to get the book for FREE, or ask for a VPP service as you need. Please email us first to reserve the book providing the serial No. Hope to hear from you in the coming future. Your comments and suggestions on NFC are also greatly welcome. Editor News From China E-mail: [email protected] Address: 50-D, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021 Tel: 0091-11-26116683
CORRIGENDUM Please note that the Issue No. 7 of “News From China”, i.e. July edition, on page no. 25, under the heading “A Ground Paving Mission for Yatris” in the 3rd paragraph of the beginning has inadvertently been misprinted by the printer which should read as “I flew to Bagdogra of West Bengal from New Delhi”, instead of “I flew to Baddogra of West Bangladesh from New Delhi” The inconvenience is regretted - Ed. Flights Between China and India News From China August 2015 67
ROUTING FLIGHT NO. DEPARTURE TIME ARRIVAL TIME FLIGHT DATES
New Delhi-Guangzhou CZ3028 12:45 19:50 Daily
Guangzhou - NewDelhi CZ3027 7:30 11:30 Daily
New Delhi-Guangzhou CZ360 23:40 6:50+1 Daily
Guangzhou - NewDelhi CZ359 18:50 22:30 Daily
Schedule of China Southern Airlines Flights (Summer Season)
ROUTING FLIGHT NO. DEPARTURE TIME ARRIVAL TIME FLIGHT DATES
New Delhi-Guangzhou CZ3028 11:50 19:30 Daily
Guangzhou - NewDelhi CZ3027 7:30 11:50 Daily
New Delhi-Guangzhou CZ360 23:10 6:50+1 Daily
Guangzhou - NewDelhi CZ359 18:50 22:10 Daily
China Eastern Time Table
Delhi-Shanghai(Pudong) Flight Number Dep\ Arr Frequency Aircraft Remarks
1APR,2015-31OCT, 2015 MU564 0230 1100 Daily Airbus 330-200
Shanghai(Pudong)-Delhi Flight Number Dep Arr Frequency Aircraft Shanghai 31MAR,2015-31OCT, 2015 MU563 2110 0125+1 Daily Airbus Pudong: 330-200 Terminal-1
Kolkata-Kunming Flight Number Dep Arr Frequency Aircraft Delhi IGI: Terminal-3 1APR,2015-31OCT, 2015 MU556 0035 0510 Daily Boeing 737 Kolkata NSCBI: Kunming-Kolkata Flight Number Dep Arr Frequency Aircraft Terminal-2
1APR,2015-31OCT, 2015 MU555 2355 2345 Daily Boeing 737 68 Flights Between China and India News From China August 2015
CA 429
Address and Contact Numbers of Chinese Airlines News From China August 2015 CCTV News 69 70 CRI CIBN News From China August 2015 71 72 Postal Regd. No. DL-SW-16/4034/15-17 R.N.I. No. 47440/88 August 2015
Published, Printed and Edited by Mme. Xie Liyan on behalf of the Press Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, 50-D, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021. Tel: 26881249, Fax: 26882024 Printed at A.K. Printers, S-217, Bank Street, Munirka, New Delhi-110067, Ph: 9818114996 Date of Publishing: 24th of every month Posted at Chanakyapuri P.O. on 27th & 28th of every month Chinese Embassy Website: http://in.china-embassy.org E-mail: [email protected] Website of Foreign Ministry of China: www.mfa.gov.cn E-mail:[email protected] www.fmprc.gov.cn
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