Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2015 i Beijing Review

SOUTH KOREA Workers wearing protective gear fumigate a theater in Seoul on June 16 to fight against the outbreak of MERS JAPAN About 20,000 demonstrators gather in Tokyo on June 13 to protest against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s attempt to pass an unconstitutional war bill THE UNITED STATES Former Republican Governor of Florida Jeb Bush, whose father and oldest brother were former U.S. presidents, announces his candidacy for the 2016 presidential elections on June 15 in Miami EGYPT Ousted president Mohamed Morsi protests behind the defendant’s bars during his trial in Cairo on June 16, when a court upheld a death sentence against him for plotting jailbreaks and attacks on police in 2011 POLAND NATO troops make a massive amphibious landing off the coast of Ustka, north Poland, on June…

The signing of the China-South Korea free trade agreement (FTA) marks the beginning of an auspicious future—if everything goes as planned, the annual trade volume will double that of 2014 within the next five years. It is the latest in a series of moves illustrating the economic relationship between China and South Korea, which grows closer by the day. China remains South Korea’s largest trading partner, import country, export market and overseas investment destination. South Korea is China’s third largest trading partner. According to data released by China’s Ministry of Commerce, China’s trade with South Korea reached $235.4 billion in 2014, a huge jump in growth from $5 billion two decades ago when they first established diplomatic ties in 1992. Chinese consumers continue to buy goods from South Korea in…

Celebrate Chinese Dragon Boat Festival At Grand Hyatt Beijing The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional holiday commemorating the great poet Qu Yuan on the fifth day of the lunar fifth month each year. Following the festive customs, Noble Court and the Patisserie have prepared customized menu and special hampers for this occasion. Exquisite Dragon Boat Hampers June 10-22 The Patisserie offers a selection of rice dumpling hampers featuring four delicate rice dumplings entirely using high-quality and healthy ingredients. Together with other festive delicacies, the dumpling hampers make ideal gifts for families and friends. Special Festive Menu at Noble Court June 20 To complete the celebration, Noble Court has also crafted a festive menu featuring four exciting flavors of rice dumplings with the follow-ing fillings: • Australian Wagyu beef…

New World Beijing Hotel to Bring Warm Hospitality and Abundant Gifts to a School for Autistic Children On May 29, the management of New World Beijing Hotel paid a visit to the Beijing Sunshine Love Intelligent Children Rehabilitation Center, a school for children with autism. One of many charity initiatives the hotel has embarked upon since its opening in November 2013, this unique activity aims to bring the New World Hotels’ spirit of Modern Oriental Hospitality, along with a host of lovely toys and gifts, to these children who are often forgotten or misunderstood by their families and caretakers. In addition to spending time with the children, New World Beijing Hotel management also participated in a special fingerprinting activity and joined their young friends in play-time with their brand new…

Under the “new normal” of the Chinese economy, the circumstances for real estate development, major project investment and investment promotion are undergoing changes. (Note: The “new normal” of the Chinese economy means the economy has shifted gear from previous high speed growth to medium-to-high speed growth; the economic structure is constantly improved and upgraded; and the economy is increasingly driven by innovation instead of investment.) The focus of competition among regional economies is also shifting from “hard factors” to distinctive features and a favorable environment. Distinctive features can be reflected in urban construction, cultural atmosphere, industries and resources. A favorable environment denotes a combination of ecological balance, comfortable living conditions, satisfying public services, propitious industrial development, sufficient human resources and good credit. In the future, a region’s competitiveness, to a…

A head of state escaping arrest, Hollywood glamor, and rambling presidential soliloquies. Not the setting of a movie, but the points for which the 25th African Union (AU) Summit, held in South Africa’s Johannesburg from June 7 to 15, is likely to be remembered. While leaders gathered to discuss pressing issues of peace and security, gender equality, and socioeconomic development, much of the media focus was on the presence of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir—which created a political and legal backlash for the host country. Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed from 2003 in Darfur, Sudan, was given immunity by the South African Government at the summit as a head of state on official business. However, Anton du…

For four days in a row, beginning on June 11, Beijing saw a glittering blue sky with jade-white clouds floating above, a rare treat for a city usually covered in gray smog. “Today is like a holiday, and almost everybody has walked out to watch the sky,” said Hao Li, a 30-year-old Beijing citizen, on June 12. “Many of my friends said they would do nothing but stare at the sky today. I don’t remember how long it’s been since I’ve seen the sky like this.” People jokingly call this symptom “blue sky syndrome,” in which people get very excited at seeing the blue sky. People took pictures of the sky and shared them online. On June 13, underneath another dazzling blue day, the Beijing Cooperation Association on Haze Prevention…

Yuan Settlement in Cross-Border Trade (bln) Yuan Settlement in Cross-Border Investment (bln) RQFII Quota as of the End of May (bln) (Source: People’s Bank of China) China’s currency, the yuan, ascended to a higher global status in 2014, with the value of cross-border payments by the currency accounting for 23.6 percent of total cross-border payments, according to a report on the globalization of the yuan released by the People’s Bank of China, the country’s central bank, on June 11. Data from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication shows that the yuan became the second most used currency in trade finance—letters of credit and collections, the fifth most popular payment currency and the sixth most used foreign exchange currency in the world in December 2014. In an effort to make…

Xu Dongdong’s daily routine is little different from that of his cohorts. He said that he enjoys tending his garden, cooking and reading. However, whenever he is hit by a bolt of inspiration, he will start to draw and paint like a man possessed for several days, or even weeks, on end. It is perhaps this zeal for his chosen craft that has most contributed to the 56-year-old abstract artist’s success. “I pursue a kind of abstract painting that reflects the harmonious balance between man and nature, a concept rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy,” Xu said. Xu’s works represent a blend of Eastern and Western influences, given that he uses Chinese brushes and Western paints to draw on Chinese rice paper. Although he adopts the techniques of Western abstract painting,…

Technology Showcase A technician from China National Nuclear Corp. introduces the third-generation nuclear technology, Hualong One reactor design, to government officials from Sudan at a promotion event held in Fuqing, southeast China’s Fujian Province, on June 16. China-Australia FTA The Australian and Chinese governments signed a long-awaited free trade agreement in Canberra on June 17, freeing up trade between the two countries. The historic agreement, signed by Australia’s Trade Minister Andrew Robb and China’s Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng, finalized negotiations that began 10 years ago. Upon full implementation of the agreement, tariffs will be lifted on 95 percent of Australian exports, hurdles will be lowered for Chinese businesses to invest in Australia and more visas will be granted to Chinese on working holidays. Australians will soon benefit from cheaper electronics,…

The city of Beijing showed its determination to make public places no-smoking zones by adopting a new tobacco control regulation on June 1. According to the regulation, smoking is prohibited in all indoor public places, work-places and public transport vehicles, as well as in open-air places such as kindergartens, primary and middle schools, child welfare institutions, women’s and children’s hospitals, fitness and sports venues, and cultural relic protection sites that are open to the public. Meanwhile, venders are forbidden to sell cigarettes within 100 meters of kindergartens, primary and middle schools, and children’s activity centers. Such institutions are required to help students quit smoking and educate them about the harm of smoking. In addition, all types of tobacco business promotion events are prohibited and tobacco advertisements are not allowed to…

‘Come and taste the sweetness of India,” beckoned the Indian trader, holding out a platter on which nestled small, white flattened balls. They were sandesh, a traditional Indian sweet made of thickened milk and synonymous with celebrations. The adventurous in the crowd around him broke off little pieces, popping them gingerly into their mouths and then breaking out in delighted smiles. In another part of the Kunming Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Center, two strapping Ghanaians beat their drums with gusto, creating an irresistible foot-tapping rhythm. Their companion, a nubile young woman balancing a carved pot on her head, swayed her hips to the beat, making the passersby halt and watch in rapt attention. And close to the earthy scene but oblivious to it, a devout Vietnamese was lighting sandalwood…

China began to lift price ceilings on most pharmaceuticals on June 1, with the goal of creating a more market-driven pricing system that will help keep medical costs in check. According to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China’s top economic planner and the body that introduced the new regulations in early May, all drugs aside from anesthetics and grade-one psychiatric medications will no longer be subject to government-set prices. According to public data, the now-scrapped policy for drug pricing was established in 2000. Within the policy, the government primarily determined drug prices. With the new regulations, a total of 166 price rules have been suspended. “The reform will turn the government into a defender of orderly medicine market competition and help keep prices reasonable,” said Chang Feng, Director…

South Africa was Africa’s economic giant, creating the miracle of accounting for one third of the continent’s GDP though its population was only 6 percent of the entire African population. However, exceptionally high unemployment, socio-economic inequalities, an ailing electricity generation capability and recent xenophobic attacks have challenged its position. In 2013, Nigeria became Africa’s new biggest economy, with the “Rainbow Nation” on a downward spiral. Nevertheless, following the first yuan settlement in Africa in 2010, the currency offers hope to South Africa. The challenge is to maximize every opportunity this initiative affords. By 2010, China had become the world’s second largest economy, the biggest manufacturing center and the largest creditor and the biggest market in the world, with its foreign exchange reserves bigger than any other country worldwide. The yuan…