News Bulletin

Chinese president ends five-nation trip, returns home 

www.chinaview.cn  2008-11-27 03:25:55      Print

Chinese President Hu Jintao has finished the last leg of his five-nation trip and embarked on his way home. The trip, which began on Nov. 14, took him to a financial summit in Washington and the Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Lima.    He also paid state visits to Costa Rica, Cuba, Peru and Greece. At the Washington summit, the Chinese leader outlined China's propositions on responding to the international financial crisis, explained major measures adopted by the Chinese government to ensure financial stability and economic development, and made proposals on reforming the international financial system.

China postpones summit with EU due to French leader's planned meeting with Dalai Lama 

www.chinaview.cn  2008-11-27 01:46:08      Print

China has to postpone the 11th summit with the European Union scheduled in early December because of French leader's planned meeting with the Dalai Lama. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said that the decision is made because the summit does not enjoy a good atmosphere, nor can it achieve expected goals. Qin added the cause and responsibility do not lie on the Chinese side. The French leader, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, made a clear announcement that he would meet the Dalai Lama after the China-EU summit.

China's social investment to total 18 trln yuan in 2009 

www.chinaview.cn  2008-11-27 13:20:32      Print

China's total social investment is predicted to reach 18 trillion yuan (2.64 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2009. The National Development and Reform Committee (NDRC), the country's top economic planner, announced that the central stimulus package was roughly divided into seven parts, with 1.8 trillion yuan going towards large-scale infrastructure projects such as railways, roads, airports and the national grid. The rest of the stimulus money will be spent on affordable housing, rural welfare, infrastructure, medical and cultural development, environmental protection and industrial restructuring.

Chinese shares up 1.05% after unusually large rate cut 

www.chinaview.cn  2008-11-27 15:18:34      Print

Chinese equities closed 1.05 percent higher on Thursday in response to an unusually large interest rate cut, but they gave up some gains due to profit-taking. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index finished the day at 1,917 points, up 1.05 percent or 19 points. The Shenzhen Component Index rose 2.29 percent, or 149 points, to 6,683. The benchmark index has risen nearly 10 percent since the government announced a 4 trillion yuan (585.7 billion U.S. dollars) economic stimulus package on Nov. 9.

Police: China home appliance tycoon under investigation 

www.chinaview.cn  2008-11-27 09:55:46      Print

Huang Guangyu, China's home appliance tycoon, is under investigation for involvement in "economic crimes". According to the 2008 Hurun Rich list, Huang, 39, whose personal wealth is estimated at 43 billion yuan, is the richest man on the mainland. The appliance chain has 1,300 outlets in more than 300 Chinese cities with 300,000 employees. Huang is also a real estate investor. Shares in his company, the Hong Kong-listed Gome Electrical Appliances Holdings Ltd., were suspended ahead of the scheduled release of third-quarter results.

World

Thai PM insists not to resign, blames protesters for damaging democracy 

www.chinaview.cn  2008-11-26 23:18:35      Print

Thailand's political stalemate is set to continue at least for now as Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat remained firm on no resignation or House dissolution amid growing pressure from anti-government protesters and the military top brass. Somchai made a TV speech Wednesday night to affirm that he would stick to the his post to honor democracy and justice, and blamed the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters, who pressed for his resignation, for causing great loss to the country.

6 foreigners among 101 dead in terror attacks in Mumbai 

www.chinaview.cn  2008-11-27 14:38:04      Print

At least 101 people have been killed in the attacks by gunmen in Mumbai Wednesday night. In one of the most violent terror attacks on Indian soil, Mumbai came under an unprecedented night attack as militants used heavy machine guns and grenades to strike at the city's most high-profile targets, killing at least 101 and injuring hundreds of others. The attacks appeared to be aimed at getting international attention as the attackers took up to 40 British nationals and other foreigners hostage. Some media reports attributed the attack to Lashkar-e-Taiba, one of the largest militant organizations in South Asia. There were also unconfirmed reports that some of the attackers came in by sea.

Olmert likely to be indicted for double-billing case 

www.chinaview.cn  2008-11-27 02:22:02      Print

Israeli Attorney General Menachem Mazuz has said that he is considering indicting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert over a double-billing affair, local media reported. The attorney general also told Olmert's lawyer that the prime minister was welcome to call for a hearing before a final decision on the matter. Olmert was alleged for paying for both of his own and his family's private flights by money obtained fraudulently from public bodies when serving as Jerusalem mayor and then as industry, trade and labor minister from 2003 to 2006. Olmert might face the charges of fraud, breach of trust, falsifying corporate records, failure to report an income and receiving illegal benefits, to which an aggravated circumstances clause applies.

Kosovo leaders reiterate refusal to UN plan 

www.chinaview.cn  2008-11-27 04:15:34      Print

Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci have reiterated their opposition to the United Nations' six-point plan about the deployment of European Union's Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) in Kosovo. Kosovo leaders claim the UN plan is against the Kosovo Constitution and Comprehensive Status Proposal of UN status envy Martti Ahtisaari. They called on Kosovo's international friends to make clear EULEX will be deployed in coordination with Kosovo institutions. The UN six-point plan arranges the aspects of customs, police, border controls, justice, transport and Serb religious heritage in Kosovo.

U.S. expects Iraqi parliament to pass security pact 

www.chinaview.cn  2008-11-27 00:44:57      Print

The Bush administration still expects the Iraqi parliament to approve an U.S.-Iraq security pact, although the Iraqi lawmakers have delayed a vote on the pact until Thursday. The vote was scheduled on Wednesday on the long-awaited Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) to allow U.S. army troops to stay in Iraq for another three years, but political parties in the parliament dispute over some of the conditions. The Iraqi government almost unanimously approved the SOFA draft pact on Sunday. According to the Iraqi law, the pact must be passed through the parliament and then the presidency council to be valid.

Entertainment News

Worker Is Star of HIV Prevention Film

2008-11-27 09:45:40     china.org.cn

A short film about an HIV-positive construction worker has won the hearts of the audience at its launch ceremony in Beijing. The film is the centerpiece of an HIV/AIDS prevention campaign targeting migrant workers. The film tells the story of Zhang Xiaohu, a construction worker shunned by his co-workers and friends because he has HIV. Berlin Film Festival winner Gu Changwei directed, and leading movie star and former migrant worker, Wang Baoqiang, who comes from the same town as Zhang, appears as himself to promote the message of tolerance, acceptance and safer sex among migrant workers. In the end Zhang is accepted by his co-workers and the townsfolk.

Fan Bingbing Promotes "Yan Zhi Xue" in Beijing

2008-11-27 14:43:13     CRIENGLISH.com

Chinese mainland actress Fan Bingbing has met the public in Beijing to promote the TV drama "Yan Zhi Xue". The upcoming prime time show will premiere December 2 on BTV 4th Channel. Fan Bingbing, 27, produces and plays the lead role in this new production. The actress-turned-business woman said the drama has topped audience rating charts in many other cities where it has been aired. Fan, who was merely expecting to break-even, was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. The 30-episode series is shot in the backdrop of the early 20th century during Min Guo, or Republic of China period.

Zhang Yimou to Sue over Biography

2008-11-27 09:28:13     china.org.cn

The director Zhang Yimou has initiated the first lawsuit in his 20-year career against a book called "Impressions of China: Life of Zhang Yimou". Zhang's lawyer, Tong Jie, confirmed that Zhang was deeply irritated after reading the book, which contains groundless gossip about Zhang's family and about a love affair, and seriously violates Zhang's privacy. The lawyer said that her month-long investigation demonstrated that the book's sources were the public media and the Internet, not any figures that the book relates to. Even Zhang's autograph on the book's cover is counterfeit. The lawyer said that after collecting evidence on the behalf of Zhang Yimou, she would probably initiate the lawsuit in middle or late December.

Britney Spears' London shows 

www.chinaview.cn  2008-11-27 13:16:16      Print

Britney Spears will play two London shows next year - the only European dates on her world tour. The 'Womanizer' singer is to go on the road in support of forthcoming album 'Circus' and, despite rumours of a two-week residency, is set to play just two concerts in the UK capital. The shows will take place at the O2 arena on 3 and 4 June and tickets go on sale at 9am on 5 December - though fans registering on her official website can obtain theirs a day earlier.