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Fujian Maintains Good Momentum in Use of Foreign Capital
Despite the impact of Southeast Asian financial crisis, Fujian's momentum in the use of foreign funds has remained strong. Between January and November, the province approved 1,873 foreign-funded enterprises, contracted value reached nearly US$ 4.49 billion, up 7.9 percent over last year's same period, the amount of foreign funds actually in place approximated US$4.01 billion, up 0.2 percent over last year's same period. For four consecutive years, Fujian Province has actually utilized foreign funds exceeding US$4 billion, placing itself in the front ranks of the country. Foreign-invested enterprises have become important growth point of Fujian's economy.
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Heilongjiang's Reclamation Areas Reap Bumper Harvests Through Science and Technology
Having withstood the tests of devastating floods, grain production of Heilongjiang's reclamation areas has again chalked up new high records, with the total output of grain, bean and potato reaching nearly 8.69 billion kg, 165 million kg more than in the previous year. This year, the conversion rate of agricultural scientific and technological achievements has approached 70 percent, and the rate of contribution of science and technology has reached 55 percent.
Wresting efficiency from sustainable development and by boosting scientific and technological progress has become the main idea for developing large-scale agriculture in Heilongjiang's reclamation areas. By the year 2000, the cultivation of crops in one-third of the reclamation areas will reach the advanced world level.
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Shenzhen Forms New and Hi-Tech Industrial Groups
Shenzhen has seen a rapid development trend in its new and high-tech industries, in the first three quarters, the output value of new and high-tech products exceeded 40 billion yuan, accounting for over 38 percent of the total industrial output value, with its proportion ranking in the front among various large cities of the country, becoming the locomotive of economic growth.
The Shenzhen Special Economic Zone government has introduced a series of preferential policies for the development of new and high-tech industries. It has taken the lead at home to bring the development of new and high-tech industries onto the path of the legal system. From 1992 to 1997, the city had invested a total of more than 300 million yuan of scientific and technological funds, bringing about more than 3.1 billion yuan of enterprise self-raised scientific research funds and more than 500 million yuan of supportive technological loans.
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Sichuan People's Congresses Objectively and Fairly Appraise People's Courts at Various Levels
It is reported that the Sichuan provincial people's congress standing committee has organized 70,000 people's congress deputies at all levels to participate in the activity to appraise people's courts at various levels. This work has been launched in 20 cities and prefectures, and 180 counties, districts of the province; 900 of the 958 people's courts have accepted the appraisals organized by chairmen of township and town people's congresses.
Over the past eight months, the province's courts have corrected 6,450 problematical cases and dealt with 44 policemen for violating laws and disciplines.
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Chronicle of Major Events In China Since 1978
The following is the chronicle of the major events that have taken place since the Third Plenum of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), as compiled by the CPC Central Committee's Party Literature Research Center:
-- Those present at the Third Plenum of the 11th CPC Central Committee, which was held on December 18 through 22, 1978, criticised the erroneous "Two-whatevers" policy (firmly upholding whatever policy decisions Chairman Mao made and adhering to whatever instructions Chairman Mao gave), and confirmed the principle of completely and correctly understanding the scientific system of Mao Zedong Thought and supported discussions about practice being the sole criterion of truth.
They also decided a guiding policy for emancipating minds, seeking truth from facts, and uniting as one to make progress.
They stopped the use of the slogan "taking class struggle as the key link", and made a decision to shift the work focus to socialist modernization drive and the implementation of reforms and opening-up policy.
The meeting marked the establishment of the second generation of central collective leadership with Deng Xiaoping at the core, and the beginning of the new era of China's socialist modernization construction.
In December 1978, a secret agreement was signed by 18 farmers' households in the village of Xiaogang in east China's Anhui Province, whereby they would sign contracts on collective farmland and start a contract responsibility system of farming.
-- The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress released its "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan" on January 1, 1979, setting down the basic policies for settling the Taiwan issue and for the peaceful reunification of the motherland.
The then minister of national defense Xu Xiangqian announced that day that the mainland would stop bombarding Taiwan's big and small Jinmen islands, which started in 1958.
That same day, China and the United States established official diplomatic relations. Deng Xiaoping visited the U.S. Jan. 29-Feb. 5, the first visit to the U.S. by a Chinese leader since the People's Republic of China was founded, and the first since the establishment of Sino-U.S. diplomatic relations.
A CPC meeting on ideological work was held Jan. 18-Apr. 3, where those attending the meeting sharply criticized the "Two-whatevers" and the rigid way of thinking.
Deng Xiaoping made a speech at the meeting, "Adhering to the Four Basic Principles", on March 30, and pointed out that the four modernizations must be realized by taking the socialist road, and adhering to the people's democratic dictatorship, to the leadership of the Communist Party, and to Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought.
On July 15, 1979, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council approved reports on special and flexible policies in foreign economic activities submitted by the Guangdong Provincial CPC Committee and the Fujian Provincial CPC Committee, and decided to set up special zones in the cities of Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou, and Xiamen. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council approved the "Minutes of the Meeting on Guangdong and Fujian Provinces", changing the name of "special zones" to "special economic zones".
-- The Fifth Plenum of the 11th CPC Central Committee met Feb. 23-29, 1980, with those present approving a decision to establish the secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and electing Hu Yaobang as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee.
They also approved "Several Norms of Political Life Within the Party", and announced the rehabilitation of the former Chinese president, Liu Shaoqi.
The Third Session of the Fifth NPC met Aug. 30-Sept. 10, 1980. Members decided that Zhao Ziyang would succeed Hua Guofeng as Premier.
On Nov.20, a special tribunal of the Supreme People's Court held a public trial of the leaders of two counterrevolutionary gangs headed by Lin Biao and Jiang Qing. The special tribunal announced its verdict on Jiang Qing and 9 other major criminals on Jan. 25, 1981.
-- The Sixth Plenum of the 11th CPC Central Committee met June 27-29, 1981. Members elected Hu Yaobang Chairman of the CPC Central Committee and Deng Xiaoping Chairman of the Central Military Commission. They also passed a resolution on several Party issues since the founding of the New China.
-- The 12th National Congress of the CPC met Sept. 1-11, 1982. At the opening ceremony, Deng Xiaoping said that China's modernization had to be carried out based on Chinese reality and he put forward the theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Members set a goal of quadrupling the country's combined industrial and agricultural output value at the end of the century.
In a meeting with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on Sept. 24, 1982, Deng stated the Chinese Government's position on Hong Kong and emphasized that the issue of sovereignty was one that could not be discussed. The Chinese Government would resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997.
The Fifth Session of the Fifth NPC met Nov.26-Dec.10, 1982. Members passed a revised version of the Constitution of China, with emphasis on the People's Congress system. They also decided to make the song "March of the Pioneers" the national anthem of China.
-- The headquarters of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force was established in Beijing Apr.5, 1983.
The First Session of the Sixth NPC met June 6-21 the same year. Li Xiannian was elected President, Peng Zhen, Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, and Deng Xiaoping, Chairman of the CMC. Zhao Ziyang was appointed Premier.
-- The CPC Central Committee issued a circular on rural work on Jan. 1, 1984, saying that land contracts had to be for more than 15 years.
The CPC Central Committee and the State Council approved a report on new production-team-run enterprises submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, and agreed to change the name of production-team-run enterprises to township enterprises on March 1.
The governments of China and Britain signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration on the issue of Hong Kong and three appendices on Sept.26, confirming that the Chinese Government would resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong on July 1, 1997. The joint declaration was officially signed in Beijing on Dec. 19, 1984, and took effect May 27, 1985.
-- At an enlarged meeting of the CMC, May 23-June 6, 1985, those attending the meeting discussed streamlining and reforming the military. Deng Xiaoping spoke at the meeting on June 4, announcing that China would cut the size of troops by one million.
-- The Sixth Plenum of the 12th CPC Central Committee opened on Sept. 28, 1986. At the meeting, Deng Xiaoping pointed out that the practice of liberalization was aimed at leading China onto the road of capitalism.
The CPC Central Committee released a circular on opposing bourgeois liberalization on January 28, 1987.
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Premier Zhu Rongji Reviews 1998 Economic Situation
China has achieved great success in overcoming the negative impact of the Asian financial crisis, combating devastating summer flooding and scoring steady economic growth during 1998.
Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji made the remarks at an economic forum held in Beijing's Great Hall of the People on December 13.
China has maintained stable exchange rates, improved the living standards of her citizens and maintained social stability, said Zhu.
The achievements provide ample proof that the timely policies the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council adopted to increase investments, pursue an active fiscal policy, control the inflation rate, increase exports and absorb foreign investment were absolutely correct, according to the premier.
China will face arduous tasks related to reform, development and stability during 1999, said Zhu, adding that people throughout the nation implement tasks outlined during the central economic work conference, and exhibit a united pioneering spirit to score new achievements to mark the 50th anniversary of the nation's founding.
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Electricity in No Tight Supply in China
Electric production constitutes no bottleneck to China now in her power supply. With great technological advance made, many and various large, medium- and small-sized power plants constructed and power generation launched on a big scale, people's life and economic production in the country are no longer affected by a lack of electricity. According to General Manager Gao Yan of China Electric Power Company, 267 million Kw of power generation capacity and 1160 billion Kwh of power output, 4 times over 1978, will be achieved to make China the second largest world electric power producer by the end of this year.
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Coal Producers Going into Cooperation
Formed lately in Beijing is a cooperative body by representatives of coal producers from Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Shenhua Group, known as Shanxi-Shaanxi-Mongolia Coal Sales Association. Following founding of the Association, the producers will, by integrating coal sale with production and going into cooperation for guaranteed coal supply for domestic customers, impose a joint sanction against coal users with large amounts of payments long in arrears.
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Vice-Premier Urges Expanded Enterprise Reform
China's state-owned enterprises are expected to generate profits of 40 billion yuan during 1998, according to Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo.
The industrial value added for related enterprises is expected to grow by nine percent and the sector continues to achieve improved efficiency on a monthly basis, according to Wu's remarks during a national economic and foreign trade conference held on December 13.
He urged the state-owned sector to expand enterprise reform and fulfill the arduous tasks set by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council in order to extricate enterprises from their current difficult situations within three years.
The key to achieving related tasks is to eliminate losses and increase profits. Loss-making enterprises must reduce losses, and efficient firms must increase surpluses, said Wu.
The vice-premier called on all localities to eliminate redundant production and close small coal, glass and cement firms, as well as refineries and thermal power plants operating with obsolete equipment which waste resources and create heavy pollution.
The industrial structure must be optimized, said Wu, adding that enterprises should stress technological upgrades to improve quality and efficiency.
Wu described overstaffing as a key reason for economic losses facing enterprises. Effective measures must be adopted to reduce the number of surplus laborers, and courses must be offered to retrain laid-off workers.
Correct guidance is needed in the effort to reform small state-owned enterprises. Selling small firms represents only one factor needed to enliven them, and related ventures engaged in exports and high-tech production should be encouraged to grow, according to Wu.
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Binzhou Handles Deputies' Proposals Rapidly and Realistically
"Let deputies and the masses feel satisfied" is the yardstick used by Shandong Province's Binzhou city Party committee and the government to judge the work of handling deputies' proposals, criticisms and opinions. In an attitude of displaying a high sense of responsibility for the people, the city, in the process of handling and giving reply about each matter, requires that each matter is handled and replied rapidly and realistically.
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Youth New-Century Reading Plan Put Into Practice
The readers day activity carried out under the Youth New-Century Reading Plan organized by the Youth Central Committee of the Communist Youth Clique began on the morning of December 12. This is a fundamental work carried out by the youth organization to guide young people in their studies.
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Grasp of 'Prohibition Against Release of Firecrackers' Remains Firm
According to a recent meeting held in Beijing, as the New Year and the traditional Spring Festival are drawing near, the prohibition against the setting off of firecrackers is re-emphasized. Since law was made on prohibiting the setting off of firecrackers, practice over the past five years has proved such a law is correct, various social sectors are required to firmly and unswervingly carry out this regulation. Over the past five years, marked achievements have been made and no accident of casualty and fire caused by the release of firecrackers has occurred in the areas where the setting off of firecrackers is prohibited.
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Seminar on Sustainable Agricultural Development Strategy Held in Beijing
It is a must for China's agriculture to persistently follow the road of sustainable development, this is one of the common views reached by participating experts and practical agricultural workers at the three-day seminar on the sustainable development of China's agriculture and the rural economy geared to the 21st century.
Sustainable development of agriculture is the tidal wave of today's world and it will become the strategic choice of China's cross-century agricultural development.
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Top China News Prizes Awarded in Beijing
Three top China news prizes were awarded in Beijing on December 13, including the 8th China News Prize, the 3rd Fan Changjiang News Prize and the 3rd Taofen News Prize. Altogether 190 pieces of news articles were awarded China News Prize; 10 correspondents, Fan Changjiang Prize; and 9 editors, Taofen News Prize.
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Chinese Leaders Watching Performance of Beijing Operas
Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Vice-Premier Li Lanqing and other senior Chinese Communist Party and government leaders watched performance of Beijing Operas staged by young performers at the Chang'an Theatre on December 13.
While talking with young performers, Li Ruihuan and Li Lanqing and other leaders encouraged them to make greater contribution to inheriting Chinese traditional arts and culture.
State leaders watching the performance marked the climax of a month-long performance given by a group of Beijing Opera post-graduates.
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Chinese Population Culture Award Given
The sixth Chinese Population Culture Award was given on December 13. Some 709 works
from 45 units participated in this appraisal. The novel "Meeting of Old Bowls", reportage "Who Nurtures China?" and prose "Population, Better Birth and Rice" won the awards.
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Specialists Suggest Forbidding Foamed Plastics Meal Box
A symposium on green meal box technology was held in Beijing on December 13. Specialists said at the meeting that the disposable plastic meal boxes have become serious white pollution in cities and around main traffic lines. Recently, China has attached importance to the research and development of green meal boxes. Over 100 enterprises can produce meal boxes with materials like decomposable plastics, rice shells, paper and starch.
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New Antenna Developed by Chinese Army
Some communication technology institutes under the Headquarters of General Staff have successfully developed a new antenna which earlier passed the technological examination in Beijing. Specialists said that this antenna solved problem of maintaining connection in the process of mobility. This is an original technology of China and also advanced in the world. It can greatly improve the reaction capability of the Chinese army in military operations.
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Bill Clinton Starts His Visits to Israel and Palestine
US President Bill Clinton arrived in Tel Aviv by the Air Force One late at the night of December 12 for a three-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories. He received warm welcome from the Israeli side.
The US president said on Sunday that Israelis and the Palestinians should bridge their differences through ``honest discussion'', which emerged in the implementation of the Wye River peace deal.
At a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Clinton also said there have been positive developments in the Palestinian-Israeli relations since the signing of the peace accord. The Palestinian National Authority has stepped up some effective measures to bring violence under control.
Clinton said he will ask Congress for US$1.2 billion in special assistance to help carry out the Wye peace accord and related security measures.
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News Analysis: An Uninvited Visit
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EU Summit Concludes
The European Union summit concluded in Vienna on December 12, pronouncing a strategy for the future development of Europe. The strategy included four points: promotion of employment and economic growth and stability; improvement of the quality of life; institutional reform; and European and worldwide stability and prosperity.
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Commemorating 20th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between China and United States
The article written by Yin Chu says January 1 of 1999 will mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the United States of America.
China and the United States have carried out extensive exchange and cooperation in the fields of politics, economics, culture, science, education, environmental protection, military affairs and laws, since the two countries officially established diplomatic ties on January 1, 1979.
The 20th anniversary is quite close to the new century, which will not only provide us with a new opportunity for human progress and social development, but also mean new challenges. China and the United States, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, should seek opportunity, broaden consensus, develop cooperation, promote the China-US relations closer to the objective of constructive strategic partnership, and together with all other countries of the world, bring a peaceful, stable and prosperous world to the 21st Century.
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Cambodian PM Hun Sen Leaves for Viet Nam on State Visit
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen left Phnom Penh on December 13 for Hanoi, Viet Nam on a five-day state visit, the first ever to a foreign countriy by the new Cambodian prime minister.
Hun Sen also announced on Friday that after his Viet Nam trip, he will go to Beijing on December 17 for a meeting with King Norodom Sihanouk who is on a medical checkup there.
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Economic Notes: Transnational Merge and Cultural Background
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Japanese Supplementary Budget Approved Russian PM Counts on Domestic Output
*The Japanese House of Councilors approved the third supplementary budget of 1998 on December 13.
*Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov said on December 12 that Russia counts on the development of its own industry rather than loans from the West in tiding over the current crisis.
"Why should we beg all the time," Primakov said in an interview with the ORT television.
He reiterated his cabinet's task of creating a "socially oriented economy" rather than one that would benefit only a few.
On the 1999 budget, Primakov expressed the hope that lawmakers will approve it before the end of the year. He said the government will "do everything possible to strengthen the ruble and prevent hyperinflation."
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The 13th Asian Games
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