China. People´s Daily Dec 23

[sipila]

Extracts.



China-Arab Friendship Association Founded.

China-Arab Friendship Association (CAFA), initiated by the Chinese People's
Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, was founded in Beijing
Friday. 

China-Arab Friendship Association (CAFA), initiated by the Chinese People's
Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, was founded in Beijing
Friday. 

Vice premier Qian Qichen attended the founding reception, saying that people
of China and Arab countries have a long historyof friendship, closely
connected through the well-known Silk Road 2,000 years ago. And they also
sympathized with and supported eachother in the struggles against colonial
rule for national independence.

Now, cooperation between the two sides has been strengthened out of the
desire for peace and development, Qian said.

China has always firmly supported the righteous cause of the Arab people and
the peace process in the Middle East, backing the Palestinians to resume
their legal national rights and set up independent sovereign state.

Qian pointed out that the Sino-Arab relations have endured trials of
international affairs, and the two sides have established friendly and
cooperative ties based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence.

He stressed that the Chinese government has always attached great importance
to developing relations with Arab countries.

To strengthen Sino-Arab cooperation is a long-term diplomatic policy
cherished by China, Qian said.

Vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee of China,
Ismail Amat, who is also president of the CAFA,said that CAFA is aiming at
furthering the friendship and understanding between Chinese and Arab
peoples, expanding international cooperation and maintaining world peace.
CAFA will help promote the exchanges and cooperation with Arab countries in
the fields of politics, economy, culture, science and technology and
education, Amat said.

Amr Moussa, secretary-general of the League of the Arab States,sent a
message of congratulation to the CAFA founding.





Chinese FM Arrives in Beirut for Two-Day Visit.

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan arrived in Beirut Friday afternoon for
a two-day visit to Lebanon.

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan  arrived in Beirut Friday afternoon
for a two-day visit to Lebanon.

Tang is expected to hold talks with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud,
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Rafik Hariri later in the
day. 

The Chinese foreign minister will also meet his Lebanese counterpart Mahmoud
Hammoud on Saturday.

Tang will leave here Saturday afternoon to continue his Mideast tour which
will also take him to Syria, Jordan and Egypt.





China Against Extending Anti-terrorism Campaign: FM.

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan has reiterated that China is
against indiscriminately extending the ongoing anti-terrorism campaign out
of unilateral political considerations.

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan has reiterated that China is
against indiscriminately extending the ongoing anti-terrorism campaign out
of unilateral political considerations.

After arrival in Beirut Friday afternoon for a two-day visit, Tang met
separately with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, Prime Minister Rafik Hariri
and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

During the meetings, Tang stressed that China condemns all forms of
terrorism, especially those targeting innocent civilians.

"We are also against linking terrorism with a certain religion, region or
nation," he said. 
Israel   Responsible for the deteriorating situation
"As a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, China pays close
attention to the situation and developments in the Middle East. We would
like to play an active role in pushing the Mideast peace process forward,"
he added. 

He said that China is deeply concerned about the situation in the region,
especially in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel.

China maintains that Israel should be mainly responsible for the
deterioration of the Mideast situation and believes the root of problems in
the region is Israeli occupation of Arab territories, the Chinese foreign
minister stressed. 

"Solving the Mideast problems as soon as possible will help eradicate the
hotbed of international terrorism," Tang added.
 
Gratitude to Lebanon   for "One China" Policy
On the Sino-Lebanese relations, Tang expressed gratitude to Lebanon for its
adherence to the "one China" policy and rejection of having official ties
with Taiwan  ,
He voiced hope that the two countries will work together to promote
cooperation in the economy and trade.

Lebanon is the first leg of Tang's tour in the region, which will also take
him to Syria , Jordan and Egypt . He is scheduled to leave Lebanon Saturday
afternoon. 






Chinese State Firms: From Rags to Riches.

Is it possible for a debt- ridden enterprise to shake off pove

China. People´s Daily Dec 23

[heikki sipilä]

Ectracts.

   Saturday, December 23, 2000, updated at 12:20(GMT+8)


   UNFPA Official Inspects South China Region

   An official of the United Nations Populations Fund
   (UNFPA) said that she was satisfied with the results
   of the program fund utilized in the Guangxi Zhuang
   Autonomous Region in south China.

   Julia Taylor, program official of the UNFPA made the
   remarks during her inspection of this autonomous
   region in south China.

   Accompanied by officials from Chinese Academy of
   Social Sciences (CASS), the UNFPA official inspected
   Tian'e County on December 19 to increase her
   understanding of the childbirth health situation of
   women in the area.

   The UNFPA program, which aims to improve women's
   health and the local economy, has been implemented in
   15 counties in China's 13 Provinces and autonomous
   regions.

   Tian'e County received 490,000 yuan (59,000 U.S.
   dollars) in funds in July this year, and offered
   health awareness sessions to 1,000 women.



China to Foster National Defense Awareness among People China's legislature
started Friday, December 22, to promote a newly proposed law on national
defense education among people nationwide, with a view to improving their
awareness of national defense.

When explaining the draft law to the 19th plenary meeting of the National
People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, which opened Friday morning,
Defense Minister Chi Haotian said that every citizen should learn a basic
knowledge on national defense.

China's national defense education will focus on patriotism, heroism and
dedication to the motherland, said Chi, also vice-chairman of the Central
Military Commission (CMC).

According to the draft law, the State Council will be responsible for the
education of all civilians, while the CMC will oversee the education of
service men.

The draft law also sets September 7 as the National Defense Education Day.
China signed the humiliating Xinchou Treaty with the Western forces on
September 7, 1901.

Primary and middle schools, as well as colleges and universities should
include the national defense education into their overall education
programs. In addition, students in high schools and universities must
receive military training during their campus life.

Meanwhile, various newspapers, radio and television stations are urged to
promote knowledge on national defense, Chi said.

Nationwide museums, memorial halls, cultural organizations and other
institutions should provide any convenience possible to visitors for the
education.

Hegemonism and power politics still exist in the world, warned Chi, citing
that necessary education on national defense is extremely important for
enhancing cohesion among the people.





Unauthorized Gold Marketing Not Permitted: BOC Without authorization from
the State Council and Bank of China, no companies or organizations are
entitled to set up gold exchange markets, said a spokesman from BOC Friday
in Beijing, adding that various online deals and local activities to set up
gold markets on their own must be stopped immediately.

Referring to some media releases on China's developing gold marketing, the
spokesman said reform of gold administration system is the intrinsic demand
and due course of developing a market economy. But it involves many
critical issues regarding gold production, circulation, administration,
reserve, and taxation. The setting up of a gold market, in particular,
directly concerns the interests of enterprises engaged in gold production,
circulation and consumption, therefore full preparations must be made.

Presently close study and market investigations are still needed for
certain policies to back up market reform. Before new reform plans and
administrative policies are launched, all activities concerning gold
production, circulation and consumption must be conducted in accordance
with "Regulations of the People's Republic of China With Regards to Control
of Gold and Silver" as well as other related regulations, he emphasized.





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