The Yangtze River waterway administration has announced that it will use solar power for the more than 5,700 marker lights along China's busiest waterway.
All 5,700 of the battery-powered navigation mark lights along the world's third longest river will gradually be replaced with domestically produced solar-powered lights over a two-year period, Wang Qufa, an official with the Wuhan-based Yangtze waterway bureau, said yesterday.
"Solar powered lights will cut costs because there is no need to maintain them until five years after they have been installed. They also avoid the use of pollutant lead-acid batteries," he said.
The present navigation mark lights have a service life of two years, and their batteries need replacing every three months, he said.
"It would cost at least 4,000 yuan to keep the battery-powered lights working over a five-year period, but only 1,200 yuan to use solar-powered lights," he said.
Domestic research staff have designed seven types of light to suit the climate along various sections of the river, he said.
"One model generates continuous light for a month, even when the weather is overcast two weeks," he said.
High-grade waterways of the future will all be equipped with solar-powered navigation mark lights, Zheng Qingxiu, an official in charge of waterway management with the Ministry of Transport, told China Daily.
The ministry is also applying remote monitoring and measuring technologies to inland waterways that raise the alarm when a navigation mark light moves out of position.
Source: China Daily
Friday, September 5, 2008
Time up for substitute teachers
Substitute teachers will have a mixed future in Guangdong, the provincial Party secretary said here on Wednesday.
In a meeting with local educators and officials, Wang Yang said the time was ripe to rid the province of such transitional posts for the benefit of both students and the teachers themselves.
He gave education authorities in all cities three alternatives: one, promote existing substitutes to full teaching posts and provide them with proper training and decent salaries; two, offer substitutes non-teaching positions; and three, fire them.
Authorities in the Pearl River Delta cities have one year to finish the task, while all others have two years, Wang said.
The decision to eradicate the position of "substitute teacher" came after hearing countless complaints from them, the Party chief said yesterday.
"I have heard far too many complaints from teachers about how miserable their lives are," Wang was quoted by the Southern Metropolis Daily as saying.
Xiao Chu works as a substitute teacher in the city of Zhaoqing, where the minimum monthly salary is supposed to be 580 yuan .
"But I earn only 400 yuan a month," Xiao told China Daily yesterday.
"Are we just cheap labor?"
Substitute teachers do the same job as authorized teachers, but are paid only a third of the wages, she said.
Song Hai, vice-governor of Guangdong, said on Wednesday that the average monthly income for a State-employed teacher in the province is 1,200 yuan.
"But substitutes get only 300 to 400 yuan," he said.
"In the poorest areas, they get as little as 200 yuan."
Of Guangdong's 756,000 middle and primary school teachers, 52,000 are substitutes, he said.
"We have more than any other province in the country," he said.
However, getting rid of substitute teacher posts will not solve all of the province's education problems, Luo Weiqi, head of the Guangdong education bureau, said this week.
The problem is that even authorized school teachers in rural areas earn less than civil servants, he said.
According to a report published in Monday's Yangcheng Evening News, the provincial government has said it will "strive" to increase teachers' salaries to a level equivalent to those of civil servants.
The government also plans to include rural teachers within the social security system to improve their living and working conditions, Luo said without giving details.
Also, a more transparent system is needed to supervise the transfer of money from provincial governments to lower-level authorities that is intended to go to teachers.
Source: China Daily
In a meeting with local educators and officials, Wang Yang said the time was ripe to rid the province of such transitional posts for the benefit of both students and the teachers themselves.
He gave education authorities in all cities three alternatives: one, promote existing substitutes to full teaching posts and provide them with proper training and decent salaries; two, offer substitutes non-teaching positions; and three, fire them.
Authorities in the Pearl River Delta cities have one year to finish the task, while all others have two years, Wang said.
The decision to eradicate the position of "substitute teacher" came after hearing countless complaints from them, the Party chief said yesterday.
"I have heard far too many complaints from teachers about how miserable their lives are," Wang was quoted by the Southern Metropolis Daily as saying.
Xiao Chu works as a substitute teacher in the city of Zhaoqing, where the minimum monthly salary is supposed to be 580 yuan .
"But I earn only 400 yuan a month," Xiao told China Daily yesterday.
"Are we just cheap labor?"
Substitute teachers do the same job as authorized teachers, but are paid only a third of the wages, she said.
Song Hai, vice-governor of Guangdong, said on Wednesday that the average monthly income for a State-employed teacher in the province is 1,200 yuan.
"But substitutes get only 300 to 400 yuan," he said.
"In the poorest areas, they get as little as 200 yuan."
Of Guangdong's 756,000 middle and primary school teachers, 52,000 are substitutes, he said.
"We have more than any other province in the country," he said.
However, getting rid of substitute teacher posts will not solve all of the province's education problems, Luo Weiqi, head of the Guangdong education bureau, said this week.
The problem is that even authorized school teachers in rural areas earn less than civil servants, he said.
According to a report published in Monday's Yangcheng Evening News, the provincial government has said it will "strive" to increase teachers' salaries to a level equivalent to those of civil servants.
The government also plans to include rural teachers within the social security system to improve their living and working conditions, Luo said without giving details.
Also, a more transparent system is needed to supervise the transfer of money from provincial governments to lower-level authorities that is intended to go to teachers.
Source: China Daily
Traffic patrol ready for Games
Few people can claim to have witnessed numerous motorcades carrying state leaders in a single day, but for traffic police officer Yao Weizong, it is all in a day's work.
He was on duty at the Olympics, and will do so again at the Paralympics.
Yao's team of 72 traffic police is the only one in the capital based in a traditional Beijing-style courtyard.
"This is where all my team members lived during the Olympic Games," Yao, 44, said, adding that pressure of work had prevented any of the team from going home since July 20.
In view of the central location of their patrol and its historical features, the Paralympics will be just as taxing as its predecessor, he said.
The 5.5 sq km patrol area includes Zhongnanhai, where China's top leaders meet with foreign counterparts, as well as Xidan, one of Beijing's busiest shopping areas.
Managing local traffic while the motorcades of various state leaders proceed up Chang'an Avenue has been routine work for Yao for more than two years.
"Aug 8 and 9, when 80 state-level motorcades traveled along our daily patrol route, were the busiest days in my whole career," Yao said.
Yao and his colleagues normally patrol six hours a day, but during those two days the whole team was on the beat from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm.
But Yao is happy in his work. "I'm proud to be a member of the team," Yao said.
He said the entire Olympic period had been accident-free.
Having successfully weathered the Olympics' experience, Yao is looking forward to the Paralympics, when more than a dozen state leaders will visit the capital. "All my team members are proud of our contribution to these historical events."
As part of their preparations for the Paralympics, Yao's patrol team has learned fundamental sign language at a local school for the deaf.
"We've also been busy sectioning off lanes on the city streets for the visually challenged," Yao said.
Source: China Daily
He was on duty at the Olympics, and will do so again at the Paralympics.
Yao's team of 72 traffic police is the only one in the capital based in a traditional Beijing-style courtyard.
"This is where all my team members lived during the Olympic Games," Yao, 44, said, adding that pressure of work had prevented any of the team from going home since July 20.
In view of the central location of their patrol and its historical features, the Paralympics will be just as taxing as its predecessor, he said.
The 5.5 sq km patrol area includes Zhongnanhai, where China's top leaders meet with foreign counterparts, as well as Xidan, one of Beijing's busiest shopping areas.
Managing local traffic while the motorcades of various state leaders proceed up Chang'an Avenue has been routine work for Yao for more than two years.
"Aug 8 and 9, when 80 state-level motorcades traveled along our daily patrol route, were the busiest days in my whole career," Yao said.
Yao and his colleagues normally patrol six hours a day, but during those two days the whole team was on the beat from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm.
But Yao is happy in his work. "I'm proud to be a member of the team," Yao said.
He said the entire Olympic period had been accident-free.
Having successfully weathered the Olympics' experience, Yao is looking forward to the Paralympics, when more than a dozen state leaders will visit the capital. "All my team members are proud of our contribution to these historical events."
As part of their preparations for the Paralympics, Yao's patrol team has learned fundamental sign language at a local school for the deaf.
"We've also been busy sectioning off lanes on the city streets for the visually challenged," Yao said.
Source: China Daily
China Mining Congress & Expo 2008 to be held in November
China Mining Congress & Expo 2008 to be held in November
China Mining Congress & Expo 2008 will be held at Beijing International Convention Center on November 11-13, 2008.
China Mining Congress is hosted by the Ministry of Land & Resources, China and supported by domestic & international governments, associations as well as organizations including the World Bank Group, China Mining Association, Australian Embassy and Canadian Embassy.
As one of the world's top four mining events and the biggest Asian platform for mining exploration and exploitation, the event provides an important channel for communication and exchanging information among global mining enterprises, while building relationships.
After a very successful event last year, China Mining Congress & Expo is now approaching its 10th anniversary. More than 3000 registered delegates, 300 exhibitors and 30 sponsors from 45 countries and regions participated in last year's China Mining Congress & Expo. With a larger exhibition space and more conference streams more attendees of the world wide mining community are expected to celebrate the 10th anniversary of China Mining Congress & Expo in this year.
China Mining Congress & Expo 2008 consists of three parts 鈥�conferences, exhibitions and featured events.
Conferences
During the conferences, high-level speakers from both Chinese and foreign mining industries will present and discuss new developments, investment policies and programs of the Chinese mining industry. China Mining Congress speakers include high-level Chinese and International government representatives, domestic and international experts as well as CEOs and General Managers of large international mining companies.
China Mining Congress will have an in-depth discussion about various topics including CEO Forum, Mining Investment and Financing, New Technology and Equipments, Mining and Sustainable Development, Mining Commodities, Mining Valuation and Service. For the 10th anniversary of China Mining Congress & Expo, Mining Ministers from ten countries will be invited. The developments and trends of mining exploration will be discussed in this session. The conference will also increase the networking opportunities to address business issues that are relevant for the participants.
Interested parties can contact the organizing committee at conference@mining-expo.com.
Exhibitions
This year's exhibition will still include the Countries Pavilions, the Chinese Government Area, and an Equipment Exhibition Area. Exhibitors consist of governments and associations, banks, stock exchanges, insurance and investment companies, consulting companies, accounting and law firms, mining evaluation services, mining rights traders, trading companies, geological exploration companies, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, universities, training institutions and medias and publishers, which covering most of sections in the mining industry.
China Mining Expo will open up the D galleries on the second floor in addition to the original A, B, C galleries on the first floor. Total amount of booths will reach to 400 in order to meet the growing demand of exhibition space.
On the occasion of China Mining Expo's 5th anniversary, a large number of professional buyers and visitors from nearly 50 counties and regions will participate. Currently, there are a number of countries' governments departments that will organize their nationals to attend the exhibition. Canada, Australia, Chile, USA, Brazil, Japan, Mongolia, South Africa, and Nigeria are just a few of the countries that will be represented. Until now, more than 150 booths have been booked or reserved, totally 18 domestic and international companies including CIBC, Sino Gold and China Minmetals have confirmed to be sponsors of this year' event.
Featured Events
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the China Mining Congress, the organizing committee will promote several featured events, including China Mining Awards Nomination, China Mining Congress's 10th Anniversary Achievements Exhibition, the Awards Gala Dinner, Students Day, Mine Site Visit and Golf Function.
China Mining Awards are being presented in five different categories. They recognize and promote innovation and co-operation achievements in China. Focusing on exceptional success stories in exploration, mining, technical innovation and sustainable behavior, they reward industrial leaders for forward looking business strategies. The China Mining Awards focus on joint ventures that are leading the way in China's mining industry. You are invited to participate in China Mining Awards by nominating a company for an Award in one of the five categories. Please contact the organizing committee at conference@mining-expo.com.
China Mining Expo has been held successfully for the past four years, with China Mining Congress held at the same time also welcoming its 10th anniversary ceremony. Conferences, exhibitions and featured events, as the three core content of China Mining Congress & Expo, are contributed to greater world appeal and influence of China Mining Congress & Expo with its emerging distinctive manner. China Mining Congress & Expo not only collects tremendous information stream, capital stream and technology stream, but also provide a convenient channel for domestic and international mining companies for a purpose of economic and trading cooperation and communication between China and the world. China Mining Congress & Expo has grown to be a matured community of gathering East Asia and international professionals in the mining sector. However, China Mining Congress & Expo will continue to impel the constant development of global mining economy with its cohesive effect and core impact. We confidently believe that China Mining Congress & Expo 2008 is going to build a wider stage for a better dialogue communication and cooperation opportunity for governments, enterprises and all circles from each country.
For more information about China Mining Congress & Expo 2008, please visit the website: www.mining-expo.com/en or www.china-mining.com.
China Mining Congress & Expo 2008 will be held at Beijing International Convention Center on November 11-13, 2008.
China Mining Congress is hosted by the Ministry of Land & Resources, China and supported by domestic & international governments, associations as well as organizations including the World Bank Group, China Mining Association, Australian Embassy and Canadian Embassy.
As one of the world's top four mining events and the biggest Asian platform for mining exploration and exploitation, the event provides an important channel for communication and exchanging information among global mining enterprises, while building relationships.
After a very successful event last year, China Mining Congress & Expo is now approaching its 10th anniversary. More than 3000 registered delegates, 300 exhibitors and 30 sponsors from 45 countries and regions participated in last year's China Mining Congress & Expo. With a larger exhibition space and more conference streams more attendees of the world wide mining community are expected to celebrate the 10th anniversary of China Mining Congress & Expo in this year.
China Mining Congress & Expo 2008 consists of three parts 鈥�conferences, exhibitions and featured events.
Conferences
During the conferences, high-level speakers from both Chinese and foreign mining industries will present and discuss new developments, investment policies and programs of the Chinese mining industry. China Mining Congress speakers include high-level Chinese and International government representatives, domestic and international experts as well as CEOs and General Managers of large international mining companies.
China Mining Congress will have an in-depth discussion about various topics including CEO Forum, Mining Investment and Financing, New Technology and Equipments, Mining and Sustainable Development, Mining Commodities, Mining Valuation and Service. For the 10th anniversary of China Mining Congress & Expo, Mining Ministers from ten countries will be invited. The developments and trends of mining exploration will be discussed in this session. The conference will also increase the networking opportunities to address business issues that are relevant for the participants.
Interested parties can contact the organizing committee at conference@mining-expo.com.
Exhibitions
This year's exhibition will still include the Countries Pavilions, the Chinese Government Area, and an Equipment Exhibition Area. Exhibitors consist of governments and associations, banks, stock exchanges, insurance and investment companies, consulting companies, accounting and law firms, mining evaluation services, mining rights traders, trading companies, geological exploration companies, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, universities, training institutions and medias and publishers, which covering most of sections in the mining industry.
China Mining Expo will open up the D galleries on the second floor in addition to the original A, B, C galleries on the first floor. Total amount of booths will reach to 400 in order to meet the growing demand of exhibition space.
On the occasion of China Mining Expo's 5th anniversary, a large number of professional buyers and visitors from nearly 50 counties and regions will participate. Currently, there are a number of countries' governments departments that will organize their nationals to attend the exhibition. Canada, Australia, Chile, USA, Brazil, Japan, Mongolia, South Africa, and Nigeria are just a few of the countries that will be represented. Until now, more than 150 booths have been booked or reserved, totally 18 domestic and international companies including CIBC, Sino Gold and China Minmetals have confirmed to be sponsors of this year' event.
Featured Events
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the China Mining Congress, the organizing committee will promote several featured events, including China Mining Awards Nomination, China Mining Congress's 10th Anniversary Achievements Exhibition, the Awards Gala Dinner, Students Day, Mine Site Visit and Golf Function.
China Mining Awards are being presented in five different categories. They recognize and promote innovation and co-operation achievements in China. Focusing on exceptional success stories in exploration, mining, technical innovation and sustainable behavior, they reward industrial leaders for forward looking business strategies. The China Mining Awards focus on joint ventures that are leading the way in China's mining industry. You are invited to participate in China Mining Awards by nominating a company for an Award in one of the five categories. Please contact the organizing committee at conference@mining-expo.com.
China Mining Expo has been held successfully for the past four years, with China Mining Congress held at the same time also welcoming its 10th anniversary ceremony. Conferences, exhibitions and featured events, as the three core content of China Mining Congress & Expo, are contributed to greater world appeal and influence of China Mining Congress & Expo with its emerging distinctive manner. China Mining Congress & Expo not only collects tremendous information stream, capital stream and technology stream, but also provide a convenient channel for domestic and international mining companies for a purpose of economic and trading cooperation and communication between China and the world. China Mining Congress & Expo has grown to be a matured community of gathering East Asia and international professionals in the mining sector. However, China Mining Congress & Expo will continue to impel the constant development of global mining economy with its cohesive effect and core impact. We confidently believe that China Mining Congress & Expo 2008 is going to build a wider stage for a better dialogue communication and cooperation opportunity for governments, enterprises and all circles from each country.
For more information about China Mining Congress & Expo 2008, please visit the website: www.mining-expo.com/en or www.china-mining.com.
China tightens control over exporting livestock, poultry genetic resources
China has moved the tighten the control over the export of genetic resources of livestock and poultry with the promulgation of a new ordinance that will take effect on October 1.
The government will ban the export of genetic resources of newly-discovered, unidentified livestock and poultry breeds that are unique to the country, according to the ordinance signed by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on August 28.
It will be unlawful to cooperate with overseas institutions or individuals in studying and utilizing those resources forbidden to be exported, said the ordinance.
No agencies or individuals will be allowed to transfer the information of the country's livestock and poultry genetic resources to overseas agencies or individuals without government permission.
Besides, breed resources listed under national protection must not be carried abroad if it threatens Chinese animal husbandry production and exports.
The move was to "protect and make proper use of the genetic resources of livestock and poultry, prevent them from flowing off and boost the sustainable, healthy development of animal husbandry," said the ordinance.
The ordinance also stipulated the introduction of such resources into the country must make no threats to the safety of domestic breeds and ecological environment, with their source regions free of epidemics and their use clearly stated.
China boasts 576 breeds of livestock and poultry, about a sixth of the world's total. In the past two decades, at least 10 varieties disappeared, with more than 20 on verge of extinction and over 100 breeds seeing a sharp drop in number.
China's animal husbandry posted an output of more than 1.3 trillion yuan in 2005, accounting for 35 percent of the total agricultural production.
Source: Xinhua
The government will ban the export of genetic resources of newly-discovered, unidentified livestock and poultry breeds that are unique to the country, according to the ordinance signed by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on August 28.
It will be unlawful to cooperate with overseas institutions or individuals in studying and utilizing those resources forbidden to be exported, said the ordinance.
No agencies or individuals will be allowed to transfer the information of the country's livestock and poultry genetic resources to overseas agencies or individuals without government permission.
Besides, breed resources listed under national protection must not be carried abroad if it threatens Chinese animal husbandry production and exports.
The move was to "protect and make proper use of the genetic resources of livestock and poultry, prevent them from flowing off and boost the sustainable, healthy development of animal husbandry," said the ordinance.
The ordinance also stipulated the introduction of such resources into the country must make no threats to the safety of domestic breeds and ecological environment, with their source regions free of epidemics and their use clearly stated.
China boasts 576 breeds of livestock and poultry, about a sixth of the world's total. In the past two decades, at least 10 varieties disappeared, with more than 20 on verge of extinction and over 100 breeds seeing a sharp drop in number.
China's animal husbandry posted an output of more than 1.3 trillion yuan in 2005, accounting for 35 percent of the total agricultural production.
Source: Xinhua
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Welcome to kmstevens026blog.blogspot.com!
Welcome to kmstevens026blog.blogspot.com!
We are pleased and we do appreciate your visit on our website, as well as your interest in China Travel. In this section you will find China Travel information.
If you have any questions, pls. do not hesitate to send us your queries to: uajaekio@gmail.com.
Enjoy :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)