Tuesday, October 14, 2008

China's "forefront" role in South-South co-op hailed by UN

"China has been in the forefront in forging South-South cooperation," UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro told Xinhua in a recent interview, when asked about her comment on China's development since it embraced an open and reform policy in the late 1970s.

In the last 30 years, there has been a lot of cooperation between China, in its pursuit of the open policy, and other countries, particularly developing ones, she said to Xinhua Thursday.

"In the last few years, we have seen China engaging more and more with the outside world, holding meetings to forge partnerships, all with a view to advancing the social and economic agenda which definitely feeds into the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals ," she said.

Migiro said UN chief Ban Ki-moon also appreciates China's contribution to the priorities he has been working on by advancing the goal of development.

"China is a key player in the world... and has played its role," she said.

As a Tanzania national, the ex-foreign minister of Tanzania gave witness to the relationship between China and African countries, including Tanzania, long before she joined the Foreign Ministry.

"I saw it grow," she said. "It started in the 70s, and we saw China contributing to the economic development in many countries including Tanzania in the area of infrastructure development."

"Coming from Tanzania, I cannot but mention the immense support China gives to Tanzania and Zambia in building the railway, which is known as the Tazara, as many Chinese would know it by that name-- the Tanzania-Zambia Railway," said Migiro.

China has also supported education, water availability, engineering sector, not only in Tanzania, but in other countries as well, she said.

China is increasing its support and its coordination with other countries, she said, citing the recent China-Africa Forum as "one indication that China was really resolved in increasing its partnership with African countries."

The deputy UN chief also commended China for contributing immensely to the UN peacekeeping efforts around the world.

"I do hope that China will continue to engage positively for purposes of contributing to peace, security and development," she added.

Source:Xinhua

Cambodia to seek $300 mln from China for development

Cambodia will seek 300 million U.S. dollars from China to develop the country, Prime Minister Hun Sen told the Fourth Asia Forum here Tuesday.

Hun Sen did not mention whether the money was aid, investment or loan.

"I will meet Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in bilateral meeting during the Seventh ASEM Summit between Oct. 24 to 25 in Beijing," he added.

According to the Chinese Embassy, the bilateral trade volume between China and Cambodia increased from 12.95 million U.S. dollars in 1992 to 933 million U.S. dollars in 2007.

China is currently the second largest investing country and the fourth largest donor country for Cambodia.  
Source:Xinhua

Lopez wants to be in next "Sex and the City' movie"

Jennifer Lopez wants to appear in the next "Sex and the City' movie."

The Wedding Planner' star was a huge fan of the hit U. S. TV show, and always wanted a cameo role, but is now hoping to be cast in the movie sequel. She is quoted as saying: "I adore the show and nearly popped up in the TV show, but then did 'Will and Grace' instead."


Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez arrives for the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy" in New York, May 5, 2008. Jennifer Lopez wants to appear in the next "Sex and the City' movie."
A source said: "Jennifer has got her heart set on joining Carrie and the girls. The bosses are trying to think of a way of fitting her in without it being cheesy." If Jennifer gets her wish, she wouldn't be the first celebrity to appear in "Sex and the City."

Actress Heather Graham and supermodel Heidi Klum both played themselves in past episodes. Former Spice Girls star Geri Halliwell appeared on the show in 2003, while her ex-bandmate Victoria Beckham is rumored to have been lined up for the next film.

Source: China Daily/Agencies

Cholera case confirmed in HK

The Center for Health Protection of the Department of Health of Hong Kong has confirmed a cholera case involving a six-year-old local boy.

A spokesman for the center said on Monday that laboratory tests on stool specimens taken from the boy who was admitted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital last week for suspected cholera have yielded positive result for Vibrio cholerae Ogawa.

The boy arrived from Nepal on Oct. 3 and his travel companions have no symptoms. He is now in stable condition.

According to the center, this is the fifth cholera case reported to the center this year in the city, and there were three in 2007.

Source: Xinhua

HK suspends German poultry import applications

Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety has announced the processing of applications for importing poultry and poultry products from Germany would be suspended with immediate effect.

"The decision was taken following confirmation of a case involving the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 on a poultry farm in the country," a spokesman for the center said Monday.

He said that the center was seeking further information about the case from the relevant authorities.

Hong Kong has imported about 1,400 tons of frozen poultry meat or offal from Germany since April this year.

Source: Xinhua

3 HK universities rank among the world's top 50

The latest Times Higher Education Supplement World University Rankings shows that Hong Kong University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology as well as The Chinese University of Hong Kong for the first time ranked among the world's top 50, ranking 26th, 39th and 42nd respectively.

Harvard University and Yale University in the US continue to be the world's No.1 and No.2; while the Cambridge University and Oxford University in the UK, being both the world's No.2 with Yale last year took the third and fourth places.

The Hong Kong University, the 18th last year, dropped to the disappointing 26th this year. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the 53rd last year, jumped by 14 positions to an amazing 39th. Together with The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong occupied three positions on that elite list, following the US, the UK and Australia and tying with Canada and Japan.

Apart from three Hong Kong universities, Peking University also got into the list, ranking 50th.

By People's Daily Online

13th Int'l Biotech Symposium opens in Dalian

The 13th International Biotechnology Symposium & Exhibition kicked off on October 13 2008 in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, with the theme of "biotechnology for the sustainable development of human society".

Two Noble laureates, professors and scholars from 80 countries and regions participated in this IBS.

The contents of the IBS range from research of basic biotechnology, the development of application technology, industry development, to the relative policies of the government. This symposium also established the young scientist award for the first time.

By People's Daily Online