22 Companies have produced melamine milk powder, the People’s Daily reported. China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, tested 491 batches of products from 109 companies after the deaths of infants who had taken Sanlu milk powder. 69 Batches from 22 companies were found contaminated by melamine to varying degrees.
Source: People’s Daily, September 17, 2008
http://society.people.com.cn/GB/41158/8053691.html
A Chinese government think tank believes the omission of a "China Threat" approach in the platforms of both Republican and Democratic Parties marks progress compared to the use of the term “strategic competitor “ by President Bush, reported the International Herald Leader under Xinhua. However, there are problems, observed International Herald Leader. The Republican platform discussed policies towards China and Taiwan separately. In particular, there is no mentioning of “one China”, clearly leaning toward Taiwan. In contrast, the Democratic platform stated that it upholds the “One China Policy.” International Herald Leader further stated that the Democratic Party favors protectionism and attacks China several times in the past on trade issues, quoting Biden’s remarking on banning toy products from China. It was noted that McCain is against protectionism.
Source: Xinhua, September 16, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-09/16/content_10027078.htm
Two more arrests were made according to Hebei authorities’ press conference on September 16, 2008 in connection with the melamine-tainted milk powder recall. As of September 16, 4 people were arrested and another 22 were in police custody. As of September 15, 2008, about 10,000 infants who had been fed contaminated Sanlu powdered milk were examined. 1,253 have been diagnosed with kidney illness. 2 of them have died. 913 are being treated as outpatients. 340 remain in the hospital. "…The number could rise sharply in coming days as more parents take their children for medical check-ups," Xinhua reported, citing Health Minister Chen Zhu.
Source: Xinhua, September 15 and 16, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-09/16/content_10040178.htm http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2008-09/15/content_10010189.htm
Recently, Xinhua published several articles about India media’s attack on China. The issue seems to be originated from the conflict of both countries on the Nuclear Suppliers Group’s decision to lift the ban on India’s nuclear application for civil use. India believes that China is supporting India’s nuclear opponent Pakistan. On September 12, a Xinhua article says “India media again talk nonsense, saying giant China dragon is making people sick.” The article quoted words from Times of India “We can only know who is our true friend at difficult times” and India’s Economic Times “This disgusting giant dragon wants to get exchange for the mother of nuclear dissemination (Pakistan).”
Xinhua also published a few related articles: “India media vilifies that our army trespassed the border, talking about “China invasion;” (http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2008-09/11/content_9914443.htm) “India says China is worried about India strengthening military force and forming ally with U.S.” (http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2008-09/03/content_9760663.htm)
Source: Xinhua, September 12, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2008-09/12/content_9944368.
Xinhua reports that Pakistan air force will soon sign an agreement with China to import fighter airplanes. The agreement includes a plan to imports 42 JF-17 fighter planes in the near term. Eight of them has already arrived Pakistan for test and evaluation. It is said that Pakistan air force ordered 150 JF-17 with a possibility of increasing the order to 250-300. The agreement also includes a plan to import 36 FC-20 multipurpose fighter planes from China and 18 F-16 from the United States. When the whole plan is realized, Pakistan’s air force will have an absolute advantage in South Asia. China’s fighter planes will be the main part of Pakistan’s air force.
Source: Xinhua, September 13, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2008-09/13/content_9960992.htm
Pu Chunxi, a renowned Chinese actor recently openly criticized the National Centre for the Performing Arts or the “The Egg” for too much extravagance and lack of practical uses. Pu listed a number of flaws in the design and questioned “Who is the China National Opera Built for?” Pu’s criticism was widely posted by Chinese media and website and drew warm responses from the visitors. Some called him “Artist with Conscience”.
Designed by French architect Paul Andreu with construction started in December 2001, National Centre for the Performing Arts held the inaugural concert in December 2007. The project is said to be pushed forward by former President Jiang Zemin.
Source: Nan Fang Weekend, September 3, 2008
http://www.infzm.com/content/16780
Xinhua carried an article sourced from Shanghai Morning Post which praised Obama’s “China Think Tank” to be “programmatic and moderate”. It said: “Among those 15 Obama’s China Think Tank members, majority of them came from Clinton’s foreign policy cabinet. They are very familiar with China affairs. Most of them are programmatic and moderate with good relationship with China.”
The article then introduced a few key members led by Senator Biden. The article cited: “Mr. Biden disagrees with ‘engagement and containment’, the two words that Bush administration uses in its China Policy. But rather, Congressman Biden favors ‘compete and cooperate’, which can be used to summarize what Obama’s China policy would look like. "
Source: Xinhua, September 12, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-09/12/content_9935978.htm
Twenty-one websites were winners in the preliminary contest for Best Self-Disciplinary Websites, according to the Internet Society of China. The winners include www.people.com.cn, www.cnr.cn, www.baidu.com, www.cctv.com, www.china.alibaba.com, and www.xinhuanet.com. The twenty-one winners were selected due to exemplar compliance with the State law and regulations on Internet censorship. Internet Society of China (ISC) was established in 2001 and considered State’s arm in enforcing Internet censorship. In June 2004 its members were “invited” to sign self-discipline pact in order to prevent the spread of anti-government information, porn and anything else that might threaten "national security (and) social stability."
Source: Internet Society of China, September 5, 2008 http://www.isc.org.cn/ShowArticle.php?id=9905