In little over two weeks from October 11 to October 27, 1.2 million people boarded the train from Guangzhou Train Station. The number is 130,000 higher than the same period last year. Most of them are migrant workers who were affected by factory shutdown and chose to return back to their hometown. Experts predicted that the trend of factory closing is currently moving from the south towards the east part of China.
Source: Mingpo, November 9, 2008
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20081109/gba1.htm
Privatization of land will not solve China’s problems, said Huang, an Agriculture official, at a press event on November 4, 2008. Huang stated that China agriculture sector cannot compete with that of the United States because of low land per capita (1.38 mu per person) and its small scale of economy. The right way, according to Huang, is to increase the efficiency of land use and the scale of economy through transfer of land use right.
Source: Xinhua, November 7, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/fortune/2008-11/07/content_10319517.htm
Chinese Customs authorities released export statistics for the first three quarters of 2008 showing an 11.8% net growth of export, totaling $1,074 billion. It is a reduction of 8.1 percentage point comparing to the same period last year. The reduction was mostly caused by the decrease in the traditional and bulk products. A China Customs official warned that China cannot ignore the impact on its import and export trade of the U.S. financial crisis.
Source: Xinhua, November 6, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-11/06/content_10317019.htm
Xinhua reported on November 6, 2008 that Henan Anyang Eagle, an aircraft technology company, will join hands with U.S. Liberty Aerospace of Melbourne, Florida to produce and distribute in China the Liberty XL2. It is a two-seat, low-wing, general aviation aircraft manufactured by Liberty Aerospace for the personal transportation, touring and flight training roles.
Source: Xinhua, November 6, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-11/06/content_10318324.htm
Xinhua noted in a November 6 article that during the 30 some years since the establishment of diplomatic relationship between China and the United States, no U.S. election was like the 2008 election – China policy was basically excluded from the election debates. “Obama needs China’s cooperation in his foreign policy and U.S. economic recovery. The United States will contract in its foreign strategy in the next 4 years, except that as a Democratic tradition, it will make some noises on human rights and pressure China on Tibet issues.”
Source: Xinhua, November 6, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-11/06/content_10313993.htm
Minister of Human Resources and Social Security alerts local authorities to “closely monitor the impact of changing economy that may have on employment.” His directive was made during his visit to Guangdong, one of the fastest growing regions in China. According to Shenzhen job market statistics, the number of employers hiring started to decrease in the 2nd quarter 2008. It was down 30% in 3rd quarter comparing to the 2nd quarter. On the other hand, job seeker increased close to 40 percent in the past 4 months.
Earlier release from National Development and Reform Commission shows that over 67,000 enterprises of small and medium sizes closed down in the first 6 months of 2008.
Source: China Federation of Trade Unions, November 6, 2008
http://acftu.people.com.cn/GB/67561/8291394.html
Xinhua, September 8, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/house/2008-09/08/content_9848744.htm
Ms. Liu Jing, a Falun Gong practitioner, was sentenced to three and half year imprisonment on November 3, 2008. Ms. Liu was arrested November 2007 for downloading from the Internet and distributing Falun Gong materials. In March 2008 she was charged of undermining the implementation of the laws and administrative rules and regulations of the State under Article 300 of the Criminal Law. During the November 3 trial at the People’s Court, Fangxian District, Shanghai, her attorney Mo Shaoping presented oral argument stating Ms. Liu was not guilty as charged and that her actions were protected by freedom of speech and freedom of religion under the Chinese Constitution.
Source: The Epoch Times, November 3, 2008
http://epochtimes.com/gb/8/11/3/n2318310.htm
In a recent issue of Qiushi magazine, an article, authored by Meng Jianzhu, the Minister of Public Security, defined the tasks of the public security as maintaining the order, dissolving the conflicts, deterring the violent behaviors, and keeping the situation in control. It called for a stop to intensifying the conflicts caused by improper measures taken by police.
In particular, Meng cautioned against using weaponry and forceful measures so as to prevent blood shedding. He also stressed on guiding the public opinion and announcing the government message in the first time at emergent events. It’s believed that Meng’s article is a response to the recent escalation of police violence and inflated public discontents.
Source: Nanfang Daily, November 4, 2008
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/nfjx/200811040022.asp