HONG KONG, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Bank of China (Hong Kong) said Thursday its half-year profit fell by 5.6 percent from a year earlier, dragged lower by falling interest income amid the deepening economic downturn. The bank's net profit for the six months ending June 30 amounted to 6.69 billion Hong Kong dollars, down from 7.09 billion Hong Kong dollars in the same period last year. However, the bank said it represented a major improvement against the net loss of 3.75 billion Hong Kong dollars in the second half of 2008, which can be attributed to the increase in operating income as well as the decrease in impairment charges on securities investments. Net interest income decreased by 11 percent to 8.93 billion Hong Kong dollars as net interest margin narrowed by 27 basis points to 1.76 percent. But the net fees and commission income grew by 1.7 percent year-on-year to 2.95 billion Hong Kong dollars driven by the rebound of the local stock market in the first half of this year. The bank's vice chairman and chief executive He Guangbei said the performance in the first half of this year reflected the progress the bank had made in regaining its growth momentum. As the turbulence and its knocks-on effects began to subside, the bank would pursue a prudent yet flexible development strategy in an environment of change and challenge. He also said BOC (HK) would actively expand the RMB-related banking business as the sole Clearing Bank for Renminbi business in Hong Kong.
PHOENIX, United States, Sept. 8 (Xinhua)-- Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo said here Tuesday that despite the financial crisis he was confident about "the bright future" of the Chinese-U.S. economic cooperation and trade. "Although no clear signs of world economic recovery have emerged and the long-term impact of the international financial crisis cannot be overlooked, we can be confident about a bright future of China-U.S. economic cooperation and trade," said Wu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress. Wu Bangguo (R, front), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, meets with Arizona Governor Jan Brewer (L, front) in Phoenix of Arizona state, the United States, Sept. 6, 2009Wu made the remarks at the one-day U.S.-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum which was held in Phoenix. Attending the forum were more than 200 government officials and business representatives from both countries. Wu said such confidence can be based on the following three reasons: First, the general trend of China-U.S. economic cooperation and trade will not change. This can be highlighted by two points. The first point is: the fact that the Chinese and American economies are mutually complementary has not changed. For China the largest developing country in the world, the top priority is development. Over the past three decades of reform and the opening-up, China's economy has maintained an average annual growth rate of 9.8 percent. It was able to grow by 7.1 percent even in the first half of this year, and is expected to reach the target of around 8 percent growth for the whole year. The accelerated pace of industrialization and urbanization has generated great investment demand in China, which is at the same time a market of 1.3 billion consumers. China's development and huge market provide an inexhaustible source of business opportunities and impetus for the economic recovery and development of all countries, including the United States. The United States is the largest developed country and accounts for 18.3 percent of the world's total GDP and 43 percent of the world's consumer market. It has a trade volume unmatched in the world and is an obvious leader in science and technology, human resources, managerial expertise and marketing. "The complementary nature of our two economies has not been changed by the international financial crisis," Wu stated. The second point is that the foundation of China-U.S. economic cooperation and trade remains strong. In 2008, bilateral trade amounted to 333.74 billion U.S. dollars, making China and the U.S. each other's second largest trading partners. In the past five years, American exports to China grew by 20 percent annually. Last year, China accounted for 49 percent and 34 percent of American soybean and cotton exports respectively. In cumulative terms, the United States has invested over 61 billion U.S. dollars in 57,000 projects in China. In the first seven months of this year, China and the United States signed 888 technology contracts worth 3.26 billion U.S. dollars, up 41.3 percent year on year. They represents 25.3 percent of the total value of technology introduction contracts signed by China and makes America the largest source of technology for China. Although China-U.S. trade experienced a year-on-year drop in the first half of 2009, the decline is nearly 7 percentage points smaller than that of China's foreign trade as a whole. "These figures provide sufficient evidence that the China-U.S. economic and trade relationship is one of cooperation and win-win progress, and such a basic pattern has not been changed by the international financial crisis," Wu said. Second, the economic stimulus plans implemented by China and the United States have created new business opportunities. To counter the impact of the international financial crisis and maintain steady and relatively fast economic development, the Chinese Government has introduced a proactive fiscal policy and a moderately easy monetary policy and adopted a package plan to further stimulate domestic demand and generate economic growth. To get out the economic crisis, the U.S. Government has also introduced the biggest economic stimulus package since the 1930s, covering finance, real estate, taxation, infrastructure, the auto industry, environmental protection, energy, science and technology and health care reform, among others. "The implementation of our respective stimulus plans has offered new business opportunities for economic cooperation and trade between our two countries," Wu said. Just before the opening of Tuesday's Forum, the two sides signed 41 agreements and contracts on investment and economic and technological cooperation worth a total of 12.38 billion U.S. dollars, involving such areas as new energy and materials, communications, electronics, machinery and tourism, Wu said in his speech. "This is further evidence of the abundant cooperation opportunities between China and the United States. As long as we work to seek opportunities in this time of crisis, there is a lot we can achieve together," he said. Third, the economic restructuring strategies of China and the United States will open up new areas of cooperation. China and the United States are at different stages of economic development, but both face the arduous task of readjustment and are under pressure to adjust their respective economic development models even without an international financial crisis, Wu said. "The financial crisis, if anything, has only made this task more urgent, " he said. The U.S. Government wants to adjust the development model while tackling the financial crisis and considers green technologies essential to its efforts to revitalize economic growth, enhance international competitiveness and create jobs. Likewise, China, in its effort to maintain steady and relatively fast economic development, aims to achieve sustainable development while resolving the current difficulties, Wu said. "We are making great effort to adjust economic structure, upgrade industries and expand domestic demand, especially consumer demand, and transform the economic development model," Wu said. "As China and the United States restructure our respective economies, we can foster new areas of economic and trade cooperation, especially in the economic and technological fields and between businesses. They may range from low carbon economy, renewable energy, clean energy, clean coal, carbon capture and storage to smart grid, efficient buildings and new energy vehicles," Wu said. Wu arrived in Arizona on Sunday on the final leg of a three-nation North American tour. He has left Arizona for Washington for a visit in which he is expected to meet with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
PYONGYANG, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on Monday attended a grand celebration marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations and the closing ceremony of the China-DPRK Friendship Year. In a speech delivered at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, Premier Wen said China and the DPRK have understood, supported and helped each other during the past 60 years despite changes in the international situation. The ruling parties and peoples of China and the DPRK have steadily promoted the development of the bilateral ties, contributing to regional peace and stability, Wen said. This year marks the China-DPRK Friendship Year, featuring a variety of celebrations and events of exchanges, which have enhanced the friendship between the two countries, strengthened cooperation in various fields and injected new vitality into the bilateral ties, Wen said. Currently, China-DPRK relations have arrived at a new historic point, he said. China is ready to join hands with the DPRK to further consolidate and develop the traditional friendship, expand friendly exchanges and cooperation to better serve the well-being of both peoples, and make greater contribution to regional peace and stability, he noted. DPRK Premier Kim Yong Il, who also attended the event, said the establishment of DPRK-China relations 60 years ago was an epoch-making event and the DPRK is firmly determined to consolidate and develop the DPRK-China friendship. The events marking the China-DPRK Friendship Year have effectively promoted the friendship and trust between the two peoples, he said. The DPRK is ready to make joint efforts with China to further the friendly, cooperative relations, he said. During the celebration, the leaders watched the grand gymnastic and artistic performance "Arirang" presented by DPRK artists.
BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang Saturday urged for greater efforts to guarantee the high quality of key construction projects and projects typically to improve the people's livelihood. Li made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the Second China Tendering and Bidding Forum held in Beijing. "Along with the growing economy and expanding investment, the quality and benefits of key construction projects should be put in more important positions", Li emphasized. Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (L,front) speaks during the opening ceremony of the Second China Tendering and Bidding Forum in Beijing, Oct. 10, 2009 Under the circumstances of global financial crisis, when China is promoting its domestic demand, the efficiency of investment fuelling economic growth should be strengthened, said Li. Li said the system of tendering and bidding and government procurement played an important role in guaranteeing the high quality of key construction projects and projects for people's livelihood. Li also stressed the significance of safety during construction and called for efforts to prevent corruption in the projects.
BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's ChangAn Auto Co., Ltd., a leading domestic auto maker, announced Saturday that its sales volume rose more than 82 percent year on year last month. The Chongqing-based company sold 107,863 units of vehicles in July, up 82.4 percent year on year, it said in a statement to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. The company produced 118,037 units of vehicles in July, up 64.9 percent year on year. The Shenzhen-listed firm's shares had fallen 5.24 percent to 10.31 yuan a share Friday before the release of the report.
Changchun, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's macro-economic policy would remain "consistent" and "stable" to consolidate a base for economic recovery, vice premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday. Although positive factors are accumulating and momentum apparently growing, China's economy still faces many difficulties and challenges as the international financial crisis is still not over, said Li at the opening ceremony of the 5th China Jilin Northeast Asia Investment and Trade Expo, in the northeastern city of Changchun, the capital city of Jilin Province. Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang addresses the opening ceremony of a High Level Forum on the Northeast Asia Economic and Trade Cooperation held in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, Sept. 1, 2009He said the government would continue to stimulate consumer spending, push forward economic restructuring and facilitate foreign investment to energize enterprises and maintain persistent and steady economic expansion. The revitalization of northeast China, which is known as the country's old industrial base, would play a key role in coordinating regional economic expansion and spurring domestic demand. Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (2nd R, front) visits the exhibit venue after the opening ceremony of the Northeast Asia Investment and Trade Expo held in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, Sept. 1, 2009Northeast Asian nations are highly complementary in economic development. Strengthening economic and trade cooperation in this region would play a positive role in boosting regional development and the world economy, Li said. China is willing to enhance cooperation with countries in the region with more open and positive attitudes to realize win-win results, he said. The six-day exposition, which started on Tuesday, focuses on opportunities and challenges in coping with the global financial crisis. Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (R, front) visits the exhibit venue after the opening ceremony of the Northeast Asia Investment and Trade Expo held in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, Sept. 1, 2009
安阳那家治疗阳痿医院
PITTSBURGH, United States, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Friday called on world leaders to make every effort to promote global economic growth and a comprehensive, balanced and sustainable socioeconomic development. In a speech at the Group of 20 (G-20) economic summit in Pittsburgh, Hu said the world economy has seen positive signs since the two G-20 summits held in Washington in November and in London in April. "The international community's confidence has strengthened, financial markets have moved toward stability and the world economy has seen positive signs," the Chinese president said. Hu warned that the foundation of an economic recovery is not yet solid, and that many uncertainties remain. "A primary task at present," he said, "is to counter the international financial crisis and promote a healthy world economic recovery." Chinese President Hu Jintao (R5 Front) poses for photos with other participants during the Group of 20 (G20) Financial Summit in Pittsburgh of the U.S., Sept. 25, 2009Hu called for more efforts be made in the following three areas: -- First, to stand firm in commitment to stimulating economic growth: "All countries should keep up the intensity of their economic stimulus plans," he said. Both developed and developing countries should take more solid and effective measures and make a greater effort to boost consumption and expand domestic demand, he said. "Major reserve currency issuing countries should take into account and balance the implications of their monetary policies for both their own economies and the world," Hu said. Chinese President Hu Jintao (R Front) talks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper (L Front) during the Group of 20 (G20) Financial Summit in Pittsburgh of the U.S., Sept. 25, 2009-- Second, to stand firm in commitment to advancing reform of the international financial system: "We should follow through on the timetable and the roadmap agreed upon at the London summit, increase the representation and voice of developing countries and push for substantive progress in the reform," the Chinese president said. He urged world leaders to improve the existing decision-making process and mechanism in international financial institutions, and encourage more extensive and effective participation of all parties. "We should move forward the reform of the international financial supervisory and regulatory regime," Hu said. -- Third, to stand firm in commitment to promoting balanced growth of the global economy: The global economic imbalances include gaps between savings and consumption, and imports and exports in some countries. But more importantly, he said, it manifests itself in the imbalances in global wealth distribution, resource availability and consumption and the international monetary system. "The root cause, however, is the yawning development gap between the North and the South," Hu said. He called on world leaders to build up international institutions that promote balanced development. "We should scale up input in development in diverse forms ... We should value the important role of technological cooperation in promoting balanced development, reduce man-made barriers to technology transfer, and create an enabling environment for developing countries to narrow the development gap," Hu said. The Chinese leader said his country has attached great importance to comprehensive, balanced and sustainable socioeconomic growth, and has mainly relied on expanding domestic demand, in mitigating the impact of the international financial crisis. "In the first half of this year, despite the drastic contraction in overseas demand, China's GDP managed to grow by 7 percent year-on-year," he said. Hu said that China has taken an active role in international development cooperation, and has been actively engaged in international cooperation to tackle the crisis since it broke out. He said China will follow through on its assistance pledges and measures in a responsible manner, and within its capabilities offer more help to developing countries, particularly the least developed nations in Africa. "I am confident that with the concerted efforts of the entire international community, we will prevail over this international financial crisis and usher in a more prosperous future for the world economy," he said. Leaders from the Group of 20 gathered in Pittsburgh on Thursday and Friday to discuss ways to promote a recovery from the world economic and financial crisis.
BUDAPEST, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- China wants to achieve balanced trade with Hungary by way of increased economic and trade cooperation, visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said here Friday. At a symposium with Hungarian and Chinese entrepreneurs, Xi said the two countries should further expand trade and find more complementary products for export. "We will continue to encourage our enterprises to import more from Hungary, and also hope Hungarian companies will make greater efforts to explore the Chinese market and increase exports of those products that meet market demand in China," Xi said. Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping(L) meets with Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai(R) in Budapest, capital of Hungary, Oct. 16, 2009 Xi also called on enterprises of the two countries to enhance cooperation in such areas as new energy, insurance, tourism and environmental protection. He said the two sides should give full play to the role of the joint economic committee as a platform for consultation and properly handle trade disputes that may arise, so as to ensure smooth development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Hungary is a good friend and partner of China, and China is ready to work with the East European country to strengthen their communication and cooperation and push forward bilateral trade and economic ties and the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, he said. Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai said bilateral trade and economic cooperation had expanded rapidly and Xi's attendance at the symposium demonstrated the importance China attaches to its trade relations with Hungary. He said China plays an important role in the global economy and Hungary welcomes Chinese enterprises to seek business and invest in the country. More than 200 business people and officials from the two countries attended the symposium.
BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- China's move to launch anti-dumping and anti-subsidy probes into imports of U.S. chicken products and vehicles was "based on the facts," Ministry of Commerce Spokesman Yao Jian said Tuesday. When asked if China's investigation was a retaliatory move because of the dispute over tire tariffs imposed earlier by the United States, Yao said at a press conference the investigation was in accordance with the country's anti-dumping and anti-subsidy regulations, and based on facts. China Sunday launched anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations into chicken products and an anti-subsidy investigation into automobiles produced in the United States. Yao said the probe followed Chinese manufacturers' and industrial associations' demands for an investigation into U.S. companies' dumping activities and government subsidies. The ministry has received the requests and started evaluations, Yao said. Ma Chuang, vice secretary general of China Animal Agriculture Association, said 17 member companies, along with other domestic companies, handed over the requests to the ministry. The United States is the largest chicken products exporter to China. China imported 407,000 tonnes of chicken from overseas markets in the first half of 2009, with 359,000 tonnes, or about 90 percent from the United States. The U.S. government last Friday imposed special tariffs on tire imports from China. In the next three years, car and light truck tires imported from China will suffer decreasingly punitive tariffs of 35 percent, 30 percent and 25 percent. On Monday, China asked for talks with the U.S. on the tire tariff issue in accordance with the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement process. Yao said the U.S. decision to impose special tariffs on tire imports from China had brought a negative impact to the two countries' trade relationship. China wanted to have talks and negotiations with the U.S. side on the friction and to practically promote the development of bilateral and multilateral trade relationships, said Yao. He reiterated that China firmly opposed trade protectionism and discouraged the use of trade remedies measures.
BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- State-run companies in China should stick to the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Vice President Xi Jinping said Monday. Xi made the remarks at a meeting held here to promote Party building in China's state-run enterprises. Party building lay at the core of the competitiveness of state-run enterprises, Xi said, adding that "the CPC's leadership over the enterprises should be upheld unswervingly... in order to help enterprises retain scientific development". Li Yuanchao, head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, said at the meeting that bosses of the state-run companies headquartered in Beijing should increase the Party organs' involvement in the companies' decision-making process. Party organs should participate in the process of the state-run companies' major decisions made by the companies' board meeting to ensure that they could play supervising functions, Li said. Meanwhile, He Yong, deputy secretary of CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), urged the bosses of the country's state-run companies to be cleanhanded. Restrictions and supervision over power should be intensified for the main leaders of the companies, He said, adding that the anti-corruption effort inside the state-run companies was an important part of the mechanism's construction. The state-run companies' bosses should also enhance their discipline education and loyalty to the Party, the official said. The anti-corruption effort in the state-run companies came after former chairman of Sinopec Chen Tonghai was sentenced to death last month with a two-year reprieve for taking huge bribes. Chen took about 195.73 million yuan (28.66 million U.S. dollars) in bribes from 1999 to June 2007 by taking advantage of his positions in Sinopec, one of the country's major oil refiners. Also present at Monday's meeting was Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang, who stressed that the top priority of state-run enterprises at the moment was to maintain steady and relatively fast development.