HELSINKI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- It was the afternoon of Feb. 12 local time in the Confucius Institute classroom at the downtown University of Helsinki. Lanterns and colorful streamers were hanging high, creating a joyful festival atmosphere.The Spring Festival, once celebrated only in China, in recent times has been gaining greater attention worldwide.And in that small classroom, aspirations of learning more about the traditional Chinese festival drew dozens of excited and attentive students from Finland and other countries.The gathering started with vice director Professor Li Yuanzheng's introduction to the origin and customs of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Then, a short video clip on the festival was played.However, the audience's participation wasn't limited just to listening and watching. To celebrate the "Year of the Tiger," they staged a string of performances to share their happiness.The performances were quite Chinese and included small dramas, Chinese folk songs, poems from the Tang and Song dynasties, and Taichi.Apparently, their love of the traditional Chinese culture simmered into the music and poetry. Additionally, the students also brilliantly displayed their achievements in learning the Chinese language.Perhaps the most symbolic icon of the Spring festival is the dumpling, which would certainly feed the hunger of the students at the Confucius Institute for both food and knowledge.Juhani Riisio, a student at the University of Helsinki, called the dumplings "quite good to taste."The students knew that dumplings are always served during the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays, but making the food was a new challenge for them.The first time doing anything is never easy. However, it could be read from the students' actions and faces that they were doing their best.It seemed that they were making the dumplings as carefully and confidently as they were at learning Chinese.Hard work and eagerness to learn usually pays off. The students were soon able to made decent looking dumplings, though the taste was still waiting to be examined.As the experimental dumplings were cooked and served, delicious smells seemed to stuff the room. Anyone who wanted to know the results of the students' efforts could see nothing but gladness and comfort from the smiles of both teachers and students.The making of a dumpling may take only a couple of hours to learn but a culture could take a lifetime to appreciate. Small and symbolic as the little dumplings are, they help to shorten the distance between the western world and China, facilitating communications amongst different peoples. By learning from each other, it is certain that our tomorrows would be defined by mutual understandings instead of mistrust.
SINGAPORE, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said on Tuesday that China will become even more important globally and Singapore must find opportunities to ride on China's growth.Speaking at the Business China spring reception on Tuesday night, Goh said that China has over the past year weathered the global economic downturn with exceptional resilience.Despite shrinking external demand and rising unemployment, China's timely and bold policy responses have enabled its economy to grow at a sizzling 8.7 percent last year, he said, adding that China is now reinforcing its role as the engine for growth in Asia, if not the world.Goh said that the city state recognized China's potential early, soon after China began to open up its economy in 1978.Because of the early efforts made by the Singapore government and Singaporeans, China is today the city state's third largest trading partner and top investment destination, Goh said.As for riding on China's growth, Goh said that the Singapore government will help its companies gain an even stronger foothold in China, and continue to catalyze business opportunities in China.The seven provincial-level business councils, as well as other high-level dialogues and platforms, help open opportunities for companies, reinforce the Singapore brand name and increase its mindshare in China, Goh said.
BEIJING, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, rose 1.5 percent year on year in January 2010, the National Bureau of Statistics announced Thursday.Food prices went up 3.7 percent last month year on year, with non-food prices edging up 0.5 percent from a year earlier.The figure advanced 0.6 percent in November 2009, ending nine months of decline.
RAMALLAH, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu met with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad here on Tuesday.Hui at first conveyed greetings of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Fayyad, saying the Palestinians and China are good friends and brothers with mutual respect and mutual trust.The traditional friendship between the two sides have been consolidated over the past more than 40 years and the friendly cooperation has seen profound development, Hui said, adding that China is ready to join hands with the Palestinians to enhance the friendly bilateral political ties, strengthen economic and trade cooperation and expand cultural exchanges.Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu (L) shakes hands with Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in the West Bank City of Ramallah, March 23, 2010. Fayyad hailed the traditional friendship between the governments and the peoples of both countries. He also expressed gratitude over China's consistent support of the justice cause of the Palestinian people for their national rights.The two sides exchanged views mainly on improving agricultural cooperation. They both agreed to open the gate for Chinese- Palestinian agricultural cooperation in the fields of grain planting, fruit growing and stock raising. Fayyad also wished success to the 2010 Shanghai Expo.The two sides also exchanged their views on the Middle East issues. Hui reaffirmed the Chinese government's position on the those issues, saying the Chinese government and people deeply sympathize with the experience of the Palestinian people.Hui also said the Chinese side holds that all concerned parties in the Middle East should solve their disputes through peaceful negotiations under relevant UN resolutions and according to the principles of land for peace and the Arab peace initiative, to reach an overall, just and lasting solution of the Middle East issue and realize peaceful coexistence of two independent nations.Following their talks, Hui and Fayyad attended the signing ceremony of the agricultural cooperation deal between the two countries.Hui also meet with Secretary General of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Tayeb Abdul Rahim, and placed a wreath at the tomb of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is on a visit to Jordan, also had friendly talks with Hui through telephone
BERN, Switzerland, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang met Swiss President Doris Leuthard here on Tuesday and both sides voiced their opposition against trade protectionism amid the ongoing global financial crisis.Li, who arrived in Switzerland on Monday for a four-day visit, said the creation of a free trade area between the two countries is under discussion and serves as a concrete action for both sides to combat trade protectionism."Both sides should push the feasibility study on a free trade area forward, and be well prepared to start negotiations in 2010," Li said.Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang(4th L) attends the joint press conference with President of the Swiss Confederation Doris Leuthard(4th R) in Bern, capital of Switzerland, on Jan. 26, 2010. Li Keqiang arrived in Zurich on Monday, kicking off his formal visit to SwitzerlandThe creation of the free trade area is of great significance to bilateral ties and will be conducive to further promotion of bilateral trade and investment cooperation, the Chinese leader said.He noted that the year 2010 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, saying Switzerland was one of the earliest West European countries that recognized the People's Republic of China.Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang(R) shakes hands with President of the Swiss Confederation Doris Leuthard before their meeting in Bern, capital of Switzerland, on Jan. 26, 2010. Bilateral ties have been developing in an all-round way since the two sides established diplomatic relations 60 years ago, Li said.He said China attaches great importance to its ties with Switzerland and is ready to join hands with the European country to seek a long-term, healthy and stable development of bilateral ties."We should stick to the principle of sincerity, mutual trust and friendly consultation, and seek common ground while reserving differences, in order to cement the political basis of bilateral ties," Li said.For her part, Leuthard said Switzerland opposes any form of trade protectionism and expects more Chinese companies to invest in the country, as well as more cooperation between the two countries in such fields as technology and finance.Switzerland treats the Switzerland-China ties from a long-term perspective and highly values its cooperation with China, she said.She hoped that both sides could step up efforts on the feasibility study on a free trade area so as to draw a good result to open a new chapter of bilateral economic and trade ties.Leuthard said she will visit China this year and attend the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.The Swiss leader also reaffirmed that her country will firmly stick to the one-China policy.During his stay, Li will also address the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Thursday and hold talks with WEF President Klaus Shwab.
SHANGHAI, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao Friday called on the Chinese people to pool their strength and resources to make sure the Shanghai World Expo a success. With just 106 days to go before the Expo opening on May 1, Hu visited the Expo site Friday during an inspection tour in Shanghai. "Hosting the World Expo is not only a significant event of Shanghai, but also of the whole nation," he said, noting it was both the responsibility of Shanghai and the whole country to hold a successful Expo. Hu Jintao (L front), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, shakes hands with workers and personnel who work for the construction of the Shanghai World Expo park in Shanghai, east China, Jan. 15, 2010. Hu Jintao paid a visit here to inspect the preparation of Shanghai World Expo on Jan. 15 He urged Shanghai to make "all-out efforts" to efficiently complete the preparations and be a good host. He asked central government departments and local governments to take initiative and make concerted efforts in supporting the event. Hu Jintao (C), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects the under-construction World Expo park in Shanghai, east China, Jan. 15, 2010. The Expo's organizing committee should enhance its leading role and supervision to push forward relevant preparatory work orderly, he said. Hu put forward six requirements on the Expo's preparatory work: - To ensure the Expo site's infrastructure building and exhibition arrangements be completed on time; - To ensure sound service and logistics; - Security should be fully guaranteed; - Foreign affairs work, including receptions of international guests, must be well handled; - To ensure efficient and effective publicity work; - To create a civilized, happy and peaceful atmosphere. Hu said though the Expo was a big challenge, he believed it would be a "successful, brilliant and memorable" event with the support of the Chinese people, especially the contributions of Shanghai officials and residents. The Shanghai World Expo, which is expected to receive 70 million visitors, will last from May 1 to Oct. 31. So far, 35 of the 42 self-built foreign pavilions have started interior decoration and exhibition arrangement, and 11 joint pavilions have been completed.
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BEIJING, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese leaders on Friday offered their Spring Festival greetings to people across the nation at a gathering to mark the incoming Lunar New Year.President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao and top political advisor Jia Qinglin attended the gathering, held by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.Chinese President Hu Jintao presides over a gathering in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 12, 2010Other leaders including Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang also attended the gathering.The Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important traditional festival for family reunion in China. It falls on Feb. 14 this year, and the weeklong holiday kicks off Saturday, or the eve of the Spring Festival. Top Communist Party of China (CPC) and state leaders Hu Jintao (front, C), Wu Bangguo (front, 4th R), Wen Jiabao (front, 4th L), Jia Qinglin (front, 3rd R), Li Changchun (front, 3rd L), Xi Jinping (front, 2nd R), Li Keqiang (front, 2nd L), He Guoqiang (front, 1st R) and Zhou Yongkang (front, 1st L) attend a gathering in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 12, 2010
PARIS, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner on Wednesday held talks on bilateral ties and reached important consensus on developing China-France relationship.Through joint efforts of both nations, Sino-France relations has recently showed rapid development, Yang said.This year marks an important period for relations between France and China, therefore, the two parties should further implement important consensus reached by two leaders, continue to respect and take care of mutual concerns and promote pragmatic cooperation in various fields, Yang underlined.The Chinese minister also expected both countries to jointly oppose trade and investment protectionism, and maintain coordination and cooperation over significant international and regional issues in a bid to contribute for worldwide peace, stability and prosperity. Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (L) and his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner host a joint press conference after their meeting in Paris, capital of France, Feb. 3, 2010. Yang Jiechi and Bernard Kouchner on Wednesday held talks on bilateral ties and reached important consensus on developing China-France relationshipYang expressed China's willingness to use 2010 Shanghai World Expo as an opportunity to enhance comprehensive cooperations with France, such as on humanism, and to consolidate the basis of bilateral ties.As to China-Europe relations, Yang said the two sides have massive common interests as China always attaches importance to their relations and regards Europe as its important strategic partner.China is willing to work with Europe and France along the sound and stable development track to build on bilateral strategic relations and to promote further China-France and China-Europe ties, Yang added.Kouchner echoed Yang's view on China's relations with France and Europe, saying France attached importance to relations with China.France is satisfied with the friendly cooperation between the two nations and the recovery and development of bilateral ties, Kouchner said, adding that France is willing to work with China to boost Sino-France and Sino-Europe ties to better prospect.The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on climate change and other mutually concerned international and regional issues during their talks, which followed by a joint conference. Yang is on a five-nation tour, which has already taken him to Britain and Turkey. After a two-day visit in France, he will attend a meeting on security policy in Munich, Germany on Feb. 5-7. Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (1st R) meets with his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner (1st L) in Paris, capital of France, Feb. 3, 2010. Yang Jiechi and Bernard Kouchner on Wednesday held talks on bilateral ties and reached important consensus on developing China-France relationship
BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The threat of inflation to China's economy is less worrisome compared with asset bubble, economists said Saturday at the China Development Forum 2010.China's economy is facing a new round of growth in the coming two years, but the risks of inflation and asset bubble remain, said Fan Gang, secretary general of the China Reform Foundation.Compared with inflation, tackling asset bubble is of greater importance because asset bubble, as one of the causes for this round of global financial crisis, is more dangerous, Fan said. He expected the country's economy to grow 8 to 9 percent this year in a "normal growth."Growth in China's property prices is accelerating and approaching an alarming level, said Nomura Holdings Inc. chairman Junichi Ujiie.Despite government measures to curb property prices, China's property market grew at its fastest pace in 20 months in February, with housing prices in 70 major cities rising 10.7 percent from a year ago.