China Oil Dependence Sparks Concern

 
2009-01-05
China’s dependence on foreign oil reaches 50-percent mark for first time.
BOSTON–China passed an energy milestone in 2008 as its oil imports equaled domestic production for the first time, according to industry reports.In separate estimates, state-owned China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) and its PetroChina subsidiary said the country’s crude oil imports rose to 189 million tons […]

Outspoken China Critic to Step Down from Top Church Post

Outspoken China Critic to Step Down from Top Church Post
By The Associated Press The Associated Press Sun, Dec, 28 2008 11:17 AM PT
HONG KONG – Cardinal Joseph Zen said the Vatican has approved his decision to step down as head of the Hong Kong diocese next year to spend more time monitoring Catholic churches in […]

Closer ties, military included, between Beijing and Taipei

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou reiterates his détente policy towards the mainland. Chinese President Hu Jintao calls even for military cooperation between the two sides to further ease tensions. However, the mainland’s anti-secession law and hundreds of missiles targeting the island remain in place.  
Taipei (AsiaNews/Agencies) – After years of tensions more and more statements […]

UHRP urges release of Uyghur students detained for organizing peaceful protest

UHRP urges release of Uyghur students detained for organizing peaceful protest

For immediate release December 30, 2008, 7:00 EST Contact: Uyghur American Association +1 (202) 349 1496 The Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) urges Chinese government authorities to release two young Uyghur students detained in East Turkestan (also known as Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) […]

Corruption in China costing up to US$ 8.4 billion

In the first 11 months of 2008 some 57 billion yuan were embezzled or wasted. Hundreds of officials and employers are accused. But the mainland’s highly-centralised political system is also held responsible for poor controls as local officials tend to inflate local economic data to promote their careers. Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Auditors have found that […]

A Pivotal Moment For China

 
2008-12-29
A former top Communist Party official looks back on a “uniquely lively” Party plenum, but says the real forces for change lay elsewhere. Part 2 in a series to mark 30 years of Chinese economic reform.
AFP
Several hundred thousand people lay wreaths on April 5, 1976 on Tiananmen Square in memory of late Premier Zhou Enlai. […]

Those responsible for melamine-contaminated milk risk death penalty

The trial has begun against executives and suppliers of Sanlu, the company mainly responsible for the scandal. On the 31st, the trial against the former president begins. But in the meantime, the company has gone bankrupt, and the families of the 290,000 children sickened by the milk are afraid that no one will compensate them. […]

Age in China’s House Churches Decreasing; More Ministers Needed

Age in China’s House Churches Decreasing; More Ministers Needed
Luke LeungGospel Herald ReporterMon, Dec, 15 2008 09:47 AM PT
China ministry vice president of an Christian Communication International reported that the majority of the house churches in China are below 35 years of age and has higher educational background. He urged for more believers to dedicate their […]