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World Water Week experts call for green water usage in Africa

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Stockholm, August 30(Greenpost)–Water and climate experts have called for a Green Water Initiative in Africa, as part of a Water Revolution in Africa for alleviating hunger on the continent and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Large parts of the world are struggling to adapt to a drier reality, but challenges are especially dire in Africa’s drylands. Africa’s climate is its Achilles Heel”, said Professor Malin Falkenmark, Senior Scientific Advisor to Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) at the beginning of the World Water Week.

In the water-scarce regions of sub-Saharan Africa (mainly consisting of savannah), direct management of scarce rainfall must form an integral part of the development agenda,

Green water refers to the part of the rain that infiltrates into, and is stored in, the soil.

At the onset of World Water Week, a group of world-renowned hydro-climate experts said that rainwater harvesting and other green water management methods, are key to alleviating hunger in sub-Saharan Africa and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Johan Rockström, Director of Stockholm Resilience Center and  Johan Kuylenstierna, Director of Stockholm Environment Institute, Charles J. Vörösmarty and Torgny Holmgren from SIWI attended the  Malin Falkenmark Symposium at World Water Week.

The vast drylands encircling the Congo Basin are home to some 750 million people, a number that is expected to increase to 1.6 billion in the next 35 years. Meanwhile, agricultural yields in this region are very low, on average around one tonne per hectare, as a result of frequent droughts.

The group said that to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture), Africa needs a Triple Green Revolution: green for productive use of green water, green for intensification and enhanced food production, and green for sustainability and building water resilience in watersheds.

Rain, the scientists said, is the ultimate water source in dryland agriculture, as the limited blue water (such as rivers and streams) will be needed for increased urban water supply, industry and energy production.

They suggest rainwater harvesting systems that can offer supplementary irrigation, harvested from slopes and valley bottoms and stored in ponds or dams for use during dry spells and drought periods.

To finance the initiative, the group proposed a Water Harvesting Innovation Fund for Africa, to build water resilience for food security and human well-being.

“Initiatives like the Green Water Initiative in Africa, within the framework of the 2030 Agenda is of great importance if we will have any chance of realizing the Sustainable Development Goals. I hope to see some concrete response to this call,” said SIWI’s Executive Director Torgny Holmgren.

Business, News, World News

Iceland bank increases interest rate by half a percent

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Stockholm, Aug. 24(Greenpost)–The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Iceland has decided to lower the Bank’s interest rates by 0.5 percentage points. The Bank’s key interest rate – the rate on seven-day term deposits – will therefore be 5.25%, according to a statement reaching here from Rekjavik.

Statement of the Monetary Policy Committee 24 August 2016

According to the Central Bank’s updated forecast as published in the most recent Monetary Bulletin, the outlook is for somewhat stronger output growth this year than was forecast in May, or 4.9%, followed by robust growth in 2017. In spite of large pay increases and a wider positive output gap, inflation has remained below target for two-and-a-half years.

In July it measured 1.1%, the lowest inflation rate since the beginning of 2015. Improved terms of trade, low global inflation, tight monetary policy, and the appreciation of the króna have offset the effects of wage increases on the price level. The króna has appreciated markedly in the recent term, in spite of substantial foreign currency purchases by the Central Bank.

The inflation outlook has improved since the Bank’s last forecast. If the exchange rate remains unchanged, the outlook is for inflation to remain below target until early 2017. According to the forecast, it will edge upwards when import prices stop declining and the effects of the currency appreciation subside. Inflation will rise more slowly than previously forecast, however, and will not be as high as was previously projected. If the exchange rate continues to rise, and other things being equal, inflation will be lower than is provided for in the baseline forecast.

Tight monetary policy has contained demand for credit and led to increased saving, thereby supporting a larger current account surplus and a stronger króna. Alongside favourable external conditions, monetary policy has therefore led to lower inflation and recently to a better alignment of inflation expectations to the target. For the same reasons, real interest rates have risen somewhat more in the recent term than was provided for in the Bank’s previous forecasts based on an unchanged exchange rate.

There are indications that monetary policy has been more successful than was expected earlier this year. As a result, it appears that it will be possible to keep inflation at target over the medium term with a lower interest rate than was previously considered necessary. The likelihood of increased macroeconomic imbalances and the uncertainty associated with capital account liberalisation argue for caution in interest rate setting, however. Whether interest rates will be lowered further or need to be raised again will depend on economic developments and on the success of the capital account liberalisation process.

 

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Top story: China rejects the ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal in the South China Sea Arbitration

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STOCKHOLM, July 12(Greenpost)–Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected the Arbitral Tribunal’s ruling on the South China Sea on July 12, 2016.

The following is the full text translation of Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China on the Award of 12 July 2016 of the Arbitral Tribunal in the South China Sea Arbitration Established at the Request of the Republic of the Philippines

2016/07/12

With regard to the award rendered on 12 July 2016 by the Arbitral Tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration established at the unilateral request of the Republic of the Philippines (hereinafter referred to as the “Arbitral Tribunal”), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China solemnly declares that the award is null and void and has no binding force. China neither accepts nor recognizes it.

1. On 22 January 2013, the then government of the Republic of the Philippines unilaterally initiated arbitration on the relevant disputes in the South China Sea between China and the Philippines. On 19 February 2013, the Chinese government solemnly declared that it neither accepts nor participates in that arbitration and has since repeatedly reiterated that position. On 7 December 2014, the Chinese government released the Position Paper of the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the Matter of Jurisdiction in the South China Sea Arbitration Initiated by the Republic of the Philippines, pointing out that the Philippines’ initiation of arbitration breaches the agreement between the two states, violates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and goes against the general practice of international arbitration, and that the Arbitral Tribunal has no jurisdiction. On 29 October 2015, the Arbitral Tribunal rendered an award on jurisdiction and admissibility. The Chinese government immediately stated that the award is null and void and has no binding force. China’s positions are clear and consistent.

2. The unilateral initiation of arbitration by the Philippines is out of bad faith. It aims not to resolve the relevant disputes between China and the Philippines, or to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, but to deny China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. The initiation of this arbitration violates international law. First, the subject-matter of the arbitration initiated by the Philippines is in essence an issue of territorial sovereignty over some islands and reefs of Nansha Qundao (the Nansha Islands), and inevitably concerns and cannot be separated from maritime delimitation between China and the Philippines. Fully aware that territorial issues are not subject to UNCLOS, and that maritime delimitation disputes have been excluded from the UNCLOS compulsory dispute settlement procedures by China’s 2006 declaration, the Philippines deliberately packaged the relevant disputes as mere issues concerning the interpretation or application of UNCLOS. Second, the Philippines’ unilateral initiation of arbitration infringes upon China’s right as a state party to UNCLOS to choose on its own will the procedures and means for dispute settlement. As early as in 2006, pursuant to Article 298 of UNCLOS, China excluded from the compulsory dispute settlement procedures of UNCLOS disputes concerning, among others, maritime delimitation, historic bays or titles, military and law enforcement activities. Third, the Philippines’ unilateral initiation of arbitration violates the bilateral agreement reached between China and the Philippines, and repeatedly reaffirmed over the years, to resolve relevant disputes in the South China Sea through negotiations. Fourth, the Philippines’ unilateral initiation of arbitration violates the commitment made by China and ASEAN Member States, including the Philippines, in the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) to resolve the relevant disputes through negotiations by states directly concerned. By unilaterally initiating the arbitration, the Philippines violates UNCLOS and its provisions on the application of dispute settlement procedures, the principle of “pacta sunt servanda” and other rules and principles of international law.

3. The Arbitral Tribunal disregards the fact that the essence of the subject-matter of the arbitration initiated by the Philippines is issues of territorial sovereignty and maritime delimitation, erroneously interprets the common choice of means of dispute settlement already made jointly by China and the Philippines, erroneously construes the legal effect of the relevant commitment in the DOC, deliberately circumvents the optional exceptions declaration made by China under Article 298 of UNCLOS, selectively takes relevant islands and reefs out of the macro-geographical framework of Nanhai Zhudao (the South China Sea Islands), subjectively and speculatively interprets and applies UNCLOS, and obviously errs in ascertaining facts and applying the law. The conduct of the Arbitral Tribunal and its awards seriously contravene the general practice of international arbitration, completely deviate from the object and purpose of UNCLOS to promote peaceful settlement of disputes, substantially impair the integrity and authority of UNCLOS, gravely infringe upon China’s legitimate rights as a sovereign state and state party to UNCLOS, and are unjust and unlawful.

4. China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea shall under no circumstances be affected by those awards. China opposes and will never accept any claim or action based on those awards.

5. The Chinese government reiterates that, regarding territorial issues and maritime delimitation disputes, China does not accept any means of third party dispute settlement or any solution imposed on China. The Chinese government will continue to abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including the principles of respecting state sovereignty and territorial integrity and peaceful settlement of disputes, and continue to work with states directly concerned to resolve the relevant disputes in the South China Sea through negotiations and consultations on the basis of respecting historical facts and in accordance with international law, so as to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Source: Foreign Affairs Ministry of People’s Republic of China.

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Business, China, Chinese circle, culture, Energy, Environment, Exchange, Green-tech, Indepth, Life, News, Opinion, World News

Top story: China’s stance on its Territorial Sovereignty and Maritime Rights and interests in the South China Sea

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STOCKHOLM, July 12, (Greenpost)- Chinese government has issued a statement on its stance on the South China Sea.

The following is the full text of the statement:

Statement of the Government of the People’s Republic of China on China’s Territorial Sovereignty and Maritime Rights and Interests in the South China Sea

2016/07/12

To reaffirm China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, enhance cooperation in the South China Sea with other countries, and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea, the Government of the People’s Republic of China hereby states as follows:

I. China’s Nanhai Zhudao (the South China Sea Islands) consist of Dongsha Qundao (the Dongsha Islands), Xisha Qundao (the Xisha Islands), Zhongsha Qundao (the Zhongsha Islands) and Nansha Qundao (the Nansha Islands). The activities of the Chinese people in the South China Sea date back to over 2,000 years ago. China is the first to have discovered, named, and explored and exploited Nanhai Zhudao and relevant waters, and the first to have exercised sovereignty and jurisdiction over them continuously, peacefully and effectively, thus establishing territorial sovereignty and relevant rights and interests in the South China Sea.

Following the end of the Second World War, China recovered and resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao which had been illegally occupied by Japan during its war of aggression against China. To strengthen the administration over Nanhai Zhudao, the Chinese government in 1947 reviewed and updated the geographical names of Nanhai Zhudao, compiled Nan Hai Zhu Dao Di Li Zhi Lüe (A Brief Account of the Geography of the South China Sea Islands), and drew Nan Hai Zhu Dao Wei Zhi Tu (Location Map of the South China Sea Islands) on which the dotted line is marked. This map was officially published and made known to the world by the Chinese government in February 1948.

II. Since its founding on 1 October 1949, the People’s Republic of China has been firm in upholding China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. A series of legal instruments, such as the 1958 Declaration of the Government of the People’s Republic of China on China’s Territorial Sea, the 1992 Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone, the 1998 Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf and the 1996 Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China on the Ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, have further reaffirmed China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.

III. Based on the practice of the Chinese people and the Chinese government in the long course of history and the position consistently upheld by successive Chinese governments, and in accordance with national law and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, China has territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, including, inter alia:

i. China has sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao, consisting of Dongsha Qundao, Xisha Qundao, Zhongsha Qundao and Nansha Qundao;

ii. China has internal waters, territorial sea and contiguous zone, based on Nanhai Zhudao;

iii. China has exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, based on Nanhai Zhudao;

iv. China has historic rights in the South China Sea.

The above positions are consistent with relevant international law and practice.

IV. China is always firmly opposed to the invasion and illegal occupation by certain states of some islands and reefs of China’s Nansha Qundao, and activities infringing upon China’s rights and interests in relevant maritime areas under China’s jurisdiction. China stands ready to continue to resolve the relevant disputes peacefully through negotiation and consultation with the states directly concerned on the basis of respecting historical facts and in accordance with international law. Pending final settlement, China is also ready to make every effort with the states directly concerned to enter into provisional arrangements of a practical nature, including joint development in relevant maritime areas, in order to achieve win-win results and jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

V. China respects and upholds the freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by all states under international law in the South China Sea, and stays ready to work with other coastal states and the international community to ensure the safety of and the unimpeded access to the international shipping lanes in the South China Sea.

Source: Website of Chinese Ministry for  Foreign Affairs.
Business, Chinese circle, culture, Energy, Environment, Exchange, Indepth, News, World News

Sweden becomes a member of the UN Security Council

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STOCKHOLM, June 29(Greenpost)–Sweden has been elected to the United Nations Security Council 2017-2018, announced Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström on Tuesday.

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“Six months ago we were considered to be out of the running. Today we have a seat on the Security Council. This is a great victory for Swedish foreign policy and Swedish diplomacy,” said Wallström in a statement.

“For a government that stands for solidarity and cooperation, a seat on the Security Council is an acknowledgement that a global policy for sustainable peace and development pays off. For the United Nations, this means that one of its largest donors is taking its engagement and ideas, along with its demands for reform and change, into the organisation’s innermost room,” said the statement.

“During our two-year term, we will take our share of responsibility for international peace and security that membership of the Security Council entails. On 1 January 2017, when we take our seat at the table that has become a symbol of world affairs, we will do so as President, at the same time as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations takes office,” said Wallström.

Sweden’s candidacy was based on issues and on a belief in dialogue and diplomacy as tools. Deeper contacts with many countries around the world have given us a better understanding of how today’s challenges are perceived and experienced, but also a basis for advancing Sweden’s vision of democracy and human rights, gender equality and development. This is also how Sweden will work as a member:” we will listen to those concerned, defend those who need to be defended and stand up for those we believe in”.

Security, development and gender equality are interlinked. Poor countries run a much greater risk of being affected by conflict. Sweden will work to make the Security Council better at acting before conflicts erupt.

“We will work to make the Security Council see the nexus between security, development, climate and gender equality. We will work to highlight the perspective of women in conflict situations. Half of the world’s population cannot be excluded if we want to achieve sustainable peace,” said Wallström in the statement.

Wallström said the UN must become more open – even more open. “We want to work for greater transparency and openness in the Security Council. We want to talk with countries, rather than about countries. We want to strengthen dialogue with civil society, women’s organisations and other peace actors. This is how to build a peaceful world.”

She said Sweden will deal with issues on the Security Council agenda on the basis of Swedish values. “The last time we had a seat on the Security Council, we were always the ones to emphasise international law and human rights. And that’s how it will be this time too.”

The situation in Sweden’s neighbourhood and the fact that our European security order is being challenged demonstrate the importance of respect for international rules and principles. “This perspective will be central during our two-year term on the Security Council,”.

Sweden will be a member of the UN security Council from January 1, 2017.

“We will be doing so at a time when, all around the world, uncertainty and insecurity are taking a toll on people’s lives, and the need to work together to build sustainable peace and resilient communities has never been clearer. We will do so because we are convinced that as a small and open country dependent on the rest of the world, it is in our interest to contribute to and defend the international order that has at its core the United Nations and the Security Council. And we will do so because we believe we can make a difference – through our policies, our values and our engagement,” the statement said.

Business

Shanxi Delegation visits Uppsala

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Av Xuefei Chen Axelsson

STOCKHOLM, May 29(Greenpost)–Shanxi delegationen besökte Uppsala om förnyelseenergi.

DSC_0281Lena berättade för delegationen att Uppsala Kommunen har målet att bli carbon neutral på 2020.

DSC_0286De har byggt ett högt hus med el som kan tillväxa 40 percent el för hissen, lampa och värm vatten.

DSC_0297Priset av huset är högt, med för långsikt syn, det är en investering.

Kommunen också uppnuntrar public att cyklar mer istället att köra bil.

DSC_0278Till sist besökte delegationen Storkyrkan och gick genom stangatorna.

DSC_0292Det kändes bra och Uppsala är mycket vacket.

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Bilder/Text/Xuefei Chen Axelsson

Business, Environment, Life, News, Opinion

Stockholm ranks 11th in tourism in European cities

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STOCKHOLM, June 10th(Greenpost)–Stockholm has one of the highest growth rates in Europe when one considers the number of guest nights.

This year, Stockholm has climbed up two places in the rankings, from 13th to 11thplace, on the International ECM Benchmarking Report’s list that measures the growth of tourism in European cities.

“Stockholm is one of Europe’s fastest growing cities and we are regularly ranked one of the best cities in the world to live and work. We work with the Stockholm brand from a long-term perspective, so that it stands out internationally,” commented  Karin Wanngård, (S), Mayor of Stockholm.

“Therefore, it is extremely gratifying to see the great results we have been seeing.”

Even for guest night statistics from a global perspective, Stockholm climbs up the list from 22nd place to 21st place. And of the top 25 cities, Stockholm has the highest rate of growth, a considerable 13.8%.

“Stockholm is all about openness, diversity and sustainability, with a strong international vibe. Our city is a hub for innovation within the music, tech and creative industries,” says Karin Mäntymäki, acting CEO of Visit Stockholm.

The ECM Benchmarking Report is produced by European Cities Marketing.

Business, Chinese circle, culture, Exchange

图片新闻：瑞典华人华侨举办浓情端午文艺演出

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北欧绿色邮报网图片报道（记者陈雪霏）－－5月29日瑞典华人华侨和瑞典俄罗斯，希腊和乌克兰文化团体在斯德哥尔摩举办了一场别开生面的浓情端午最炫民族风文艺演出。 为中瑞观众献上一场中欧文化大餐。IMG_0735

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shot by Jan Peter Axelsson           Jan Peter Axelsson 拍摄

Business, China, Chinese circle, culture, Energy, Environment, Exchange, Green-tech, Indepth, Life, News, Opinion, Sport, World News

Long live to Sino-Swedish relations

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By Xuefei Chen Axelsson

Today marks the 66th anniversary of Sino-Swedish relations. In China, when a person becomes 66 years old, we will give a grand celebration with food and wine.

Similar, the relations between China and Sweden is worthwhile to celebrate too.

Recalling the past 66 years,  a lot has happened between the two countries.

Sweden was the first western country that established diplomatic relatlions with China.  That was May 9, 1950.

According to historical documents, Norway, Danmark, Finland and Sweden all recognized China in January.  But due to Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai’s diplomacy of cleaning up the house first, they decided to accept Swedish offer first and established diplomatic relations with Sweden on May, 9, 1950.

So the former Swedish to China Ambassador said Sweden was chosen to be the first one to establish relations with China. Then Denmark, Finland and Norway established relations with China.

The consideration likely involves the history between China and Sweden. As early as 1700 century, Sweden had sent Gothenburg Ship to China to buy the tea, porshelin and silk. The trade caused a wave of China heat.  Even Queen Lovisa was a fan of China.

China Pavillion in Drottningholm was the typical evidence of this craze. It was Lovisa’s gift from the king when she was 33 years old.  Inside the pavillion there are a lot of Chinese books. The most impressive thing was the echoing room on the second floor.

Sometimes I feel the down to earth manner and the honesty Swedish people own are the trace of Chinese virtues. Honesty and down to earth are also the virtues Chinese seek.

In the 19th century, Sweden was the first country that signed a business agreement, but didn’t openly invade China or rob China like the other eight western  power.   But the two sides did sign agreements to divid the antiques people unearthened in Beijing Suburbs. That is why people today can see a whole lot of precious antiques dating back to Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasty in Fareastern Antiquities Museum.

Swedish explorer Sven Hedin explored a lot along the silk road. Many Swedish like to have adventures in China. Ericsson established its office in Shanghai at the end of 19th century.

Meanwhile, Chinese also visited Sweden.  Liang Qichao, one of the six Gentlemen who presented a proposal to the Qing Emperor but faced severe punishment escaped to Sweden and lived here for a year.

When New China was established, General Geng Biao who was also vice premier then became the first ambassador to Sweden.  New China sent quite a few generals abroad to become the first ambassador.

DSC_9023Sino-Swedish relations have been so good that they sometimes can criticise each other. But they remain good friends.

Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf visited China many times. Crown Princess Victoria had her training in China for a month.

Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Sweden in June 2007. President Xi Jinping visited Sweden in 2010 when he was vice president.   Premier Wen Jiabao visited Sweden in 2012.

Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of CPPCC visited Sweden in June 2014.

While about 500 Swedish companies operate in China, many Chinese companies come to Sweden to invest. Volvo car owner now is Chinese Geely. Saab was also bought by Chinese from Shandong province.

Many Chinese investors bought houses in Sweden and like to contribute to Swedish economies.

Meanwhile, Swedish companies are also seeking opportunities in China.

In terms of culture, a new Chinese Culture Center will be established right in the center of the Stockholm City.  It is a good present for the 66th anniversary of Sino-Swedish relations.

What will be the future like?  In fact, from what I observed, more and more tourists, especially ordinary tourists are visiting Sweden. This is a sign that the Chinese are getting richer and richer. They can spend money from their own pocket to go abroad. They can afford it and they are allowed to do this.  There is no lofty slogan going on, but there is still a lot happening on the ground.

In my opinion, it is these down to business kind of relations that can be more sustainable if the embassy can allow this to happen. More freedom to move and more permission to visit,  it will be good for both sides, for the common people to exchange and do business.

Without such freedom, without such permission, it is difficult to really get the business booming.  Without exchange of people, we cannot talk about exchange of culture and business.

Sweden has advantage in environmental technology and practices, design, water and air and green energy while China is in need of green food, green tech and green energy.

DSC_9577Recently the exchange of Ice Hockey becomes frequent too. Several activities have taken place.  It is hoped more and more exchange activities will take place with the support from both government and businesses.

Business, China, News

China “deserves big credit” for efforts to tackle climate change: Britain’s ex-Labour leader

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by Xinhua Writer Zhang Jianhua
LONDON, May 3 (Greenpost) — China “deserves big credit” for its efforts to develop clean energy and work with other countries to tackle climate change, said Ed Miliband, former leader of the Labour Party in Britain.
“I am very impressed by China’s leadership on this issue, and when I look at what China is doing, and I think it is quite an amazing initiative that it is taking,” Miliband said in a recent interview with Xinhua.
Miliband was leader of the Labour Party from 2010 to 2015. He previously served as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, a cabinet post, from 2008 to 2010 under the then-prime minister Gordon Brown.
After resigning from party leadership last year, the politician has continued his role as a member of the Parliament and strived to build a cross-party coalition of lawmakers, businesses, trade unions and NGOs to campaign for tougher environmental policies and legislations in Britain.
Speaking of China’s newly released 13th Five-Year Plan, a national blueprint emphasizing “green development,” Miliband said it is “incredibly ambitious” and “a very important contribution” to tackling climate change.
“China has powered ahead of the renewable energy, but all of the evidence of the 13th Five-Year Plan is that it wants to power ahead ever further,” he said.
“China is planning to invest more in clean electricity generation in the next 15 years than the whole of Europe’s electricity generation, so this is an amazing effort on clean energy,” he added.
The former Labour leader noted that there is “big potential” for UK-China cooperation on climate change and other environmental issues.
The two countries, he said, could learn from each other on renewable energy “where China is obviously driving ahead electric cars.”
“There are all kinds of ways we can collaborate, and one area that I am interested in us collaborating on is Carbon Capture and Storage, so-called CCS, which is a big issue because it’s a way to make some traditional fissile fuel consumption clean. Capturing the carbon is going to be very important as we all lower our emissions,” he further elaborated.
Illustrating the “common but differentiated responsibilities,” a key principle in international environmental law, Miliband said that China and the UK can collaborate on “a wider point” of tackling inequalities in global climate governance.
“We can’t hope to tackle the climate change challenge without a commitment to tackling inequalities — inequalities between countries, and inequalities within countries… that seems to me to be the central part of tackling these challenges,” he stressed.
On broader international cooperation, Miliband pointed out that the most important thing is to begin with mutual understanding, as “every country faces compelling constraints and particular national circumstances.”
“I must say one of the things I welcome most of all has been the cooperation that the presidents of the United States and China have led in terms of their cooperation. The countries are so important to the future that the United States and China cooperating together is incredibly important,” he said.
In April, more than 170 countries signed the Paris agreement, a milestone in the fight against global climate change. The document was adopted last December with no objection by the 196 Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in France.
It sets a goal of keeping global average temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and aims to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Miliband said the Paris agreement marked “the beginning of the beginning,” but it needs more ambitious actions to win “the race against time.”
“Paris is an important milestone, but we look at the science, the rising temperatures, and the way our countries are being affected by immediate issues like air pollution, and we recognize the urgency of moving forward,” he explained.
“We are in a race against time. While there is a lot more ambition from all countries, the science is in a way urging us to be even more ambitious, because it is telling us how difficult and how challenging the situation is,” he warned. Enditem

Business, Exchange, News

Russia eyes enhanced agricultural cooperation with China

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MOSCOW, May 4 (Greenpost) — Russia hopes to strengthen agricultural cooperation with China, Russian Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachev said in a recent interview with Xinhua.
“The trade volume in the agricultural sphere between Russia and China has been increasing during the past years, and in 2015 the figure hit 3 billion U.S. dollars,” Tkachev told Xinhua on Monday.
The agricultural development in Russia has demonstrated a strong dynamic with the firm state support and various development projects. And Russia’s export of corn, soybean, sunflower oil and flour to China has all increased in recent years, according to the official.
Implementing the Far East development program, for instance, is the Russian government’s priority task to increase the country’s investment attractiveness, said Tkachev.
“Our main priority in the Far East is to provide the conditions for investment in agricultural and infrastructure spheres,” Tkachev said, naming several regions such as Primorsky, Khabarovsk, Amur and Sakhalin, which border with or are in the vicinity of China’s northeast.
Those regions have the potential to increase agricultural production, if the government funds the restoration and modernization of agricultural infrastructure in the Far Eastern regions to stimulate investment and to support farmers, Tkachev said.
While domestic policies would help speed up the development of the Far East, Tkachev hoped investors could “produce a strong synergetic effect.”
Russia would like to boost mutual agricultural trade with China, as well as agricultural products’ accessibility to each other’s markets, said Tkachev.
Tkachev told Xinhua the implementation of joint investment projects under multilevel Russian-Chinese commissions on agriculture would be discussed during his working visit to China, which started Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Tkachev said he will discuss the safety of agricultural products during his meetings with Chinese officials.  Enditem

Business, China, Chinese circle

Broader tax overhaul to pep up China’s economy

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BEIJING, May 4 (Greenpost) — As China waves goodbye to business taxes (BT) with one hand, it is welcoming a fairer business environment with the other.
As of May 1, China now follows a value-added tax (VAT) system, which is set to pep up the broader economy.
Starting on Sunday, the BT-to-VAT transition, which began in 2012 in certain industries, was applied to the remaining four sectors — construction, real estate, finance and consumer services.
Construction and real estate will be subject to 11 percent VAT, while a 6-percent levy will be imposed on finance and consumer services.
VAT is a tax calculated by the difference between a commodity’s price before taxes and its production cost, while BT was a levy on gross revenues. Tangible goods have been subject to VAT for some time, but the levy on services was BT: A crude system that often results in double taxation.
The BT-to-VAT transition has proven to reduce the tax burden of enterprises, most of which are small companies. During it test phase, it had reduced the tax burden of companies by 641.2 billion yuan (99 billion U.S. dollars) by the end of 2015.
These newly-encompassed sectors had a combined BT scale of 1.9 trillion yuan, accounting for some 80 percent of all BT across the board and involving over 11,000 taxpayers, according to data from the State Administration of Taxation.
By 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 1.36 million VAT invoices had been issued to 147,000 taxpayers across the country, involving 25.86 billion yuan.
Authorities estimate that now VAT has been applied to all sectors, businesses will make savings of more than 500 billion yuan.
Besides, other links in the production chain will also benefit from the overhaul. The unified VAT system will create a fairer environment for businesses as the government seeks to tap growth momentum in the relatively underdeveloped service industry.
China’s service sector is increasingly picking up the slack of manufacturing as the government tries to shift to a more sustainable growth model.
In the first quarter, the service sector grew 7.6 percent year on year, outpacing a 2.9-percent increase in the primary industry and 5.8 percent in the secondary industry. It accounted for 56.9 percent of the overall economy, up 2 percentage points from a year earlier, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
The government is also looking to the broader reform to stimulate mass innovation and create an amicable climate for private enterprises, which play a central role in job creation.
China’s economy expanded 6.7 percent year on year in the first quarter, slowing further from the previous quarter.
In the face of continued economic headwinds, China has made supply-side reform an economic priority, and tax cuts to lower the cost of business are a major policy option.
To cover the tax reductions for enterprises, the government has decided to increase its deficit-to-GDP ratio to 3 percent this year from 2.3 percent last year.
The government deficit for 2016 is projected to be 2.18 trillion yuan, an increase of 560 billion yuan over last year.  Enditem

Business, China, Chinese circle

China Voice: No need to overreact to China’s overseas NGO law

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    BEIJING, May 4 (Greenpost) — Some people appear to have misunderstood China’s new law on overseas NGOs.
They seem to have failed to notice anything beyond the law’s restrictive provisions. News flash: There are few laws that only forbid, and this is not one of them.
When the new law takes effect in January, overseas NGOs will walk out of the shadow they have long stood in. Those with solid reasons to operate in China will have a legal identity, a clear code of conduct and protection of their rights and interests from the government and legal system. They will also be subject to supervision, just like their domestic counterparts are.
One issue that drew much concern is the involvement of the police in the registration and regulation processes.
China is hardly the only country in the world to place trust in law enforcement and, as lawmakers have repeatedly pointed out, the police have the resources and expertise to deal with foreigners. Rather than this being the “hostile setup” espoused by certain parties, it is a pragmatic arrangement to ensure an efficient and professional service.
The police have not been handed unrestricted power, and systems will be in place to assure accountability and, should they fail in their duty, suitable punishments.
When comparing previous drafts of the law, which went through three readings, it is clear that great effort has been made to develop a balanced and comprehensive law.
Gathering opinions from different parties including foreign NGOs that already operate in China, the top legislature made notable changes through every reading.
For instance, the adopted law removed a provision in the original draft that limited foreign NGO offices on the Chinese mainland to one, and deleted the five-year operational limit on representative offices. Restrictions on staff and volunteers were also lifted.
The draft had required a permit for NGOs that wanted to operate temporarily on the mainland. In the adopted law this has been changed to a compulsory report with the regulator 15 days before the program begins.
The Ministry of Public Security has promised to work out detailed protocols and publish this code of conduct as quickly as possible so that overseas NGOs will have enough time to prepare for registration.
China is still in the process of modernization, not only economically but also in governance. It is in its best interest to have a dynamic NGO sector, which features both domestic and foreign entities. From education, environmental protection to poverty relief, NGOs have an important part to play.
The law may not be perfect but it is a good beginning. It is likely that problems may emerge as it is enforced but, with the support and cooperation of NGOs, these problems can be properly addressed.
The law was drafted to give NGOs a more stable and positive environment in which to work in China. It will be a mutually beneficial relationship, better than letting the good and bad mix into the grey. Enditem

 

Business, China, News

China to crush cyber fraud service providers

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BEIJING, May 3 (Greenpost) — China will launch a nation-wide campaign to eliminate online services and materials that help fraudsters, according to the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on Tuesday.
During the campaign, which will run until September, police will search for services such as those that offer the account-stealing Trojan virus; information exchange or information on hacking; trade of ID and bank account information; and falsified certification, among others.

The MPS, said cyber scams and cyber theft had become rampant in recent years, and offenders often go online to obtain the tools needed.

Moreover, police will also remove information pertaining to cyber fraud off the Internet.  Enditem