Category Archives: Exchange

Nobel Prize Concert soloist Janine Jansen

STOCKHOLM, Dec. 8(Chineseonline)–According to Nobel Media, in association with the Stockholm Concert Hall, Violinist Janine Jansen will perform soloist during the 2016 Nobel Prize Concert –- an event of world class stature.

The concert is being held on 8 December as part of the official Nobel Week programme of activities.

Gianandrea Noseda. Photo © Sussie Ahlburg.

Janine Jansen.  Photo © Decca/Marco Borggreve.

Kaufman’s performance was cancelled.

 

Lectures on How to Teach Nordics Chinese

By Xuefei Chen Axelsson

STOCKHOLM, Nov. 2(Greenpost)– Warmly welcomed lectures on how to teach Nordics Chinese have been held in Stockholm.

img_1892 The first lecture was given by Dr. Wang Li from Denmark . She talked about her experience on how to teach Chinese  in Denmark, challenges and strategies.

img_1898Professor Zhang Jingxian talked about his experience in how to teach Chinese in Sweden.

webwxgetmsgimg26 people attended the lectures including Xuefei Chen Axelsson, president of China-Europe Cultural Association.

img_1901The lectures were organised by Swedish Chinese Teachers Association and sponsored by Chinese Department of Dalarna University, China-Europe Cultural Association and Sensus in Stockholm on Nov.23, 2016.

The following are the lectures audio

我家装修过程中的回收利用

北欧绿色邮报网报道(记者陈雪霏)--在实现可持续发展的过程中,有一个重要环节那就是回收利用,再利用,以节约资源。这样做是否省钱呢?也不一定,但一定的是,它节约了资源。

thumb_dsc_3083_1024 例如,我们家进行装修,时间持续了很长。但是,我们计划的时间长,有利于循环利用。五年前我们计划装修时,先把冰箱捐给了教会。把沙发捐给了一个信誉比较好的二手店,相信,有人能够再利用这个名牌沙发。装修的主要原因是因为水管子漏水了。年久失修,必须换管子。这样就借机装修了。

thumb_dsc_3085_1024我们的新烤箱因为可以蒸饺子,多花了一万多块钱,但还是接受了。

其实我们的橱柜也不错,古色古香的古典式样。在网上二手店放出,很快就有一个人要买,放到他们的乡下厨房。我们的炉子烤箱被一个摩洛哥的商人买去了。临走那天,他给我们500克朗,说他要把这个烤箱拉到摩洛哥去。不管怎样,在瑞典扔垃圾是要付费的。而我们找到了一个愿意使用我们烤箱的人,不但没有向我们要钱,还给我们一点儿小费。我们感到很高兴。

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瓷砖想了半天还是全用白色了,因为这样,可以随便换花样。如果固定成蓝色,就不好再换别的颜色了。

最后,只有地板是全扔了,因为实在是太旧了。女儿的卧室,原来也是厨房。我父母原来说把它挪到新厨房去。但我们已经决定全部换新的了。虽然价格不菲,但都是我们喜欢的,精心挑选的,从长远考虑的。因此,最后还是决定把橱柜放到二手店网站上,结果一个来自Nynasam郊区的夫妇俩给了我们500克朗,他们租了一辆车,把所有的柜子都拉走了。回去一安装,还是满不错的。都是白色的。我还擦洗了一番。

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这个线型柜橱是丹麦的设计。从第一眼就喜欢了,因此,也多花了一万多块克朗。

炉子卖给了一个曾经参与洛阳文物展项目的对中国友好人士。冰箱卖给了另一个人。虽然扳手有点儿问题,我爱人修好了。就这样,只剩下地板了。我原来想地板干脆也全换新的。但是,我爱人坚持要保持原样儿。所以,只把炉子底下和橱柜底下的一小块儿换新地板。其他地方保留。

thumb_dsc_3090_1024今天,另一位师傅把地面用机器一扫,抛光,结果和新的一样。尽管一开始我还不太同意老公的执着,现在看到结果,我也很高兴。因为我们不用买新地板,不用多用材料了。不是钱的问题。其实,如果换新地板,可能花费的钱没有这样多。但是,就为了保持原样,为了少用新材料,宁可多花一点儿钱给工人。但是,整个过程,没有一点儿浪费。真的感觉很开心。

thumb_dsc_3092_1024这里的工人工作完了,都用吸尘器把尘土和垃圾一起吸走。留下的就比较干净了。当然上次刷漆的工人没有这样做,一来他没有设备,二来,他觉得马上有人来收拾地板,所以他没必要管。当然他只管房顶和墙壁,地板确实也不是他的事。

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瞧这地板不和新的一样吗?都是真正的木材。

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女儿喜欢蓝色,所以,我们就选择了蓝色的油漆,刷到墙上。屋顶还是白的。

Ambassador Chen Yuming Talks about China and the World in Figures

By Xuefei Chen Axelsson

STOCKHOLM, Sept. 28 (Greenpost)–A grand celebration  of the 67th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China has been held in the Chinese Embassy in Stockholm.

thumb_dsc_3057_1024Chen Yuming, Chinese Ambassador to Sweden spoke highly about remarkable achievements China made over the past 67 years with interesting figures.

“67 and 6.7. China has traveled a remarkable journey in the past 67 years, increasing its per capita GDP from 35 to 8 thousand US dollars amid the population growth from 400 million to 1.3 billion.” said Chen.

“China has lifted more than 700 million people out of poverty, and increased the size of our middle income group to over 100 million people. China has accomplished just in a few decades what has taken other countries several hundred years to achieve.  As the engine for global growth, how the Chinese economy is doing is a topic of great interest.”

China’s growth rate of 6.7 percent in the first half of the year is still among the fastest in major economies despite of the slowdown.

China’s economic aggregate has exceeded 10 trillion US dollars, steadily contributing about 25 percent to global economic growth.

Ambassador Chen said China will continue to deepen reform and further open up with more efforts being put on innovation, being in harmony, being green and open and share the development put forward by the new five-year plan.

Ambassador Chen also mentioned the 20 referring to the G20 Hangzhou Summit recently held in China.  With the theme of Towards an innovative, invigorated, interconnected and inclusive World Economy, Hangzhou Summit has achieved fruitful results. The G20 Leaders’ Communique Hangzhou Summit and 28 specific outcome documents were issued during the summit. President Xi Jinping attaches more importance to action than mere talking. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon applauds the G20 Hangzhou Summit for its two historic breakthroughs in promoting the sustainable development agenda and tackling climate change.

Ambassador Chen said this year marks the 66th anniversary of the establishment of dilomatic relations between China and Sweden.

“Chinese people often say, a double six brings success.  Several days ago at the China-Swedish Entrepreneurs Round-table, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven said it is the spirits of innovation and cooperation that makes Sweden one of the richest countries in Europe. He hopes that businessmen from China and Sweden can continue to work together. China also looks forward to enhancing cooperation with Sweden in such fields as politics, people-to-people links, trade and investment, innovation, and social governance. ”

dsc_2989He said China is ready to cooperate with Sweden which has joined the UN Security Council in deeper cooperation. The establishment of the China Cultural Center in Stockholm just 28 days ago will serve as a bridge connecting Europe and Asia for better mutual understanding of the two peoples.

Ambassador Chen also quoted Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s speech at the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly that only development can root out the cause of poverty, refugee crisis, war, conflict and terrorism.

He said China firmly uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, take political solutions as the right path to tackle hotspot issues, including Syrian and the Korean Peninsular issues. China supports international efforts to address the refugee issue, and will provide 300 million dollars worth of humanitarian assistance.

China is among the first to ratify the Paris Agreement. Chinese peacekeepers are risking their lives for world peace.

Swedish EU Affairs and Trade Minister Ann Linde and State Secretary Annika Söder attended the reception.

dsc_3041Swedish Sinologist Cecilia Lindqvist and Stockholm Business Region’s CEO Olof Zetterberg and many dignitories from other embassies in Stockholm attended the reception.

A total of 300 people including Chinese prominant figures and leaders from various associations attended the reception.

 

The Alternative Nobel Prize is announced in Stockholm

Xuefei Chen Axelsson

STOCKHOLM, Sept.22(Greenpost)–The Laureates of this year’s Right Livelihood Award, widely known as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’, has just been announced at the Swedish Foreign Office International Press Centre .

Syria Civil Defence(The White Helmets) won the prize for their outstanding bravery, compassion and humanitarian engagement in rescuing civilians from the destruction of the Syrian civil war.

Egypt’s Mozn Hassan and Nazra for Feminist Studies, Russia’s Svetlana Gannushkina  and Turkish Cumhuriyet, or Republica in English won this year’s awards for their brave action in defending human rights.

The announcement was made by Ole von Uexkull, Executive Director, and Dr Monika Griefahn, Chair of the Right Livelihood Award Foundation.

The international Jury convened in Überlingen, Germany from 8-11 September to select the recipients of the 2016 Right Livelihood Award from a total of 125 nominations from 50 countries.

Established in 1980, the Right Livelihood Award honours and supports courageous people and organisations offering visionary and exemplary solutions to the root causes of global problems.

In addition to presenting the annual award, the Right Livelihood Award Foundation supports the work of its Laureates, particularly those who may be in danger due to the nature of their activities.

Today, there are 162 Right Livelihood Award Laureates from 67 countries who have been recognised for their outstanding vision and work on behalf of people and the planet.

Previous Laureates include environmentalists David Suzuki (Canada) and Vandana Shiva (India), human rights activists Jacqueline Moudeina (Chad), Dr Denis Mukwege (DR Congo) and Bianca Jagger (Nicaragua), as well as Swedish children’s book author Astrid Lindgren and high-profile US whistleblowers Daniel Ellsberg and Edward Snowden.

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www.greenpost.se

Hebei environmental delegation visits Sweden

STOCKHOLM, Sept. 12–About two years ago, Sweden-China Bridge in cooperation with Swedish Royal Seaport, Hammarbysjöstad and Enköping Kommuns environmental department invited two Chinese delegations to visit Sweden. Their visits were real fruitful visits.

两年前的10月14日-20日,河北代表团刘永乾经理,李云霞经理,秦志晖经理访问瑞典的哈马碧,皇家海港新城和恩雪平环境部。

10月20-26日河北环境和清洁能源代表团的李立景经理,李蕾和李闪经理考察了哈马碧, 皇家海港新城和恩雪平。

The first delegation, composed of Liu Yongqian, Qin Zhihui and Li Hongxia, visited Sweden on October 14-20 and the second delegation, composed Li Lijing, Li Kan, and another Li.

The following are photos of the visiting.

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垃圾桶好像橱柜,干净整洁。Rubbish bin looks like a furnature, clean and tidy.

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老城改造的典范。

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秋天来了,天气不冷不热,飞禽来皇后岛的草坪来吃草。看这些家伙平时以为是鹅,因为它们晃来晃去。但是,想走的时候,它们就都会飞了,穿过河流,湖海,落到它们想落的地方。它们走过的地方,人就很难在走了,因为它们名留下一片片青屎!

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皇后岛在深秋,格外肃穆,安静,美丽。

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秋老虎的太阳很毒。我被晒成了这样。

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蓝天绿草和清水,让人心醉!

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小熊因为老婆生孩子,没有赶上大队,只好自己来了。

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林荫道宽敞明亮。

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中国宫在皇后岛的密林深处。

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在这里,我们都吃得干干净净,没有一点点的浪费。

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斯德哥尔摩的赛格广场,地标性建筑,就像是北京的天安门了吧。

图文/陈雪霏

U.S. Professor Rose receives her Stockholm Water Prize

By Xuefei Chen Axelsson
Stockholm, Sept. 1 (Greenpost)–Professor Joan B. Rose from American Michigan State University received her Stockholm Water Prize from the hands of the Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf in Stockholm City Hall on Wednesday.
Rose won the prize  for her tireless contributions to global public health; by assessing risks to human health in water and creating guidelines and tools for decision-makers and communities to improve global wellbeing.

She was treated as a good example of translating scientific achievement into policies and applied in communities.

In its citation, The Stockholm Water Prize Nominating Committee said that “The nexus of water-related microbiology, water quality and public health is rife with uncertainty – in both theory and practice. The world is blessed with few individuals who can tackle the increasing and changing challenges to clean water and health, starting from state-of-the-art science through dedicated and original research, then moving to professional dissemination, effective lobbying of the legislative arena, influencing practitioners, and raising the general awareness. Joan Rose is the leading example of this extremely rare blend of talents.”

After she received the Prize, Professor Rose said she was honored.

“As an individual it is an honour and I am overflowing with gratitude. But it means even more, because it is a prize that honours water, it honours the blue planet and it honours the human condition. Therefore, I am very proud”.

Joan Rose is widely regarded as the world’s foremost authority on the microorganism Cryptosporidium. In 1993, the largest outbreak to date of the intestinal parasite Cryptosporidium affected more than 400 000 people in Milwaukee, US, who got sick from contaminated drinking water. 69 people died in the outbreak. Cryptosporidium, which exists in both humans and animals, cannot be killed by chlorine, and lives for several months.

Professor Rose and her team, whom she calls “water detectives” investigate waterborne disease outbreaks globally, to determine how they can be stopped, and prevented. She was the first person to present the widespread occurrence ofCryptosporidium in water supplies in 1988.

“More than two billion people still lack adequate sanitation, and over one billion lack access to safe drinking water. Hundreds of thousands of deaths from diarrhoeal diseases each year could be prevented by improved water, sanitation and hygiene. Joan Rose, our water hero, is a beacon of light in the quest for securing a better, healthier life for this and future generations,” commented SIWI’s Executive Director Torgny Holmgren.

Talking about what she believes is the world’s greatest water challenge, Professor Rose said: “I think it is going to be the reversal of water quality problems around the world; the algal blooms in fresh water and coastal waters, and the pollution, not just associated with humans, but also with disease outbreaks among our wildlife, like amphibians and fish. I also think reconnecting water and food security will be a major challenge. We are starting to do it but it will definitely continue to be a challenge.”

Professor Rose was key in establishing the 2004 WHO Drinking Water Standard, setting out a new WHO paradigm with direct impact on virtually all countries; Rose also worked in Malawi and Kenya to help translate these into local regulation. UNESCO’s International Hydrological Program asked for her leadership in meeting its goals of resource management and capacity building for Member States. She chaired a specialist group within the International Water Association to ensure understanding and incorporation of updated standards at the state and national level in engineer standards around the world. Her expertise in identifying and prioritizing issues of water quality led to codification of the Great Lakes Water Quality agreement. She Chairs Singapore’s Water Audit Panel of the influential Public Utilities Board; Canada and Korea sought her guidance. And to use today’s technology, she established an online collective of 140 scientists in the Global Water Pathogens Project.

The Stockholm Water Prize is a global award founded in 1991 and presented annually by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) to an individual, organization or institution for outstanding water-related achievements. H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden is patron of the prize. The Stockholm Water Prize Founders, united in their strong conviction to drive sustainability in the water sector, are: Bacardi, Borealis & Borouge, Europeiska ERV, HP, Kemira, Poul Due Jensen Foundation, Ragn-Sells, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), Snecma/Safran, Water Environment Federation (WEF), Xylem and Ålandsbanken.

World Water Week experts call for green water usage in Africa

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.

The South China Sea nine-dash line

Stockholm, July 15(Greenpost)–The South China Sea territorial disputes between China and its neighbours can be partly traced to an internal map published by the Republic of China government in 1947 that included an “eleven-dash line” enclosing much of the waters. China did not explain the significance of the line at the time. It was adopted by the People’s Republic of China government after the Communists came to power two years later. Then, in 1953, China unveiled a new map with a “nine-dash line” that covered a slightly smaller area of the South China Sea, losing two dashes that ran through the Gulf of Tonkin between China and Vietnam.
The US remained silent on the “nine-dash line” until February 2014 when Daniel Russel, a top state department official, said China should clarify its meaning.
Trefor Moss, 12 September, 2013:
Diaoyu/Senkaku islands … administered from Taiwan long before Japan annexed them.
China arguably has a decent case regarding Scarborough Shoal. Here’s one important element of the case: China publicised its claim in 1948, and it took the Philippines five decades to object and counter with a claim of its own. Prima facie, that strengthens China’s claim quite substantially.
On the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA):
From wikipedia:
The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) is an intergovernmental organization located at The Hague in the Netherlands. The PCA is not a court, but rather an organiser of arbitral tribunals to resolve conflicts between member states, international organizations, or private parties. It should not be confused with the International Court of Justice which is the primary judicial branch of the United Nations, while the PCA is not a UN agency.
1899
The court was established in 1899 by the first Hague Peace Conference. The Peace Palace was built for the Court in 1913 with funds from American steel magnate Andrew Carnegie.
Unlike the judges from the International Court of Justice who are paid by the UN, members of the PCA are paid from that same income the PCA earns.
South China Morning Post, 14 July, 2016:
The Permanent Court of Arbitration rents space in the same building as the UN’s International Court of Justice, but the two organisations are not related.
Members of «the court»:
Most of them come from countries unfriendly towards China – and most of these countries are characterized by heavy American news domination:
Many «international courts» are also dominated by American lawyers. Here is one reasons:
From Yale Law School guide (2012):
This guide provides information regarding some of the courts outside of the U.S.—international tribunals and intergovernmental courts, as well as national courts—where current law students and graduates may find temporary positions, paid and unpaid:
On UNCLOS
Huffington Post on UNCLOS: China, the Philippines and the Rule of Law
The threshold question really is whether the PRC can be bound by UNCLOS courts and tribunals, including its arbitral panels. The PRC ratified UNCLOS in 1996, but in 2006 the Chinese government filed a statement with UNCLOS saying that it “does not accept any of the procedures provided for in Section 2 of Part XV of the Convention with respect to all the categories of disputes referred to in paragraph 1 (a), (b), and (c) of Article 298 of the Convention.” These provisions of the Convention refer to “Compulsory Procedures Entailing Binding Decisions” issued by at least four venues: the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, the International Court of Justice, an “arbitral tribunal” which may refer to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), and a “special arbitral tribunal.”
While there are venues available for the resolutions of disputes under the UNCLOS regime, the PRC does not wish to be bound by its compulsory processes — the ICJ and PCA included.
The PRC knew this day would come. Its 2006 statement effectively served as a “reservation” against any binding outcome of UNCLOS’s grievance procedure in the future.
Maps:
By LPJ: «The South China Sea Arbitration: A Chinese Perspective», most part of the book are accessible through Google Books:
From page 193:
(By Demetri Sevastopulo )

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

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

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.

Sweden becomes a member of the UN Security Council

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.

在瑞典装修房子垃圾怎么办?

北欧绿色邮报网报道(记者陈雪霏)——今天上午,一个朋友对我说,他的邻居向他吼,说务必把他家门前的垃圾尽快清走。否则,无法忍受。

 

无巧不成书,我们家邻居也是一样,把垃圾袋,还是绿色垃圾袋放在我们楼门前马路边上,好几个星期没有清走,结果业主委员会的人两次督促我们家,要求我们把垃圾清走。因为我们家也正在装修,但是,垃圾确实不是我们家扔的。我们被冤枉了,于是我老公怀疑垃圾是另一家的,直接去问她,“门前的垃圾是你们家的吗?”“不是。”

 

她矢口否认。据了解她还是一名律师。我老公不甘心,于是到垃圾堆里乱翻,翻来翻去,没有我们家的东西,问我们的装修工人,他说我们没有扔垃圾。我老公翻出一个旧烤箱,还有一些标志性东西,然后直接又去问,请你们看看,那垃圾袋子里有烤箱,那是不是你们家的?这回他们不得不承认,那确实是他们家扔的垃圾袋。

 

这里出现一个问题,就是主人不知道垃圾到底该怎么处理。那么我们家是怎么处理垃圾的呢?

 

因为我们有两个厨房,早在三年前,我们就用另一个厨房了。我们装修这个厨房的主要原因是水管子年久失修,漏水了。水都漏到楼下的垃圾站里了。被业主委员会发现,然后,给我们打电话,我老公拿水盆子接了一盆水。没办法,第二天立即给保险公司打电话,给有关部门打电话,他们来测试湿度,发现超标,立即拿烘干机来烘干,同时,把厨房都拆了。地板业拆了。于是,我们不得不考虑重新装修,因为厨房本身也20多年了。尽管厨房古色古香。橱柜很有特色,冰箱很好,烤箱也非常好。于是,我们一样一样地把他们都打扫干净,放到二手网站上了。冰箱我们捐给教堂在郊区的一个活动地点了。橱柜被一个农场主买去了,他老婆说就喜欢这个样子的。烤箱卖给了一个摩洛哥人。这人正好开车要回摩洛哥,他就拿出500克朗说,谢谢你们。他自己把烤箱拉走了。

 

我们的东西能够有人欣赏,愿意继续使用,我们就很高兴,卖几百块钱是小事,主要是不需要自己花钱雇车把他们扔掉。就这样,我们基本上没有垃圾。装修工人来了,对我老公说,垃圾必须我们自己处理。

 

我们也经常看到周边邻居有大垃圾袋,原来,根据市政府规定,装修家庭业主要自己到固定地方去取大垃圾袋,花钱,然后,自己把垃圾送走,或者花钱找固定人来取走。

 

考虑到这个问题,我老公花了每周900克朗的价格买了一个车位,为装修工买的。结果他一个半星期就把活儿都干完了,所以,我们就不再给他留车位了。同时,我们产生的最大垃圾就是在墙上挖了一个门,这个门的垃圾,他立即放到车里拉走了。第二天及以后剩下的材料,和包装等垃圾,他都随时拉走了。因此,我们没有在门外扔任何垃圾。

所以,当老公受到业主委员会询问的时候,他有点儿恼火,直接去找肇事者了。结果,第二天,大垃圾袋被人用车拉走了。我们的楼前再现一片干净的街道。

 

我们经常看到楼门前有垃圾,那都是需要主人来处理的。

Photo: Chinese in Sweden celebrates Dragon Boat Festival

STOCKHOLM, June 3(Greenpost)–Chinese in Sweden has celebrated the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival with  grand performances. The festival will fall on June 9th according to Chinese lunar calendar.

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Dragon Boat Festival performance by Arctic Choir.      all the photo taken by Jan Peter Axelsson.

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Wujing and Eva Nilsson.

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Sweden China Cultural Association

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Nico, Xing Weitao, Wu Yifei from China-Europe Cultural Association

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Russian National Association in Sweden

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Greek Cultural Association

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De Mulan Gustafsson

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Zhou Hong and Chen Pengpeng

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Sweden China Cultural Association

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Wang Shuyu.

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Swedish Chinese Cultural Exchange Association

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Zhang Ruyue, Wang Weimiao, Wang Weixiao, from China-Europe Cultural Association

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Ukrainian Cultural Association in Sweden. IMG_0766

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Children from Sweden China Cultural Association

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Dragon Boat Festival poem reading program by Hunan & Hubei Association in Sweden and Tianjinese Federation in Sweden.

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The perfomances were organized by Hunan and Hubei Association in Sweden and Swedish Chinese Cultural Exchange Associaiton and supported by China-Europe Cultural Association, Sweden China Cultural Association, Chinese Teachers Association, Associations from Russian, Greek and Ukrainian communities in Sweden and sponsored by many companies and individuals.

Text by Xuefei Chen Axelsson,  Photo by Jan Peter Axelsson.

图片新闻:瑞典华人华侨举办浓情端午文艺演出

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