Category Archives: Green-tech

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Top story: Thai girl students win 2016 Stockholm Junior Water Prize

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Stockholm (30 August 2016) – Three girl students from Thailand, Sureeporn Triphetprapa, Thidarat Phianchat and Kanjana Komkla, received the 2016 Stockholm Junior Water Prize on Tuesday for their innovative water retention device that mimics the water retention of the Bromeliad plant. H.R.H. Prince Carl Philip of Sweden presented the prize at an award ceremony during World Water Week in Stockholm.

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As the three received the prize, Kanjana Komkla said “I’m really happy but I think every team is the best! And thank you everyone.”

By examining the efficacy of natural water collection by plants – especially in terms of the shape of plants that collect and capture water – Sureeporn Triphetprapa, Thidarat Phianchat and Kanjana Komkla built a device that mimics the water retention of the Bromeliad plant. The device has also been installed on rubber trees on rubber plantations. For this, they have been awarded the 2016 Stockholm Junior Water Prize, showcasing that nature is the best teacher.

The Jury was impressed by the winners, in particular their exceptional creativity, unrelenting diligence, enthusiasm and true passion for water.

“The theme of the 2016 World Water Week is Water for Sustainable Growth. The winning project addresses future water security and rural livelihoods using an elegant leap-frog technology which looks simple, but its beauty masks its complexity! The project embodies the theme well through its journey from the idea to application,” the Jury said in its citation.

“It has already proven to be scalable and is now being tested in the field, by hundreds of farmers, who are now benefiting from the inspiration from beautiful plants which have an exceptional capacity to collect and store water.”

Asked how she would want to take the winning project further, Sureeporn Triphetprapa said: “I will use our idea to relieve poverty in our community.”

“This shows that to make real progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, we need to start at the local level. This is a very good example of that; a simple, smart and scalable solution, making a big difference”, said Torgny Holmgren, Executive Director of SIWI.

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition brings together the world’s brightest young scientists to encourage their continued interest in water and the environment. This year, thousands of participants in countries all over the globe joined national competitions for the chance to represent their nation at the international final held during the World Water Week in Stockholm. Teams from 29 countries competed in the 2016 finals.

Diploma of Excellence to students from Mexico

A Diploma of Excellence was awarded to the students Gabriel David Alejandro Trujillo, Eunice Yaneli Masegosa Gaona and Carlos Castellanos Dominguez from Mexico. Their project – a pilot plant – combines an artificial wetland, electrofoculation process and a purification system to promote the use of reclaim water for small agricultural activities and school uses, such as bathroom discharges and cleansing.

“This team went right ahead to build and operate the kind of system that is often researched but rarely implemented well – if at all. Their accessible, practical solution is simple. The selection of local plants, previously undervalued, has made this innovation cost-effective to implement, and at the same time scientifically sophisticated,” the Jury said.

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Zeming Zhang, Zhongpei Luo and Shiyong He from Guangdong Experiment School represented China to attend the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition.

Their project was to use double supersonic  frequency to destroy and then eradicate blue or green algae in polluted water.

It was impressive that the motivation of the team was to revive the river in their hometown so that the childhood happiness of holding dragon boat competition can be resumed and further to avoid diseases for many people due to the polluted water.

When asked why he participated in this project, Zeming Zhang said,

“There is a river in my hometown and we often held dragon boat competition and it was full of fun. But in recent years due to industrial pollutants and household waste water flowing into the river, we can’t hold dragon boat competition any more. I hope this kind of joy should be enjoyed by my young brothers and sisters too.”

Zhang said in the future, he hopes he can learn artificial intelligence or other environmentally related subject.

SIWI is a policy institute working for a water wise world. SIWI does independent research, generates knowledge and provides expert analysis and advice on water issues to decision-makers and other agents of change. SIWI organizes the World Water Week in Stockholm – the leading annual global meeting place on water and development issues – and hosts the Stockholm Water Prize and the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, which will be awarded during World Water Week.

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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.

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The South China Sea nine-dash line

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 )
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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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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.
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American Writer Meg Rosoff receives her Astrid Lindgren Award

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By Xuefei Chen Axelsson

Stockholm, May 30(Greenpost)–American Writer Meg Rosoff on Monday received her Astrid Lingren Award from the hands of Alice Bah Kuhnke, Minister for Culture and Democracy.

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Meg Rosoff, Alice Bah Kuhnke ,         Photo by Xuefei Chen Axelsson

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Meg was interviewed by the host.   Photo by Xuefei Chen Axelsson.

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The host(right ) wears a pair of red stockings to imitate Pippi, a charactor created by Astrid Lindgren. Pippi is always against the traditional thinking. As a girl, she is strong enough to deal with thieves and she has never worried about money. She is never afraid and she has a lot of ideas and innovations.

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Cultural Minister Alice Bah spoke at the awarding ceremony.

 

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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, Chinese circle, Energy, Environment, Green-tech

China sets major tasks for reform in 2016

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BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) — China’s top economic planner has listed major tasks in propelling economic reforms this year, including reforms of state-owned enterprises (SOE), market supervision, investment, urbanization, opening up and innovation.

China will initiate mixed-ownership pilots in SOEs and push forward reforms in electricity, oil, natural gas and salt industries, said a statement issued after a two-day meeting of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), held on Thursday and Friday.
The government will further cut red tape and improve market supervision, including compiling a negative list to enhance market access regulation. Market threshold of some major industries will be lowered for investors, and the current investment and financing mechanism will be improved, according to the statement.
China will implement the household registration reform to urbanize more rural migrants with a plan to help 100 million people settle in cities.
The country will continue to push forward opening up, stepping up the Belt and Road construction, promoting international production capacity cooperation, further opening service and manufacturing sectors, and establishing a negative list for foreign investment.
The government will also better its support for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Other tasks include accelerating a pricing reform in electricity, medical services and transport, and improving the way China uses natural resources and protects the environment. Enditem

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Daimler launches car-sharing service in China

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CHONGQING, April 15 (Xinhua) — German carmaker Daimler on Friday launched its car2go rental service in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, marking its entry to the Asian market.

The service, already popular in Europe and North America, allows users to access nearby for-rent cars via a mobile app, saving them the lengthy paperwork and other inconveniences of the traditional car rental business.
Sam Guo, COO of car2go China Co., Ltd., said 400 Mercedes-Benz Smart vehicles will be available for rent in the city. Users can park their cars anywhere in an area of 60 square kilometers in the city after use.
“China is our third key market after North America and Europe,” Guo said.
Rainer Becker, CEO of car2go China, said they hope car2go can alleviate the traffic congestion in many big cities. Chongqing was selected as their first step in Asia given its supportive government and the locals’ high acceptance of new ideas.
The company said it will add more cars and launch the service in more cities, if this model proves popular. Enditem

 

 

 

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China launches yuan-denominated gold benchmark in Shanghai

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STOCKHOLM, APRIL 29(Green Post)–China launches yuan-denominated gold benchmark on Tuesday in Shanghai as it seeks to secure more sway in the pricing of the precious metal.
The Shanghai Gold Benchmark Price (code: SHAU), is the quote for trading of 1kg, 99.99 percent purity bullion, denominated in the Chinese yuan and derived from multiple rounds of trading.
The benchmark was set at 257.97 yuan per gram on Tuesday, the Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE) said in a statement.
The benchmark also lays the foundation for shifting bullion trading in Shanghai from mostly spot to derivatives to increase the appeal of yuan-denominated bullion trading as financial instruments for both domestic and global investors.
SGE Chairman Jiao Jinpu said the launch of the benchmark offers the opportunity to develop bullion trading in China’s financial markets and encourage more participation by global investors.
Standard Chartered Bank (China) Ltd. and ANZ Bank (China) Ltd. are among 12 fixing members for the benchmark trading. The other ten members are domestic banks.
The trading margin is set at 6 percent and transaction fees are exempted until June 30 this year.  Enditem

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新闻分析：冰岛总理为何辞职？

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北欧绿色邮报网评论员陈雪霏

冰岛总理古恩劳松4月5日被迫辞职。因为他夫人在巴拿马拥有壳牌海上石油的股份。那么，这与他有什么关系呢？原来，他在冰岛2008年金融危机之前就拥有壳牌分公司Wintris. 该公司购买了冰岛银行的股份。

冰岛银行在金融危机过程中坏账太多，导致政府垮台，总理被告到法庭，很多议会官员事后被证明都牵涉到金融危机之中。冰岛危机的根本原因就是人为制造了泡沫，导致银行破产，政府崩溃，因为政府挽救不了银行，银行资产比整个国家拥有的资产还多几倍。因此，银行出问题，没人能救。结果是冰岛政府垮台，欠国外客户的钱要经过45年以后还清就行。从国际货币基金组织借了大笔贷款，也从周边国家借了大笔的款。

从此，冰岛国家和人民都过上了勒紧裤腰带的日子。实行外汇管制，保持金融稳定成为重中之重。

本来，冰岛总理在2013年当选总理后，应该坦白交代，或者完全离职，卖掉。但是，他没有这么做，而是把股份转让给了妻子。如果冰岛没有发生过那么严重的危机，或许人们也不会那么无情。但是，冰岛危机给人们带来的伤痛很深，他们不能容忍自己的总理有这样的利益冲突。

他妻子拥有石油公司账户，说明她成了冰岛银行的债权人。而这正是冰岛人不希望看到的。也是冰岛政府想要打击的对象。如果政府不打，就是违规。因此，总理不得不辞职。

由此也可以看出，冰岛人还是不能容忍腐败，吃一欠，长一志。人们的眼里不能再揉沙子。

Business, China, Energy, Environment, Green-tech

China rolls out new policies to encourage innovation

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    BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) — China’s State Council on Wednesday announced a string of new policies to encourage innovation as the country seeks to foster new engines for growth.
China will set up three new “national innovation demonstration zones” in the provinces of Henan, Shandong and Liaoning, bringing the number of such areas to 14, according to a statement issued after a State Council  meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang.
The zones, including Beijing’s Zhongguancun, known as “China’s Silicon Valley,” and Shanghai’s Zhangjiang high tech zone, have been created to pilot new ideas and development models for use nationwide.
Expansion of the program is aimed at fostering trailblazers for China’s economic restructuring and transformation, according to the statement.
The State Council will test innovative reforms in China’s financial hub of Shanghai over three years, including exploring new financial service models and simplifying foreign investment rules.
Government intervention will be further reduced to create an amicable environment for business start-ups and innovation, the State Council pledged.
To boost employment and sustain growth, the Chinese government has stressed the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in its 13th five-year plan. A wide range of measures has been unveiled, including financial support, facility construction and administrative assistance, for start-ups.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the council also decided to foster city clusters centered around Chengdu and Chongqing to stimulate economic potential in western regions.  Enditem

Business, China, Chinese circle, Green-tech, News

Chinese vice premier presents proposal to deepen China-Israel innovation cooperation

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JERUSALEM, March 30 (Xinhua) — Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong has presented a four-point proposal to deepen and broaden cooperation between China and Israel on innovation in various fields.
Liu made the proposal while addressing the second meeting of the China-Israel Joint Committee on Innovation Cooperation in Jerusalem Tuesday. The meeting was co-chaired by Liu and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In her speech, Liu said that initial achievements have been made in bilateral pragmatic cooperation in such areas as science and technology, education, culture and health,since the joint committee successfully held its first meeting in January last year in Beijing.
China has made innovation-driven development as a national strategy and such a perception is shared by Israel, which is known for innovation, Liu said, adding that the two countries have great potential in deepening innovation cooperation.
China and Israel should further strengthen the joint committee’s role in planning holistically and coordinating and constantly expand the scope of bilateral innovation cooperation, she pointed out.
The Chinese vice premier, who arrived in Israel Monday evening for a two-day visit, suggested that the two countries increase the complementarity of their innovation strategies and facilitate the incorporation of Israel’s experience as a “startup nation” and its technologies into China’s strategy of pursuing innovation-based growth.
Liu said that China will step up the protection of intellectual property rights, encourage local governments and enterprises to strengthen exchanges with their Israeli counterparts and establish a more fair, regulated and predictable environment for development.
Other proposals offered by Liu included setting up more industrial innovation parks in China in cooperation with the Israeli side, learning from each other’s useful experience, and intensifying joint efforts in research and development.
On the same occasion, the two sides signed 13 cooperation agreements in the presence of Vice Premier Liu and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Among them was an agreement which allows both sides to issue 10-year multiple-entry visas to each other’s applicants, making China the first country to have such an arrangement with Israel.
In another major step to boost bilateral economic ties, the two sides agreed Tuesday to officially start talks on a free trade agreement, when Liu and Netanyahu met earlier Tuesday.  Enditem

 

China, Green-tech, News

China to promote clean coal for better air: minister

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BEIJING, March 11 (Xinhua) — China’s environmental protection minister Chen Jining said Friday that the country is promoting the clean use of coal to curb air pollution.

“China’s air quality is mainly caused by our energy structure, coal consumption specifically,” Chen said at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual parliamentary session.

Chen said China attaches great importance to adjusting the energy structure, one of the tasks in the draft 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020).

China is promoting the clean use of coal and boosting low-emissions facilities for coal-fired power plants that rival those of gas-fired plants.

It will be a revolutionary effort that will overturn the conventional wisdom that coal is not clean, and positively impact efforts to curb smog, the minister said.

Chen added that China is also cutting emissions from household bulk coal. Emissions from one tonne of bulk coal are equivalent to those from five to ten tonnes of coal burned in power plants. As living standards rise, bulk coal consumption is increasing.

“Emissions from bulk coal contributed a lot to the heavy smog last winter,” Chen said, adding that the government will make more efforts to curb them.

“We will experience a long period of adjusting the energy consumption structure, during which we will promote clean energy, strengthen adjustments to energy consumption and promote clean use of coal,” Chen said.  Enditem

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

Premier Li draws a comprehensive blueprint, action plan for China

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By Xuefei Chen Axelsson

Beijing, March.5(Greenpost)–China’s Premier Li Keqiang made a very comprehensive and down to earth blueprint and action plan to China for the next five years and this year.

This year marks the beginning of the 13th five year plan period for China. China has set up a goal of realising the comprehensive wealthy and healthy society by 2020.

“We shall eradicate poverty all over the country by 2020,” said Premier Li.

He stressed economic development again as the first important task, but he also emphasised the importance of environment and the balance of structure.

He said China must restructure its economy so that it can be sustainable.

Li said the important task in the following five years will be to treat the filthy air pollution and water pollution. In 2015 China has outdated 1.26 million vehicles and it plans to outdate three million in the following five years.

He also emphasised the equal treatment between the state-owned enterprises and private sectors.  The government will further reduce tax for industries.

Modern agriculture is encouraged to help eradicate poverty.

Li stressed the completion of social security so that all the people in China can benefit from the social security.

He almost mentioned all the areas that need to be done in the country which draws a very promising picture for China.