In This Edition

 

China and Russia hail their bilateral relationship as at the "highest level in history".

China voices its opposition to the expansion of Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

The UN-Security Council authorizes an African-led international military intervention force to support the government of Mali.

And descendants of the ancient Mayan civilisation hold a traditional "Last Sun" ceremony to welcome the start of the new Mayan calendar.

 

Hot Issue Reports

 

China Echoes Putin's Remarks on Relationship

 

China has echoed Russian President Vladimir Putin's remarks that ties between the two neighbors' are at their highest level in history.

 

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying.

 

"Sino-Russian relationship is at its highest level and has entered a new stage in which the two nations are each other's important developmental opportunity and primary preferable partner. China is willing to work with Russia to implement the consensus and agreements reached between our leaders. We also would like to strengthen our mutual political support and constantly promote cooperation in such sectors as energy, aerospace, high-tech and culture."

 

Putin has affirmed his satisfaction with the current Russia-China ties while answering questions during his annual press conference.

 

 

China voices opposition to Israeli settlement expansion

 

China has reiterated its opposition on the expansion of Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, amid widespread international concern about the Israeli moves.

 

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying.

 

"China firmly oppose the construction of Jewish settlements in occupied Palestinian territories in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. We express our grave concern to Israel's announcement to build such settlements in the E1 territory. China urges Israel to take concrete measures to restore mutual trust with Palestine and make constructive efforts to push forward the Middle East peace process and maintain regional peace and stability."

 

Israel is under diplomatic pressure from the international community over its plans to build 3-thousand houses in the West Bank settlements, East Jerusalem and the E1 territories connecting the two areas.

 

These territories were annexed by Israel after the 1967 Arab-Israeli War.

 

Construction in E1 has been particularly criticized because it could block the territorial formation of a future Palestinian state.

 

 

Protests Start in Cairo before Second Stage of Constitution Vote

 

Protesters have began camping in central Cairo on the eve of the second round of voting in Egypt's referendum on its controversial constitution.

 

The gathering in Tahrir Square follows weeks of protests and clashes between supporters of President Mohammed Morsi and his opponents.

 

Protesters say they are skeptical about the voting process of the referendum.

 

"No one is looking for what's best for Egypt. Everyone is looking for what is good for themselves. We need people who are seeking the best for the Egyptian people, who will work for a better Egypt."

 

"I would have respected the results of the referendum if I felt that there were no violations in the process and no fraud."

 

Liberals, Christians and others have criticized the percieved Islamist domination of the constitution process.

 

The first round of voting has drawn an unexpectedly low turnout, around 32-percent and was boycotted by most judges who traditionally monitor it.

 

Rights groups have reported numerous violations and unofficial results from the first of the two votes which is showing that 56-percent voted "yes" for the constitution.

 

The second round of voting is set for Saturday.

 

 

Japan to Pull Out of Golan Peacekeeping Mission

 

The Japanese government has announced it is to pull out of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights due to worsening security conditions on the border with Syria.

 

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura.

 

"We have reached the conclusion that it is not possible for our personnel to conduct a meaningful mission while securing their safety. Therefore, we will be pulling out our personnel from U.N. Disengagement Observer Force shortly."

 

Japan's 47-man strong force, which is part of the U.N. Disengagement Observer Force, is to return home within one month.

 

The one-thousand strong UN force has been monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Syria in Golan Heights since 1974.

 

Around 800-personnel patrol the Syrian side of the 1973 Golan Heights ceasefire line.

 

Tokyo says the situation there has started to spiral out control of the UN force recently.

 

 

UN Authorizes International Force in Mali

 

The UN-Security Council has authorized an African-led international military intervention force to support the government of Mali in trying to repatriate the country's north from insurgent control.

 

The Security Council has decided to set an initial period of one year for the military mission.

 

Tieman Coulibaly is Mali's Foreign Minister.

 

"Mali is pleased with the adoption of this resolution which conveys the commitment of the international community at its side in the struggle against terrorism and trans-national organized crime."

 

Indigenous Tuareg rebels took advantage of a military coup in the country back in March to gain control of the Sahara region of Mali and declare an independent homeland.

 

Since then the Tuaregs have been surplanted by jihadists who have since imposed strict sharia law across the region.

 

 

Republicans cancel budget vote

 

House republicans have cancelled plans to pass the so-called "Plan B" budget.

 

The Republicans reportedly didn't have enough votes to see the bill move through the house, as the Democratic Senate has already said it won't allow the legislation to pass.

 

The Republican "Plan B" would only allow taxes to rise for Americans making over 1-million US dollars a year.

 

The Obama administration has been pushing for tax increases for anyone making over 400-thousand dollars a year.

 

Despite the stalemate, some analysts remain confident a deal can be struck.

 

David Kelly is an economist from JP Morgan.

 

"Both sides want to get the best possible deal, but both sides know if they don't come up with a deal, there will be incredible pressure put upon them by the American people. People shouldn't prepare for the worst case scenario of them not coming up with a deal. They should position themselves to take advantage of the environment that will exist after a deal had been consummated."

 

Failure to reach a budget deal before the end of the year will trigger automatic tax increases and spending cuts worth some 600-billion US dollars.

 

Many economists predict this will hurl the US economy back into recession.

 

 

Mayan Descendants Mark Start of New Calendar

 

The Guatemalan descendants of the ancient Mayan civilisation have held a traditional "Last Sun" ceremony to welcome the dawning of the start of the new Mayan calendar on Friday.

 

December 21st marks the end of an age in the 5-thousand year-old Mayan calendar, an event which had been predicted as the end of the world or, just an excuse for a party.

 

The Mayan descendents have converged on ruins in Guatemala city to pay respects to their ancient civilization.

 

For many, the event is an opportunity for the country's indigenous to unite and remember their ancestral roots and traditions.

 

Some are saying it is also time for humans to start looking to the ancient Maya as a model for coexistence with nature:　　

 

"Human beings have to decide if they want to continue in this situation we are in. To be a whole human being we need to respect the land, the forests, the mountains, the rivers, and the oceans. That is to say, human beings cannot exist without the existence of these elements."

 

The Mayans dominated today's Central American region for some 2-thousand years before mysteriously abandoning their cities around 900 CE.

 

They were known for building soaring temples and elaborate palaces.

 

 

Light News

 

 

Central rural work conference opens in Beijing

 

China's annual Central Rural Work Conference has taken placee in Beijing.

 

The meetings are designed to map out policies for next year's development of agriculture and the country's rural regions.

 

Improving the management of agricultural businesses and the requisition of farmland are expected to top the agenda.

 

For more on the issue, Paul James spoke earlier with Prof. Feng Xingyuan with the Rural Development Institute at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

 

CSRC to drop barriers for Chinese overseas listing

 

China Securities Regulatory Commission is to lower the threshold for overseas IPOs.

 

CSRC is preparing to remove hurdles in the way of assets, profits and fund-raising conditions.

 

Currently Chinese companies applying for an overseas IPO must meet certain thresholds for net assets, profits and fundraising targets.

 

They must also agree to abide by Beijing's foreign capital investment rules.

 

All of these requirements have now been scrapped in the revised guidelines for overseas IPOs.

 

Analysts believe the move will ease the pressure of the A share market.

 

Wu Bangdong from Changjiang Securities:

 

"It will have little influnce on the A share market in the short term, because it need time for domestic companies to digest this policy. In the medium to long term,it will balance the supply and demand of the A share market."

 

Currently, over 800-Chinese companies are seeking approvals to list on the Shanghai or Shenzhen exchanges.

 

The new rules will take effect in January.

 

China to Expand a Hydroelectric Plant in Zimbabwe

 

China and Zimbabwe have signed off on a deal for the extension of a hydroelectric plant project in southern Zimbabwe.

 

The deal between Sinohydro and the Zimbabwe Power Company is worth 400-million-US dollars.

 

The project is designed to expand an existing hydroelectric plant to try to ease the country's power shortage.

 

Zimbabwe Power Company managing director Noah Gwa-riro.

 

"Kariba South Power Station extension will bring an extra capacity of 300 megawatts onto our grid. So the benefit we are getting from this project is being able to produce more (power) during the peak period. It will reduce our deficit."

 

The project is due to start in the coming year.

 

It's expected to take 4-years to finish.

 

At the moment it's failing to produce enough power because of failing equiptment.

 

and Zimbabwe has to buy most of its electricity from neighboring countries.

 

China's Art Market to Go Global

 

Statistics show that the overall trading volume of China's art market reached 211 billion yuan. last year. Alongside the fast development of themarket, Beijing is gradually growing into a center for the world art . But what obstacles are in the road CRI's Shen Ting has the report.

 

Reporter: Industry insiders agree on the urgent need to establish China's art market as a global institution at the 1st Chinese Art Market Development Summit held in Beijing.

 

Officials, scholars and art dealers exchanged opinions on the current situation and possible prospects for China's art market at the summit, themed "Beijing --- A Maturing Art Market Center for the World". All sides believe art market regulations and legislation are the first imperatives to deal with if China wants to claim its status as an international art market.

 

Guan Yu, deputy director of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture, says the improvement of the auction market order and regulations in taxes are the most pressing needs for China's art market.

 

"The inverted structure between the primary market and secondary market is the first issue we have to deal with if we want to enter the international market. Also, we are lagging behind in terms of art market legislation."

 

Tuo Zuhai, deputy director of the Department of Art Market at China's Ministry of Culture, says the ministry is already on its way of establishing rules for the country's art market.

 

"We plan to work in the following four aspects: first, set up industrial qualification standards for art appraisers; second, regulate art appraisal procedures and publicize relevant information; third, regulate art sales procedures; and fourth, apply technological methods into art appraisals."

 

Mei Jianping, a professor of finance at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, says China's art market is still regional, and to go global it needs to move forward toward a market-based scheme.

 

"I think the Chinese art market has made great strides over the past twenty years. Most of the transactions are restricted to Chinese art, not international art. I think, going forward, China needs to make it art market global and rule-based, not entrepreneurial-driven, more market-based, less government intervention in the evolution of the market."

 

Mei Jianping also notes that the industry is in heavy need of graduates with art degrees if they want to deliver on more professional practices.

 

For CRI, this is Shen Ting.

 

'Gangnam Style' in line for UK dictionary inclusion

 

Korean pop sensation Psy may cement his place in popular culture with recognition from a British dictionary.

 

Psy's signature song "Gangnam Style" has been chosen as Collins Dictionary's words of the year.

 

Appearing on the Collins words of the year list is no guarantee of insertion in the next dictionary.

 

But the dictionary's consultant editor Ian Brookes says Gangnam Style stands a very good chance.

 

Other words of the year include "fiscal cliff", "Romneyshambles" and "superstorm".

 

There are twelve words of the year in total, and one for each month.

 

Collins received over 7-thousand submissions on its online database.

 

 

[Media Digest]

 

SHANGHAI DAILY: "Taxis can be booked using app on smartphone"

 

Shanghai's two largest cab companies are starting to offer a free, instant taxi-booking app through smartphones' global positioning service.

 

The app transmits a caller's position and send back the taxi's position and possible arrival time to the cell phone.

 

Shanghai Dazhong Taxi Co started its service early this month and Shanghai Qiangsheng Taxi Co is expected to launch a trial next week.

 

Both companies now offer only Chinese versions of the smartphone services, while developer of Qiangsheng's system said they will consider introducing an English version after the Chinese one runs smoothly.

 

Dazhong's system, now only for iPhone, can be downloaded from www.96822.com. It can search for vacant cabs within 500 to 1,000 meters to the caller and send the cab's position, plate number and booking number to the caller's smartphone.

 

Qiangsheng's system can be used by iOS and Android.

 

GLOBAL TIMES: "New air rescue only for the rich"

 

A year after the Beijing Red Cross announced its new emergency air rescue service, it has only been used twice, by a foreigner and a patient covered by a foreign insurance policy.

 

The service is out of reach to most Chinese. Even in life-threatening situations, people must pay upfront to use the service.

 

Official from Beijing Red Cross says the air emergency rescue services can cost over 100-thousand yuan or 16-thousand US dollars a trip, which is too expensive for most people.

 

To make the service more accessible as it enters its second year, the Beijing Red Cross is negotiating with insurance companies to launch air rescue insurance next year.

 

When a patient phones 999, the center will contact with the airline companies first and to apply for a flight.

 

During the same time, the emergency center will send doctors to the patients to see whether their condition is suitable for the air transportation.

 

JAKARTA POST: "Charity initiatives to mark Xmas, NYE events"

 

As Christmas is a perfect moment for sharing, the InterContinental Bali Resort in Jimbaran is one of Indonesia's hotels holding a special charity initiative in the spirit of giving back to the local community.

 

A tree decorated with wooden angels will be displayed in the hotel lobby.

 

These angels can be purchased for a small donation and the funds raised will go to the children of Panti Salam orphanage for their education and daily living costs.

 

Designed to transcend boundaries and embrace diversity, the program will celebrate the spirit of the festive season by taking different needs into careful consideration.

 

Visiting an orphanage located in the north part of Denpasar to share the joy of Christmas with the children is one of the items on the year-end agenda for Harris Hotel and Resort Sunset Road.

 

So the orphans have more fun at this special moment, the team will also bring them Christmas cupcakes prepared by the hotel's chefs.

 

REUTERS: "Whole grains linked to lower prediabetes risk"

 

A new research shows that eating whole grains is associated with a decreased risk of prediabetes, a blood sugar elevation that can precede diabetes in adults.

 

Swedish residents who ate food containing more than 59 grams of whole grains per day were 27 percent less likely to become prediabetic compared with residents who ate 30 grams or less.

 

The American Diabetes Association estimates that one in four Americans older than 20 have prediabetes.

 

Nearly a quarter of people with prediabetes eventually develop full-blown diabetes.

 

Previous research has linked whole grain rich diets with a decreased risk of diabetes, but the new study makes the connection to the disease precursor.

 

Whole grains range from oatmeal to popcorn, from brown rice to whole wheat - as long as the entire kernel is consumed.

 

A similar Dutch study found losing weight was the most important factor for people with prediabetes to revert back to normal blood sugar level.