Growing Partnership

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Zambian counterpart Levy Patrick Mwanawasa (far right) study a model of the Chambisi Copper Mine after jointly inaugurating an economic and trade cooperation zone in Lusaka on February 4.

The zone, located in Zambia's Copper Belt Province, is designed to form a production chain with the Chambisi Copper Smelter as the core enterprise. It is the first project of its kind launched by China in Africa.

At the Beijing Summit of the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation last November, the Chinese side promised to set up three to five such cooperation zones on the African continent over the next three years to further strengthen bilateral trade exchanges.

The establishment of the zone is expected to boost the development of Zambia's light industry, increase local exports and create job opportunities.

During his recent eight-nation African tour, President Hu reiterated that the Chinese Government encourages Chinese enterprises to increase their investment in Africa, in particular in those areas that have a direct bearing on the livelihood of African people.

SOCIETY

Cut army costs

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has ordered China's armed forces to cut costs and save energy in response to the government's call for a resource-efficient and environment-friendly society.

A report from the General Logistics Department said the armed forces saved 1.4 billion yuan by reducing water use by 40 million tons, coal use by 1.157 million tons and oil fuel by 55,000 tons in 2006, according to People's Daily.

The logistics department will also tighten checks on military infrastructure projects to prevent the unnecessary demolition of barracks and the construction of extravagant new buildings.

China's defense expenditure in 2004 was 220 billion yuan, an annual growth of 15.31 percent.

Pollution warnings issued

Beijing plans to issue pollution alerts that will warn residents to avoid certain areas of the city on days when the air is heavily polluted, said the environment protection bureau.

The city also intends to close factories and construction sites when the air becomes heavily polluted, said an official with the municipal environment protection bureau.

The municipality had 241 "blue sky days" in 2006, exceeding the government's target by three days. This year the target is 245 "blue sky days."

Beijing launched the Defending the Blue Sky program in 1998, when the city had only about 100 'blue sky' days a year. Since then, air quality has improved for eight straight years, in part due to measures taken by the environment watchdog.

Fireworks hit shelves

Fireworks went on sale in over 2,000 stores in Beijing on February 7 ahead of the Lunar New Year celebrations that will explode into life on February 17.

More than 510,000 boxes of firecrackers worth 114 million yuan are expected to be sold in 2,153 designated stores.

This is the second year since Beijing lifted a 12-year ban on fireworks. The Beijing authorities banned firecrackers in 1993 due to safety and environmental concerns, but lifted the ban in 2005 after authorities said the industry had cleaned up its act.

The new regulations allow Beijing residents inside the fifth ring road to let off fireworks all day on February 17 and 18-New Year's Eve and New Year's Day-and from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. every day from February 19 to March 4.

Speed dating

Singles in Hong Kong are now turning to speed dating activities to find that special someone with Valentine's Day approaching.

Over 2,400 single people in Hong Kong have signed up for speed dating parties to be held on Valentine's Day.

Entering the Hong Kong market in 2002, speed dating services have become the first choice for local singles who want to multiply their chances of meeting their Mr. or Mrs. Right.

According to local newspaper Ming Pao, every year 65,000 young people take part in speed dating parties held by 30 agencies, bringing the industry a yearly income of 20 million Hong Kong dollars.

Speed dating companies organize parties, dance classes and many other activities in romantic cafes or clubs to help single young people pair off.