MADE IN CHINA: A range of new missiles produced by China Aerospace Science & Industry Corp. on show at the 7th International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition

Reconstruction Plan

The National Development and Reform Commission announced on November 4 a quake reconstruction plan that aims to raise industrial development above pre-quake levels.

It will take three years to restore agricultural, industrial, tourism and cultural production and optimize local industrial structures, according to the plan.

It is composed of eight parts, including pre-quake descriptions and damage, guiding ideology, basic principles and reconstruction goals, productivity distribution and orientation, key points of structural adjustment, financing issues and relevant policies.

Landslides Hit Yunnan

Landslides hit southwest China's Yunnan Province on October 31 after almost 10 days of heavy rain. Forty people were killed and another 43 are missing. More than 1 million people were affected.

Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture was hit hardest, and the power supplies and telecommunications links in Honghe, Dali, Yuxi, Baoshan, Zhaotong and Dehong were cut and infrastructure damaged.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs on November 5 said that the landslides had caused losses of up to 592 million yuan ($86.6 million).

The ministry has allocated 13 million yuan ($1.9 million) for relief work and the provincial government has targeted an additional 10 million yuan ($1.46 million) to the affected areas.

Clear of Melamine

The latest batch of results of tests from melamine in milk on November 3 came back completely clear, said the Center for Food Safety (CFS) in Hong Kong.

The results showed that all 60 samples, including milk and milk powder, infant formula, baby food, eggs, cake mixes and chilled chicken, reached the newest standard of food safety.

"Test results for milk and milk powder, infant formula, baby food, eggs, chilled pork and chilled chicken will be available tomorrow," a spokesman for the CFS said, referring to another batch of products to be tested.

English for Buddhists

China launched an English training program on November 4 for Buddhist followers to better prepare them for foreign exchanges.

The program, organized by the China Religious Culture Communication Association (CRCCA) and the Buddhist Association of China, opened at the Shanghai International Studies University.

Qi Xiaofei, deputy head of the CRCCA, said at the opening ceremony that the half-year course would train translators and interpreters for the Second World Buddhist Forum, scheduled to be held in China next year.

More than 20 Buddhist followers from monasteries nationwide, who had a certain level of English proficiency, were selected for the training.

New Channel

The Spanish-language channel of state-run broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV-E) started broadcasting in Spain on November 1 and the channel's launch is expected to help promote Spanish-speaking populations' understanding of China.

The channel, which broadcasts 24 hours a day, focuses on current news and also runs segments and programs on culture, special reports and TV series.

Its entry into the European country opens a new window for all Spanish-speaking audiences around the world to know more about China.