| Negotiators Bring Mainland, Taiwan Closer
Chen Yunlin, President of the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), and Chiang Pin-kung, Chairman of the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), held their third talks in 11 months in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, on April 26.
Based on the three new deals signed between the ARATS and SEF, top negotiating bodies across the Straits, the two sides agreed to launch regular flights across the Taiwan Straits, promoting financial cooperation and jointly cracking down on crimes.
The two negotiators signed an agreement to expand new air routes and terminals, which includes a direct southern route linking Guangzhou and Taipei, and another northern route to supplement the existing one between Shanghai and Taipei. Another six mainland city hubs will be opened as terminals for direct passenger flights, bringing the total number to 27 on the mainland. The number of cross-Straits passenger flights, either chartered or regular ones, will increase to 270 from previous 108 each week, in addition to 28 cargo flights.
Chen, former Minister of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, China's cabinet, began to serve as ARATS president in June 2008. His negotiating counterpart, Chiang, was elected chairman of SEF in May of the year.
Since last June when they held their first talks, the two negotiators have signed nine agreements covering a wide range of subjects including cross-Straits flights, tourism, postal services and food safety. They plan to hold the fourth talks in Taipei in the latter half of this year.
Tycoon Donates Millions
Huang Rulun, Chairman of the Century Golden Resources Group, a transnational conglomerate sprawling into sectors of real estate, hotels and minerals, was honored as the top Chinese philanthropist after a total donation of 270 million yuan ($39.52 million) in cash last year, according to the Beijing-based China Philanthropy Times. The paper compiled the 2009 top Chinese philanthropists' list.
Being the most generous domestic individual donor on six occasions since 2003, Huang's donations amounted to nearly 19 percent of his private assets. His money goes to education, poverty relief, health care and even relics protection efforts.
Huang, 58, was born to a poor farming family in Linjiang County, Fujian Province. He dropped out of school in early childhood. "I could never forget how hard life was for a poor person," he told a media conference, adding that his own background motivated his need to help others.
Huang's legendary rags-to-riches saga started with his move to the Philippines. After he returned in 1986, Huang established the Century Golden Resources Group. He went on to become the biggest property developer in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian, in the 1990s.
"We are in the most critical moment of the epidemic."
Mexican Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova, warning of a worsening swine flu outbreak on April 27 after suspected number of deaths rose to 149 and nearly 2,000 people were believed to be infected in the country
"History tells us that the more serious a crisis becomes, the more committed we must be to openness and cooperation."
Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, calling for a fair trade environment in a signed article published in The Wall Street Journal on April 27
"Now that the election is over we must enter a new era of hope and progress. We must enter a period where we bury mistrust, uncertainty, pain and tension and begin a new chapter of harmony and collaboration."
South African President-elect Jacob Zuma, after the ruling African National Congress fell just short of obtaining a two thirds majority at the April 22 general election
"Developing countries face especially serious consequences as the financial and economic crisis turns into a human and development calamity."
Joint International Monetary Fund and World Bank Development Committee, in a statement after its meeting on April 26
"Our objective is to create an operating structure and strategy where we can win, not simply survive."
Fritz Henderson, President and Chief Executive of General Motors Corp., when unveiling an accelerated overhaul plan on April 27
| 
