China Daily
97 / 12 / 27 /
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1. Beauty bolsters industry in historic port city
2. Manchu people put on show
3. Camp pays respect to lady
4. Travel Notes ( Page 5, Date: 12/27/97 )
5. What's on (Page 6, Date: 12/27/97)
6. [INLINE]
7. [INLINE] __
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Beauty bolsters industry in historic port city
DALIAN, situated at the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula
where the Bohai and Yellow seas meet, is a port city, an
industrial city and also a city of beautiful landscapes and
seascapes. But it is above all an open city.
Opening the city has necessarily resulted in a boom in the tourist
industry, which in return promotes the development and further
opening of the city.
The tourist industry of the city has boomed in the last decade or
so. For example, the number of domestic tourists to visit Dalian
this year is expected to reach 17 million, and the number of
foreign tourists 200,000, not including foreign sailors whose
ships dock at the port, said Zhang Hongan, director of the
municipal tourism bureau.
But what can Dalian offer?
The bustling port city itself, its history, the sea, the
mountains, the large-scale festivals, tourism-oriented activities.
Visitors are impressed by the tidy and clean streets, the stylish
small squares that dot the city, the well-mown lawns, the skyline
that features bristling glass-and-steel towers and skyscrapers,
the polite and well-behaved residents, the busy port that handles
more than 60 million tons of cargo yearly, the shipyard that is
capable of building super oil tankers, the garment bazaars that
attract Russian traders as well as Chinese buyers, the street cars
running on tracks... The list could go on and on.
As a foremost base of the shipping industry, Dalian annually turns
out half of China's total of ships for export (calculated in
tonnage). The mainstay is the Dalian Shipyard, which is capable of
building 300,000-ton ships.
The city is the country's largest diesel-engine-manufacturing
base, turning out diesel locomotives. And portal cranes produced
by the Dalian Crane Machinery Plant make up three quarters of the
total national output each year.
The Dalian Port is the third largest in the country, with 4,300
cargo ships calling there each year. The total cargo tonnage
handled stands at nearly 70 million tons.
High technology is taking root in the city's Economic and
Technological development zone.
Dalian is planned to become a centre of trade, banking, tourism
and information in Northeast Asia in the next 20 years. At the
same time, it will become an important international traffic hub
and an industrial base supported by advanced technology.
Those are critical conditions for a booming tourist market. The
history of Dalian attracts tourists.
The city, established 100 years ago, had a traumatic past. Chinese
still have a sense of humiliation when looking back at the
Russo-Japanese War in 1904 and 1905, which was staged on Chinese
territory, with the Qing (1644-1911) government declaring
"neutrality."
The focal ground was Port Lushun (Port Arthur), now part of
Dalian. The Japanese attacked fiercely and the Russians fought
back desperately, both sides suffering heavy casualties. Japan's
victory established it as a world power while Russia's loss of
prestige was a chief cause of the 1905 Revolution.
The time-ravaged redoubts of the Russian army, which are overrun
with weeds, are still there for people to see. The rusty, huge
Russian guns are still perched on commanding elevations. The
monument in celebration of the Japanese victory can still be
found, but has been renamed. "It is incriminating evidence of
Japanese aggression," as the Chinese habitually say.
According to the agreements reached at the Yalta Conference,
Dalian was returned to China.
Set on the Yellow Sea, Dalian boasts a string of beautiful
islands, scenic spots, beaches and seashore resorts along its
coastline: Bangchui Island, Tiger Beach Park, Swallow-Nest Ridge,
Fujiazhuang Beach, Golden Sand Beach. Blue skies, green mountains,
wooded islands, beaches and rocks combine to make an area where
people can go sightseeing, swimming and angling.
In the north is the Bingyu Landscape Zone. There the jagged
mountains, brooks, springs and forests form a belt of beautiful
scenery.
"So far nine annual garment festivals have been organized to
attract people from across the country and from abroad," said
Zhang. "They are aimed at creating an image for Dalian in the
world, and also, at promoting the tourist industry of the city.
If the garment festival is not solely a tourism-oriented activity,
some others surely are. These include the Bingyu Fireworks Ice
Lantern Festival, the Fireworks Festival and the Dalian
Pagoda-Tree Appreciation Meeting, according to Zhang.
More specialized tourist projects are being considered. Foreigners
are being encouraged to "become a Dalian resident for a day" or
"become a farmer in Dalian for a day."
"They will have a real feeling of what it is like to be a resident
in Dalian, buying groceries, shopping and cooking," said Zhang.
There are now 150 tourist hotels, of which 65 are of star
classification. The top ones are the Shangri-La Dalian Hotel and
the Furuma Hotel.
The growth of tourism calls for more facilities, such as luxury
hotels, fine golf courses and holiday resorts.
It is against this background that the Shangri-La Hotel Dalian,
the second five-star hotel in the city, opened early this month.
"We hope that the Shangri-La Dalian will do what it should in
promoting the opening of Dalian City," said Bo Xilai, mayor of
Dalian, at the opening ceremony.
Zhang said: "It is good that we now have a second five-star hotel
in the city. This changes a situation in which only one top-grade
hotel (the Furuma) catered for guests wanting the best
accommodation and service. Competition is now set in motion, which
will help raise the quality of hotel services,"
Talking about the management of Shangri-La, Stephen Phillips said:
"People may say a bath is a bath, a shower is a shower, marble is
marble. You can find them in any luxury hotel. But what we
emphasize is people -- the quality of people who serve our guests.
This might mark us out from others."
And now the "hardware" and "software" are in place for Dalian in
the near future to become North China's major tourist city,
offering sightseeing, holiday making and shopping, as well as
hosting large-scale exhibitions and trade fairs, said Zhang.
_____________________________________________________________
_Date: 12/27/97_
_Author: Lu You_
_Copyright© by China Daily_
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Manchu people put on show
THE tourist event, which is named "See the Customs of the Manchu
People in Shenyang and the Xibo People in Xinchengzi," is newly
organized by the Shenyang Tourism Administration and Xinchengzi
Tourism Bureau.
In the east of Liaoning Province live the Manchu people, whose
ancestors established the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Shenyang, now capital of Liaoning Province, is also a place where
the ethnic group gained prosperity and power from the Ming
(1368-1644) troops.
In the city today, one can find the earliest palaces of the
Shenyang Imperial Palace, the earliest Qing Palace.
In addition, the North Tomb and East Tomb are tombs respectively
of Nuer Hachi, the founding father of the Manchu monarchy, and his
son Huang Taiji, who is also regarded as a founder of the Qing
Dynasty. All these sites have great historical value.
Manchu women like to wear qipao, literally Manchu gown, and Manchu
people are fond of eating millet meal, yellow-rice buns.
They are also fond of dancing yangko, walking on stilts, and
beating drums for fun.
The hospitality of the Manchus finds expression in the saying:
"Guests are not guests. All people are of the same family."
If one is in the mood, one may as well take some time to visit the
Shenyang Imperial Palace and the North and East tombs and go to
the Manchu villages nearby.
There, visitors can put on colourful Manchu garments, have a taste
of Manchu sausages, veal balls and other snacks.
Xinchengzi District, which is only 30 kilometres in the north of
Shenyang, is inhabited by the Xibo people. There are now three
Xibo villages with a total population of 21,000. They still retain
their writing system, language and customs. Their architecture,
garments, food, marriage, etiquette, and ways of celebrating
festivals are really unique. (CD News)
_____________________________________________________________
_Date: 12/27/97_
_Author: _
_Copyright© by China Daily_
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Camp pays respect to lady
Marcia B. Marx died of cancer before she could join her husband
Tang Xiyang in the first Green Camp activity last year.
"You're off to learn about nature. I hope you won't just admire
the grand vistas and spectacular trees and animals. To experience
nature, you must learn to know it intimately."
These were the last words Marcia B. Marx made to members of the
Green Camp before they set out to protect the habitat of the
world's most endangered monkeys last July.
In a recent exhibition in the Beijing Library, more than 70
photographs stand proof that the camp has faithfully followed her
advice in a second excursion into southeastern Tibet.
Green Camp is a nongovernmental group aiming at protecting the
environment through bringing college students and other young
people to the focus of environmental problems.
The group was initiated by Marx and Tang. Their joint works
"Living Treasures" and "A Green World Tour" have motivated
environmental volunteers with in-depth discussion on the natural
reserves in China and the world.
Tang has carried on her work.
Between late July and mid August, Tang led 22 students from all
over the country to observe the wildlife and ecological
conservation along the Yarlung Zangbo River from Lhasa to
Nyingchi.
During this journey of more than 2,500 kilometres, they visited
governmental agencies on forestry, environment, education, and
economy, as well as families, schools and monasteries.
They were deeply worried about the expanding desert in Tibet
caused by deforestation and over-grazing.
Through questionnaires, seminars and interviews, they probed
possibilities of integrating the Tibetan traditional sense of
nature-loving with modern environmental sciences.
Wu Xiaodong, 24, had just graduated from a medical university
before joining the Green Camp as a doctor.
She said the whole team were struck with headaches and dizziness
on the plateau. The highest place they reached was a pass on the
Tanggula Mountain, more than 5,231 metres above sea level.
"They all came through with great determination," Wu said.
"Besides, I felt Marcia was always with us."
In a summary of this year's Green Camp, Tang Xiyang explained his
decision of leaving Marcia for Yunnan when she was very ill.
"This is a way we challenge our life. We wouldn't be so desperate
or struggle without this cruel reality, which is our situation and
also our nature's situation. Our earth is sick with cancer, and
the origin is us ... It is these two cancers that compelled us
into this action."
_____________________________________________________________
_Date: 12/27/97_
_Author: Liu Jun_
_Copyright© by China Daily_
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Travel Notes ( Page 5, Date: 12/27/97 )
Tourism events
CHENGDU -- Southwest China's Sichuan Province recently opened a
series of new tour itineraries as part of China's urban and rural
tourism activities for 1998.
Sichuan is home to abundant tourism resources, including the
Leshan Buddha and Mount Emei. Years of development have turned the
province into a major tourist attraction..
The new tour routes include Jiuzhaigou-Huanglong, Leshan
Buddha-Mount Emei-Dujiangyan-Qingchengshan, and a special tour to
the natural habitat of the Giant Panda.
Sichuan's tourism features by a number of activities reflecting
ancient folk culture and the colourful life of the modern people
living in Southwest China. These activities include the Zigong
International Lanterns Festival, the Leshan International Buddha
Festival and the Chengdu Flowers Festival.
As part of an effort to further develop tourism, the provincial
government and neighbouring provinces will jointly open various
regional tour routes.
Sea routes open
BEIHAI -- Beihai, a city of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
situated at the Beibu Bay, will open sea travel routes jointly
with Viet Nam starting in the new year, pending approval of the
China National Tourism Administration.
A scenic beach-side resort, Beihai is one of the newly-emerging
tourist destinations in China.
Starting in 1998, Beihai will introduce five-day tour routes
covering four beach cities including Beihai and Qinzhou on the
China side and Haiphong and Halong at the Vietnamese side. Beihai
is 157 nautical miles away from Haiphong and Halong.
People in China's interior area and in Viet Nam are entitled to
take part in the tour, and those from Taiwan and Macao are not
included.
TV series on mount
JINAN -- A 15-part TV documentary on Mount Taishan, one of the
most famous mountains in China, will be shown soon in China and
abroad.
The most revered among China's "five mountains," Mount Taishan in
East China's Shandong Province was visited in the past by many
feudal emperors and senior officials who came to pray for peace
and harmony. Now it is listed as a world natural and cultural
heritage.
Titled "China's Mount Taishan," the TV documentary, recording the
comments on the mountain from 40 scholars and legends and stories
relating to it, will display the historical, philosophical,
geographical, religious, astronomical, archaeological and literary
significance of the Mount Taishan culture, thus showing the origin
and development of the Chinese culture. (Xinhua)
_____________________________________________________________
_Date: 12/27/97_
_Author: _
_Copyright© by China Daily_
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What's on (Page 6, Date: 12/27/97)
EXHIBITIONS
Two-person art show -- Hou Dalu and Ding Li, two young artists
from Shandong Province, will hold their flower-and-bird painting
exhibition at the Gulao Art Gallery.
Time: 9 am- 6 pm, January 5-15.
Place: Gulao Art Gallery, Ritan Dongyijie, east of Ritan Park,
Chaoyang District, Beijing.
Tel: 6509-3083.
Oil paintings -- The Beijing International Art Palace is holding a
40-day oil painting exhibition until February 6 next year.
The oil paintings on display the collection of the art palace and
most have been displayed in the gallery of the art palace.
Time: 9 am-6 pm, until February 6
Place: Beijing International Art Palace, 48 Wangfujing Street,
Dongcheng District
Tel: 6512-5063
Photo show -- "Golden Leave Sentiment" amateur photographic
exhibition is running at the China National Art Museum.
The show features more than 160 landscape photos taken by tobacco
industry workers.
Time: 9:00 am-4:00pm, through December 29.
Place: China National Art Museum, 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng
District, Beijing.
Tel: 6401-2252.
Ancient handicrafts -- Beijing Art Museum, situated in the ancient
Wanshou Temple, reopened its Exhibition of Handicrafts in the Ming
and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) on November 28. The show not only
keeps the best items of the previous exhibition, but also includes
more than 100 selected treasures from the collection of the
exhibition hall.
The exhibition is divided into six parts: jade ware, wooden and
bamboo carvings, rhinoceros horn, glassware, enamel and lacquer
ware.
The treasures display a good mixture of palace art, literati art
and folk art of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Time: 8.30 am-5 pm, daily
Place: Wanshou Temple, Suzhoujie, Haidian District
Tel: 6841-3380
Brilliant cultural relics -- The National Museum of Chinese
History is hosting a grand exhibition, featuring the pick of new
archaeological discoveries in China.
The 608 historic relics on display are presented by 101 museums
and cultural relic research units from the country's 31 provinces
and cities.
Most were unearthed in the last four years, almost all being shown
in Beijing for the first time. The priceless exhibits include rare
fossils of homo sapiens, bronze wares, silver and gold ornaments,
bright and colourful porcelains and lacquer wares, silk fabrics,
pottery figurines and stone cuts, as well as gold seals and
inscribed slips and tablets.
Time: 8:30 am-5 pm, until December 31
Place: National Museum of Chinese History, east of Tian'anmen
Square
Tel: 6526-6604, 6512-8901
Medici collection show -- The Italian Medici Collection Show is
running at the Working People's Cultural Palace.
The Medici collection show features original works of Michelangelo
and Sandro Botticelli.
The Medicis were the famous Italian family that ruled Florence
during the Renaissance (1300-1600). Florence at that time was very
prosperous and formed the focus of Renaissance art. The Medicis
patronized Michelangelo, the most famously gifted sculptor of the
Renaissance or perhaps any era.
Time: 8 am-5 pm, until January 10
Place: Beijing Working People's Cultural Palace, east of
Tian'anmen Rostrum
Tel: 6403-1631
Abstract art -- More than 200 abstract oil paintings are on show
at the J.B. Studio on the east side of the embassy area.
Time: 9 am-5 pm, daily.
Place: Guanghua Xili, Jianwai Dajie, Chaoyang District.
Tel: 6594-0161
EVENTS
Parrots show -- More than 10 species of parrot are now on exhibit
in the Beijing Birds Garden. "The First Precious Parrots Show"
will last until the end of February in 1998.
Occupying an area of 100 mu (6.6 hectares), Beijing Birds Garden
is now the only bird protection centre. The garden is trying to
promote people's awareness of bird protection.
Apart from the parrots, there are more than 3,000 birds of 100
species at the garden, including the national first-grade and
second-grade protected birds like white swans and red-crowned
cranes.
Time: 9 am-4 pm, until February 1998.
Place: Beijing Birds Garden, 18 Beitucheng Xilu, Chaoyang District
Tel: 6237-9927
Flower show -- To celebrate New Year's Day, the Azalea Flower Show
is running at Zhongshan Park's Tanghuawu.
Azalea, with its striking colours and enticing petals is one of
China's 10 renowned flowers.
Sponsored by Zhongshan Park and Dandong Azalea Raising Centre in
Heilongjiang Province, the show will present more than 2,000
different azaleas, many of which are rare species.
Time: 8 am-5 pm, December 27-January 8, 1998
Place: Zhongshan Park, west of Tian'anmen Rostrum, Dongcheng
District
Tel: 6605-5431
Ice sculpture festival -- The 12th Longqingxia Gorges Ice
Sculpture Festival will be held from January 5 to the end of
February in Beijing's Yanqing County.
Sculpture highlights include the imposing icy Chinese calligraphy,
with characters standing at least 120 square metres tall, replicas
of sites of interests and models of famous Chinese architecture
all composed of ice lanterns.
To get there, take the Special Tourism Bus No 8 or No 191; or go
by train -- starting from Xizimen Railway Station and get off at
Yanqing South Railway Station.
Time: January 5 until the end of February 1998
Place: Longqingxia Gorges, Yanqing County
Tel: 6919-1020.
Sounding the Bell -- The Beijing Ancient Bells Museum will hold a
grand evening party on New Year's Eve in western Beijing.
Visitors are welcome to spend the night with their families at the
Great Bell Temple, participating in a series of cultural
activities.
They can watch yangko dance, martial arts, lion and dragon dances,
ethnic minority dances, and Bianzhong (chimes), sample snacks or
buy New Year souvenirs like scrolls and handicrafts.
They can also gain extensive knowledge about ancient bells from
home and abroad and the process of founding a bell.
Time: 9.30 pm-0.00 am, December 31
Place: Beijing Ancient Bells Museum, A31 Beisanhuan Xilu, Haidian
District
Tel: 6254-1972, 6255-0819, 6255-7566
STAGE
Ballet season -- For the festival season, the Central Opera and
Ballet Theatre will present 21 performances featuring five
classics and a combination of selected ballet episodes, all from
the theatre's repertoire.
Since the theatre signed up with the China Performing Arts Agency
(CPAA) as its agent early this year, the blanket promotion has
pushed the 38-year-old troupe to new heights both in box office
takings and the quality of performances.
The programme is as follows:
1. Sleeping Beauty
Time: 7:15 pm, December 27, 28
Place: Poly Plaza International Theatre.
2. Giselle
Time: 7:15 pm, December 30, 31
Place: Beizhan Theatre
3. Red Detachment of Women
Time: 7:15 pm, January 2-5, 1998
Place: Beizhan Theatre
4. Gala of selected ballet classics
Time: January 8, 9
Place: Poly Plaza International Theatre
5. Don Quixote
Time: 7:15 pm, January 17-19
Place: Beizhan Theatre,
6. Swan Lake
Time: 7:15 pm, January 21-26
Place: Beizhan Theatre.
Tel: 6405-5512, 6407-3532, 6406-3324,
Dance drama -- Dance teacher Chen Ailian and her students will
present a six-act dance drama "A Dream of Red Mansions" based on
the classic novel of the same name.
Chen, 58, has donned her red dancing shoes every day since she was
12. Though the market for traditional Chinese dancing is in
decline, she still treasures it and struggles to preserve and
develop the art.
"A Dream of Red Mansions" is a masterpiece of realism written in
the middle of the 18th century. It deals with the lives of
important Qing Dynasty families.
Chen plays the heroine Lin Daiyu, tragically trapped in a love
triangle.
Time: 7 pm, December 29-31, 1997, January 1-2,
Place: International Theatre of Poly Plaza, 64 Dongzhimen
Nandajie, Dongcheng District
Tel: 6405-5512, 6407-3532.
Real people's drama -- The Beijing People's Art Theatre, acclaimed
as one of the best in the country, will restage the six-act play
"Neighbourhood Committee" at the Capital Theatre. This play boasts
a strong Beijing flavour and cast.
Directed by Gu Wei, the play describes a neighbourhood committee
in Beijing. It reveals the complicated psychology of today's urban
residents. The play appeals for mutual understanding and tolerance
among people.
The cast includes Gong Lijun, Wang Danian, Xu Xiulin, Zhang Wankun
and Jin Zhao.
Time: 7 pm, December 27-30, January 2-5.
Place: Capital Theatre, 22 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District
Tel: 6512-1598, 6525-0996
CONCERTS
Children's chorus -- The Children's Orchestra attached to the
China National Symphony Orchestra will sing famous domestic and
foreign songs to greet the coming year.
Yang Hongnian will conduct.
Time: 7:30 pm, December 29.
Place: Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie
Tel: 6605-5812
World famous pieces -- Tianjin Symphony Orchestra will hold a
world-famous pieces concert.
Time: 7:30 pm, December 30.
Place: Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie
Tel: 6605-5812
Bell Concert -- The chorus of China National Symphony Orchestra
will present an International Bell Chorus Concert.
Time: 10:30 pm, December 31.
Place: Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie, Xicheng District
Tel: 6605-5812
Peek-in opera -- Located in an ornate former temple, and painted
and draped in a manner fit for royalty, Zhengyici Theatre may be
worth a visit just for a look inside.
Better yet, stick around until the show gets rolling -- live
Peking Opera packaged in short programmes for foreign audiences.
Each act includes an explanation written in English, similar to
the announcements.
You'll see at least one lively acrobatic or fighting scene. There
are snacks, tea and ice cream during intermission.
Place: Zhengyici Theatre, 220 Xiheyan Dajie, Xuanwu District
(behind Hepingmen Roast Duck Restaurant)
Time: 7:15 pm, daily
Tel: 6303-6233, 6303-6234.
Original opera -- The Liyuan Theatre at Qianmen Hotel is
presenting Peking Opera, original style. The theatre has revived
the ambience of old Beijing by setting up Ming-style tables, so
guests can sample snacks during performances.
Time: 7:30 pm, nightly.
Place: Qianmen Hotel, 175 Yong'anlu, Xuanwu District
Tel: 6301-6688 ext 8986
New Year concert -- The Central Opera and Ballet Theatre will put
on a Beijing New Year Concert.
Time: 7:30 pm, January 1-2.
Place: Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie, Xicheng District
Tel: 6605-5812
Symphony concert -- The Chorus of the China National Symphony
Orchestra will present world-famous pieces symphony concert.
Cheng Zhi, Yin Xiumei and Zheng Yong will sing the solo.
The violin is played by Lu Lu, and Zheng Jian will conduct.
The pieces include "I Love You, China," "Butterfly Lovers" and
"Blue Danube."
Time: 2 pm, January 1.
Place: Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie, Xicheng District
Tel: 6605-5812
Russian songs -- The Chorus of the General Politics Song and Dance
Ensemble will sing songs of the former Soviet Union.
The songs include "Red Plum Flowers Bloom," "Small Path," "Night
on the Outskirts of Moscow" and "We Toast.".
Cheng Zhi and Wang Xiufen will sing. The Symphony Orchestra of the
General Politics Song and Dance Ensemble will perform.
Zheng Jian will conduct.
Time: January 3-4.
Place: Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie, Xicheng District
_____________________________________________________________
_Date: 12/27/97_
_Author: _
_Copyright© by China Daily_
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[INLINE]
[INLINE]
Updated on September 24, 1997
[INLINE]
[INLINE]
_[1]The 15th Party Congress_
_[2]Sep. 12 - Sep.18, 1997_
[INLINE]
[3][LINK] _[4]General Secretary Jiang Zemin's
Report to the 15th Party Congress_
[5][LINK] _[6]New Party Leadership elected,
Top Leaders' Profiles_
[7][LINK] _[8]Communique of 15th CPC Central
Committee's First Plenum_
[INLINE]
Feedback: [9]
cd...@chinadaily.net _Copyright by CBnet ®, China Daily Information_
References
1. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/15/engtg124.html
2. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/15/engtg124.html
3. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/15/report.html
4. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/15/report.html
5. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/15/engtgb46.html
6. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/15/engtgb46.html
7. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/15/engtgb09.html
8. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/15/engtgb09.html
9. mailto:cd...@chinadaily.net
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[2][LINK]
[3][LINK]
[4][LINK]
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_Chinese, U.S. Presidents Hold Press Conference _
WASHINGTON, October 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Jiang
Zemin and U.S. President Bill Clinton have agreed that China
and the United States should strengthen cooperation in
building a strategic partnership oriented toward the 21st
century, with a view to promoting world peace and
development.
This was stated by Jiang during a joint press conference by
the two presidents Wednesday.
The two presidents also shared the view of holding regular
visits between the two countries' heads of state,
facilitating a Washington-Beijing presidential communications
link, triggering the mechanism of a regular exchange of
visits by foreign ministers and other cabinet officials, as
well as strengthening cooperation in economic, scientific and
technological, cultural, educational fields and in law
enforcement.
Jiang described his talks with Clinton as "constructive and
fruitful," and believed that his ongoing visit could attain
the goal of enhancing mutual understanding, broadening common
ground, developing cooperation and building the future.
The two presidents also agreed to handle bilateral relations
and differences in line with the principles of mutual
respect, non-interference in each other's internal affairs,
equality and mutual benefit, and seeking common ground while
putting aside differences.
Clinton said that Jiang's visit to the United States gave
them the opportunity and the responsibility to build a future
that is more secure, more peaceful, more prosperous for both
peoples.
The two countries share a profound interest in a stable,
prosperous and open Asia, and a strong interest in stopping
the spread of weapons of mass destruction and other
sophisticated weaponry, Clinton said.
He said he agreed to move ahead with the U.S.-China agreement
for cooperation concerning the peaceful use of nuclear
energy.
In both China and the United States, trade has been a
critical catalyst for growth, and China is the fastest
growing market in the world for America's goods and services,
Clinton said. He also said the United States would "do
everything possible to bring China into the World Trade
Organization."
Referring to the Taiwan issue, Jiang said that China wishes
to effect the peaceful reunification of the motherland by
means of implementing Deng Xiaoping's concept of "one
country, two systems."
But China is not committed to giving up the use of force in
this regard, he said, adding that this does not target the
Taiwan compatriots, but direct against the foreign force
interfering in Taiwan affairs and against the scheme that
would attempt to separate Taiwan from China.
On the human rights issue, Jiang said the current world is a
rich and diverse one, and concepts on democracy and human
rights and on freedoms are relative and specific ones.
Therefore, they should be determined by the specific national
situation of different countries.
References
1. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/visit/report.htm
2. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/visit/d1-jiang_j15.htm
3. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/visit/comment.htm
4. http://www.chinadaily.net/cndy/history/visit/backgrnd.htm
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