Vice Premier: China, EU "Distant Neighbors"

BEIJING,May6
(Xinhuanet)--China's Vice Premier Wang Qishanhas said
thatChina and the European Union should take a responsible attitude and
demonstrate their common, clear commitment against trade protectionism at the
second China-E.U. high-level economic dialogue.

He made the remarks in an articlepublished by the
New York Timeson Tuesday, titled "Distant Neighbors."

The following is the full text of the article:

The most pressing task facing all countries in the
world today is to restore global economic growth as soon as possible. Yet it is
worrisome to note that the surge of trade protectionism has made the prospects
of the already fragile world economy even worse.

China and the European Union, two major economies and
stakeholders in the world, should take a responsible attitude and demonstrate
their common, clear commitment against trade protectionism at the second
China-E.U. high-level economic dialogue.

Trade liberalization is the engine of economic
growth. It has served as a strong propeller of economic globalization and
benefited people around the world. On the contrary, trade protectionism ¡ª
featuring the pursuit of benefits for one country at the expense of others ¡ª
will only lead to retaliation. It serves the interest of no one.

The world economy paid a heavy price for the
prevalence of trade protectionism during the Great Depression in the 1930s,
which led to the contraction of global trade by two thirds. We should make sure
that the same mistake is not repeated.

Europe is the birthplace of free trade theory, and
the E.U. is the product of successful free trade practices. The removal of trade
barriers promoted formation of a single European market and enhanced development
and prosperity in Europe. As a result, the E.U. has grown into the largest
economy in the world today.

China is firmly committed to reform and to opening
up. Since its accession to the World Trade Organization, China¡¯s market has
become much more open and its trade greatly liberalized. The current overall
tariff level of China is only 9.8 percent. Its average tariff on industrial
products is only 8.9 percent, the lowest among all developing countries. Its
tariff on imported agricultural products is only 15.2 percent, which is not only
lower than other developing countries but also far below that of many developed
countries.

The openness of China¡¯s trade in services has reached
a level close to that of an average developed country. China has taken steady
steps to improve its market economic system and legal system. In particular, it
has made remarkable progress in intellectual-property rights protection, product
quality and food safety, environmental protection and labor security. China has
also taken concrete actions against trade protectionism ¡ª the Chinese government
recently sent Chinese enterprises on procurement missions to Europe and the
United States.

The economies of China and the E.U. have much to
offer each other and our two-way trade holds a huge potential. The E.U. is now
China¡¯s largest trading partner and China is the second largest trading partner
of the E.U.

China and the E.U. should make full use of the
platform presented by the high-level economic dialogue to strengthen
communication and cooperation and jointly oppose trade protectionism. This would
better enable us to tackle the current crisis and promote economic recovery and
growth. It would also reinforce the trend of economic globalization and
facilitates a further growth of two-way trade.

The two sides should work actively to put in place
the agreement reached at the G-20 summit in London, promote early, comprehensive
and balanced outcome in the WTO Doha round negotiations and uphold an open, fair
and equitable international trading regime. An early conclusion of the Doha
round is of symbolic significance to curbing protectionism.

The two sides should further open markets to each
other. China will continue to lower the threshold for market access, improve
trade and investment environment and encourage Chinese enterprises to increase
procurement and imports from Europe.

We hope the E.U. will relax restrictions on the
exports of high-tech products to China, enhance cooperation with China on the
development and application of clean energy, new energy and renewable energy and
support cooperation among our small and medium-sized enterprises. Meanwhile, our
two sides should step up efforts to update the E.E.C.-China Trade and Economic
Cooperation Agreement.

The two sides should work in a cooperative spirit and
properly resolve trade differences and disputes. Each side needs to take proper
care of its own interests. Yet, more importantly, both sides should accommodate
the concerns of the other, taking into full account national conditions and
their stage of development, and steadily broaden the scope of our common
interests.

We should strengthen dialogue and consultation,
refrain from taking protectionist measures and avoid politicizing trade issues.
China hopes that the E.U. will evaluate the conditions of the Chinese economy in
an objective and unprejudiced manner and recognize China¡¯s full market economy
status as soon as possible.

Trade liberalization was, is and will continue to be
the only way to global economic prosperity. The Chinese side is ready to work
with the E.U. and take effective measures to oppose trade protectionism, promote
better growth of China-E.U. trade and jointly move the world economy out of the
current difficulties at an early date.

Chinese Vice Premier leaves for
Sino-EU dialogue, visit Britain

BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Wang
Qishan left here Wednesday for the second Sino-European Union (EU) high-level
trade and economic dialogue in Brussels on May 7 and 8, and to pay an official
visit to Britain from May 8 to 12 at the invitation of British Chancellor of the
Exchequer Alistair Darling.

Wang will co-chair the dialogue with Catherine
Ashton, EU Trade Commissioner and personal representative of the European
Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, said Jiang Yu, spokeswoman of the
Chinese Foreign Ministry. Full story

Chinese diplomat stresses importance
of pragmatism, shared interests in developing Sino-EU ties

BRUSSELS, April 29 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese
diplomat said here Wednesday that China and the European Union (EU) should push
forward mutually beneficial cooperation in all spheres by practicing pragmatism,
keeping in mind the overall interest of the bilateral relations and working
together to promote common interests between the two peoples.

"If we keep in mind the overall interest of our
relations and work together to promote common interest between our peoples, we
will be able to enjoy a closer partnership in the long run, and for next month
to ensure the upcoming Sino-EU High-Level Dialogue and the summit great
success," said the Chinese Ambassador to the EU Song Zhe in a speech at a
seminar on Sino-EU relations in Brussels. Full story

Chinese Vice Premier to attend Sino-EU
dialogue, visit Britain

BEIJING, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier
Wang Qishan will attend the second Sino-European Union (EU) high-level trade and
economic dialogue in Brussels on May 7 and 8 and pay an official visit to
Britain from May 8 to 12.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu made the
announcement at a regular press conference here Thursday. Full story

China cancels chartered flight to Mexico

GUANGZHOU, May 3 (Xinhua) -- China has cancelled a chartered flight to pick up 120 or so stranded Chinese citizens in Mexico, flight operator said late Sunday.

China Southern Airlines said normal flight CZ327 has left for Los Angeles Sunday night, but it would not fly to lift the Chinese nationals in Mexico as earlier planned, the center of the influenza A/H1N1 outbreak.

The Guangzhou-based airline added that it was fully prepared for the charter mission, but it was up to the government as to if and when to implement it.

A 25-year-old Mexican man, who arrived in Shanghai Thursday aboard flight Aeromexico 098, was later diagnosed with influenza A/H1N1 in Hong Kong.

The Mexican became Hong Kong's first confirmed case of influenza A/H1N1 infection Friday. It was also the first such casein Asia.

Following the outbreak, the Chinese government suspended flights from Mexico to Shanghai starting Saturday. It said it depends on the flu outbreak situation as when to resume the flights.

Brussels's "first citizen" dressed up in Chinese fur clothing

Musicians play as Brusells' famous
statue Manneken Pis is dressed in traditional Chinese costume made in
leather in Brussels, capital of Belgium, Mar. 2, 2009. The costume was
presented by Haining municipality, which is famous for its leather
industry in China. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)
Photo
Gallery

BRUSSELS, March 2 (Xinhua) -- A vermilion tailor-made fur garment of
traditional Chinese style has been put on the "first citizen" of the Belgian
capital of Brussels -- the bronze fountain sculpture of "little pee boy Julien"
on Monday.

Julien's newest clothes of vermillion color, also known as China Red, was
donated by China's "fur capital" Haining city of Zhejiang province. It is the
819th in his wardrobe since the tradition to "dress the city hero up" started
over 300 years ago.

The vermilion coat with traditional Chinese patterns symbolizing fortune,
vigor and passion on it, is the boy's third Chinese costume after a mandarin
jacket presented by the Beijing municipal government in 1979 when Brussels
celebrated its millennium, and a Chinese space suit in welcome of the visit by
Chinese astronaut Fei Junlong in 2006.

The statue of urinating Julien, now commonly known as the landmark fountain
of Manneken-Pis in Brussels, was built in memory of a boy who saved the city by
urinating on the fuse of gunpowder lit by enemy troops hundreds of years ago and
later honored by the city as the "first citizen."

Brusells' famous statue Manneken Pis is
dressed in traditional Chinese costume made in leather in Brussels,
capital of Belgium, Mar. 2, 2009. The costume was presented by Haining
municipality, which is famous for its leather industry in China.
(Xinhua/Wu Wei)
Photo Gallery

During the donating ceremony, Shi Zhendong, vice mayor of Haining, said
this piece of traditional Chinese clothing includes the latest international
fashion elements.

It is also an embodiment of China's innovative fur industry and exhibits
the new image of China's manufacturing sector, he added.

Edmond Vandenhaute, president of the non-profit association the Friends of
Manneken-Pis, who attended the ceremony on behalf of the Brussels municipal
government, spoke highly of the new apparel, saying that "it is one of the most
beautiful costumes Julien has received" and the best symbol of Belgium-China
friendship.

Stefano Missir di Lusignano, vice consul of Belgium in Shanghai also came
all the way to attend the ceremony in Brussels.

This piece of Chinese fur clothing is of special significance, as
cooperation between Europe and China continues to broaden and deepen, he said.

Chinese mainland informs Taiwan of no swine flu

Special Report: World Tackles Swine Flu

BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Health authorities of the Chinese mainland
have informed Taiwan that no swine flu cases have been found in the mainland, Li
Weiyi, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said
Wednesday.

The mainland will maintain close contacts with Taiwan on the development of
the pandemic and actively cooperate with the island, Li said at a press
conference.

Chinese President Hu calls for stepped-up efforts to prevent swine flu

Special Report: World Tackles Swine Flu

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¡¤HEALTH MINISTRY: MEDICAL STAFF
ON 24-HOUR STANDBY
¡¤QUALITY
WATCHDOG: PORK IMPORT FROM MEXICO AND UNITED STATES SUSPENDED
¡¤AGRICULTURAL
MINISTRY: EXPERTS ORGANIZED TO STUDY EPIDEMIC SITUATION
¡¤COMMERCE, FOREIGN
MINISTRIES RECOMMEND TO POSTPONE TRIPS TO MEXICO

BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- China went on full
alert Tuesday to guard against swine flu, as authorities ordered round-the-clock
monitoring of the deadly virus and suspension of pork imports from Mexico and
the United States.

Chinese President Hu Jintao Tuesday ordered the
country to step up inspection and quarantine measures to prevent swine flu from
entering China and ensure public health and safety.

Hu urged local Party and government departments to
stick to the people-first policy, closely monitor the global swine flu
situation, and take prompt and comprehensive measures to deal with the virus,
which had killed about 150 people in Mexico.

Officials should enhance international cooperation
and public awareness of swine flu, and make full preparations of necessary
materials and technological reserves to combat the deadly virus, he said.

As of Tuesday morning, no confirmed cases of swine
flu had been reported in China, and the related virus had not been found in pigs
in the country which has the world's biggest pig population.

HEALTH MINISTRY: MEDICAL
STAFF ON 24-HOUR STANDBY

The Health Ministry released a notice on Tuesday
afternoon, ordering a round-the-clock working plan at all medical departments.

Authorities should enhance monitoring and reporting
of suspected cases of swine flu, and should step up supervision at
kindergartens, schools, colleges and nursing homes, focusing on the elderly and
the children, it added.

Patients suspected of contracting the virus should be
taken to designated hospitals, and treated and transported by designated
emergency centers only, it said.

Medical supplies and equipment should be sufficiently
provided to the designated medical institutions.

QUALITY WATCHDOG: PORK
IMPORT FROM MEXICO AND UNITED STATES SUSPENDED

China's Agriculture Ministry and quality watchdog
issued a joint notice on Monday suspending all imports of live pigs or products
containing pork from Mexico and the US states of Texas, California and Kansas.

Live pigs or products shipped from the above regions
to China before Monday could not enter the Chinese market without being tested
by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine,
the notice said.

The administration would enhance inspection of
parcels and luggage carried by passengers entering China, and advance
sterilization of passing international ships, trains and aircraft.

It would also join with the customs and border
defence authorities to crack down on the smuggling of live pigs and their
products.

On Saturday, the administration also required the
public to report flu-like symptoms at the point of entry when coming from the
swine flu affected places.

People who developed flu-like symptoms after
returning from the disease affected regions within two weeks should also report
to the local entry-exit inspection and quarantine authorities.

People reporting flu-like symptoms must be examined
and those who have been infected or are suspected to be infected by the virus
should be isolated and treated.

Those who have traveled to Mexico would be subject to
stricter examinations, the administration said.

AGRICULTURAL MINISTRY:
EXPERTS ORGANIZED TO STUDY EPIDEMIC SITUATION

The Ministry of Agriculture Tuesday announced a team
of animal disease prevention experts would study the epidemic situation of the
swine flu, and to make proposals for Chinese authorities to head off the virus.

Minister of Agriculture Sun Zhengcai said although
China so far reported no suspected cases of swine flu nor any similar virus in
pigs, the epidemic could still spread to China.

"The situation in some countries is worsening. More
suspected cases are being found and the affected area is expanding," he said,
"There are too many uncertainties."

Sun said the ministry had been in close contact with
the WHO and agricultural departments of Mexico and the United States to make
preparations.

The ministry was closely monitoring regions with
large numbers of pigs, he said. Owners of live pigs imported from overseas since
last year were required to promptly report to the ministry, should the pigs show
abnormalities with their health.

The ministry was also working to develop a vaccine
for the swine flu, Sun said.

COMMERCE, FOREIGN
MINISTRIES RECOMMEND TO POSTPONE TRIPS TO MEXICO

China's Ministry of Commerce warned Chinese citizens
not to work in Mexico in the near term, and to enhance prevention when they head
to work in countries that have reported swine flu cases.

The United States, Canada, Spain and France had also
reported cases of swine flu.

Jiang Yu, spokeswoman of China's Foreign Ministry,
also warned Chinese citizens to take steps for disease prevention when visiting
those countries.

The Foreign Ministry would closely follow the
development of the swine flu epidemic, and would promptly publish new
information.

The National Tourism Administration ordered travel
agencies to suspend tour groups to Mexico, and advised Chinese citizens to avoid
trips to the country.

Premier Wen calls for strengthened
swine flu prevention

BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
on Tuesday called for enhanced swine flu prevention and control in a State
Council, or Cabinet, meeting in the wake of an outbreak of the epidemic in
countries including Mexico.

The meeting, presided over by Wen, heard reports from
central government departments including the Ministry of Health, on global swine
flu situation. Full story

World on higher alert for swine flu
outbreaks

Passengers wear protective masks as they
ride Mexico's city subway April 28, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters
Photo)
Photo
Gallery

BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- As the H1N1 swine flu
is reported to have claimed 152 lives in Mexico and is confirmed to have hit
Europe, the whole world is on higher alert for the new deadly virus, with the
World Health Organization raising its pandemic alert level.

About 2,000 people in Mexico have been hospitalized
with swine flu as of Monday, 776 of them in serious condition, according to
official statistics. Full story

Swine flu poses new challenges to
world economy

BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Fears are on the rise
that the swine flu outbreak could jeopardize the already fragile global economy
and reverse its initial recovery.

Mexico, which is at the epicenter of the deadly
disease, has so far reported a total of 1,995 suspected cases and at least 149
suspected swine flu deaths. Its northern neighbor, the United States, reported
42 confirmed cases, including 28 at one New York City school. Full story

China takes preventive steps against
swine flu

BEIJING,April 28-- The government Monday
banned the import of pork and pork products from Mexico and the U.S. states of
Texas, Kansas and California to prevent the spread of swine flu that has killed
at least 100 people in the Central American country.

All pork and pork products imported from Mexico and
the three U.S. states will either be returned to the suppliers or destroyed, the
General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine
(GAQSIQ) said. Full story

China's Health Ministry on high alert
for swine flu

BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of
Health (MOH) is developing a diagnostic reagent for use in testing for swine
flu, which has killed more than 100 people in Mexico, an MOH spokesman said
Monday.

Research on a possible vaccine and medication to
combat the deadly virus was also underway, MOH spokesman Mao Qun'an told Xinhua.
Full story

China's capital sees pork consumption
unaffected

BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Pork prices remained
stable and consumption unchanged in Beijing Monday in the aftermath of the swine
flu outbreak in Mexico as the government assured the pork is safe to eat.

At Xinfadi, Beijing's largest wholesale food market,
hog and pork prices stood at between 11.5 yuan (1.7 U.S. dollars) and 13.5 yuan
per kg. Full story

CHP: Hong Kong woman being tested for
swine flu

HONG KONG, April 27 (Xinhua) -- A Hong Kong woman who
recently developed symptoms of respiratory infection and fever while traveling
to the United States was being tested for swine flu, the local Center for Health
Protection (CHP) said Monday.

Hong Kong stepped up surveillance of swine flu on
Saturday. The Center for Health Protection said it has since received reports on
three patients in line with the reporting criteria. All-clear has been given to
the other two patients. Full story

Health minister: "Probable" swine flu death toll reaches 152 in
Mexico

MEXICO CITY, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Mexican Health Minister
Jose Angel Cordova Villalobos said late Monday that "probable" deaths toll from
swine flu rose to 152 in the country.

Cordova announced the number, including both
confirmed and suspected swine flu cases, at a news conference. Full story

U.S. swine flu cases rise to 40, drug
stockpile released

WASHINGTON, April 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. health officials
said Monday that there are now up to 40 cases of swine flu in five U.S. States
and they had released 25 percent of a federal drugs stockpile to states fighting
swine flu.

Briefing reporters at a news conference in Atlanta on
Monday, Richard Besser, acting director of the CDC, said 20 new cases were
confirmed due entirely to further testing in New York at a school in Queens,
bringing the New York total to 28. Full story

WHO raises pandemic alert level from
Phase 3 to Phase 4

GENEVA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Amid the rapid spread of
swine flu in some countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday
raised its pandemic alert level from Phase 3 to Phase 4, warning of a
significant increase in the risk of a pandemic.

Following the advice and guidance of an emergency
committee, WHO Director-general Margaret Chan decided to raise the alert level
from the current Phase 3 to Phase 4, a WHO official told the media on a
teleconference. Full story

Overseas Chinese organizations urged to beef up anti-secession efforts

BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Overseas Chinese anti-secession organizations have been urged to beef up efforts in promoting peaceful mainland-Taiwan relations and opposing Tibet separation attempts.

The China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification made the call as it ended its three-day conference here Saturday. The session gathered 122 overseas Chinese representatives from 68 countries and regions.

The overseas organizations were told to strive to create a more favorable environment for the promotion of the peaceful development of mainland-Taiwan relations, and stand alert and oppose the "Tibet independence" forces and their divisive activities.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the council, met with the representatives on Friday.

Commentary: Chinese ocean presence a must for peaceful development

Special
Report:China Marks 60th
Anniversary of Navy

by Xinhua writer Yan Hao

BEIJING, April 23 (Xinhua) -- After more than a year of preparations beneath local residents' eyes, an international fleet review massed in the water through which foreign warships entered China with opium in the 1890s.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) waves to the navy vessels which are being reviewed while aboard the destroyer Shijiazhuang in waters off Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, April 23, 2009. A parade displayed 25 naval vessels and 31 aircrafts of the PLA Navy, including two nuclear submarines, as part of a celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the PLA Navy.(Xinhua/Wang Jianmin)
Photo Gallery

There were limited options for the nation, which at
the time was hiding behind its walls, to stake claim to its maritime interests
on a planet three-quarters covered by water.

The People's Liberation Army Navy, which grew from
little more than several abandoned Kuomintang ships, learned during coastal
fights in its infancy that peace has a high price.

Seriously considering becoming a real blue-water
force, the Navy was urged to increase its capabilities to match the nation's
international status after *** a transition from inshore protection to
offshore defense.

In the naval sail-by of an international fleet off
the coast of Qingdao in the Yellow Sea, 50 warships met up Thursday to seek a
harmonious ocean, the same goal of another group of navies massed through
international cooperation in the Gulf of Aden.

Marking the Navy's 60th anniversary amid an economic
slowdown can redeem national pride in the waters where corrupted and occlusive
Qing Empire left a history of humiliation for bending to overseas colonists
aboard gunboats.

During seven voyages by Zheng He (1371-1433), China's own Christopher Columbus-like navigator, what was then the largest flotilla in the world imposed neither a colonial treaty nor claimed a piece of soil.

A naval parade of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy warships and aircraft is held in waters off China's port city of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on April 23, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
Photo Gallery

An increasing presence offshore China's
18,000-kilometer mainland coastline might raise concerns among neighbors.
However, it is imperative for the world's fastest-growing economy, which must --
despite the global downturn -- protect its cargo and awake citizens to its sea
power.

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea truly endows
China with the right to claim maritime interests, but the country cannot shirk
its obligation to acquire the military power to secure those rights.

With President Hu Jintao aboard the inspection
warship in the fleet review, the Navy took a new step forward in shouldering
more responsibility for the nation's peaceful development.

Photos:
Naval parade of PLA |Aircrafts|Submarine

Chinese navy to stick to defensive strategy

Special Report:China Marks 60th Anniversary of
Navy

Backgrounder: Brief history of China's
People's Liberation Army
Navy

BEIJING, April 23
-- The 60 years' history of the navy of the People's Republic of China (PRC) has
witnessed both great triumph in battlefields and substantial progress in its
weaponry and equipments.

Right from purchasing, repairing and imitating, the
navy has now noticeably improved its capability of independently designing and
manufacturing combat platforms, weaponry and equipment. As a result, the
operational capability of the navy has seen a rapid rise.

The Chinese navy's Great Wall 218
submarine docks at Qingdao port yesterday. It will join warships from
China and other countries today to mark the 60th anniversary of the navy.
(Photo Source: China Daily/Reuters)
Photo
Gallery

In
the early 1980s, the navy had considerably upgraded its weaponry and equipments,
and acquired offshore operational capability. It was mature to adopt an offshore
defense strategy, due to the rising strategic status of the offshore
battlefields.

In such a background, based on Deng Xiaoping's
thought on the offshore defense strategy, the navy formulated and established
its plan focusing on offshore defense. This strategy endowed the navy new
missions. Its duty to cooperate with the army to defend the landmass was
curtailed, while undertaking the tasks of ensuring the unification of the
nation, defending the integrity of the territory, as well as safeguarding the
maritime rights and interests of China.

The offshore defense strategy makes clear to the
international community that the missions of the Chinese navy are to defend the
country's maritime rights, interests and security, safeguard its economic
development, and serve its peaceful diplomacy.

China will not build an offensive navy cruising the
globe, but concentrate on its offshore area. Even if in future the navy is
modernized, the defensive nature of the naval strategy will not change.

In order to defend China's territory and sovereignty, and secure its maritime rights and interests, the navy decided to set its defense range as the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea. This range covered the maritime territory that should be governed by China, according to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as the islands in the South China Sea, which have been its territory since ancient times.

Senior navy officers visit a Chinese naval submarine at Qingdao port, east China's Shandong Province, on April 22, 2009. Heads of delegations of foreign navies, who came to Qingdao to attend the celebration marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of Chinese Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, visited Chinese naval submarine here on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Gang)





Photo
Gallery

As part of the offshore defense strategy, the navy carried out defensive counterattack operations in Nansha Islands, and resumed and garrisoned seven islands and reefs. In the same period, the navy perfectly accomplished the missions of maritime scientific expeditions, naval military exercises, naval weaponry experiments, and assistance to the nation's economic development.

Along with upgraded naval equipments and strengthened
operational capability, as well as the extension of China's maritime interests,
the navy has accelerated its pace of modernization in a bid to more effectively
fulfill its missions.

It seeks to promote the capability of capturing and
maintaining the command of the sea and air in the main directions of operation
in the offshore area. The capability to effectively control, when necessary, the
major sea routes linking China's waters, and to operate in the seas adjacent to
China's maritime territory, should also be strengthened.

In the 21st century, the modernization process of
China has entered into a new phase. China's maritime security has also seen new
circumstances and uncertain disputes, and faced multifaceted threats and
challenges.

Furthermore, the arms development in the world is
dashing at a revolutionary pace, shaping the future's information-oriented wars,
which will greatly affect navies around the globe.

In the future, the struggle for the command of the
sea will emerge in multi-dimensional battlefields, including the land, the sea,
the air, the outer space, the cyber space, and so forth.

Based on the current force of the navy, China should
maintain its offshore defense naval strategy, and guarantee the command of its
seas.

With better naval weaponry and stronger operational
capability, the navy could gradually extend its operational range beyond the
offshore area. The offshore area, however, will still be its focus.

The navy has encouraged creative reforms in the
contents and methods of military exercises, highlighted joint operation
exercises, and strengthened its comprehensive operational capability of fighting
battles in the offshore area, as well as its nuclear counter-attack capability.

The navy scientifically organizes its battle, tactic,
specialized technical, and general exercises. The integrated exercises joining
all war-fighting elements in the information age are emphasized, while exploring
the training methods in complex electromagnetic environment.

The navy stresses on exercises for peaceful military
operations, and has proactively joined bilateral and multilateral joint
exercises.

New types of submarines, destroyers, corvettes, and
airplanes are now produced. The navy has formed a weaponry system with
second-generation equipments as the main body and third-generation equipments as
the core.

(Source: China Daily)

Chinese navy sees role further
afield

BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua)
-- The Chinese navy is undergoing a transformation to protect the country and
its maritime rights, experts said ahead of the 60th founding anniversary of the
navy on Thursday.

The navy has been following the offshore defense
strategy in the 1980s. A long coastline and developing sea-borne trade mean
China needs to have a strong blue-water presence, said Zhuang Congyong, a
researcher with the Naval Command Academy (NCA) of the Chinese People's
Liberation Army (PLA).Full story

Chinese navy sails onto world
stage

BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's
Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) was *** final preparations for Thursday's
international fleet parade in the eastern port of Qingdao to celebrate the 60th
anniversary of its founding.

The parade will feature 21 navy ships from other
countries. Full story

China celebrates 60th anniversary of
navy

QINGDAO, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese People's Liberation
Army (PLA) kicked off a grand maritime ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of
the founding of its navy at 6 p.m. Monday off the coast of the eastern city of
Qingdao.

PLA Navy Commander Admiral Wu Shengli announced the
start of the four-day festivities, set to conclude on April 23, which would
include seminars, a sampan race and a fleet review. Full story

Navy admiral: China to develop
sophisticated marine weapon
systems

BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua)
-- Large su***ce combat ships, supersonic cruise aircraft, high-speed
intelligent torpedoes ... These are a few sophisticated marine weapons China
plans to build.

"The Navy will move faster in researching and building
new-generation weapons to boost the ability to fight in regional sea wars under
the circumstance of information technology," Navy Commander Admiral Wu Shengli
told Xinhua in an exclusive interview-- one week ahead of the 60th anniversary
of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.Full story

Chinese navy expands foreign
cooperation

BEIJING, April 15
(Xinhua) -- China's navy is stepping up foreign exchanges and cooperation to
cope with non-traditional security threats in oceans, Navy Commander Adm. Wu
Shengli said here Wednesday.

Since the new century, the Chinese navy has conducted 37
joint military drills with its foreign counterparts in areas including
non-proliferation of weapons of destruction, security defense of sea-land-air
channels, anti-terrorism and joint search and rescue, Wu said in an exclusive
interview with Xinhua. Full story

U.S. navy missile destroyer USS
Fitzgerald arrives in Qingdao, a port city in east China's Shandong
Province, April 19, 2009, to attend an international fleet review on April
23 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's
Liberation Army Navy. (Xinhua Photo)
Photo
Gallery

Mexican naval soldiers stand on the
masts of their military ship upon its arrival at the Qingdao port in east
China's Shandong province, April 18, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)
Photo
Gallery

Chinese military band plays to welcome
the arrival of a Mexican military ship at the Qingdao port in east China's
Shandong province, April 18, 2009.(Xinhua Photo)
Photo
Gallery

Mexican naval soldiers wave their hands
on their military ship upon its arrival at the Qingdao port in east
China's Shandong province, April 18, 2009.(Xinhua Photo)
Photo
Gallery

Chinese navy sees role further afield

Backgrounder: Brief history of China's
People's Liberation Army Navy

By Xinhua Writers Li Zhihui, Quan Xiaoshu, Zhu Xudong

BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) --
The Chinese navy is undergoing a transformation to protect the country and its
maritime rights, experts said ahead of the 60th founding anniversary of the navy on Thursday.

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA)
kicks off a grand maritime ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of its
navy at 6 p.m. Monday off the coast of the eastern city of Qingdao,China's
Shandong Province,April 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xuanliang)
Photo Gallery

The navy has been following the offshore defense
strategy in the 1980s. A long coastline and developing sea-borne trade mean
China needs to have a strong blue-water presence, said Zhuang Congyong, a
researcher with the Naval Command Academy (NCA) of the Chinese People's
Liberation Army (PLA).

"Nowadays, threats to China's maritime safety and
development include maritime terrorism, pirates, international crime and other
unconventional challenges. It is the sacred responsibility of our armed forces
to protect our sea territory and to maintain our maritime rights and interests."

The White Paper on China's National Defense in 2008
issued early this year said the navy is "developing capabilities of conducting
cooperation in distant waters and countering non-traditional security threats,
so as to push forward the overall transformation of the service."

To Liu Song, former commissar on the Yangtze frigate,
one of the first warships of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN),
the escort mission of the Chinese navy across the Indian Ocean was beyond his
imagination half a century ago as the navy was weak when it was founded 60 years
ago.

Chinese leader Mao Zedong spent four days on the
Yangtze frigate and Luoyang frigate in 1953 on his first tour of the navy."
Chairman Mao reminded us that aggression came from the sea during the Opium War
(1840-1842). He called for the building of a strong navy to combat the
imperialism aggression," Liu said.

Due to the U.S. blockade, the Korean War and
conflicts with the Soviet Union, the Chinese navy kept troops close to land from
the 1950s to the end of the 1970s under the strategy of inshore defense. Since
the 1980s, the Navy has realized a strategic transformation to offshore
defensive operations.

The White Paper says the navy comprises the
submarine, su***ce vessel, aviation, marine corps and coastal defense wings.

Wu Shengli, commander of the Navy, said it will
accelerate researching and building new-generation weapons to boost the ability
to fight in regional sea wars. Aircraft and torpedoes, long-range missiles with
high accuracy, submarines with superb invisibility and endurance and electronic
weapons and facilities are also on the Navy's agenda.

"The ability to go deep into the ocean to conduct
integrated operations is a key criterion for a strong navy. The escort operation
to the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters reflects and starts the transformation of
our military strategy," Zhuang said. "The Chinese navy will conduct more
long-distance escort missions in the future."

While stressing the navy would always be a peaceful
force committed to China's security, experts said China should pay more
attention to protecting its maritime security in the Strait of Malacca.

About 85 percent of China's imported crude oil and
half of China's commercial fleet passed through the strait, said Professor Zhang
Xiaolin with NCA.

"The Chinese navy should also protect increasing
shipping in the strait as piracy threats in Malacca are more serious than those
in Somali waters," he said.

But experts said the Somalia operation showed the
Chinese navy was still a long way from being strong enough to protect China's
expanding maritime rights and interests.

"We have problems in helicopter maintenance, logistic
supplies and telecommunications on the open sea," said Zhang Shiping, a
researcher with the PLA's Academy of Military Sciences.

He suggested more young officers and naval students
be trained through long-distance missions and exchanges with foreign
counterparts.

"We should be far-sighted in our naval development,"
he said.

Chinese navy sails onto world
stage

BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's
Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) was *** final preparations for Thursday's
international fleet parade in the eastern port of Qingdao to celebrate the 60th
anniversary of its founding.

The parade will feature 21 navy ships from other
countries. Full story

China celebrates 60th anniversary of
navy

QINGDAO, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese People's Liberation
Army (PLA) kicked off a grand maritime ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of
the founding of its navy at 6 p.m. Monday off the coast of the eastern city of
Qingdao.

PLA Navy Commander Admiral Wu Shengli announced the
start of the four-day festivities, set to conclude on April 23, which would
include seminars, a sampan race and a fleet review. Full story

Navy admiral: China to develop
sophisticated marine weapon
systems

BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua)
-- Large su***ce combat ships, supersonic cruise aircraft, high-speed
intelligent torpedoes ... These are a few sophisticated marine weapons China
plans to build.

"The Navy will move faster in researching and building
new-generation weapons to boost the ability to fight in regional sea wars under
the circumstance of information technology," Navy Commander Admiral Wu Shengli
told Xinhua in an exclusive interview-- one week ahead of the 60th anniversary
of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.Full story

Chinese navy expands foreign
cooperation

BEIJING, April 15
(Xinhua) -- China's navy is stepping up foreign exchanges and cooperation to
cope with non-traditional security threats in oceans, Navy Commander Adm. Wu
Shengli said here Wednesday.

Since the new century, the Chinese navy has conducted 37
joint military drills with its foreign counterparts in areas including
non-proliferation of weapons of destruction, security defense of sea-land-air
channels, anti-terrorism and joint search and rescue, Wu said in an exclusive
interview with Xinhua. Full story

U.S. navy missile destroyer USS
Fitzgerald arrives in Qingdao, a port city in east China's Shandong
Province, April 19, 2009, to attend an international fleet review on April
23 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's
Liberation Army Navy. (Xinhua Photo)
Photo
Gallery

Mexican naval soldiers stand on the
masts of their military ship upon its arrival at the Qingdao port in east
China's Shandong province, April 18, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)
Photo
Gallery

Commentary: No need to fret about Chinese "going-out"

By Mo Huaying, Fei Liena

BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- As China's reform and opening-up deepens, an
increasing number of Chinese companies have started to leave their native land
in search of international expansion.

This "going-out" trend has caught the attention of many people in other
countries. Some of those people react with applause, others with concern and
worry.

As a Fujitsu Laboratories researcher recently said, China's opening-up
policy consists of two parts _ inviting-in" and "going-out." The two-way flow
has become normal in China's foreign trade, especially after China joined the
World Trade Organization in 2001.

Now that China's market is opening wider, its economy is becoming more
globalized.

In the process of "going out," Chinese enterprises have become an
increasingly larger member of the international trade family, inevitably with
both painful and worthwhile growing experiences.

Chinese enterprises have been walking at a brisk pace since going out into
the world, as Time magazine has noted. Like other companies expanding overseas,
the Chinese have suffered setbacks and paid prices. However, they have also have
learned how to participate in international trade.

Chinese companies are just like foreign businesses. Their "going-out"
moves, or what we call overseas expansion, are normal in the current global free
trade system. It's neither a "surprise" nor a "threat."

Tim Harcourt, chief economist of the Australian Trade Commission, gives an
example.

In the 1990s, cash-rich Japan flooded Australia with investments, causing
worry and concern in the country. The Australians relaxed, however, after seeing
the advantages, such as increased employment and new products and technology,
that the Japanese investments brought.

The same thing will happen with Chinese investments, Harcourt said. He said
that after several years, Australians will again realize that their concern is
unnecessary. Instead, he said, they might actually applaud and welcome the
investments.

Hand in hand with the going out are opportunities, not only for the Chinese
companies, but also for the target countries, especially those with businesses
mired in the economic quicksand of the financial crisis.

Chinese investments can help those countries ease or even rid themselves of
their current financial difficulties. The investments can also help the products
from those countries enter other markets more smoothly and help local
communities increase employment.

A Reuters article recently pointed out that a boost last month in China's
industrial output, along with a record rise in new lending, gives credence to
the idea that the bottom of the financial crisis may not be far off.

"It does seem that confidence is slowly growing among investors that the
worst may be over for the global economy," said Hideyuki Ishiguro, an executive
with Okasan Securities in Japan.

In addition to supporting the world economy, the "going-out" strategy of
Chinese companies also aims to increase investments and construction in African
nations, especially those less developed.

To see the "going-out" policy with a cool head means people abroad should
look at China's development and globalization with an objective and long-term
vision.

"China needs to enter the world market for further development," said
Japan's Toyo Keizai Weekly. "Though some people talk about 'China threat,' China
still needs to develop."

The Wall Street Journal also pointed out that the world should welcome
China's companies and investment in the same manner as that from other
countries. After all, that is the essence of international free trade and
competition.