1. Ji-A, Ryu 2. Title: Do they really want to prevent malicious replies or want to protect themselves?
3. Actually I got shocked when I got heard of actress Choi's suicide on TV. I think it would be same as people who have known her in Korea. Because she is one of the greatest celebrities and well-known actresses through generations in Korea. After her death, it seems taken-granted for preventing suicides. Policemen said the reason of her suicide presumed from complex by her chronic depressions and malicious rumors on the Internet. Owing to this, Grand National Party(GNP) argued that some punishments should be built for contempt on the Internet and introduce the so-called real name system at web sites. When I read this, I thought who can get interests with this legislation. When it comes to candle assemblies against the mad cow disease, a lot of netizens protested and moved collectively through the internet. They actually requested impeachment of President Lee at agora.daum.net. Through social movements on line, the Lee's administration have been attacked a lot. With this kind of view, GNP would like to repress the netizens once they have excuses. I think this legislation would be the right thing for them.
------------------------------------------------
Parties Divided Over Penalties for Cyber Bullying
By Kim Sue-young Staff Reporter
The governing Grand National Party (GNP) will introduce legislation to strengthen punishment for contempt on the Internet and introduce the so-called real-name system at Web sites, a senior party official said Friday.
The move to curb cyber bullying and malicious online messages came after the 40-year-old beloved actress Choi Jin-sil allegedly hanged herself Thursday as a result of chronic depression and malicious rumors on the Internet.
But the Democratic Party (DP) and other opposition parties opposed the GNP's move.
The main opposition DP said the GNP is seeking to take advantage of the Choi's death to promote partisan interests.
``We will block any GNP move to pass such a bill during the current National Assembly session," the DP said.
It expressed worries that punishing Internet users for contempt on Web sites may infringe upon the freedom of expression.
GNP floor leader Hong Joon-pyo said unless such a scheme is introduced, malicious comments on the Internet would continue to have negative influence on people.''
Hong rebutted that the DP's objections to the passage of the bill can produce more victims like Choi.
``Malicious comments cannot be regarded `freedom of expression' but just exerts an evil influence on the society. They are not worthy to be protected by Constitution and laws,'' he said.
Meanwhile, GNP lawmaker Lim Doo-sung submitted a revision to prevent suicide to the parliament same day.
He suggested establishing a committee to halt the rate of suicide under the Office of the Prime Minister and studying systematic countermeasures to protect people from killing themselves.
The revision also contains provisions that the minister of health, welfare and family affairs should release statistics on suicide triennially and present guidelines to prevent these tragic incidents every five years.
The guidelines have to include advice on how to report suicide, suicide preventative measures for different age groups and traetment for depression which is considered a major cause of people killing themselves, he said.
Lim also proposed proclaiming Sept. 10 ``suicide prevention day'' and a week thereafter ``suicide prevention week'' to foster an atmosphere to respect life.
``There are concerns that celebrities' deaths may cause copycat suicides also known as the Werther effect,'' said the lawmaker. ``By introducing such a legislation, we should help sufferers driven to the brink of desperation.''
** Oh! At first, I really agree to Jia's concerns about the ongoing legislation right now. I was very sad when I heard her suicide, and somehow I think that many bad replies and rumors on the Internet contributed to her death. However, now the government tremendously focused on the sociological reasons of her suicide, and not on the individual psychological reasons. This kind of attitude can be abused for controlling the crowd's power on the Internet. So I worried about it.
2.Title: U.S. to sell $6.4 billion in weapons to Taiwan
3. This news is about the US's sales of weapons to Taiwan. The articles says like this "China claims Taiwan is its own territory and has threatened to invade if Taiwan ever declares independence. The United States has said it will defend Taiwan if China ever attacks." From this part of the article, I could think about the one dimension of POWER that we learned.
I am not sure which country has more power toward another country among China and US. I think they are struggling to get more power or not to lose their previous power.Anyway, the interesting thing here is that other countries fate is decided according to how they make a wise action in this struggle existing world. In the case of Taiwan, for their own benefits concerning national defense, it is wise choice to buy weapons from US. Also, US know this principle, so they can hope to demonstrate their "power". It means that they have more right to let Taiwan do somethings that US wants. We can see this Power dynamics in the case of weapons purchse.
Finally, I became to think that US can intend to make enemies and let them in this world. This is because some countries will rely on US economy and army with the existence of enemies and fears about them. With this "power" discussion, I became to have small concerns. How the real peace and prosperity can be possible in this compeititive world?
Now,I just a bit worried about that notion.
------------------------
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In a move bound to anger China, the United States intends to sell $6.4 billion in arms to Taiwan, the State Department said Friday.
Apache attack helicopters are part of the weapons deal.
State Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood said Congress -- whose approval is needed for the deal to go through -- was notified Friday afternoon. He indicated the administration expects congressional approval quickly.
The package includes a variety of U.S.-made weapons systems, including Patriot III anti-missile missiles, Apache attack helicopters, Harpoon missiles and Javelin anti-tank missiles.
The deal had been in the works for a few months, Wood said, and the decision is "consistent with U.S. policy of providing arms for defense of Taiwan and consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act."
"This arms deal is a key factor in bringing security and stability across the Taiwan Strait," he added. The deal also gives Taiwan upgrades for Taiwan's E-2T aircraft and spare parts for its air force.
U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have always angered China. The latest deal comes at a time when the United States needs China in negotiations over Iran's and North Korea's nuclear programs. But Wood said the U.S. government decision is no surprise to Beijing, as the Chinese were briefed "several" times about the impending deal.
This is the latest chapter in a decades-long uneasy standoff. China claims Taiwan is its own territory and has threatened to invade if Taiwan ever declares independence. The United States has said it will defend Taiwan if China ever attacks. ------------
1. Yao Lu 2. Title: China's road to enery security 3. Energy is a key element for the future development and also an element behind states’ policy. This week I choose a news about energy situation of China to share with you. China was one of the biggest states with huge amounts of energy and resource; also it is the biggest producer of the world. Nobody could say he has never used something made in China. If China stop exporting, we have to image what would it be in the supermarket. Last weekend, when I met the China’s Commerce Counselor in Korea, he told me in fact from this year China’s government decided to stop the exportation of rice. In 2008, too many accidents happened in China, the earthquake, the snowstorm. And also holding the Olympic Games brought a big debt for the government. Even without so many signs and problems, China must look into the future. When I was young, I learnt from the text book that our country is a state with huge land and abundant resource. But as I grow up, there are more news about the pollution and risk of resource exhaustion in media. Japanese came to my hometown to grow trees just in case if the pollution is not stopped it will go award to their country. What make me really feel the risk is my own experience of oil risk. From this summer, it becomes difficult to fill the cars. My farther even decide to go to work by bus. World oil price keeps rising; China government forbids the two biggest oil companies to raise price too, so the two companies decide to limit oil supply everyday. But the crucial point is the amount of resource. Without resource, raising price is sooner or later. From this news we can see some data for China’s energy situation, I cannot say that all the data is exact the truth, maybe it is worse or not. But anyway it can tell something about the truth. When the Chairman Mao was in charge, he made a policy that encourage couples to bear more babies, which made China the biggest population state and brought so many troubles. The later generation government decided to develop the economic and open the market to the world, both of the decision are right but they seems forgot the resource. The huge amounts of exportation brought lots foreign exchange into China’s national treasury. So these year when other countries succeed push China rise up RMB’s exchange rate, a huge amount of foreign exchange just vaporizes in China’s national treasury. Stock market, price, labour requirement all got influenced. What are the elements influence a state’s people’s daily life? Other big state’s policy, the state’s policy, the state’s wealth, resource, culture and history? And what else? ---------------------------- 4. the news China's road to energy security(Xinhua) It was a mid May night, and trucks queued up at a gas station by the East 5th Ring Road of Beijing. The line was several hundred meters long, blocking a lane of the main road. At the station, the oil nozzles were left idle -- the supply of diesel had run out and the new delivery wouldn't come until after midnight.
"We have no oil here. Don't wait any more. Please go to another place," clerks at the Sinopec station shouted to the drivers, someof whom responded that their vehicles were out of fuel and couldn't go any further.
When the delivery came, it would not be enough, a driver said. The limited stock would be sold on ration. Most vehicles would be partly filled and some would have waited in vain. The same situation was also seen at other stations, and it had been like that for days, the driver added.
The situation had a direct link with soaring oil prices on the international market. To the country's decision makers, it was a harsh reminder of a vital issue -- energy security.
Though the aggregated figure looks quite impressive, China is poor in energy resource reserves on per capita calculation. Proven reserves of fossil fuels have increased in recent years, but this cannot change the overall picture. Production of energy has continued to grow with the demand growing faster due to a rapid development of the economy, the quickening pace of urbanization and the rising living standard.
The country's coal reserves ranked third globally. Production was the greatest, accounting for about 40 percent of world output in 2007. Given the current speed of exploitation, the reserves would be exhausted in a little over 80 years. The comparatively small reserves of oil and gas would dwindle even faster, in 15 years and 30 years respectively.
The government announced an energy strategy that prioritized conservation to optimize consumption; it relies on domestic production and seeks diversified sources to secure supply and to develop new and renewable energies as alternatives for the future. "We will strive to establish a steady, economic and clean energy supply system," Zhang Guobao, minister in charge of the energy sector of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said at an international conference in January.
It might be necessary for China to maintain a fast economic growth, but energy consumption may grow at a slower pace if a good job is done in conservation. The country's unit gross domestic product (GDP) energy consumption was three to eight times as much as those in the United States and Japan. Adjusting the demand of industries is a way to reduce energy intensity. A government announcement made on Oct. 11, 2007 terminated preferential power rates for high energy consuming industries such as electrolytic aluminum, alloy and chloro-alkaline enterprises. Tightening management and upgrading technology also help reduce the energy consumption of suppliers as well as consumers. For example, thermal plants were required to adopt highly efficient new technologies for coal burning power generation.
By the end of 2010 China has set a target of cutting down energy consumption per 10,000 yuan (1,460 U.S. dollars) of GDP by 20 percent, from 1.22 tons of coal equivalent (TCE) in 2005 to 0.98 TCE. That means an annual average of 4 percent.
Performance in the first two years did not warrant optimism, but things were improving. Last year, while the overall reduction rate of 3.66 percent still fell short of expectations, more than two-thirds of the provinces met the annual goal. This was in sharp contrast to the first year when only Beijing managed to do so.
NDRC Energy Institute director Zhou Dadi said although the central government had shown a strong will and genuine commitment to the task, efforts by some local governments and companies were inadequate. "The high-rising oil prices may force domestic companies to a higher level of energy conservation."
In the 11th Five-year (2005-2010) Energy Development Plan (FYEDP), an annual average growth of 3.5 percent was targeted in primary energy production to reach 2.446 billion TCE by 2010.
Coal energy would be developed in an orderly manner, the plan said, with digging operations moderately increasing in western China -- Shanxi, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia. Coal mines in east China would be tapped in an optimal way.
Drilling would be accelerated in oil and gas fields in central and western regions and offshore areas. Onshore oil and gas resources would be tapped in an optimal way, the 11th FYEDP said.
To secure supply in emergency situations, China began to build up its strategic oil reserves in 2004. The first four bases, totaling 12 million tons of storage capacity, are located in the coastal regions. Construction of the Zhenhai facility in the eastern Zhejiang Province has been completed. The rest will be ready in 2010. The entire plan, including the second and third batches of projects to be completed before 2020, aimed at a combined capacity of 68 million tons.
The government has acknowledged the importance of clean and renewable energies. China has abundant resources in hydropower and wind, solar, biofuel, geothermal and tidal energies. Renewable energies and nuclear power accounted for 7.5 percent of total energy consumption last year. The State Renewable Energy Medium- and Long-term Planning (SREMLP) aimed at raising the renewable share to 10 percent in 2010 and 15 percent in 2020.
China's hydro potential ranks first in the world. The country has a long history and rich experience in exploitation. Installations of hydropower reached 145,000 mw through 2007. The target is 190,000 mw for 2010.
Wind and solar are two promising renewable sources. The nation's total wind installation reached nearly 6,000 mw in capacity through 2007. The government lifted the wind target for 2010 from 5,000 mw to 10,000 mw. "The new target is still conservative. Actual installation may reach 20,000 mw by the time," China Wind Energy Association Vice President Shi Pengfei said.
The latest statistics available show the country's nuclear power capacity totaled 9,100 mw, with 11 reactors in operation. By2020, the State Nuclear Power Development Plan aims at a total installation of 40,000 mw, which would account for 4 percent of the nation's total power capacity. Compared with the world average of 14.8 percent and close to 80 percent in some leading countries, there was much room for China's nuclear development.
About a half of its oil supply now comes from abroad. Saudi Arabia is the biggest source. China diversifies its sources by purchasing from Angola, Iran, Oman, Venezuela, Sudan and Russia. The country has also started to develop oil drilling projects in other countries too.
As energy becomes a common, big problem worldwide, China joins other countries in seeking solutions. The country is part of a seven-party, 30-year international program aiming at exploiting nuclear energy via atomic fusions. It has reached bilateral agreements with governments of more than 30 countries for cooperation in new and clean energy development. In January it signed an accord with India for cooperation in civilian use of nuclear power.
The importance of energy had led to calls for reinstatement of the energy ministry. But the National People's Congress, the top legislature, in March endorsed a plan for reforming the existing Energy Bureau, which was given a bigger say on energy issues than the old bureau nestled in NDRC. The NDRC's Zhang Guobao was also appointed director general of the new institution.
In the case of the Sinopec gas station, government control of oil prices was another factor for the shortage. On June 19, the government announced an increase in petrol and diesel prices by 1,000 yuan per ton. The margins of the price hike were the biggest ever. As a result, retail price of No. zero diesel in Beijing went up to 6.23 yuan from 5.29 yuan a liter.
The line of waiting vehicles shortened at the gas station, where attendants were again busily refueling vehicles stopping by. Business was back to normal, at least for the time being. ------------ http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-10/05/content_7077145.htm
1. sohyun chun (stella) 2.Title:Melamine found in chcolate products from China
3. Melamine is very hazardous metarial and it has resulted death of four infants in childern, and it is known to be very dangerous for kidney. When I first heard this news, I wasn't really scared, but when I knew that these melamine were found easily in our favorite snacks and food I was bit worried about my health. First of all, I think that these circulationof melamine foods should be curbed by swift action. And, also I think it is important to strength the import and export products. (especailly food products) I want to know what laws can protect korea frm hazardous substances and what does U.S and other first world nation do to protect their citizens. ------------------------------- Melamine Found in Chocolate Products From China South Korea's food watchdog has detected quantities of melamine, an industrial chemical, in chocolate products from foodstuff giants Nestle SA, Mars Inc. and South Korea's Lotte that were manufactured in China, Yonhap News reported Saturday.
The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) said 2.38 parts per million (ppm) and 1.78 ppm of the toxic substance was discovered in samples of M&M's Milk and Peanut Snickers Fun Size products, respectively, from Mars Korea.
A Kit Kat bar from Nestle Korea was also found to contain 2.89 ppm of melamine, the agency said. The latest discoveries brought the number of locally tainted food items to 10 amid a broadening scandal over Chinese dairy products.
Melamine is a nitrogen-based chemical that can pose serious health risks if ingested frequently or in large quantities. It is used widely in kitchen utensils, but if added to food items the nitrogen can artificially increase protein levels, translating into higher prices.
Chinese health officials have said the use of melamine in dairy products has killed at least four infants and left 54,000 others ailing from kidney stones or other illnesses.
The KFDA is currently in the process of examining 428 processed foods manufactured in China to see whether they contain the hazardous substance. It has completed checking 288 products as of Saturday morning. ------------ http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/10/113_32148.html
A very down to earth* kind of guy. I'm an environmental sociologist interested in establishing material and organizational sustainability worldwide. I'm always looking for interesting materials/technologies, inspiring ideas, or institutional examples of sustainability to inspire others to recognize their choices now. To be fatalistic about an unsustainable world is a sign of a captive mind, given all our options.
*(If "earth" is defined in a planetary sense, concerning comparative historical knowledge and interest in the past 10,000 years or so anywhere...) See both blogs.
5 comments:
1. Ji-A, Ryu
2. Title: Do they really want to prevent malicious replies or want to protect themselves?
3. Actually I got shocked when I got heard of actress Choi's suicide on TV. I think it would be same as people who have known her in Korea. Because she is one of the greatest celebrities and well-known actresses through generations in Korea. After her death, it seems taken-granted for preventing suicides. Policemen said the reason of her suicide presumed from complex by her chronic depressions and malicious rumors on the Internet.
Owing to this, Grand National Party(GNP) argued that some punishments should be built for contempt on the Internet and introduce the so-called real name system at web sites.
When I read this, I thought who can get interests with this legislation. When it comes to candle assemblies against the mad cow disease, a lot of netizens protested and moved collectively through the internet. They actually requested impeachment of President Lee at agora.daum.net. Through social movements on line, the Lee's administration have been attacked a lot. With this kind of view, GNP would like to repress the netizens once they have excuses. I think this legislation would be the right thing for them.
------------------------------------------------
Parties Divided Over Penalties for Cyber Bullying
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
The governing Grand National Party (GNP) will introduce legislation to strengthen punishment for contempt on the Internet and introduce the so-called real-name system at Web sites, a senior party official said Friday.
The move to curb cyber bullying and malicious online messages came after the 40-year-old beloved actress Choi Jin-sil allegedly hanged herself Thursday as a result of chronic depression and malicious rumors on the Internet.
But the Democratic Party (DP) and other opposition parties opposed the GNP's move.
The main opposition DP said the GNP is seeking to take advantage of the Choi's death to promote partisan interests.
``We will block any GNP move to pass such a bill during the current National Assembly session," the DP said.
It expressed worries that punishing Internet users for contempt on Web sites may infringe upon the freedom of expression.
GNP floor leader Hong Joon-pyo said unless such a scheme is introduced, malicious comments on the Internet would continue to have negative influence on people.''
Hong rebutted that the DP's objections to the passage of the bill can produce more victims like Choi.
``Malicious comments cannot be regarded `freedom of expression' but just exerts an evil influence on the society. They are not worthy to be protected by Constitution and laws,'' he said.
Meanwhile, GNP lawmaker Lim Doo-sung submitted a revision to prevent suicide to the parliament same day.
He suggested establishing a committee to halt the rate of suicide under the Office of the Prime Minister and studying systematic countermeasures to protect people from killing themselves.
The revision also contains provisions that the minister of health, welfare and family affairs should release statistics on suicide triennially and present guidelines to prevent these tragic incidents every five years.
The guidelines have to include advice on how to report suicide, suicide preventative measures for different age groups and traetment for depression which is considered a major cause of people killing themselves, he said.
Lim also proposed proclaiming Sept. 10 ``suicide prevention day'' and a week thereafter ``suicide prevention week'' to foster an atmosphere to respect life.
``There are concerns that celebrities' deaths may cause copycat suicides also known as the Werther effect,'' said the lawmaker. ``By introducing such a legislation, we should help sufferers driven to the brink of desperation.''
ksy@koreatimes.co.kr
-----
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/10/116_32103.html
1.Gowoon JUNG
** Oh! At first, I really agree to Jia's concerns about the ongoing legislation right now. I was very sad when I heard her suicide, and somehow I think that many bad replies and rumors on the Internet contributed to her death. However, now the government tremendously focused on the sociological reasons of her suicide, and not on the individual psychological reasons. This kind of attitude can be abused for controlling the crowd's power on the Internet. So I worried about it.
2.Title: U.S. to sell $6.4 billion in weapons to Taiwan
3. This news is about the US's sales of weapons to Taiwan. The articles says like this "China claims Taiwan is its own territory and has threatened to invade if Taiwan ever declares independence. The United States has said it will defend Taiwan if China ever attacks." From this part of the article, I could think about the one dimension of POWER that we learned.
I am not sure which country has more power toward another country among China and US. I think they are struggling to get more power or not to lose their previous power.Anyway, the interesting thing here is that other countries fate is decided according to how they make a wise action in this struggle existing world. In the case of Taiwan, for their own benefits concerning national defense, it is wise choice to buy weapons from US. Also, US know this principle, so they can hope to
demonstrate their "power". It means that they have more right to let Taiwan do somethings that US wants. We can see this Power dynamics in the case of weapons purchse.
Finally, I became to think that US can intend to make enemies and let them in this world. This is because some countries will rely on US economy and army with the existence of enemies and fears about them. With this "power" discussion, I became to have small concerns. How the real peace and prosperity can be possible in this compeititive world?
Now,I just a bit worried about that notion.
------------------------
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In a move bound to anger China, the United States intends to sell $6.4 billion in arms to Taiwan, the State Department said Friday.
Apache attack helicopters are part of the weapons deal.
State Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood said Congress -- whose approval is needed for the deal to go through -- was notified Friday afternoon. He indicated the administration expects congressional approval quickly.
The package includes a variety of U.S.-made weapons systems, including Patriot III anti-missile missiles, Apache attack helicopters, Harpoon missiles and Javelin anti-tank missiles.
The deal had been in the works for a few months, Wood said, and the decision is "consistent with U.S. policy of providing arms for defense of Taiwan and consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act."
"This arms deal is a key factor in bringing security and stability across the Taiwan Strait," he added. The deal also gives Taiwan upgrades for Taiwan's E-2T aircraft and spare parts for its air force.
U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have always angered China. The latest deal comes at a time when the United States needs China in negotiations over Iran's and North Korea's nuclear programs. But Wood said the U.S. government decision is no surprise to Beijing, as the Chinese were briefed "several" times about the impending deal.
This is the latest chapter in a decades-long uneasy standoff. China claims Taiwan is its own territory and has threatened to invade if Taiwan ever declares independence. The United States has said it will defend Taiwan if China ever attacks.
------------
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/10/03/us.taiwan.arms.deal/index.html
1. Yao Lu
2. Title: China's road to enery security
3. Energy is a key element for the future development and also an element behind states’ policy. This week I choose a news about energy situation of China to share with you.
China was one of the biggest states with huge amounts of energy and resource; also it is the biggest producer of the world. Nobody could say he has never used something made in China. If China stop exporting, we have to image what would it be in the supermarket.
Last weekend, when I met the China’s Commerce Counselor in Korea, he told me in fact from this year China’s government decided to stop the exportation of rice. In 2008, too many accidents happened in China, the earthquake, the snowstorm. And also holding the Olympic Games brought a big debt for the government. Even without so many signs and problems, China must look into the future.
When I was young, I learnt from the text book that our country is a state with huge land and abundant resource. But as I grow up, there are more news about the pollution and risk of resource exhaustion in media. Japanese came to my hometown to grow trees just in case if the pollution is not stopped it will go award to their country. What make me really feel the risk is my own experience of oil risk. From this summer, it becomes difficult to fill the cars. My farther even decide to go to work by bus. World oil price keeps rising; China government forbids the two biggest oil companies to raise price too, so the two companies decide to limit oil supply everyday. But the crucial point is the amount of resource. Without resource, raising price is sooner or later.
From this news we can see some data for China’s energy situation, I cannot say that all the data is exact the truth, maybe it is worse or not. But anyway it can tell something about the truth. When the Chairman Mao was in charge, he made a policy that encourage couples to bear more babies, which made China the biggest population state and brought so many troubles. The later generation government decided to develop the economic and open the market to the world, both of the decision are right but they seems forgot the resource. The huge amounts of exportation brought lots foreign exchange into China’s national treasury. So these year when other countries succeed push China rise up RMB’s exchange rate, a huge amount of foreign exchange just vaporizes in China’s national treasury. Stock market, price, labour requirement all got influenced.
What are the elements influence a state’s people’s daily life? Other big state’s policy, the state’s policy, the state’s wealth, resource, culture and history? And what else?
----------------------------
4. the news
China's road to energy security(Xinhua)
It was a mid May night, and trucks queued up at a gas station by the East 5th Ring Road of Beijing. The line was several hundred meters long, blocking a lane of the main road. At the station, the oil nozzles were left idle -- the supply of diesel had run out and the new delivery wouldn't come until after midnight.
"We have no oil here. Don't wait any more. Please go to another place," clerks at the Sinopec station shouted to the drivers, someof whom responded that their vehicles were out of fuel and couldn't go any further.
When the delivery came, it would not be enough, a driver said. The limited stock would be sold on ration. Most vehicles would be partly filled and some would have waited in vain. The same situation was also seen at other stations, and it had been like that for days, the driver added.
The situation had a direct link with soaring oil prices on the international market. To the country's decision makers, it was a harsh reminder of a vital issue -- energy security.
Though the aggregated figure looks quite impressive, China is poor in energy resource reserves on per capita calculation. Proven reserves of fossil fuels have increased in recent years, but this cannot change the overall picture. Production of energy has continued to grow with the demand growing faster due to a rapid development of the economy, the quickening pace of urbanization and the rising living standard.
The country's coal reserves ranked third globally. Production was the greatest, accounting for about 40 percent of world output in 2007. Given the current speed of exploitation, the reserves would be exhausted in a little over 80 years. The comparatively small reserves of oil and gas would dwindle even faster, in 15 years and 30 years respectively.
The government announced an energy strategy that prioritized conservation to optimize consumption; it relies on domestic production and seeks diversified sources to secure supply and to develop new and renewable energies as alternatives for the future. "We will strive to establish a steady, economic and clean energy supply system," Zhang Guobao, minister in charge of the energy sector of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said at an international conference in January.
It might be necessary for China to maintain a fast economic growth, but energy consumption may grow at a slower pace if a good job is done in conservation. The country's unit gross domestic product (GDP) energy consumption was three to eight times as much as those in the United States and Japan. Adjusting the demand of industries is a way to reduce energy intensity. A government announcement made on Oct. 11, 2007 terminated preferential power rates for high energy consuming industries such as electrolytic aluminum, alloy and chloro-alkaline enterprises. Tightening management and upgrading technology also help reduce the energy consumption of suppliers as well as consumers. For example, thermal plants were required to adopt highly efficient new technologies for coal burning power generation.
By the end of 2010 China has set a target of cutting down energy consumption per 10,000 yuan (1,460 U.S. dollars) of GDP by 20 percent, from 1.22 tons of coal equivalent (TCE) in 2005 to 0.98 TCE. That means an annual average of 4 percent.
Performance in the first two years did not warrant optimism, but things were improving. Last year, while the overall reduction rate of 3.66 percent still fell short of expectations, more than two-thirds of the provinces met the annual goal. This was in sharp contrast to the first year when only Beijing managed to do so.
NDRC Energy Institute director Zhou Dadi said although the central government had shown a strong will and genuine commitment to the task, efforts by some local governments and companies were inadequate. "The high-rising oil prices may force domestic companies to a higher level of energy conservation."
In the 11th Five-year (2005-2010) Energy Development Plan (FYEDP), an annual average growth of 3.5 percent was targeted in primary energy production to reach 2.446 billion TCE by 2010.
Coal energy would be developed in an orderly manner, the plan said, with digging operations moderately increasing in western China -- Shanxi, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia. Coal mines in east China would be tapped in an optimal way.
Drilling would be accelerated in oil and gas fields in central and western regions and offshore areas. Onshore oil and gas resources would be tapped in an optimal way, the 11th FYEDP said.
To secure supply in emergency situations, China began to build up its strategic oil reserves in 2004. The first four bases, totaling 12 million tons of storage capacity, are located in the coastal regions. Construction of the Zhenhai facility in the eastern Zhejiang Province has been completed. The rest will be ready in 2010. The entire plan, including the second and third batches of projects to be completed before 2020, aimed at a combined capacity of 68 million tons.
The government has acknowledged the importance of clean and renewable energies. China has abundant resources in hydropower and wind, solar, biofuel, geothermal and tidal energies. Renewable energies and nuclear power accounted for 7.5 percent of total energy consumption last year. The State Renewable Energy Medium- and Long-term Planning (SREMLP) aimed at raising the renewable share to 10 percent in 2010 and 15 percent in 2020.
China's hydro potential ranks first in the world. The country has a long history and rich experience in exploitation. Installations of hydropower reached 145,000 mw through 2007. The target is 190,000 mw for 2010.
Wind and solar are two promising renewable sources. The nation's total wind installation reached nearly 6,000 mw in capacity through 2007. The government lifted the wind target for 2010 from 5,000 mw to 10,000 mw. "The new target is still conservative. Actual installation may reach 20,000 mw by the time," China Wind Energy Association Vice President Shi Pengfei said.
The latest statistics available show the country's nuclear power capacity totaled 9,100 mw, with 11 reactors in operation. By2020, the State Nuclear Power Development Plan aims at a total installation of 40,000 mw, which would account for 4 percent of the nation's total power capacity. Compared with the world average of 14.8 percent and close to 80 percent in some leading countries, there was much room for China's nuclear development.
About a half of its oil supply now comes from abroad. Saudi Arabia is the biggest source. China diversifies its sources by purchasing from Angola, Iran, Oman, Venezuela, Sudan and Russia. The country has also started to develop oil drilling projects in other countries too.
As energy becomes a common, big problem worldwide, China joins other countries in seeking solutions. The country is part of a seven-party, 30-year international program aiming at exploiting nuclear energy via atomic fusions. It has reached bilateral agreements with governments of more than 30 countries for cooperation in new and clean energy development. In January it signed an accord with India for cooperation in civilian use of nuclear power.
The importance of energy had led to calls for reinstatement of the energy ministry. But the National People's Congress, the top legislature, in March endorsed a plan for reforming the existing Energy Bureau, which was given a bigger say on energy issues than the old bureau nestled in NDRC. The NDRC's Zhang Guobao was also appointed director general of the new institution.
In the case of the Sinopec gas station, government control of oil prices was another factor for the shortage. On June 19, the government announced an increase in petrol and diesel prices by 1,000 yuan per ton. The margins of the price hike were the biggest ever. As a result, retail price of No. zero diesel in Beijing went up to 6.23 yuan from 5.29 yuan a liter.
The line of waiting vehicles shortened at the gas station, where attendants were again busily refueling vehicles stopping by. Business was back to normal, at least for the time being.
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http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-10/05/content_7077145.htm
1. sohyun chun (stella)
2.Title:Melamine found in chcolate
products from China
3. Melamine is very hazardous
metarial and it has resulted death of four infants in childern,
and it is known to be very dangerous for kidney. When I
first heard this news, I wasn't really scared, but when I knew
that these melamine were found
easily in our favorite snacks
and food I was bit worried about
my health. First of all, I think
that these circulationof melamine foods should be curbed by swift action. And, also I think it
is important to strength the
import and export products.
(especailly food products)
I want to know what laws can
protect korea frm hazardous
substances and what does U.S
and other first world nation
do to protect their citizens.
-------------------------------
Melamine Found in Chocolate Products From China
South Korea's food watchdog has detected quantities of melamine, an industrial chemical, in chocolate products from foodstuff giants Nestle SA, Mars Inc. and South Korea's Lotte that were manufactured in China, Yonhap News reported Saturday.
The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) said 2.38 parts per million (ppm) and 1.78 ppm of the toxic substance was discovered in samples of M&M's Milk and Peanut Snickers Fun Size products, respectively, from Mars Korea.
A Kit Kat bar from Nestle Korea was also found to contain 2.89 ppm of melamine, the agency said. The latest discoveries brought the number of locally tainted food items to 10 amid a broadening scandal over Chinese dairy products.
Melamine is a nitrogen-based chemical that can pose serious health risks if ingested frequently or in large quantities. It is used widely in kitchen utensils, but if added to food items the nitrogen can artificially increase protein levels, translating into higher prices.
Chinese health officials have said the use of melamine in dairy products has killed at least four infants and left 54,000 others ailing from kidney stones or other illnesses.
The KFDA is currently in the process of examining 428 processed foods manufactured in China to see whether they contain the hazardous substance. It has completed checking 288 products as of Saturday morning.
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http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/10/113_32148.html
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