1.China publishes the National Human Rights Action Plan of China
2.Premier: Chinese economy shows signs of positive changes
3.Mainland, Taiwan to hold talks in late April or early May
1. China publishes the National Human Rights Action Plan of China
BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- China published its first working plan on human rights Monday, pledging to further protect and improve human rights conditions.
The National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2009-2010), issued by the Information Office of the State Council, or Cabinet, highlighted goals that would be implemented in less than two years.
This action made China one of 26 countries that have responded to the United Nations' call to establish a national human rights plan since 1993.
The 54-page document is divided into five sections: Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Civil and Political Rights; Rights and Interests of Ethnic Minorities, Women, Children, Elderly People and the Disabled; Education in Human Rights; and Performing International Human Rights Duties, and Conducting Exchanges and Cooperation in the Field of International Human Rights.
The Action Plan highlighted various human rights that would be promoted and protected. China has a long road ahead in its efforts to improve its human rights situation.
China plans to continue to "raise the level of ensuring people's civil and political rights" through improving democracy and the rule of law, it said. "The realization of human rights in the broadest sense has been a long-cherished ideal of mankind and also a long-sought goal of the Chinese government and people," the document stated.
Extended Reading
1A. Full Text: National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2009-2010)
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/13/content_11177126.htm
2. Premier: Chinese economy shows signs of positive changes
PATTAYA, Thailand, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, in an interview with Hong Kong and Macao reporters here Saturday, said that the Chinese economy showed signs of better than expected positive changes in the first quarter as a result of the economic stimulus package adopted by China.
Firstly, the domestic demand rose on a sustainable basis. Meanwhile, investment in fixed assets increased rapidly and consumer demand grew steadily and relatively rapidly. Although lower from the same period of last year, imports and exports grew on a month-on-month basis in the three-month period, Wen said. This indicates that some sectors and enterprises in China are in a process of gradual recovery.
Secondly, industries above the designated size registered month-on-month growth, with a year-on-year increase of 3.8 percent in both January and February, and a year-on-year increase of 8.3 percent in March.
Thirdly, the purchase management index and the entrepreneur confidence index of the manufacturing industry both rose, indicating that the Chinese economy has begun to stabilize and recover in some fields, according to Wen.
And fourthly, the market confidence went up and the economy became more active over the first three months, with increases in both the stock market and housing market transaction volumes.
The positive performances in economic fields suggest that the policies adopted by the central government of China have been timely and correct, and have led to successes, the premier noted.
3. Mainland, Taiwan to hold talks in late April or early May
BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- China's mainland negotiator Chen Yunlin and his Taiwan counterpart Chiang Pin-kung are planning to hold a new round of talks on expanding cross-Straits relations in late April or early May of this year, State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Li Weiyi said here Wednesday.
The talks between the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) will focus on joint efforts to crack down on crime, regular cross-Straits flights, financial cooperation and judiciary assistance, Li said at a press conference.
The two sides will also discuss mainland investment in the island, he added.
He added that the mainland will always welcome a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to exploit their own advantages and ensure mutual benefits.
According to Li, ARATS and SEF representatives met in Shanghai April 8 to discuss the time and location of the upcoming cross-Straits meeting.
Founded in 1991 and 1990 respectively, the ARATS and SEF were authorized by the mainland and Taiwan to handle cross-Strait exchanges. Negotiations had been suspended for almost 10 years until June 2008 when Chen and Chiang held their first meeting in Beijing.
From June 12-14, 2008, ARATS and SEF leaders held their first talks since 1999 in Beijing. The two signed agreements on weekend charter flights and tourism.
On November 3, 2008, mainland chief negotiator Chen Yunlin led a delegation to Taiwan for a five-day historic visit, and signed four agreements on direct shipping, air transport, postal services and food safety.
The forthcoming meeting will be the third round of talks held between the ARATS and the SEF.
Source: Xinhua (www.chinaview.cn)
