China Chronicles January 27, 2013
- Round doorway II
etherflyer has added a photo to the pool:
A doorway in the Hall of Abstinence at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.
This composite image was tone-mapped from nine bracketed photographs with Photomatix and processed with Color Efex to look like an old photograph.
Location: Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China - Round Doorway II
etherflyer has added a photo to the pool:
A doorway in the Hall of Abstinence at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.
This composite image was tone-mapped from nine bracketed photographs with Photomatix and touched up in Aperture.
Location: Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China - Clouds and Mountains
etherflyer has added a photo to the pool:
Stairway at the Temple of Heaven.
Stitched from two hand-held photographs with PTGUI Pro and touched up in Aperture. - NZ says milk safe, following chemical find
The New Zealand government insisted yesterday that the country's dairy products are safe, after traces of a toxic chemical were found in milk.
Concerns were raised after dicyandiamide (DCD) was detected in New Zealand milk. Farmers applied the chemical to pastures to stop nitrate fertilizer by-products from getting into rivers and lakes.
High doses are reported to be toxic to humans.
China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said they are asking New Zealand authorities to provide detailed information on the incident, after Chinese consumers raised concerns.
This includes the quantity of DCD discovered and the brands and batches involved, China's Central Television reported yesterday.
However, there were no reports of New Zealand dairy products being taken off the shelves in Chinese shops. About 80 percent of China's imported milk comes from New Zealand, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The scare began on Thursday, when two major New Zealand makers of agricultural chemicals announced that they had suspended sales of DCD after low levels of the substance were found in dairy products.
New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, Director-General Wayne McNee said yesterday there has been some confusion about the suspension of DCD.
"The use of DCD was suspended by its manufacturers because very small traces of residue were unexpectedly detected in New Zealand milk. DCD residues have been only found in some milk powder products and not in other dairy products such as butter and cheese," McNee said in a statement.
"The detection of these small DCD residues poses no food safety risk. DCD itself is not poisonous. It is actually vastly less toxic than common salt," McNee said.
The statement also said that DCD is not related to melamine.
In 2008, melamine-tainted milk killed six children in China and left 300,000 ill.
McNee said DCD is not used directly in or on food in New Zealand. It is a pro! duct used on pastures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the leaching of nitrogen into waterways.
Should not panic
DCD is used by less than 5 percent of New Zealand's dairy farmers who applied it only twice a year. Each application leaves only traces of residue on the grass for no more than a few days. This means only very small numbers of New Zealand cows could have come into contact with DCD in very limited time frames, according to the statement.
There has been no restriction on dairy sales in New Zealand because of this suspension of DCD use on pasture, said McNee.
In China, some experts said consumers should not panic as DCD has very slight toxicity and there are no international standards for an acceptable level.
Others focused on its toxic properties. Although it has a low toxicity, large doses of DCD can kill mice, Dong Jinshi, executive vice-president of the International Food Packaging Association and an expert in food safety, told Chinese media.
And despite reassurances statement from the New Zealand government, Chinese consumers expressed concerns over New Zealand dairy products.
Many Chinese shoppers had placed their faith in New Zealand milk following health scandals in the domestic industry.
"So what else can we mothers choose to feed our babies? Am I supposed to make some soya-bean milk myself?" asked one mother with the tag "CCY" on the Weibo.com microblog.
"I'm shocked to hear this. China should inspect these products to ensure safety," said Wang Lan, a 28-year-old local mother.
Some consumers said they would still opt for New Zealand dairy products. "Until test results show the milk is toxic, I'll still choose New Zealand products," said a web user on Weibo.com.
- Travelers start hitting the road for home
THE Spring Festival travel rush began yesterday, with travelers flocking to Shanghai Railway Station to make their way back to their hometowns for the Chinese New Year on February 10.
The station resounded with sounds associated with the annual rush: people trying to sell goods to travellers; scalpers hired by coach operators attempting to persuade would-be passengers to travel with them instead.
The day was warm and pleasant, ideal for traveling as part of what is known as the world's largest human migration.
Shanghai Railway Station said about 7.8 million rail journeys will be made during the 40-day rush - a 10 percent rise compared to last year. Shanghai Railway Bureau, the Yangtze Delta region operator, said temporary train services will be added to handle the volume.
Sitting on the edge of a greenery area at the railway station's north square, waiting for his connection, Zhu Bofeng played a cellphone game, almost dozing in the unusually warm winter noon.
"I think I'll just skip my dinner," said the 23-year-old who works in a molding factory in neighboring Jiaxing City, more than an hour's ride from Shanghai.
A native of central China's Shaanxi Province, Zhu bought a 300 yuan (US$48) rail ticket that will enable him to get home in 14 hours.
Zhu's train was due to leave at 3:50pm. "Just a night's sleep and the next day you're back home," said Zhu, lighting a cigarette.
Two bags and a new pressure cooker were the sum of Zhu's luggage.
"I'm taking nothing else home but the cooker," said the young worker. "The prices of everything are rising, it seems that only my salary stands still."
Some older migrant workers seemed more satisfied with their wages, which they've been saving away for returning home.
"The money is enough," said a worker, surnamed Sun, sitting on his bags at an underground ticket lot of the Shanghai Long-Distance Bus Station, waiting for his co-workers to bring back tickets to his hometown, Fuyang in Anhui Prov! ince.
Sun, in his 50s, said he could earn 4,000 to 5,000 yuan a month working as a mason on a construction site in suburban Pudong's Zhoupu area.
"The conditions there are harsh though," said the middle-aged man, settling down for a nap.
Sun said his son had also left their hometown and now works in Jiangsu Province.
Meanwhile, for three college students taking photographs in front of the railway station while waiting for a connection, the burden of raising a family is not a concern for now.
"The winter vocation is good for us to get out and about," said one of the students from Shaanxi Province, who were on their first trip to Shanghai.
Before they left the city at midnight, the students said they wanted to tour around the Bund and People's Square.
For railway workers watching the passengers gathering at the station, another rush year had just started.
"And of course, the peak has yet to come," said Wu Zhenrong, a rail station manager who over the years has seen millions come and go over the Spring Festival.
Wu and other station staff will spend the coming weeks mostly at the station, rarely going home. However, they will be so busy that there will be little time to reflect on this.
"One day after another just pass in a rush at this time of year," said Wu.
- Polaroid #006
Araakii has added a photo to the pool:
Playing with various color close-up filters for the Fuji Instax Mini.
- Chongqing sets out new roadmap in post-Bo era
CHONGQING'S municipal government vowed yesterday that it would shake off the impact of the Bo Xilai scandal and make law-abiding governance a top priority.
Huang Qifan, mayor of Chongqing, described 2012 as an "extraordinary year" for Chongqing's development in his report on the work of the municipal government, at the opening of the 4th Chongqing Municipal People's Congress.
The mayor said the government has endeavored to maintain steady economical and social development despite the severe toll of the incidents involving Bo Xilai, with the city recording an annual economic growth of 13.6 percent.
"It turned out that Chongqing citizens have weathered storms and withstood ordeals," he said.
The government published the full text of its work report, in which it placed governing in accordance with the Constitution and the law as a main focus for this year.
Bo's wife, Bo-Gu Kailai was convicted of the murder of a British businessman in November 2011, while Bo was secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Chongqing Municipal Committee.
Former police chief Wang Lijun was convicted of charges including abuse of power.
Bo was later deprived of CPC membership and expelled from public service for severe disciplinary violations.
- Chongqing sets out new roadmap in post-Bo era
CHONGQING'S municipal government vowed yesterday that it would shake off the impact of the Bo Xilai scandal and make law-abiding governance a top priority.
Huang Qifan, mayor of Chongqing, described 2012 as an "extraordinary year" for Chongqing's development in his report on the work of the municipal government, at the opening of the 4th Chongqing Municipal People's Congress.
The mayor said the government has endeavored to maintain steady economical and social development despite the severe toll of the incidents involving Bo Xilai, with the city recording an annual economic growth of 13.6 percent.
"It turned out that Chongqing citizens have weathered storms and withstood ordeals," he said.
The government published the full text of its work report, in which it placed governing in accordance with the Constitution and the law as a main focus for this year.
Bo's wife, Bo-Gu Kailai was convicted of the murder of a British businessman in November 2011, while Bo was secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Chongqing Municipal Committee.
Former police chief Wang Lijun was convicted of charges including abuse of power.
Bo was later deprived of CPC membership and expelled from public service for severe disciplinary violations.
- Tibetans stand trial over self-immolations
TWO ethnic Tibetans stood trial yesterday at a court in southwest China's Sichuan Province over the case of eight people said to have been incited to set themselves on fire. Three of the eight died.
Lorang Konchok, 43, and his 31-year-old nephew, Lorang Tsering, were accused of intentional homicide, said a statement issued by the Intermediate People's Court of the Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Aba.
The Aba Prefectural People's Procuratorate instituted a public prosecution against the two suspects on December 31.
They were arrested last August after a series of self-immolations in Aba.
According to the statement, Lorang Konchok had long-term and close contact with Samtan, a key figure in an overseas "Kirti Monastery media liaison team," a "Tibet independence" organization of the Dalai clique.
Instructed by Samtan, the prosecution alleges, from 2009, Lorang Konchok collected and sent information on self-immolation to overseas contacts. He is accused of inciting the self-immolations of local Tibetans Tsedrup and Tsenam, last March.
It is also alleged that on August 9, last year, Lorang Tsering heard that Jokba, 19, a herdsman from Aba, had a desire to self-immolate, and put Jokba in contact with Lorang Konchok. To strengthen Jokba's resolve, prosecutors say Lorang Konchok recorded Jokba's information, took pictures with his mobile phone and promised to spread news of the self-immolation overseas. Jokba died the following day.
According to the statement, the two suspects encouraged another five people to self-immolate, efforts which failed.
Prosecutors claimed Lorang Konchok is the main culprit with Lorang Tsering an accessary.
The court announced an adjournment.
- Tibetans stand trial over self-immolations
TWO ethnic Tibetans stood trial yesterday at a court in southwest China's Sichuan Province over the case of eight people said to have been incited to set themselves on fire. Three of the eight died.
Lorang Konchok, 43, and his 31-year-old nephew, Lorang Tsering, were accused of intentional homicide, said a statement issued by the Intermediate People's Court of the Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Aba.
The Aba Prefectural People's Procuratorate instituted a public prosecution against the two suspects on December 31.
They were arrested last August after a series of self-immolations in Aba.
According to the statement, Lorang Konchok had long-term and close contact with Samtan, a key figure in an overseas "Kirti Monastery media liaison team," a "Tibet independence" organization of the Dalai clique.
Instructed by Samtan, the prosecution alleges, from 2009, Lorang Konchok collected and sent information on self-immolation to overseas contacts. He is accused of inciting the self-immolations of local Tibetans Tsedrup and Tsenam, last March.
It is also alleged that on August 9, last year, Lorang Tsering heard that Jokba, 19, a herdsman from Aba, had a desire to self-immolate, and put Jokba in contact with Lorang Konchok. To strengthen Jokba's resolve, prosecutors say Lorang Konchok recorded Jokba's information, took pictures with his mobile phone and promised to spread news of the self-immolation overseas. Jokba died the following day.
According to the statement, the two suspects encouraged another five people to self-immolate, efforts which failed.
Prosecutors claimed Lorang Konchok is the main culprit with Lorang Tsering an accessary.
The court announced an adjournment.
- 中國，澳門
- China deploys 70,000 railway police for travel rush
More than 70,000 police were deployed to train stations across China to manage orders and ensure travelers' safety on Saturday, when the nation begins the biggest annual migration on earth.
They will carry out all-day patrols in squares, waiting rooms and ticket lobbies, platforms and trains to leave no room for "dangerous things," according to the railway police authorities under the Ministry of Public Security.
The authorities said they also sent 96 teams to focus on smashing crimes including pick-pocketing and bag-snatching.
Chinese tend to return home to get together with their family members to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 10 this year.
During the 40-day period from Saturday to March 6, Chinese people are expected to make more than 220 million journeys by rail.
Another 3.2 billion journeys are expected by highways, water and air.
- China deploys 70,000 railway police for travel rush
More than 70,000 police were deployed to train stations across China to manage orders and ensure travelers' safety on Saturday, when the nation begins the biggest annual migration on earth.
They will carry out all-day patrols in squares, waiting rooms and ticket lobbies, platforms and trains to leave no room for "dangerous things," according to the railway police authorities under the Ministry of Public Security.
The authorities said they also sent 96 teams to focus on smashing crimes including pick-pocketing and bag-snatching.
Chinese tend to return home to get together with their family members to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 10 this year.
During the 40-day period from Saturday to March 6, Chinese people are expected to make more than 220 million journeys by rail.
Another 3.2 billion journeys are expected by highways, water and air.
- China deploys 70,000 railway police for for travel rush
MORE than 70,000 police were deployed to train stations across China to manage orders and ensure travelers' safety on Saturday, when the nation begins the biggest annual migration on earth.
They will carry out all-day patrols in squares, waiting rooms and ticket lobbies, platforms and trains to leave no room for "dangerous things," according to the railway police authorities under the Ministry of Public Security.
The authorities said they also sent 96 teams to focus on smashing crimes including pick-pocketing and bag-snatching.Chinese tend to return home to get together with their family members to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 10 this year.
During the 40-day period from Saturday to March 6, Chinese people are expected to make more than 220 million journeys by rail.
Another 3.2 billion journeys are expected by highways, water and air. - Ningbo temple
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- Envious... ?
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