Chinese Create Tax-Free Zone For Art
on March 26, 2013
A Chinese state-owned company is aiming to stoke the country's cultural sector with a tried-and-tested industrial model that has worked in the past for China's manufacturing industries.
As Pollution Worsens In China, Solutions Succumb To Infighting
on March 26, 2013
As some officials push for tighter restrictions on pollutants, SOEs have been putting profits ahead of health in working to outflank new rules, according to government data and interviews with people involved in policy negotiations.
Can China Transform Africa?
A ChinaFile Conversation
on March 26, 2013
Jeremy Goldkorn:
Chinese Nuclear Disaster “Highly Probable” by 2030
on March 25, 2013
Some members of the nuclear power industry rely too much on theoretical calculations, when only experience can provide real accuracy.
The lifetime of nuclear reactors is calculated in “reactor-years.” One reactor-year means one reactor operating for one year. The world’s 443 nuclear power plants have been running for a total of 14,767 reactor-years, during which time there have been twenty-three accidents involving a reactor core melting. That’s one major accident every 624 reactor-years.
China’s Economic Policymakers Turning a Page
on March 23, 2013
Written into the script for China’s once-in-a-decade leadership shuffle, confirmed at the recently concluded National People’s Congress, are macroeconomic policies for the new government that plot a course for future growth.
The policy book has already landed on the desk of a government led by newly installed Premier Li Keqiang, who succeeded Wen Jiabao. Chapter one, page one sets a 7.5 percent GDP growth target for 2013, down from the 7.8 percent expansion achieved last year.
Achieving Real Progress in How Government Functions
A Viewpoint by Hu Shuli
on March 23, 2013
After months of speculation, the reorganization of the State Council has finally been approved by the National People’s Congress.
Pressures and Distortions
on March 22, 2013
Pressures and Distortions looks at the design, building, and interpretation of cities from the point of view of their residents.The cities chronicled in depth include examples from China (Shanghai and Shenzhen), Latin America (Bogotá and Mexico City), and Indonesia (Banda Aceh). Shorter sections cover Lima and Rio de Janeiro. The authors show how residents respond creatively to environmental disaster, poverty, housing shortages, and surging urban population. They also show how governments, international relief agencies, architects, and planners can shape better urban environments. Throughout, residents present their experiences in their own words and through careful documentation of their living environments.
Pressures and Distortions began in 2008 with the Research Program’s international call for proposals. A competitive process selected four teams, with researchers based in Mexico, Colombia, China, Australia, France, and the US. Each team received a research grant from Rafael Viñoly Architects and worked independently.
With over 400 pages, Pressures and Distortions contains more than 500 original full-color photographs, plans, and drawings, as well as a DVD with over 100 video and audio recordings from the streets of Bogotá. —Rafael Viñoly Architects PC
China Growing Strongly, Risks Manageable
on March 22, 2013
Recent simulations by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development suggest that China could maintain high, though gradually easing, growth during the current decade, averaging 8 percent in per capita terms.
Lies, Damned Lies, And Chinese Statistics
on March 22, 2013
Although the information provided by the National Bureau of Statistics is not completely transparent, it has taken steps to free national data from the influence of local exaggeration.
Public Fury After Chinese Environment Minister Keeps Job
on March 22, 2013
In his eight years as China’s environmental protection minister, Zhou Shengxian has failed to keep almost a single promise. I say “almost”: he has kept his word at least when it comes to his own career—as promised, he has not quit.
When the new leadership’s ministerial appointments were announced last weekend, Zhou retained his post, to the disappointment of those concerned about the environment. The public questioned why a minister with no achievements should remain in power.
