China to build inland nuclear power stations

Chinese vice premier meets Papua New Guinean governor general on ties

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang has held talks with Papua New Guinea Governor General Paulias Matane to discuss efforts to further bilateral relations.

Li Keqiang said China appreciates the Papua New Guinean government's adherence to the one-China policy and its support of China's peaceful reunification.

Noting that China is Papua New Guinea's key export market, Matane said Papua New Guinea hopes to maintain and expand cooperation with the country in trade, investment, manufacturing and education among other areas.

Papua New Guinea is the last stop of Li Keqiang's three-nation tour that has already taken him to Australia and New Zealand.

China calls for mutual trust, deeper cooperation in food safty issue

China's quality watchdog has called for mutual trust and deeper cooperation between nations concerning the food safety issue.

Speaking at the annual China International Food Safety & Quality Meeting in Beijing on Wednesday, Wang Yong, director of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (GAQSIQ), said food safety is a difficult issue faced by all nations and that the food safety situation is severe around the world.

He said it requires nations to stick to a principle of mutual trust, seek common understanding, and improve food safety work and quality control.

Senior official calls on police organs to better serve people

A senior Chinese official has called on the country's police and other law enforcement organs to improve their capabilities to better serve the people and rely on the people to safeguard social harmony and stability.

Zhou Yongkang, politbureau member of the CPC Standing Committee told a meeting on Wednesday that law enforcement departments and police should handle public's complaints with earnest attitude and improve their credibility in law enforcement.

He also called on the police officials to be innovative in their work and to strengthen the building of grassroots police organs.

148,000 drink drivers punished in China's crackdown

Chinese police have netted and punished 148,000 drink drivers since a nationwide crackdown was launched on Aug. 15.

Chinese police initially launched a two-month nationwide campaign to root out drink driving following a series of fatal traffic accidents caused by drunk drivers.  

China to build inland nuclear power stations

The first-phase construction of three inland nuclear power stations in China has begun.

The stations will be located in Xian'ning city in central Hubei Province, Taohuajiang City in central Hunan Province and Pengze City in eastern Jiangxi Province.

An official with the science and technology committee of the China National Nuclear Corporation says building more nuclear power stations is essential to China's endeavor to cope with energy shortage and pollution.

Health Ministry orders investigation into alleged illegal medical practice

China's Health Ministry says it has ordered its Beijing bureau to investigate the Peking University's First Hospital for alleged illegal medical practice that caused the death of a professor.

The ministry says in a statement that the Health and Education Ministries have issued a special regulation on clinical internship for medical students, which mandates that medical students are forbidden to provide clinical services without a qualified doctor's supervision.

It pledges to publicize the result of the investigation as soon as possible.

U.S. requests WTO panel to rule on China raw materials restrictions

The United States has requested the World Trade Organization (WTO) to establish a dispute settlement panel to rule on China's export restraints on raw materials.

But the Chinese Ministry of Commerce has defended China's export policies, saying they are consistent with WTO rules.

An official with the ministry of commerce says the chief aim of China's export policies is to protect the environment and conserve natural resources.

U.N. General Assembly opens debate on Goldstone report on Gaza conflict

The U.N. General Assembly has started an open debate on a report that accuses both Israel and Hamas militants of war crimes during their three-week fight.

At least 30 speakers were expected to take the floor during the open debate on the Goldstone report, an investigation commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council.

US and South korean conduct military drills

The US and South Korean Marine Corps have conducted a joint military drill to strengthen their cooperation in military landing operation.

2,600 South Korean marines and about 600 US counterparts have participated in a military landing operation, in a shore near the port city of Pohang, about 360 km southeast of Seoul.

18 warships, 36 amphibious tanks and 56 helicopters from both South Korea and the United States were deployed for the operation. This drill is part of comprehensive military drills between the two countries to enhance their military cooperation of land, sea and air forces.

U.S. Fed holds key interest rate steady as economy continues to "pick up"

The Federal Reserve said on Wednesday that the U.S. economic activity has continued to "pick up," and decided to keep a key interest rate unchanged at a record low of between zero to 0.25 percent to prop up the economy