Lianhe Zaobao English Selections (2009-01-08)

• Chinese government expands rural home appliance subsidies to include motorcycles
  The Chinese government has decided to include motorcycles within the scope of its subsidy scheme to rural residents to purchase electrical appliances. This is good news for Chongqing, the capital of China's motorcycle industry. Many motorcycle manufacturers have already started to compete for larger market shares in the rural areas. Lianhe Zaobao's Chongqing correspondent Zhang Xiaozhong reports.

• SCCCI elections; 4 slots out of 7 allocated to the founding members from each dialect group left unfilled
  The 102-year-old Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently held its 55th Council elections.In a rarely seen occurrence, four of the seven nominees put up by the original seven dialect groups who founded the chamber failed to get the unanimous approval of the elections committee and the seats were left unfilled.

• Person at the centre of the Taiwan diplomatic funds scandal in hiding
  Ching Chi-ju is being sued by the Taiwanese government in the Singapore High Court for embezzling USD29.8 million ($44 million) in diplomatic funds. His lawyer told the court yesterday that his client is in hiding to avoid being harmed.

• HKU forecasts 3% negative growth for Hong Kong economy
  The latest macroeconomic forecast carried out by Hong Kong University predicts a 3% negative growth for the Hong Kong economy this year. It expects the economy to bottom out at year end. It forecasts a 7% growth rate for the Chinese mainland, lower than the official estimate of 8%. Lianhe Zaobao's Tai Hing Shing reports.

• CAAC introduces measures to support aviation industry
  The Civil Aviation Administration of China will be launching a slew of new measures designed to support the local aviation industry, which has recently fallen onto hard times. These include expanding express cargo routes, waiving of landing fees at some small and medium-sized airports, etc.

• Jiangsu, Anhui and Zhejiang provinces speed up urban construction presenting more opportunities for Singapore businesses
  The eastern China region continues to be an important market for Singapore businesses and investors.Shanghai has been a popular destination for Singapore companies but Jiangsu, Anhui and Zhejiang provinces also offer good business opportunities.

• UC Berkeley don: Economy will bottom out in 6 months, recovery will follow
  UC Berkeley economics professor Bradford DeLong spoke to reporters in Singapore yesterday. He believes that a recession for Singapore is unavoidable if the US economy slows down further and that the Singapore economy will recover at the same pace as that of the American economy.

• China's post-1980 generation: A generation marked by political apathy
  The disinterest in politics demonstrated by China's post-1980 generation has become a cause for concern. Children born after 1980 in China have enjoyed the rising standards of living brought about by rapid economic growth. However, this has also led to political apathy among many of them. How will his shape the China of the future?

• Tao Theology and Culture Center aims to promote Taoist teachings through education
  The Tao Theology and Culture Center was established in December 21 last year. The writer, Lin Weiyi, a local researcher in Confucianism and folk religions, believes that this is a giant step forward in promoting awareness of Taoist teachings among the younger generation.

• Another extraordinary year for China
  [Editorial] 2009 will likely to be another extraordinary year for China: this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident, the 10th anniversary of the ban of the Falun Gong and the 60th anniversary of the country's founding. These are all highly sensitive events that will test the mettle of the authorities at all levels. However, with the experience gained over the past 30 years of reform and opening-up, it is probable that China possesses the competence and intelligence to confront any challenges that lie ahead.

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