EVENTS

Party and Government Leaders Work in Beijing

On December 3, 1990, Jiang Zemin, Li Peng and other Party and Government leaders visited the Changping water conservation site in north Beijing, lending a hand to the constructing crew. During a break, Jiang Zemin and Li Peng stressed the importance of water conservancy works, stating one should never forget that agriculture is the foundation of the national economy.

Eighth Anniversary of the Constitution

In mid-December 1982, the 5th Session of the5th National People’s Congress promulgated China’s fourth Constitution of the People’s Republic of China. The eight years since then have shown that this Constitution guarantees China’s socialist construction, democracy and legal systems, as well as political and economic reforms.

China Now Has 1. 16 Billion People

According to the latest national census, China now has a population of 1,160,017,381. Statistics show the remarkable achievements of nationwide family planning, resulting in 200 million fewer births in the past decade.

China Fulfils Seventh Five-Year Plan

China has fulfilled the economic targets set for the Seventh Five-year Plan (1986-90). According to the State Statistical Bureau, the GNP grew at an annual rate of 7.6 percent, while the national income rose by 7.2 percent, both figures higher than the targets set in the state plan. China is becoming one of the most rapidly developing countries in the world. For instance, in the last five years, the industrial and agricultural output rose by 11 percent per year, with the agricultural rate the highest of the world.

Second China Drama Festival

The Second China Drama Festival was held from November 20 to December 10, 1990 in Beijing. During 20 days, over 25 troupes from all over China staged 27 programmes and more than 100 performances, in a grand gathering of the theatrical circles.

A festival commemorating the 200th anniversary of the formation of the Beijing Opera is taking place from December 20, 1990 to January10, 1991, in Beijing. Forty troupes from home and abroad staged about 140 performances.

Special Economic Zones Celebrate I Oth Birthday

In 1980, China decided to establish four economic zones—Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou and Xiamen—to promote the economic reform and the open policy. Ever since then, the economic zones have achieved outstanding results.

The 1990 celebration summed up 10 years of experience and promoted further economic and technological co-operation and exchanges with the outside world. General Secretary Jiang Zemin attended the celebrations of Shenzhen and Zhuhai economic zones.

Tangshan Awarded Habitat Scroll of Honour by UN

On November 13, 1990, the city of Tangshan, Hebei Province, was awarded the United Nations’ Habitat Scroll of Honour for this year. The UN presented the award to Tangshan in recognition of the massive reconstruction programme undertaken following the 1976 earthquake. This honour is a first for China.

AFRICA

Nyerere About Ways to Develop Africa

Former Tanzanian President Nyerere said during a visit to Sweden that poor countries should make use of their own resources instead of relying on industrialized countries for help. He stressed that African countries should have their own ways of development according to their specific histories and current situations rather than copy the pattern of other countries. He added that it is not acceptable for rich countries to put forward more and more conditions to aid-receiving countries.

Ⅱ Pan-African Azania Congress

On December 7, 1990, the Ⅱ Pan-African Azania Congress (PAC) opened in Johannesburg, South Africa. Discussions centered around future negotiations with De Klerk regarding the PAC’s participation in the South African Constituent Assembly. It was noted that De Klerk’s recent modifications were of little consequences, as his goal was to reform apartheid and not abolish it.

Kenya to Remain One-Party State

The ruling Kenya African National Union announced on December 4, 1990, that Kenya would remain a one-party state for the time being. This resolution was unanimously adopted at a special conference of the ruling party. President Daniel Arap Mio, who is also president of the party, said that the resolution is consistent with the views of the vast majority of people in the East African country.

African And Telecommunications

The African Telecom’ 90 Exhibition and the African Telecommunication Development Conference opened in Harare on December 5. President Mugabe called on African countries to manufacture telecommunication equipment through regional co-operation so as to reduce their dependence on foreign countries.

The telecommunication network of Africa is inferior to that of any other continent, so local manufacturing should be promoted. Developed countries could also play a positive role in transferring technology. The exhibition and conference is aimed at promoting and developing telecommunications in Africa.

African Industrialization Day Marked

November 19, African Industrialization Day, was celebrated across the continent to promote Africa’s industrialization process.

Industrialization day is intended to mobilize government, industrial and business leaders to accelerate the industrialization process. The UN Economic Commission for Africa said the holiday also helped the public realize the importance of science and technology in economy.

Nigeria Revises Laws

The Nigerian government launched on October 1 a revised edition of the federation’s laws.

The launch coincided with the 30th anniversary of the country’s independence. President Ibrahim Babangida said the new laws should bring the nation’s legal system closer to the people. He said that laws must be indigenous and reflect changes in the country. The revised laws, valid for32 years, are seen as a departure from the last vestige of colonialism.

CHINAFRICA

Reinforcing Sino-Togolese Co-operation

A Chinese economic delegation visited Togo in December 1990. They were received in Lome by President Eyadema who praised the friendly relations and co-operation between the two countries,and agreed with China’s point of view on mutual help and assistance among countries of the third world striving for a common development.

China to Produce Bicycles in Ghana

The Shanghai Bicycle Corp. of China and Alhaji Sulemana Industries Ltd of Ghana are to establish early this year a US $4 million factory in Kumasi, Ghana, to produce “Phoenix” bicycles under a joint venture agreement.

Col. Commey, Ghanaian Secretary for industry, science and technology, said the Ghanaian government is committed to encourage investments in the private sector. The joint venture will favour the transfer of technology from China, while the production of bicycles will make villages and farms easily accessible and facilitate the transportation of workers in the country. Installation of the machinery will be completed by June for trial production to begin in October. Full operation will start in 1992, when the factory will turnout 100,000 bicycles yearly for the local market as well as for export.

Sudanese Leader Al-Bashir's Visit to China

Sudanese leader Gen. Omar Hassan Ahmed Al-Bashir paid a 10-day visit to China in early November. During his stay, he met with both Chinese President Yang Shangkun and Communist Party General Secretary Jiang Zemin.

The two leaders agreed on many regional and international issues, and stated that Sudan and China should promote the solidarity of developing countries. Today the prospects for continued cooperation between the two countries are good.

Practical Measures to Aid Africa

The International Community, especially developed countries, “must adopt practical measures” to help the critical economic situation in Africa, Jin Yongjian, China’s permanent representative to the UN, said at the November 21 General Assembly.

Practical measures should be taken to stabilize essential commodity prices; increase official development assistance and financial aid; and transfer appropriate technologies, particularly in agriculture. The international community “needs to take urgent steps to reduce the debts of African countries”. “Effective assistance should be provided for Africa to help control the population growth, protect the environment and develop human resources”. Two days later, China rescheduled Congo’s debt and sent food to the country.

Sino-Tanzania relations commended

At the opening ceremomy of a photo exhibition of Sino-Tanzania friendship, organized by the Chinese embassy and the Tanzanian government, Tanzanian Minister IB Mkapa said that the close co-operation between the two countries is a good example in the establishment of a new international economic order.

Co-operation has gone on for 30 years under the principle of mutual respect and benefit. Tanzania has been receiving firm support and assistance from China in her struggle for economic development and national unity. Tanzania is interested in learning from China’s experiences in economic reform.

Chinese Machinery Exhibition in Cote d'Ivoire

A Chinese machinery exhibition organized by the China National Machine Import and Export Corp. was held in Abidjan from November 21 to November 24.

This is the first display of Chinese machinery in Cote d’Ivoire, including agricultural machines and pieces of equipment, motors, tools, vehicles, construction machines. The corporation is an enterprise under the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade.

Ties Between Ethiopia and China Marked

The 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and China was marked by a reception given by Ethiopia’s Ambassador to China, Philippos Wolde-Marian, in his Beijing Embassy on November 24.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen attended the reception and highly praised the ties between the two countries. An official of the ruling Workers Party of Ethiopia said the relations between organizations of the two countries should be further strengthened to promote the understanding between the peoples.

INTERNATIONAL

New UN Resolution On Gulf Peace

The UN Security Council adopted a new resolution on November 29, 1990, authorizing member states “to use all necessary means to uphold and implement Security Council Resolution 660 (1990)and all subsequent relevant resolutions, and restore international peace and security in the Gulf area,” if Iraq fails to withdraw from Kuwait on/or before January 15, 1991. The resolution called on Iraq to immediately and unconditionally pull out of Kuwait and restore its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. China abstained from voting on this resolution.

OIC Calls for International Mideast Peace Conference.

On November 28, the Organization of Islamic Conference reiterated its call for an international conference on peace in the Middle East. The statement was issued by Hamid Al-Gabid, Secretary-General of the Organization, on the eve of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. He condemned the massacres of Palestinian people perpetrated by Israel and called on the international community to implement the UN resolutions on Palestine and to protect the Palestinians.

Palestinian Solidarity

On November 29, 1990, the United Nations held a conference commemorating the “International Day of Solidarity With the Palestinian People.” UN Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar said the United Nations takes the issue of the Middle East seriously and is looking for a just, comprehensive and lasting solution. China’s Premier Li Peng sent a telegram to the conference, reiterating the stand of the Chinese government asking Israel to end the repression in the occupied lands and for the restitution of the Palestinians inalienable national rights.

The World AIDs Day

In 1988 the World Health Organization set December 1 as the World Aids Day. The theme for 1990 was “Women and AIDs.” Today, the number of AIDs patients reaches 1.2 million, and those with the AIDs virus total 5 million.