Extracts. Falun Gong Practitioner Kills Family Members. A Falun Gong practitioner in Beijing who killed his father and wife and A Falun Gong practitioner in Beijing who killed his father and wife and badly injured his mother has been detained, police said Monday. Police found two persons stabbed to death and another one seriously injured in a residence building in Beijing's Xicheng District, after receiving a report at 17:55 on Sunday. Fu Yibin, the suspect, was captured on the spot and the injured was rushed to hospital. Fu, who began to practice Falun Gong in 1998, confessed to police that he chopped his father and wife to death and injured his mother with a kitchen knife at his parents' home after " realizing" that they "had to depart." Police discovered recording and video tapes and diaries about Falun Gong at Fu's residence. The case is under further investigation. According to official statistics, the Falun Gong cult, banned by the Chinese government in 1999, has caused more than 1,600 deaths in China. **** China Restricts Mining License Grants China has restricted grants of mining permits to curb mismanagement and irregularities in small mines, which are thought to be the cause of frequent mining accidents around the country. Meanwhile, all level local departments are supposed to take measures to cooperate with the central government. China restricting grants of mining permits China has restricted grants of mining permits to curb mismanagement and irregularities in small mines, which are thought to be the cause of frequent mining accidents around the country. Tian Fengshan, minister of Land and Resources, said at a national video-telephone meeting on the management of mining resources held here Monday, that the ministry has just concluded a nationwide overhaul of mining management. Since the middle of September, the ministry has sent four investigative groups to inspect mining management in 50 counties and townships and 40 mines in 20 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. The move was one of the remedial measures taken after a series of serious industrial safety problems in the mining sector this year, such as the landslide in a quarry in Leping, east China's Jiangxi Province and the tin mine flood in Nandan, southwest China 's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. According to the requirements of the State Council, the authority for approving mining licenses in localities is now done by provincial land and resources administrative departments. In terms of evaluating exploration applications for the 34 different types of mines in China, provincial land and resources authorities should provide evaluations before applying to provincial governments for their final project approval. Local departments supposed to cooperate Meanwhile, local land and resources regulatory departments are asked to cooperate with relevant government organs at various levels to step up the supervision of mining management and to cope with existing problems. The ministry vowed to continue shutting down mines operating without permits or which illegally transfer their operation rights before the end of this year. China now has 7,000 mining projects in operation, involving 160, 000 mining companies. He said that if mines are found conducting illegal or random exploration of resources, authorities will have their licenses suspended and be given a grace period to make an appeal. Those who fail to meet the state's operational standards by next June will have their operation licenses canceled. Chinese Mining Law Overview The Mineral Resources Law of China was adopted in 1986, with subsequent regulations being promulgated in 1993 and 1994. All mineral resources belong to the State, pursuant to the Chinese Constitution. The State Council (the Executive Cabinet) exercises control over the mineral resources on behalf of the State. With recent changes in the principal mining laws and related laws and regulations, the government hopes to encourage foreign exploration and exploitation mineral projects, to meet its economic expansion needs and, thereby achieve national economic and social objectives. Recent mineral investment activities and production statistics indicate movement in that direction, with some disappointments. Foreign investment still lags, but government changes in mining regulations continue in an attempt to attract further investment, while at the same time protect State interests. New discoveries encourage continued interest in the vast, untapped resources of the country. **** DPRK Asks Australia to Quit the MAC. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has asked Australia to quit the Military Armistice Commission that formally supervises the Korean truce, a high-ranking Seoul government official said Monday. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has asked Australia to quit the Military Armistice Commission that formally supervises the Korean truce, a high-ranking Seoul government official said Monday. "Ryu Yong-chol, vice director of the DPRK Ministry of People's Armed Forces, made the request to a high-ranking Australian diplomat Oct. 23 in Beijing," the official said. "It is not known how the Australian counterpart responded." Mr. Ryu reportedly contended that since Pyeongyang and Canberra enjoy normal diplomatic relations, Australia should not serve its term on the MAC. DPRK and Australia resumed relations in May 2000 after a 25-year hiatus. The Military Armistice Commission is supposed to settle violations through negotiations, while another panel, the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, is to maintain a presence in both Koreas to show that the cease-fire remains in force. The North proposes to replace this machinery with a peace system that would require withdrawal of the 37,000 U.S. troops on South Korean soil. "The North is expected to extend the request to other nations that it has recently established diplomatic relations with, such as the Philippines," the official said. **** DPRK Launches New Movement. DPRK leader Kim Jong-Il has launched a new revolutionary movement, named 'Ranam'. The DPRK's state media said Monday the new movement was prompted by "miracles" performed by workers at the Ranam Coal Mining Machine Complex in the northeastern port of Chongjin. DPRK leader Kim Jong-Il has launched a new revolutionary movement, named 'Ranam'. The DPRK's state media said Monday the new movement was prompted by "miracles" performed by workers at the Ranam Coal Mining Machine Complex in the northeastern port of Chongjin. Ranam workers were praised for advancing the production of equipment dramatically through technical innovation and the utilization of waste material. Touched by their "revolutionary militant spirit," Kim has ordered a drive to build "a people's paradise on this land at an early date," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in one dispatch released at the weekend. Kim has held up Ranam as a model to be followed by all DPRK workers and officials, it said. "The torchlight Kim Jong-Il lit in Ranam is calling on the whole party and country and all the people to effect fresh leap and innovation in the general advance to build a powerful nation in the new century." Rallies were held across North Korea last week to spread Kim's new drive, KCNA said. "Ranam is one of the North's regular movements for economic development which have been launched over past decades," said Oh Seung-Yul, a DPRK expert at the Korea Institute for National Unification. The drive also reflects their concern over the US campaign against terrorism, Oh said. "They now worry the US campaign may increase tension on the Korean peninsula. The DPRK feels impelled to maintain tight control on its economy," he added. Rodong Sinmun has described Ranam as a follow-up of the DPRK's previous campaigns which "brought about victory" in the 1990s. **** Russian Humanitarian Mission Arrives in Kabul. Twelve Russian planes carrying emergency personnel, construction workers, diplomats and technical equipment on board arrived in Afghan capital of Kabul Monday for the creation of a humanitarian center. Twelve Russian planes carrying emergency personnel, construction workers, diplomats and technical equipment on board arrived in Afghan capital of Kabul Monday for the creation of a humanitarian center. First Deputy Emergency Minister Yuri Vorobyov said the mission, also including mine clearing experts and a security team, arrived at the Baghram airport on Monday morning. "The mine cleaners, together with the security team, will work to ensure a safe route from Baghram airport to Kabul and check the place where the center will be based," he said. President Vladimir Putin told Cabinet members on the same day that Russian military transport aviation had never conducted such a large-scale operation in recent years. This showed Russia had started a new stage of humanitarian operation in Afghanistan, he said. Vorobyov also noted the increase of the Russian humanitarian presence in Afghanistan. Some 200 people, including support and security services, will be working in the humanitarian center in Kabul, and the Russian Catastrophe Medicine Center will deploy a mobile hospital there, he said. Russian transport helicopters carrying necessary equipment would arrive in Kabul within this week, and a Russian humanitarian convoy will head for Kabul by the end of the week, the deputy minister said. The Russian humanitarian center is being deployed at the permission of the "legitimate Afghan authorities" and in close coordination with the U.S. representatives, he added. **** Nepal Declares State of Emergency. Nepali King Gyanendra Monday approved the decision by the Nepali government to impose a state of emergency cross the country following massive attacks at police by the underground ultra-leftist guerrillas over the weekend, the Secretariat of the Royal Palace announced Monday evening. Nepali King Gyanendra Monday approved the decision by the Nepali government to impose a state of emergency cross the country following massive attacks at police by the underground ultra-leftist guerrillas over the weekend, the Secretariat of the Royal Palace announced Monday evening. The government decided to declare the state of emergency throughout the country in view of the terrorist attacks by the guerrillas in various parts of the country, said a notice issued by the secretariat. The notice said that once the emergency is declared, the government will be able to control the activities of the guerrillas, their publications and mouthpiece. More than 300 people, including policemen, army soldiers, civilians and guerrillas, have been killed since Friday night when the guerrillas broke the four-month-long ceasefire with the government and launched well-coordinated massive attacks at police across the country. The government initiated peace talks with the guerrillas in August this year in order to find a peaceful solution to the six- year-long guerrillas insurgency that has claimed more than 2,000 lives, including policemen, guerrillas and civilians, since it began in the Himalayan kingdom in 1996. However, three rounds of talks held so far were inconclusive as the guerrillas demanded the establishment of a republican state, an interim government and a new constitution, which were all rejected by the government. **** China Grants Ghana US$3.6 Million. The Chinese government has provided a grant of 30 million yuan (about US$3.6 million) to the Ghanaian government, the Chinese Embassy in Ghana said Tuesday in Accra. In the spirit of the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation- Ministerial Conference 2000, China will further develop and expand the friendly cooperation with the Ghanaian government and people within the framework of the South- South cooperation. Grant Agreement Signed in Ghana The Chinese government has provided a grant of 30 million yuan (about US$3.6 million) to the Ghanaian government, the Chinese Embassy in Ghana said Tuesday in Accra. Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Lu Yongshou Monday on behalf of the Chinese government signed the grant agreement with Ghanaian Minister of Finance Yaw Osafo Maafo in the west African country's capital. * Reflection of the Spirit of China-Africa Cooperation Forum Lu told the journalist that the provision of the grant is a demonstration of the Chinese people's friendly feelings to the Ghanaian people and is in support of the economic development effort undertaken by the Ghanaian government. "In the spirit of the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation- Ministerial Conference 2000 held in Beijing last year, when minister from China and 44 African countries undertook to build a dynamic, new strategic partnership between China and Africa, China will further develop and expand the friendly cooperation with the Ghanaian government and people within the framework of the South- South cooperation," Lu said. * China Offers Further Support to Ghana Lu disclosed that apart from this grant and some other assistance provided by the Chinese government, the Chinese side is now holding serious discussion with the Ghanaian side on the cancellation of debts of over 90 million Yuan (about US$10.9 million) Ghana owes China. China's Support Appreciated: Maafo At the signing ceremony, Maafo said unlike other grants from donors that come with predetermined purposes, the Chinese grant has no strings attached and the Ghanaian government has not yet determined what the money would be used for. * Ultimate Objective to Be Guaranteed "We hope to achieve through the expeditious implementation of projects that will be mutually agreed upon between our two governments with the ultimate objective of enhancing the general well-being of the Ghanaian populace," Maafo said. * China's contribution to Ghana's Development Remarkable Commending the Chinese government's contribution to Ghana's development since its independence in 1957, Maafo said some of project have benefited tremendously from increased Chinese assistance over the years, including the National Theater, Drama Studio, irrigation facilities and the Dangbe East District Hospital. Accepting the result of feasibility studies on the pulp and paper industry to him presented by the Chinese ambassador, Maafo said after the feasibility study on the establishment of a pulp and paper mill at Dabuase in the western region, the Chinese government will make a formal report. The minister expressed hope that besides the current grant, Ghana can count on Chinese assistance in bringing to fruition the pulp project when his government requests for funding. Sino-Ghana Friendship Time-honored China and Ghana have been enjoying time-honored friendship since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1960s. Since the new Ghanaian government took office in January this year, the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries have also obtained new momentum and made remarkable progress under the encouraging policies adopted by President John Kofuor. China and Ghana * Political Relations The People's Republic of China established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Ghana on July 5, 1960. In September 1966, the then Ghanaian military government, having seized power in a coup d'etat, unilaterally severed diplomatic relations with China. In January 1972, the Ghanaian Government headed by Acheampong took the initiative in restoring diplomatic relations with China. The relations between the two countries have developed smoothly since then. * Trade Relations and Economic & Technical Cooperation China and Ghana have signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement as well as a trade agreement. With its aid to Ghana, China has conducted series of cooperation with the latter. China has helped Ghana build a number of complete projects such as the Ghana National Theatre, agricultural cooperation project, rice grinding mill, Afefi Irrigation Project and the grain depot and Ghana Vocational and Technical Training Center. China has also provided, in the form of aid, cotton spinning machines and methane-producing equipment to Ghana. Technical cooperation was conducted in the Nobewam Irrigation Project and the National Theatre. The total trade volume between China and Ghana in 2000 was US$120.89 million, of which the Chinese exports accounted for $105.98 million, and its imports $15 million. The main Chinese export items are light industrial products, textile, mechanical and electrical products, medicine and chemical products etc; while the main import items from Ghana are timber, cocoa, and natural rubber. * Cultural, Educational, and Military Cooperation China and Ghana have signed an agreement on cultural cooperation. China accepted 104 Ghanaian students since 1960, and at the end of 2000, there were 13 Ghanaian students studying in China. Now, One Chinese teacher is lecturing in Ghana. The Chinese and the Ghanaian armies have maintained good relations. The bilateral military exchanges have increased in the past few years. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
