Briefs, December 23, 2012
An anthology of 100 bamboo-themed Chinese poems has been published that features a foreword and a poem by former president Jiang Zemin.
An anthology of 100 bamboo-themed Chinese poems has been published that features a foreword and a poem by former president Jiang Zemin. was launched yesterday at the Great Hall of the People by State Councillor Liu Yandong and Liu Qibao, head of the Communist Party's Publicity Department. In the preface, Jiang says China's long history with bamboo led to the development of a unique culture. "Poets of different generations have sung in praise of the plant for its great contribution [to people's lives], strong vitality and unyielding integrity," it reads. Jiang said bamboo poems embody the nation's spirit of unswerving self-improvement. The publication, in Chinese and English, is part of events to mark the 15th year of the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan NGO. Xinhua
Two people were killed and 20 others injured when fire engulfed a commercial building in Shaanxi, local authorities said. By 9pm, two bodies had been retrieved by firefighters but had yet to be identified, the Yanan municipal government said. The fire broke out in the 14-storey World Trade Building in central Yanan at about 4.30am. Three of the 20 injured were staff of a hotel located on the upper floors of the building, while the rest were guests, said Liu Guangzhong, deputy head of the hospital. The ages of the injured ranged from seven to 51. Twelve of them suffered burns, while the other eight had minor carbon-monoxide poisoning, Liu said. About 50 people staying at the hotel were evacuated. One of the security guards who helped in the evacuation remains missing, said Jia Xueqi, an officer with the city's fire department. Xinhua
Mainland authorities have published a plan to reduce the world's largest population of smokers as part of a 2005 treaty, but without implementing recommendations such as warning labels that include photos of rotten teeth and diseased lungs. The number of smokers will be cut to 25 per cent of the population by 2015 from 28.1 per cent in 2010, according to the plan published by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology last week, seven years after the country signed the treaty recommending the graphic warning labels. The government will "comprehensively" prohibit smoking in public places and ban ads, promotion and sponsorship by tobacco firm, according to the plan. There was no mention of taxes. Bloomberg
Taiwan has executed six inmates in its first use of the death penalty in nearly two years, as a heated debate rages over whether the island should abolish capital punishment. The sentences were carried out late on Friday, a day after Justice Minister Tseng Yung-fu signed the execution orders, a government statement said. AP
