Dialogue on Diaoyus is best path, adviser says

Top political adviser Jia Qinglin said yesterday that China and Japan should resolve a territorial dispute through dialogue and consultation. "The two sides should handle the Diaoyu Islands dispute properly to ensure that bilateral relations remain on a track for healthy and stable development," said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. He made the remarks at a meeting with former Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama. Hatoyama said Japan needed to work with China to tackle global issues and promote cooperation in East Asia. Xinhua

Chinese kidnapped in Sudan released

Four Chinese workers abducted over the weekend in Sudan's western Darfur region have been released, officials and diplomats said. Gunmen kidnapped them and five Sudanese colleagues on Saturday near Al-Fasher. "The Sudanese government managed to secure the release of the four Chinese in Darfur after intensified negotiations," China's ambassador to Sudan, Luo Xiaoguang, said. Reuters

Infrastructure building plan to boost projects

The State Council approved a plan on infrastructure construction for science and technology projects in the next two decades. The plan aims to boost innovation capability, support science and technology breakthroughs, and accelerate infrastructure construction on projects. The State Council also will offer one-off living allowances to more than 89 million needy people before the Lunar New Year. Xinhua