Beijing

CPC Central Committee to meet

The Second Plenum of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China will be held in Beijing from Feb 26 to 28, according to a decision by members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Saturday. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting. Restructuring of the State Council and efforts to achieve simpler and decentralized administration were discussed. Also on the agenda: the list of candidates for the country's next administration, which will be recommended to the upcoming "two sessions" meetings in March.

China deploys uranium centrifuge

China's largest atomic-energy developer on Friday announced the successful installation of a domestically produced uranium enrichment centrifuge for industrial use. The centrifuge was built in a uranium-enrichment plant in Northwest China's city of Lanzhou, according to the China National Nuclear Corporation. Uranium centrifuges are necessary to obtain concentrated U-235, which is used as fuel for nuclear power plants. The installation of the centrifuge marks a strategic accomplishment in terms of safeguarding the sustainable development of China's nuclear power industry, the statement said.

Liquor giants fined for price fixing

China's top two liquor makers, Kweichew Moutai and Wuliangye, were fined a total of 449 million yuan ($71.41 million) for price fixing, according to local price regulators. The Guizhou-based Moutai and Sichuan-based Wuliangye were ordered to pay 247 million and 202 million yuan in fines, respectively - the harshest fines since the implementation of China's anti-monopoly laws in 2008. The punishment added to the plight of the two liquor giants, as a recent government frugality campaign is expected to have a sizable impact on sales of their products, which mainly target high-end consumers. The penalties follow similar fines levied on Samsung, LG and four Taiwan-based LED makers in January.

353 held for online train-ticket scalping

Police have arrested 353 suspected ticket scalpers during an ongoing crackdown on the illegal use of China's online train-ticket booking system. The suspects were found to have used unauthorized web browser plug-ins that allowed them to book excessive amounts of tickets and resell them for profit, according to a Friday statement from the railway police headquarters. Police said they have cracked 1,155 related cases and confiscated over 80,000 tickets and ID cards so far.

Zhejiang

Fire kills 8 in East China city

A fire that broke out on early Saturday morning in Wenling city, Zhejiang province, has killed eight people, including two children. Five of the six adults who died were migrant workers from outside the province. Fire officials said the blaze burned across an area of 129 square meters in three residential houses in Zeguo township. The fire was eventually contained at 4 am. Firefighters rescued 17 people, including one with severe injuries. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Taiwan

Former leader sentenced to 20 years

Former leader of Taiwan Chen Shui-bian on Friday was sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison for a list of crimes he committed. Taiwan's High Court on Thursday also announced a combined 20-year sentence for Chen's wife, Wu Shu-chen. In addition to the jail term, the court fined Chen 250 million New Taiwan dollars ($8.4 million) and Wu $NT200 million. The couple had been convicted of embezzlement, bribery and money-laundering in relation to mergers and acquisitions for some financial institutions. Chen has been held in custody since November 2008. Wu has not been imprisoned due to her poor health.

News watch

Milk powder limits to start on March 1

New measures to restrict the amount of milk powder a traveler can take out of Hong Kong will take effect next month, the health minister of the SAR says. Beginning March 1, people leaving Hong Kong will be limited to two cans, or 1.8 kg, of infant formula, Food and Health Bureau Secretary Ko Wing-man said on Friday, after the amendment to the import and export law was gazetted. Under the new law, travelers with the milk powder must be at least 16 years old and must not have left the city in the previous 24 hours. Offenders face up to two years in prison and a fine of up to HK$500,000 ($64,467).

Xinhua - China Daily

(China Daily 02/24/2013 page2)