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PARIS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Two controversial ancient Chinese relics were auctioned off on Wednesday night for 14 million euros (17.92 million U.S. dollars) each by anonymous telephone bidders in Christie's sale of the collection of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge in the Grand Palace of Paris.     According to Christie's, they have received 8 phone calls for "enquiries" before the sale. After the auction was launched, the competition was only conducted between telephone bidders, with no one in the scene raised for a bid. The bronze sculpture of a rabbit's head, which is an ancient Chinese relic, is auctioned in the Grand Palace of Paris in Paris, France, Feb. 25, 2009. Two controversial ancient Chinese relics including the bronze sculptures of a rat's head and a rabbit's head, were auctioned off on Wednesday night for 14 million euros each by anonymous telephone bidders in Christies's sale of the collection of Yves Saint Laurant and Pierre Berge in Paris. The sculptures were looted by invading Anglo-French expedition army in the 19th century, when the invaders burned down the royal garden of Yuanmingyuan in BeijingChristie's refused to disclose who were the bidders at a press conference afterward.     The bronze sculptures, a rat's head and a rabbit's head, were looted by invading Anglo-French expedition army in the 19th century, when the invaders burned down the royal garden of Yuanmingyuan in Beijing.     Li Huan, a Chinese student in France told Xinhua that the two bronzes are news for the French, but history for the Chinese. Earlier this night, some Chinese students in France voluntarily went to the Grand Palace, distributing sheets introducing the history of Yuanmingyuan and the Second Opium War in 1860.The bronze sculpture of a rat's head, which is an ancient Chinese relic, is auctioned in the Grand Palace of Paris in Paris, France, Feb. 25, 2009. Two controversial ancient Chinese relics including the bronze sculptures of a rat's head and a rabbit's head, were auctioned off on Wednesday night for 14 million euros each by anonymous telephone bidders in Christies's sale of the collection of Yves Saint Laurant and Pierre Berge in Paris. The sculptures were looted by invading Anglo-French expedition army in the 19th century, when the invaders burned down the royal garden of Yuanmingyuan in Beijing."They should know more about the history. Although we failed in the lawsuit, justice will not fail," said Li.     The Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris ruled against stopping the sale of the two bronzes on Monday, and the Association for the protection of Chinese Art in Europe (APACE) was ordered to pay compensation to the defendant.     Ren Xiaohong, a lawyer for APACE, told Xinhua that it was "of great significance" to file the lawsuit. "We hope to arouse public attention in Europe on the fate of numerous Chinese works stolen in the past, to help keep those relics well protected and collected," Ren said.     "My heart sank when the court refused our appeal," said Bernard Gomez, president of APACE, adding that "I hope the bidders are Chinese, I hope the two relics could go home eventually."     Bernard Brizay, French historian and journalist, as well as the author of "1860: the Looting of the Summer Palace" told Xinhua after the two bronzes were sold that he could understand the Chinese feelings towards the two relics. He said, "the two bronzes should be returned to China, no matter who got the bids."     Brizay also scorned on the offer by Pierre Berge, Yves Saint Laurent's partner. He used five "stupid" on Berge's words. "Combining the two relics with human rights and Tibet issues has no difference with blackmailing for ransom," he said.     The Chinese government formally called on Tuesday for the cancellation of the auction of the two bronzes. "The State Administration of Cultural Heritage has formally informed the auctioneer of our strong opposition to the auction, and clearly demanded its cancellation," said Ma Chaoxu, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman in a press conference.     "Using the pretext of human rights to infringe on the Chinese people's fundamental cultural rights is just ridiculous," Ma said.     The two bronze sculptures are part of the art collection of the late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. So far, five of the 12 bronze animal fountainheads have been returned to China, while the whereabouts of five others are unknown. A photographer takes a picture of the Chinese bronze rat head and rabbit head sculptures displayed on the preview of the auction of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge's art collection at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, Feb. 21, 2009

BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao has called for greater awareness of both hardships and opportunities presented by the global financial crisis in order to offset the impacts of the crisis.     In a speech to the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau on Tuesday, Hu said China must be prepared for the most difficult and complicated situations in the world economy and meanwhile make good use of or create development opportunities amid the transformation of international and domestic conditions.     The world economic situation was austere and complicated; the global financial crisis had yet to level out; and China's economic growth was under pressure of a slow-down, he said.     He said no fundamental changes had occurred in the country's basic economic development situation, its advantageous conditions for economic development, its accelerating trend of industrialization and urbanization, and the external environment of peace, development and cooperation.     "The strong Party leadership, the advantages of the socialist system, and the united efforts of our people of all ethnic groups are the strength for us to overcome the difficulties and withstand the impacts of the global financial crisis," he said.     The government should maintain the policy of giving top priority to increasing domestic demand while stabilizing external demand, he said.     He called for more powerful and efficient measures to increase domestic demand, consumer demand in particular.     He urged continuing to make the reform and opening-up a powerful driving force for economic growth, actively pushing forward reform in key areas and links.     Hu urged all Party committees and governments to deepen the implementation of the "scientific view of development" and "carry out the decisions and arrangements of the central authorities in a creative way".     Hu, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over Tuesday's panel study of the Politburo, at which two scholars explained world economic situation and ways to boost economic growth.     The lecturers were Zhao Jinping, of the State Council's Development Research Center, and Bi Jiyao, of the Macro-economic Research Institute under the National Development and Reform and Commission.

BEICHUAN, Sichuan province, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Tears fell down her cheeks, like the rain dropping on her umbrella.     "I dreamed of my granddaughter several times," Tan Yunlan said while sobbing.     Supported by her daughter, the elderly woman gazed at a pile of rubble which used to be an apartment building in the former Beichuan county seat.     Tan's son-in-law arranged several bricks to burn incense, while her daughter took out a folded handkerchief from her bag. She opened it and placed the photo of a four-year-old girl inside, then gently placed it on the ground.     Behind the family, people walked slowly in twos and threes, holding candles or white chrysanthemums. Firecrackers would sound sporadically.     As Saturday was China's traditional Tomb Sweeping Day, survivors of the quake-leveled county returned to what's left of their homes to mourn loved ones.     GRIEF IN QUAKE ZONES     More than 80,000 people were confirmed dead or missing after the May 12, 2008 earthquake in southwest China's Sichuan province.     One of the worst-hit areas, 15,645 people were killed in Beichuan. Another 4,311 others remain missing. Because of the destruction, the county has been closed-off since May 20 last year. For the first time since then, former residents were allowed to return for four days of mourning starting Wednesday.     Life forever changed for Zhu Xiuhua after her husband was buried under the county's vegetable market.     "He was considerate and diligent, earning 3,000 yuan a month to support the family," she murmured, eyes swollen.     After the quake, Zhu became the family provider, taking care of her parents-in-law and two sons. Although the local government gave her some subsidy, she now has to work at construction sites like a man.     Facing the debris of the market, she drew a circle on the ground with a stick and wrote the name of her husband.     "There were too many people who died in the quake. I am afraid he can't find the money I gave him," she wept.     Zhu then lit a candle and placed it alongside the pork she had cooked and set by the debris. Pork, was her husband's favorite food. She then burned ghost money- one sheet after another, as an offering to help the dead in afterlife.     "Don't worry about us. We can manage it," she whispered to him.     In Qingchuan county, flower seller He Xiantong brought a bunch of chrysanthemums to an earthquake memorial park in Donghekou.     "Somewhere in the county, 40 meters underground, lies my wife," he said. "I feel that we are so close."     At the same time, their son, He Kaiyuan, who is in Chengdu, less than 300 kilometers away, stands facing Qingchuan. He also bought flowers for his mother and placed them on the ground.     "Dad visits mom every day," he said. "Mom, dad is with you. You must be happy in heaven."     In front of the tomb of Tan Qianqiu in Deyang city, just north of Chengdu, many strangers stopped to mourn.     The teacher, from the Dongqi middle school, sheltered four students with his arms when the quake jolted the building. When rescuers arrived, they discovered Tan had died, but the students all survived.     Huang Jing, a girl who was from Hunan province, dedicated a bouquet to Tan.     "He is also a native of Hunan," she said. "Although he didn't know me, I brought him greetings from his hometown."     MOURNING FROM ELSEWHERE     In Fuzhou, capital of east China's Fujian province- some 2,000 kilometers away from the quake's epicenter- a ceremony was held for people to mourn victims.     In front of more than 100 people, two girls tied letters they had written to deceased relatives, to the legs of pigeons, then let them go.     "Dear little sister, how are you in heaven?" wrote 16-year-old Dong Yu.     "Does it still hurt? How are uncle and aunt?" her letter went on to say. Her cousin was just eight months younger than her.     "Mom still weeps sometimes, but there are so many people from Sichuan in heaven, you won't be lonely."     Together with 33 other students from Sichuan, Dong was sent to a vocational school in Fuzhou after the disaster.     "I am doing well here," she read, smiling, with tears.     People also chose to mourn the dead on the Internet.     "Chen Jian, I'm Xiaofeng. How are you in heaven?" This message was from Chen's wife Tan Xiaofeng on the website cq.qq.com.     After the earthquake, Chen, worried about his pregnant wife. He survived 73 hours under crushed concrete and twisted steel rods. He passed away after he was pulled out of the debris.     Netizens on the portal website Sohu, list his story as among the ten most touching from the earthquake.     "I miscarried," Tan Xiaofeng wrote.     After the earthquake she moved away from her hometown and went to work in eastern Jiangsu Province.     "I will be back to sweep tombs for him later this month," she said.     The website claims to be the first online platform for visitors to mourn quake victims on Tomb Sweeping day. So far, more than 7,000 messages were left by netizens. Photos showing touching moments during the quake and its aftermath were also posted.     On Sina.com, the page for mourning showed candles forming "5.12" and a white chrysanthemum. More than 2,373,000 people had visited the site as of Saturday afternoon. Some posted their own messages for victims: "There is no disaster in heaven," and "Hope the survivors can be strong and live a better life."     LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE     Outside the barbed wire fence around the collapsed Beichuan middle school, 15-year-old Lu Chunqiao closed her eyes and held burning incense.     Four other students nearby burned a letter. In Chinese, there is a superstition that if you burn a letter, you are sending it to the dead.     The ninth grade students then knelt down, keeping their foreheads close to the ground.     They survived the quake, but more than 1,000 of their classmates were dead or missing.     "We want to tell them (the dead) the changes during this past year," Lu said. "Construction of the new school building is to start next month."     About one kilometer away from the Beichuan county seat, work rebuilding Qushan township just began.     Amid roaring machines, Liu Chunyi, an engineer from eastern Shandong province said, "it is the greatest comfort to the dead tohave those alive live a better life."     In Wenxian county of northwestern Gansu province where 114 people succumbed in the quake, Liu Wencheng placed fruit and tea for his dead wife in a graveyard.     He told her that their two daughters were doing well at school.     Liu had 0.2 hectares of land, where he planted wheat, corn and potatoes.     "Life has to go on," he said.     After the quake, the local government sent him a quilt, food and electric blankets. Each affected family was also given 20,000 yuan (almost 3,000 U.S. dollars) for reconstruction. It was not enough to build a house which is why Liu still lives in a tent. He is not sure how long he will be there.     In Sichuan, however, there is a timetable.     The province vowed to rebuild all damaged houses in rural areas by the end of this year and those in cities or townships before next May.     More than 90 percent of roads and 98 percent of the power supply system would be restored by Sept. 2010.     But it will take longer than that for wounds in people's hearts to heal.     Many people suggested Tan Xiaofeng, who is just 26, should re-marry.     The idea just makes Tan cry.     "I can't accept another man," she said while shaking her head. "Not now."

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MANDALAY, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Li Changchun, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), visited China-funded projects in Myanmar and other industrial and educational facilities amidst his on-going visit.     Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, visited the Myanmar's 3G core network, which was built by China's ZTE Corporation, one of China's leading telecom equipment producers.     After listening to reports from both sides, Li said that information and communication industry played an important role in modern society. "I am glad to see the results you have already achieved and hope you can enhance strategic cooperation in the telecom field."     He also urged ZTE and other Chinese companies in Myanmar to transfer technologies to their partners, train local technical contingent for better serving the clients and the local society.     On Friday afternoon, Li visited Hlaing Thar Yar city of industry and listened to the briefing of local officials. He also visited a plastic pipe plant and a factory of traditional Myanmar medicines.     Early on Saturday, Li flew from Yangon to Mandalay, the country's second largest city, and visited Mandalay industrial training center. The center was set up with a grant of 30 million RMB (4.39million U.S. dollar) from the Chinese government. It was designed to train local technicians for automotive production and maintenance.     Myanmar is the second-leg of Li's four-nation tour which will also take him to the Republic of Korea and Japan. He has already visited Australia

GENEVA, March 12 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday blasted a U.S. measure blocking Chinese poultry imports, saying the "clearly discriminative measure" can serve as a good example for the WTO's training courses.     The U.S. measure, or Section 727, is contained in the Omnibus Appropriation Act of 2009, which was approved by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. It bans any funds from being used to "establish or implement a rule" allowing imports of poultry products from China.     "It is needless to explain why such discriminative measure are forbidden by the WTO," said Zhang Xiangchen, deputy permanent representative of the Chinese WTO mission.     "Perhaps we could send to the Institute of Training and Technical Cooperation of the WTO Secretariat a copy of this section, which would serve as a perfect example for their training courses," Zhang told a WTO meeting in Geneva.     "I believe that any trainee with a preliminary knowledge will tell that this section violates the basic rules of the WTO including the MFN (most-favored-nation) treatment principle," he said.     In a strong-worded statement, Zhang said he had got "a specific instruction from Beijing to express the serious concern of the Chinese government about the U.S. Omnibus Appropriation Act of 2009."     "What should we, all WTO members, do to prevent such discriminative practice from undermining the multilateral trading system and sending wrong signal to the outside world at this critical juncture of global crisis?" said Zhang at the meeting.     "How should we live up to our commitments repeatedly made both here at the WTO and at the G20 summit to resist trade protectionism?" he added.     On Wednesday, the Chinese WTO mission in Geneva also sent a verbal note to the U.S. WTO mission.     According to the note, the U.S. measure has triggered strong reactions in China, and the government is under increasing pressure from the poultry industries to "adopt related measures to poultry products imported from the United States."     "China would raise complaints to the WTO in this regard and maintain the right of further measures," said the note.     "At the same time, we would like to urge the U.S. to eliminate such kind of discriminative and trade protectionist provision as soon as possible in order to correct its wrong decision," it said.     China and the United States banned imports of each other's poultry in 2004 following outbreaks of bird flu. They agreed to lift the bans at the Sino-U.S. joint Commission on Commerce and Trade in 2004.     China did lift the ban but has complained that the United States was not following suit.     China imported 580,000 tons of chicken products from the United States last year, accounting for 73.4 percent of total chicken imports, according to figures from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.

BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The international press has given extensive coverage to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's government work report at the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) which started on Thursday, and praised China's persisted target of 8 percent annual economic growth in the face of the world financial crisis.     The French-based AFP reported that despite the turbulence and recession of the world economy, "Wen forecast China can sustain eight percent economic growth in 2009, boosting hopes China's export-driven economy will cope with the crisis."     "Asian markets rallied for a second day after Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday reaffirmed his government's growth aims, triggering gains across the region in China-related stocks," it reported.     On Thursday, the benchmark Nikkei-225 climbed 142.53 points to 7,433.49, up 1.95 percent.     The British news agency Reuters said: "Premier Wen Jiabao assured on Thursday that China will achieve 8 percent growth this year despite a deepening financial crisis, setting out export support and spending programs to shore up the economy."     Wen said China's budget deficit this year will reach 950 billion yuan (140 billion dollars), and though he did not announce fresh economic stimulus, his assurances helped extend a rally in Asian markets, Reuters reported.     The U.S.-based Associated Press (AP) said: "China rolled out an aggressive government spending program on Thursday, promising ramped-up outlays for infrastructure and social programs to ward off the global economic downturn and forestall unrest."     The German Press Agency (dpa) said China seeks to bolster the economy against the effects of a global slowdown.     China announced a record annual budget deficit of 950 billion yuan (140 billion dollars), but Wen stressed that the deficit was below 3 percent of China's gross domestic product (GDP), remaining "within the acceptable range of what our overall national strength can bear and is therefore safe," dpa said.     The Financial Times said Premier Wen pointed out that the international environment is becoming more complex and the financial crisis is further deepening. But China will meet its goal of 8 percent economic growth as long as the Chinese government establishes right policies, takes proper measures and pushes for effective implementation.     Both the Financial Times and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported that the ongoing meetings of the NPC and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) drove up international stock markets on Wednesday, saying the Chinese economy has become a favorable factor for bourses around the globe.     The Daily Telegraph said the economic stimulus plan announced by China last year concentrated on infrastructure, but Wen stressed the need to care about the healthcare and social insurance systems, especially in rural regions.     The Swedish Broadcasting Corporation said Wen pinpointed China's target of 8 percent growth in his report, and expounded the importance to increase employment and control the registered urban unemployment rate at under 4.6 percent.     New Zealand TV said the international community is closely watching developments of China's two annual conferences at a time when the global economy is undergoing a big recession.     As a result of China's plan to expand its domestic demands and a series of the Chinese government's economic stimulus packages, quite a few stock markets have rebounded in the past two days, the TV report said.     Premier Wen asked Chinese enterprises to consolidate their market shares in the traditional export destinations and do their utmost to explore the emerging markets, under a circumstance that global demands have been falling drastically and against a backdrop that trade protectionism is re-emerging, Interfax reported.     Wen encouraged Chinese small- and medium-sized enterprises to cultivate name brands for export, it said.     China is a developing country with a population of 1.3 billion. It must maintain a reasonable pace of economic growth to raise the employment rate both in urban and rural areas, increase people's incomes and safeguard social stability, another Russian news agency said.     World Daily, the biggest Chinese newspaper in the Philippines, said in an editorial that the annual NPC meeting is being held when the global financial storm is hitting every corner of the world. Nearly 3,000 deputies will discuss national policies and put forward feasible suggestions.     China's economic development this year will have an important effect on its growth in coming years. Therefore the deputies attending the critical meeting shoulder great responsibilities, the daily said.

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BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- World media spoke highly of Premier Wen Jiabao's remarks Friday at a press conference and policies China has adopted to battle the economic crisis, saying the two just-concluded political sessions delivered "China's confidence." The two sessions are known as the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) and the Second Session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).     The U.S. Chinese Biz News said in a commentary that China has worked out various measures to boost confidence in a number of fields, noting that the package of measures was unprecedented concerning its covered area, depth and influence. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao answers questions during a press conference after the closing meeting of the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 13, 2009. The annual NPC session closed on Friday    "China's confidence" was frequently used by reporters covering the NPC and CPPCC, making it a key phrase of the two sessions, it added.     Zheng Yide, editor-in-chief of the U.S. Qiaobao, said the two political sessions spurred confidence of the world amid the unfolding economic turmoil.     China has pledged an 8-percent economic growth, and considering the important role it plays on the world platform, such commitment uplifts people's confidence not only in China's economy but also in the world economy, Zheng said.     The Paris-based Nouvelles d' Europe, the biggest Chinese newspaper in Europe, published a commentary saying "confidence" had been a key word running through the two political sessions and left a deep impression on the world.     The recurring word offered China as well as other countries an effective prescription for surviving the economic crisis.     Lianhe Zaobao, a leading Chinese-language newspaper in Singapore, said in an editorial that Wen has unequivocally said China is ready to confront even bigger challenges amid the financial crisis and can "roll out a new stimulus package at any time."     That is a promise not only to the Chinese people but to the whole world, the editorial said.     It is remarkable that China delivered such kind of determination and confidence at a time when the United States and Europe are still entrenched in their positions on measures to overhaul the global financial system, the editorial said.     Nanyang Siang Pau of Malaysia said that China has set an 8-percent economic growth target for this year.     The paper quoted Wen as saying that China's fiscal deficit is controllable and the government's debt level is safe.     China will keep its currency, the yuan, stable at a reasonable and balanced level, Wen was cited as saying. "No country in the world has the right to put pressure on the devaluation or appreciation of the Chinese currency."     Malaysia's China Press and Sin Chew Media also covered the conclusions of the two political sessions and Wen's press conference.

BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- China's foreign exchange reserves rose 16 percent year-on-year to 1.9537 trillion U.S. dollars by the end of March, said the People's Bank of China on Saturday.     It represents an increase of 7.7 billion dollars for the first quarter, but the increase was 146.2 billion dollars lower than the same period of last year.     Outstanding foreign currency loans stood at 235.2 billion U.S. dollars by the end of March, down 11.7 percent year on year.     In the first quarter, foreign currency loans dropped by 8.5 billion U.S. dollars. The decline was 57.3 billion U.S. dollars heavier over the same period of last year.     In March, foreign currency loans rose by 4.3 billion U.S. dollars. The increase was 6.4 billion U.S. dollars lower than the same period of last year.     Meanwhile, outstanding foreign currency deposits rose 28.9 percent, or 7.5 billion U.S. dollars, to 200.3 billion U.S. dollars in the first quarter. The increase was 13 billion U.S. dollars higher over the same period of last year.     In March alone, foreign currency deposits rose by 3.3 billion U.S. dollars. The increase was 1.8 billion U.S. dollars higher over the same month in 2008.     Analysts said the smaller growth of foreign exchange reserves in the first quarter was related with changes in the value of non-U.S.-dollar assets and money flows under the capital account.     In March alone, the foreign exchange reserves rose by 41.7 billion U.S. dollars. The increase was 6.7 billion U.S. dollars higher than the corresponding period of last year.     The country's foreign exchange reserves reduced to 1.914 trillion U.S. dollars at the end of January and 1.912 trillion U.S. dollars at the end of February.     "Changes of foreign exchange reserves in the first quarter were mainly driven by non-U.S.-dollar assets' volatile fluctuation," said Liu Yuhui, an economist with Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).     During the first quarter, especially the first two months, non-dollar foreign currencies dropped heavily against the U.S. dollar, leaving about 40 percent of the country's non-dollar assets depreciated.     Meanwhile, the country's trade surplus had reduced during the first quarter due to a weakening external demand.     Exports fell 17.5 percent in January, 25.7 percent in February and 17.1 percent in March. In February, trade surplus plummeted by34.3 billion U.S. dollars to 4.8 billion.     "The 7.7-billion-dollar increase in foreign exchange reserves for the first quarter showed the country's economy still depends heavily on external demand," said Mei Xinyu, an economist with the Ministry of Commerce (MOC).     Yuan Gangming, a researcher with the CASS, said the smaller increase in foreign exchange reserves might also be caused by capital flight.     Official statistics show during the first two months, the actually-utilized foreign direct investment dropped by 26.2 percent.     A large proportion of the country's foreign exchange reserves are invested in U.S. treasuries and notes. Last month, the U.S. Federal Reserve announced a plan to buy up to 300 billion U.S. dollars in long-term treasuries. That added to worries in the value stability of the country's foreign exchange reserves.     Mei said the slower growth in foreign exchange reserves could be conducive to the national economic security because less capital would be exposed to devaluation risks.     "The top priority should be to keep the value of foreign exchange reserves stable," said Yuan. He suggested relevant authorities should keep a close eye on flows of foreign reserves and prevent a similar capital flight that happened after the Asian financial crisis.

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BEIJING, Feb. 13 -- Chinese banks issued 1.62 trillion yuan (7 billion) in new loans in January, up 101 percent year-on-year, prompting some economists to say the government might not cut interest rates for the time being to boost the economy.     The massive jump in lending is equal to about one-third of the loans issued in the whole of 2008, a year that began on a generally tight credit line, the central bank said yesterday. M2, which includes cash and all types of deposits and indicates overall liquidity in the financial system, grew in January, too, by 18.8 percent year-on-year. It increased 17.8 percent in December.     The massive growth in lending comes at a time when banks are rushing to cherry-pick the juiciest stimulus-package projects, especially major infrastructure ones that need long-term investment, the economists said. Chinese banks issued 1.62 trillion yuan (7 billion) in new loans in January, up 101 percent year-on-year    The government announced a 6-billion package on November 9 to boost domestic demand and shore up investment. Though the central government will shoulder one-third of the cost, banks will play an important role in financing the construction of bridges, railways and highways.     "The banks are fighting for the best projects in the government's stimulus package," said Ha Jiming, chief economist of China International Capital Corp. "It's not surprising to see that an array of the deals were sealed in the past month."     "The massive lending growth minimizes the need to further cut interest rates heftily," said Lian Ping, chief economist with Bank of Communications. "The liquidity problem should ease with such a growth."     The central bank has cut the benchmark lending rate by 2.16 percentage points in the past four months and reduced the deposit reserve requirement ratio in order to ensure there's enough liquidity in the market to boost the economy.     The growth in lending could also prove to be a blessing for cash-strapped domestic enterprises trying to stay afloat amid shrinking overseas demand and waning consumer confidence.     Central bank figures show bill financing, which supplies working capital, accounted for 39 percent of the new loans.     Medium and long-term corporate loans made up 32 percent.     "It (growth) reduces the default risks of domestic firms, which in turn eases worries over bank asset quality at least in the short term," said Sun Mingchun, an economist with Nomura International.     The economists said the dramatic rise in lending could be partly attributed to pent-up demand for loans last year.     The central bank had imposed a curb on lending till November last year to combat inflation and prevent the economy from overheating.     That left "many firms, especially small- and medium-sized ones, facing a severe cash flow problem", Sun said.     Policymakers lifted the curb in November and raised the target for M2 growth to 17 percent for 2009, up from 16 percent that had been in practice since 2006.     The move is expected to ensure there's enough liquidity in the market to spur investment and boost the economy, whose growth dropped to a seven-year low of 6.8 percent in the fourth quarter last year.     "Credit expansion in the first quarter of this year is expected to be very high because banks can maximize investment returns by front-loading new loans," said Jing Ulrich, managing director and chairwoman of China Equities at JP Morgan.     But Ulrich cautioned against a possible rise in credit risk because the increase in liquidity could cause a sharp rise in banks' non-performing loans.

HONG KONG, April 12 (Xinhua) -- About 400 enterprises in the Chinese mainland had been selected to participate in the Renminbi cross-border trade settlement pilot program, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of Hong Kong Julia Leung said here Saturday.     Speaking on a radio talk show here Saturday, Leung said enterprises in Hong Kong would soon be able to settle trades in Renminbi through the banks with the selected companies in the Chinese mainland.     Noting the program can reduce the risks and cost arising from fluctuations in exchange rates, she said Hong Kong banks could expand extensively their Renminbi services from individual clients to enterprises.     When asked whether the scheme includes trade financing, Leung said authorities in the Chinese mainland would announce the details soon.     "The Monetary Authority has made full preparation for the program including conducting tests on the Renminbi clearing system," Leung noted, adding that "the system can start operation once the Chinese mainland comes up with the operational details."     When asked whether the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government would change Hong Kong's linked exchange rate with the U.S. dollar, the under secretary said the system had been working effectively and the HKSAR government had no plan to change it.