Cross-strait ties: Spokesman urges observance of '1992 Consensus'

The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council say it sincerely hopes cross-strait relations can move forward on the basis of the "1992 Consensus".

Spokesman Ma Xiaoguang said the mainland and Taiwan can interact with each other in a positive way on such a basis.

His remarks came in advance of Tsai Ing-wen, the chairwoman of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party, becoming leader of the island on May the 20th, when she will also deliver her inauguration speech.

The spokesman said that whoever changes the current cross-strait situation should take responsibility for the subsequent deadlock or crisis that results.

"The two sides could communicate positively and constantly push forward the cross-strait ties if Taiwan acknowledges the historical facts of the '1992 Consensus' and agrees with its core connotations," said Ma.

"Our demand is reasonable, as we didn't put forward higher demands than that of 2008 for Taiwan's new candidates."

"For some time, it has become clear who is striving to maintain the cross-strait common political foundation, and keep bilateral peace and development, and who is breaking the political foundation and changing the current situation. It is not wise for some people to encourage the latter." 

Death toll rises to 34 in E China landslide, 4 missing

Following Sunday’s deadly landslide in Taining County in eastern province Fujian, the search continues for four people still missing. Thirty-four bodies have been found. More than a dozen were rescued, with three in intensive care. The landslide was triggered by days of heavy rain, and it hit a hydro-power station which was still under construction.

Rescuers carry a body of victim at the landslide site in Taining County, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 9, 2016. The death toll has risen to 34 with four people still missing after a landslide in Taining County in east China's Fujian Province on Sunday, local authorities said Monday night.(Xinhua/Zhang Guojun)

After days on end of heavy rain, devastation came to the the mountainous county of Taining. At about 5 a.m, 100,000 cubic meters of mud and rocks came hurtling down, burying the living quarters at a power plant construction site. Most workers were sound asleep.

What used to be a road is now covered with huge boulders. Suddenly, an alarm sounded, all personnel had to evacuate for the time being, fearing another landslide.

Another urgent task is to clear the roads leading to the site so that more help can come.

“Once this road is cleared, it becomes an vital pathway for saving lives. It also allows heavy machinery to pass through,” said Fan Jiaqin, chief of Taining Transport Bureau, said.

More than 600 rescuers, dozens of excavators are on site, working against intermittent rainfalls, mud and debris.

Both President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have ordered rescuers to do everything in their power. A work team led by the State Council was sent to Fujian to oversee and help

Premier stresses employment as China's economy slows

BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang urged for more efforts to support employment to guard against large-scale unemployment on Friday.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security in Beijing, capital of China, May 6, 2016. Li Keqiang inspected the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on May 6, urging for more efforts to support employment to guard against large-scale unemployment. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

China should shift to growth propelled more by skilled workers and innovation and continue with proactive policies to create jobs, Li said at a symposium held during his visit to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
To boost employment, measures should be taken to stabilize growth, restructure the economy and deepen reforms, he told officials.
"The economy still faces great downward pressure and our pro-growth measures should target increasing employment and incomes," the premier said.
Due to weak property sector and foreign trade, China's economy expanded 6.7 percent year on year in the first quarter, the weakest growth since 2009.
As authorities reduce capacity in some industries, they should help workers find new jobs through entrepreneurship, fiscal support, training and social security, Li said.
"We should help regions facing economic difficulties solve their problems and prevent large-scale unemployment," he told the symposium.
For those having trouble finding jobs, at least one member of each family should be employed as long as he or she is capable of working, the premier said.
Despite a downshifting economy, China has created more than 13 million new jobs in cities in each of the past three years. However, the country is in a critical transition from old growth drivers to new ones, while there remain structural problems in the job market, he noted.
More than 7.6 million college graduates, a record high, will enter the job market this year, and more jobs for young, educated people should be created, Li urged.
That can be done by developing a new economy that features new technologies and business models, promoting mass entrepreneurship, and boosting the service sector, he said.
Li also called for stronger support for migrant workers and told officials to collect accurate job data to assist policy making.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (2nd R rear) presides over a symposium on employment during his visit to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security in Beijing, capital of China, May 6, 2016. Li Keqiang inspected the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on May 6, urging for more efforts to support employment to guard against large-scale unemployment. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (5th R) visits the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security in Beijing, capital of China, May 6, 2016. Li Keqiang inspected the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on May 6, urging for more efforts to support employment to guard against large-scale unemployment. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (3rd R) visits the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security in Beijing, capital of China, May 6, 2016. Li Keqiang inspected the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on May 6, urging for more efforts to support employment to guard against large-scale unemployment. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (2nd L) visits the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security in Beijing, capital of China, May 6, 2016. Li Keqiang inspected the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on May 6, urging for more efforts to support employment to guard against large-scale unemployment. (Xinhua/Li Tao

Peking-Opera maestro Mei Baojiu's funeral held in Beijing

 Peking Opera Master Mei Baojiu Passes Away

Today, Beijing officially bids farewell to Peking-Opera legend Mei Baojiu, son of the renowned Mei Lanfang. Though his voice is silent now on earth, his legacy lives on in the hearts of opera acolytes. We meet some of them now at Mei's funeral at Babaoshan in west Beijing.

Today, Beijing officially bids farewell to Peking-Opera legend Mei Baojiu, son of the renowned Mei Lanfang. Though his voice is silent now on earth, his legacy lives on in the hearts of opera acolytes. We meet some of them now at Mei's funeral at Babaoshan in west Beijing.

Mei's wife Lin Liyuan was there, along with other family members, fans, and disciples of the beloved maestro, as the nation mourned the loss of a great artist.
"Mr. Mei had kept in good health. His heart and blood pressure were steady. However, he had asthma from overworking at a young age. This time, he didn't recover from it and passed away following a bronchial spasm. My teacher always had a humble approach, and he seldom said no to others' requests," said Zhang Jing, Mei Baojiu's apprentice, Peking Opera performer.
Barely a month ago, Mei Baojiu was celebrating his 82nd birthday with students at the Beijing International Studies School. He was in high spirits, but the very next day, he slipped into a coma and never woke up.
Born on March the 29th, 1934 in Shanghai, Mei Baojiu was the ninth child and successor of Mei Lanfang, one of the most respected Chinese artists of the 20th century and creator of the "Mei School" of Peking Opera.

Today, Beijing officially bids farewell to Peking-Opera legend Mei Baojiu, son of the renowned Mei Lanfang. Though his voice is silent now on earth, his legacy lives on in the hearts of opera acolytes. We meet some of them now at Mei's funeral at Babaoshan in west Beijing.