新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 08:00 2014/07/22

The Beijing Hour
 
Morning Edition
 
 
It's Paul James with you on this Tuesday, July 22, 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this morning...
Chinese President Xi Jinping has overseen the signing of a number of agreements with Venezuela as part of his time there.
Another Typhoon is headed toward China as the cleanup continues following last week's storm in southern China.
New calls are being put out by the international community for a ceasefire in Gaza.
In Business.... a nation-wide recall of tainted meat products is underway.
In Sports... NBA star LeBron James is on a tour of China.
In Entertainment... Alibaba now poised to begin working with acclaimed Chinese director Wong Kar-wai.
First, let's check in with what's happening with the weather....
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be cloudy today with a high of 31 degree Celsius.
Overnight temperatures should drop down to around 23.
Shanghai will be cloudy during the daytime with a high of 35.
Overnight, it will be cloudy with a low of 27.
In Chongqing, it will be sunny with a high of 38.
Overnight lows are expected to be around 28.
Elsewhere in the world, staying here in Asia.
Islamabad will be cloudy with a high of 38.
Kabul will be sunny with a high of 34.
Over to North America.
New York will be cloudy today with a high of 30 degrees.
Washington will be cloudy with a high of 31 degrees.
Honolulu, overcast, 28.
Toronto, Canada, will see slight rain with a high of 30 degrees.
Finally, on to South America,
Buenos Aires will be overcast with a high of 14.
And Rio de Janeiro will be sunny with a high of 24 degrees Celsius.
 
 
Top News
 
 
China, Venezuela sign agreements to expand cooperation
 
Venezuela and China have signed a raft of new bilateral agreements as the two countries attempt to broaden their cooperation.
The signing of the agreements has been overseen by visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro.
"China has full confidence in the development of our bilateral ties. We're willing to make efforts, along with Venezuela, to always be friends, to have mutual trust and be excellent partners of mutual cooperation to move our relationship ahead constantly."
The two sides have signed nearly 40 new agreements in the areas including technology and innovation, oil and mining, finance, land transportation, infrastructure and agriculture.
Xi Jinping also says China stands ready to expand satellite technology transfers to Venezuela.
He's also calling on Chinese companies to help build Venezuela's special economic zones.
For his part, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says political contacts between the two sides remains solid.
"Today, we've decided to elevate that path to a higher level and declare a comprehensive strategic association between China and Venezuela. So, as of today, we begin to construct a comprehensive alliance."
The Chinese president also visited the tomb of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and laid a wreath at the tomb of the South America Liberator Simon Bolivar.
Xi Jinping was conferred the "liberator medal" by his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro, who praised the Chinese president for his contributions to promoting bilateral ties and maintaining world peace and development.
Xi Jinping also met with National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello
The Chinese president is in Caracas for the third leg of his tour of Latin America, which will also take him to Cuba.
 
 
China, Venezuela see a brighter future
 
Anchor
Observers from both China and Venezuela are suggesting there is more room on both sides to expand cooperation.
CRI's Xie Zhao has more.
Reporter
Zhao Rongxian, Chinese ambassador to Venezuela, says the two sides have shared in some fruitful projects.
"Regarding the high-tech sector, we have jointly launched two satellites. We have seen vehicles made in China running on roads in Venezuela. China is also helping Venezuela build railways and houses. At the same time, Venezuela's oil imports are a key component in China's energy sector."
Last year saw some 19 billion U.S. dollars in investments between China and Venezuela, in areas including agriculture, infrastructure, high-tech, and oil.
During Xi Jinping's visit this time, more deals are expected to be inked in those areas, with others signed in the finance sector.
Ernesto Wong, a professor from the Bolivarian Military University of Venezuela, says he thinks Venezuela has a lot to learn from China, especially in sustainable development and clean energy.
"Speaking of the sustainable development in Venezuela, China has many experiences to share. We have seen China has achieved progress in eco-development, particularly in clean energies like wind power. Cooperating with China will really help Venezuela's development."
Wong adds bilateral cooperation is not only economic but also highly relevant to people's livelihoods.
Wong also forecasts the cooperation between the two sides will have a very promising future.
"The Chinese President's visit will further boost trade between China and Venezuela. In my opinion, a further step would be the founding of joint venture companies. Venezuela should release policies to facilitate Chinese investment in our markets. This is very important and a pre-condition of cooperation with China. "
The professor notes that China has provided training for staff members in Venezuela who work on satellite projects.
He also emphasizes the need for more cultural exchanges between China and Venezuela, saying the relationship between the countries will grow faster if people on each side have a better understanding of one another.
For CRI, This is Xie Zhao.
 
 
Death toll in SW China mudslides rises to 14
 
The death toll from a pair of mudslides in Yunnan has risen to 14.
11 others are still listed as missing.
The provincial government says a mudslide in a village early Monday morning killed 13.
As of midnight last night, seven are still missing.
Zhang Guojun is a local police officer.
"July and August are the rain season in Dehong. Continuous rainfall has loosened the soil, resulting in the mudslide. Until now, all the villagers have been relocated to safe areas. We've been searching from house to house since 8 in the morning."
The surviving villagers have been resettled at the village school.
The 7 injured are being treated at the town's clinic.
Another mudslide in Yuanjiang County has killed one villager.
Rescuers are still searching for the four buried under the debris.
 
 
Typhoon Rammasun death toll hits 33 in China,
 
Anchor
Another tropical storm is making its way toward China, while at the same time, relief efforts are underway after Typhoon Rammasun wreaked havoc in southern China and killed more than 30.
CRI's Luo Bin has more.
Reporter
Rammasun, the strongest typhoon to hit southern China in some four decades, brought gales, downpours and flooding to a number of southern provinces, affecting more than 8 million people in Hainan, Guangdong, Yunnan and Guangxi.
The central government has allocated 700 million for disaster relief.
Hainan, where Rammasun first made landfall on Friday, suffered the worst of the damage.
Over 600-thousand people on the island have been resettled and over 240-thousand others are in urgent need of basic necessities.
The provincial government has already set aside 100 million yuan in a relief fund.
Hainan governor Jiang Dingzhi.
"It has been four days since the disaster, and in some affected areas, residents have not been resettled yet, and they are still short of relief supplies. We have to make sure the power supplies in these cities and counties would resume before Thursday."
The disaster has also increased food prices in Hainan.
Prices of vegetables have increased by around 30 percent, while the cost of certain meat items has more than doubled.
At the same time, the local government in Guangxi is also working with the Chinese Red Cross to ferry relief supplies to areas of that region feeling the impact of Rammasun.
Liang Zongyong is a regional government official in Guangxi.
"In the wake of the disaster we have been trying to organize assistance to local farmers and help them repair their ponds and crops. We have also distributed fish fry, and are providing technical support to help the local aquiculture industry resume production."
As the clean-up from Rammasun takes place, another dangerous storm is also tracking toward China.
Typhoon Matmo is currently swirling just south of Taiwan.
It's forecast to hit the northern tip of the island in the next 24-hours.
Matmo is currently packing winds of 130-kilometers per hour, and is tracking directly toward Taipei.
After that, the typhoon is forecast to make landfall on the mainland sometime early Thursday, and is expected to roll into Anhui and Hubei before eventually burning out by the weekend.
For CRI, this is Luo Bin.
 
 
International Community Urges Ceasefire in Gaza amid Continuing Tension
 
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has been holding a series of meetings in the Middle East in an attempt to try to gather support for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Ban Ki-moon has re-issued a call for a ceasefire while meeting with Egypt's Foreign Minister in Cairo.
"The violence must stop. It must stop now. All sides must provide necessary space to aid the victims, assist the wounded, and extend the relief to trapped civilians. These immediate steps should open the door to a more prominent ceasefire."
The UN Security Council is also demanding an immediate end to the fighting in the Gaza Strip.
However, no Security Council resolution has been discussed, as the UN is still supporting attempts by Egypt to broker a ceasefire.
The Egyptian proposal calls for an unconditional ceasefire and negotiation of a new border deal to ease the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
Israel has been restricting supplies into Gaza since Hamas took control of the region in 2007.
Hamas has already rejected the Egyptian proposal, and is looking toward Qatar and Turkey for alternative plans.
The current Egyptian government has accused Hamas of trying to destabilize Egypt.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has also arrived in Cairo.
The Chinese government, including President Xi Jinping, is also expressing concerns about the escalating conflict.
China's special envoy for the Middle East, Wu Sike, is currently in Jordan for talks about the Gaza conflict.
"China believes that military action cannot solve the problems in Palestine and the region. We have been affirming that political discussions are the best way out of the current situation. I think Egypt's plan is in line with our stance."
So far over 500 Palestinians and over 20 Israelis have been killed since Operation Protective Edge was launched two weeks ago.
The growing number of Israeli casualties have come following the launch of a ground offensive by the Israeli military into Gaza the past few days.
 
 
UN demands full access to crash site
 
Anchor
The UN Security Council has adopted a new resolution, demanding access to the crash site of a passenger plane reportedly shot down over eastern Ukraine.
At the same time, Russia is challenging accusations of its complicity in the tragedy.
CRI's Qi Zhi has more.
Reporter
In the resolution adopted unanimously, the UN Security Council is strongly condemning the downing of the Malaysian passenger jet.
The resolution also demands safe and unrestricted access to the crash site, as well as a full, thorough and independent international investigation.
The resolution was put forward by Australia, which lost 27 of its nationals in the crash.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
"It demands that safe and secure, full and unrestricted access to the crash site be provided so the investigating authorities can carry out their work. It is despicable that this access is not being provided. It is an affront to the victims and their families. All states, armed groups, everyone must cooperate with the investigation."
The Security Council is also demanding those responsible for the tragedy be held to account and that all states cooperate fully with the efforts to establish accountability.
Speaking at the UN session, China's UN ambassador, Liu Jieyi, says China supports an independent, impartial and objective investigation into the incident, adding that the International Civil Aviation Organization should "play a crucial role".
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian rebels have handed over the two black boxes of the downed plane to a Malaysian team in Donetsk.
Malaysian officials say the devices are in good condition.
It's part of a deal reached between Malaysia and the rebels who control the crash site.
Under the agreement, the remains of around 280 people will be moved by train to Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine.
From there, they will be flown to Amsterdam on a military transport plane and be handed over to Dutch authorities.
The rebels have also promised safe access to the crash site.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
"I ask that all parties continue to work together to ensure that this agreement is honored and the remains of our people are returned, that the black box is handed over, and that the international team is guaranteed full access to the site. Only then can the investigation into MH17 truly begin; only then can the victims be afforded the respect they deserve."
Several nations, including the US and the UK, have been accusing the Ukrainian separatists of shooting down the plane with a weapons system provided by Russia.
Moscow has denied this, with Russia's Defense Ministry saying it has not supplied the Ukrainian rebels with the Buk anti-aircraft missile system, which is being pointed to as the likely weapon which could have brought the jet down.
The Russian side also contends a Ukrainian SU-25 fighter jet was flying within firing range of the airliner just before it came down.
Moscow is also challenging the United States to produce any satellite images it may have to support its assertions that there was a missile launch from the ground.
For CRI, I'm Qi Zhi.
 
 
China to help Afghanistan develop through commercial cooperation: Chinese envoy
 
The Chinese government is promising more help in rebuilding Afghanistan through more commerical cooperation.
The pledge has been made by Sun Yuxi, China's newly-appointed special envoy for Afghan affairs.
"In the future, our aid to Afghanistan will be split into two parts - one for the government, and the other for competitive enterprises. We will conduct commercial ventures to help them develop."
Chinese commercial cooperation with Afghanistan will focus mostly on infrastructure construction, environmental protection and helping improve people's livelihoods.
The new pledge of assistance comes amid the lingering dispute over the Afghan president election.
Sun Yuxi says its China's hope the political dispute will be settled as quickly as possible, and that everyone in Afghanistan will get behind whomever emerges as the new President.
 
 
EU official pledges $43m towards fight against drug trafficking
 
The EU is putting out 32 million euros toward an anti-drug trafficking programme in Peru.
The funding has been announced by Andris Piebalgs, the EU's Commissioner for Development during a visit to the South American country.
"Today we have a signing of an eight million euro budget support disbursement, which means that we fully support the Peruvian programme and also macro-economic framework, and support to the programme passes through Peruvian institutions."
Piebalgs has signed off the first tranche of the funding worth 8-million euros in Lima.
The UN has announced in June that Peru's efforts to eradicate coca, the raw material for cocaine, cut the area under cultivation by 17.5 percent last year.
Peruvian foreign minister Gonzalo Gutierrez.
"Our European partners have committed to an important donation of 32.2 million euros, with an objective of sustainable reduction of the illegal production, trafficking and consumption of drugs in Peru, and promote alternative development."
Peru remains the world's largest coca-cultivating country, having displaced Colombia from the top-spot in 2012.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Anchor
First off, a check on the closing numbers in the U.S and Europe.
Joining me on the desk, CRI's Su Yi.
Reporter
U.S. markets slipped on Monday as investors remain cautious about instability in both Ukraine and Gaza.
The S&P 500 fell as much as 0.6 percent in intraday trading, though it recovered most of those losses and closed right above its 14-day moving average, suggesting buyers were using the weakness to come back into the market.
The Dow shed around a third of a percent while the Nasdaq dropped just under a fraction of a percent.
On the corporate front, McDonald's shares slid 1.5 percent and Yum dumped over 4-percent as the fast-food chains face a new food safety scare here in China.
We'll have more on that in just a moment.
Shares of American firms Netflix and Chipotle finished in the green due to better-than-expected second quarter performances.
Meantime, markets in major European centers also closed lower.
Germany's DAX lost over 1 percent.
France's CAC 40 shed nearly three quarters of a percent, while the FTSE in London gave up around a third of a percent.
 
 
China's meat scandal probe expands nationwide
 
Anchor
China's food quality watchdog has launched a nationwide investigation into a meat scandal involving a supplier of several fast food chains.
CRI's Su Yi has more.
Reporter
The State Food and Drug Administration is asking local authorities in the provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Guangdong and Yunnan to investigate all the food factories with investments by U.S. food supplier OSI Group.
Local media reports are alleging one of its units, Shanghai Husi Foods, reprocessed and supplied expired meat products to a number of fast-food chains, including McDonalds, KFC and Pizza Hut.
The Shanghai municipal government has already suspended the operations of Husi.
The Guangdong branch of Yum, the parent company of Pizza Hut and KFC, has sealed-up some 13-thousand kilograms of meat supplies from Husi, and has told all its Pizza Hut outlets in the province to seal up its meat supplies from the company.
OSI has close to 60 processing facilities worldwide, with revenues of more than 5 billion US dollars in 2012.
The company has been supplying McDonald's in China since 1992 and Yum since 2008.
Both Yum and McDonald's have issued an apology, saying they have stopped using the supplier and have switched to alternative sources.
For CRI, I'm Su Yi.
 
 
RMB to be third largest currency by 2020: report
 
Anchor
A new report is suggesting the Chinese currency, the renminbi, is set to become the world's third most used currency by 2020, behind only the US dollar and the euro.
The analysis by the International Monetary Institute at Beijing-based Renmin University and China's Bank of Communications suggests this is going to be achieved through more cross-border trade settlement and direct investment using the renminbi.
Last year, cross-border RMB settlements surpassed 4.5 trillion yuan, or nearly 760 billion U.S. dollars.
This is an annual increase of nearly 60-percent.
Direct investment using the renminbi last year surpassed 530-billion yuan, which is up 90 percent year on year.
For more on the internationalization of RMB, we are joined live on the line by Gao Shang, analyst with Guangtong Futures.
talking points
1,
Do you agree that RMB is set to become the global third largest currency by 2020?
2,
And what are main factors to hamper the progress of the internationalization of RMB?
3,
What sort of programs will the government use to speed up the internationalization? (re: currency swaps, etc)
Back Anchor:
That was Gao Shang, analyst with Guangtong Futures.
 
 
Mobile phones become the most used Internet devices
 
A new industry report shows that, for the first time, mobile phones have become the most used internet device in China.
Analysis compiled by the China Internet Network Information Center shows that as of the end of June, the number of mobile internet users has come in at nearly 530 million.
Liu Bing, deputy director of the center, says a surge in mobile payments is leading the drive.
"Over 200 million Chinese use mobile phones to pay their bills, up 63.4 percent in the first six months. Utilization rate of online payments among all Chinese mobile phone users increased from 25.1 percent by the end of last year to 38.9 percent. It's the fastest growing internet function."
The new study also shows people in China are spending more time on the internet, with the weekly average now sitting at just under 26-hours.
The figure was 25 hours in the second half of last year.
 
 
China Mobile to build 500,000 4G base stations
 
China's largest telecom company, China Mobile, says it is planning to build at least 500-thousand 4G base stations this year.
The company is also planning to open up 4G international roaming services in another 50 countries or regions to meet the demand of Chinese tourists.
The announcement comes as the company tries to address complaints over high prices and the sometimes poor service of its 4G network.
China Mobile added 5.8 million 4G users in June, bringing its total up to 13 million.
 
 
China's Huawei reports 19% jump in sales
 
Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei is reporting a 19-percent jump in sales through the first half of the year.
The company says it expects to make an operating profit margin of over 18 percent for the period.
Huawei has traditionally concentrated on making telecom equipment, but has begun diversifying into other fast-growing sectors, including smartphone manufacturing.
 
 
Netflix profit more than doubles
 
Movie and TV streaming company Netflix is reporting its profits have more than doubled to some 70 million US dollars through the second quarter.
Netflix is attributing the rise to the addition of over a million customers during the period.
Netflix has also revealed in its quarterly shareholder letter that its revenues hit nearly 1.3 billion dollars in the second quarter.
The company has risen to prominence as a premier online video content provider in the US.
However, its also branched out into producing its own programming, including a number of award-winning shows.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
China, Venezuela sign agreements to expand cooperation
 
Venezuela and China have signed a raft of new bilateral agreements as the two countries attempt to broaden their cooperation.
The signing of the agreements has been overseen by visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro.
The two sides have signed nearly 40 new agreements in the areas including technology and innovation, oil and mining, finance, land transportation, infrastructure and agriculture.
Xi Jinping also says China stands ready to expand satellite technology transfers to Venezuela.
For his part, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says political contacts between the two sides remains solid.
The Chinese president is in Caracas for the third leg of his tour of Latin America, which will also take him to Cuba.
 
 
Typhoon Matmo to hit Taiwan; Rammasun death toll rises
 
Another powerful tropical storm is approaching China.
Typhoon Matmo is currently tracking northwest toward the northern tip of Taiwan.
The storm, which is currently packing winds of 130-kilometers per hour, is tracking directly toward Taipei, and is expected to hit the island sometime in the next 24-hours.
Meanwhile, the death toll from Typhoon Rammasun, described as one of the strongest storms to hit southern China in decades, has risen to 33.
A number of new deaths are being reported in Yunnan in connection with the storm.
 
 
China's meat scandal probe expands nationwide
 
China's food quality watchdog has launched a nationwide investigation into a meat scandal involving a supplier of several fast food chains.
The State Food and Drug Administration is asking local authorities in the provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Guangdong and Yunnan to investigate all the food factories with investments by U.S. food supplier OSI Group.
One of OSI's units, Shanghai Husi Foods, has allegedly reprocessed and supplied expired meat products to a number of fast-food chains, including McDonalds, KFC and Pizza Hut.
The Shanghai municipal government has already suspended the operations of Husi.
Both Yum and McDonald's have issued an apology, saying they have stopped using the supplier and have switched to alternative sources.
 
 
UN condemns MH17 downing, demanding access to crash site
 
Rebels in eastern Ukraine have handed over two flight-data recorders from the downed MH17 plane to Malaysian experts.
Malaysian officials say the devices are in good condition.
The handover came hours after the UN Security Council voted unanimously to demand immediate international access to the crash site.
Speaking at the UN session, China's UN ambassador, Liu Jieyi, says China supports an independent, impartial and objective investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile in Ukraine, the rebels have agreed that the remains of around 280 people will be moved by train to Kharkiv in the northeast and then flown to Amsterdam.
 
 
4 Kazak citizens convicted for terrorist activities
 
The courts in southern Kazakhstan have sentenced four men to prison connected to terrorist activities.
The men have been convicted of organizing a terrorist group which is said to have taken part in terrorist propaganda activities for over 2-years leading up to their arrest in November.
The group has also been convicted of taking part in terrorist acts in Syria.
The sentences for the men range from 5 to 9-years in prison.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
Beijing Morning Post
Headline
"western fast food" gains a bad reputation
Summary
The article is suggesting using expired or rotten material to process food is becoming an "unwritten rule" in the Chinese food market.
However, the exposure of Shanghai Husi's delivery of expired meat products to McDonald and KFC, has dented the image of "western fast food" being safe in Chinese customers' minds.
Beijing Times
Headline
Rotten cakes found among aid resource
Summary
The Chinese Red Cross is coming under fire after rotten and moldy cakes were found among aide supplies being sent to typhoon battered parts of southern China.
The local civil affairs authorities have launched an investigation.
Beijing Business Today
Headline
Should transportation price reforms continue?
Summary
A new survey by Beijing's Municipal Development and Reform Commission has found most people think public transportation is a public welfare service which should be subsidized by the government.
But at the same time, the MDRC contends it's still necessary to set up a reasonable pricing system while maintaining the service for the public.
Beijing News
Headline
Better inspection on medication price
Summary
In response to inflated drug prices and commission issues brought by the low medical service charges, the director of National Health and Family Planning has announced authorities are going to continue to lower the cost of medication and conduct random inspections on excessive prescriptions.
Shanghai Daily
Headline
Managers help with bus checks
Summary
A Shanghai bus company is sending managers and dispatchers to help with security checks on its vehicles, following a spate of arson attacks on Chinese buses.
Security has been beefed up following recent arson attacks on public buses in Hangzhou, Changsha and Guangzhou.
China Daily
Headline
Syndrome killing young workers in 'world's factory'
Summary
The report in the paper suggests around 700 young workers in Dongguan, a major production base in Guangdong, have died in their sleep in the past decade.
Most were between the ages of 21 and 40.
According to a study of Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome, more than 90 percent of the victims were production line workers, with males accounting for 93 percent of those who died.
Global times
Headline
Nursing beds near 5 million
Summary
The ministry of Civil Affairs is reporting there are now some 4.94 million beds for seniors in nursing homes across the country.
This is up nearly 20 percent from 2012's figures.
However, the same analysis shows there are only 25 beds for every one-thousand senior citizens in China.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
Companies set up charging piles network to boost electric cars market
 
Anchor
A growing number of Chinese companies are moving to take advantage of the government's push to promote electric vehicles by tapping into the growing need for charging stations in this country's large cities.
CRI's Tu Yun has more.
Reporter
More than 4-thousand electric buses and 800 electric taxis are currently on the roads in the southern city of Shenzhen.
To keep them rolling, charging stations need to be set up to ensure a solid electricity supply.
China Potevio New Energy has already established over 900 charging piles to meet the demand in Shenzhen.
Company vice-General Manager Jiang Jianping says the company also boasts the world's largest battery charging and replacement network.
"There are several mechanisms under this network that can ensure the safety. First of all we have an online supervision system, which can oversee the condition of a battery while it is charged or used. If anything abnormal happens while being charged, there will be a real-time alarm, and we can locate the charger and the car according to a special code, then we can send our technicians to the site."
The company's online center also monitors the conditon of every charging pile and battery of every electric car in the city.
There were around 26-thousand new energy cars sold in China last year.
Industry observers expect that number could rise to some 150-thousand this year.
As a result, cities like Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai, are now working closely with local companies to try to accelerate infrastructure construction.
Authorities in Beijing have announced plans to build 10-thousand charging stations in the city over the next 3-years.
Potevio's Jiang Jianping says the charging stations need to be professionally installed.
"The charging service should be carried out by professional operators, because given the living style in China, it is not possible for most of us to install the charging piles, so there should be some professionals providing fast and public service in this sector, and that is what we are doing now."
As for the drivers of electric vehicles, what they care about is more practical.
"I want them to make some improvements. First of all, the time for charging should be shortened. And secondly, the cars need to be able to travel longer distances once they are fully charged."
The Chinese government has announced a new series of subsidies for new energy cars.
A 10-percent purchase tax for new energy vehicles is being eliminated from September 1 to the end of 2017.
Local governments are also being encouraged to build charging stations and other needed infrastructure to provide support for new-energy vehicles.
For CRI, I'm Tu Yun.
 
 
Sports
 
 
England's Gerrard Retires from International Football
 
In European football news,
England captain Steven Gerrard has announced his retirement from international football.
Gerrard admits the decision wasn't easy.
"It was a very difficult decision to make. It's something that I've been contemplating for a long time - not just since the end of the World Cup. It's a decision that I took very serious, it's swung both ways at times, I've had to take an awful lot of advice from people who are close to me, players who I still play with, ex-players who I played with a long time ago."
England's World Cup campaign in Brazil ended in disappointment with just one point from three games.
But Gerrard insists that England's poor performance had no influence over his decision to retire.
"I haven't made my decision on the back of the World Cup, I've made my decision on my age, on my body, on being fair to Liverpool Football Club, being respectful for them, especially with having the Champions League back - that was a huge factor. To ask my body now, the way it is and what it's been through, to play international football and domestic football was too much of an ask."
Gerrard does say he plans to continue his association with England's Football Association in a "high profile" ambassadorial role within the organisation.
Gerrard made his debut for England in 2000 in a 2-nil win over Ukraine.
He captained England in 38 matches, including both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, as well as the Euro 2012 tournament.
 
 
Rodriguez Goal Crowned as World Cup Best Goal
 
Columbian striker James Rodriguez's amazing strike against Uruguay has been crowned the best goal of the World Cup.
In a FIFA.com poll, more than four million voters picked Rodriguez's goal as the goal of the tournament.
Rodriguez collected a ball on the edge of the penalty area with his back to the Uruguay goal.
He then chested the ball over his head, turned and fired the volley into the goal via the underside of the crossbar.
Rodriguez won the Golden Boot for the top scorer with his six goals during the tournament.
Meantime, speculation is also mounting that he will soon be unveiled as Real Madrid's latest signing.
It's being reported that Real has agreed a deal worth around 110-million dollars with Rodriguez's French club Monaco.
Speculation is he'll unveiled as Real's new signing later on this Tuesday.
 
 
Valencia Cancel Costa Contract
 
Valencia has announced it has released Portugese defender Ricardo Costa a year before the end of his contract.
Costa has been with Valencia since 2010.
The agreement will allow Costa to find a new club with a free transfer.
Costa rose to prominence with FC Porto, where he won the Champions League in 2004.
 
 
Troicki Wins Match at Swiss Open after 1-Year Ban
 
In tennis,
Serbian tennis player Viktor Troicki has returned from a one-year ban for a doping violation with victory in the first round of the ATP's Swiss Open.
Troicki upset eighth-seeded Dominic Thiem of Austria 7-6, 6-4 to advance to the second round.
He will next face Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan who rallied to beat qualifier Inigo Cervantes of Spain 3-6, 6-3, 7-6.
Fifth-seeded Federico Delbonis of Argentina is also through after dumping Dustin Brown of Germany 6-3, 6-3.
And it was Juan Monaco edging Victor Hanescu of Romania, the 2008 champion of the tournament, 6-4, 7-5.
 
 
LeBron Kicks off China Tour
 
LeBron James is now here in China on a promotional tour.
This is LeBron's first trip back here to China since the Olympics.
It's also his first overseas trip since announcing his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers from the Miami Heat.
Speaking to the crowds at Beijing's Wukesong Sports Center, the venue for the 2008 Olympic basketball event, LeBron says he has certainly noticed the growing popularity of basketball here in China.
"Every time I come here, the game of basketball grows more and more every time and, you know, from the locals here to play the game, as well as all the NBA players try to continue to inspire the kids. It's been great all the way from before I came, to 2008 Beijing Olympics and all the way now for me to come back in 2014. The game continues rise and I think that's amazing."
LeBron also met with young Chinese pianist Lang Lang. The pair exchanged gifts and played the piano together.
LeBron James' 5-day trip here to China will include stops in Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung and Taipei.
 
 
Interview with Ji Cheng, First Chinese Rider in Tour de France
 
In cycling,
After the rest day on Monday, riders will embark on the 16th stage of the Tour de France later this Tuesday.
While most eyes are on the leaders of the pack, there is one rider that has caught Chinese fans attention.
Cheng Ji is the first Chinese rider take part in the Tour de France.
He is part of Giant-Shimano's sprint squad.
In an exclusive interview with CRI, Cheng Ji explains his reputation as "the Breakway Killer" on the team.
"Actually, in these few years we have grown up to a really good team, a sprinter team. I think we are already best team of the world for the sprinter team. Of course they know to work on that for killing breakaway, sometimes we have to work with other sprinter teams. Sometimes we have to do it on our own. But It doesn't matter because it's my job to do my best to help my teammates. It's part of my job."
Cheng Ji also says this year's race has had some dangerous spots.
"On the fifth stage we control pretty much easy in a group. But the race still has more than 100 km to go. They are all riding ahead. I ride by those who control the group. I rode 45. Probably they want sitting in front they ride 47. And as I speed up to maybe 48, 49 or 50. And they also speed up because they want to stay in the front. There is one team nervous they make every team nervous. Everybody wantsto sit in a good position then for sure crashes happen. I think this is most times crashes happen. Also when ther are conditions with the rain and the road and probably with the fence standing the roads, crash happens. You can not say in one word where the crash come from, actually."
Italy's Vincenzo Nibali still holds the leaders Yellow Jersey in the race, with a lead of over 4-minutes heading into today's 16th stage.
 
 
Susan Boyle Joins Baton Relay
 
Popular British singer Susan Boyle has once again come to the spotlight.
But this time, not on the stage, but on the road for a baton relay.
The "Britain's Got Talent" star is one of the baton bearers in Glasgow, as the city counts down to the 2014 Commonwealth Game.
The British singer is also due to perform at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday evening.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Alibaba to work with Wong Kar-wai on Director's Next Films
 
Alibaba continues to make waves in China's entertainment sector.
Entertainment trade publication, Variety, is reporting that the Chinese e-commerce giant revealed it is working with renowned "Grandmasters" director Wong Kar-wai on his upcoming films.
A spokesperson for Wong confirmed the deal with Alibaba, adding that details will be announced in the near future.
The deal was revealed in a regulatory filing by Chinavision, the Hong Kong stock exchange-listed Production Company that will soon be renamed Alibaba Pictures Group, according to the publication.
However, the filing also revealed that not all things are rosy at Chinavision. The production company is warning that it has lost between 12 million U.S. dollars and about 23 million U.S. dollars in the first six months of this year, down from almost 18 million U.S. dollars in profits over the same time period last year.
Still, Chinavision issued a statement saying that Alibaba's ownership of the company will transform it from a "humble" enterprise to "part of a budding entertainment colossus."
 
 
Wang Luodan: I Identify with Role in Han Han's New Film
 
Wang Luodan says she embodies the same virtue as the character she plays in author and racecar driver Han Han's upcoming directorial debut, "The Continent."
The actress made the remark during the film's premiere on Monday.
(trailer of the Continent)
In the film, Wang plays a prostitute that services guests at a road hotel. Though she is expected to swindle the extra yuan out of her unwitting customers, she is reluctant to act dishonestly.
"The role I play in the film is a girl with a pure and honest character. She charges money for her services at a set price, never asking for more. I share that same sincerity toward people in real life."
Also in attendance at the film's Beijing premiere was director Han Han, actors Feng Shaofeng, Bolin Chen, Joe Chen and actress Yuan Quan.
"The Continent" tells the story of a group of childhood friends that go on a "somewhat reckless journey" together.
The film rolls onto mainland screens this Thursday.
 
 
'WEIRD AL' IS WOWED BY ALBUM'S SUCCESS, SAYS IT MAY BE HIS LAST
 
After more than 30 years making musical parodies "Weird Al" Yankovic may have his first no. 1 album.
The 54-year-old musician-comedian released his 14th studio album "Mandatory Fun" a week ago.
Billboard predicts it is on track to top this week's Billboard 200 chart.
Getting permission for the spoofs wasn't always easy.
Yankovic had his heart set on Pharrell Williams' "Happy" from the film "Despicable Me 2."
When he didn't hear back from Williams' camp, he decided to go straight to the source.
" I emailed him and asked if I could do the parody. And to his credit he didn't say 'How did you get this email address?' He was very sweet. He couldn't have been nicer. And he said he was honored to have me do the parody."
Yankovic says this may be his last album. Next, the artist will be heading down the independent route, releasing singles without a label.
"Mandatory Fun" also features parodies of hits like Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" and Lorde's "Royals."
 
 
ABC Denies Obama Booked for "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Segment
 
The American Broadcasting Company is denying rumors that U.S. president Barack Obama will make a guest appearance on its late-night talk show, "Jimmy Kimmel Live," during his trip this week to Los Angeles, California.
Online entertainment news outlet TMZ originally reported that the president was to make the late-night appearance this Wednesday.
A spokesman for ABC says the news was "inaccurate." Kimmel's reps also denied the news.
TMZ has since ran a correction of the original story.
President Obama is in southern California to reportedly raise money for the Democratic National Committee.
 
 
 
That’s it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has overseen the signing of a number of agreements with Venezuela as part of his time there.
Another Typhoon is headed toward China as the cleanup continues following last week's storm in southern China.
New calls are being put out by the international community for a ceasefire in Gaza.
In Business.... a nation-wide recall of tainted meat products is underway.
On behalf of the Beijing Hour staffers, this is Paul James in Beijing hoping you'll join us for our next edition of the Beijing Hour to open a window to the world together.