The Beijing Hour
Evening Edition
Rebecca Hume with you on this Tuesday, October 8th, 2013.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this evening,
APEC meeting concludes with a commitment on open trade.
China promotes free trade talks with South Korea and Australia.
British scientist Peter Higgs is announced as the winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics.
Business, Chinese yuan strengthens to new high against the US-dollar.
Sports, FIFA inspectors says Brazil World Cup preparations on schedule.
Entertainments, Chinese actress Sun Li nominated for best actress at this year's International Emmy awards.
Plus Special reports goes to the East Asian Games in Tianjin, to get the latest on Baseball..
Weather
Beijing will be clear tonight with a low of 13 degrees Celsius. Tomorrow cloudy with a high temperature of 24.
Meanwhile Shanghai will have light rain tonight, with a low of 20, overcast tomorrow, with a high of 25.
Lhasa will be clear tonight, 3 degrees the low, sunny tomorrow with a high of 19.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, sunny, with a high of 33.
Kabul, sunny, 29.
Over in Australia
Sydney, sunny, highs of 28.
Canberra, sunny, 23.
Brisbane, sunny, 26.
And finally, Perth will be rainy with a high of 18.
Top News
APEC meeting concludes with commitment of open trade
APEC leaders have concluded their annual summit on the Indonesian resort island of Bali.
The group have released a statement saying they promise to implement 'responsible' macroeconomic policies, that will help offset slowing global economic growth and weaker trade.
The two-day APEC leaders' summit meetings ended with host country Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yodhoyono reading out a statement summary on behalf of APEC members.
"Close cooperation will result in a win-win situation, especially at a time when the global economy has yet to fully recover. We reaffirm our commitment to achieving a strong, balanced, sustainable and inclusive global growth."
The statement is also throwing member countries' support behind a "multilateral trading system".
The statement has reaffirmed APEC's commitment to fighting against trade protectionism.
APEC says protectionist measures are "weakening trade and slowing down the global economic recovery".
APEC leaders have also promised to push forward global trade talks based on the mechanism of the World Trade Organization.
Xi Jinping APEC speech: prosperity means working together
Anchor:
Chinese President Xi Jinping says he is confident that China's growth will remain robust and Chinese government will deepen reform and opening-up.
Xi Jinping made the remarks while addressing the closing ceremony of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC Summit on the Indonesian resort island of Bali.
CRI's Ding Lulu has more.
Reporter:
The 21st informal economic leaders' meeting of the APEC wrapped up on this Monday.
Sustainable growth and regional cooperation topped the agenda.
Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a key-note speech at the closing ceremony.
"Chinese economy has entered a new stage of development. It is going through fundamental changes in terms of growth model and economic structure. All the pains and troubles incurred are inevitable but worthwhile. If China wants to move forward, it must deepen reform and opening-up in all respects."
Xi Jingping also noted that the world economy is still being confronted with daunting challenges before it can achieve full recovery and sound growth.
He urged the Asia-Pacific region to be courageous and determined to boost the economy and serve as an engine of economic recovery.
The Chinese President said both developed economies and developing economies are looking for a new incentive to economic development.
"Where can the impetus for growth come from? I think it can only come from reforms, re-adjustments and innovations. The APEC economies should take the initiative in promoting the establishment of an open environment, which facilitates innovation, interconnected growth and converging interests. By doing this, the region can serve as an engine for global economic recovery."
Xi Jinping highlighted China is dedicated to the establishment of a regional cooperation framework that connects countries across the Pacific Ocean and benefits all the countries of the region.
"We should bring into full play the leading role and coordination function of the APEC and hold on to the concept of openness, tolerance and mutual benefits. We should also strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination and facilitate regional free trade arrangements. Meanwhile, we should deepen the regional integration process and promote the building of closer partnership in this region for long-term development."
In his address, President Xi also said China is looking forward to building a better Asia-pacific region with the cooperation of all APEC members.
China has been a member of APEC since 1991.
The country has also become an advocate for numerous international issues, including food security and disaster prevention, among others.
Beijing is due to host the APEC economic leaders' meeting in 2014.
For CRI, Ding Lulu.
China promotes FTA talks with South Korea and Australia
Anchor
Chinese President Xi Jinping has been pushing for the forward momentum of a free-trade agreement between China and South Korea.
The comments have been made during a chat with South Korean President Park Geun-hye at the APEC conference in Bali.
At the same time, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has also set forward a new plan to finalized an FTA with China within the next 12-months.
The China-Australia Free Trade negotiations have been stalled since 2005.
For more Paul James earlier talked with Mark Hughes, Executive business editor of China Daily.
…
That was Mark Hughes, Executive business editor of China Daily, talking with Paul James.
APEC's economic future
For more on the future economic development of the Asia-Pacific region, CRI's Nathan Wakelin-king earlier spoke to Dr. Chen Gang, Research Fellow at the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore.
…
That was Dr. Chen Gang, Research Fellow at the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore, speaking with CRI's Nathan Wakelin-king.
Beijing to host 2014 APEC summit
Beijing is set to host the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
The 21-member APEC summit is slated to be held in Yanxihu Lake resort in the capital's suburb.
Zhao Huiming, is an official from the Beijing Municipal government:
"Yanxihu lake located 50 kilometers from Beijing, it is in Beijing's suburb. Most of the APEC leaders have visited Beijing before and toured around the city which is blended with historical and modern elements. But most of them haven't been to the suburb. So this time, we would like to invite the APEC leaders to take a scenic tour in the capital's suburb. "
Meanwhile, Zhao says Beijing has implemented strict measures to tackle the city's air pollution.
"Compared to when Beijing organized the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing has adopted more mature procedures and plans to tackle heavy pollution. By 2014, we will adopt concrete measures with accordance to the air quality."
Zhao also says the organizing committee has already started the preparation works, and the summit's official website has been put up online.
Typhoon Fitow kills 5 in E China
Search and recovery operations are still underway after Typhoon Fitow hit southeastern China early Monday morning leaving at least five dead.
Thousands of others are without power.
The storm has also cancelled a number of flights and scheduled train services.
Stranded residents are still being plucked from their flooded homes by boats.
Others have been helped across floodwaters with ropes.
At the same time, farmers in Zhejiang are suffering heavy crop losses, with many greenhouses ripped apart.
"More than 270-thousand young tomato plants are ruined, that's about 70 percent of its total crop."
Typhoon Fitow has also significantly damaged northern Fujian.
Meanwhile, forecasters are now predicting Super Typhoon Danas, which is swirling in the East China Sea, is tracking towards Japan.
However, the storm is still expected to bring continued rains to eastern China.
Danas is expected to cut between Japan and South Korea before finally burning out in the Sea of Japan.
Clashes as teachers continue their protest against new education bill
Clashes have broken out in the Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo following marches in support of striking teachers.
In Rio the 20-thousand strong march began peacefully, but riots broke out once the protesters reached city hall.
Police responded with tear gas to disperse the crowds.
A similar march took place in Sao Paulo ending in violence after hooder protesters began ransacking banks.
Teachers have been on strike demanding better pay for almost two months now.
Simone Matias is a public school English teacher.
"The country has the money to support or bring Olympiads and the World Cup. Where is the money for education health and everything else?"
Rio's police forces have been criticized for their forceful responses to a series of street protests which began in June.
Since then the head of the military police has replaced, but allegations of police brutality against demonstrators have persisted under his successor.
Afghan president criticizes Nato role
Afghan President Hamid Karzai is criticizing NATO for failing to bring stability to Afghanistan for over a decade.
Speaking at a news conference in Kabul, Karzai says the United States and NATO have "not respected" his country's sovereignty.
"They commit these violations against our sovereignty and they conduct air raids against our people, air raids and other attacks, in the name of the fight on terrorism and in the name of the resolutions of the United Nations. This is against our wishes, and repeatedly against our wishes. "
Karzai says NATO has incorrectly focused on Afghan villages, rather than Taliban safe-havens in Pakistan.
With six months remaining in office until a successor is elected, Karzai noted the priority for his government is to bring peace and security to Afghanistan.
He said this may even include a power-sharing deal with the Taliban.
Persistent violence has undermined Afghan confidence in Karzai's government as it tries to take over its own security operations ahead of the withdrawal of international combat forces by the end of 2014.
Biz Reports
Stocks
Asian stocks rose for the first time in three days, as India's central bank eased liquidity curbs and Chinese markets opened after a weeklong holiday.
Chinese shares ended higher on Tuesday with the benchmark Shanghai Composite up 1.1 percent.
The Shenzhen Component Index gained 2 percent.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index climbed 0.9 percent.
Elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei index closed 0.3 percent higher, snapping a four-session losing streak supported by the yen's fall.
South Korea's KOSPI rose 0.4 percent, as foreigners kept their record-breaking buying trend despite mounting concerns about possible default on debt in Washington.
The Straits Times Index in Singapore is also up 0.4 percent.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.2 percent.
China yuan strengthens to new high against USD
The Chinese currency has marched to a new high this Tuesday against the U.S. dollar as the dollar weakened amid concerns over the U.S. government shutdown and the upcoming debt ceiling debate.
The central parity rate of the yuan strengthened 65 basis points to reach 6.1 per U.S. dollar, the strongest since July, 2005.
The value of the yuan has risen more than 2 percent since the beginning of the year.
In China's foreign exchange spot market, the yuan is allowed to rise or fall by 1 percent from the central parity rate each trading day.
China's output growth eases in both manufacturing and service sectors: HSBC
A private survey shows that growth in China's service industry slowed in September.
The HSBC China Services Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 52.4 in September from 52.8 in August.
A reading above 50 indicates expansion.
The HSBC China Services PMI is based on data compiled from monthly replies to questionnaires sent to purchasing executives in more than 400 private-service-sector companies.
Consumption rises during China's National Day holiday period
Latest figures show that sales volume in the retail and catering sectors shot up by 13.6 percent during China's National Day holiday period compared to that of last year.
According to data released by the Ministry of Commerce, sales volume reached 870-billion yuan.
Zhao Ping is deputy director of the Department of Consumption Economics of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce.
"The holiday period has gone a long way toward driving retail sales in the country, with seasonal clothing, digital products and household electrical appliances selling very well. This indicates people's propensity of buying big-ticket items and pursuing what is in vogue in the festive atmosphere."
In addition more than 31-million visitors were recorded as visiting 125-tourism cities and scenic spots during the holiday period- an increase of 6.8-percent year on year.
Dairy industry reshuffle
Anchor
It's been reported that an increasing number of Chinese dairy farmers have given up raising cows.
At the same time, many dairy enterprises have lifted the price of raw milk several times but still face raw material shortage.
Experts say this is an inevitable phase in China's maturing dairy industry.
CRI's Li Dong has the details.
Reporter: In the past few months, there has been a nationwide price rise in dairy products. Dairy companies have revealed that this round of price rise originates from the dairy farmers give up keeping their cows due to the severe price decline of raw milk.
But now, raw milk is a scare resource. At one of the raw milk production bases in Heilongjiang Province, four dairy companies are competing for raw materials. Manager Tong Bin says their daily production volume is about 2 tons. That is only two third compare to the same period last year.
"I think the milk companies are competing for the raw material products. I heard another milk base near us have raised their prices. We will definitely follow them."
But according to a dairy company in Heilongjiang Province, there is still a 20% scarcity when it comes to the availability of raw milk.
The price hike of raw materials has resulted in a price rise in medium and high-end products.
Fu Xinjie, the general manager of the marketing department of Wandashan Dairy Company says they are adjusting the structure of their products. They plan to cut the production volume of low-end products and aim for the high-end market.
"Currently, we are reducing the production of low-end end milk power products, also the liquid dairy products. For instance, the one yuan pack ordinary pure milk. It's even cheaper than water. Of course the company will lose money if we make such product. We are going to reduce even suspend the production of such ordinary pack pure milk."
Major dairy enterprises like Yili and Mengniu raised their high-end products in August this year by a margin of 11 and 16 percent respectively. Other companies in this field also followed this round of price rises.
According to some dairy cow farmers, the current price of raw milk is the highest in history but this didn't trigger a frenzy in the buying dairy cows, because it takes 3 years for the cattle to mature and produce milk.
But it's not all bad news for the dairy industry. Zhang Weiyin, the secretary general of the Heilongjiang Province Dairy Products Association says after this round of raw material competition, the quality of it can definitely be lifted. The current price competition is the result of market reshuffle. It's a positive step for a more mature and standardized market.
"We will support the dairy enterprises and we welcome more investments. Our goal is to build modern dairy industry, standardized farm as well as family farms. Plus, we encourage dairy enterprises build their own milk bases."
For Cri I am Li Dong.
Japan's August current account surplus down 63.7 pct
New data shows Japan's current account surplus tumbled in August owing to declining overseas profits and chronic trade deficits.
Japan's current account surplus shrank 64-percent compared with the same period last year, mainly due to the depreciation of the yen and a growing demand for energy.
The surplus stood at 161.5 billion yen, or 1.7 billion U.S. dollars.
The income account, which reflects how much Japan earns from its foreign investments, fell for the first time in nine months in August, down 10 percent from a year earlier.
UK house prices surge at fastest rate since 2002
A UK house-price index rose to it's highest in more than a decade last month, as government measures to boost home buying lifted the outlook for sales to a record.
A gauge by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors increased to 54 from 41 in August.
This is the highest since 2002.
A price-expectations measure advanced to 48, also the highest since 2002.
The latest evidence of a strengthening property market comes as the government begins the second phase of its Help to Buy program.
The measure has prompted warnings it could fuel a bubble.
Robert Zoellick joins Goldman Sachs as adviser
Former World Bank president, Robert Zoellick, has joined the investment banking giant Goldman Sachs.
Goldman said he will take on the role of chairman of the firm's international advisory board and counsel the firm on "global strategic issues".
Zoellick's five-year term as head of the World Bank ended last year.
Before his appointment to the World Bank in 2007, Zoellick had worked with Goldman Sachs as vice chairman for a year.
Headline News
Higgs boson scientists win Nobel prize in physics
It's just been announced that two scientists won this year's Nobel prize in physics for their work on the theory of the Higgs boson.
Peter Higgs, from the UK, and Francois Englert from Belgium, shared the prize.
The mechanism predicts a particle, the Higgs boson, was finally discovered in 2012 at the Large Hadron Collider at Cern, in Switzerland.
APEC meeting concludes with commitment of open trade
APEC leaders have concluded their annual summit on the Indonesian resort island of Bali.
The group have released a statement saying they promise to implement 'responsible' macroeconomic policies, that will help offset slowing global economic growth and weaker trade.
The statement is also throwing member countries' support behind a "multilateral trading system".
Xi Jinping APEC speech: prosperity means working together
Chinese President Xi Jinping says he is confident that China's growth will remain robust and Chinese government will deepen reform and opening-up.
Xi Jinping made the remarks while addressing the closing ceremony of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.
Xi Jingping also noted that the world economy is still being confronted with daunting challenges before it can achieve full recovery and sound growth.
Beijing to host 2014 APEC summit
Beijing is set to host the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
The 21-member APEC summit is slated to be held in Yanxihu Lake resort in the capital's suburb.
Officials say the organizing committee has already started the preparation works, and the summit's official website has been put up online.
Typhoon Fitow kills 5 in E China
Search and recovery operations are still underway after Typhoon Fitow hit southeastern China early Monday morning leaving at least five dead.
Thousands of others are without power.
The storm has also cancelled a number of flights and scheduled train services.
Stranded residents are still being plucked from their flooded homes by boats.
Others have been helped across floodwaters with ropes.
Clashes as teachers continue their protest against new education bill
Clashes have broken out in the Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo following marches in support of striking teachers.
In Rio the 20-thousand strong march began peacefully, but riots broke out once the protesters reached city hall.
Police responded with tear gas to disperse the crowds.
A similar march took place in Sao Paulo ending in violence after hooder protesters began ransacking banks.
Newspaper Picks
China Daily
"China's discipline agency receives over 800 online tip-offs daily"
An official website opened by the Communist Party of China discipline agency receives a daily average of 830-tip-offs about corruption since its launch a few days ago.
More than 4-thousand Internet users have registered on the website posting over 35-hundred messages.
The website was launched to improve communication and interaction with the public.
Global Times
"Shopping mall sets up 'husband play area' during National Day sales"
A shopping mall in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province set up a 'men's play area' to console the hundreds of disinterested husbands and boyfriends dragged along shopping during China's National Day holiday sales.
The area contained chairs, magazines, tea, TV and even free Wi-Fi to serve as a rest stop for the throngs of purse-carrying men accompanying their significant others during holiday.
Mall employees claim the area didn't attract as many weary male shoppers as expected, and will close down after the holiday.
AFP
"Get richer, die younger"
A new study says elderly folks living in developed countries have a higher mortality rate when the economy goes into higher gear.
It says in the long term, economic prosperity is credited with lower mortality rates across all age groups -- largely due to a drop in old-age mortality.
But the picture changes when you look at short-term economic fluctuations.
The study analysed mortality and economic growth figures from 1950 to 2008 in 19 developed countries.
The cause may lie in a change in social structure, with younger relatives and friends working longer and having less time to care for the elderly.
Another idea pins the blame on air pollution, which increases during economic expansion and is likelier to have more of an effect on frail people.
Bangkok Post
"Fee hike looms for old vehicles"
Owners of vehicles more than 10 years old could face a hefty increase in registration fees under a proposal to relieve traffic congestion.
Under the proposal, older vehicles registered in Bangkok would be subject to the same fees as new models.
Currently, the annual fees come down as the vehicle gets older.
The plan is aimed at easing traffic congestion in the city, as older vehicles are more likely to break down.
Special Reports
Smog Persists during the National Day Holiday
Anchor:
During the seven-day National Day Holiday, heavy smog shrouded most parts of northern China.
This has prompted netizens to raise the question, why the smog still occurred when most workplaces were closed and the number of cars running in Beijing was reduced.
CRI's Xie Zhao has more.
Reporter:
In Beijing, visibility was less than 1,000 meters in the downtown area last Sunday.
Expressways in Beijing and Tianjin were closed down and several flights were cancelled.
One Beijing resident says something needs to be done about the pollution.
"I think it could be better. More and more people are now discussing this issue on the internet; the government is meant to have taken measures."
Zhang Fanghua, chief weather forecaster at the National Meteorological Center, says the smog is mainly a result of weather conditions.
"The cold front that influences North China is weak. High humidity and an absence of wind in the surface layer allow pollutants to stay in the air."
Zhang Fanghua also notes that the smog cannot be easily dissipated due to the special geographical conditions of North China.
Meanwhile, a rising number of netizens question that the number of cars hitting the road in Beijing did shrink during the National Day Holiday, but the smog still persisted.
However,Wang Yuesi, professor at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics in the Chinese Academy of Sciences, says most car owners conducted their driving tours within the North China region.
"Most of the people driving on tours are conducting short-distance travel and the cars are congested on the expressways."
Aside from car pollution, Wang adds that even though most workplaces were closed during the holiday period, the main source of pollution in the North China region, which emanates from coal-fired industries, remained constant.
"More than 280 million tons of coal is burnt a year in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei. In Shandong, fired coal reaches 380 million tons a year. The amount of fired coal mentioned accounts for over 20 percent of coal burnt nationwide. The steel and power plants are still operating during the holiday. That means the main source of pollution has not disappeared."
Wang Yuesi also suggests that in order to tackle pollution effectively, related enterprises should speed up putting purification equipment into use in a bid to control the primary pollution source.
China has recently issued a 1.75 trillion yuan plan to tackle the worsening air pollution, pledging to improve air quality within five years.
Beijing authorities say the city will build four natural gas power stations by the end of 2014 to replace those currently burning coal.
For CRI, I' m Xie Zhao.
Sports
China dominant at East Asia Games
In East Asia Games… China have taken an early lead in the medals table.
At the end of play on Monday the hosts won 22 of the first 40 golds on offer.
The Chinese athletes dominated many disciplines including the shooting events as well as Taekwando, diving, weight lifting and the men's hammer throw.
China also won 13 silver and nine bronze medals at the competition which is being held in the northern port province of Tianjin.
The East Asian Games feature more than 2,400 athletes coming from China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Mongolia, Taiwan and Hong Kong and Macau.
As with last months National Games, China has scaled back certain aspects of the spectacle to demonstrate its recent commitment to cut down on government spending.
Fifa inspector says Brazil World Cup preparations on schedule
FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke has said there are no concerns over Brazil's World Cup preparations as he embarks on his latest inspection of the venues.
The Frenchman earlier made it clear that FIFA will not accept the same delays that plagued stadium construction before the Confederations Cup earlier this year.
For that event only two of the six venues were ready on time.
After visiting the first venue he said he is pleased with the progress he has seen.
"We just arrived in Brazil and the first city we are coming to is Porto Alegre where we have been a year ago. A lot of work has been achieved and there is no concern about the stadium, it's really in its final phase, working on details," the Frenchman said.
Many questions have been asked as to whether Brazil will have all stadiums ready by the December deadline.
Brazilian organisers have given assurances that all venues will be completed on time despite the recent setbacks.
Poyet takes over as Sunderland FC manager
In the English Premiere League Gustavo Poyet has been installed as the new boss at Sunderland.
The 45-year old former Brighton and Hove Albion manager has signed a two year deal and will take charge immediately.
Sunderland have only a single point from their first SEVEN games and currently sit bottom of the English top division - Poyet is now their sixth permanent manager in less than five years.
Buckingham Palace hosts first competitive football match
Buckingham Palace, the home of the British Monarchy, has hosted its first ever competitive football match.
Local amateur teams Polytechnic FC and Civil Service FC slid, dribbled and passed on a manicured pitch inside the 39-acre royal garden.
The Southern Amateur League sides were even treated to orange slices served by footmen on a silver platter at half time.
The match was being played as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Football association.
Prince William helped organise the match and was there to welcome the players as well as giving them a warning.
"I cannot tell you how excited I am that later today we will be playing football on my Grandmother's lawn. One warning though - if anyone breaks a window, you can answer to her."
Civil Service FC is the only still surviving team of the 11 that originally formed the football association in October 1865.
But it wasn't to be their day, as Polytechnic FC which was founded in 1875 triumphed 2-1.
IndyCar officials to make racing safer
IndyCar officials say they are investigating ways to make racing safer after Dario Franchitti's horrific accident this weekend.
The 40-year-old Scottsman collided with Takuma Satos car during the race which sent him flying and spinning through the air.
The four-time world champion suffered two broken vertibra in his spine, along with a fractured ankle and cracked ribs.
Debris from the car also flew into the crowd injuring one race official and 13 spectators.
Safety has already been increased since another British driver.. Dan Wheldon, died after crashing during a race in Las Vegas in 2011.
It's believed that technology Weldon had helped to develop may have saved Franchitti's life in Houston, but there is still clearly more to be done.
Entertainment
Chinese Actress Sun Li Nominated for International Emmy
Chinese actress Sun Li has been nominated for the Best Actress award at this year's International Emmy Awards.
Sun was nominated for her role in the TV series "The Legend of Zhen Huan".
The show follows the political intrigue of an emperor's concubines during the Qin Dynasty and has been a hit with Chinese audiences since its debut last year.
It has also reached an international audience in Singapore, Malaysia, and the US.
Other nominees for the award include British actress Sheridan Smith, Brazilian Fernanda Montenegro, and Sweden's Lotta Tejle.
The awards will be given late next month in New York.
Stars Receive Awards at Huading Awards in Macau
The winners of this year's Chinese Huading Image Awards for film have been announced at the star-studded event.
Actors like Nicolas Cage, Nicole Kidman, Matthew Perry, filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, among several others were in attendance.
The big Hollywood names were on hand to receive honors and express their own excitement over China's rapidly developing film industry.
Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage won the award for Best Global Actor in Motion Pictures.
He opened up about his excitement over making films in China.
"I believe in the genius loci of a place, the genie of the place is what I call it. I absorb that energy and it affects performance wherever I go. And I can tell you, a hundred percent, that making a movie in China, I'm buzzing with good energy, I feel great here. I love the people I'm working with, I love the crew, and there's a genuine warmth and enthusiasm that I get from my conversations."
Quentin Tarantino received the award for Best Global Director while Avatar actor Sam Worthington won Best Global Action Movie Actor.
Avril Lavigne was also on hand to pick up her award for Best Global Singer.
Gravity Breaks 3D Records
Filmmaker Aflonso Cuaron's space-disaster film Gravity has already broken box office records for highest grossing opening in October.
The film pulled in 55.5-million US dollars over the weekend, but most surprisingly 80-percent of Gravity's ticket sales came from 3D-screenings.
This is the highest percentage for a 3D movie release even beating out James Cameron's Avatar whose 3D ticket sales accounted for 72-percent of the film's gross.
The unexpected performance gives a lifeline to the flailing format of 3D videography.
Nickelback Best Hits Compilation
Everyone's favorite Canadian rock-something band Nickelback has announced they will release their first greatest hits compilation.
The Best of Nickelback Volume 1 will feature Nickelback classics like How You Remind Me, Photograph, and power ballad When We Stand Together.
In the US Nickelback has scored 6-top 10 hits and a Billboard number-1 with their stunning track How You Remind Me.
The title suggests music fans can expect more greatest hits albums from the band whose discography is just chock-full of songs.
The new album is available for download today.
A quick recap of headlines before we go，
APEC meeting concludes with a commitment on open trade．
China promotes free trade talks with South Korea and Australia．
British scientist Peter Hicks is announced as the winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics.
Business，Chinese yuan strengthens to new high against the US-dollar． |