The Beijing Hour
Morning Edition
Paul James with you on this Friday, October 25, 2013.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this morning...
India's Prime Minister has wrapped up his trip here to China with a speech to CPC delegates at the Party School.
Iran has decided to stop its high-grade uranium enrichment ahead of the forthcoming round of new nuclear talks.
Chinese authorities are issuing new judicial guidelines when it comes to the sexual exploitation of a minor.
In Business.... officials from China and the EU have sat down for trade talks.
In sports... Li Na remains undefeated at this year's WTA Championships.
In entertainment... Snoop Dog is set to mark his 20th anniversary in the music industry.
First, let's check on what's happening on the weather front...
Weather
Beijing will be sunny today, with a high of 18 degree Celsius in the daytime, and it will be clear tonight with a low of 4.
In Shanghai, it will be cloudy today, 19 the high, and it will be cloudy tonight, the low of 12 degrees Celsius.
Lhasa will be sunny in the daytime the temperature's at 16, and tonight will be clear with a low of 0 degree Celsius.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, sunny, 29.
Kabul, sunny, with a high of 21.
And in North America
New York, sunny, with a high of 12 degrees.
Washington, overcast, highs of 12
Houston, sunny, 29.
Honolulu, overcast, 29.
Toronto, overcast, 7.
Finally, on to South America,
Buenos Aires, sunny, 17.
And Rio de Janeiro will be overcast with highs of 34 degrees Celsius.
Top News
Indian Prime Minister made speech at CPC Party School
Anchor
India's Prime Minister has made a stop at the CPC's Party School as part of the last leg of his now-concluded trip here to China.
CRI's Lucy Du has more.
Manmohan Singh says he believes the relationship between China and India should be determined by cooperation instead of confrontation.
The comments come amid the tensions along the border earlier this year, which saw Indian and Chinese troops face off against one-another.
"Maintaining peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas, has been the corner stone of our relations. It is essential for mutual confidence, and for the extension of our relations. We should do nothing to disturb that."
Manmohan Singh has made the speech at the CPC's Central Party School, which has seen over 500 people attend the event.
Singh says his time in China, which began Tuesday, gives him confidence about the Chinese relationship with India.
Singh has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang during his 3-day visit.
He's also overseen the signing of an array of documents.
Among those is an agreement on border defence.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry says the agreement is significant for consolidating trust and maintaining peace along the disputed border.
Meanwhile, dubbed the "father of India's economic reform", Manmohan Singh has also focused his time here in China on trade and investment.
"India and China have a vital stake in preserving and open integrated and stable global trade routine. Even as we work together to foster regional economic integration, we should also intensify our effort to support trade and investment, and reduce risks in emerging markets."
Singh says India plans to invest one trillion U.S. dollars in infrastructure over the next five years.
He says India would welcome Chinese investment in this sector.
For CRI's I am Lucy Du.
North Korea's reasonable concerns should be addressed: Chinese FM
The Chinese government has issued a response to the latest demand from North Korea.
The Chinese side says North Korea's 'reasonable concerns' should be addressed in order to properly settle the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.
The Chinese response comes on the heels of a North Korean statement which says it will not unilaterally dismantle its nuclear deterrence unless outside nuclear threats are removed.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying.
"To properly solve the North Korea nuclear issue, the problems should be solved in a comprehensive and balanced way, and the concerns of all sides, including North Korea's, should be properly taken care of. We believe dialogue and negotiation are the only correct ways to properly handle and solve the peninsula's nuclear issue."
The Chinese government is also pushing for the possible resumption of the 6-party talks.
Those talks, involving all 5 countries that border North Korea, have been mothballed for the last 5-years.
Iran appoints sanction experts in nuclear talks, halts high-grade uranium enrichment
Iran has temporarily haulted its high-grade uranium enrichment.
The move comes ahead of another round of talk between Iran and the so-called P5+1 grouping next month in Geneva.
At the same time, four sanction experts have been appointed to be part of the forthcoming talks.
Experts from the banking, trade, oil and transportation sectors will meet with delegations from the P5+1 next week.
The last round of talks among Iran and the 5-permanent members fo the UN security council, plus Germany, failed to yield any substantial breakthroughs.
On top of talks with the P5+1, Iran's new administration is also moving to try to break a deadlock in its talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The latest round of Iranin-IAEA talks are also set to be held next week in Vienna.
Israel and Saudi Arabia both want to prevent a nuclear Iran
Israel's chief peace negotiator is making a public link between the goals of Israel and Saudi Arabia when it comes to Iran.
But at the same time, Tzipi Livni notes the two countries can't work together on Iran's nuclear issues because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"In order to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon, we need to cooperate with those understanding that Iran is a threat to them as well. But unfortunately the open conflict between Israel and the Palestinians makes it impossible or very difficult for them to act with Israel against Iran. Because when it comes to public opinion in their own state, Israel is still the enemy."
Israel and Saudi Arabia have no diplomatic ties.
Last week, Saudi Arabia cited an international failure to grant the Palestinians statehood as one of the reasons it renounced its seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the Israeli parliament last week, has suggested Israeli-Arab interests are something that could help advance decades-old peace negotiations with the Palestinians.
However, the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, revived in July after a three-year hiatus, have shown few signs of progress.
Saudi Arabia is a Sunni Muslim-dominated state.
Iran is Shi'ite.
Iran insists its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes only.
Merkel and European Parliament president on alleged US spying scandal
European Union leaders have arrived for a two-day summit in Brussels.
The meeting of Europe's leaders is expected to be dominated by issues surrounding immigration, unemployment and spying allegations.
The US National Security Agency is being accused of collecting the telephone records of some 70 million people in France.
The NSA is also being accused of tapping German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cellphone.
"And this is in the interest of the German citizens. This is not about me specifically, but about all citizens. We need trust among partners and this trust needs to be restored now."
The allegations against the US are drawing ire from others within the European Union.
Martin Schulz is the president of the European Parliament.
"the office of the European Parliament in Washington is the target of spying, I asked United States officials if this is true. They said, perhaps, because, of anti-terror measures. I could guarantee the European Parliament is not planning terrorist attacks on the United States."
Schulz is threatening to suspend the EU free trade talks with the United States in connection with the allegations.
Top UN official urges for the world to be more united
Anchor
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is issuing a call for more unity on this, the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
CRI's Jordan Lee has more.
Reporter
UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon has delivered the annual message marking the 68th anniversary of the founding of the world body.
"United Nations Day is a chance to recognize how much this invaluable Organization contributes to peace and common progress. It is a time to reflect on what more we can do to realize our vision for a better world."
Ban Ki-moon has highlighted two major challenges, noteably Syria and the need to develop a new set of priorities when it comes to development.
"The Millennium Development Goals have cut poverty in half. Now we must maintain the momentum, craft an equally inspiring post-2015 development agenda and reach an agreement on climate change."
Ban is calling on the international community to be more united and "work together for peace, development and human rights."
In addition to his message, Ban Ki-moon has also taken to Times Square in New York to help UN staffers hand out promotional materials.
The huge Nasdaq screen in Times Square also became a platform, repeatedly displaying images of the UN's work around the world.
Martin Nesirky is a spokesperson for Ban Ki-moon.
"The Nasdaq billboard displayed UN messages. That was around 10 o'clock this morning. And those messages will be repeated on that billboard just after 4:25 this afternoon ... Messages that said very clearly and plainly what kind of efforts the UN makes in various areas, tackling poverty, on human rights, on peace and security, conflict prevention, environmental matters, very many, and listed there, vaccination programmes. "
The UN has also created a "Message to UN" as part of its Weibo account.
Subcribers can write down their message to the UN, take a photo and upload it online.
The UN Charter came into force on October 24th, 1945.
For CRI, I'm Jordan Lee.
Indian police shoot dead Delhi's top criminal, 2 other gang members
Indian police have shot and killed their most wanted suspect.
Neetu Dabodia has been gunned down in New Delhi, along with two other of his alleged accomplices.
Dabodia is linked to a number of murders, kidnappings and other crimes.
He had an over 10-thousand US dollar bounty on his head.
Defense lawyer asks Cambodia's war-crime court to acquit charges against Nuon Chea
One of the defense lawyers for former Cambodian leader Nuon Chea is demanding the UN-backed tribunal aquit his client.
Nuon Chea, better known as Brother Number-2, is accused of facilitating the forced migration of the Cambodian population following the Cambodian revolution in 1975.
The mass migration and relocation is said to be responsible for the deaths of roughly 1.7-million people over a 4-year period from 1975 to 1979.
Prosecutors are demanding a life sentence for Nuon Chea and his co-accused.
The sentence is expected to be handed down next month.
China orders severe penalties for child abuse
Anchor
The Chinese Supreme Court has issued a new set of punishments when it come to the sexual abuse of minors.
CRI's Li Jing has the details.
Report
As part of the new guidelines, stricter sentences can be handed down for sexual offenses committed by teachers and government personnel.
The revisions to the guidelines come in the wake of recent incidents involving children.
A spate of sexual assaults on minors has taken place this year, including several involving teachers and their students.
Sun Jungong is a spokesperson for the Supreme People's Court.
"According to the criminal law and juridical practice in our country, having sexual relations with young girls less than 14 years old can be charged with rape. Criminals must get a heavy punishment no matter whether they know the ages of victims before the perpetration of crime or not."
The new court regulations also provide for heavy punishments for the organized, forced and secuced prostitution of minors.
Sun Jungong with the Supreme Court says the new guidelines also spell-out the need for the protection of privacy of minors who are involved in sexual abuse.
"The penalty says people dealing with the cases should protect the private information of relevant underage victims, underage suspects and underage defendants as well as any details of the abuse," said Sun.
As part of the new regulations, schools involved in offences can also be held liable, and may be forced to pay compensation to victims of sexual abuse.
For CRI, this is Li Jing.
China-Israel Cooperation in Water Industry
Anchor
Around 200 Chinese officials and experts are taking part in a water expo being held in the Israeli capital, Tel Aviv.
CRI's Jordan Lee has the details.
Reporter
As part of this year's 'Watec' exhibition, over 160 companies are providing visitors around the world their products and technologies in the water industry.
Xie Ping, general manager of Shanghai-based water firm, says he's travelled to Israel to learn about the country's experience in the fields of desalination, water treatment and reclamation.
"We want to know more about Israel's advanced technologies in water treatment and learn more. We also want to find a proper Israeli partner and combine their technologies with our market in China."
For Israeli companies, the Chinese market is also attractive.
Jacob Azran is the CEO of Blue I Water Technologies.
He says while his company already has successful business in China, his organization is pushing for more market share.
"We always look for additional partner. With the professionality of what we have already, I think we are ready to jump into a big growth in the Chinese market. China for us, in 2014 and 2015, is a main focus, with more and more partners."
Ofer Sachs is the Director General of the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute.
He says there's still a long way to go when it comes to areas, such as water cooperation.
"The demand for water is increasing constantly both for the agricultural use, for the industry, and of course for the increasing number of people who are consuming more and more water, and who are not tolerated any more for low quality and insufficient services. We need to do more in order to provide better services for people in China and in Israel."
Pan Huageng is one of the people behind a China-Israeli Industrial Park in southern China which mainly focuses on water treatment.
He says China can learn a lot from Israel.
"We have set up a China-Israel water treatment R&D center (in the industrial park). The center is backed by Israeli universities and Chinese research institutes. Together we digest the Israeli methods and adapt them to China. And more than just learning, we need to develop our own technologies."
For CRI, I'm Jordan Lee.
Beijingers say goodbye to big yellow duck
Anchor
Thousands have poured into the Summer Palace in northwest Beijing to mark the end of the 2-month stay of a Danish artist's giant rubber duck.
CRI's Su Yi has more.
Reporter
24-year-old Ye Minghui came to see the rubber duck on a Thursday morning.
"The giant yellow duck gave us overall impression that it is huge and I think it is adorable. I heard that it will be leaving on October 26. So we made our way to come here to look at it."
The 18-metre-high inflatable rubber duck by Dutch conceptual artist Florentijn Hofman was unveiled on the river in Beijing's Garden Expo Park last month.
Hofman says his rubber duck has brought him to many places around the world.
"People are just crazy about this rubber duck and are connecting all over the world with each other by loving and sharing happiness. I think this should not be also forgotten. It's an art work and this here in Beijing is only a small part of the art work because it is a global art work where rubber ducks all around the world appear and connect people."
Hofman says the rubber duck's next stop remains a secret.
"We've talking to some cities and it might you know pop up but I would never tell where and when, it is a surprise, like, surprises are the best, right?"
Many Chinese people including movie star Jackie Chan are asking why this country cannot creat its own "rubber duck".
"I'm wondering if China could create something like giant yellow duck. Their idea is quite a simple one. Yellow ducks don't belong to just one person. And this guy made such a big duck from a small one and caused such a stir. The most important thing is that it can placed into an environment and create fun in the environment."
For CRI, I'm Su Yi.
Biz Reports
Anchor
First off, a check on the stock market of North America and Europe.
Join me on the desk, CRI's Hu Jia.
Reporter
U.S. stocks rebounded on Thursday after a handful of upbeat corporate earnings reports and positive sings from China.
U.S. stocks mirrored global markets higher after the release of Chinese manufacturing data suggesting this country's economy is likely to hit the government's 7.5 percent growth target for the year.
HSBC's preliminary China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index for October rose to a seven-month high.
As for U.S. economic data, manufacturing has slowed down.
The flash PMI registered 51.1, down from 52.8 in September.
The plus-50 figure still means US manufacturing is growing.
In corporate news,
Apple shares gained value after activist investor Carl Icahn boosted his investment in the stock.
Ichan has been pressuring Apple for a 150 billion dollar stock buyback.
He owns roughly 0.5 percent of Apple.
U.S. corporate earnings continued to pour in after the close of trading.
Microsoft easily beat market consensus both on quarterly earnings and revenues.
Amazon met Wall Street expectations on earnings in the third quarter and surpassed market estimates on revenues.
When the market closed,
The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.6 percent.
The S&P 500 gained 0.3 percent.
The Nasdaq advanced 0.6 percent.
In Canada, the S&P/TSX was up 0.7 percent.
European stock markets moved firmly higher Thursday on the back of new PMI figures.
The PMI for the euro zone fell from September's 27-month high of 52.2 and came in at 51.5, but remained above the 50 no-change level for a fourth successive month.
Germany's DAX climbed 0.7 percent and France's CAC 40 tacked on 0.4 percent.
The U.K.'s FTSE 100 surged 0.6 percent.
EU holds high level trade talks with China
Officils from China and the European Union have met for trade talks in Brussels.
European Commission Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht and Vice President Olli Rehn have met with Chinese Vice-Premier Ma Kai.
"This dialogue has sent to the outside world a clear and positive signal which is China and the EU would remain firmly committed to promoting further progress in China-EU business relations into more extensive areas and this is what both of us should and can expect."
For his part, Olli Rehn says they'd like to see more international coordination when it comes to trade within the European Union.
"There is a very strong case for us to work together between Europe and China closely both on a bilateral basis and in a multilateral forum such as the G20 and also the IMF."
The European Union is China's biggest trading partner.
Call-in Corp News w Doug
Anchor
Let's check in with some of the key events on the corporate front in China this week.
Doug Young joins me on the line.
He's an associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters.
[58.com, Qunar File IPO's in New York]
The online classified advertising site 58.com plans to list next week.
Pnline travel site Qunar is set to go public on November first.
- How do you think the profitability of the two companies?
-Would this be good news for the tech sector which has suffered from investor confidence crisis or just hypes?
-Do you think the past accounting scandal surrounding the so-called Chinese concept stock has finally got a compromised solution?
[China Mobile posts profit declines of 8.8 per cent in Q3]
China Mobile the country's largest telecom carrier saw a rare profit decline for the third quarter.
Net profit reached 4.6 billion US dollars, a year on year decrease of 8.8 percent.
But revenue still increased, up to 160 billion yuan for a 12 percent increase the same time last year.
The last time China Mobile posted a drop in its earnings was in 2009's second quarter, when profit was down 1.6 percent yoy.
-What have been eating away China Mobile's profit? Smartphones and their OTT services? (WeChat)
-How well does China Mobile cope with the increasing competition, or does it have enough motivation to offer competing or innovative services as the industry leader which profiting seems so easy?
-We've heard that 8 private companies including Jingdong, Alibaba, Gome are receiving the Mobile Virtual Network Operator licenses, this is for sure a step forward as welcoming private firms to jointly develop the telecom businesses, but how well does it bode to both investors or should we still wait for more details to make our bet?
(License-holding companies will be allowed to run basic telecom businesses by renting infrastructure from telecom operators or even through the Internet. )
Bach Anchor
Doug Young, associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters.
China Unveils Import Tax Policy for Shanghai FTZ
The Ministry of Finance here in China has released a new circular, specifying import tax policies for the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.
As part of the new rules, Chinese leasing firms registered in the FTZ will receive value-added tax preferences.
Manufacturing and production companies in the zone will enjoy tax exemptions on the import of their machines and other equipment.
Spain's jobless rate edges down from 26.3 percent to 26 percent during third quarter
Unemployment in Spain is on the decline, though just slightly.
The jobless rate in Spain has fallen from 26.3 percent to 26 percent through the third quarter.
That means about 73 thousand people have been added to the job rolls from July to September.
Fernando Jimenez Latorre is Spain's Secretary of State for the Economy.
"This drop in unemployment can be explained by two reasons; one, the drop in the active population looking for work and an increase in job offers. The drop in number of people looking for work can be explained in the changes surrounding the situation of immigrants. The tendency is for immigrants to leave the labor market, especially minors, who are searching for better opportunities."
5.9 million people in Spain are still without a job.
Ahead of the release of the latest employment numbers, the Bank of Spain has forecast the country's economy will grow by 0.1 percent through the 3rd quarter.
If confirmed, this would officially pull Spain out of a recession that has lasted for over two years.
Japan says exports almost flat as shipments to Asia slow down
Japan's government has downgraded its assessment of export performance for the second consecutive month in October on slowing shipments to Asia.
It suggests external demand may now contribute less to Japan's growth than initially anticipated.
Domestic demand, boosted by increasing public works and consumer spending, has largely driven Japan's recovery from recession last year.
But signs of weakening exports may mean Japan having to rely even more on domestic demand to continue growing.
That assessment marked a further downgrade from last month, when the government noted recent gains in exports had started to slow.
It is also the first time in three years that the government downgraded exports for two consecutive months.
Standard Chartered revises China's 2013 GDP growth to 7.6 pct
A latest research report has revised its prediction over China's economic growth to 7.6 percent from 7.5 percent.
The report released by Standard Chartered also forecast GDP growth for the fourth quarter of 2013 to reach 7.5 percent year on year.
The revision comes after government data released last week showed GDP growth accelerated to 7.8 percent in the third quarter, up from 7.5 percent in the second, with the economy expanding 7.7 percent in the first nine months of the year.
Meanwhile, Standard Chartered revised up its inflation forecast for China to 2.7 percent year on year for 2013 from 2.5 percent.
It also forecasts an average inflation rate of 3.1 percent in the fourth quarter.
Government data showed the country's consumer price index, a main gauge of inflation, stood at an average 2.5 percent in the first nine months.
It is well below the government's full-year target of 3.5 percent.
Headline News
Indian Prime Minister made speech at CPC Party School
India's Prime Minister has made a stop at the CPC's Party School as part of the last leg of his now-concluded trip here to China.
Manmohan Singh says he believes the relationship between China and India should be determined by cooperation instead of confrontation.
Singh says his time in China, which began Tuesday, gives him confidence about the Chinese relationship with India.
Singh has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang during his 3-day visit.
He's also overseen the signing of an array of documents, including an agreement on border defence.
EU holds high level trade talks with China
Officials from China and the European Union have met for trade talks in Brussels.
European Commission Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht and Vice President Olli Rehn have met with Chinese Vice-Premier Ma Kai.
Ma hails the dialogue as an opportunity to promote China-EU business relations.
For his part, Olli Rehn says they'd like to see more international coordination when it comes to trade within the European Union.
The European Union is China's biggest trading partner.
North Korea's reasonable concerns should be addressed: Chinese FM
The Chinese government has issued a response to the latest demand from North Korea.
The Chinese side says North Korea's 'reasonable concerns' should be addressed in order to properly settle the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.
The Chinese response comes on the heels of a North Korean statement which says it will not unilaterally dismantle its nuclear deterrence unless outside nuclear threats are removed.
The Chinese government is also pushing for the possible resumption of the 6-party talks.
Those talks, involving all 5 countries that border North Korea, have been mothballed for the last 5-years.
Iran appoints sanction experts in nuclear talks halts high-grade uranium enrichment
Iran has temporarily haulted its high-grade uranium enrichment.
The move comes ahead of another round of talk between Iran and the so-called P5+1 grouping next month in Geneva.
At the same time, four sanction experts have been appointed to be part of the forthcoming talks.
Experts from the banking, trade, oil and transportation sectors will meet with delegations from the P5+1 next week.
The last round of talks among Iran and the 5-permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany, failed to yield any substantial breakthroughs.
On top of talks with the P5+1, Iran's new administration is also moving to try to break a deadlock in its talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The latest round of Iranin-IAEA talks are also set to be held next week in Vienna.
China Unveils Import Tax Policy for Shanghai FTZ
The Ministry of Finance here in China has released a new circular, specifying import tax policies for the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.
As part of the new rules, Chinese leasing firms registered in the FTZ will receive value-added tax preferences.
Manufacturing and production companies in the zone will enjoy tax exemptions on the import of their machines and other equipment.
Newspaper Picks
BEIJING NEWS
Headline
Idoling legislation
Summary
A new piece of legislation has been passed by the Municipal authorities here in Beijing, mandating that drivers have to cut their engine if they're idoling for more than 3-minutes.
The idea is to help cut down on emissions.
However, a number of people quoted in the article are questioning the legitimacy of the legislation, given that it's pretty tough to define 3-minutes on every car in the city.
BEIJING TIMES
Headline
Southern Beijing fire
Summary
A major fire broke out in a shoe warehouse in a mall in Dahongmen in southern Beijing yesterday afternoon.
It took firefighters 5 hours to extinguish the blaze.
No injuries have been reported.
XIAOXIANG MORNING POST
Headline
Ships stranded in Hunan
Summary
There are over 400 ships stranded in Hunan's capital, Changsha.
The dry season is leading to much lower river levels.
Authorities are talking about creating dams to deal with the problem.
GUANGZHOU DAILY
Headline
Meiji to quit Chinese formula market
Summary
Japanese food and diary manufacturer Meiji is pulling out of the formula market in China.
The company is pointing to the intense competition and rising costs of raw materials for its decision to get out of the baby formula game.
The decision will not affect Meiji's other products in China.
SHANGHAI DAILY
Headline
Female life expectancy
Summary
The average life expectancy of Shanghai women is now pegged at 84 years.
This is 4.5 years longer than men in Shanghai.
Life expectancy is one of the key indicators of any city's level of medical services and living standards.
CHINA DAILY
Headline
Nanjing has lowest birthrate
Summary
A new report in the city of Nanjing suggests that around 40-percent of the couples living there are eligible to have a second child under the current rules of the so-called one-child policy.
However, the survey has found most are unwilling to have a 2nd kid.
Nanjing's birthrate is its lowest in history at 1.3 children per couple.
Special Reports
Consumer rights law to protect online shopper
Anchor
Chinese consumers and online vendors are expressing mixed opinions about the proposed new regulations connected to online purchases.
CRI's Zhou Heyang explains.
Reporter
The current version contains an article endorsing higher compensation for consumers who die or suffer serious health problems due to faulty products knowingly sold by dealers.
The bill bans dealers from forcing consumers to buy or impose unfair and unreasonable conditions, and further clarifies regulations on e-commerce, protecting the rights of both consumers and businesses.
Though the bill allows e-shoppers to unconditionally return merchandise for refunds within seven days of a transaction, it also requires them to pay logistics costs.
One online buyer disagrees.
"They say the actual product is identical to the picture they put on their Taobao store. But sometimes there is actually a noticeable difference between the clothes they send and the picture, or else the size is different to their description. I don't think I should shoulder the delivery fee even if it's not a matter of quality."
Miss Tang, a Taobao dealer, says it's not fair for dealers like her to pay the logistics fee.
"The clothes I sell may be flawless, but the buyer may still insist on returning it. But if I am the one who pays for the delivery fee and accepts the unconditional returns, I will lose money in this transaction."
The new draft expands the list of products not suitable for unconditional returns and refunds.
Digital products sold via downloads have been added to the list, which already includes audio-visual products with the packaging removed, bespoke products, fresh and perishable goods, magazines, newspapers and software.
Consumers can seek compensation from online trading platforms if the platforms fail to provide valid contact details for vendors using their networks. After compensating consumers, online trading platforms are entitled to claim compensation from vendors.
Zhang Wenbin, a lawyer, says this revision on consumer rights protection generally favors consumers. The revision to the law this time is a step forward.
"The prices of some products are just a few yuan. But the cost of claiming compensation is several, even dozens, of times the prices. Under such circumstances, many consumers decide not to advocate their right. This may encourage dealers to use the loophole of the law. It's not good to regulate their business behavior."
The consumer rights law has not been revised since it was enacted in 1993, but the way people shop and ideas of consumption have changed dramatically.
For CRI, I am Zhou Heyang.
Sports
Wins for Williams, Li, and Kerber at the WTA Championship
At the WTA Championships in Istanbul,
Top-ranked Serena Williams has advanced to the semifinals after beating Petra Kvitova in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.
Earlier, China's Li Na rallied after a lousy second set to defeat Jelena Jankovic 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. She's 2-0 now, and has a good chance of making it into the final four for the first time.
Eight-seeded Angelique Kerber eliminated no. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska, and will next face Kvitova for a chance at slipping into the semifinals.
Over in the ATP,
Top-seeded David Ferrer is through to the quarter-finals at the Valencia Open, after a straight-sets win over Julien Benneteau of France.
And Jeremy Chardy of France delighted the crowd with an upset over American John Isner.
Vettel poised to claim drivers championship title at Indian GP
In formula one, drivers are gearing up for one of this season's final four races: the Indian grand Prix.
Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel is untouchable with 297 points, and will seal his fourth consecutive drivers championship title this weekend if he finishes fifth or higher.
Although dethroning Vettel is not feasible, the other drivers, like Mercedes's Nico Rosberg still have some fight in them.
"You never know if we can get everything right on a weekend like here in India then it's possible to beat Mark and Sebastian in their car and that's what I'm here to do. So, I'll give it everything and we'll see."
Perhaps one of the drivers with the most incentive to beat Vettel is his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber.
The two have had a rocky relationship this year, which was underscored when Vettel ignored team orders and passed Webber to deny the Australian the win at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Liverpool manager dismisses Ferguson's criticisms
In football,
Sir Alex Ferguson's new autobiography is continuing to ruffle some feathers in the football world.
Most recently, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers shot back at the former Man U manager for his criticism of Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson.
Rodgers staunchly defended Steven Gerrard, who Ferguson had said was not a top player.
"He (Ferguson) is probably one of the few - if the only one - who does not believe he is a top, top player. I don't think it was credible really in terms of what was said. You only have to look at Steven's career since he has been here, the accolades he has received all his life not only from managers but former players. I think that Steven speaks for himself. He is a top player for sure."
Rodgers also dismissed Ferguson's critique of midfielder Jordan Henderson's running style.
-------------------------------------------------
USA football coach Jurgen Klinsmann said he's looking ahead to the MLS playoffs, as it's a chance for the national team players to step up and gain confidence ahead of their World Cup campaign.
"It's very balanced at the moment and any body can beat anybody. It's exciting it also shows the players that they need to be one top of their game and what we want to see from the national team perspective is too see our players now actually putting a stamp on the play-offs, putting a stamp in their performances for their team and not just go with the flow."
Klinsmann named two of team USA's players in particular who are refining their skills with international clubs.
Alejandro Bedoya's move to Nantes is giving him a chance to play alongside the French league's top players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
And Klinsmann noted that he's seen Aron Johannsson's scoring ability transform while playing for Dutch club AZ Alkmaar.
Americans top leader board after day one of Shanghai BMW Masters
In golf,
American golfers hold the top three spots after the opening round of the BMW Masters in Shanghai.
Luke Guthrie carded seven-under par 65 for the lead. Veteran John Daly made a strong return to golf by shooting a 68, which puts him just ahead of third place Peter Uihlein.
Chinese 16-year old Dou Zecheng has a two-shot lead at the Asia-Pacific Amateur championship in Nanshan.
"My irons were great. I hit almost ever fairway, so it felt pretty easy today. Hopefully I can do this the rest of the days."
Defending champion Guan Tianglang struggled on the first round, ending with a three-over 74.
A lot of expectation is riding on 14-year-old Guan, ever since his performance at this year's US Masters, which made him the youngest player to make the cut at a Major.
World number 4 Pan Cheng-Tsung of Taiwan, the field's highest ranked amateur, ended the day four shots off the lead with a one-over 72.
The winner of this year's championship will be invited to play at the 2014 Masters.
And in the LPGA, defending champion Suzann Pettersen has a three-stroke lead at the Sunrise Championship in Taiwan.
Red Sox and Cardinals approach World Series game number two
In major league baseball,
Game number two of the world series will get underway later this morning as the St. Louis Cardinals attempt to redeem themselves after a big opening loss to the Boston Red Sox.
Boston creamed the cardinals 8-1 in game one at Fenway Park. St. Louis will try to even the best of seven series, before heading home for game 3.
That game gets underway soon at 8:07.
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg special anniversary performance planned for EMAs
(Snoop Dogg)
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of his solo debut, Snoop Dogg is teaming up with DJ Afrojack for a special performance.
The pair will share a stage for a special funk reboot of Snoop's iconic track "Gin and Juice" at the MTV Europe Music Awards.
The awards show is scheduled to hit Amsterdam, Afrojack's home town.
The 26 year old is up for awards in the Best Electronic and Best Dutch Act categories.
Other artists confirmed for the show are Robin Thicke, Imagine Dragons, Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry.
The MTV EMAs will be aired live from Amsterdam's Zippo Dome on Sunday 10th November.
Tom Hiddleston charms South Korea
(Thor)
The promotional tour of "Thor: The Dark World" is sweeping through Asia with all the charm and good nature of a bouncing puppy.
Tom Hiddleston, who plays super-villain Loki, is proving his comedy credentials to fans in South Korea.
The actor appeared on the country's version of "Saturday Night Live", mucking in with sketches and getting the audience in stitches.
Hiddleston goofed about, poking fun at everyday annoyances such as noisy neighbors.
This comes after the English actor warmed hearts with a impromptu dance performance in a shopping mall earlier this week.
"Thor: The Dark World" is released in the U.K. on October 30th and November 8th in the U.S.
Gong Li opens up about new Zhang Yi Mou collaboration
Chinese screen icon Gong Li is opening up about reuniting with director Zhang Yi Mou on upcoming project "Return".
The pair's work in the late 80s and early 90s, including the Oscar Nominated Raise the Red Lantern, are often creditted for bringing Chinese cinema to the international platform.
The actress was out in Hong Kong last night for the high end collection launch of luxury Swiss jewellers Piaget, for whom Li is a brand ambassador.
Li says that working with Zhang after all these years is a breeze.
"It's like (working with) someone you know very well, or an old friend. It's very easy to work together. You don't have to be polite. The two of us both want to make a great film. I hope he can return to that filmmaker that we know."
The 47 year old star said that the role was one she a suitable challenge.
"First off, this is based on a great novel called 'The Criminal of Lu Yanshi.' This is a long novel. This novel has great writing. It's a touching story. The character I play is called Wan Yu. It's a very difficult role. So first, because (this project has got) a great director, and second, the role is very difficult to portray. So these are the two things that attracted me the most about this project."
"Return" is currently in production and slated for release next year.
More trouble on Hong Kong Transformers Set
(transformers)
More trouble on the Chinese set of Transformers 4: Age of Extinction.
Last week director Michael Bay was attacked on the Hong Kong set, and this week it appears police are investigating a second extortion attempt.
A crew member was reportedly setting up for a shot when she was accosted by 4-men who intimidated her and demanded money.
Local police have arrested a 35-year-old man and are still looking for the other 3.
Authorities believe the men may be a part of the organized gang called the Triads.
Last week 2-brothers assaulted Michael Bay and demanded 100-thousand Hong Kong dollars, or 13-thousand US dollars.
That's all we have time for on the show as well.
Recapping our top headlines....
India's Prime Minister has wrapped up his trip here to China with a speech to CPC delegates at the Party School.
Iran has decided to stop its high-grade uranium enrichment ahead of the forthcoming round of new nuclear talks.
Chinese authorities are issuing new judicial guidelines when it comes to the sexual exploitation of a minor.
In Business.... officials from China and the EU have sat down for trade talks.
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! |