2007年第21 創刊第385                            7/30/2007 

 

 

Table of content - 本期重要目录

Upcoming Events and Call for Participation

v     中国青少年艺术交流团四海童心迎奥运访美文艺演出(8/9)

v     Tsinghua University to Recruit 134 Teachers Worldwide (12/30)

v     北京第13届金领职场招聘会(9/1)

v     欢迎参加“在沪投资创业华侨华人经济信息沙龙8/17

v     The 102nd Session of China Import and Export Fair (第102届广交会邀请信10/9-13

v     臺灣辦理海外華裔靑年技術訓練班 8/31

v     台灣短缺5-10萬高科技人才  經濟部徵才團前來美國招攬海外精英 (8/26)

 

News and Announcements

v     UCLA陶哲軒和MIT沈華智兩名華裔科學家榮膺 英國皇家科學院院士

v     Prof Paul Chu Appointed to US President's Committee of National Medal on Science

v     加拿大华人青年联合总会主持了《枫华正茂》首发仪式(7/29

v     Zogby Poll: Help Wanted—Ideas and Experts to Fuel Future U.S. Economy

v     Zogby民调:1/4美国人认为,在未来10年内中国将超越美国成为世界头号创新大国 (侨报吴越)

v     EITC 2007 University Leadership Forum (ULF)

v     我为什么总被美国领事馆拒签?

v     Internship Research Opportunities with Chinese Breast Cancer Patients

v     大学不看重标准考试 美国“高考”地位在动摇

v     Professional Grant Proposal Writing Workshop (8/22-24)

v     移民局从今日起即刻接受职业移民I-485申请,截止期限到817 (李相如)

v     外商投资经营中国天然气加工及城市燃气输配管网建设项目适用税收优惠,国家税务局专门发通知

v     China Economic growth goes beyond experts' expectation

v     今年台湾大学考试录取高达97%  大学生素质是否“继续下降”?令人忧心

v     Psychological data bank for Chinese children

v     房价上涨直接剥夺了大陆白领阶层的再发展能力

v     Air pollution to kill 600,000 in China by 2020

v     在日本感受平和心态:“富人”不以炫耀奢华为乐

v     Learning Chinese language a fashion

v     学习美国向中国借钱建房

v     Half of Chinese cities' drinking water unqualified, OECD

v     350万美国居民决定移居海外

v     China might encounter labor shortage by 2015

v     通胀亮红灯 中国经济站在十字路口

v     Chinese people always in a rush

v     五国驻华使馆签证官指点留学“申签”关键点 (腾讯 7/21)

v     110,000 applied to be 2008 Beijing Olympic

v     2050年加州如何蛻變?

v     China’s Online Geological Database

v     政策信息:中国财政部和国家税务局联合通知调低部分商品出口退税率 JKC

 

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中国青少年艺术交流团四海童心迎奥运访美文艺演出(8/9)

Chinese Youth and Children Art Performance Group

大型文艺晚会

Great Performance

Sponsor:

 


美国南加州华人社团联合会

Roundtable Southern California

Chinese-American Organizations

Co- Sponsor:

AVERY DENNISON

NIGHTINGALE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


中国宋庆龄基金会中国青少年艺术交流团

“四海童心迎奥运”文艺演出赞助标准

由中国宋庆龄基金会、美国南加州华人社团联合会共同主办的中国青少年艺术交流团“四海童心迎奥运”大型文艺晚会将于200789日晚730在洛杉矶帕莎迪纳大剧院Pasadena Civic Auditorium (300 Green ST, Pasadena, CA 91101)举行。

中国青少年艺术交流团“四海童心迎奥运”大型文艺晚会汇集了中国最知名的青少年艺术团体的优秀节目。

晚会节目有:《茉莉花》、《瑶山夜》、《剪纸姑娘》、《迎接奥运忙》、《让我们当起双桨》、《外婆的澎湖湾》、笙独奏《海南春晓》、二胡独奏《阳光照在塔什库尔干》、古筝独奏《秦桑曲》、笛子重奏《天山雪莲》、中阮齐奏《达姆达姆》、二胡齐奏《奔驰在千里草原》、琵琶合奏《金蛇狂舞》等。

特约赞助:$1000

一. 贵单位为本次晚会特约赞助单位。

二. 在报纸广告、宣传海报及晚会演出节目册封二、封三、封底刊登贵单位平面广告、LOGO标识及贺词。

三. 获得当晚演出4VIP入场卷;10张普通入场卷。

.  演出结束后接见演出成员及合影留念。

五. 获邀免费参加欢迎晚宴。

荣誉赞助:$600

一. 贵单位为本次晚会荣誉赞助单位。

二. 在报纸广告、宣传海报及晚会演出节目册内页(全版)

刊登贵单位LOGO标识、贵单位名称及负责人贺词。

三. 获得当晚演出4VIP入场卷;6张普通入场卷。

.  获邀免费参加欢迎晚宴。

友情赞助:$300

一. 贵单位获邀为本次演出的赞助单位。

         二. 在宣传海报及晚会演出节目册内页(半版)刊登贵单位LOGO

标识、贵单位名称及半版广告。

三. 获得当晚演出2VIP入场卷;2张普通入场卷

     Contact Phone:   (626) 826-8682

                                    (323) 981-8888

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Tsinghua University to Recruit 134 Teachers Worldwide (12/30)

 Tsinghua will recruit 49 professors or researchers and 85 associate professors and researchers. Tsinghua required the applicants from out of Tsinghua to submit at least five theses, and overseas applicants to submit at least three recommendation letters.

Currently, Tsinghua encourages professors and associate professors from both in and out of Tsinghua to compete for the academic posts available each year as part of its reforms of existing teachers' employment system.

The recruitment will be terminated on Oct. 10 and the final results will be unveiled by the end of December.

http://www.tsinghua.edu.cn/qhdwzy/index.jsp

 

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北京第13届金领职场招聘会(9/1)

 

全面立体服务项目:现场洽谈+网络互动+定向访寻 +《金领职场》会刊传播

 

洽谈会现场时间:200791日(900-1600

 

洽谈会现场地点:北京·亮马河饭店

 

参会个人

 

硕士以上学历,2年以上工作经验

 

本科学历,5年以上工作经验

 

大专学历,5年以上中层管理经验

 

海外留学归国人员,1年以上工作经验

 

注:IT通信行业人才本科学历,3年以上工作经验

 

联系人:孙浩

 

话:010-83278618

 

机:13552811088 13552732888

 

箱:zhaopinrencai_job@126.com

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欢迎参加“在沪投资创业华侨华人经济信息沙龙” 8/17
  为更好为在沪投资创业的华侨华人服务,上海市政府侨办将与上海市侨商会联合举办在沪投资创业华侨华人经济信息沙龙,初定时间为817日下午。

    侨办和侨商会计划今后每两个月举办双月经济信息沙龙,为侨资企业和在沪投资创业华侨华人提供一个商机信息发布和交流的平台。《上海华商服务信息》也将从中选择有关信息发布。欢迎广大在沪华侨华人参加。

    如有意在此次经济信息沙龙上发布商机等经济信息的侨资企业和侨商,请于731日前将项目信息发送至上海市政府侨办经科处 jkc@overseas.sh.cn ,请注明企业名称、联系人、手机、电话、Email 

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The 102nd Session of China Import and Export Fair (第102届广交会邀请信10/9-13

 

Please refer to this notice for the exhibitor recruitment of International Pavilion of the 102nd Session of China Import and Export Fair (hereinafter referred to as Canton Fair).

 

1. Exhibition Time

Stand construction and exhibits move-in: Oct 9-13, 2007

Exhibition: Oct 15-20, 2007

Stand dismantling and exhibits move-out: 6:00 p.m., Oct 20-11:00 p.m., Oct 21, 2007.

 

2. Exhibition Venue

Hall 21.2 & Hall 22.2, Pazhou Complex, China Import and Export Fair,

No.380 Yuejiangzhong Road, Guangzhou, China

 

3.Exhibition Space

Gross exhibition space: 20,000 sqm

 

4.Exhibits

The exhibits fall into 10 exhibition subsections:

4.1   Machinery and Equipment

4.2   Small Vehicles and Spare Parts

4.3   Electronics, IT Products and Household Electrical Appliances

4.4   Hardware and Tools

4.5   Building Materials and Kitchen and Sanitary equipment

4.6   Raw Materials

4.7   Consumer Goods

4.8   Decorations and Gifts

4.9   Jewelry

4.10        Foodstuffs and Agricultural Products

 

5. Stand Rate

Raw space: 3,000 RMB per sqm

Standard stand: 30,000 RMB (9 sqm with standard facilities)

 

The Canton Fair will offer free stands or 25% discount to overseas exhibitors in order to support the overseas enterprises to participate. The preferential conditions are as follows:

5.1  Exhibitors from the least developed countries listed by the United Nations will be offered stands for free. (For detailed name list, please refer to attachment 1.)

5.2  Exhibitors from other countries and regions will enjoy a 25% off, i.e., raw space of the International Pavilion will be 2,250 RMB per sqm, and a single standard stand (9 sqm with standard facilities) will be 22,500 RMB.

 

6.Application for Participation

 

6.1  Qualifications for Application

All overseas enterprises which meet the requirements of Participation Provisions (see attachment 2) can apply for participation.

6.2  How to Apply

Enterprises can apply directly to the China Foreign Trade Centre (hereinafter referred to as CFTC), or apply via agents entrusted by CFTC for participation. (For Participation Application Form, please refer to attachment 3.)

6.3  Standards and Organizing Principles for Agents

Those who meet the following requirements can apply to the CFTC for acting as agents for the International Pavilion of the 102nd Session of the Canton Fair:

6.31 Commercial organizations or exhibition companies from outside mainland China who are experienced, influential, credible and with ability to organize overseas exhibitor within their own regions and industries.

6.32 Commercial chambers of commerce and associations or large enterprises inside mainland China who are experienced, influential, credible and with ability to organize overseas enterprises to participate the fair.

6.33 There will be no more than one agent in one region or in one industry. All agents are first grade agents. No subcontract is allowed by any means.

6.34  In principle, each agent will be responsible for at least 500 square meters of net space.

 

To avoid business cross, on the basis of the ability of each agent, the China Foreign Trade Centre will segment the market and exhibit category reasonably. The validity of agent entrustment is only for the 102nd session. The agency cooperation in the future will depend on the quality of the current agents and the new arrangement of the International Pavilion. The current agent will be given priority for the agency cooperation under the same conditions.

 

6.4  Time for Stand Application

6.41 The deadline for agent application is June 30, 2007. Upon the receipt of the application, the CFTC will decide the name list of the agents of International Pavilion of the 102nd session of the Canton Fair before July 6, 2007 and sign the Agent Agreement with them.

6.42 The deadline for stand application is August 10, 2007. Upon the receipt of the application, the CFTC will send the Notice of Stand Confirmation before August 20, 2007.

 

6.5 Contact

6.51 For enterprises who apply to CFTC directly and exhibition companies from outside mainland China who wish to be agents of the International Pavilion, please contact: Mr. Li Dewei, China Foreign Trade Guangzhou Exhibition Corp, Tel: 0086-20-26081862, Fax0086-20-8668092531, Emailcief@fairwindow.com.

 

6.52 For industrial and commercial organizations from outside mainland China, who wish to be agents of the International Pavilion, please contact: Mr. Zhao Jianqing, Foreign Liaison Department, China Foreign Trade Centre, Tel: 0086-20-26080909, Fax:0086-20-83335880, Email: ciefexhibit@cantonfair.org.cn

 

6.53 For chambers of commerce and associations and large enterprises in China, who wish to be agents of the International Pavilion, please contact: Mr. Zhang Cheng, Operation Department, China Foreign Trade Centre, Tel: 0086-20-26080812, Fax: 0086-20-86681600, Email: imagent@cantonfair.org.cn.

 

Attachment:

1. Least Developed Countries Listed by the United Nations

2. Participation Provisions

3. Application Form

 

China Foreign Trade Centre (Group)  

Telephone0086-2026080807                                  

Address117, Liuhua Rd, Guangzhou, Guangdong                                         

Opening BankChengbei Branch, Bank of China, Guangzhou

Bank Account No.880001935308094001              

Postal Code510014                           

E-mailimagent@cantonfair.org.cn                

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臺灣辦理海外華裔靑年技術訓練班 8/31

 

為培養海外華裔靑年獲得實用知識與生産技能,發展工農商等事業,促進當地繁榮,僑務委員會特會同敎育部辦理海外靑年技術訓練班。該訓練班所有科目課程,依照職業分類,以適應各該行業之實際需求為主,學科與實習並重,由僑委會會同敎育部委託設備完善之學校辦理。

申請資格:

(一)符合下列各款資格者申請保薦,擇優録取,至額滿為止。

1.在海外出生且已取得當地公民權或永久居留權,或自臺灣出境所持中華民國護照已加簽「僑居身分」者。

2.高二肄業以上,年齡四十歲以下(1967年7月1日以後出生)之華僑及華裔男女靑年。

3.身體健康,品行端正,無不良嗜好者。 4.學歷程度合於申請各科資格者。

5.能講華語並具有中文筆記能力者。

(二)符合前項各款資格,就讀中華民國高中(職)、僑大先修班肄(結)業僑生或大專院校僑生因故休退學,尙未喪失僑生身份者。

(三)經內政部許可喪失中華民國國籍尙未回復或尙未撤銷喪失中華民國國籍者,不得申請。

本訓練班訓練期滿,成績及格者,由各校依規定發給海外靑年技術訓練班中英文畢業證書;如符合報考大學系所之資格,修滿規定學分數並成績及格者,得由各校依規定發給學分證明。來台後如不辦理註冊入學或因故退學者,必須返回僑居地,不得在台居留。

休士頓華僑文敎服務中心自7月15日起受理申請至8月31日截止。相關詳情及申請表請洽該中心,電話:713-789-4995,分機:106。

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台灣短缺5-10萬高科技人才  經濟部徵才團前來美國招攬海外精英 (8/26)

台灣在2010至2015年,將短缺5萬到10萬的高科技人才,其中僅經濟部科學園區與國科會工業園區便有高達1萬人的需求。

2007年經濟部『台灣延攬海外科技人才北美洲訪問團』將於8月26日抵達洛杉磯舉辦「海外科技人才徵才博覽會」。今年約有35-40家台灣的高科技厰商以及數百位本地年輕學子共同參與此徵才盛會。會議將於26日在洛僑中心舉行,所有應邀參加的與會代表將討論各項準備工作內容以及幹部工作分配等細節,並於會後舉行聯合記者招待會。

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UCLA陶哲軒和MIT沈華智兩名華裔科學家榮膺 英國皇家科學院院士

日前,兩名華裔科學家榮膺2007年度英國皇家科學院院士,他們分別是美國麻省理工學院大腦與認知科學系和生物系終身教授沈華智、任教於美國加州大學洛杉磯分校數學系的華裔數學家陶哲軒。

成立於1660年的英國皇家科學院,是世界上歷史最悠久、最著名的學術團體之一,目前有1400多位院士,其中包括60多位諾貝爾獎得主。皇家科學院院士都是在基礎科學研究或工業及科技前沿研究方面有特殊貢獻的科學家,歷史上很多偉大的科學家,如牛頓、達爾文和霍金等人都曾是該院院士。

對於此次當選,沈華智表示,能夠從事自己喜歡的研究工作,同時獲得科學界的肯定,是一件非常幸運的事。研究工作的壓力非常大,但也十分有趣,不但每天都有新的進展、必須面對不同的挑戰,同時也可以與其他頂尖的科學家們進行交流。

 

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Prof Paul Chu Appointed to US President's Committee of National Medal on Science for Selecting Recipients of Top US Scientific Honors

HKUST President Prof Paul Chu has been appointed to the US President's Committee on the National Medal of Science to select and recommend to the US President the recipients of the highest honor for scientific achievement in the US.

 President Paul Chu

Prof Chu is the few Chinese scientists ever to be appointed to the President's Committee since the establishment of the National Medal of Science by the US Congress in 1959.

Hailed as the United States' equivalent of the Nobel Prize, the National Medal of Science is awarded by the US President on an annual basis to honor the contributions made by outstanding scientists who have significantly advanced knowledge in the fields of physics, biology, mathematics, engineering, and sociology and other behavioral sciences.

Prof Chu's appointment to the President's Committee, announced by the White House on June 21, is for a term of three years ending December 2009. The President's Committee comprises 12 members who are outstanding scientists and engineers from a variety of disciplines in the natural and social science.

"The medal is to recognize the best scientists from across the US, and I am deeply honored to be given the opportunity to play a part in recommending the recipients," Prof Chu said.

Prof Chu is himself a recipient of the National Medal of Science in 1988 for his scientific breakthrough in high temperature super-conductivity. He was also named the Best Researcher in the United States by US News and World Report in 1990.

Out of a total 425 National Medal of Science laureates, nine are of Chinese descent, including:

Chen-Ning Yang (1986);

Yuan-Tseh Li (1986);

Yuan-Cheng B Fung (2000), the "Founder of Modern Biomechanics";

Shing-Tung Yau (1997), winner of the Fields Medal,

Alfred Y Cho (1993), the "Father of Molecular Beam Epitaxy";

Tung-Yin Lin (1986), one of the greatest structural engineers of his time;

Shiing-Shen Chern (1975), a leading differential geometer of the twentieth century; and

Chien-Shiung Wu (1975), the "First Lady of Physics"

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加拿大华人青年联合总会主持了《枫华正茂》首发仪式(7/29

 

《枫华正茂》一书描述了16位不同领域的成功人士年轻岁月里的人生成长历程。其中包括加拿大IT界华人创业第一人周松年,中国欧美同学会副会长王辉耀,多伦多电力公司首席能源官吕裕强,加拿大著名青年小提琴家侯以嘉,海外著名华人作家张翎,海归企业家阎长明、李云祥等。此书对他们在加拿大的奋斗历程上给予足够关注,也讲述了近半人物回国发展后的成就,旨在激发海内外新一代年轻中国人的奋斗意识,鼓励年轻人追逐梦想,帮助年轻人重新认识自己,改变自己,最终为年轻人提供一个学习和参考的机会。

 

《枫华正茂》是关注中国学子来加拿大留学、移民、奋斗创业,并取得显著成就的第一本专著。此书是对书中人物奋斗成功史的一个人生小结,也是对中国80年代以来新一代留学生、移民在加拿大以及世界各地开花结果的里程碑似的纪录。本书读者群体以国内及在加拿大留学的中国大学生、研究生为主,可以延伸到全球中国留学生及家长群体。写作风格采取自由式叙述,讲述入选者自己的真实故事和感悟,总结人生路上的成功和失败经验。目的在于使读者读起来感觉真实,耐人寻味,倍受启发。设计格调年轻,时尚,富有激情。

 

加拿大联邦、省、市三级政府包括多伦多市长David Miller,参议员Art Eggleton,国会议员John McCallum,国会议员Jim Karygiannis,安省公民移民厅长Mike Colle,安省议员David Zimmer,以及前中国驻多伦多总领事陈小玲等均发来贺信表达他们对华人新移民在加国奋斗图强的肯定和赞扬。 同时, 中国侨联主席林兆枢为本书题词,中国驻加拿大全权大使卢树民及中国侨联副主席李祖沛为书写序。在本书的撰写过程中,伍卓生先生担任名誉顾问,陈丙丁、詹文义、张明达、林立先生为本书担任顾问。多名政要及侨领已应邀出席《枫华正茂》首发仪式。

 

《枫华正茂》已被选入北京最大的图书城<<中关村图书大厦专柜特别推荐区,现正在热销中。为向多伦多华人社区介绍本书及书中人物,编委会将隆重举办《枫华正茂》首发仪式暨书中人物座谈会。首发座谈会将邀请部分书中人物作为嘉宾与多伦多华人华侨分享交流。届时,现场将举办签名售书活动。

 

活动详情:

时间:2007729号下午1:30

地点:Rotunda Room, Toronto Metro Hall, 55 John St., Toronto, ON, M5V 3C6CN Tower 附近)

联络:黄适 416-587-6058  钱洋 647-388-7799 

 

《枫华正茂》编委会主任、加拿大华人青年联合总会执行主席李峻医生(右)向访问多伦多的中国国务院侨办主任李海峰(中)及中国驻多伦多总领事朱桃英赠书(左)

 

 

====================================

Zogby Poll: Help Wanted—Ideas and Experts to Fuel Future U.S. Economy

           Americans want a more innovative economy and a better– educated workforce.

           Opening markets seen as key to building trust around the world.

           Most say the U.S. Government and Corporate America should do more to lead the way.

Americans want an economy built on education and innovation, but they are not pleased with current efforts by national leaders to foster the next generation of American ingenuity, a new Zogby Interactive poll shows.

Seven in 10 said the government is not doing enough to promote innovation in America, the survey said. Nearly two–thirds – 65% – said they don’t think business is doing enough.

The interactive survey shows that most Americans expect their national economy to be the world leader in developing jobs for the 21st Century, and they think the engine of that economy should be fueled by college graduates. More than three out of four respondents – 77% – said they favor providing a four–year college degree to every American who wants one.

The online poll included 8,046 respondents. It was conducted July 2–5, 2007, and carries a margin of error of +/– 1.1 percentage points.

Interestingly, the older the respondent, the more likely they were to say that it was “of the greatest importance” that America be a leader in developing jobs for the future. Among those age 70 and older, 54% it was of the greatest importance, compared to just 25% of those aged 18–24 who said the same. Among men, 50% said it was of the greatest importance, compared to just 34% of women. Republicans, at 51%, were much more likely than Democrats to agree – just 34% of Democrats said it was of the greatest importance that America be the leader in developing 21st Century jobs.

Older respondents were also slightly more likely than their younger counterparts to say innovation is a key to America’s economic prosperity.

The Zogby Interactive survey, commissioned by IBM, showed that, overall, a sizable majority of Americans (70%) believe that open trading markets around the globe increases tolerance and friendship among countries. Younger workers are much more likely to hold this belief intensely, the survey shows. Among those aged 18–24, 35% said they strongly agree that open markets can pave a path of peaceful international relations, compared to just 20% of those aged 35–69 who said the same thing.

A majority of Americans believe the U.S. must be an active player in worldwide commerce, and the Zogby poll found older Americans are twice as likely to strongly agree that growth of the U.S. economy depends on the government’s aggressive work to open markets abroad for American products and services. While 59% of those over age 70 strongly agreed with that statement, just 27% of those aged 18–24 said they strongly believed the same. Majorities of both men and women generally agreed with the concept, but men were more likely to hold that belief intensely.

While 53% of men said that aggressive engagement in the world economy and promotion of U.S. trade is the key to America’s continued growth, 39% of women agreed.

Most Americans – 69% – oppose erecting barriers to trade with other nations, the poll shows. Here, again, men are slightly more enthusiastic about free trade than women – 33% of men “strongly agree” that the U.S. should avoid constructing trade barriers, compared to 24% of women who felt the same way. Overall, wide majorities across all demographic groups in every region of the country opposed trade barriers as a way for the U.S. to deal with other trading partners.

A huge majority – 86% – said government investment in education and leading–edge skills is the key to making sure America will be able to compete successfully in a world economy, the survey shows – including 62% who said they “strongly agree” with that statement. Strong support for governmental investment in education and advanced worker training crossed all demographic lines, though Democrats were more somewhat enthusiastic about it than Republicans.

The survey showed Americans are less than convinced that the U.S. will be the technological leader moving forward. A plurality of 38% said they believed it would lead the world in innovation over the next decade. Another one in four respondents said they think China will outpace America in the next 10 years. Those respondents who have worked outside the U.S. were a bit more confident in America’s edge over its international competitors, compared to those who had never worked outside the U.S. Republicans are more likely than Democrats to believe the U.S. will be the world’s technology leader going forward.

The differences in partisan perception on America’s future role in the world economy may stem from their view of the role government and business has played so far in fostering innovation. Democrats are much more likely to feel that both entities are falling short of all they could do to promote American ingenuity.

 

==============================

Zogby民调:1/4美国人认为,在未来10年内中国将超越美国成为世界头号创新大国 (侨报吴越)

民调机构佐格比 Zogby International)日公布的一项调查结果显示,美国人对中国快速发展的创新能力印象深刻,多达四分之一的美国人认为,在未来10年内中国将超越美国成为世界头号创新大国。

 这项由IBM公司委托进行的调查共在线访问了8046人。这项调查显示,美国人对本国的创新能力很为不满,认为作为世界创新大国领导者的美国在教育下一代美国人的创新思维方面努力不够。在相关的两项调查中,多达70%的受访者认为,美国政府在创新领域投入和重视程度不够;接近三分之二的美国人还认为,美国企业界在创新开拓方面让人失望。

 但美国人对中国在创新领域的快速发展给予了高度评价。尽管 38.5%的美国人仍认为,美国在10年后仍将是国际创新领域的头号竞争者,但多达25%的受访者也认为,中国将超越美国成为世界头号创新大国。

 随着经济的全球化和信息技术的日新月异,创新能力已成为衡量一个国家综合竞争力以及能否持续发展的重要指标。中国政府为此曾提出建立创新型国家的口号,并于最近几年投入大量资金用于研发。上月出版的英国《金融时报》也引用相关报告称,中国用于创新的研发费用正在急剧增长,两年后可望赶上欧洲的水平。该报告以2005年的数据称,欧盟的研发费用占GDP 1.84%,低于美国和韩国,日本用于创新技术的研发费用比例居各国之首,占GDP3.18%

 但该报告称,中国2005年该比例已达到1.34%,而且仍在快速增长,估计到2009年即可赶上欧盟。报告预计,随着中国创新能力的不断提高,预计数年后中国的高科技产品出口量将超过欧盟和美国。

 

===================================================

EITC 2007 University Leadership Forum (ULF)

 

University Leadership Forum (ULF)

August 10, 2007

Princeton University

 

Forum Chair:  Da Hsuan Feng, The University of Texas at Dallas

 

In the 21st century, the world is "flat," as Thomas Friedman would say. Asia is no longer Asia, United States is no longer United States, the World is no longer the World. Mankind today is technologically connected in an ever changing and ubiquitous manner which was never before seen in its long and often arduous history. In the 21st century, there are indeed dark and imminent challenges facing the globe and humanity, which if not mitigated, may and could spell the demise of all.

 

In this landscape, higher education, especially research universities globally, should and must assume greater and enormous responsibilities to be lighthouses of concern and care for humanity. 

 

With this in mind, EITC-07 is organizing an exciting ULF, whose theme is broadly defined by this vision. Four distinguished education leaders from four of the most powerful global research universities are invited to speak at the forum. Three of them are from the United States and one from Taiwan. 

 

While all are truly outstanding scientists/engineers/technologists in their respective fields, they also have to intellectually and administratively lead in part of in total these outstanding universities in North America and Asia.  All have accumulated wealth of experiences and wisdoms so that comments from them will be unique and exciting perspectives as to how their respective institutions can and must assume greater and solemn responsibilities in this critical juncture of humanity.

 

Panel members will each speak for about 20 minutes.  This will be followed by Q&A.  The members are:

 

Professor Leonard Feldman was recently appointed as Vice President for Physical Science and Engineering Partnerships and Director of Institute for Advanced Materials, Devices and Nanotechnology, Rutgers University

 

Professor Way Kuo is currently University Distinguished Professor and Dean of the School of Engineering of the University of Tennessee.  Professor Kuo was formally Vice Chancellor of the Texas A and M System.

 

Academician Michael M. C. Lai has recently assumed the Presidency of National Cheng Kung University, one of the largest comprehensive universities in Taiwan.  Prior to this appointment, Academician Lai was Vice President of Academia Sinica, the leading government sponsored research institute in Taiwan.

 

Professor James Wei is currently Professor of Chemical Engineering and Former Dean of the School of Engineering of Princeton University

===================================

我为什么总被美国领事馆拒签?  (恒心)

  有了护照和国外大学的入学通知书之后?签证是准留学生踏上留学征途的最后一关。在申请留学之前,最好能了解签证的难易程度、申请程序以及被拒签的原因等,使自己顺利闯过最后一关。为什么有些人总被美国使馆拒签?手里拿着美国大学的录取通知书,他们心里有一堆疑问:现在要拿到签证是不是比以前困难了?美国使馆的签证决定究竟是怎么作出的?影响签证决定的因素有哪些?

  问:为什么面谈时间那么短,签证官只问了我一两个问题,而且几乎连我的文件都没看就拒签了我的申请?

  答:签证官每年要处理成千上万份签证申请。凭经验,他们可以迅速审看签证表格和其他辅助材料以减少提问。请记住,签证官所需信息绝大部分已在签证申请表上,通常无需多问问题。

  问:我递交的文件是按要求准备的,可仍被拒签了,我究竟还需要带什么文件?

  答:递交文件并不能说明问题,而是文件上所显示的你的整体情况不能够推翻你有移民倾向的假设。请牢记,有移民倾向是阻碍你拿到美国签证的头号天敌。你必须能证明你在访美后一定会离开美国。

  问:申请签证时,我已向签证官表示在美国做短暂停留后,一定返回中国。为什么签证官不相信我?

  答:签证官必须先衡量你的整体情况,然后再决定是否发给你签证。虽然本人的口头陈述对获得签证有一定帮助,但是根据美国法律规定,仅凭口头保证不能证明你符合非移民签证的条件。

  问:被拒签的申请人要等待多长时间后,才可再次申请签证?

  答:拒签后何时再次申请并没有时间限制。只要能提交能够证明你符合得到非移民签证件的补充文件或证明,你就可以重新申请。

  

    详情请接洽:718-799-6212718-961-8808EMAIL: uschina1@hotmail.comuschina2@hotmail.com http://oretum.org

 

====================================

Internship Research Opportunities with Chinese Breast Cancer Patients

Internship Research Opportunities

Bilingual skills (English and Chinese) are desired

Title of research:  Experience among Chinese Breast Cancer Survivors

 

Research description: Chinese breast cancer patients and survivors face  culturally specific obstacles that affect their well-being. This psychosocial intervention study may directly benefit Chinese breast cancer survivors and could inform the development of a culturally sensitive support strategy for other Asian Americans. 

 

Qualifications: Bilingual skills (English and Chinese) are required: speaking  fluent Mandarin (fluency in Cantonese is a plus and not a requirement). Being efficient in writing and typing Chinese is a plus.

 

Learning opportunities:  1) quantitative skills and data management2) grant development and management 3) intervention study protocol development and implementation 4) working with local Chinese communities and interacting with Chinese breast cancer survivors.

 

Job opportunities:  Yes, this internship position may lead to a paid position of a program manager for the study. 

 

Responsibilities: Assist with the following tasks: 1) helping to develop questionnaires and translating into Chinese, 2) conducting telephone screens and scheduling subjects,

 2) Administering questionnaires and interviewing subjects; 3) data entry and data coding,

 4) Organizing and managing data files, 5) conducing literature searches for relevant articles to assist with project conduct and presentation of results. 

 

Hours per week: 10-20 (flexible)

Quarters recruiting: 

    Summer 2007

    Fall 2007

    Winter 2008

    Spring 2008

 

Contact info:

Principal Investigator: Qian Lu, M.D., Ph.D.

Dept   Pediatrics, University of California Los Angeles

Email   qianlu@mednet.ucla.edu

====================================

大学不看重标准考试 美国“高考”地位在动摇

 

按照传统,美国各所大学在录取本科新生时,都要求申请者提供SATACT这两种国家入学标准考试的成绩,作为录取的主要标准。不过,这一传统做法正在发生改变。据统计,全美目前约有739所拥有学士学位授予资格的大学,不再要求申请者提交上述“高考”成绩,目的是为了招收更多有才华的学生,特别是吸引女学生以及少数族裔学生。

 

部分高校不看成绩

 

SATACT是美国广泛采纳的大学入学标准考试,是公认的衡量申请者高中成绩和潜在能力的标准尺度,有着美国“高考”之称。它们既是美国大学的入学条件之一,又是大学发放奖学金的主要依据之一。

 

不过,现在这两种“高考”的权威地位被撼动。据美国一家位于马萨诸塞州的非赢利机构“美国国家公平开放测试中心”统计,目前全美约有739所拥有学士学位授予资格的大学或学院已经采取了“考试供选”政策,即在录取本科新生时,不再要求申请者提供SATACT成绩。

 

该机构主管称,这是一个“快速发展的趋势”,过去几年就有30所学校采取了这样的政策,包括一些专业学校,比如艺术和音乐学院以及文科学院,另外还有差不多数量的学校正在考虑实施。他说,一些大学负责人认为,“高考”成绩并不能很好地衡量学生完成大学学业的能力,将“高考”成绩作为录取标准,无法招到一些考试成绩虽然不太理想,但却真正有才华的优秀学生。

 

今年5月,在美国国家科技工程类大学中,位于马萨诸塞州的伍斯特工艺学院成为首家将SAT成绩作为录取标准选择项的大学,以便招收到更多的女生和少数族裔。而这一目的也是其他采取类似政策的大学不再重视“高考”成绩的主要原因。

 

据伍斯特工艺学院负责录取工作的官员称,SAT成绩也许能反映学生在高中时的智能,但它并不能反映学生进入大学后的成就。事实上,该校大部分成功的本科生都具有很强的主动性和创造力。

 

引起社会广泛争议

 

目前,关于大学入学时是否提供“高考”成绩这一话题在美国高等教育界引起了争议。支持者认为,有些学校之所以采取“考试供选”政策,部分原因是人们对这种统一考试模式产生了怀疑,美国数千所高中的教育标准差别很大,SAT成绩作为国家统一标准,无法帮助大学挑选所需要的学生。另一个原因是他们担心这种考试好比是富孩子和穷孩子的游戏场,可能对富孩子更有利。威斯康星州劳伦斯大学是两年前采用“考试供选”政策的,该校负责招生事务的官员说,有些富孩子可以花钱上昂贵的考前辅导课,可以花钱考好几次试,这样他们与穷孩子之间的差别就越来越大。

 

缅因州贝茨学院早在1984年就采用了“考试供选”政策,该校几年前发表了一份跨越20年的研究报告,称那些提交SATACT成绩的学生与没有提交的学生之间,在大学成绩和毕业率方面实际上没有差别。

 

不过,有批评者认为,“高考”成绩仍然是大学录取新生时必须参照的几个因素之一。 SAT考试主管机构、美国大专院校委员会发言人称,有关美国大学采用“考试供选”政策已成为趋势的说法是个误解,事实上,在全美四年制大学中,高达88%的大学仍然将标准考试成绩作为录取标准。“考试供选”政策在一些小型学校更加普遍,大型的研究性大学仍然需要利用SATACT成绩来对数量庞大的申请者进行筛选。

=====================================

Professional Grant Proposal Writing Workshop (8/22-24)

 

The Grant Institute's Grants 101: Professional Grant Proposal Writing Workshop will be held at the University of Pennsylvania , August 22 - 24, 2007. Interested development professionals, researchers, faculty, and graduate students should register as soon as possible, as demand means that seats will fill up quickly. Please forward, post, and distribute this e-mail to your colleagues.

 

All participants will receive certification in professional grant writing from the Institute. For more information call (888) 824 - 4424 or visit The Grant Institute at www.thegrantinstitute.com .

 

Please find the program description below:

The Grant Institute - Professional Grant Proposal Writing Workshop

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

August 22 - 24, 2007

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

 

The Grant Institute's Grants 101 course is an intensive and detailed introduction to the process, structure, and skill of professional proposal writing. This course is characterized by its ability to act as a thorough overview, introduction, and refresher at the same time. In this course, participants will learn the entire proposal writing process and complete the course with a solid understanding of not only the ideal proposal structure, but a holistic understanding of the essential factors, which determine whether or not a program gets funded. Through the completion of interactive exercises and activities, participants will complement expert lectures by putting proven techniques into practice. This course is designed for both the beginner looking for a thorough introduction and the intermediate looking for a refresher course that will strengthen their grant acquisition skills. This class, simply put, is designed to get results by creating professional grant proposal writers.

 

Participants will become competent program planning and proposal writing professionals after successful completion of the Grants 101 course. In three active and informative days, students will be exposed to the art of successful grant writing practices, and led on a journey that ends with a masterful grant proposal.

 

Grants Institute consists of three (3) courses that will be completed during the three-day workshop.

 

(1) Fundamentals of Program Planning

 

This course is centered on the belief that "it's all about the program." This intensive course will teach professional program development essentials and program evaluation. While most grant writing "workshops" treat program development and evaluation as separate from the writing of a proposal, this class will teach students the relationship between overall program planning and grant writing.

 

(2) Professional Grant Writing

 

Designed for both the novice and experienced grant writer, this course will make each student an overall proposal writing specialist. In addition to teaching the basic components of a grant proposal, successful approaches, and the do's and don'ts of grant writing, this course is infused with expert principles that will lead to a mastery of the process. Strategy resides at the forefront of this course's intent to illustrate grant writing as an integrated, multidimensional, and dynamic endeavor. Each student will learn to stop writing the grant and to start writing the story. Ultimately, this class will illustrate how each component of the grant proposal represents an opportunity to use proven techniques for generating support.

 

(3) Grant Research

 

At its foundation, this course will address the basics of foundation, corporation, and government grant research. However, this course will teach a strategic funding research approach that encourages students to see research not as something they do before they write a proposal, but as an integrated part of the grant seeking process. Students will be exposed to online and database research tools, as well as publications and directories that contain information about foundation, corporation, and government grant opportunities. Focusing on funding sources and basic social science research, this course teaches students how to use research as part of a strategic grant acquisition effort.

 

Registration

$597.00 tuition includes all materials and certificates.

 

Each student will receive:

*The Grant Institute Certificate in Professional Grant Writing

*The Grant Institute's Guide to Successful Grant Writing

*The Grant Institute Grant Writer's Workbook with sample proposals, forms, and outlines

 

Registration Methods

 

1) On-Line - Complete the online registration form at www.thegrantinstitute.com under Register Now. We'll send your confirmation by e-mail.

 

2) By Phone - Call (888) 824 - 4424 to register by phone. Our friendly Program Coordinators will be happy to assist you and answer your questions.

 

3) By E-mail - Send an e-mail with your name, organization, and basic contact information to info@thegrantinstitute.com and we will reserve your slot and send your Confirmation Packet.

================================

 移民局从今日起即刻接受职业移民I-485申请,截止期限到817 (李相如)

 

美国移民局于717日发布通知,修改其72日作出的不接受7月份排期已到职业移民的I-485调整身份的申请。在多方的要求和呼吁下,移民局决定从717起即刻接受职业移民I-485申请,截止期限到817。如果按照国务院第107号移民排期进度公报,排期已到的职业移民申请者应抓紧时间,即刻准备材料提出申请。

 

以下是该通知的英文全文。

 

 Office of Communications

US Citizenship and Immigration Services

July 17, 2007

Contact: Office of Communications  202-272-1200

 

USCIS Announces Revised Processing Procedures for 
Adjustment of Status Applications
WASHINGTON
—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that, beginning immediately, it will accept employment-based applications to adjust status (Form I-485) filed by aliens whose priority dates are current under the July Visa Bulletin, No. 107. USCIS will accept applications filed not later than August 17, 2007.

On July 2, 2007, USCIS announced that it would not accept any additional employment-based applications to adjust status. USCIS made that announcement after receiving an update from the Department of State that it would not authorize any additional employment-based visa numbers for this fiscal year. After consulting with USCIS, the Department of State has advised that Bulletin #107 (dated June 12) should be relied upon as the current July Visa Bulletin for purposes of determining employment visa number availability, and that Visa Bulletin #108 (dated July 2) has been withdrawn.

“The public reaction to the July 2 announcement made it clear that the federal government’s management of this process needs further review,” said Emilio Gonzalez, USCIS Director.  “I am committed to working with Congress and the State Department to implement a more efficient system in line with public expectations.”

USCIS’s announcement today allows anyone who was eligible to apply under Visa Bulletin No. 107 a full month’s time to do so.  Applications already properly filed with USCIS will also be accepted. The current fee schedule will apply to all applications filed under Visa Bulletin No. 107 through August 17, 2007. (The new fee schedule that becomes effective on July 30, 2007, will apply to all other applications filed on or after July 30, 2007).

 

 

李相如律师

Mark X. Li, Esq.

Email: markxruli@gmail.com, Web: www.lirulaw.com

 

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外商投资经营中国天然气加工及城市燃气输配管网建设项目适用税收优惠,国家税务局专门发通知

 

  一、从事天然气加工、销售业务(包括同时投资建设城市燃气输配管网)的外商投资企业,向用户提供的可燃气体,必须经过对天然气进行成份分析、净化、调压、加臭等一系列加工工艺过程,质量标准和技术参数要求高,不同于一般的简单加工,因此这类企业为国民经济行业分类中的燃气生产和供应业,属于从事《税法》实施细则第七十二条(二)项能源工业的生产性企业范围,对其取得的燃气加工销售及相关业务的经营所得,适用相应的税收优惠待遇。

  二、单一从事城市燃气输配管网建设经营项目的外商投资企业,属于从事能源交通基础设施建设经营项目的企业,其取得的城市燃气输配管网的运营收入和所得,除适用《税法》有关生产性企业的优惠规定外,经报国家税务总局批准,可按《税法》实施细则第七十三条一款(一)项3目规定的能源、交通建设项目,适用15%的减低税率优惠。

  三、以前设立的从事上述业务的外商投资企业,税务机关尚未对其适用的税收待遇予以认定的,可就其开始生产经营年度起的所得,按本通知规定认定适用税收优惠待遇;已经税务机关认定的税收待遇,应自企业2007年度起的所得,按新规定予以调整。

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China Economic growth goes beyond experts' expectation

 During the first half of this year, Chinese GDP reached 10.68 trillion yuan, 11.5% more than the same period last year. Economic growth in the second quarter reached 11.9%, the highest point during the first half of the year. Fixed assets investment increased by 25.9% during the first half of the year, 2.2 percentage points higher than in the first quarter, according to information released by the National Statistics Bureau on Thursday.

 

The macro economic growth has exceeded experts' previous expectations.

 

Earlier, most economists predicted that macro economic growth rate might stand around 9-10.5% this year, a level lower than the economic growth rate of last year. The newly released figures show that Chinese economy, which managed o keep a double-digit growth for the past four years, has shown no sign of slowing down.

 

“The economy is at high risk of becoming overheated, ”said Zhang Yongjun from the State Information Center.

 

Meanwhile, the latest figures show that during the first half of the year, CPI increased by 3.2% compared with the same period last year. In particular, CPI figure in June increased by 4.4%, hitting a new high after it reached the highest point in October 2004.

 

Before these figures were released, market speculation had already painted a gloomy picture of the macro economic performance. Analysts worry that once the CPI figures are publicized, it will evoke some new macro control measures, which might further affect the stock market performance. Most market analysts are concerned about the possible interest rate raise, a measure that might probably come after CPI figures are announced.

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今年台湾大学考试录取高达97%  大学生素质是否“继续下降”?令人忧心

台湾大学考试入学分发委员会上周公布,今年考试分发确定招生85958人,如以各校系主要采计科目英文科估算,该科实际到考人数95112人,上网选填志愿的录取率粗估九成七。若以此计算,今年仅2800人不会上榜。因录取率太高,教育部要督促各大学设定最低录取标准,例如重要学科不能零分,以维持大学生品质。

  据台湾《中国时报》报道,分发会19日公布今年各大学校系招生名额,及各大学校系采计的49种成绩组合发现,各大学大走“回头路”,全部1697个招生系组中,1044系组、约61.52%是传统采计方式,大学多元入学一点都不多元。

  “传统采计方式”是,自然组采计国、英、数甲、理、化5科,医农类组加采计生物,社会组采计国、英、数乙、史、地5科。

  大学入学考试中心19日公布今年指考各科成绩累计人数表及各科5标,数学乙顶、前、均标分别较去年降低16分、18分、13分。补教界预估,今年可能5科考60分、一科平均考12分就可进大学,再创纪录;大学生素质是否“继续下降”?令人忧心。

  大考中心统计,今年数乙满分268人,较去年1724人少1456人;去年90分以上超过1万人,今年仅1284人。今年数学顶、前、均标分别是72分、60分、43分,比去年88分、78分、56分降了10多分。

  现在岛内大学录取率高得离谱,教育部高教司专门委员杨玉蕙表示,将持续与大学沟通,希望各校系设定最低录取分数,以确保台湾大学毕业生品质。例如,数学系至少要设定数学不能考零分的最低门槛。如果因此有校系招不到学生,该校系就被“自然淘汰”。

  大学招生委员会联合会执行秘书、台大教务长蒋丙煌表示,教育部曾提过降低采计指考科目主张,但多数大学认为,学测简单、指考较难,两者考试成绩很难互通,还是倾向多采计指考成绩。

至于设定最低录取标准,蒋丙煌说,教育部以前主张广设大学,现在又要各校设最低录取标准,有点矛盾。一旦设定最低录取标准,会有大学招不到学生。但招联会还是愿意持续研究教育部主张的可行性。

 

 2007台灣大學聯考 350分就上 2萬考生英譯01 錄取率估94%

大學聯合分發委員會昨天指出,今年考生要在2428日上網填志願,錄取率保守預估九成三到九成四,但也有補教業者估到九成七,創歷史新高。

補教業者昨天預估,今年採計三科校系,50分就有學校念;採五科的二類組校系,可能六、七十分就可錄取,平均每科十幾分就能上大學。

教育部為確保大學生基本素質,已要求大學招聯會研議,明年各系至少要設一科錄取門檻,不能英文零分也能讀英文系,也不能數學零分卻可讀數學系。

今年多數校系仍採計傳統的五或六科,考生壓力不減,教育部也將向招聯會提案討論,希望指考採計科目減為三科,尤其國、英、數這三科共同科目,儘量用甄選入學採計的學測設門檻即可。

目前台大、清大、交大等校,多數校系仍採五或六科。

大學聯分會統計,今年指考約10萬人報名,比去年減少九千多人,且有五千多人缺考,錄取近8.6萬人。去年(繳卡)錄取率約九成一,今年保守估計,還會增加2%3%。大學指考成績單19日寄發,有五分之一的考生英文翻譯是零到一分,有近五千人英文作文,連一分都沒拿到。有考生連台灣兩個字的英文Taiwan都不會拼,還有學生把鐵路Railroad(Rail-way),拼成了「鐵」做的路Ironroad

台灣近年來強調「本土化」,可是考生程度卻不夠「國際化」。今年英文翻譯題的第二題,是請考生把「有了高速鐵路,我們可以在半天內往返台灣南北兩地。」翻成英文,東吳大學英文系副教授曾泰元說,很多學生把Taiwan拼成Tawen,還有TaiwaiTwainTawianTiawan,看起來很「刺眼」。

曾泰元說,就他評卷的印象,約有一成的考生英文翻譯「留白」,十萬考生中,有兩萬多人翻譯在一分以下。「英文作文就算是完全離題,大半考生都多少會寫幾行。」曾泰元說,一分以下人數比較少。

考生英文拼字能力太差,讓曾泰元印象深刻,有人把大眾運輸中的mass,拼成了mess,成為「髒亂運輸」;還有人想用public一詞,卻拼成了re-public,成為「共和運輸」。

在國文作文部分,也有近四千人不到一分,且沒有人拿到27分滿分。台大中文系教授何寄澎感嘆地說,「近年好作文已經難得一見了。

何寄澎說,「不能否認,學生的寫作能力正在下降。」

國文作文評分是先用級分,再換算為分數,如A+是27分滿分,A則只剩24分,而沒有中間的分數。今年最高分的25.5分得主,推測應是有一位評卷老師給A+,另一位評A,兩者分數相加除以二,才會得到這個分數。

 

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 Psychological data bank for Chinese children

China will set up a psychological development data bank for adolescents. The country plans to select 100,000 children as samples and information gathered from these children will be used as a basis for setting up the data bank and the various measuring systems for children.

 

About 40 million adolescents in China suffer from various psychological problems. Among them, 5%-8% of the children, or 16 million, are dyslexic and 6% of the children, or 19 million, have a problem in doing calculations. In addition, 8%-10% of the children, or 25 million, have study problems.

 

While China has a complete system and various advanced equipment to monitor students' physical health, there are no unified national standards set to test students' mental health so far in this country. In recent years, more and more children have displayed some mental problems and the incidence is still on the rise. It is estimated that the rate of incidence of the mental disease will reach 50% by 2020.

 

Last week, China kicked off a project that aims to investigate the mental developmental conditions of Chinese children. The project will be directed by Dong Qi, a professor from the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning under the Beijing Normal University, and Professor Lin Chongde, a psychologist from the Beijing Normal University. 80 psychological experts from more than 40 colleges and universities across China will participate in the project.

 

The experts will choose 100,000 children aged between 6 and 15 across China as samples to test their cognitive ability, learning ability, and mental health conditions. In particular, the test will cover students’ sense ability, the ability to remember things, their attention ability, spatial ability, the ability to reason and speak, their mathematics learning ability, their emotional behaviors, and their self-awareness.

 

After completing the investigation, experts will start to set up criteria for reflecting children's different psychological conditions at different developmental stages. A pamphlet on children’s mental development will be issued. In addition, experts will start to build a set of measuring tools on psychology and a powerful data bank about all this testing information.

 

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房价上涨直接剥夺了大陆白领阶层的再发展能力  (南都  田霜月、张丹)

 

  房价的上涨最直接剥夺的就是白领阶层的再发展能力!华南师范大学副教授唐昊做客岭南大讲坛•公众论坛提出,这些潜在的中产阶层要把以后几十年打工的收入拿出来买房。这些收入本来可以用来再教育或者投资或者创业。所以房价透支的不仅仅是钱,而是透支这些人不断往上发展的路径,对他们的发展权是一种明目张胆的伤害。

 

  。唐昊认为,“房价的上涨在今天来讲,最直接剥夺的就是白领阶层的再发展能力!”他说,尽管大家认为现在房价很高了,但如果你实在买不起的话,可能也不会觉得这个价格特别的高,或者对这个概念不敏感;正是因为我们处在能够买得起、又很心痛的这样一个区间,才会对房价这么敏感。这些人是谁呢?是中国社会这20多年以来培养起来的潜在的中产阶级,或者说白领阶层、小资。

 

  “真正的穷人,不要说房价在1万元/平方米,降到6000元/平方米、2000元/平方米也买不起。更高收入的人,则不在乎房价是1万元/平方米或者1.8万元/平方米。”这样情况下,房价伤害的是特定一群人。这些人是整个社会发展的中坚,处在创造最大价值的年龄段。但同时他们上有4位老人,下有一个小孩,所有的担子压在他们的身上。而房价的上升,让他们把以后几十年打工的收入都要拿出来买房。这些收入本来可以用做他们自己再教育,或者读一个新的学位,或者投资,或者参与小型的企业创业。“房价透支的不仅仅是钱,而是透支这些人不断往上发展的路径,对这些人的发展权是一种明目张胆的伤害。”

 

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Air pollution to kill 600,000 in China by 2020

According to a joint report by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the National Environmental Protection Administration, more than 270 million urban Chinese are breathing polluted air nowadays. It is estimated that about 600 thousand of them will die an early death by 2020 due to polluted air.

 

Every year, 20 million Chinese fall victim to respiratory diseases caused by pollution, not including 5.5 million chronic bronchitis patients.

 

Some overseas media say that every year about 750 thousand Chinese are killed by air pollution, and they claim the data are taken from a report by the World Bank. However, the Ministry of Health and the National Environmental Protection Administration have confirmed the data to be false, and demanded that the World Bank delete them from its report.

 

"I have not read that report, thus I don't want to comment on it. Air pollution is still a severe problem in China, although it is very difficult to analyze its harm quantitatively," said Zhou Jian, deputy director of the National Environmental Protection Administration.

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在日本感受平和心态:“富人”不以炫耀奢华为乐  (张华)

在日本这个经济高度发达、社会高速运转的国家里,紧张忙碌的人们大多保持着踏实、朴素的平和心境,这种良好的心态给日本社会增添了和谐发展的动力。

 

  心态平和,作风自然朴素。在日本,有能力享受奢侈生活的人不少,但他们关注的是自己的真实感受,并不以炫耀奢华为乐。所谓的“富人”也不事张扬,避免出风头,他们走出豪华轿车后,会向侍者点头致意,住在高档酒店,也会礼貌地和打扫房间的老太太打招呼。

 

  街头宣传和电视广告,无论房地产还是名贵商品,绝少出现“尊邸”、“豪门”或“王朝”之类高高在上、让人感到压迫的字眼儿,大多是贴近民心、生活气息很浓的场景或画面。

 

  在一些档次很高的酒店里,常常能看到掉了漆的桌椅板凳,虽然陈旧,但是不影响使用。日本人做宣传材料,经常是在黑白文本上贴几张照片,节省了印刷彩页的费用。

 

  日本人的平和心态也体现为全神贯注做事的专业状态。警察会蹲在车窗边给坐在车里的司机开罚单;出席活动的嘉宾会谢绝专车接送,自己坐公交车前往;摄影记者采访某个活动,如果位置有限,一定会排队或抽签,单独在公共场所拍照时也会戴上印有单位名称的袖标。

 

  日本小孩子的理想也大多朴实。他们会说想当护士,想开双层巴士,想做面点师,理想也许不够“远大”,但脚踏实地的风格和为社会服务的理想折射出家庭教育的取向和成人社会的价值观。

 

正是这种平和的心态,让日本人生活在相对和谐的氛围里,同时也共同促进社会的健康发展。诚信让人抛开戒心,礼貌让人免去烦心,秩序让人不必有守规矩会吃亏的担心。日本人很忙、很累,但是有他们自己那一份踏实和舒心。

 

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Learning Chinese language a fashion

Nowadays, the staff members of post offices in Beijing are busy sending various textbooks of Chinese language and culture to countries all over the world. Learning Chinese language has become a fashion.

 

It is estimated that everyday 200 thousand such textbooks are mailed outside China. On the busiest day, the staff members in the International Post Office in Beijing handled 6 tons of textbooks.

 

This year, the Chinese language fever is building up to a high pitch. The number of entrants for HSK (Chinese language proficiency test) has leapt to 35,000, a new high, while the figure in 1991, when the first test was held, was only 39

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学习美国向中国借钱建房 (巴英儿

 

美国住房和城市发展部部长杰克逊近日到北京访问时说:“目前美国拥有自己房产的人已达到70%。”他称,政府的任务就是为穷人提供必要的帮助,提供“人民买得起的房子”。美国住房和城市发展部一年预算为340亿至360亿美元,其中有一半用于廉租房补贴。他透露了此行的目的——搭上中美战略经济对话这趟顺风车,让中国购买美国的按揭证券。

 杰克逊部长是聪明人,瞅见有顺风车,便捷足先登。他原本已掌握那么多预算,还要到中国借钱,进一步实现美国人的“房产梦”。这种为公民服务的精神让人感慨——这似乎更像是殚精竭虑为民谋福祉。

 去年7月中国国土资源部土地利用管理司副司长束克欣曾说过,美国公民的自用房率并不高,远低于中国城市住房产权自有率的82%,于是他建议国人应修正全民买房意识,应租房住。

 就在上月,当年曾参与中国入世谈判的龙永图也高调指出,美国仅三成人买房,六成人租房,实际拥有住房者并不多;中国的老百姓未改变陈旧观念,每个人都想购房,这是非常错误的,大部分中国人应去租房。

 虽然束可欣与龙永图所透露的美国人自有房的比例够权威,但杰克逊却提供了不同的角度。他这次到北京是要搭“按揭证券”的顺风车,而非炫耀政绩。

  客观地说,美国人更没有中国所熟视的此类数字政绩的考评体系与行政意识。他们到中国借钱,想继续将公民自有住房率从七成拉升至更理想的段位。比如,在杰克逊的谈话中,他就对瑞典的个人拥有住房的比例达88.5%而流露自然的羡慕神情。

   何以中国的调研比例与别人的实境背道而驰呢?在笔者看来,一种孤芳自赏式思维在作怪。在面对商品房品质与虚高房价严重脱节的现实语境下,在地方政府房市监管体系群体性缺位与错位现象丛生的实况下,难以看到杰克逊这样的“资本主义自由竞争精神”的言论和身影。相反,耳熟能详的是,那条房地产利益链上,正抹着油嘴的饕餮们频出的“话语暴力”,是他们大胆抱团扭曲国家房市调控的国策。

  所以,中国当前亟待各地房地产行政监管者像杰克逊那样切实行动起来,去认真负责地为公民实现“居者有屋”的理想。用政府的公信力与权威性去挤掉当前房价中的虚高水分,再配以公民权益诉求与社会民意的合力推动,让一切说“房价上涨是不可动摇的市场规律”的官员和精英学者们,尽快回归理性,让房价回到“生它养它”的苍生实境中来。

 

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Half of Chinese cities' drinking water unqualified, OECD

 

The OECD released a report on China’s environmental protection effort in Beijing on Tuesday, which points out that half of Chinese cities’ drinking water sources fail to meet the required standard, and water quality in the Yangtze River, Zhu Jiang, Songhua and 4 other rivers is seriously deteriorating.

 

OECD’s report has been approved by State Environmental Protection Administration.

 

The report points out that the main polluted sources come from dejections, as well as industrial and chemical wastes. The Haihe, Liaohe and Huaihe rivers are under the threat of heavy pollution.

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350万美国居民决定移居海外 (Qiaobao 编译王奇华7/20)

今年夏天,当移民改革法案再告失败之后,全社会关注于此的激烈辩论方兴未艾。不过大家的焦点,似乎忘记了移民不仅包括从他处移居美国的人流,也应该包括离开美国,移居海外的美国人。但这些出境的移民,似乎只是静悄悄的在进行,从没像入境的移民一样引起强烈的反应。但不可否认的是,出境移民的规模及影响却不容忽视。

 不过根据美国人口调查局所说,要想准确获知究竟有多少美国人移居到海外,绝对是一件难上加难的事情。即便在最遥远的角落,也会有美国移民的身影,所以要将他们全部纳入调查数据,所需要的调查经费将是天文数字。为了解决这个问题,不少机构开始转入调查具有移民倾向的美国人,以此来评测现在以及将来的移民规模。

 调查的结果,有些让人吃惊。有160万美国家庭(约350万居民)已经下决心要移居海外。大约有200万家庭,“非常希望”或“非常有兴趣”要离开美国。在人们的普遍观念里,似乎那些已经退休的老人,是移民的主力军;但调查的结果却恰恰显示,中年人才是最有可能想要换一个生活环境的人群。

 超过40%的受访者选择墨西哥、中美洲以及巴拿马作为他们的目的地。虽然这个比例没有超过一半,但他们给移居地所带去的经济方面的影响将是惊人的。从南部边境涌入的移民将会一直络绎不绝,除非他们的国家能把经济搞上去。但是来自美国的移民,将会给他们带去工作机会,因为随他们而去的,还有滚滚的美金。他们可以说是美国最强大的“外援”系统。涌入美国的移民,带来了丰富而且廉价的劳动力。但在移民所产生的各种问题之下,美国政府的举措,犹豫不定。墨西哥城有一名喜剧演员曾调侃美国政府,说如果美国要把所有的墨西哥人驱逐出境,然后在边境上造一堵大墙。那么,有谁来建造这堵大墙呢?非法移民是一个必须解决的问题,但是他们所带给美国的劳动力和其他好处,也是不能被盲目忽视的。 

 

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China might encounter labor shortage by 2015

According to a prediction made by related departments, by 2013-2015, China's labor population will reach its best time for work. After that, the labor population will decline and China might start to encounter labor shortage problem, said an article recently published at the China Youth Daily.

 

The article was written by Cai Fang, director of the Population and Labor Economics Research Institute at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

 

As social wealth increases and changes take place in social structure, traditional family mode is being challenged. According to a national population census, in 1982 every Chinese family had an average of 4.41 people, and in 2005, the number had dropped to 3.13, the economic scholar says in his article.

 

16% of the old people at the age of 65 or above live alone, and 42% of the old couples at the age of 65 or above live by themselves.

 

Meanwhile, the single child generation, is being spoiled by their parents, tend to be self-centered. These children are usually unwilling to take care of their parents after they grow up.

 

These children change parents' expectation for them, as well. In a survey conducted by the Population and Labor Economics Research Institute at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, 70% of the old people give an affirmative answer when asked whether they expect their children to take care of them. However, among parents at the age of 35-45 (a generation that usually has only one child in their families), only 63% give an affirmative answer. The younger the parents are, the smaller the proportion giving an affirmative answer.

 

Today, as most people retire earlier than before, the social and family financial burden increases. According to a survey released in 2002, the retiring age for male workers in cities was 57, and that for female workers in cities was 50. Meanwhile, a separate survey showed that in 2002, the average life expectancy for males was 70, and that for females was 75, Cai says.

 

This means that most male workers can live for 13 years after retirement, while most female workers will live for 24 years after retirement. Judging from these statistics, it can be said that the financial burden resulting from caring for the aging population in society will become intolerably high.

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通胀亮红灯 中国经济站在十字路口 ChinapressUSA7/21

 

 720日上海和深圳股市以重上4000点大关、个股普涨收盘之后,中国央行宣布于21日起实施今年第三度加息,中国国务院则决定自815日起将储蓄存款利息所得个人所得税的适用税率由现行的20%调减为5%,加息减税政策出台之快似乎并不令人意外。

 此前一天,备受国际财经界关注的中国上半年经济增长统计结果公布。国家统计局新闻发言人李晓超在中外记者提问前发布了全部七组国家经济统计数据。已被无数专家和分析师预测的各经济指标有两个得到权威印证:上半年国内生产总值以106768亿人民币实现同比增长11.5%,物价消费指数(CPI)在6月份以4.4%创下32个月新高。

 李晓超最后一段话代表官方定调:“当前经济运行中一些体制性、结构性矛盾依然突出,特别是国际收支不平衡,食品价格涨幅过高,节能减排压力仍然很大。下一阶段,要继续坚持以科学发展观统领经济社会发展全局,不断加强和改善宏观调控,切实贯彻落实好中央的各项方针政策,着力调整结构、转变增长方式和深化改革”。

 有这样的背景,早已是最热议题的加息减税就成了宏观调控的必然手段——彭博社甚至在19日下午对熟谙中国事务的21名资深经济学家进行调查后发出判断,中国政府本季度很可能进行今年内的第三次加息,具体宣布日期很可能就在20日。

 然而中国经济在2007年的关键问题却并不会因为这项加息和减税构成的“组合拳”而出现缓解的迹象。在本报看来,自2005年夏天中国股市走出五年熊市低谷以来,以固定资产投资拉动的热增长模式,虽然受到宏观调控的压抑,但仍逐步重现了中国在1993年和1998年的高通胀压力。到今年上半年,以股市高位震荡、外储急速增加、楼市再创新高为特征的热增长开始出现国际财经界所忧虑的“泡沫”迹象,而以猪肉和粮食价格为代表的物价指数上涨则宣示一轮通货膨胀达到临界状态(大陆有媒体甚至断言通胀已成定局)。

 可以说,央行启动今年第三次加息、国务院在下个月减低利息税,加上财政部已自本月1日起调整出口退税政策会抑制中国三分之一出口商品等多种手段,本来可以预计三季度的经济增长将出现一定程度回落,然而“体制性、结构性矛盾”(连猪肉价格涨幅都被官方视为结构性上涨)将使这些金融、财税杠杆的使用效果复杂化,并预示法律和行政的干预也将成为必然手段——因为正在寻求更多国家承认中国市场经济地位,这样的行政干预将可能带来国际舆论和国内民意的双重压力,使经济增长变得泛政治化。

 在最值得关注的宏观经济增长上,今年上半年中国同比增长11.5%的速度本身就令人担忧——假如全年经济增长速度能够稳定在11%之下,就应根据形势变化适当调高物价指数涨幅;如果不能实现,就需采取更严厉措施防止经济过热甚至通货膨胀。

 另一个受关注的居民物价指数上,海内外众多财经专家预计下半年居民消费价格涨幅将还比上半年明显扩大,甚至会达到4.6%,且将使全年累计居民消费价格涨幅进入3.5-3.9%的区域,从而达到2004年以来最高点——这将使明年中国经济面临更大通胀压力。

 这两个数据(GDPCPI)的对应变化目前使国际财经界进入了多空分歧,即中国是否已结束了高增长、低通胀的时代。2007年这个夏天,中国经济似乎站在十字路口等待红灯。英国《金融时报》四天前刊出一篇特稿《中国向全球出口通胀?》,成为对近几个月中国物价快速上涨且将“国际化”的最新说法(今年2月底全球股市地震第一次被认为是震中在中国)。

 事实上,最值得警惕的或许还不是加息和减税的效果究竟能否实现,而是造成这一轮通货膨胀的理由:几乎全世界都越来越相信人民币将不断地继续升值,几乎全球都已开始相信中国经济将成为世界经济的引领者,人们似乎忘记了财富与泡沫只有一张薄纸的距离:在13年前,正是人民币以贬值50%结束了此前通胀20%的经济高烧。

 人民币不断升值和“奥运经济”高增长,已成国际财经界一致看成“看多中国”的最大理由。然而,比洪水更严重的通货膨胀预期,是否已引起中国当局的足够警惕,仍然值得密切注视。中国经济的规模已经和13年前今非昔比,如果这一次,中国通货膨胀如猛虎出笼,不仅会影响国内民众的生活水准,国内经济的发展步伐,还很有可能波及世界经济,当局切莫掉以轻心。

 

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Chinese people always in a rush

 

China Youth Daily Social Investigation Center and Sina website’s Information Center carried out a survey among 1,707 people. The result shows that 84.0% of the respondents agree that they live in a “rush” society. Only 8.3% of them object to the assertation.

 

 

While 71.6% of the respondents think that they are now at the “busiest” period in their life, 86.1% of them say they felt very busy when they got their first job.

 

Most people feel that they live under high work pressure and 71.1% of the people attribute it to their doing everything in a hurry. When asked what makes them feel that they live in a “rush” society, 60.2% of the people say people’s life tempo has become quicker. 54.7% of the people say they can’t calm down. 53.4% of them say they have become more and more “impatient.”

 

50.4% of the respondents say today, nobody wants to be left behind by society and this makes people do everything they can in order to catch up with others.

 

44.3% of the people say they feel life is not interesting and their life quality is deteriorating.

 

When asked what makes people always in a hurry, 85.8% of the respondents give an unanimous answer –that's "society".

 

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五国驻华使馆签证官指点留学“申签”关键点 (腾讯 7/21)

英国大使馆

Karen Ferguson 签证官

回答调查问卷很重要

英国的教育产业一直以来都因质量过硬、品质可靠而备受推崇。剑桥大学、牛津大学等高等学府更是闻名遐迩,令人神往。因此,尽管去英国念书费用高昂,但是在众多憧憬出国深造的学子中间,留学英国一直是个热门选择。

签证关键点:英国大使馆要求每位申请者填写一份调查问卷。问卷内容包括申请者在中国的学习资历、教育背景、选择留学英国的原因、经济状况、家庭情况等等。Karen数次强调,“填写调查问卷非常、非常重要。”她作为签证官,每次在决定是否给予申请者签证时,都会参考这份调查问卷。她说,“你(申请者)必须完全、彻底地坦率回答这些问题,才能获得信任。”

Karen还提醒各位有意去英国留学的学子,必须要拿到“教育部认可的学校的录取通知书”才能申请签证。如果是“有条件录取”,如“附有语言能力必须过关的要求”或者要求申请者“在国内完成80%的本科课程”,那么申请必须满足这些条件才能获得签证。在回答观众提问时,Karen说:获得“志奋奖学金”(cheveling)对于申请签证很有帮助。此外,硕、博生在英国拿到学位之后可以留英4个月,也可以将父母接来参加毕业典礼。

签证申请评审时间在非高峰期只需24个小时,但在高峰期则需要14周。

签证基本项目:英国大使馆的网站上专门设有一个“签证单”(checklist),里面列出了所有签证时申请者必须出具的文件:照片、调查问卷、学校录取通知书、英语能力证明、财力证明、证明自己有能力在英国学习的文件等等。

要注意的是,所有的签证文件都需要本人签名。原件和复印件各一份,且必须是大使馆刚刚更新的新“签证申请表格”。

留学费用:在英国留学的年费用大约在1万到1.5万英镑之间。有些学校要求一次性支付3年或者5年的学费。申请者必须有足够的文件证明自己拥有支付这笔钱的能力。在申请签证时,大使馆要求申请者出示的财力证明文件包括:资金来源,短时间内存入银行的款项将不被认可,大使馆会认为这笔钱只是为了应付签证需要,而非申请人的真实财产;若由父母或者其他亲属供读,申请人须出示文件证明父母或者亲属的工作名称及稳定收入数额,包括工资单、存折、个人所得税税单、不动产证明等等;若由其他人资助,申请人还要说明为什么他/她愿意资助以及为什么家人不能资助。

留学生打工:留学生只要在英国本土学习超过6个月就可以打工。学习期间每周不超过20小时,假期可以全职工作。若毕业后想长留英国工作,则必须先将学生签证换成工作签证。

 

爱尔兰驻华使馆

Eimear Cowan 签证官

 

要有足够的资金保证

 

2001年爱尔兰与中国签订了互认学历的协议。爱尔兰驻华签证处也于2002年成立,目前共有3个签证官,5名中国雇员。爱尔兰是个教育思想和制度比较严谨的国家,与中国重视学生成绩不同的是,爱尔兰不仅在学术方面对学生要求较高,而且将学术与本国工业相结合,更加注重学生的实践能力。

 

签证关键点:Eimear Cowan始终强调申请人提交的材料必须是真实的,并且要有原件和英文翻译件。“提交虚假或者有误导性的信息将会导致签证拒签,而且有可能会对将来的任何签证产生影响。”Eimear Cowan说道。

 

另外,由于去爱尔兰留学的费用相对较高,因而签证官要

 

求学生必须提交存期至少12个月以上的存款历史证明,以便签证处确定该学生有足够的资金保证。不仅如此,还要求有父母的工作证明和收入证明,并且要有无犯罪记录公证书,申请人家庭户口本的原件和复印件。

 

签证基本项目:要求学生本身高中毕业,成绩优秀;申请的学校应该是爱尔兰政府推荐的;要求有托福或雅思成绩,雅思至少5分以上。此外,递交申请时必须交护照:申请人的护照原件,且护照有效期应自课程完成之日起不少于6个月。

 

中国学生经过爱尔兰一些著名的机场的时候,也会受到护照、身份证和录取通知书的检查,检查合格才会再给签订,并要求中国学生2个月以后去当地公安局备案。

 

留学费用:爱尔兰人一年的生活费平均7000欧元,折合成人民币约7万元,一个中国留学生在爱尔兰留学一年的学费加生活费大约要14万元人民币。爱尔兰教育部和国立大学也都会给留学生提供奖学金,比如利默里刻大学给优秀的留学生每年提供人民币最低5000元,最高2万元的奖学金。

 

留学生打工:目前,爱尔兰政府规定留学生每周有20小时的打工时间,周末有40小时的打工时间,但上学期间身份不可改变。

 

20074月,爱尔兰出台了最新留学政策:在爱尔兰取得学位证书的学生毕业后可自动延签6个月,学生可在此期间寻找适合自己的工作。学生连续工作5年后,可申请爱尔兰永久居留权。此外,有的学生想继续在爱尔兰进行深造的话,如果通过自己的努力得到某大学的允许,也可以继续留在爱尔兰。但是这两者都没有的话,这个学生6个月以后必须离开爱尔兰。

 

韩国大使馆

殷熙辛 教育参赞

 

韩语零起点可申请

 

2007年时值中韩交流之年,中韩两国间的政治、经济、文化、教育等各领域交流的力度也将进一步加大。对于留学韩国来讲,韩国优惠的留学政策,丰厚的奖学金制度,亦使得留学韩国备受中国学生的青睐。

 

签证关键点:“韩国学生来中国时签证问题不大,但是中国学生想去韩国,则面临的签证压力要大些。因为现在中国一些以留学为名义去韩国赚钱的现象非常严重,所以现在韩国各大学对中国留学生的审查非常严格。”殷熙辛说道。“目前,中国驻韩留学生主要集中在与韩语有关的人文社会方面。”

 

此外,在中国读高职高专的学生也能向韩国签证处申请留学。对于那些韩语零起点的学生来讲,可以通过以下两种方法申请留学:首先,申请语言培训班,根据自己的能力分为6个月到一年不等,这个语言培训顺利通过后可以报考韩国大学;其次,对于英语较好的学生,可以直接申请以英语授课为主的大学。

 

签证基本项目:90日以内短期语言研修者,申请短期语言研修签证,需要准备:护照、身份证复印件、最终毕业院校的毕业证明、在学证明或者在职证明,入学通知书、交纳学费证明书、学习计划书、父亲或者母亲的在职证明、经济能力的证明资料〔本人或父母名义下人民币10万元以上的存款证明(需存期在3个月以上)或相当于人民币10万元以上的房产证、车证)〕。

 

留学费用:韩国80%的大学都是私立大学,而国立大学只有20%。私立大学的学费一般比国立大学贵3倍。但是韩国各大学依据其规定设有奖学金,国立大学授予在校生的30%以奖学金,私立大学则为10%。“因而中国学生在学费、生活费上问题不大。”殷熙辛说道。此外,目前韩国的国家奖学金共有300个名额,而给予中国留学生的只有12个名额。虽然中国政府多次要求韩国扩大国家奖学金的名额,但是韩国拒绝了这个要求。

 

留学生打工:韩国允许留学生在规定的时间内进行勤工俭学,使得希望独立生活的年轻人可以依靠自己的力量减轻家庭负担。

 

法国大使馆

Stephane Vacca 签证官

 

必须通过语言考试关

 

艺术文化之都法国是欧洲最重要的留学目的地之一。它有着欧洲最古老的大学,深厚的文化积淀和悠久的历史传统。留学生在法国能有机会参与各种体育、旅游和文化活动。2007年,在法的中国留学生已达2.5万人。Stephane Vacca介绍:“法国驻华使馆教育服务中心成立于2007年,在北京、上海、广州、武汉设有办事处。据统计,最新的法国留学签证通过率为75%。”

 

签证关键点:大多数学生签证都是通过法国教育服务中心办理的。通常在出发前3个月开始准备申请签证,但每年的78月是最忙碌的时间。

 

如果中国学生要学的课程是法语授课的话,则必须通过至少一种签证法语考试。中国目前有两种法语水平考试:TCF TEF,都是机考的形式。但如果是英语授课,则必须通过英语水平考试,如托福、雅思。但是只能由使馆根据学生的学习计划来决定学生参加那种考试,学生不可以自己作出选择。

 

签证基本项目:中国学生如果想要去法国接受高等教育,则至少提前1年开始准备。确定赴法学习后,则必须到法国语言与学术评估中心(CELA)进行面试。这个面试不仅是为了认识并了解该学生、评价其法语水平、了解其留学计划并听取他的留学意向,更是为了了解学生个人学习情况,如法语口语水平、学习动机、大学学习经历、法语水平考试成绩等,最重要的是可以决定学生的学习计划的可行性与合理性。

 

留学费用:在法国,国家承担了学生大部分的学费及生活费。在公立学校,如综合大学,国家对教育的投入超过国民预算的23%。此外,外国留学生和法国学生之间没有任何区别,入学要求一视同仁,颁发的文凭和交纳的学费也都完全相同。

 

此外,法国也给留学生提供奖学金。该国奖学金主要有两种类型:政府颁发的奖学金;法国优秀学生奖,埃菲尔项目的设立使得法国高等教育机构可以接收最优秀的外国学生。此外,许多机构(基金、非政府机构、企业、地区……)都会授予学生奖学金。

 

留学生打工:外国留学生有权做兼职工作,只要他所注册的学校参加了大学生社会保险。获得企业的劳动合同后,外国学生必须得到临时工作许可证。法定学生一年累计工作时间为822.5个小时。法国实行的最低工资标准为有效时间内每小时毛工资8.03欧元。

 

澳大利亚大使馆

Chloe Henderson 何可人

 

签证处二等秘书

 

明确你的签证类别

 

澳大利亚一直以来都是中国留学生热衷的留学国家,且留学费用相对低廉。但是在申请签证时,还是有许多细节需要注意。

 

签证关键点:由于澳大利亚的留学政策与移民政策向来一脉相承,所以澳大利亚大使馆会根据留学生在澳大利亚所学的主课来决定他们的签证类别。一般来讲,如果留学生就读的专业是培养澳大利亚紧缺人才的,那么签证申请会比较容易获得通过。每位申请去澳大利亚学习的学生都必须在申请签证之前上网查明自己所属的签证类别。何秘书强调:“类型不合规定的签证申请很有可能被拒签。”

 

何可人秘书介绍了两种学生签证。一种是代号为“880”的学生签证。这是一种永久居民签证。持有此证的留学生在澳大利亚全日制学习两年以后,拿到政府认定的行业资格证书,就可以成为澳大利亚永久居民,且无须担保;另外一种是“技术毕业生”签证。它可以允许持有者在澳大利亚短暂居留,没有工作限制,学到额外技能之后,就可以申请永久居留权。此外,签证申请最好是电子版。普通签证申请可能需要12周才能得到答复,但是电子申请只需6周。要注意的是,查询签证评审进度将会减缓评审速度,所以准留学生们提交申请之后最好耐心等待。

 

签证基本项目:在联邦注册的学校的录取通知书;健康情况证明文件,不合健康要求的将不会得到签证;英语水平证书,不同的签证对英语水平的要求也不同;海外学生医疗保险,可以由学校代为购买;品德证明文件;没有拖欠澳大利亚政府债务的证明。

 

若申请者的年龄在18岁以下,申请时会有其他要求。

 

留学费用:澳大利亚大使馆网站上提供了专门计算留学费用的链接,申请者只需点击一下就能算出自己在澳大利亚留学的基本费用,包括往返机票、学费、生活费等等。如果申请人已经结婚,留学费用还将包括配偶和子女在澳大利亚的花费,不管其配偶和子女是否跟随申请人陪读。

 

要注意的是,澳大利亚不接受房地产等不动产作为留学费用的担保,必须将它们变成现金或者存款才可以。如果用贷款作为留学费用,贷款目的必须是负担留学,并且有可靠的担保人进行担保。目前,澳大利亚移民局接受16家银行的留学贷款。这些银行名单已经公布在大使馆网站上。

 

另外,去澳大利亚留学比较容易获得奖学金,在申请签证时应当提供申请人已经获得某项奖学金、助学金的证明文件。

 

留学生打工:澳大利亚的留学生在主课开课以后、缴纳60澳币就可以打工。学习期间每周不超过20小时,如果超过限制将会被强制取消签证;假期则无时间限制。

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110,000 applied to be 2008 Beijing Olympic

Volunteer recruitment work for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games was launched on last June 18. Since then, more than 110 thousand people have submitted their applications, most of them being young people. Males take up 39% of the applicants, and 70% of applicants are college students or college graduates. About 41.9% of them have more than 2 professional skills. English is the second language of 76% of them. More than 52% of them are willing to do the consultancy work, and 34% wish to take the responsibility of emergency handling. Only 13.6% want to work as interpreters or translators. BOCOG says that the number of applicants is satifactory, and the proportion of applicants is appropriate.

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 2050年加州如何蛻變?

 

加州財政廳日前公布人口預測,2050 ,加州將有六千萬人口,比目前增加2200萬人,屆時白人成少數,僅占26%,西裔占52%,成為多數族群;亞裔將從現在的12%,增加為13%。人口爆漲的加州,能否維持「黃金之州」美譽?

加州現有3800萬人,經濟產值與全球國家評比,位居全球第八大經濟體。42年後,人口增加至六千萬,絕非單靠生育,而是更多移民擁入所致,屆時加州會成全美或全球最大移民「國度」,地球村特色更凸顯。

 

不過財政廳的預測,顯然低估了亞裔人口的成長。除非刻意限制亞洲國家公民移民加州,否則移民不斷擁入,42年後加州亞裔不可能僅從12%增至13%,尤其華裔移民持續擁入加州,現有移民的親屬依親配額、自然生育,亞裔屆時如占15 %20%,或許是較合理的估算。

 

加州數十年後如擁有千萬亞裔人口,必成全美亞裔重鎮,能否誕生亞裔或華裔州長、聯邦參眾議員,參與領導美國,加州將成亞裔希望孕育的搖籃。所以這一代起,我們就該培養、寄望後代進軍政壇,不能再與兩百年前華裔先民一樣,淪為二等公民。

 

其次,加州的經濟發展與亞洲關係密切。42年後,中國極可能已成全球最大經濟體,屆時加州要保持繁榮,養活六千萬人口,與中國和亞洲的經貿關係,亞裔和華裔將扮演最重要的角色。

 

從簡單的推論出發,華裔為下一代準備,輔導他們學習中文、建立與母國的聯繫等,都是生存競爭下必然的抉擇。

 

西裔既將成加州多數,加州將是西裔之州,主導許多公共事務和沙加緬度的立法方向。華裔該早日計畫性地與西裔聯手,增進族裔情誼,在參政、民權和各方面廣泛聯繫,鋪墊未來數十年的基礎,傳統僑社會館已難完全勝任此事,新僑團體如何分工,將影響華裔後代的前途。

 

新增2200萬人口,加州將發達或沒落?首先,房地產前景將更開闊,南北加州尤其都會區土地將如黃金般珍貴。但加州也將面臨更嚴重的公共建設問題。譬如都會區現有公路系統已難負荷,塞車排名全美第一,建設公共交通系統鐵路、捷運已迫在眉睫,但以現有財政能力,只能聽任光陰飛逝,難把握時機。

 

交通之外,龐大的用水、用電量需求,水源不足,海水淡化前景如何;電力需求殷切,為免溫室效應擴大,重發展核能發電爭議猶在。人口帶來財富,但也可能帶來貧窮和犯罪,都是隱憂。

 

過度都會化帶來的衝擊,生活環境品質可能下降,為加州帶來災難,使「黃金之州」蒙塵。42年後加州如何改變,這一代人不一定能親眼目睹,但白人逐漸外移加州,西裔、亞裔不斷擁入,從量變到質變,加州將提升或沉淪,亞裔將扮演主角或配角,20年內就能見端倪

=============================================

China’s Online Geological Database

According to a briefing issued recently by the Ministry of Land and Resources, China has accelerated the socialized service of its geological data, and achieved positive results. A national online system has been created to provide geological data service, in an attempt to raise the utilization of geological data stored in the physical library. Up to date, all provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, except Tibet, have launched their own website to provide geological data management and service. As a result, a nationwide online geological data service system has been established. Statistics show that the geological data catalog issued by the portal website of the Ministry of Land and Resources has contained some 220,000 entries, and 2,079 full geological charts provided by geology libraries across the country. The geological data can either be viewed online or downloaded.

 

In 2006, geology libraries at both ministerial and provincial levels have provided data services for some 35,000 people, with 127,000 data documents being utilized. In the same year, geology libraries across the country have received 2,371 person/time, and provided 18,960 geological documents, with a respective increase of 1.2-fold and 1.5-fold, compared with 2005. Meanwhile, some 27,789 people have visited geology websites across the country.

==============================================

政策信息:中国财政部和国家税务局联合通知调低部分商品出口退税率 JKC
   一、取消出口退税的商品:

  1.濒危动物、植物及其制品;

  2.盐、溶剂油、水泥、液化丙烷、液化丁烷、液化石油气等矿产品;

  3.肥料(除已经取消退税的尿素和磷酸氢二铵);

  4.氯和染料等化工产品(精细化工产品除外);

  5.金属碳化物和活性碳产品;

  6.皮革;

  7.部分木板和一次性木制品;

  8.一般普碳焊管产品(石油套管除外);

  9.非合金铝制条杆等简单有色金属加工产品;

  10.分段船舶和非机动船舶。

  

  二、调低出口退税率的商品

  1.植物油出口退税率下调至5%

  2.部分化学品出口退税率下调至9%5%

  3.塑料、橡胶及其制品出口退税率下调至5%

  4.箱包出口退税率下调至11%,其他皮革毛皮制品出口退税率下调至5%

  5.纸制品出口退税率下调至5%

  6.服装出口退税率下调至11%

  7.鞋帽、雨伞、羽毛制品等出口退税率下调至11%

  8.部分石料、陶瓷、玻璃、珍珠、宝石、贵金属及其制品出口退税率下调至5%

  9.部分钢铁制品(石油套管除外)出口退税率下调至5%,《财政部国家税务总局关于海洋工程结构物增值税实行退税的通知》(财税[200346号)规定的内销海洋工程结构物仍按原退税率执行;

  10.其他贱金属及其制品(除已经取消和本次取消出口退税商品以及铝箔、铝管、铝制结构体等)出口退税率下调至5%

  11.刨床、插床、切割机、拉床等出口退税率下调至11%,柴油机、泵、风扇、排气阀门及零件、回转炉、焦炉、缝纫机、订书机、高尔夫球车、雪地车、摩托车、自行车、挂车、升降器及其零件、龙头、钎焊机器等出口退税率下调至9%

  12.家具出口退税率下调至11%9%

  13.钟表、玩具和其他杂项制品等出口退税率下调至11%

  14.部分木制品出口退税率下调至5%

  15.粘胶纤维出口退税率下调至5%

  

  三、改为出口免税的商品

  花生果仁、油画、雕饰板、邮票、印花税票等。

  

  四、执行时间

  出口退税率调整自200771日起执行。具体执行时间,以海关出口货物报关单(出口退税专用)上注明的出口日期为准。

  出口企业在200771日之前已经签订的涉及取消出口退税的船舶出口合同,在2007720日之前持出口合同(正本和副本)到主管出口退税的税务机关登记备案的,准予仍按原出口退税率执行完毕。对在2007720日之前未办理备案手续的,一律按取消出口退税执行。

  有对外承包工程资质的出口企业在200771日之前已经中标的长期对外承包工程或已经签订价格不能更改的长期对外承包工程合同所涉及的出口设备和建材,凡在2007720日之前持有效中标证明(正本和副本)或已经签订的长期对外承包工程合同(正本和副本)及工程概算清单,到主管出口退税的税务机关登记备案的,准予仍按原出口退税率执行完毕。对在2007720日之前未办理备案手续的,一律按调整后的出口退税率执行。

具体商品名称及税则号请访问相关政府网站的详细清单。