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LAW

Shaanxi Provincial Government Under Investigation in Illegal Land Use Case

Yesterday, the Ministry of Land and Resources announced its investigation into 6 cases of illegal corporate land use. The Ministry has already decided to fine automakers BYD 2.95 million yuan for illegal land use in its Xian site. Several officials in the Shaanxi Provincial government have been reprimanded and further investigations are pending.

Guangzhou Daily | 2010-10-14

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Internet Cafes and Long Distance Buses to Start Paying Film Royalties

Yesterday the president of China’s Film Copyright Association, Zhu Yongde, announced starting next year Chinese internet cafes and long distance buses which broadcast films will be required to pay royalties. Beijing, Shanghai and seven provinces will pilot the implementation of this new law.

Beijing Morning Post | 2010-10-14

RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Six Ministries to Promote Sales of Construction Materials in Rural Areas

The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development stated that it will begin a project to promote the sale of construction materials to rural areas for development purposes. Five other ministries will also oversee the project. The sales will be piloted in Shandong and Ningxia Provinces and focus on cement products.

Xinhua | 2010-10-13

INTERNET

Ministry of Culture Announces Possible Ban on Virtual Vegetable Theft

The Department of Cultural Market Administration of China’s Ministry of Culture has praised online games that plant, water and fertilize plants as a virtual platform that can provide a taste of nature to adolescents, but has stated that the stealing vegetable function does not benefit one’s intelligence or thought and thus may be phased out. These platforms might also be improved to provide positi...

Xinhua | 2010-10-13

POPULATION

One-child Policy will not be Adjusted

In response to recent rumors that the one-child policy would be relaxed to allow couples to have a second child, deputy director of the Population and Family Planning Commission, He Xiaopeng, has declared in an interview with reporters that there are no plans to adjust the policy or to experiment with a new population control policy. The deputy director further denounced the Internet rumors as bas...

Xinhua | 2010-10-13

INFLATION

Food Prices Increased in September

The National Bureau of Statistics yesterday announced that in September, prices of 80% of the almost 30 food products whose prices are nationally monitored rose. The prices of staple vegetables, meat, poultry, rice, and flour all increased. The price of cucumbers rose 25.5%.

China National Radio | 2010-10-12

HOUSING

Provincial Governments to be Held Accountable for Unstable Housing Prices

The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Land, and the Ministry of Supervision have issued a notice defining accountability clauses provincial governments must face regarding their efforts to stabilize housing prices. Experts have interpreted the notice as a warning to local governments.

The Beijing News | 2010-10-12