CHINA / National
American ratchets up campaign for China flights
(AP)
Updated: 2006-10-17 09:20
DALLAS - Four US airlines bi
CHINA / National
Plan unveiled to build harmonious society
By Xing Zhigang (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-10-12 07:16
New York Times: China makes commitment to social harmony
The Communist Party of China (CPC) unveiled a landmark policy drive
yesterday to curb mounting social inequality and develop a fair and just
society as top leaders ended a four-day plenary session.
Members of the Politburo of Communist Party of China applaud as the Sixth
Plenum of the 16th CPC Central Committee concludes on Wednesday in
Beijing. [Xinhua]
The blueprint, aimed at building a "harmonious society," mapped out
guidelines for the country's sustainable social and economic development
by 2020, ranging from reducing the wealth gap to cracking down on
corruption.
The efforts to spread China's newfound prosperity more evenly came at the
end of the Sixth Plenum of the 16th CPC Central Committee, attended in
Beijing by about 350 full and alternate members.
The annual plenum approved the "Resolutions of the CPC Central Committee
on Major Issues Regarding the Building of a Harmonious Socialist
Society," according to a communique issued after the meeting.
The communique said the 17th Party Congress will convene in Beijing in
the second half of 2007.
The Xinhua News Agency said it was the first time for the Party to devote
a plenary meeting specifically to social development issues other than
political and economic affairs.
"There are many conflicts and problems affecting social harmony," a
statement adopted by the plenum said. "We must always remain clear-headed
and be vigilant even in tranquil times."
The warning was apparently referring to a growing number of social woes
such as rampant pollution, a growing wealth disparity as well as
complaints about the high cost of education, housing and medical services.
Although the country's economy has surged during the past three decades
to bring wealth to some, millions of farmers, migrant workers and needy
urbanites have been left behind.
While urging that social harmony occupy a "more prominent position," the
communique said the Party in the next 15 years will commit itself to
improving the democratic legal system and human rights protection,
narrowing the wealth gap, increasing employment, improving the
government's public service, promoting people's moral standards, securing
public order and protecting the environment.
To achieve these goals, the plenum stressed that "more efforts shall be
made to co-ordinate economic and social development, promote social
equity and justice and strengthen social affairs management and services."
It singled out rural development, employment, education, medical
services, environmental protection, income distribution and social
security systems as key sectors that should be given priority.
The Party also made it clear that it will seek to maintain rapid economic
growth.
"A harmonious society above all needs development," the communique said.
The meeting also called for strenuous efforts to continue the fight
against corruption and improve supervision over leading officials and
organizations.
The call highlighted the urgency of the Party's anti-graft campaign
following its ousting of Chen Liangyu, the Shanghai Party secretary and a
Politburo member, on September 25. Charges of corruption against Chen are
under investigation.
Building social harmony "is a major strategic move taken by the Party to
build a fair and just society and attain sustainable social and economic
development," said Wu Zhongmin, a professor with the Party School of the
CPC Central Committee.
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dding for new nonstop routes between China
and the United States took their last shots at each other Monday.
American Airlines, which proposes to fly between Beijing and Dallas-Fort
Worth International Airport beginning next spring, released a list of 108
members of Congress and 15 governors who support its bid.
"This is far broader public support than other airlines have received,"
declared Will Ris, a senior vice president who is the airline's chief
lobbyist in Washington.
United Airlines boasted 110 members of Congress in its corner, including
a hometown booster, House Speaker Dennis Hastert.
United said 28 other countries - even Iran - have service to China from
their capitals and so U.S. regulators should approve its bid to fly
between Beijing and Dulles International Airport outside Washington.
"The evidence is clear: No other proposed route benefits the public as
comprehensively as the Washington proposal," said Jane Garvey, formerly
the nation's top aviation regulator and now touting United's bid.
United, American, Continental Airlines Inc., and Northwest Airlines Corp.
filed proposals several weeks ago with the U.S. Transportation
Department, which will decide by year end who gets several additional
slots for daily flights between the two countries beginning next spring.
In their applications, the airlines took swipes at each other's plans.
Monday was the deadline for the carriers to file rebuttals.
The winner hopes to capture traffic generated by the 2008 Olympics in
Beijing and from increased business ties between U.S. companies and the
world's most populous nation.
Fort Worth, Texas-based American, the largest U.S. carrier and a unit of
AMR Corp., is bidding to become the first U.S. carrier to serve China
from a southern state. It is trying to turn the competition into a
two-way race with Houston-based Continental, complaining that Northwest
and United, a unit of Elk Grove Village, Illinois-based UAL Corp.,
already offer far more service to China.
Ris said the Northwest and United bids "should be summarily denied
because it would be patently anticompetitive" until other U.S. carriers
are awarded more China routes.
Continental planned to file its rebuttal later Monday, a spokesman said.
Last month, the carrier said its service between the New York area and
Shanghai would serve four times the number of people as American's
proposed Dallas-Beijing route.
Eagan, Minnesota-based Northwest, which is seeking to add
Detroit-Shanghai service, declined to make immediate comment.
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