The Nation Newspaper

Tag: china

  • Scientists’ aim for baby pandas

    Scientists’ aim for baby pandas

    As Edinburgh Zoo and Scotland awaits the birth of a cub or two to Tian Tian, hopefully any new arrivals will happily suckle on
    their mother in order to receive the essential nutrients and antibodies they need to help them grow.

    However, pandas are not always comfortable breeding in a zoo, and will sometimes reject or even accidentally kill their newborn babies if they are feeling stressed.

    Similarly, if two cubs are born to a panda, one will be rejected so that all of the mother’s attention and milk can be invested in just one
    cub.

    In these scenarios humans will step in to lend a hand, which is why conservationists in China are keen on developing an artificial milk
    formula for abandoned or orphaned panda cubs, and are looking for help from scientists at the University of Glasgow.

    At the moment, hand-rearing of orphan panda cubs relies on cows’ milk adapted for puppy dogs or, in the case of twins, swapping them when the mother is distracted so each can get sufficient milk.

    However, better support for panda cubs is needed because pandas, unlike humans, are heavily dependent on the mother’s first milk, or
    ‘colostrum’, which contains large amounts of antibodies needed to protect the newborn from disease. It is absolutely essential for panda cubs to receive their full quota of colostrum milk from their mothers – without it, they would die.

    To help the Chinese conservationists in their quest, researchers at Glasgow are leading a study into panda milk that is being part-funded by the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan, China.

    The project is being led by Professor Malcolm Kennedy of the School of Life Sciences, in collaboration with Dr Richard Burchmore of the Glasgow Polyomics facility at the University of Glasgow and Dr David Watson at the University of Strathclyde. Professor Hou Rong in Chengdu is leading the Chinese arm of the project.

    The team is using state-of-the-art instruments to identify and characterise the proteins and other molecules that make up panda colostrum and the later, mature milk.

    Milk is a complex mixture of nutrients and other molecules that support development and protect against infection. Understanding how the composition of panda milk differs from dairy and human milk may assist in the development of a modified formula that can better support baby pandas.

    Professor Kennedy said: “My interest here is in the biology of lactation in bears. Bears give birth to tiny, helpless cubs that are
    unusually small relative to their mothers in the case of pandas the weight ratio can be as low as 1:1,000 or less. It could be that panda milk is specially adapted to rear such under-developed young. Indeed, we have found that panda milk takes much longer to convert from colostrum to regular milk than in cows, for example.

    We are investigating the lactation period from birth to about 150 days. When we look at how levels of different proteins change during
    panda lactation, we find that these molecules change unexpectedly slowly compared to other placental mammals. Also, certain small molecules that include essential nutrients are produced in large amounts at first, then
    fade away, while some are produced constantly, and others appear later.

    “The research will help us understand lactation biology in different types of mammal, bears in particular. We are still a long way from
    designing a milk substitute for panda cubs, but the kind of data we are generating will set us in the right direction.”

    Professor Kennedy will also address a three-day Giant Panda Research Symposium being held at Edinburgh Zoo on 10-12 September.

  • China to spend $275b to fight air pollution

    China will spend $275 billion over the next five years improving air quality — roughly the same as the gross domestic product (GDP) of Hong Kong, and twice the size of the annual defence budget.

    According to report by Wahington Post, there’s an old hypothesis, known as the environmental Kuznets curve, that suggests that countries will sacrifice clean air and water in favor of economic development — but only up to a certain point. Once they get rich enough, the calculus shifts, and countries start spending more on environmental goals. China appears to have reached that point.

    There are plenty of reasons for the about-face. Not only is China’s air pollution triggering angry protests, but it appears to be hurting the economy, too. One recent MIT study suggested that coal pollution in northern China had shaved as much as 5.5 years off life expectancy. (Some statisticians, like Andrew Gelman, have criticized that precise estimate, though everyone agrees coal pollution has a sharply negative effect on health.)

    The Economist, meanwhile, wonders whether China’s anti-pollution binge will curtail the nation’s coal use and carbon pollution quickly enough to help the world avoid drastic global warming. (Since 2000, China has accounted for about two-thirds of the growth in the world’s greenhouse-gas emissions.) That’s a much trickier question.

    On one hand: Several Chinese cities are beginning to experiment with cap-and-trade policies that will set hard ceilings on the amount of greenhouse gases that factories and power plants may emit. But the targets themselves can often get weakened in negotiations between state-owned firms and local officials. What’s more, the Chinese government has been cracking down on and jailing environmentalists, the sort of outsiders who would typically help ensure these policies are actually working at the local level.

    This follow-up Economist article suggests that China has plenty of reason to care about climate change: “China will suffer as much as anywhere. Already its deserts are spreading, farmland is drying out and crop yields are plateauing. Climate change may make matters worse. It has 80 million people living at sea level who are vulnerable to rising oceans and higher storm surges.”

    But that, in itself, isn’t reason to think that a sharp reduction in emissions is inevitable — even with all those billions.

     

  • Miners buoyed by China newsflow, gold price

    European shares steadied around two-month highs on Monday, propped up by mining stocks after positive newsflow out of top metals consumer China, as investors awaited German economic data later in the week.

    Heavyweight basic resources stocks advanced 1.2 per cent after reassuring numbers on the Chinese economy last week.

    The sector was also helped by a report in the South China Morning Post saying Beijing was quietly offering financial stimulus to key cities and provinces.

    Mexican silver and gold miner Fresnillo, up 6.6 percent, and Randgold Resources, 2.5 percent firmer, were among the biggest gainers as gold hit its highest level in nearly three weeks.

    The FTSEurofirst 300 closed up 0.45 point at 1,230.03, while the euro zone’s blue-chip Euro STOXX 50 firmed 0.1 per cent to 2,827.15 points.

    With the summer holiday season fully underway and no significant macroeconomic data set for release until later in the week, volumes were thin, with trading on the FTSEurofirst 300 just 70 per cent of its 90-day daily average.

    German ZEW economic sentiment data, due at 0900 GMT on Tuesday, could confirm the euro zone’s powerhouse economy is stabilising after narrowly avoiding a recession early this year.

    “There’s a chance that we could see an upside surprise, just on the basis that we’ve seen decent numbers out of the euro zone and out of the UK over the course of the last couple of weeks,” CMC Markets trader Matt Basi said.

    “Any significant beat could send us much higher on small volume but I think the likelihood is that an in-line number will see us just continue to drift sideways until bigger numbers later in the week.”

    German second quarter GDP data is due on Wednesday. A Reuters poll forecasts growth of 0.6 percent but a German government minister said on Friday it was likely to be 0.75 percent, its strongest rate in more than two years, although the pace of expansion would slow in the second half of 2013.

    Investors will keep a close eye on U.S. data, with retail sales, consumer prices, housing starts, industrial production and surveys of regional manufacturing all due this week.

    Strong numbers will increase the chances of a cut in the U.S. Federal Reserve’s bond purchases, which have boosted equities in the past months.

    The Euro STOXX 50 rose 0.5 percent last week, notching its fifth consecutive weekly gain. The index, which has jumped some 13 percent since late June, is trading within a whisker of two-year closing highs hit in May, at 2,835. It recently hit ‘overbought’ territory, whereby its 14-day relative strength index (RSI) reading was at 70.

    “It looks like resistance might be kicking in, although we’d need to see a close below the recent trading low at 2,775 to confirm that – after which the next area of possible support is going to be down at 2,750 or so,” Charles Stanley analyst Bill McNamara said.

  • To China with waste

    To China with waste

    President Jonathan’s 13-minister, four-governor delegation to China perhaps hallmarks an idle country cavalier in its idleness

    Even for a reported finalisation of a US $1.1 billion loan, President Goodluck Jonathan’s five-day visit to China, boasting 13 ministers, four governors, a platoon of aides and a battery of media personnel, paints a picture of a country tragically without focus. Which other country would so merrily trot out virtually its whole establishment because it is finalising a loan deal?

    On the trip and its humongous delegation, Reuben Abati, presidential spokesperson, had made a spirited defence. Of course, there is something asinine in the claim that President Jonathan took off to China just to spite US President Barack Obama, for again snubbing Nigeria on his second visit to Africa, during which he visited Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania. That sounds evidently stupid and Dr. Abati did well to dismiss it with the contempt it deserved.

    But not so the humongous presidential delegation. It is true the US $1.1 billion finalised during the trip is part of a US $3 billion loan package, at interest rates of below three per cent that China is extending to Nigeria. The package is meant to fund infrastructure: airport terminals in four cities, roads, a light-rail line in Abuja, the federal capital; a hydropower plant and other projects in oil and gas.

    But trucking 13 ministers, four governors and a rash of aides – does that not reflect the manifest waste that has condemned Nigeria to seeking the China loan when it could, if it husbanded its resources well, have financed a good percentage of these projects from its own pocket? Indeed, the picture of this fair weather delegation is the grim irony of a poor country happily show-casing a rich, over-pampered and wasteful bureaucracy.

    The Presidency could well argue that since the loan was multi-sectoral, the various ministries involved had to be represented on the China trip. But13 ministers? And there is a coordinating minister of the economy? And also a Minister of National Planning?

    That everyone thrust himself or herself forward to be part of the gravy is indicative of a presidency bereft of planning; and almost incapable of fully grasping its needs; and putting to work a lean staff, to get the most effective results, with eyes focused on cost cutting.

    Indeed, it would appear that despite signs emerging that the government could be running broke – or what other reasons could be there for proposing to shrink the 2013 federal budget? – the Jonathan Presidency appears incapable of avoiding a bloated bureaucracy. That is the picture the China junketing paints.

    Dr. Abati could push the official line that everyone on Jonathan’s delegation was well accounted for, had a specific function and would return value for money. He is entitled to his official-speak. But the presidential spokesman should grant Nigerians some measure of intelligence; and accord them some mastery of the negative sociology that drives governance on these shores; which Nigerians have come to know over the years.

    True, a good number of the delegates would be fully engaged, particularly the sub-heads of delegations. The ministers should be well engaged, even if the sheer number of their tribe present – 13 – still rankles. So, would be their immediate lieutenants. But the farther down the line, the more lax they become and the more unjustifiable the inclusion in the team.

    Indeed, many a delegate would be on the trip simply because some high official felt obliged to compensate the lower official with government estacode – the government travel allowance. Such is the abiding racketeering on public funds.

    If you factor in probable corruption, which could entail the benefactor having a cut from the beneficiary’s largesse; and even the whole delegation, being China Government guests, drawing the full estacode instead of a third as dictated by Civil Service Regulations, then you can understand why Jonathan’s delegation is so big, happy and merry! These are the probable systemic wastes that have rendered the country prostrate, when it should be out there competing with the rest of the world.

    Despite the junketing (which runs counter to the spirit of going a-borrowing) however, the China trip is not altogether unnecessary. Decayed infrastructure is the bane of this economy. A policy of sustained investment on infrastructure cannot go wrong, other things being equal. A promise of four glittering and new airports, light rail for Abuja to improve intra-city commuting, a hydropower plant to solve the abiding electricity problems and new projects in oil and gas is exciting; and good for the economy.

    What is not so good is the record of tardy implementation (or even total abandonment), even after a deal has been struck; and of course, the baffling change in public policy, simply because a new set of faces has taken over government.

    On October 30, 2006, for instance, the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidency signed a US $8 billion contract with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CECCC) to modernise the Lagos-Kano railway line, replacing the present obsolete narrow gauge with a medium-gauge track. But for some reasons, the succeeding Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua Presidency cancelled the contract and opted to renovate the present obsolete tracks. Earlier, Obasanjo himself, exhibiting anti-Sani Abacha sentiments, had cancelled a US $3 billion contract with China to modernise Nigerian rail, citing alleged corruption. Will the sad history continue with this latest economic tryst with China?

    Despite the bloated delegation to sign this latest infrastructure deal, therefore, even all the wastes would matter little if the government delivers on the project to gift the economy a kiss of life.

    But will it? We insist it must.

  • Nigeria, China sign $500m aviation deal

    Nigeria, China sign $500m aviation deal

    The Federal Government and China have signed a $500 million loan agreement for the construction of four new international airport terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.

    The Agreement is one of many others and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Beijing, as President GoodluckEbele Jonathan commenced a visit to China.

    In a statement by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Aviation Minister, Joe Obi yesterday, commencement of construction work on the terminals had been on hold pending formal signing of the loan deal which will be financed by the Chinese EXIM Bank.

    In her remarks, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Finance Minister, Dr. NgoziOkonjo-Iweala expressed satisfaction that the loan deal for financing the construction of the terminals have finally been sealed.

  • Nigeria, China sign agreements

    President Goodluck Jonathan and President Xi Jinping of China Wednesday in Beijing presided over the signing of five agreements to boost financial, trade, economic, technical and cultural relations between Nigeria and China.

    The agreements which were signed after bilateral talks between the two leaders and their delegations include the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Financial Cooperation In Support of Nigeria’s Economic Development and a Preferential Buyer Credit Agreement for Nigeria’s Four Airports Expansion Project.

    Others were a new Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between Nigeria and China, an Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports from both countries and an Agreement for the Prevention of the Theft, Illicit Import and Export of Cultural Property.

    Speaking before the commencement of the talks, President Jonathan thanked President Jinping and the people of China for the warm reception accorded him and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan since their arrival in Beijing yesterday.

    The President assured President Jinping that the Federal Government is fully committed to sustaining and developing the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China for the mutual benefit of the two countries and their people.

    He said that in spite of the many positive developments in bilateral relations between the countries in recent years, there was still ample scope for increased trade and direct investment from China in Nigeria.

    President Jinping assured President Jonathan that China will continue to work with Nigeria in all possible areas in furtherance of the development agenda of both countries.

  • President Jonathan in Beijin

    President Jonathan in Beijin

  • Nigeria, China to boost investment, says Aganga

    Nigeria, China to boost investment, says Aganga

    A strategic move to boost trade, investment and reappraise level and quality of trade between Nigeria and China began yesterday.

    The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, made this known in Bejing, China yesterday.

    He told a select group of reporters that Nigeria’s current position as the number one investment destination in Africa had put the country in a good position to attract more local and international investments across all sectors of the economy, especially in the areas where the country had comparative and competitive advantage.

    He said: “If you look at the latest report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNTAD), which was released two weeks ago,  Nigeria was ranked Africa’s number one destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa for the second time in two years.

    “According to the UNCTAD’s report, Nigeria’s FDI inflows stood at $7.03billion, while South Africa recorded $4.572billion; Ghana, $3.295billion;  Egypt, $2.798billion and Angola, 6.898billion. This shows that despite the global decline in FDI, we have remained at the top of the ladder for two consecutive years as the preferred destination for FDI inflows into Africa.”

    Experts say the Nigeria-China Business Forum could not have come at a better time than now as it would provide a veritable platform for the government and organised private sectors of both countries to strengthen their economic partnership, especially in the critical sectors of the economy.

    A high-level business and investment forum, organised to leverage on the strengths of both countries for win-win trade and investments positions, will be declared open by President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday in Beijing.

    The Business Forum, which is expected to attract top Chinese and Nigerian companies and Investors, is part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s  four-day official visit to China and is being organised by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

    Nigeria and China have maintained a long standing trading relationship, which has resulted in significant increases in  the volume of trade between both countries.  In 2012, the  bilateral trade volume between Nigeria and  China stood at N276billion.

    Nigeria’s export to China include liquefied gas, bituminous minerals, sesame seeds rubber, while imports from China include machinery, chemical products and unglazed ceramics, among others.

  • Jonathan arrives China

    Jonathan arrives China

    …Hold talks with Jinping Wednesday

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday arrived in Beijing, China at about 17.30hours (local time).

    Jonathan, who was accompanied by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, was received at the Capital Airport in Beijing by China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Li Yucheng and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the country, Alhaji Aminu Wali.

    His arrival marked the beginning of a five-day state visit to China during which several new agreements would be signed to boost bilateral cooperation between the two countries, particularly in defence, finance, trade, agriculture and communications.

    A statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati reads: “The President would be formally welcomed to China on Wednesday by President Xi Jinping at a grand ceremony scheduled to hold at the Great Hall of the People.

    “Thereafter, the two leaders and their official delegations would hold bilateral talks at the end of which new agreements and memoranda of understanding would be signed.

    “These include an agreement on defence cooperation between Nigeria and China, and an agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation. Others are: an Agreement on Finance for the Zungeru Power Plant and Airport Terminals; and an Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports.”

    “At the conclusion of the signing ceremony, President Jonathan and the First Lady would attend a state banquet to be given in their honour by President Jinping and his spouse,” the statement added.

     

  • Nigeria, China to sign pacts on defence, trade, others

    Nigeria, China to sign pacts on defence, trade, others

    Nigeria and China will, next week, sign at least four major agreements when President Goodluck Jonathan leads a high-powered team of governors, members of the National Assembly and key ministers on a five-day state visit to China beginning July 9.

    The pacts are expected to boost bilateral relations between both countries.

    The agreements, which will be signed after high-level talks between President Jonathan’s delegation and President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and other senior Chinese Government officials, include an Agreement on Defence Cooperation between Nigeria and China.

    Others are: an Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation; an Agreement on Finance for the Zungeru Power Plant and Airport Terminals; and an Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports.

    Also to be tabled for discussion during talks between both countries is an agreement for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to invest in China’s Inter-Bank Bond Market through the Peoples’ Bank of China, and an agreement for the prevention of the theft, illicit import and export of cultural property.

    The successful conclusion of the pacts and other memoranda of understanding for increased bilateral cooperation in the development of public infrastructure, oil and gas, power supply, agriculture, communications and tourism, among others, is expected to consolidate the already cordial political, trade and economic relations between Nigeria and China.

    A statement yesterday by presidential spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, said President Jonathan would also seek additional Chinese investment for the Mambila Hydro Electric Project, rail modernisation, road construction and agricultural development.

    “The President will be accompanied to China by Governors Theodore Orji (Abia State); Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Peter Obi (Anambra).”