Magnetically Levitated Train
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China rolls out low-cost maglev trains
CHANGSHA - A locomotive producer in central China's Hunan province on Friday rolled out a low-cost magnetically levitated (maglev) train that is more environmental-friendly than conventional ones. The three-carriage train is designed to run at a maximum speed of 100 km per hour and carry 600 passengers, said Xu Zongxiang, general manager of Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co Ltd of China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock Corporation (CSR). Xu said the new train was much quieter than conventional ones. While a conventional train moves forward by using friction between its wheels and the railway tracks, the maglev train replaces wheels by electromagnets and levitates on the guideway. According to Xu, his company's has minimized the risk of the new maglev train derailing or overturning. "It's ideal for mass transportation, as it is quiet and environmental-friendly. Its manufacturing cost is about 75 percent of a conventional light-rail train," said Xu. The maglev train has a minimum turning radius of 50 meters and can easily run in residential communities or on hilly slopes. "It's an ideal public transport option for Chinese cities and major tourist destinations," said Xu. Railway transport specialist Liu Youmei, also an academician with Chinese Academy of Engineering, said the new train is green, economical and safe. "It can be used for public transport in populous areas and at scenic spots with fragile environments." Liu said China is one of a few countries that have applied maglev technology. Beijing is building a maglev route, the Daitai line (S1), which starts at its IT center in Haidian district, passes through Shijingshan district, and ends in Mentougou district on its western outskirts. The line will be operational next year. The eastern metropolitan of Shanghai runs the world's first commercial maglev system on a 30-km stretch between the downtown business district and Pudong airport. The German-made maglev went into operation on December 31, 2002.
Merkel's China visit to strengthen bilateral ties
At the invitation of her Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, German Chancellor Angela Merkel began a three-day official visit to China yesterday. It is Merkel's first trip to China since she was sworn into office in November last year as her country's first female chancellor. Leaders of the two countries are due to exchange viewpoints on the further development of the China-Germany relationship, as well as on a wide range of major international and regional issues of common concern including reform of the United Nations, the Iran nuclear stalemate, the European Union (EU) arms embargo against China, and intellectual property rights (IPR) protection. The two nations are also expected to reach agreements and sign contracts on co-operation projects during Merkel's visit to China. The China visit will also bring the German Chancellor to Shanghai this evening, where she will attend the fourth meeting of the China-Germany High-Tech Dialogue Forum. "The real landscape of China's economic and social developments that Merkel is seeing during the visit will help make clear her government's foreign policy towards China," said Lian Yuru, a professor at the School of International Studies in Peking University. The face-to-face meetings and talks with Chinese leaders, which will help enhance understanding and mutual trust between the two sides, will help lay the foundation for all-round co-operation between China and Germany, according to Lian. "Merkel's visit also continues the frequent high-level exchanges between the two countries in recent years and is a result of deepened bilateral ties," said Su Hao, a professor at the Foreign Affairs College. Bilateral ties have steadily developed since the two nations set up diplomatic relations in 1972. The two countries have maintained frequent high-level exchanges since the first visit to China by then Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Helmut Schmidt in 1975. Despite the leadership changes experienced by the two countries in the past decades, China and Germany have never stopped their high-level exchange visits or the pursuit of co-operative policies. Meanwhile, close co-operation has also been built between their congresses and government departments. The two nations have also set up a regular mechanism for mutual visits between their foreign ministers and for political consultations at various levels. The regular channel for high-level exchanges and meetings has enhanced mutual trust between the two countries. As two influential powers in Asia and Europe, China and Germany have consistently attached great importance to developing ties with one another. "The steady development of political ties between the two nations should be attributed to the common and similar ground both countries share on a series of important international and regional issues," Su said. "There is no major political controversy between them." Both advocate democratization of international relations and insist international disputes be resolved in a peaceful manner. China extended its firm support to Germany's efforts for national reunification, and Germany has also firmly abided by the one-China policy and refrained from arms sales to Taiwan. The two countries also insist that differences on the human rights issue should be settled through dialogue instead of confrontation. Given their ever-growing influence in Asia and Europe, China and Germany have no reason not to value bilateral ties. "Despite differing perceptions on some issues because of their different social systems, ideologies and values, the two nations are well aware that these differences should not get in the way of a smooth relationship," said Su. "It is expected that during her visit to China, Merkel, out of some domestic pressures, will raise the IPR and human rights issues to Chinese leaders, but she may possibly speak in a moderate manner," Lian Yuru said. Prior to her China tour, German industry groups urged Merkel to press the Chinese Government to crack down more aggressively on piracy. "However, it is important that the two countries clearly acknowledge the other's importance on their respective continents," Su said. This perception and shared ground will help the two nations shelve differences and co-ordinate a mutual stance to seek co-operation on a series of major issues. A smooth political relationship has always been an important factor in driving forward bilateral economic and trade ties. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1972, the two countries have made substantial economic achievements. The bilateral trade volume in 2005 reached US$63.2 billion, accounting for nearly one-third of the trade volume between China and the EU bloc. Germany is by far China's largest EU trading partner. And China has been Germany's biggest Asian trading partner since 2002. For a long time, Germany has been China's most important target for technological co-operation in Europe. Also, the country has long been one of the world's major development aid providers to China. In addition to their prospering co-operation in the political and economic realms, China and Germany have also had exchanges and fruitful co-operation in the fields of culture, education, high technology, environment, sport and military. Bilateral co-operation in developing magnetically levitated trains, for example, is a new development for the China-Germany relationship. The two nations have together made breakthroughs in the Shanghai magnetically levitated train project. Due to her previous political stances, some analysts had misgivings about the China policy of Merkel's government following her electoral success. People worried about whether or not the new government would alienate itself from China. Merkel dispelled these misgivings, however, by remarking at a press conference following her election that she would maintain the continuity of her predecessors' foreign policy towards China during her term in office, and promote her country's relations with China. And Chinese President Hu Jintao's state visit to Germany last November, which further consolidated the bilateral strategic partnership, once again lifted confidence in the smooth future of Sino-German relations. Merkel's visit will further enhance mutual trust and consolidate existing common ground between the two countries. (China Daily 05/22/2006 page4)
IN BRIEF (Page 6)
Investing in technology China will invest 30 billion yuan in 147 key science programs by 2010, including developing maglev trains, wind power stations and seawater desalination technologies. More than 7 billion yuan has already been allocated from the central budget, and the remaining funds are expected to come from companies, local governments and institutes, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology. The ministry drew particular attention to 50 high-profile projects, such as two- to three-megawatt wind power stations, magnetically levitated trains running at 500 kilometers per hour and highly efficient seawater desalination equipment. Wang Xiaofang, director of the ministry's planning department, said these programs were designed to enhance China's competitive capability in key industries and the independent innovation capacity of Chinese companies. Building brands The Ministry of Commerce will set up a "Special Fund for Brand Development" to support brand-building activities in the commercial field. The fund will help domestic enterprises participate in independent brand exhibitions, showcases and promotions. It will also support branded enterprises in overseas trademark registration and patent application, as well as those seeking foreign certifications and dealing with IPR disputes. Following the "going out" strategy, branded enterprises that set up and expand their processing, research and development, production, marketing and after-sales service systems abroad will be first in line for monetary support from the ministry. Meanwhile, the ministry is to encourage the Export-Import Bank of China to make favorable credit policies for enterprises with independent brands. Protecting copyrights The number of software copyright registrations hit a record high in 2006 at 23,000 pieces an increase of nearly 27 percent compared with 2005, according to the Copyright Protection Center of China (CPCC). Officials from the CPCC said the increasing number of the software copyright registrations reflects the growth of domestic software industry with independent IPR, as well as a gradually improved legal environment and enhanced awareness of copyright protection. Fake Fuwa confiscated Beijing municipal law enforcement officials seized a large amount of counterfeit Fuwa, the mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, around Tian'anmen Square and uncovered a secret storage and distribution center for fake Fuwa merchandise. Since the Fuwa were announced as the Olympic mascots in November 2005, infringement has been rampant. Since then, it has been a non-stop battle against the production, distribution and sale of fake Fuwa. Beijing municipal government agencies have taken various measures to crack down on violators and have worked to create a favorable environment for the protection of Olympic IPR. Students' patent fees waived The Shanghai municipal government will provide financial assistance to students at primary, middle and high schools, and universities who file to patent inventions this year. Usually, the invention patent fee is about 8,000 yuan, including the filing fee, issuance fee and attorney fees. Presently, the Shanghai government reduces and remits the fees for student applicants for three consecutive years, after which time the students should pay the fees themselves. However, according to the "Measures for Financial Assistance to Patent in Shanghai," financial assistance will be provided to the patentees to pay the filing fee, issuance fee and annual fee of a patent for invention. iTunes calls for dropping DRM Apple CEO Steve Jobs indicated the company would drop digital rights management (DRM) technology from the music sold through its iTunes Store if the four largest music companies would allow such a move, according to an open letter posted on Apple's website. Jobs also called on people unhappy with DRM systems particularly European regulators who want Apple to open its FairPlay DRM to competitors to push record companies to sell online music without digital-rights restrictions. The decision on whether to remove DRM software to prevent copying of music files is up to Universal Music Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and EMI Group Plc, says Jobs. iTunes, started in 2003, is the most popular legal site for music downloads and offers more than 4 million songs. TM infringement goes to court Alfred Dunhill Ltd has instituted a proceeding against Hainan Hotel in Beijing for trademark infringement. The Beijing No 2 Intermediate People's Court has accepted the case. According to the plaintiff, the brand "Dunhill" owned by Alfred Dunhill, has enjoyed a good reputation since it entered China in 1983. Alfred Dunhill never authorized Hainan Hotel in Beijing to sell the goods bearing the "Dunhill" trademark or its Chinese equivalent. However, goods such as belts, handbags, purses and T-shirts bearing the "Dunhill" trademark and its Chinese counterpart were sold in Hainan Hotel's gift store. According to Alfred Dunhill's appraisal, these goods were counterfeit products. Alfred Dunhill requested that the court order Hainan Hotel to immediately stop the infringement, make an apology, eliminate the ill effects and provide 80,000 yuan in compensation.
Knowledge Graph
Examples
1 A real estate company has won the right to name China's first magnetically levitated train- at a price of 20.9 million yuan (US2.53 million).
2 Starting early next month, the Shanghai Maglev Line, the world's first magnetically levitated train in commercial use, will begin regular daily transportation, a Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co official told Shanghai Daily yesterday.
3 The feasibility study of the project which uses magnetically levitated or maglev trains to whisk passengers to their destinations almost as fast as jet aircraft, will be assessed in the near future, government sources in Shanghai said on Thursday.