Asia Africa Intelligence Wire articles from April 2004, page 2

Asia Africa Intelligence Wire archives from April 2004

Business Briefs.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: laisee@scmp.com ominous outlook A mainland visitor was sentenced to 16 weeks in jail this week after immigration officials conducted a sting operation in Mong Kok. Apparently the...

'Democracy has never been a tradition in Hong Kong'.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Chow Chung-yan The Hong Kong people's call for political change is rooted in discontent with the Tung administration and not driven by a genuine aspiration for democracy, the central government...

'Hutchison books are always open'.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) I refer to the Lai See column in yesterday's SCMP business section. Of course I do not take any exception at all to Lai See's usual pointed delivery: I am a regular reader and enjoy its daily shots...

Power study sparks debate on options An imminent blueprint on the sector's regulatory future will address shortfalls in the scheme of control.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Denise Tsang Hong Kong is finally moving a step closer to carving out the post-2008 regulatory blueprint for the power sector, with a marathon study on the options for changes due for...

Autonomy is not lost: Donald Tsang Anson Chan has it wrong on Beijing's reform ruling, says chief secretary.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Gary Cheung, Ambrose Leung and Josephine Ma in Beijing Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy has not been undermined "whatsoever" by the decision on universal suffrage, the chief secretary said...

Skin savers.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) These must-have natural skin savers are hot-selling items: Arnica: A popular topical remedy (also available as a homeopathic tablet for internal use), great for bruises, sprains and sore muscles. ...

Doubts on cheap air fares being sustained.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Russell Barling and Carrie Chan Convenience and ticket prices after the initial promotion period would decide whether budget travellers could be lured to Macau by cheap air fares to onward...

UK banker loses appeal on bribery conviction.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Sara Bradford A British banker jailed for four years after he accepted more than $4 million in bribes has lost his bid to clear his name. The Court of Appeal yesterday rejected the appeal...

Businesses fail to take out patents.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Kelvin Chan Most Hong Kong businesses believe the protection of trademarks, patents and other forms of intellectual property is important, but many have not sought legal protection for their...

BOC to issue Hong Kong's first yuan credit and debit cards today.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Christine Chan Hong Kong residents can apply for yuan-denomination credit and debit cards from today - the first issued in the city. The cards, to be issued by the Bank of China (Hong Kong)...

CKI buys Cambridge Water The $717m deal paves way for more investments in Britain.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Denise Tsang Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings (CKI) has taken over English drinking-water supplier Cambridge Water in a $717.7 million deal which paves the way for further investment in...

Cooling measures may hit airlines.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Annette Chiu The central government's measures to chill the overheated economy may cloud the skies for airlines, as fewer investments could mean slowing cargo and passenger flows, according to...

Teens head to Shenzhen for cheap, easy drugs.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Stella Lee More than 40 per cent of troubled Hong Kong teenagers polled in a survey said they had taken drugs in Shenzhen, where they were cheaper and easier to obtain. Frontline social...

Harbour group goes for beauty, not controversy Reclamation debate will be set aside in pursuit of a waterfront to rival Sydney's.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Elaine Wu The advisory group on Victoria Harbour would concentrate on ways to beautify the waterfront and not whether there should be reclamation, its chairman said yesterday. University...

Under new rules, contractors will be forced to raise cleaners' wages Bids to the Housing Authority will have to include higher percentages for pay.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Martin Wong The Housing Department yesterday announced measures designed to end unreasonably low wages for cleaners under contracts with the Housing Authority. The rules will include...

Cash flood seen in insurance reform Regulatory change may funnel billions of fresh yuan into mainland stock markets.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Christine Chan and Bei Hu Mainland insurers may soon be able to invest in domestic stocks for the first time, a regulatory reform that could channel billions of yuan into the country's share...

Mortgage loan activity near five-year high.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Peggy Sito Strong residential property sales and a surge in refinancing activities pumped mortgage loans last month to their highest recorded levels since mid-1999. However, property...

NWSH buys stake in Tianjin water firm.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) NWS Holdings (NWSH), the infrastructure flagship of New World Development, has taken up a 25 per cent interest in a 470 million yuan water treatment services joint venture in Tianjin. The joint venture...

Uplifting name for yet another love drug is not lost in translation.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Alex Lo A woman pharmacist beat close to 700 entries by coming up with what drug makers say is the most "uplifting" name in a Chinese translation contest for new anti-impotence drug Levitra....

High-risk ignorance Looking good is all about feeling good. And both states of being depend on a greater level of health awareness Talking points cervical cancer campaignface of the futureasthma shy.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Hong Kong women in general lack health awareness, and more than 50 per cent do not bother to go for regular health checks. This was the conclusion of a recent women's health survey conducted by the Faculty...

Hard sell for May Day holiday visitors With 400,000 mainlanders expected to visit Hong Kong, the tourism and retail sectors predict a business bonanza.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Carrie Chan Hong Kong's tourism, retail and food sectors are promoting their wares ahead of the arrival of more than 400,000 mainland visitors during the May Day holiday week. Local tour...

Mother saves baby, but is hit by truck.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Clifford Lo A mother who put herself in the path of a dumper truck to save her baby son in Shamshuipo was recovering in hospital last night. Kwok Kin-ho, 43, was crossing Wong Chuk Street...

tHE GOOD EARTH.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Apart from Osea, there are other brands out there that are natural and contain organic ingredients. Here are some of the best: Aveda: One of the pioneers in natural skincare, Aveda offers everything...

UBS maintains 60pc rise in home prices by end-2005.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Ernest Kong UBS Securities has maintained its bullish projection of a 60 per cent increase in home prices by the end of next year, despite the likelihood of interest-rate rises. The...

Doctors get message across with website.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Staff Reporter Choosing a doctor over the internet has become easier for patients under new practice guidelines aimed at enhancing transparency, the Hong Kong Medical Association said...

red alert Is your home's first-aid box stocked with the essentials? Here's a vital checklist.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) A well-stocked first-aid kit should adequately cover treatment for minor accidents in the home. Keep the kit somewhere easily accessible to adults but not within the children's reach. A list of emergency...

Kill Bill's Tarantino too ill to attend HK screening.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Staff Reporter Quentin Tarantino will not be visiting Hong Kong after all. Panasia Films, the local distributor of hit films Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2, said the US director had fallen ill and his...

Tin Shui Wai case raises awareness The HKU Family Institute says more victims of domestic violence are coming forward to seek help.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Elaine Wu Five domestic violence cases have been referred to the HKU Family Institute since the killing of a mother and her two daughters in Tin Shui Wai heightened awareness of the problem...

Hospital workers are honoured for their guts and determination.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Dikky Sinn Hospital workers who went above and beyond the call of duty - whether by scouring wet markets for fresh pig innards or by caring for the children of patients who died - are being...

Car used to drive ex-US leader sold.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Chan Siu-sin A slightly used BMW which carried former US president George Bush around for two days during the Boao Forum for Asia last weekend has been auctioned for 1.68 million yuan,...

Visitors from Beijing, Anhui to be watched if outbreak worsens Targeted surveillance is considered, but more stringent measures are ruled out.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Mary Ann Benitez Hong Kong will consider "targeted surveillance" of Beijing and Anhui travellers arriving in the city if the Sars outbreak worsens on the mainland, a top health official said....

WHO concerned over lab safety practices Amid the announcement of another two confirmed Sars cases, the UN agency says guidelines are not being followed.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Harry Doran The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified serious problems with safety practices in mainland laboratories. Health officials, meanwhile, reported two more confirmed cases in...

Business Briefs.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Even after a century of service, Hong Kong's trams remain a potent symbol of the city. To celebrate the tramway's 100th birthday, Hongkong Post will issue a special stamp series on May 27. Titled...

Business Briefs.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) sharp-eyed victim spots suspect, prompts arrest A 19-year-old woman who claims she was indecently assaulted aboard a bus on Wednesday called police after she saw the 26-year-old suspect riding past on...

contents.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: spring/summer 2004 hot on pink from rose to fuchsia, the colour is in eye candy fun with candy-coloured makeup heavenly hues getting the colours right mane...

Bad milk powder killed 16 babies The substandard formula was sold in 26 locations, inquiries show.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Chan Siu-sin Investigations into the infant formula scandal have found that the substandard milk powder was sold in 26 locations and caused the deaths of at least 16 babies, according to...

Business Briefs.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Editorial Special Reports Editor Tan Thean Peng Editor Elizabeth Turner Design Jowie Chan, Jean Au-Yeung Contributors Cathy Chon, Divia Harilela Chief Sub-Editor Richard Kirk ...

TSMC named in patent suit Amid further claims against SMIC, it faces new case filed by a US chipmaker.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Michael Logan Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) is facing another court case in the United States, after suffering a setback last week in its litigation against mainland chipmaker...

Portal earnings fail to impress Mainland internet firms report exceptional levels of growth but their shares finish the day lower as investors stay away.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Sidney Luk Mainland internet portals this week reported high percentage earnings growth for the first quarter, but so far investors are unimpressed. Tom Online, controlled by Li Ka-shing,...

Crackdown on steel plant sets example.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Bill Savadove in Shanghai The mainland has detained 10 people and punished eight government officials over an illegally approved steel plant in Jiangsu . The case of the Jiangsu Tieben Iron...

New war on capital's water woes Bureau to manage supply, conservation.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Alice Yan Beijing has set up a bureau to manage the city's water resources in the hope of saving the drought-ridden capital at least 400 million cubic metres of water each year. From...

Hot on pink From delicate rose and pearly peach to flashes of fuchsia, pink is a hot shade this season. Create the look with a few simple steps.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: TEXT: Lizzie Turner MODEL: Alana Wong from Signal 8 ModelsSTYLING AND MAKEUP: Charlot KPHOTOS: May Tse Base and face: Lightly dab on concealer, applying first to correct blemishes, dark...

High-profile Aids fight leaves many in despair Even in a medical showcase village, patients suffer with little help, writes Josephine Ma in the second of a three-part series from Henan.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Zhang Guiying's coffin waits for her in a small courtyard outside her home. Ms Zhang, 70, has lost her husband, son and daughter-in-law to Aids, and the disease will eventually take her life as well....

Safety rules tightened for May Day holiday Officials told to step up measures to protect travellers after spate of accidents.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Vivien Cui Local leaders and business operators were yesterday warned to step up safety awareness with millions of people preparing to hit the road for the week-long May Day holiday. The...

Livelihood a priority, reforms must wait: premier.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Staff Reporter and Agence France-Presse in Beijing Premier Wen Jiabao has said his priority is to improve the basic livelihoods of the people and political reforms such as direct elections at...

Chen aide back from secret trip to Washington.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Jason Blatt in Taipei A top aide to Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian returned to Taipei yesterday after making a secretive trip to Washington widely seen as an attempt to repair strained...

Business Briefs.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) BEIJING Students apply in droves for jobs in western regions A total of 49,000 students about to graduate from mainland universities have applied for 6,000 positions to work in the country's...

Eye candy Colour is riotous this season, so have fun with candy-coloured eye makeup.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: TEXT: Lizzie Turner MODEL: Hao Jing from Signal 8 Models STYLING AND MAKEUP: Charlot K BASE: Hydrate skin with a moisturising makeup base to create a dewy look. Blend secret potion...

Discussion, not suppression, seen as way to resolve workers' disputes Head of UN's labour group calls for a constructive approach.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Josephine Ma in Beijing The mainland should become more sophisticated in dealing with labour disputes and resolve them through dialogue instead of trying to suppress disgruntled workers, a top...

Overseas students target of incentive programme.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Tertiary students daunted by the cost of further education in the United States or the inequality of standards in Britain are being urged to consider universities in the Netherlands as an alternative venue...

Violence poses threat to Thai tourism After this week's bloodshed, the industry fears militants may take their fight out of the far south to target foreigners.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Simon Montlake in Bangkok Thailand's tourist industry is jittery after a day of violence in the south left 113 dead and struck at the heart of the country's image as a safe holiday playground....

Sugar prices sour BJP's poll chances Rising cost adds to ruling party's woes in election that could end its majority.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Maseeh Rahman in New Delhi Things are going from bad to worse for India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It has been stunned by exit polls in the national election showing it may...

Bravery award for plucky roo.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Nick Squires in Sydney A kangaroo that rescued a farmer knocked out by a falling branch is to receive an animal bravery award. The tame kangaroo, named Lulu, alerted the family of Len...

UK press feeds fear of flood of 'scroungers and gypsies'.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Tim Bryan in London Reading British tabloid newspapers you would think millions of unskilled workers, "scroungers" and "gypsies" are waiting at an airport near Warsaw, stocking up on vodka...

heavenly hues Sharpen your pencils, dust off your brushes and give your face a colour lift. Choose from subtle pastel blues, minty greens, tropical turquoise, soft corals, deep berries and sun-kissed yellow.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Intense eye kohl No5, Stephanemarais_ ($370), Joyce Beauty Times Square (2970 2319) Quadra eyeshadow No78 Blue Notes ($300), Chanel counters (2868 5389, The Landmark) Mermaid eyeshadow ($160),...

Opposition left red-faced on pensions After urging defaulters to comply, a Japanese party leader is himself exposed for not paying into a mandatory scheme.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Julian Ryall in Tokyo A senior member of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) says politicians who have cheated on their mandatory pension payments have disgraced the image of the...

Malaysian response to killings muted but Muslims seething Politicians want cross-border ties to be reviewed.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Baradan Kuppusamy in Kuala Lumpur The Malaysian government's reaction to the death of dozens of Muslim youths in southern Thailand may be muted, but there is no mistaking the deep anger among...

Shares ditched as credit tightening gathers pace.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: markets rep0rt Nichole Chan The Hong Kong stock market dived yesterday as investors dumped shares, alarmed by news that the mainland government was stepping up measures to slow down the...

Airport shut down during police chase Man hijacks three cars and one bus before drowning in Tokyo Bay.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Julian Ryall in Tokyo Tokyo's Haneda Airport was brought to a standstill when a man commandeered a car, drove through fences and careered along the runways with security staff and police in...

High demand for securitised bond Prices on the two institutional tranches are tightened from initial guidance.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Anette Jonsson Demand for the government's first ever securitised bond turned out to be strong among the general public and institutional investors, allowing the price on the two institutional...

Business Briefs.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) HOLD Cheung Kong (Holdings) Closing price: $60 Target price: $66.34 Share price performance (%) 1wk: 1.23 3mths:17.06 1mth:4.7 1yr:46.38 Analyst...

Business Briefs.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) HOLD China Southern Airlines Closing price: $3.35 Target price: $3.85 Share price performance (%) 1wk: 6.29 3mths:0.71 1mth:1.39 1yr:124.5 S&P's...

Economic overheating requires skilful handling.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) The warning by Premier Wen Jiabao that "effective and very forceful" measures are needed to combat overheating in the mainland economy is a welcome sign of a new determination to tackle a worrying...

Business Briefs.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) fringe benefits The straight look is updated this season with a longer fringe. Have your fringe cut and shaped around face. Keep it long, heavy and blunt - have it cut to sit right on top of the...

Business Briefs.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) We appreciate the public service represented by our many readers who contribute letters to the editor for publication on our Insight pages. These letters support community debate on a variety of important...

Exploring the limits for 2007-08 elections.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Even though the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress has ruled out universal suffrage in 2007-08, there is still the possibility of exploring the loopholes of the limits laid down by...

Siblingrivalry: an update OBSERVERAnthony Lawrance.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Could our loss be someone's gain? It is hard to avoid the thought after a trip to Shanghai. The mainland's commercial capital sees itself becoming China's financial capital, and this week's...

Changing direction.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) The most recent joke in South Korean politics is that all the no-left-turn traffic signs have been taken away from the grounds of Seoul's National Assembly complex. It is of course baseless, but it does...

Abandoned in 1984.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) No one in Hong Kong should be surprised by the National People's Congress Standing Committee ruling on the way that the chief executive and Legislative Council are appointed in 2007 and 2008, respectively....

And thentwenty-five became one.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Call me a sentimental old fool, but I do not care. Try as I might, I cannot get my head around the fact that come tomorrow, Lithuania will be part of Europe, Switzerland still will not be and that a vote...

Hair made a big statement on the catwalks for spring/summer, and the fringe is most definitely in. Teased tousles are sexy, and iron-straight fringes work well on Asian hair mane attraction.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) big is beautiful Big glamour bouncy hair can work for day wear. Think full-bodied, sex kitten coiffures, strong '70s silhouettes, big soft curls or waves, and a side-swept fringe. To get the look,...

The democrats' revenge?
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Like many people, I find the National People's Congress Standing Committee decision on constitutional development on the conservative side, but I am happy that we can now put aside the political...

A waterfront for the people, by the people.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Today, the public's call for Victoria Harbour to be preserved and protected is loud and clear. But protecting this special public asset of Hong Kong people should not just be equated to no reclamation. ...

Profiting from history.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) In a sign that Macau is at ease with its colonial heritage, the government this week used the city's Portuguese heritage to promote its tourism sector and special ties with the world's eight...

Scented mist Carry heavenly scents wrapped around you as you breeze into summer.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Kenzo parfum d'ete ($345); Sogo, Causeway Bay Faconnable pour elle eau de toilette ($435); Sa Sa (2537 3392) Tommy Girl summer cologne, Tommy Hilfiger ($330); Sogo and Lane Crawford, Canton Road...

Cause of Thai insurgency must be addressed.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) The best hope for ending southern Thailand's bloody insurgency lies in revival of the plan that Deputy Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisang created with the help of input from the region's Islamic community....

A (long, drying) river runs through it.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) As Southeast Asia bakes in a harsh dry season, China's demand for water and electricity is being blamed for sending the mighty Mekong River to record low levels. The river, Southeast Asia's longest, runs...

super sleek The onslaught of summer means the shedding of clothes - and nowhere to hide unkempt hair and unscrubbed skin. Keep a few products on hand for a top-to-toe ultra-polished look.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Phyto ultra-nourishing conditioner ($240), Lane Crawford (2118 3428) The Strokes hair moisturiser, Lush ($139), Fashion Island Causeway Bay, Festival Walk, Harbour City (2522 6627) Stendhal...

your guide to perfect skin From hi-tech facelifts that require no knives to Botox and citrus-enriched potions, there's a treatment to get rid of those wrinkles and keep you looking young and lovely.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: TEXT: Cathy Chon Signs of ageing can be a thing of the past. In today's world, there is a solution for almost everything, depending on how quickly you want to see results and how aggressive you...

Lending confusion can only end in failure.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: Jake van der Kamp jake.vanderkamp@scmp.com THEY HAVE CERTAINLY come up with an interesting new form of monetary policy in Beijing - management by rumour of edict and denial thereof. First...

Say spaaaaaaa! A new club concept focused on well-being is packing in the goodies for those seeking an antidote to Hong Kong frenzy.
April 30, 2004... (From South China Morning Post) Byline: TEXT: Sofie Belle Spa-goers, health buffs and beauty bargain hunters need look no further than Spa Club Asia, a private membership programme that gives value-added access to the world of...

Ugandan army kills 12 LRA rebels in north.
April 30, 2004... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) 30 April Twelve rebels of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), including Lt-John Obina, were killed in different clashes in Kitgum and Apac Districts [northern Uganda] on Wednesday [28...

Space station crew lands safely in Kazakhstan.
April 30, 2004... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Korolyov, 30 April: The three-member international crew of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft feels well after landing safely in Kazakhstan on Friday, following a mission to the International Space...

Uganda: Germany earmarks 50m euros for development programmes.
April 30, 2004... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) 30 April Germany has earmarked 50m euros (about 113.5b Ugandan shillings) aid to Uganda for the next three years. The German ambassador, Dr Alexander Muhlen, said the money would be...