Today's links: 35 killed in mining accident, Taiwan premier resigns and different views on so-called Internet Addiction Disorder

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  • China says 35 killed in blast at coal mine [latimes.com] "Chinese officials says a blast in a coal mine has killed 35 in central Henan province and left 44 other miners trapped. The State Administration of Work Safety said the predawn explosion today happened at a pit in Pingdingshan city. A statement on the administration's website did not give a cause for the blast. It said 14 miners managed to flee to safety. Ninety-three men were working underground at the time of the blast, it said."
  • China enters list of lower-middle-income countries: NBS [China Daily] "China's economic aggregate ranked third in the world as of 2008, pulling it into the list of lower-middle-income countries from low-income ones, according to a Sept 7 report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The report, featuring the nation's 60-year development since 1949 when new China was founded, also said China has gradually become a large manufacturing country as it strengthened industrial infrastructure construction and expanded productivity."
  • Taiwan premier quits over typhoon [BBC NEWS] "Taiwan's premier Liu Chao-shiuan has resigned, after the government was heavily criticised for its slow response to last month's typhoon. Mr Liu will be replaced by the ruling party's secretary general, Wu Den-yih. Mr Liu told reporters that someone had to take political responsibility for the fact that at least 600 people had died as a result of Typhoon Morakot."
  • Scam artists take advantage of downturn in China's economy [USATODAY.com] "Zhang Xue remembers how dazzled she was by the sales pitch; a glamorous, middle-aged woman who appeared in a sleek suit and jewelry and spoke of her successful struggle to become a millionaire. "I only wanted to earn money and live by myself," says Zhang, 21, sobbing at the memory, "but I hurt my parents and friends." The ensuing months saw her immersed in one of the many pyramid schemes and other financial frauds that have become common in China as the economy here sputters and more people seek to earn a quick buck. The proliferation of such schemes - many of which have morphed into bizarre, cult-like underworlds - has bankrupted countless young Chinese of modest means as well as richer, relatively savvy investors. That has in turn sparked a massive, unprecedented crackdown by Chinese authorities who, because of the weak economy, are especially eager to avoid any additional financial disruptions or social unrest."
  • The stigmatization of Internet Addiction Disorder: searching for a definition [Danwei] "The Ministry of Health (卫生部) might release the official definition for Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) during the first half of next year, reported major media outlets such as The Beijing News and China Youth Daily on Friday August 28. Lately, bloggers, CCTV programmers, newspaper columnists etc have all expressed a conspicuous disdain for IAD treatment centers and electro-shock therapy for "addicts." As a consequence electro-shock therapy was halted in mid-July."
  • Chinese graduates get maps to find jobs [AFP] "University graduates looking for work in a city in eastern China will be given "job-hunting maps" showing which companies are hiring and how to find them, state media reported Tuesday. The maps will be distributed for free at universities, bus stations and employment agencies in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, from this month, the English-language Global Times reported. "We clearly indicate which companies are currently hiring and provide detailed information to help undergraduates looking for a job in Hangzhou, especially new arrivals to the city," said Yu Yukuai, 22, who created the map."
  • Kai-Fu Lee: The Single Largest Talent Magnet In China [WSJ] "Kai-Fu Lee, who resigned last week as Google Inc´s head of China operations, has opened the doors of Beijing-based incubator program Innovation Works, saying it will be the beginning of a much-needed network of entrepreneurs, engineers and early-stage investors. In an interview this past weekend, Lee certainly wasn´t shy about the potential for his program. "I am the single largest talent magnet in China"; Lee said. "I´ve hired nearly 3,000 people in China, for Microsoft and for Google. I have a reputation for finding talent, and nurturing talent."
  • Easy-chair driver enrages passenger [GoChengdoo] "Imagine for a moment, you're in a reclining position, face up, your upper body forming a 125 degree angle with your thighs. Would you dare to drive like this? On September 4, Chengdu resident Mr. Liu was on a public bus when he saw such a driver. "This is irresponsible and is an enormous threat to the safety of passengers." The startled Mr. Liu used his cell phone to record a video of the scene before his eyes. Yesterday (the 6th), a spokesperson for the bus company involved in the case said that this type of conduct on the part of the driver is in violation of company policies. If it is found after investigation that the driver is indeed an employee of the company, procedures will be carried out."
  • China Rejects Tengzhong Bid for Hummer, Youth Daily Reports [Bloomberg.com] "China´s Ministry of Commerce rejected Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co´s application to acquire General Motors Corp.´s Hummer unit, the Beijing Youth Daily reported today, without saying where it got the information. The ministry rejected the application because Tengzhong didn´t say if it was buying Hummer´s brand or its technology, the newspaper said. A public relations firm representing Tengzhong and a General Motors spokesman declined to comment yesterday, according to the report.
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By Kirsti Jönson in on September 8, 2009 5:04 PM Comments 2 Likes Likes

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