A total of 852 foreigners have applied for "green cards" in Beijing since 2004, and 721 had been approved for the permits that grant them permanent resident status as of May 26, 2012 XINHUA

 China's 'Green Cards'

China

A total of 852 foreigners have applied for "green cards" in Beijing since 2004, and 721 had been approved for the permits that grant them permanent resident status as of May 26, 2012, said Beijing's police authorities. Foreigners who obtain the permits can freely enter and exit China without any additional visa procedures. The Ministry of Public Security said that 4,752 foreigners had received permanent residence permits in China by the end of 2011.

 Top Africa Technology Award

Nigeria

Technology Africa, the organizer of Titans of Tech Award, has recognized the CEO of the Nigeria-based Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) Austin Kwesi Okere with the award "Technology Africa Personality of the Year 2012." The annual award recognizes those who make a difference through their contributions either directly or indirectly in increasing African contents in information and communications technology (ICT) products and services in the emerging market. Okere has contributed immensely to the growth of ICT in Africa. CWG is Africa's leading indigenous ICT company and it recently opened its world of ICT solutions to the Ugandan market.

 Mental Health

China

The Ministry of Health (MOH) plans to establish a treatment network for serious mental diseases that will cover at least 95 percent of counties and cities nationwide by 2015. According to a draft guideline on the country's mental health work for 2012-15, released by the ministry in June for public feedback, China has 16 million people suffering from schizophrenia and other severe mental diseases, but treatment facilities for them are inadequate.

 Groundwater Initiative

Africa

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in collaborations with Kenya, Ethiopia and Somali governments have launched a joint groundwater initiative that aims at alleviating the impact of drought in the Horn of Africa. The initiative, Groundwater Resources Investigation for Drought Mitigation in Africa Program, is set to utilize the advanced exploration technologies to find clean groundwater for vulnerable populations and strengthen regional capacities of scientific development.

 Maritime Network

China

China's new regulations on maritime observation and forecasts took effect on June 1, stipulating the building of a maritime observation network, the collection and sharing of observation results, and the publication of early-warning information in cases of maritime disasters. It prohibits Chinese institutions or individuals from providing observation results to foreign organizations or individuals without permission.

Trade Balance: Chinese leaders hope to increase import XINHUA

 Hopes on Import

China

In the face of prolonged weakness in the external market, China, the world's largest exporter, is pinning its hopes on import growth to maintain trade balance and sustain recovery. Minister of Commerce Chen Deming said recently that despite some recovery in May's trade figures, China's foreign trade condition is still "grim" and that the country will put more emphases on import expansion at present and in the coming period. In the wake of profound changes in the global market, China's foreign trade development has entered a new stage in which equal emphasis should be placed on both exports and imports, he said.