 Agricultural Tech. Travels

Africa

Agricultural technology that has proved effective in curbing desertification in northwest China's Gansu Province has been exported halfway around the globe to Africa to help locals tame desert sands. A group of 10 agricultural scientists arrived in Niger and Nigeria recently to carry out a water resource preservation program sponsored by the Chinese Government and the United Nations. The scientists are conducting research and offering technical training there.

 Overseas Adoption

China

More than 100,000 Chinese-born orphans and children with physical disabilities have been adopted by overseas parents over the last 30 years, said Minister of Civil Affairs Li Liguo at a ceremony held for 130 U.S. families and 200 adopted children who came back to China to "seek their roots" in July. Overseas adoption has become an important channel through which orphaned and disabled children find homes, said Li.

 Disability Access

China

The Chinese Government issued a new regulation in July to improve accessibility for physically challenged people. Parking lots, commercial centers, living quarters, transportation facilities and other public infrastructure facilities must be accessible to physically challenged people, according to the regulation. The regulation, which goes into effect on August 1, encourages public venues to offer free services for the less-abled.

 Climate Research Facility

China

China announced the establishment of a national research center designed to facilitate the country's efforts to cope with climate change recently. Xie Zhenhua, Vice Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, said that it would provide technological support for China's efforts to map out a climate change plan. The National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation will conduct research in the fields of strategic planning, laws and regulations, international policy, carbon markets and information consultancy.

 Healthcare Reform

China

County-level hospitals are to lead China's reform of public healthcare facilities, under a program announced recently on the Central Government's website. It introduces a pilot program covering 300 county-level hospitals, which are expected to undergo reforms in finance, management and human resources by 2015 to enhance their capacity. The program plans to wipe out the existing financing mechanism of hospitals that relies heavily on medicine sales while their services are undervalued.