Govt employees participate in voluntary tree-planting yesterday

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Category: Governmental News

Published: Monday, 12 March 2012 13:36

On the morning of March 6, the government employees in charge of publicity, construction and agriculture, together with PLA troops stationed in Ningbo, participated in a voluntary tree-planting work in East Lake Park in Ningbo. The volunteer work, which is expected to last for three days, has attracted more than 700 participants.

This is the 22nd year for the Ningbo municipal government to organize voluntary tree-planting activity

Ningbo calls for legislation against rural land pollution

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Category: Governmental News

Published: Monday, 12 March 2012 13:32

Fu Qiping, representative of National People's Congress and the Party Secretary of the Tengtou Village in Fenghua, has submitted a proposal to the Fifth Session of the 11th National People's Congress, calling for legislation against rural land pollution control.

Statistics show 1300 square kilometers of rural land in China are either occupied or destroyed by solid waste. The wastewater irrigated area reaches approximately 50,000 square kilometers, and is still expanding.

Fu attributes the current situation to several reasons. Firstly, industrial wastewater, solid waste and acid rain are major pollution sources to rural land. Secondly, certain chemical fertilizer and pesticide result in land pollution. Every year, China consumes 4124 tons of chemical fertilizer as well as 30 million tons of pesticide. Most of the chemicals accumulate in the soil with only 30% being absorbed by crops, leading to the contamination of rural land. Thirdly, livestock and poultry industry cause pollution. Without proper sewage treatment, manure and sewage are directly discharged, resulting in air and land pollution. Fourthly, the wide use of plastic mulch and other residues of agricultural production also cause land contamination.

"We already have certain regulations on the prevention of  rural land pollution in the Criminal Law, Land Administration Law, Water Pollution Control Act, and Air Pollution Prevention Act, but most are fragmented and lack of clear regulations for some specific pollution problems.” said Fu Qiping. "To prevent rural land pollution, we need to take factors such as air, water, food, human behavior into consideration, and we need to establish an overall legislative system on rural land pollution control laws and regulations."

He added, "we should establish a series of standards on rural land resource, rural soil quality, environmental impact assessment, clean agricultural production, soil remedy, and soil protection. We also call for public participation to battle rural soil pollution."

UNDP seeks co-ops with Ningbo

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Category: Governmental News

Published: Monday, 12 March 2012 13:35

"We hope to share Ningbo's experience in developing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and social integrated management with the whole world, and let the world know Ningbo." Ms. Renata Dessallien, deputy from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), told a reporter from Ningbo Evening News on the afternoon of March 6.

Ms. Renata Dessallien, UNDP Resident Representative for China, is in charge of coordinating more than 20 UN branches in China. She said, "The  manufacturing industry in Ningbo is so developed that it goes far beyond my imagination. Encouraged by the policy of opening and innovation, Ningbo has really made remarkable progress in areas like sustainable development, social harmony and public service. "

It is learned that UNDP and Ningbo municipal government has reached an agreement on  co-operation projects of the integrated management of medium and small-sized rivers.

"Currently, most of the small and medium-sized rivers suffer from mismanagement, water deterioration and low standard of disaster prevention, thus it is extremely urgent for China to manage and control the small and medium-sized rivers." said Ms. Renata Dessallien. UNDP aims to summarize the experience of domestic and international river management and create a typical small and medium-sized river pilot project for showcasing. They also are committed to set a standard for the management of small and medium-sized rivers in China under the impact of global climate change. Meanwhile, they plan to carry out personnel training program on international cooperation in an effort to improve the technical level and management capabilities in Ningbo and other areas in China. In addition, Ningbo is located in southeast coast in China, showing there is much room for cooperation between Ningbo and UNDP in the field of marine development and environmental governance.

Ms. Renata Dessallien also shows great interest in Ningbo's experience in the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. She expressed her wish to bring Ningbo’s experience to the world while introducing international advanced technology and experience to Ningbo

Ningbo to award 100 priority headquarters enterprises

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Category: Governmental News

Published: Monday, 12 March 2012 13:32

Ningbo municipal government has began the evaluation of priority headquarters enterprises in 2012. One hundred enterprises will enter the list and get awards from a  special fund.

"We are going to choose 40 modern manufacturers, and 50 modern service enterprises (including 10 growing enterprises), 10 modern agricultural enterprises or other types according to their score ranking." An official in charge of headquarters economy development said yesterday.

The evaluation standard varies for different industries. A qualified manufacturer is required to achieve or partly achieve the separation of headquarter and production base. It should have a certain number of functional agencies or branches and make a tax payment of 35 million yuan at least.

A modern service headquarter enterprise must have at least three subordinate functional agencies or branches, with one or more subordinate enterprises outside Ningbo, and makes a tax payment of 10 million yuan or more.

A modern agricultural headquarter enterprise is required to have separate headquarters and production base, with a certain number of functional institutions or branches; and makes a tax payment of 500 million yuan or more. Other enterprises including the construction industry have to reach 30 million yuan as tax payment.

"Our evaluation standard include size, tax payment, business growth, R & D investment, output per unit land, energy saving, and industry-ranking. Weight coefficients are set for different types of enterprises. " the official added.

Reportedly, the 100 priority headquarters enterprises will get financial award from a special fund set by the municipal government. 30% of the award is required to put into personnel and business management, and 70% for brand innovation, R & D investment, IT, marketing, network construction and other key areas