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| Country Profile: China | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COUNTRY PROFILE: CHINAOFFICIAL NAME: People’s Republic of China (PRC) CAPITAL: Beijing NATIONAL DAY: 1 October 1949 LAND AREA: 9,596,960 sq. km. POPULATION: 1.3 billion as of January 2007PREDOMINANT ETHNIC GROUP: Han ChineseOFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects. MAJOR RELIGIONS: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam and Christianity HISTORY: Occupation of Chinese ports by western power especially Britain KEY NATIONAL CONCERNS: Taiwan, Tibetan and Xinjiang Separatism and National Development GOVERNMENT: Type of Government: Communist State Head of State: His Excellency President Hu Jintao Head of Government: His Excellency Wen Jiabao Foreign Minister: Yang Jiechi Legislative Branch: Unicameral National People’s Congress or Quanquo Renmin Daibiao Dahui Judicial Branch: Supreme People’s Court ECONOMY: Currency - Renminbi (RMB) GDP (nominal) - US$ 3,197.69 billion* GDP (nominal) per capita - US$ 2,459.76* GDP (PPP) - US$ 11,606.34 billion GDP (PPP) per capita - US$ 8,788.23** Main export markets - Hong Kong, Japan, US, Germany, South Korea, Russia Main import sources - Japan, Taiwan, US, Hong Kong, Germany, South Korea BILATERAL RELATIONS: China is RP’s 2nd largest source of ODA loans (after Japan); 3rd largest trading partner (after US and Japan); and 5th largest tourist market (after US, Korea, Japan and Taiwan).
Source: Office of Asia and Pacific Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs |
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| Overview of Philippines-China Relations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Philippine relations with China is now
among the most important ties the country has with any member of the
international community. President Macapagal-Arroyo has said in various
official pronouncements that the Philippines desires a healthy,
comprehensive, and long term relationship with China that transcends the
specific issues between them. |
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| The Filipino Community in China | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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I. General Profile The Filipinos who have registered with the Philippine foreign service posts in mainland China number 10,194 as of December 2007. The profile of the Filipino community has changed steadily in recent years, with the percentage of OFWs working as service staff (domestic helpers/nannies/housekeepers/waitresses) increasing. Working Conditions of OFWs The employment of foreign employees is governed by the 1996 Rules for the Administration of Employment of foreigners in China. Chinese immigration regulations do not provide for the issuance of work permits, except for foreign experts and those with high technical skills. The employment of foreigners is allowed only if the position cannot be filled by a qualified local employee. The growing Chinese demand to learn English has led to an increase in the number of Filipinos working as English teachers and tutors. Those teachers working in schools licensed to hire foreigners often have adequate compensation and good working and living conditions. Professionals and technical workers (often working in UN agencies hotels, other embassies, multinational companies call centers) with appropriate visas (“Z” visa) also have secure and good working conditions. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Public Security Bureau officials have informed the Embassy that the domestic service occupation is not open to foreigners. Thus, while Filipino helpers/nannies often working for expats or rich Chinese get a higher salary than their Chinese counterparts, they are considered among those who are working illegally in China. They are always at risk of being apprehended detained and eventually deported. Problems Commonly Encountered by OFWs Records indicate that the bulk of the ATN (Assistance to Nationals) cases handled by all Posts in China involves OFWs who did not pass through the POEA process. They arrive in China expecting work but do not have the appropriate visa or intending to work in sectors that are not open to foreign nationals (e.g. domestic service). They hold tourist (L) or business (“F”) visas which do not allow the holder to seek employment. These visas normally allow them to stay for only 14-30 days, with possibility of extension for another one or two months. They leave the Philippines as tourists and get employed as domestic helpers, waiters, or nannies. In these cases they do not have the protection of law and assistance the Embassy can extend is limited. Working with an inappropriate visa or the possession of a valid visa but issued by an inappropriate authority is a violation of immigration regulations and offenders face fines and possible detention. Many have had to avail themselves of the services of visa agents to extend/convert their visas from “L” (tourist) or “F” (business visit) to “Z” (working). At times, these agents are able to get valid visas albeit through illegal means. Several Filipinos become vulnerable when they are unable to pay for the services of the agents especially they are not in possession of their passports. This problem is compounded by the presence of illegal recruiters, both Chinese and Filipino who often abandon their victims after taking their money passport, and other documents. This could result in the arrest and detention of the Filipinos when and if the police undertake a random check and find them without appropriate documents (passports and visas). The year 2007 saw an unprecedented increase of Filipinos being arrested for drug-related cases in China. From February 2007 to date, a total of 30 Filipinos, all women, have been arrested by law enforcement authorities in various parts of China. i. Teachers • Most of the cases of contract breaches and illegal recruitment involve unauthorized schools and fly-by-night recruitment agencies who hire Filipino teachers via the internet. • Teaching in schools not authorized by the Chinese government to hire foreigners means the Filipino teachers have to pay higher costs for under-the-table visa renewal/extension and if found out by law enforcement authorities face arrest, detention, and eventual deportation. • Many Filipino teachers apply for teaching jobs through the internet and leave for China without an employment contract that was processed by the appropriate labor agencies in the Philippines, and/or one that is not signed by the hiring school. Some sign contracts with intermediaries (an employment agency or visa agents), who often get a large portion of the monthly payment promised to the Filipino teacher. Upon arrival in China, the terms and conditions of employment including salary, are often changed to the disadvantage of the Filipino. • Many are promised permanent teaching jobs in some provinces, without knowing that upon their arrival in China they still have to wait if the school will hire them or not. Those who do not get hired will often try their luck with another school or another job. The fine for overstaying is RMB500 (US$71.43) per day. ii. Domestic Service Staff • Illegal recruiters both Chinese and Filipino, have told many Filipinos that China’s rapid economic development and desire to be globally competitive offer opportunities for English-speaking domestic helpers to train the employer’s children in English on top of their other duties. While it may be true that there is a growing market for domestic helpers labor policy of China forbids the hiring of foreigners for domestic service. Thus, Filipinos working as nannies/housekeepers/waiters often do not have working “Z” visas. To get their stay legalized they often have to avail themselves of the services of visa agents who charge at exorbitant prices for the extension of visas. • The immigration law requires foreigners not living in hotels to register with the police within 24 hours of their arrival Filipinos without appropriate visas often do not register at the neighborhood police station, as required by law. This is another violation that compounds the problems of Filipinos in domestic service. • Local news articles have called on the Chinese people to report cases of foreigners working as nannies and housekeepers to the local police. Some are wont to do so because they see foreigners in domestic service as competition. There are also neighborhood sentinels who regularly report to the police about the goings-on in the neighborhood including the activities of foreign nationals. iii Overseas Performing Artists (OPAs)/Musicians • The most frequent problems faced by musicians and teachers are the failure of their employer to secure appropriate work visas for them. Some OPAs encounter problems since they hold tourist or business visas, which do not allow them to take long-term employment, and are billeted at local apartments without registering with the local police station, as required by law. II. Information requested a) Passport issuance and renewals TYPE OF PASSPORT ISSUED Philippine Embassy, Beijing Philippine Consulate General, Guangzhou Philippine Consulate General Shanghai Philippine Consulate General Xiamen 2006 252 696 314 125 2007 351 681 368 173 Passports are, as much as possible, processed and issued within the same day of application. The Embassy also accepts application via mail or courier. In this case, processing is conditional upon verification of the applicant’s identity and location. b) The availability of protection and legal assistance program for OFWs The Embassy maintains a 24-7 ATN mobile hotline giving Filipinos in distress direct access to the consular officers after office hours and during weekends and holidays. The Embassy makes representations to employers, visa and employment agencies, and law enforcement officials to ensure that the rights of OFWs are protected and promoted at all times. However, as part of the security measures for the Olympics. Chinese law enforcement authorities have stepped up the enforcement of visa restrictions for foreigners living in Beijing, especially those with expired or misused visas. This has resulted in an increasing number of Filipinos being apprehended/arrested/detained because ( i ) they are working in China without appropriate visas. ( ii ) they are working in sectors that are not open to foreigners (e.g. domestic service), and (iii) their visa was not issued by the appropriate authority ( i, e. by the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) of their place of work). When already arrested by the PSB, the assistance that the Embassy can provide in these cases is limited to: - making representations with the PSB to ensure that the OFW is released from detention as soon as possible. - visiting the detained OFWs to confer about their personal needs - making representations with the DFA to provide financial assistance to cover the payment of immigration fines and air plane tickets for the eventual repatriation of the Filipinos. (Overstaying foreigners who have been detained are still made to pay for their plane ticket and the fines.) The Embassy has no legal assistance program, apart from the Legal Assistance Fund provided for by R.A. 8042. However, the Embassy requests court authorities to provide counsel de officio to extend legal assistance in defense of accused Filipinos. c) Proper documentation and inventory program for the OFWs Filipinos are encouraged to register with the Embassy immediately after their arrival, or soon thereafter. The Embassy maintains a database of Filipinos who have registered as well as a group e-mail list for fast and easy dissemination of information to the Filcom. The Philippine Consulates-General in China have the same practice. d) Other activities designed to assist the OFWs in China - Regularly issues advisories against illegal recruitment and drug trafficking which are posted on the DFA website and released to the DFA press corps; - Sends timely email circulars to OFWs in China in order to advise them of the latest labor-related news from both the Philippines and China; - Organizes social and sports activities to foster camaraderie among Filipinos and facilitate interaction with Filipino community members; - Meets with key members of the Filipino community to discuss measures to improve the working and living condition of Filipinos in China; - Regularly conducts consular visits on Filipinos in detention to inquire into their personal and legal needs; - Holds regular meetings with PSB officials to develop contacts and good working relations, thus, enabling Posts to convey the concerns/problems of the Filipino community; - Organizes a briefing for the Filipino community by the Public Security Bureau on the latest developments in immigration/visa rules and procedures wherein Filcom members can inquire and clarify some visa and immigration issues that most Filipinos in China are not aware of such as household registration visa renewal/extension, employment; - Coordinates with domestic service providers; - Provides OFWs with a copy of a model contract to ensure that all their concerns such as salaries and benefits, are taken care of; - Accompanies OFWs to appropriate Chinese authorities to quickly secure the needed documents for their repatriation, and - Provides transportation and interpretation assistance. To improve our services, the following have been recently, undertaken by the Philippine foreign service posts in China. • embark on language training programs; • assignment of the Police Liaison. Attache to handle transnational crimes and to coordinate with Chinese counterparts; • annual meeting of Philippine Heads of Posts in China to assess the OFW situation and come up with policy directions, in consultation with the home office. Source: Office of Asia and Pacific Affairs Department of Foreign Affairs |
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| President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's visit to China | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The President will visit Chengdu and Beijing on 07-09 August
2008. The main objective of the visit is to attend the opening ceremony of
the 20th Summer Olympics, upon the invitation of the Philippine Olympic
Committee (POC), on behalf of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). As a global sporting event that aims to promote international goodwill and understanding, the Olympics will afford the President an opportunity to show RP’s solidarity with the global community. The President’s visit will also highlight RP’s support to China who accords high national importance to its hosting of the Olympic Games. The President is among the estimated 80 Heads of State/Government/Sovereigns that have conveyed their intent to attend the Opening Ceremony. The other objective of the visit is to convey the sympathies of the Filipino nation to the people of Sichuan Province over the tremendous loss of lives and properties brought about by the recent high-magnitude earthquake that devastated parts of the province. The President may recall that this is her second visit to Sichuan (the first was in June 2007). Upon the request of the Chinese side, the President will hold a bilateral meeting with President Hu Jintao to discuss current issues in the bilateral relations. Source: Office of Asia and Pacific Affairs Department of Foreign affairs |
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| Profile of H.E. Hu Jintao, President of the People's Republic of China and Chairman of the State Central Military Commission | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Hu Jintao, a native of Jixi, Anhui Province, was born in
December 1942. He joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in April 1964
and began to work in July 1965 after he graduated from the Water Conservancy
Engineering Department of Tsinghua University, majored in hub hydropower
stations. 1959-1964: Student at the Water Conservancy Engineering Department of Tsinghua University. 1964-1965: Postgraduate and political instructor at the Water Conservancy Engineering Department of Tsinghua University. 1965-1968: Participated in R&D at the Water Conservancy Engineering Department of Tsinghua University and served as political instructor before the start of the "cultural revolution." 1968-1969: Worked with the housing construction team of Liujia Gorge Engineering Bureau, Ministry of Water Conservancy. 1969-1974: Technician and secretary of No. 813 Sub-Bureau, Fourth Engineering Bureau, Ministry of Water Conservancy and deputy-secretary of the general Party branch of the sub-bureau's head office. 1974-1975: Secretary of the Gansu Provincial Construction Committee (GPCC). 1975-1980: Deputy director of the design management division, GPCC. 1980-1982: Vice chairman of GPCC and secretary of the Gansu Provincial Hu Jintao was elected chairman of the Central Military Commission on September 19, 2004. He is now general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, president of the People's Republic of China, and chairman of the Central Military Commission. Committee of the Communist Youth League (Sept.1982-Dec.1982). 1982-1984: Secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China, chairman of the All-China Youth Federation. 1984-1985: First secretary, Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China. 1985-1988: Secretary of the Guizhou Provincial Party Committee. 1988-1992: Secretary of the Party Committee of Tibet Autonomous Region. 1992-1993: Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. 1993-1998: Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, president of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee. 1998-1999: Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, vice president of the People's Republic of China, president of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee. 1999-2002: Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, vice chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, vice president of the People's Republic of China, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China, president of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee. 2002-March 2003: General secretary of the CPC Central Committee, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, and vice president of the People's Republic of China. March 15, 2003: Elected president of the People's Republic of China. September 19, 2004: Elected chairman of the Central Military Commission. March 13, 2005: Elected chairman of the state Central Military Commission. He was an alternate member, member of the 12th CPC Central
Committee, member of the 13th, 14th and 15th CPC Central Committees and is a
member of the 16th CPC Central Committee. He was a member of the Political
Bureau and its Standing Committee, and member of the Secretariat of the 14th
and 15th CPC Central Committees and is a member of the Political Bureau and
of its Standing Committee, and general secretary of the 16th CPC Central
Committee. He was made an additional vice chairman of the CPC Central
Military Commission at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 15th CPC Central
Committee. He was a member of the Standing Committee of the 6th National
Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). |
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| Profile of the Honorable Jiang Jufeng, Governor of the People's Government, Sichuan Province | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Jiang Jufeng, male, Han nationality, is a native of Zhuji,
Zhejiang. He was born in 1948. 2008- Governor, People’s Government Sichuan Province 2007- Member, 17th CPC, Central Committee 2007-2008 Acting Governor, People’s Government Sichuan Province 2002-2007 Vice-Governor, People’s Government Sichuan Province 2002-2007 Assistant Secretary, CPC, Provincial Committee Sichuan Province 2000-2002 Member, CPC, Provincial Committee, Standing Committee Zhejiang Province 1998-2002 Secretary, CPC, City Committee Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou City 1994-1998 Director, People’s Government, Development and Research Center 1994-1998 Deputy Secretary – General, CPC, Provincial Committee Zhejiang Province 1993-1994 Director, CPC, Provincial Committee, Policy Research Office Zhejiang Province 1989-1993 Deputy Director, CPC, Provincial Committee, General Office Zhejiang Province 1989-1993 Official, CPC, Provincial Committee, General Office Zhejiang Province 1987-1989 Secretary, CPC, County Committee Zhejiang Province, Zhuji County 1985-1987 Deputy Secretary-General, People's Government Zhejiang Province, Shaoxing City 1985-1987 Director, Planning and Economics Committee Zhejiang Province, Zhuji County 1985-1987 Deputy Chief Executive, People's Government Zhejiang Province, Zhuji County 1983-1985 Official, CPC, County Committee, Publicity Department Zhejiang Province, Zhuji County 1983-1985 Deputy Director, CPC, County Committee, General Office Zhejiang Province, Zhuji County 1983-1985 Deputy Director, CPC, County Committee, Publicity Department Zhejiang Province, Zhuji County 1982-1983 Vice-Chairman, Hangzhou University,
Economics Department, Workers' Union Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou City 1978-1982 Student, Fudan University, Economic
Department Shanghai Municipality |
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Profile of The Honorable Sonia
Cataumber Brady Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China with concurrent accreditation to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Mongolia |
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Positions held in the Department of Foreign Affairs 2003 to 2006 - Undersecretary (Deputy Minister) of Foreign Affairs for Policy 2002 to 2003 - Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand and Permanent Representative to the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific 1999 to 2002 - Assistant Secretary Office of Policy Planning and Coordination, DFA 1995 to 1999 - Ambassador to the Union of Myanmar 1994 to 1995 - Minister/Deputy Chief of Mission Philippine Embassy, Jakarta, Indonesia 1992 to 1994 - Minister/Deputy Chief of Mission Philippine Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand 1989 to 1992 - Executive Director Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs, DFA 1988 to 1989 - Director, Northeast Asia Division Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs, DFA 1977 to 1978 - Second Secretary and Consul Philippine Embassy, Beijing 1976 to 1977 - Third Secretary and Vice Consul Philippine Embassy, Beijing Source: Office of Asia and Pacific Affairs Department of Foreign Affairs |
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| Backgrounder: Sichuan Province | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sichuan is located in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River
and the hinterland of Southwest China. It is bordered by Hubei and Hunan in
the east, Guizhou and Yunnan in the south, Xizang (Tibet) in the west and
Qinghai, Gansu and Shanxi in the north. It has sub-tropical climatic
conditions, fertile land, and numerous mineral resources. In China, it is
known as the “Land of Abundance”. The capital of Sichuan province is Chengdu,
situated in the middle of the province. Sichuan has
an area of 485,000 square kilometers and a population of around 87 million
(No. 3 in China). It is the hometown of Deng Xiaoping, the general
architect of China’s reform and opening up policy. |
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| Backgrounder: Chengdu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, has a population of
10 million, a third of whom live in the urban area. Its status as western
China’s key city has been reinforced in recent years. It is a center for
industries such as food processing, electronics, machinery, petrochemicals,
textiles and aerospace manufacturing. It has caught up with the coastal
cities in terms of investment incentives and in some cases can offer even
better deals. Living conditions are also relatively good fro a major Chinese
city. Chengdu also has the largest international airport in southwest China. Recently, together with Chongqing, Chengdu was designated by the State Council as a “National Urban-Rural Integration Supporting Reforms Comprehensive Trial Area.” DUJIANGYAN Located 60 kms northwest of Chengdu, Dujiangyan contains a famous third-century B.C. flood control and irrigation scheme, which still irrigates 5,300 square kilometers of land today. The irrigation system rendered the Chengdu Plain flood-free and agriculture, productive. It is listed as one of the UN World Cultural Heritage sites. Located 100 kilometers away from the 12 May earthquake epicenter, Wenchuan County, Dujiangyan was damaged heavily by the earthquake, but the irrigation system is still operational. |
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| Backgrounder: The Wenchuan Earthquake (statistics as of 20 July 2008) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sichuan province experienced
an 8.0 magnitude earthquake on 12 May, with the epicenter in Wenchuan City,
80 kilometres west-northwest of Chengdu. It is the deadliest and strongest
earthquake to hit China since the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, which killed at
least 240,000 people. Official figures (as of 20 July) state that 69,197 are confirmed dead, and 374,176 injured, with 18,222 listed as missing. More than 1.48 million quake-affected people have been relocated. Latest statistics show that the quake is expected to cause total economic losses of as high as 200 billion yuan within Sichuan. The government disaster relief fund had reached 61.5 billion yuan (US$9.04 billion), including 55.1 billion yuan from the central budget and 6.4 billion yuan from the local budget. According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, domestic and foreign donations had reached 58 billion yuan in cash and goods by 20 July. Of this 22.1 billion yuan had been forwarded to quake-hit areas. Relief workers had built 541,600 temporary houses and another 14,400 were being installed, with 32,900 to be built. In the 24 hours before 20 July, 202 aftershocks at or below magnitude 3.9 were monitored in the quake zone. A total of 18,892 aftershocks had been detected since 12 May. Other information A total of 16,289 enterprises suffered damages in the earthquake, resulting in direct economic losses of 99.78 billion yuan (US$14.5 billion). The number of unemployed urban residents exceeded 700,000 with at least 372,000 urban residents loosing their jobs because of the quake. Some 1.15 million farmers were also deprived of their means of production as a result of the earthquake. Sichuan province’s agricultural sector suffered enormous damage, with over 30 million rural people severely hit with losses estimated at around US$6 billion according to a UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) assessment. Wheat crops could not be harvested due to lack of labor as a result of deaths and injuries in farming families. Grain storage facilities and thousands of greenhouses were also damaged. Livestock was also affected with over 3 million pigs killed. Overall livestock losses are estimated at about $2 billion. China’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) incurred losses of over 80 billion yuan (US$11.4 billion), with electric and telecommunication companies suffering heavy losses. The State Grid Corp. of China and four telecommunication firms combined reported a loss of more than 20 billion yuan. The State Council Information Office said that Sichuan’s industrial and mining enterprises incurred losses estimated at 206.53 billion yuan (US$29.5 billion). Sichuan’s tourism industry also suffered in the quake. According to the Sichuan Provincial Tourism Bureau, of the more than 4,000 scenic areas in Sichuan, 568 were damaged with losses estimated at 27.84 billion yuan ($4.03 billion). Tourism revenue in Sichuan was 121.7 billion in 2007, accounting for 11.6 percent of province’s gross domestic product. Rural tourism, however, was expected to recover next year. The province has re-opened 13 cities and prefectures to tourists in a move to revive its travel industry. Measures to attract visitors include free admission to tourist sites, expanded air service and reduced prices for hotels and transportation. Reconstruction China’s State Council unveiled a range of policies on 30 June to support reconstruction after the 12 May earthquake, including exemption of corporate income taxes this year for companies that suffered heavy losses. It also promised a six-month extension on all loan repayments in arrears due to the earthquake. Insurance institutions would be instructed and coordinated to invest funds in key reconstruction projects as well as infrastructure in the quake zone. New homes for survivors would be exempted from land use and other land-related taxes. Aside from subsidies averaging 10,000 yuan for each homeless household, interest on home loans to quake survivors would be lowered by 40 percent. Minimum down-payment would be cut to 10 percent of the loan. The State Council also pledged to find employment for at least one member of each jobless family and to subsidize the required social security insurance for companies that employed such people.
The Cabinet also issued guidelines on post-quake reconstruction, putting
emphasis on efforts to restore hydropower facilities, with priority given to
the reconstruction and repair of reservoirs, dams, rural water supply
systems, irrigation, hydrology and water resources. The guidelines urged
intensified efforts for the marketing and promotion of tourism in the quake
zone. It also called for tightened supervision measures against
environmental pollution in the process of reconstruction. The Cabinet will
use financial, land and employment policies to support the rebuilding.
Businesses, especially state-owned enterprises, were encouraged to launch
investments in the quake-hit areas. |
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