The Jingzhen Octagonal Pavilion

The Octagonal Pavilion is situated on a hill in Jingzhen Village, in the county of Menghai, Yunnan Province, which is about 87 kilometers (54 miles) away from the city of Jinghong. It represents the superb craftsmanship of the Dai Minority in both construction and decoration. The half-timbered pavilion was built in 1707 and was originally used as a Buddhist meeting chamber. It is said that the pavilion was constructed in honor of Sakymuni by the Dai Buddhists. The construction is over 20 meters (65.6 feet) high and composed of three parts: the base, the body and the roof; appearing in octagonal splendor. On every metope of the sides are exquisitely carved relievo in patterns of animals, such as elephants, lions and tigers. Inside the pavilion are twenty-four walls with many kinds of gilded pictures. There are four doors with beautifully designed pictures reflecting a distinct ethnical characteristic. Above the vaulted frontispiece is a niche where is enshrined a figure of Buddha. The exterior surface of the pavilion is enchased and studded with numerous small pieces of mirrors and colored glass which makes the pavilion flickeringly beautiful. The roof comprises ten layers of eaves ranging in degressive sizes from the bottom up. The roofs are found to be elaborately decorated, and the surfaces are covered with delicately-designed glazed tiles in the shape of scales. There are figuline flowers and pagodas ornamented on the fastigiums and each tip of the horn decorated with figurine sculptures. At the pinnacle, the roof covers a baldachin in the shape of lotus, and a long mast with lots of wind-bells stands high on it. These melodious sounds drifting on the gentle breeze will make you feel relaxed and happy. With a history of more than 300 years, the Octagonal Pavilion has undergone several renovations, still stands firmly with great elegance and grace. It was put onto the list of major historic and cultural sites under state protection in 1988. Admission Fee: CNY 10 (individual) CNY 5 (group up to 10 guests)

 

Jinghong Attraction:

• jinghong attractions

• The Octagonal Pavilion

• Manfeilong Pagoda

• Tropical Plant Research Institute

• Jinghong Hotels

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• Jinghong Flights

China to Tighten Monetary Policy in 2008

China will shift its monetary policy "from prudent to tight" in 2008, to prevent its economy from overheating and to try to contain accelerating inflation, according to the three-day 2007 Central Economic Work Conference concluded on Wednesday.

The conference, an annual event initiated more than a decade ago, serves as a crucial mechanism for the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council, the cabinet, to make policies to govern the Chinese economy.

China will maintain a "prudent" fiscal policy for the coming year.

Various monetary instruments should be used to regulate liquidity and to strictly control the size of loans and frequency of credit extension, so as to better regulate domestic demand and balance international payments, said the conference.

China raised interest rates five times and reserve requirement ratio nine times this year.

The conference said that with a prudent fiscal policy and a tight monetary policy, China aims to prevent economic growth developing from rapid to overheating, and to prevent price rises evolving from structural to evident inflation.

"A tight monetary policy can develop a progressive effect, which will help curb the overheating in markets of assets, including equities and real estate, and then cap price rises," said Cao Honghui, an economic researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

China has been implementing a prudent monetary policy since 1997. From 1998 to 2002, the country increased money supply to counter deflationary pressure.

From 2003 to 2007, the monetary policy has been tigtened in order to help address changes in economic development, including rapid growth in credit extension, investment and foreign exchange reserves.

"The new policy reflects the accurate judgment by the central government on China's current economic situation, which is under pressure from further price rises and unduly fast loan growth," said Peng Xingyun, a senior researcher with the Research Institute of Finance under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The country's consumer price index (CPI) rose a decade-high 6.5 percent in October, well above the government-set alarm level of three percent. Observers here said the major inflation indicator will most likely rise to a new high in November.

In the first 10 months, Renminbi-denominated loans were 1.1 times the amount for the whole of last year.

Yu Yongding at CASS research institute of world economy and politics said that four percent was the CPI ceiling that China could tolerate. If the inflation measurement increased higher it would send a signal to the central bank that a tight monetary policy was necessary.

The Central Government urged to "moderately tighten money supply" on the basis of prudent monetary policy in June 2007, the first time the central government used the word "tighten" for monetary policy since 1997.

Observers believed China would continue to face high inflationary pressure next year. In international markets, oil prices would continue their exposure to high volatility and grain prices would keep rising.

In the domestic market, high food prices, a major contributor to the country's CPI growth, would likely force up labor costs and then production cost in different sectors.

Prof. Song Guoqing predicted that a sixth interest rate rise was around the corner. "Next year, the central bank will likely grant loan quota to commercial banks quarter by quarter, instead of year by year, which will better control credit," he said.

The observers said it was noteworthy that while the monetary policy went tighter, the fiscal policy would remain prudent.

"Considering requirements of improving people's lovelihood, major construction projects, economic restructuring and of energy saving and emissions reduction, the country's fiscal expenditure will remain huge next year. It is unsuitable for the fiscal policy to turn to tight," said Prof. Zhu Qing of the business school of the prestigious Renmin University.

The State Information Center forecast China's GDP growth at 11.4 percent for this year and at 10.8 to 11.3 percent for 2008.

According to its prediction, the country's CPI will rise 4.7 percent this year, 2.9 percentage points higher than the previous year, and go up 4.5 percent for next year. The exports will increase by 25.7 percent, and imports by 20 percent, with the trade surplus forecast at USD268 billion, USD90.5 billion higher than the 2006 level.

The center said 8.9 trillion yuan (USD1,202 billion) was invested in fixed assets in urban areas in the first 10 months of this year, up 26.9 percent on the same period of last year. The growth has stayed at around 20 percent for 78 months, the center added, predicting the pace at 25.5 percent for the whole of this year and 23.5 percent for 2008.

According to the Central Economic Work Conference, China should fulfill its economic development goals for next year in a steady manner, so as to maintain the economy on a stable, rapid and healthy track.

Not For Your Body Only: Modern Jewelry Show by Esther Brinkmann

Venue: Fei Gallery
Time: 2008-04-26~2008-05-14
Tel: 020-37 68 87 81- Nikita Cheung -13 580 332 611
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 10a.m. - 7p.m. • Weekend 11a.m. - 5p.m. • closed on Thursday
Wearing jewellery conducts to a dialogue with the body, the mind and the feelings. Wearing jewellery enables each of us to transmit exterior signs of interior states. Jewels open up spaces for the imagination. They accentuate or invoke in each of us the feeling of being an individual.
                                    ——Swiss Jewellery Designer Ms. Esther Brinkmann

Look Inside

Double Ring

A modern jewelry show by Ms. Esther Brinkmann, gives us a different view on the meaning of precious - that jewelry is not only valuable in price, but teaches us to pay attention to the details of life. Among her works, the "Last Drop of Water," and the "Look Inside" series are the most pleasant and exquisite.

One World- Chinese Paintings Depicting all the United Nations

Venue: Guangdong Museum of Art, Halls 1-4
Time: 2008-04-05~2008-04-23

The One World-Chinese Painting Exhibition is a big event of the Chinese civilization and art community during the 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as a creative campaign in the history of cultural exchange between China and other countries. 200 Chinese painters were invited to create 200 Chinese paintings based on symbols of civilization, folklore, architecture, national paintings and birds of 192 UN members as well as UN departments. This has been the first time that Chinese artists created and reflected the beautiful things of countries around the world. It embodies the aspiration of these artists for world peace, for better understanding of the world and for being understood. The event is also a contributor to world cultural exchange. (english.gz.gov.cn)

Emperor Qianlong, China

Emperor Qianlong is Emperor Yongzheng's fourth son. He was born in the 50th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign (1711), and died in the 4th year of Emperor Jiaqing's reign at the age of 89. He was the sixth Emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and also the emperor who lived for the longest time in Chinese history.

Qianlong showed his talent when in his childhood. Because of this, his grandfather Emperor Kangxi liked him a lot. After setting up the rule of choosing successor secretly, Emperor Yongzheng chose Qianlong to succeed the throne without hesitation.

Qianlong was 25 years old when he succeeded the throne. He learnt his grandfather's and his father's ways of running the state affairs. And he skillfully dealt with the relationship between Manchu, Han and other ethnic minorities to consolidated imperial power. His reign was the most prosperous period of Qing Dynasty.

Qianlong was a keen poet, writer and calligrapher: he produced three collections of essays and five albums of poetry, making him one of the most prolific poets and calligraphers in ancient China. He was highly accomplished in painting and was fond of collecting cultural antiques -- there were many examples of jade carving, tooth carving, bamboo and wood carving, lacquer art, enamel and porcelain art in his imperial study. He also sponsored the compilation of Si Ku Quan Shu (Complete Collection in Four Treasuries), which is regarded as the largest series in Chinese history and a valuable treasure representing Chinese culture. He was familiar with military strategies and invented Shi Quan Wu Gong (perfect gongfu). He was fond of hunting and traveling, and traveled to Southern China six times for inspection. Almost every autumn, he would visit Wutai Mountain in the west and Confucius's Temple in the south.

Qianlong promised that he would abdicate after ruling as an emperor for 60 years, because that his grandfather Emperor Kangxi's reign lasted for 61 years, and Qianlong did not want to exceed his grandfather. In 60th year of his reign, he carried out his promise, and his son Yuyan (Emperor Jiaqing) became the new emperor. Actually, Qianlong was still running the country. A lot of important affairs was reported to and solved by him.

Qianlong took great pride in his administrative style which ushered in a period of great prosperity in the country. Emperor Qianlong's reign marked the peak of feudalism in China and, together with the reign of Emperor Kangxi, this period is known as Kang Qian Sheng Shi (the Great Prosperity of Emperor Kangxi and Qianlong). Unfortunately, however, in his old age he appointed corrupt officials such as Huo Shen, and problems of extortion and poor administration contributed directly to the decline of the Qing Dynasty.

Uygur region to see nation's first cultural diversity reserve

China is setting up a cultural diversity reserve in its northwesternmost Xinjiang, the only place where experts say the world's four important ancient civilizations of China, India, Greece and Islam, met and melt.

The reserve, the first of its kind in China, is located in Turpan of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, an intersection of the ancient Silk Road that connected China with south, west and central Asia and Europe.

The reserve is to protect the unique footprints left by different races and people with different cultures who traveled along the great Silk Road, said Prof. Meng Jian with Shanghai-based Fudan University who made a blueprint for the cultural reserve.

"We chose Turpan because of its heritages as a typical cultural melting pot," he said.

As a portal that linked the hinterland of ancient China and other parts of Asia, Turpan was where 11 ancient post and trade routes converged, Meng said, citing historical documents.

The documents unearthed in Turpan so far were written in as many as 17 languages, including Chinese, Sanskrit of India and Hebrew, Meng said.

In Tuyugou, a remote village hidden in Huoyanshan, or the Flaming Mountain, marks of culture melting are still visible: Uygur houses with wooden window frames featuring designs commonly seen in central and east China; stone drums near the front door and brick or wood relievo over the lintel, both traditional decorations of Han people.

Marks of other religions, such as the Christian Cross and swastika of Buddhism, can also be easily spotted on an old wood bed belonging to a local family in the Muslim-dominated area.

The frescoes in the grottoes in Tuyugou not only tell of the stories of Buddhas but also display the famous sun-and-moon design of Manichaeism from Persia.

The five followers of Muhammad, founder of Islam, and the first Chinese who was converted to the religion were said to be buried in Turpan while archaeologists also discovered the body of a shaman dating back to 1,000 years ago.

"These heritages are unique not only in China but also in the world and worth being protected," said Zheng Qiang, a local official of Turpan.

The local government and experts started the planning in 2006, inspired by the convention on cultural diversity approved by the United Nations in 2005, he said.

"Through founding a reserve on cultural diversity, we hope common people, both residents here and visitors, will be more aware of protecting cultural diversity and more tolerant to those different from themselves," Zheng said.

As there was no such kind of a reserve in the country before, Zheng said, they are still exploring how to do it.

Four pilot projects have been included into the blueprint: the Ancient City of Jiaohe, a major town on the Silk Road; the Grape Valley, which presents both natural beauty and flavor of traditional Uygur culture; the Flaming Mountains which boasts not only geographic uniqueness but also rich cultural relics; and the Karez, an ancient irrigating miracle based on an underground channel system fed by melted snow from mountains.

The government is increasing investment in archaeological excavation and cultural relics protection, and a brand new museum will open in Turpan next year, according to Zheng.

The central government has earmarked 200 million yuan (26.59 million U.S. dollars) to protect the Yanghe tombs where Roman coins, China's oldest grapevine and marijuana were found.

Local archaeology authority also plans to develop a full record of culture relics unearthed in Turpan.

"More than 60 percent of the collections in Xinjiang's biggest museum in Urumqi came from Turpan and even more in museums abroad, " said Li Xiao, director of Turpan archaeology bureau. "It will be very hard to make a full list of them, but we will try."