Japan Today | staff
HONG KONG — China is tightening its grip on media reporting food safety problems in Beijing following a recent rebuff by the government of a pork-bun report, the South China Morning Post said Tuesday.
The Hong Kong daily said several media in China's capital city have been warned or ordered to cut down on political news coverage, especially regarding unsafe food. The report said the hardest hit was the tabloid Beijing Daily Messenger, which was told by the Publicity Department of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee to "scrap its political and social pages and cover only entertainment and lifestyle stories."
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
US Administration Officials Condemn Senate China Currency Bills
WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- A trio of Bush administration officials Tuesday condemned Senate legislation aimed at pressuring China to change its currency regime, saying the bills amounted to the "wrong approach."
In a letter signed by U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab, the officials said two Senate measures "would substantially weaken the position of the United States in our ongoing efforts to achieve essential economic reforms in China and around the world, while jeopardizing our rapidly growing exports that have benefited American workers and farmers."
Last week, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee approved a bill that would open the way for punishing China over monetary policy.
article::: FXStreet
http://www.djnewswires.com/eu
In a letter signed by U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab, the officials said two Senate measures "would substantially weaken the position of the United States in our ongoing efforts to achieve essential economic reforms in China and around the world, while jeopardizing our rapidly growing exports that have benefited American workers and farmers."
Last week, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee approved a bill that would open the way for punishing China over monetary policy.
article::: FXStreet
http://www.djnewswires.com/eu
On sale sale in Beijing
Beijing street scene. The guy seated on the top of the ladder shows a sign that means "Forced to move by the city council, sale with weeping tears."creative commons flickr photo via dave_italy
about Mia, Steven, the Olympics and the Sudan
This is one of the odder stories involving the Chinese Olympics, but it’s an archetype we will probably be seeing more of as the ‘08 Olympics approach. Sometimes, with all the charm of Chinglish, Yao Ming and Pandas, we forget that sometimes China isn’t exactly the best behaved nation. And sometimes we forget that Steven Spielberg is Jewish.
read::: dejuiced
read::: dejuiced
the Yahoo!-China censorship case
Journalist Rebecca MacKinnon reports, with new findings, on the Yahoo!-China censorship case at the RConversation blog. MacKinnon reports on who knew what when.
Monday, July 30, 2007
California Department of Public Health Warns Consumers Not to Eat Fresh Ginger From China
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Sacramento, CA -- July 29, 2007 -- Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), today warned consumers not to eat fresh ginger imported from China after the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s residue monitoring program detected the presence of aldicarb sulfoxide in some batches of imported ginger. Aldicarb sulfoxide is a pesticide that is not approved for use on ginger.
The product is known to have been distributed to Albertson's stores and Save Mart stores in northern California by Christopher Ranch of Gilroy, California.
CDPH and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are tracing the imported ginger from the importer (Modern Trading Inc. in Alhambra, California) to determine the full distribution of the product and to identify other retail stores that may have received the product.
Currently, there are no reports of illness associated with the contaminated ginger.
Consumers who may have purchased this product from Albertson's stores and Save Mart stores in northern California should discard it.
Symptoms of aldicarb poisoning in humans are likely to occur within the first hour following exposure. Ingestion of foods contaminated with aldicarb at low levels can cause flu-like symptoms (nausea, headache, blurred vision) which disappear quickly, usually within 5 or 6 hours. However, at higher levels, ingestion of aldicarb contaminated food can also cause dizziness, salivation, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle stiffness and twitching, and difficulty in breathing.
Individuals who may have consumed this product and have any of the above symptoms should contact their health care provider immediately.
####
FDA's Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts Page: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html
The product is known to have been distributed to Albertson's stores and Save Mart stores in northern California by Christopher Ranch of Gilroy, California.
CDPH and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are tracing the imported ginger from the importer (Modern Trading Inc. in Alhambra, California) to determine the full distribution of the product and to identify other retail stores that may have received the product.
Currently, there are no reports of illness associated with the contaminated ginger.
Consumers who may have purchased this product from Albertson's stores and Save Mart stores in northern California should discard it.
Symptoms of aldicarb poisoning in humans are likely to occur within the first hour following exposure. Ingestion of foods contaminated with aldicarb at low levels can cause flu-like symptoms (nausea, headache, blurred vision) which disappear quickly, usually within 5 or 6 hours. However, at higher levels, ingestion of aldicarb contaminated food can also cause dizziness, salivation, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle stiffness and twitching, and difficulty in breathing.
Individuals who may have consumed this product and have any of the above symptoms should contact their health care provider immediately.
####
FDA's Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts Page: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html
Pollution story of the day from China
Thousands clash with police over polluting Chinese brewery
Channel News Asia
BEIJING: Thousands of protesters accusing a brewery in southwest China of polluting water supplies clashed with armed police, a human rights group said on Sunday, the latest violence sparked by environmental worries.
Channel News Asia
BEIJING: Thousands of protesters accusing a brewery in southwest China of polluting water supplies clashed with armed police, a human rights group said on Sunday, the latest violence sparked by environmental worries.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson in China for trade talks
US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson heads to Beijing on Monday to discuss the US-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) launched in 2006.
articles -
Boston Globe
Bloomberg
Reuters
Friday, July 27, 2007
China's economy
Jul 26th 2007 | HONG KONG
From The Economist print edition
Fears that China's economy is overheating are exaggerated
CHINESE students may come top of the world league in mathematics, yet the country's economic numbers are notoriously dodgy. New figures showing that China's GDP growth quickened to 11.9% in the year to the second quarter, its fastest since the mid-1990s, while inflation jumped to 4.4% in June from 3.4% in May, have fuelled concerns that its economy is now seriously overheating. However, a closer inspection of the numbers suggests there is no need to panic—yet.
China: No More Mister Nice Guy
By John E. Carey
Peace and Freedom
July 26, 2007
On July 25, 2007, the International Monetary Fund released its 2007 projections. Those numbers indicate that China, this year for the first time, has dislodged the United States from its long reign as the main engine of global economic growth, with its more than 11 percent growth eclipsing sputtering U.S. growth of about 2 percent.
full article
Peace and Freedom
July 26, 2007
On July 25, 2007, the International Monetary Fund released its 2007 projections. Those numbers indicate that China, this year for the first time, has dislodged the United States from its long reign as the main engine of global economic growth, with its more than 11 percent growth eclipsing sputtering U.S. growth of about 2 percent.
full article
Friday, July 20, 2007
Twitching Fish 'Is Popular Dish In China
Sky News
A chef in Taiwan has been criticised for reportedly serving a deep fried fish with its head still twitching.
The chef presents the carp with its body cooked and covered with sweet and sour sauce, the newspaper United Daily News said.
"When eaters pick the fresh meat with their chopsticks, they can watch the fish's stirring mouth," the paper continued.
Animal lovers have criticised the practice, saying deep frying the fish while alive puts it through extreme pain.
A chef in Taiwan has been criticised for reportedly serving a deep fried fish with its head still twitching.
The chef presents the carp with its body cooked and covered with sweet and sour sauce, the newspaper United Daily News said.
"When eaters pick the fresh meat with their chopsticks, they can watch the fish's stirring mouth," the paper continued.
Animal lovers have criticised the practice, saying deep frying the fish while alive puts it through extreme pain.
New Chinese Missiles
The Washington Times | Bill Gertz
China's military this week quietly showed a new medium-range missile ... Chinese Internet sites posted a photograph of what specialists say is the new Dong Feng-25 missile that could be used by China in a conflict with Taiwan, or to target U.S. forces in Japan and the region ...
"The apparent new medium- to intermediate-range missile constitutes another surprise" from China's military.
China's military this week quietly showed a new medium-range missile ... Chinese Internet sites posted a photograph of what specialists say is the new Dong Feng-25 missile that could be used by China in a conflict with Taiwan, or to target U.S. forces in Japan and the region ...
"The apparent new medium- to intermediate-range missile constitutes another surprise" from China's military.
China: Organic, With Pesticides
Business Week | By Chi-Chu Tschang
Some farmers in China are taking advantage of confusing rules to falsely label food.
The word "wholesome" doesn't exactly spring to mind when describing Chinese exports these days. But for years now, Chinese farmers have fed soaring global demand for organic foods. China's organic exports totaled $350 million in 2005 (the most recent data available)—up from $150 million the previous year—according to China's largest organic food certification agency. The country now represents 5% of global trade in such products, up to this level today from 1.2% in 2004. And that share is bound to grow as more land is converted to chemical-free farming. China now ranks third worldwide in organic farmland, after Australia and Argentina, up from 45th in 2000.
Some farmers in China are taking advantage of confusing rules to falsely label food.
The word "wholesome" doesn't exactly spring to mind when describing Chinese exports these days. But for years now, Chinese farmers have fed soaring global demand for organic foods. China's organic exports totaled $350 million in 2005 (the most recent data available)—up from $150 million the previous year—according to China's largest organic food certification agency. The country now represents 5% of global trade in such products, up to this level today from 1.2% in 2004. And that share is bound to grow as more land is converted to chemical-free farming. China now ranks third worldwide in organic farmland, after Australia and Argentina, up from 45th in 2000.
China, U.S. plan 5-day meeting on food safety
msnbc.com | DancesWithCats
Embalming agent formaldehyde found in Chinese cookies in Philippines
BEIJING - China and the U.S. will meet at the end of July to discuss the safety of China's seafood exports, an official said Wednesday, while news reports said tires that were the subject of a huge U.S. recall were found to meet American safety standards.
Meanwhile, Philippine authorities said they were testing more Chinese products after ordering several candy and cookie brands withdrawn from store shelves because they tested positive for a harmful embalming chemical.
Embalming agent formaldehyde found in Chinese cookies in Philippines
BEIJING - China and the U.S. will meet at the end of July to discuss the safety of China's seafood exports, an official said Wednesday, while news reports said tires that were the subject of a huge U.S. recall were found to meet American safety standards.
Meanwhile, Philippine authorities said they were testing more Chinese products after ordering several candy and cookie brands withdrawn from store shelves because they tested positive for a harmful embalming chemical.
Made (badly) in China
The Los Angeles Times | By Oliver August
One Chinese-made product after another has been taken off U.S. shelves in the last four months. Lethal pet food. Toxic toothpaste. Contaminated seafood. The list is likely to grow longer still. But forcing Beijing to adopt stringent safety regulations, as Washington is trying to do, will make little difference.
The reason so many Chinese products sold in American malls are faulty is not a lack of regulation (who would accuse a communist regime of not being bureaucratic enough?) but corruption. I learned as much on a trip to southern China last year when I was detained by who I initially thought were the local police.
One Chinese-made product after another has been taken off U.S. shelves in the last four months. Lethal pet food. Toxic toothpaste. Contaminated seafood. The list is likely to grow longer still. But forcing Beijing to adopt stringent safety regulations, as Washington is trying to do, will make little difference.
The reason so many Chinese products sold in American malls are faulty is not a lack of regulation (who would accuse a communist regime of not being bureaucratic enough?) but corruption. I learned as much on a trip to southern China last year when I was detained by who I initially thought were the local police.
Bay Area May See Shrinking Seafood Supply
(CBS 5) SAN FRANCISCO | By Sue Kwon
Bay Area retailers and restaurants that rely on large quantities of frozen seafood from China could see a dwindling supply as large importers report that seafood container ships are not leaving Chinese docks.
Seattle-based Tai Foong USA has products in Bay Area stores and said the supply of shrimp is already disrupted. That's because Chinese suppliers are choosing not to export while they test the catch.
The Chinese government, fighting a tsunami of bad publicity is now conducting lab tests on seafood exports for banned antibiotics and chemicals suspected of causing cancer.
Bay Area retailers and restaurants that rely on large quantities of frozen seafood from China could see a dwindling supply as large importers report that seafood container ships are not leaving Chinese docks.
Seattle-based Tai Foong USA has products in Bay Area stores and said the supply of shrimp is already disrupted. That's because Chinese suppliers are choosing not to export while they test the catch.
The Chinese government, fighting a tsunami of bad publicity is now conducting lab tests on seafood exports for banned antibiotics and chemicals suspected of causing cancer.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
China reporter held for fake cardboard-in-buns story
Alertnet
BEIJING, July 19 (Reuters) - Beijing police have detained a television reporter for fabricating an investigative story about steamed buns stuffed with cardboard at a time when China's food safety is under intense international scrutiny.
A report directed by Beijing TV and played on state-run national broadcaster China Central Television last Thursday said an unlicensed snack vendor in eastern Beijing was selling steamed dumplings stuffed with cardboard soaked in caustic soda and seasoned with pork flavouring.
BEIJING, July 19 (Reuters) - Beijing police have detained a television reporter for fabricating an investigative story about steamed buns stuffed with cardboard at a time when China's food safety is under intense international scrutiny.
A report directed by Beijing TV and played on state-run national broadcaster China Central Television last Thursday said an unlicensed snack vendor in eastern Beijing was selling steamed dumplings stuffed with cardboard soaked in caustic soda and seasoned with pork flavouring.
China Quietly Muscles In on the Organic Food Market
The New York Sun | By Josh Gerstein
Consumers turning to organic food in the wake of warnings about antifreeze-laden toothpaste, poisoned pet food, and antibiotic-laced fish may be in for a surprise. The same country blamed for those scares, China, is quietly muscling in on the organic market.
Upscale grocery chains like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods now import popular organic snacks such as edamame and canned staples such as kidney beans from China. That has made some buyers looking for pristine, all-natural food a bit skittish.
Consumers turning to organic food in the wake of warnings about antifreeze-laden toothpaste, poisoned pet food, and antibiotic-laced fish may be in for a surprise. The same country blamed for those scares, China, is quietly muscling in on the organic market.
Upscale grocery chains like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods now import popular organic snacks such as edamame and canned staples such as kidney beans from China. That has made some buyers looking for pristine, all-natural food a bit skittish.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Food Scare Puts Chinese Media On The Defensive
Taipei Times | By Howard French
A majority of the Chinese media still view foreign coverage of the tainted food scandal as Western efforts to put down their country.
For weeks, as questions have multiplied over the safety of China's exports of food and other consumer goods, the Chinese media have had a consistent refrain.
US complaints about China's products are part of a mounting trade war. They are the expression of efforts by Westerners to keep China down, to invent what the Chinese media have called a "China threat" to manipulate public opinion.
A majority of the Chinese media still view foreign coverage of the tainted food scandal as Western efforts to put down their country.
For weeks, as questions have multiplied over the safety of China's exports of food and other consumer goods, the Chinese media have had a consistent refrain.
US complaints about China's products are part of a mounting trade war. They are the expression of efforts by Westerners to keep China down, to invent what the Chinese media have called a "China threat" to manipulate public opinion.
China Says It’s Food Not Safe To Eat
The West Australian
An alarming admission by Beijing’s food safety boss that the country’s food industry is so unhygienic that consumers risked disease has sparked calls for tougher testing of the $400 million worth of Chinese produce eaten each year by Australians.
China’s food safety department head Sun Xiande issued the unprecedented warning to Chinese media that hidden threats would “gradually emerge and disease will likely gradually occur due to the harmful ingredients in food” in light of a series of food safety scares in the US.
“Food safety accidents or events will not only affect the healthy development of the entire (food) industry, but also possibly affect the local economy and social stability,” he was reported as saying.
An alarming admission by Beijing’s food safety boss that the country’s food industry is so unhygienic that consumers risked disease has sparked calls for tougher testing of the $400 million worth of Chinese produce eaten each year by Australians.
China’s food safety department head Sun Xiande issued the unprecedented warning to Chinese media that hidden threats would “gradually emerge and disease will likely gradually occur due to the harmful ingredients in food” in light of a series of food safety scares in the US.
“Food safety accidents or events will not only affect the healthy development of the entire (food) industry, but also possibly affect the local economy and social stability,” he was reported as saying.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
China assures food safety for athletes at 2008 Beijing Olympics
BEIJING (AP) -- Despite food safety problems, China says athletes, coaches and officials at the 2008 Beijing Olympics can be assured of healthy meals."All the procedures involving Olympic food, including production, processing, packaging, storing and transporting will be closely monitored," Sun Wenxu, an official with the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, said Tuesday.
China has come under international pressure to boost food safety and monitoring mechanisms following repeated scandals over contaminated Chinese food exports.
That has underscored chronic problems with adulterated ingredients and fake products in the domestic food supply, raising questions of how well China can guarantee the purity of food for the games.
China Planning a Surreal Facade for Summer Olympic Games: Beijing 2008
Peace and Freedom - Policy and World Ideas | John E. Carey
Few could have anticipated the run of bad publicity, crises and scandals that China has weathered since about last winter or spring. First, pets in America became sick and many died. The illness was traced to Chinese-made pet food laced with a fertilizer component named melamine. Companies in China had illegally added melamine to wheat gluten and rice protein in a bid to meet the contractual demand for the amount of protein in the pet food products.
After that, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States began to take a harder look at a host of Chinese products imported into the U.S.
The FDA ended up barring most seafood from China (where we in the U.S. get about 1/3 of our shrimp, much of our catfish and other “farm raised” seafood products) because much of it contained drugs, bacteria or other suspicious or obviously harmful products.
Few could have anticipated the run of bad publicity, crises and scandals that China has weathered since about last winter or spring. First, pets in America became sick and many died. The illness was traced to Chinese-made pet food laced with a fertilizer component named melamine. Companies in China had illegally added melamine to wheat gluten and rice protein in a bid to meet the contractual demand for the amount of protein in the pet food products.
After that, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States began to take a harder look at a host of Chinese products imported into the U.S.
The FDA ended up barring most seafood from China (where we in the U.S. get about 1/3 of our shrimp, much of our catfish and other “farm raised” seafood products) because much of it contained drugs, bacteria or other suspicious or obviously harmful products.
China Executes Ex-Food and Drug Chief
AP via MyWay.com | ALEXA OLESEN
BEIJING (AP) - China executed the former head of its food and drug watchdog on Tuesday for approving untested medicine in exchange for cash, the strongest signal yet from Beijing that it is serious about tackling its product safety crisis.
The execution of former State Food and Drug Administration director Zheng Xiaoyu was confirmed by state television and the official Xinhua News Agency.
During Zheng's tenure from 1998 to 2005, his agency approved six medicines that turned out to be fake, and the drug-makers used falsified documents to apply for approvals, according to previous state media reports. One antibiotic caused the deaths of at least 10 people.
Spain withdraws contaminated toothpaste of Chinese origin
europa.eu
The European Commission today confirmed reception of a formal notification from the Spanish Authorities relating to a decision to withdraw from the Spanish market two brands of toothpaste of Chinese origin because of a risk to public health. The formal notification is part of the EU wide Rapid Alert System for non-food dangerous products (RAPEX), that alerts and co-ordinates an EU wide response to dangerous consumer goods found in the Single Market. The notification relates to two brands of toothpaste: Spearmint and Trileaf Spearmint. Spanish laboratory tests have detected the presence of DEG (diethylene glycol) a substance used in antifreeze and as a solvent. The measures adopted are compulsory – a withdrawal from the Spanish Market.
The European Commission today confirmed reception of a formal notification from the Spanish Authorities relating to a decision to withdraw from the Spanish market two brands of toothpaste of Chinese origin because of a risk to public health. The formal notification is part of the EU wide Rapid Alert System for non-food dangerous products (RAPEX), that alerts and co-ordinates an EU wide response to dangerous consumer goods found in the Single Market. The notification relates to two brands of toothpaste: Spearmint and Trileaf Spearmint. Spanish laboratory tests have detected the presence of DEG (diethylene glycol) a substance used in antifreeze and as a solvent. The measures adopted are compulsory – a withdrawal from the Spanish Market.
China may hold key to payday for millions of graying Americans
Centre Daily | KEVIN G. HALL
SHANGHAI, China --It may come as a surprise to many Americans, but their retirement security may depend in large measure on China's development of capital markets and the willingness of Chinese savers to buy the stocks and bonds that baby boomers will unload in coming years.
SHANGHAI, China --It may come as a surprise to many Americans, but their retirement security may depend in large measure on China's development of capital markets and the willingness of Chinese savers to buy the stocks and bonds that baby boomers will unload in coming years.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Bribery helps China buy new friends overseas
NOT long ago China had almost no investments abroad. Today Chinese companies are big foreign investors, particularly in developing countries in Africa, South America and Asia. How do they do it?
One factor is that China now has a lot of cash and is happy to pay top dollar, particularly for resource investments. Another is that Chinese officials and business people do business in the way that they do it at home: they pay bribes. In fact, evidence suggests they behave even more corruptly abroad.
read::: The Age
One factor is that China now has a lot of cash and is happy to pay top dollar, particularly for resource investments. Another is that Chinese officials and business people do business in the way that they do it at home: they pay bribes. In fact, evidence suggests they behave even more corruptly abroad.
read::: The Age
Friday, July 6, 2007
Made in China, recalled in U.S.
WASHINGTON – Despite promises by China to clean up its act with regard to unsafe exports, every product recalled by the federal government so far this month is a Chinese import.
Last month, 17 of 28 products recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission were Chinese imports.
read::: Jack's Newswatch
Last month, 17 of 28 products recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission were Chinese imports.
read::: Jack's Newswatch
Online gamers in China making $50 per hour
"With an estimated online gaming population of more than 30 million last year and growing, there is no shortage of Chinese who are willing to play for profit," says a new report.
read::: PCWorld
read::: PCWorld
Secretary of State Rice: "China doesn't play fair"
WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday that China "doesn't play fair" on trade and currency issues.Rice called for China to allow better market access, currency reform and stronger protection of copyrighted materials.
"On balance, a growing, strong Chinese economy is going to be a good thing for the international system. But it has to be a growing, strong Chinese economy that plays within the rules," Rice said in an interview with CNBC television to be aired Friday, according to a transcript provided by the network.
"China doesn't play fair," she said.
read::: International Herald Tribune
Brilliance China Automotive To Delist From NYSE
Brilliance China Automotive Holdings, the first Chinese auto company to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange, said it plans to withdraw that listing from the NYSE because of a decline in trading volume and a concurrent rise in administrative costs.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Taking Marxism to China
Marxism is a bore in China, but tie-dyed American socialists are trying to revive it. Apparently it's easier to believe in socialism if you haven't actually tried to live under it.
The Los Angeles Times reports:
It isn't easy teaching Marxism in China these days.
"It's a big challenge," acknowledged Tao, a likable man who demonstrates remarkable patience in the face of students more interested in capitalism than "Das Kapital." The students say he isn't the problem.
read::: The Guardian
94 Die in Panama From Tainted Medicine
A top Panamanian prosecutor said tests show at least 94 people have died from taking medicine contaminated with diethylene glycol since July 2006 and that 293 more deaths are under investigation.
Prosecutor Dimas Guevara said Wednesday that people have continued to die this year even though the tainted medicine was pulled from shelves in October.
Previously Panamanian authorities had confirmed only 51 deaths from the medicine.
A chemical commonly found in antifreeze and brake fluid, diethylene glycol was used in cough syrup, antihistamine tablets, calamine lotion and rash ointment made in a Panama government laboratory.
Investigations revealed the chemical was made by a Chinese company that fraudulently passed it off as 99.5 percent pure glycerin, a sweetener commonly used in drugs, to a Spanish company. That company sold it to Panama's Medicom SA, which sold it to a government laboratory.
read::: 1010wins
related -
Prosecutor Dimas Guevara said Wednesday that people have continued to die this year even though the tainted medicine was pulled from shelves in October.
Previously Panamanian authorities had confirmed only 51 deaths from the medicine.
A chemical commonly found in antifreeze and brake fluid, diethylene glycol was used in cough syrup, antihistamine tablets, calamine lotion and rash ointment made in a Panama government laboratory.
Investigations revealed the chemical was made by a Chinese company that fraudulently passed it off as 99.5 percent pure glycerin, a sweetener commonly used in drugs, to a Spanish company. That company sold it to Panama's Medicom SA, which sold it to a government laboratory.
read::: 1010wins
related -
http://www.fda.gov/oc/history/elixir.html
Excerpt:
Sulfanilamide, a drug used to treat streptococcal infections, had been shown to have dramatic curative effects and had been used safely for some time in tablet and powder form. In June 1937, however, a salesman for the S.E. Massengill Co., in Bristol, Tenn., reported a demand in the southern states for the drug in liquid form. The company’s chief chemist and pharmacist, Harold Cole Watkins, experimented and found that sulfanilamide would dissolve in diethylene glycol. The company control lab tested the mixture for flavor, appearance, and fragrance and found it satisfactory. Immediately, the company compounded a quantity of the elixir and sent shipments—633 of them—all over the country.
The new formulation had not been tested for toxicity. At the time the food and drugs law did not require that safety studies be done on new drugs. Selling toxic drugs was, undoubtedly, bad for business and could damage a firm’s reputation, but it was not illegal.
Because no pharmacological studies had been done on the new sulfanilamide preparation, Watkins failed to note one characteristic of the solution. Diethylene glycol, a chemical normally used as an antifreeze, is a deadly poison.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Chery and Chrysler Group Finalize Cooperative Agreement
Chery and Chrysler Group forge new model of international cooperation
CHRYSLER PRESS RELEASE
BEIJING, July 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda joined Chery Automobile Co. Chairman and President Yin Tongyue today to finalize the highly anticipated cooperative agreement between the two automakers.
Chinese governmental authorities from the State Development and Reform Commission officially approved the agreement and marked the occasion by hosting a first-of-its-kind signing event. The ceremony was held at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
Under the agreement, Chery, based in Wuhu, Anhui Province, China and Chrysler, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA will work together to develop, manufacture and distribute Chery-made small and sub-compact cars in North America, Europe and other major automotive markets under the Chrysler Group brands.
"This is a win-win for both of our companies, and I am confident this will be a successful relationship," said Yin. "Chrysler brands are very well known in the U.S. and Europe. We're prepared to work with Chrysler Group to expand their small-vehicle lineup with competitive products and accelerate both our companies' international competitiveness."
Chrysler will identify several small-car models now being developed by Chery in China and work collaboratively to make any necessary branding and regulatory modifications prior to their entry into other markets. Both companies also will jointly develop new globally competitive products based on future Chery small-car platforms.
Strategic growth in international markets - while defending market share in North America - is an important part of Chrysler Group's Recovery and Transformation Plan.
"This is the start of a very long relationship between Chrysler and Chery," said LaSorda. "Chery's participation in this agreement and their focus on small and sub-compact cars will have a nearly immediate effect on Chrysler Group's offerings in the small-vehicle segments. This strategic partnership is part of a new business model that is allowing us to introduce all-new products more quickly, with less capital spending."
Today's announcement is not the first milestone for Chrysler in China. Chrysler's relationship with China began 25 years ago when it formed Beijing Jeep Corp., the first international automotive joint venture in the country.
The DaimlerChrysler Supervisory Board approved the framework for the Agreement earlier this year.
Profile of Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.
Since the foundation of Chery in 1997, Chery has always been pursuing independent innovation, after ten years development, Chery now is endowed with systematic new products research and development, manufacture and sales. Its products have been sold to more than 50 countries and regions, and it has become the pacesetter of Chinese independent auto brands with its average annual growing rate at 169%.
Profile of Chrysler Group
The Chrysler Group is the Auburn, Hills, Michigan-based unit of DaimlerChrysler AG. Employing more than 84,000 people worldwide, Chrysler Group designs, manufactures, markets, distributes and - through its Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers - sells cars, trucks, minivans and sport-utility vehicles to customers in more than 125 countries worldwide. Its brands feature some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Dodge Viper, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Chrysler 300C. In 2006, Chrysler Group sold 2.8 million vehicles globally.
Website: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
Website: http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
update:::
General Motors noticed that the brand name used by Chinese automaker looks an awfully like Chevy. Chery Automotive has big plans with Malcolm Bricklin at the helm in the U.S. but GM has threatened Chery with legal action if it uses the brand name in the America. Bricklin told the Financial Times that he would use the name anyway. GM already slapped Chery with a lawsuit over intellectual property stating the Chery QQ is a direct copy of the GM-Daewoo Matiz sold in China as the Chevy Spark. Chevy. Chery.
CHRYSLER PRESS RELEASE
BEIJING, July 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda joined Chery Automobile Co. Chairman and President Yin Tongyue today to finalize the highly anticipated cooperative agreement between the two automakers.
Chinese governmental authorities from the State Development and Reform Commission officially approved the agreement and marked the occasion by hosting a first-of-its-kind signing event. The ceremony was held at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
Under the agreement, Chery, based in Wuhu, Anhui Province, China and Chrysler, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA will work together to develop, manufacture and distribute Chery-made small and sub-compact cars in North America, Europe and other major automotive markets under the Chrysler Group brands.
"This is a win-win for both of our companies, and I am confident this will be a successful relationship," said Yin. "Chrysler brands are very well known in the U.S. and Europe. We're prepared to work with Chrysler Group to expand their small-vehicle lineup with competitive products and accelerate both our companies' international competitiveness."
Chrysler will identify several small-car models now being developed by Chery in China and work collaboratively to make any necessary branding and regulatory modifications prior to their entry into other markets. Both companies also will jointly develop new globally competitive products based on future Chery small-car platforms.
Strategic growth in international markets - while defending market share in North America - is an important part of Chrysler Group's Recovery and Transformation Plan.
"This is the start of a very long relationship between Chrysler and Chery," said LaSorda. "Chery's participation in this agreement and their focus on small and sub-compact cars will have a nearly immediate effect on Chrysler Group's offerings in the small-vehicle segments. This strategic partnership is part of a new business model that is allowing us to introduce all-new products more quickly, with less capital spending."
Today's announcement is not the first milestone for Chrysler in China. Chrysler's relationship with China began 25 years ago when it formed Beijing Jeep Corp., the first international automotive joint venture in the country.
The DaimlerChrysler Supervisory Board approved the framework for the Agreement earlier this year.
Profile of Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.
Since the foundation of Chery in 1997, Chery has always been pursuing independent innovation, after ten years development, Chery now is endowed with systematic new products research and development, manufacture and sales. Its products have been sold to more than 50 countries and regions, and it has become the pacesetter of Chinese independent auto brands with its average annual growing rate at 169%.
Profile of Chrysler Group
The Chrysler Group is the Auburn, Hills, Michigan-based unit of DaimlerChrysler AG. Employing more than 84,000 people worldwide, Chrysler Group designs, manufactures, markets, distributes and - through its Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers - sells cars, trucks, minivans and sport-utility vehicles to customers in more than 125 countries worldwide. Its brands feature some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Dodge Viper, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Chrysler 300C. In 2006, Chrysler Group sold 2.8 million vehicles globally.
Website: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
Website: http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
update:::
General Motors noticed that the brand name used by Chinese automaker looks an awfully like Chevy. Chery Automotive has big plans with Malcolm Bricklin at the helm in the U.S. but GM has threatened Chery with legal action if it uses the brand name in the America. Bricklin told the Financial Times that he would use the name anyway. GM already slapped Chery with a lawsuit over intellectual property stating the Chery QQ is a direct copy of the GM-Daewoo Matiz sold in China as the Chevy Spark. Chevy. Chery.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
China's environment close to 'breakdown': govt official
BEIJING (AFP) - China's environment is close to breaking point and the situation is endangering people's lives, one of the nation's top anti-pollution officials said in comments published Wednesday.
Pan Yue, an outspoken vice minister at the State Environmental Protection Administration, said campaigns to clean-up the environment were going backwards because the country's primary focus continued to be on economic growth.
"Pursuit of short-term goals is leading to ever increasing pollution despite various measures," Pan told the China Daily in an interview.
"Traditional ways of development have caused the near breakdown of China's resources and environment, and people's lives are in great danger."
read::: AFP
Pan Yue, an outspoken vice minister at the State Environmental Protection Administration, said campaigns to clean-up the environment were going backwards because the country's primary focus continued to be on economic growth.
"Pursuit of short-term goals is leading to ever increasing pollution despite various measures," Pan told the China Daily in an interview.
"Traditional ways of development have caused the near breakdown of China's resources and environment, and people's lives are in great danger."
read::: AFP
China pressured World Bank to cut deadly pollution figures
Research showing that 750,000 people die prematurely in China each year from pollution was cut from a World Bank report following pressure from Beijing, the Financial Times said Tuesday.
Beijing successfully lobbied for the removal of a third of the report, entitled the "Cost of Pollution in China," arguing the contents could lead to social unrest, the London-based newspaper said.
China's State Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and health ministry asked the World Bank to remove the figures from a draft of the report finished last year that stated about 750,000 people die prematurely each year from pollution.
China also successfully pushed for the removal of a detailed map showing which parts of the country suffered the most deaths, the newspaper said.
"The World Bank was told that it could not publish this information. It was too sensitive and could cause social unrest," the Financial Times quoted one adviser to the study as saying.
The draft was released at a conference on sustainable development in Beijing in March, and remains available on the Internet, without the sensitive data.
AFP
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