DYING FOR WATER: A farmer in Zouping County, Shandong Province, observes a wheat crop drying up in his field on January 16. The province has been hit by the worst drought in half a century since last September (DONG NAIDE)

Adhering to Strategy

China will adhere to the win-win strategy of opening up and work with the international community to contribute to the overall recovery of the world economy, said President Hu Jintao on January 17.

He made the remarks in a written interview with The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

The president said following the path of peaceful development is the solemn commitment of the Chinese Government and people to the international community.

"Specifically, it means that we will achieve national development by our hard and creative work, by reforming and improving our institutions, and by maintaining friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries," he said.

Hu also called on the international community to further advance the international financial system reform, and to build a new and more equal and balanced global partnership for development.

Protecting Homeowners

On January 19, an executive meeting of the State Council, China's cabinet, gave in-principle approval to a draft regulation on land acquisition and compensation, which is expected to better protect homeowners.

The draft says compensation paid to homeowners should not be lower than the sum of the market price of the property, the cost of moving and temporary accommodation, and losses caused by suspension of business.

Projects involving acquisition of homes on state-owned land should be included in the annual economic and social development plans of the government, the draft says.

It also emphasizes expansion of public participation in the approval of home acquisition plans.

Before making decisions, relevant agencies should assess risks to social stability and property developers are prohibited from being involved in removal projects.

The draft also prohibits the administrative enforcement of demolition.

Disputed cases shall be determined by the people's courts, it says.

After further modification, the draft will be submitted to the State Council for promulgation and implementation.

Promoting Work Safety

Ninety-seven people were punished last year after being held responsible for two deadly coal mine accidents and a major traffic accident in China, said the State Administration of Work Safety.

Both of the fatal coal mine accidents involved flooding, and both occurred in March 2010.

One of the coal mines was in Wuhai in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and the other in Wangjialing in central China's Shanxi Province.

The deadly traffic accident happened in May 2010 in Fuxin City in northeast China's Liaoning Province. Thirteen of the 97 people were prosecuted. The remaining 84 received disciplinary punishments from either the Communist Party of China or the Central Government.

General Passes Away

Liu Huaqing, former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, died at the age of 95.

Liu died on January 14 from an illness, says a statement issued by the General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

Liu was a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 14th CPC Central Committee in 1992-97.

Joining the CPC in 1935, Liu was made a major general in 1955 and general in 1988.

Liu was a distinguished member of the CPC, a seasoned and loyal Communist fighter, an outstanding proletarian revolutionist, politician and strategist, and an excellent leader of the Party, the state and the military.