Marine Weapon System

China plans to build up a new marine weapon system, which includes large surface combat ships, supersonic cruise aircraft and high-speed intelligent torpedoes. 

CRASH A helicopter based on China's Antarctic exploration ship, Xuelong, crashed one minute after takeoff in the East China Sea off Shanghai on April 12. Three people were injured and one was lost. (ZHANG JIANSONG)

"The Navy will move faster in researching and building next-generation weapons to boost its ability to fight in regional sea wars under the circumstances of information technology," Navy Commander Admiral Wu Shengli told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on April 15-one week ahead of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army Navy.

He said the Navy would have more equipment for offshore repair, high-seas dispatch, large-scale rescue and supply, among others.

New Plan

China published its first working plan on human rights on April 13, pledging to further protect and improve human rights conditions.

The National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2009-10), issued by the Information Office of the State Council, highlights goals that will be implemented in less than two years.

This action made China one of 26 countries responding to the United Nations' 1993 call to establish a national human rights plan.

"The realization of human rights in the broadest sense has been a long-cherished ideal of mankind and also a long-sought goal of the Chinese Government and people," the document stated.

Movie for Ears

A movie made specially for visually impaired people will be played publicly in Shanghai beginning April 23.

The movie, Examination 1977, will be played for 158,000 visually impaired residents of Shanghai free of charge, the Shanghai Disabled Persons' Federation said. It is the country's first audio film that will enable impaired Chinese to enjoy a movie like never before.

The audio film--also called a "barrier-free film"--features recorded narrations that describe scenes for blind viewers, who would otherwise miss out on the movie's non-auditory aspects.

"It allows blind people to better enjoy their lives," Shanghai Association for the Blind director Zhao Jihong said.

In addition to the public showing of Examination 1977, copies will be distributed among community libraries. Blind audiences will be able to enjoy it for free at the library or take advantage of a free delivery service.

Music Fees

Television and radio stations will have to pay royalties on the use of Chinese music under a regulation being drafted by the State Council.

Under the current system, broadcasters pay a flat annual fee to the copyright holder for use of local music.

The new regulation would mandate a fee of 2.5 yuan ($0.4) and 0.3 yuan ($0.044) per minute for television and radio stations, respectively, said a National Copyright Administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Karaoke bars have paid royalty fees on Chinese music since 2007.

"In China, a pop star could earn 300,000 yuan ($44,118) for singing a song, but the composer and lyricist get nothing," Gu Jianfen, Vice Chairman of the Music Copyright Society of China, told Beijing Youth Daily recently. "Chinese songwriters do not feel respected."