Youth Ambassador

(YANG ZONGYOU)

Deng Zhonghan, Chairman, CEO and President of Vimicro Corporation, the largest multimedia semiconductor technology company in China, has been chosen as China's ambassador for the Year of China-Europe Youth Exchanges during 2011, along with four other celebrities. The one-year campaign aims to deepen understanding between young people of European countries and China.

Deng, 42, graduated from University of Science and Technology of China with a bachelor's degree. He later received a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.

Since Deng returned to China from the United States, he has been actively involved in promoting China's semiconductor industry. He co-founded Vimicro Corporation in 1999. In recognition of his achievements, Deng has received numerous awards, most recently the National 1st Class Scientific Achievement Award.

Deng was appointed academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering on December 2, 2009, which makes him the youngest member of the academy.

Building a New Shanxi

(CFP)

Yuan Chunqing, Secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, is determined to build the province anew.

"Shanxi Province has huge potential," said Yuan six months after assuming the post on May 31, 2010.

Yuan has made great efforts to change the environment for Shanxi's officials. Officials have been forbidden to use public funds for dining out or entertainment.

Listening to the people's hardships is vital, Yuan said. He has formed a habit of "going to the countryside" each week.

Transformation of the mode of economic development in Shanxi is another challenge for Yuan. As a province famous for coal mining and also severe environmental problems, Shanxi is now aiming to modernize agriculture, and develop a circular economy, safe and clean production and sustainable development.

Out for Season

(FILE)

Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming will miss the rest of the season because of a stress fracture in his left foot. Thirty-year-old Yao underwent surgery in January this year.

It's the ninth season since Yao started his NBA journey and the sixth in which he has had to deal with injuries. After a predicted 10-month recovery, whether Yao will retire or come back remains to be seen.

"I want to thank all the support people have given us," said Yao. "I know the recovery will take a long time. I'll use it to think about the choices I have made and I will make a decision about the future of my career when the recovery process ends."

When Yao was chosen as center of Houston Rockets in 2007, some critics thought that he would never be a first-class center. But Yao proved himself and earned a reputation as one of the most outstanding centers in history.

"He is a representative of the globalization of NBA," said NBA Commissioner David Joel Stern. Thanks in large part to Yao's impact, the NBA launched NBA China in January 2008, attracting an audience of more than 500 million.

"With the amendment, China will be a step closer to building up a national organ donation system. The system is aimed at ensuring the sustainable and healthy development of organ transplants and saving more lives. A pilot project is being run in 11 provinces and regions now."

Chinese Vice Health Minister Huang Jiefu, commenting on an amendment to China's organ transplant regulations in preparation. It may be issued in March following revision

"There are many areas where we have mutual interests and can work together. In those areas we have disagreements; those disagreements are best dealt with through constant dialogue and discussion with one another and transparency."

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, in a meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie in Beijing

"It is confirmed at the global level the world economy has demonstrated the capacity to behave better than previous projections and forecasts."

European Central Bank (ECB) chief Jean-Claude Trichet, at a meeting on the global economy on January 10 in Basel, Switzerland

"The referendum is not the end of the journey, but rather it is the beginning of a new one. There is no substitute to peaceful coexistence, cooperation and partnership which we are all committed to embarking on in the lifetime ahead."

Salva Kiir Mayardit, first Vice President of Sudan and President of the Government of South Sudan, speaking after casting the first ballot in Juba at a polling station at the Museum of John Garang on January 9

"The approval of the review is an important milestone. We appreciate the positive feedback from the Fund regarding the disciplined austerity measures put forth by the government and our handling of economic policy."

Icelandic Minister of Economic Affairs Arni Pall Arnason, appreciating IMF's approval of the fourth review of Iceland's economic recovery program on January 11