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MEXICO CITY, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said here Tuesday that new efforts are needed to further promote China-Mexico economic and trade cooperation amid the current global financial crisis.     Xi, who is here for a three-day official visit to Mexico, made the call in a speech at a luncheon hosted by Chinese and Mexican entrepreneurs.     Xi hailed the rapid development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, saying it plays an important role in China-Mexico ties and has brought tangible benefits to the people of both nations.     China and Mexico should make new efforts to maintain the good momentum of such cooperation in order to tackle the challenges brought by the ongoing financial crisis, he said.     To this end, Xi proposed promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation from a strategic perspective, improving the service of both governments, promoting cooperation in key fields, bringing into full play the dominating role of enterprises, and expanding cooperation in world economic affairs.     Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations Patricia Espinosa Cantellano said in her opening speech at the luncheon party that both Mexico and China are facing new challenges under the current financial situation, thus "solidarity and closer cooperation" are very important for the two countries.     She also called for more bilateral exchanges in all fields, "not only political and economical, but also social and civilian."     The luncheon party was held on the sideline of the 19th Plenary Meeting of the Mexico-China Business Committee, which was started here Tuesday and brought together representatives from big companies in Mexico and some 20 Chinese companies.     The meeting aims to boost bilateral investment and commercial exchanges between China and Mexico, according to Fernando Ruiz, technical director of the COMCE.     Ruiz said mutual investment between China and Mexico has large room for improvement.     "There are great opportunities for Chinese investors in Mexico in different sectors, like automobile, construction and energy."     In November, at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum held in Lima, Peru, Mexican President Felipe Calderon said China had offered great possibilities for his country as the global financial crisis unfolded.     Mexico registered an economic growth rate of only 1.8 percent in 2008, the second worst performance among Latin American countries after Haiti.     The United States was Mexico's largest exports destination, taking 89 percent of all its exports. But the ongoing crisis has forced the Mexican government to seek alternative markets.     In December, Mexico's Deputy Foreign Minister, Lourdes Aranda, said his country was concerned about its declining exports to the United States, and its ties with China "were very important."     According to data from the Chinese Commerce Ministry, commercial exchanges between China and Latin America grew 50.9 percent from January 2008 to January 2009.

PARIS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Two controversial ancient Chinese relics were auctioned off on Wednesday night for 14 million euros (17.92 million U.S. dollars) each by anonymous telephone bidders in Christie's sale of the collection of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge in the Grand Palace of Paris.     According to Christie's, they have received 8 phone calls for "enquiries" before the sale. After the auction was launched, the competition was only conducted between telephone bidders, with no one in the scene raised for a bid. The bronze sculpture of a rabbit's head, which is an ancient Chinese relic, is auctioned in the Grand Palace of Paris in Paris, France, Feb. 25, 2009. Two controversial ancient Chinese relics including the bronze sculptures of a rat's head and a rabbit's head, were auctioned off on Wednesday night for 14 million euros each by anonymous telephone bidders in Christies's sale of the collection of Yves Saint Laurant and Pierre Berge in Paris. The sculptures were looted by invading Anglo-French expedition army in the 19th century, when the invaders burned down the royal garden of Yuanmingyuan in BeijingChristie's refused to disclose who were the bidders at a press conference afterward.     The bronze sculptures, a rat's head and a rabbit's head, were looted by invading Anglo-French expedition army in the 19th century, when the invaders burned down the royal garden of Yuanmingyuan in Beijing.     Li Huan, a Chinese student in France told Xinhua that the two bronzes are news for the French, but history for the Chinese. Earlier this night, some Chinese students in France voluntarily went to the Grand Palace, distributing sheets introducing the history of Yuanmingyuan and the Second Opium War in 1860.The bronze sculpture of a rat's head, which is an ancient Chinese relic, is auctioned in the Grand Palace of Paris in Paris, France, Feb. 25, 2009. Two controversial ancient Chinese relics including the bronze sculptures of a rat's head and a rabbit's head, were auctioned off on Wednesday night for 14 million euros each by anonymous telephone bidders in Christies's sale of the collection of Yves Saint Laurant and Pierre Berge in Paris. The sculptures were looted by invading Anglo-French expedition army in the 19th century, when the invaders burned down the royal garden of Yuanmingyuan in Beijing."They should know more about the history. Although we failed in the lawsuit, justice will not fail," said Li.     The Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris ruled against stopping the sale of the two bronzes on Monday, and the Association for the protection of Chinese Art in Europe (APACE) was ordered to pay compensation to the defendant.     Ren Xiaohong, a lawyer for APACE, told Xinhua that it was "of great significance" to file the lawsuit. "We hope to arouse public attention in Europe on the fate of numerous Chinese works stolen in the past, to help keep those relics well protected and collected," Ren said.     "My heart sank when the court refused our appeal," said Bernard Gomez, president of APACE, adding that "I hope the bidders are Chinese, I hope the two relics could go home eventually."     Bernard Brizay, French historian and journalist, as well as the author of "1860: the Looting of the Summer Palace" told Xinhua after the two bronzes were sold that he could understand the Chinese feelings towards the two relics. He said, "the two bronzes should be returned to China, no matter who got the bids."     Brizay also scorned on the offer by Pierre Berge, Yves Saint Laurent's partner. He used five "stupid" on Berge's words. "Combining the two relics with human rights and Tibet issues has no difference with blackmailing for ransom," he said.     The Chinese government formally called on Tuesday for the cancellation of the auction of the two bronzes. "The State Administration of Cultural Heritage has formally informed the auctioneer of our strong opposition to the auction, and clearly demanded its cancellation," said Ma Chaoxu, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman in a press conference.     "Using the pretext of human rights to infringe on the Chinese people's fundamental cultural rights is just ridiculous," Ma said.     The two bronze sculptures are part of the art collection of the late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. So far, five of the 12 bronze animal fountainheads have been returned to China, while the whereabouts of five others are unknown. A photographer takes a picture of the Chinese bronze rat head and rabbit head sculptures displayed on the preview of the auction of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge's art collection at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, Feb. 21, 2009

BEIJING, Feb. 13 -- Chinese banks issued 1.62 trillion yuan (7 billion) in new loans in January, up 101 percent year-on-year, prompting some economists to say the government might not cut interest rates for the time being to boost the economy.     The massive jump in lending is equal to about one-third of the loans issued in the whole of 2008, a year that began on a generally tight credit line, the central bank said yesterday. M2, which includes cash and all types of deposits and indicates overall liquidity in the financial system, grew in January, too, by 18.8 percent year-on-year. It increased 17.8 percent in December.     The massive growth in lending comes at a time when banks are rushing to cherry-pick the juiciest stimulus-package projects, especially major infrastructure ones that need long-term investment, the economists said. Chinese banks issued 1.62 trillion yuan (7 billion) in new loans in January, up 101 percent year-on-year    The government announced a 6-billion package on November 9 to boost domestic demand and shore up investment. Though the central government will shoulder one-third of the cost, banks will play an important role in financing the construction of bridges, railways and highways.     "The banks are fighting for the best projects in the government's stimulus package," said Ha Jiming, chief economist of China International Capital Corp. "It's not surprising to see that an array of the deals were sealed in the past month."     "The massive lending growth minimizes the need to further cut interest rates heftily," said Lian Ping, chief economist with Bank of Communications. "The liquidity problem should ease with such a growth."     The central bank has cut the benchmark lending rate by 2.16 percentage points in the past four months and reduced the deposit reserve requirement ratio in order to ensure there's enough liquidity in the market to boost the economy.     The growth in lending could also prove to be a blessing for cash-strapped domestic enterprises trying to stay afloat amid shrinking overseas demand and waning consumer confidence.     Central bank figures show bill financing, which supplies working capital, accounted for 39 percent of the new loans.     Medium and long-term corporate loans made up 32 percent.     "It (growth) reduces the default risks of domestic firms, which in turn eases worries over bank asset quality at least in the short term," said Sun Mingchun, an economist with Nomura International.     The economists said the dramatic rise in lending could be partly attributed to pent-up demand for loans last year.     The central bank had imposed a curb on lending till November last year to combat inflation and prevent the economy from overheating.     That left "many firms, especially small- and medium-sized ones, facing a severe cash flow problem", Sun said.     Policymakers lifted the curb in November and raised the target for M2 growth to 17 percent for 2009, up from 16 percent that had been in practice since 2006.     The move is expected to ensure there's enough liquidity in the market to spur investment and boost the economy, whose growth dropped to a seven-year low of 6.8 percent in the fourth quarter last year.     "Credit expansion in the first quarter of this year is expected to be very high because banks can maximize investment returns by front-loading new loans," said Jing Ulrich, managing director and chairwoman of China Equities at JP Morgan.     But Ulrich cautioned against a possible rise in credit risk because the increase in liquidity could cause a sharp rise in banks' non-performing loans.

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BOAO, Hainan, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with former U.S. President George W. Bush and former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda here Saturday in south China's Hainan Province. Wen spoke highly of Bush's contribution to the development of Sino-U.S. constructive and cooperative ties. He hoped Bush would continue to play a positive role in promoting bilateral relations.     Wen said that since President Obama took office, Sino-U.S. tieshave got to a good start. The two nations have dedicated to building a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship inthe 21st century. China's Premier Wen Jiabao (R) meets with former U.S. President George W. Bush, in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2009. Bush arrived here to attend the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2009 held from April 17 to 19.     The spreading global financial crisis and the growing global challenges demand the two nations increase mutual trust, enhance coordination, jointly overcome the current difficulties and benefit the two countries and people of the world, said Wen.     "We hope the U.S. economy will take a favourable turn as soon as possible, which is conducive to the world economy," he added.     Bush said it is uplifting to see the Sino-U.S. ties improving. Both China and the United States are major nations in the world and should keep close communication and cooperation.    He said he would continue to contribute to the development of Sino-U.S. ties.     The policies and measures that the Chinese government has takento cope with the financial crisis have already yielded results andare very impressive, said Bush.     The continuous growth of economies of both countries are crucial to the recovery of the world economy, he said, stressing the two countries should strengthen cooperation in resisting the impact of the financial crisis.     During the meeting with Fukuda, Wen appreciated the former Japanese Prime Minister's contribution to improving and developingChina-Japan friendly relations.     Wen said China-Japan ties maintain sound in general. The two countries should proceed from the long-term perspective of bilateral ties, increase political mutual trust, deepen mutual understanding between the two peoples and safeguard the general interests of Sino-Japanese strategic reciprocal relations.     He said the global financial crisis is not just a challenge forAsia, but also an important opportunity for speeding up regional cooperation.     He also called on the two countries to proceed from the overallinterests of Asia and the long-term development of bilateral ties to enhance coordination and all-around cooperation, so as to jointly push forward regional economic and financial cooperation and make greater contribution to the revitalization of Asia and the construction of East Asia community.     To continuously enhance the friendship between the two peoples is of great importance to the long-term development of bilateral ties, said Fukuda, adding that he would spare no effort to promotefriendly cooperation between the two nations in the future.     Fukuda also said China plays a key role in withstanding the global financial crisis.     Bush and Fukuda were here to attend the 2009 annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) from April 17 to 19. 

BEIJING, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese political advisor Jia Qinglin Friday called for actively promoting friendly religious exchanges with the outside world on an equal base but firmly stemming foreign infiltration in the name of religion.     Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks when addressing a seminar on religious work for ministerial and provincial level officials.     "The Party and the government have always attached great importance to religious work," said Jia, also member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau.     The CPC Central Committee has made "a series of major decisions and arrangements as well as new achievements in religious work, while the country's religious sector has maintained a united and stable situation," he said.     Jia, however, warned that officials should pay high attention to some new situations and developments in the country's religious field, along with the developments and changes in international and domestic situation, and deal with them in a proper way.     He called for firmly implementing central decisions and arrangements, going all out to safeguard harmony and stability in the religious sector, and making maximal efforts to unite both religious and non-religious people and encourage them to devote themselves to the socialist cause with China's own characteristics.     The workshop was organized jointly by the Organizational Department and the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, the State Administration of Religious Affairs, and the National School of Administration.

PYONGYANG, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Li Jinhua, vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), on Monday met with Kim Wan Su, director of the secretariat of the Central Committee of the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland (CCDFRF) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).     Li, who is heading a CPPCC delegation on a visit to the DPRK, said at the meeting that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and the visit was also one of the major events of the China-DPRK friendship year. Li Jinhua (L), vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), meets with Kim Wan Su, chief of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Pyongyang, capital of DPRK, April 13, 2009.The visit came just after the end of the first session of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK. On behalf of the CPPCC, Li congratulated on Kim Jong Il's reelection as chairman of the DPRK's National Defense Commission.     Kim Wan Su said DPRK-China friendship has had deep historical groundwork, and the recent years have witnessed further development of DPRK-China friendship.     The CCDFRF would like to further improve exchanges and cooperation with the CPPCC and make greater contributions to the friendship of the two countries, he said.

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BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Thursday called on the nation to strengthen "conviction for victory" as he unveiled an unprecedented stimulus package to shore up economic growth amid global downturn.     In a work report to the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's parliament, Wen said China is facing "unprecedented difficulties and challenges" as economic growth slows, employment pressure mounts and social uncertainties increase in 2009, the most difficult year since the new millennium.     PREMIER'S ECONOMICS     China's economy cooled to a seven-year low of 9 percent last year, and broke a five-year streak of double-digit expansion, as the global financial crisis took its toll on the world's fastest growing economy.     The country, however, is "able to achieve" an economic growth at about 8 percent as long as right policies and appropriate measures are adopted and implemented, Wen said. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivers a government work report during the opening meeting of the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2009In his report, Wen outlined an aggressive stimulus package, including huge government investment, tax reform, industrial restructuring, scientific innovation, social welfare and promoting employment.     In addition to a 4-trillion yuan (585.5 billion U.S. dollars) stimulus package that was announced in November, the premier also proposed a budgeted fiscal deficit of 950 billion yuan (139 billion U.S. dollars) for 2009, a record high in six decades and nearly three times over the last record of 319.8 billion yuan set in 2003.     The deficit accounted for less than 3 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), nearly surpassing an internationally accepted risky line.     Wen said increasing government spending is the most active, direct and efficient way to expand domestic demand, while economists believe China's 2-trillion U.S. dollar foreign reserves, current-account surplus and budget surplus offers the government lots of room to do so.     Other key economic and social targets included creating more than 9 million jobs in the city, controlling urban registered unemployment rate under 4.6 percent and keeping the rise of Consumer Price Index (CPI) at about 4 percent.     EXPECTATIONS OF A MIGRANT WORKER AND MORE     While nearly 3,000 lawmakers convened at the Great Hall of the People in the center of Beijing, Zhang You, a migrant worker from central Anhui Province who was waiting in his rented room for a job opportunity in the outskirts of the capital, also watched Wen's nationally televised speech, though the Premier's economics might be beyond his imagination.     "I didn't quite understand what those figures meant," he said. "But I was impressed by Premier Wen's vow to expand social security for migrant workers and help us find jobs," the 30-year-old man said. "I am happy about that."     Zhang, a painter, said he has had no work to do for months. "I guess it's because fewer people are buying houses," he said. China's real estate sector was also hit by the international financial crisis with fewer people buying houses.     But Zhang said he believes he will soon be able to find a job. "I feel the government is trying hard to overcome the difficulties. This kind of situation won't last long."     "I hope the economy will get better. My whole family is depending on me," said Zhang, one of the 20 million migrant workers who have lost jobs following the financial crisis.     In addition to millions of migrant workers seeking jobs in the cities, another 6.1 million college students are due to graduate this year, worsening the country's unemployment woes.     Announcing a 42-billion-yuan central government investment to boost job opportunities, Wen said in his report "the government will do everything in its power to stimulate employment."     He said the government will make full use of the role of the service sector, labor-intensive industries, small and medium-sized enterprises, and the non-public sector of the economy in creating jobs, he said.     Hao Ruyu, vice president of the Capital University of Economics and Business, said to maintain an 8 percent growth rate is "vital" to the Chinese economy and the country's stability.     "One percentage point growth could create 800,000 to 1 million jobs," said Hao, vice chairman of the NPC Financial and Economic Affairs Committee.     Despite worsening world economy, economists are optimistic about China's economic growth as previous stimulus measures have started to show initial effects.     Economist Li Yining told Xinhua that he believes China's economic growth this year could reach 8 percent, or even higher.     The Chinese economy is also very likely to recover before other major economies, even though the world economy is still shrouded in uncertainty, said Li, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the nation's top political advisory body.     "The economic slowdown is beginning to bottom out, and the economy is bound to rebound on huge government investment," he said.     According to a survey of factories issued Monday by the brokerage CLSA, China's manufacturing activity contracted for a seventh consecutive month in February, but at a slower rate than previous months.     INVESTMENT FOR A HARMONIOUS SOCIETY     While explaining the stimulus plan, Wen said the government will "give top priority to ensuring people's wellbeing and promote social harmony."     He said a total of 908 billion yuan of the central government investment this year will go to projects aiming at improving people's life.     Those projects covered low-income housing, education, health care, culture, environmental protection, and reconstruction in regions affected by the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan Province.     As part of the efforts to shore up domestic demand, Wen said China will increase investment to improve China's social security network, whose low coverage has long been blamed for the country's high saving rate.     He said the central government plans to spend 293 billion yuan on the social safety net this year, up 17.6 percent or 43.9 billion yuan over the estimated figure for last year.     The money will be used to fund social welfare programs, including pension, medical insurance, unemployment insurance and living allowances to low-income groups.     Wen also promised that his government will improve efficiency and continue to combat corruption.     "We must discharge our duties with great diligence and, through our actions and achievements, build a government that is for the people and is pragmatic, clean, efficient to satisfy people's needs and win their trust," he said.     CHINA IMPETUS LIMITED?     As the world's fastest expanding economy, China's policy making has captured international attention since the world was hit by the financial turmoil. Before Wen delivered his report, U.S. stocks broke a five-day losing streak with the Dow Jones industrial average rising 149.82, or 2.2 percent, to 6,875.84 on Wednesday.     Some analysts said expectations on China's economic stimulus package might have contributed to the stock jump.     But Wang Xiaoguang, a Beijing-based economist, said such an influence is very "limited."     Wang said China's stimulus package might help store up some investors' confidence in world economy, but the recovery of the world depends on both China and the United States.     China's economic growth could help cushion the blows of world economic downturn, Wang said. "But if the U.S. economy continued to worsen, China alone could not revive the world," he said.

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BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The global financial crisis has not yet hit bottom and its impact is still spreading, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during his first-ever online chat Saturday.     He also promised that China is "ready to take firmer and stronger actions whenever necessary." The major impact of the crisis is on the country's real economy instead of its financial sector, which after more than 10 years of reform, is relatively stable and healthy and capable of withstanding the crisis, he said.     Wen said China's east coastal areas were hit hard, where the economy is more export-dependent and labor intensive. The decline of international market demands also caused the unemployment of a great number of migrant workers. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao prepares to chat with Internet surfers on two state news portals in Beijing, China, Feb. 28, 2009    China's gross domestic product (GDP) grew 9 percent year-on-year last year, the lowest since 2001, when an annual rate of 8.3 percent was recorded.     To cushion the blow of the international financial crisis, Wen said China announced a package of stimulus plans covering four aspects.     The first is the announcement a 4-trillion-yuan (588 billion U.S. dollars) economic stimulus and tax cuts. The second involves revitalizing ten key industries. The third is technical upgrading. The fourth is the building of a comprehensive social security network.     INITIAL RESULTS, BUT TEMPORARY     Wen said "the stimulus measures have shown initial effects and produced good results in certain areas and fields."     For example, the country has seen consecutive growth in credit supply, with new loans standing around 440 billion yuan in November, 770 billion yuan in December and 1.63 trillion yuan in January, Wen said.     He also cited figures on stronger retail sales and the rebound of power generation and use.     Consumption rose 18 percent year-on-year in January, while power generation in the Feb. 11-20 period increased 15 percent year-on-year, or up 13.2 percent from the first ten days of this month, he said.     "Some key indicators showed the economic situation has somewhat turned better," he said. "But those were just temporary indices and couldn't be fully compared with the past figures."     Wen said one indicator he valued most was power generation. "Starting from mid February, power generation and consumption have both resumed growth," he said.     "We must fully realize we are facing a long-term and arduous task," he added.     "We must strengthen confidence in the face of the crisis and be ready to take firmer and stronger actions when necessary."     CONCERNS ON EMPLOYMENT, INCOME GAP AND PROPERTY     Wen said migrant workers had been hit the hardest during the financial crisis.     About 20 million migrant workers in China had returned to the countryside from cities without jobs, said Chen Xiwen, director of the office of the central leading group on rural work, early this month.     Other government officials estimated the number at 12 million. Wen acknowledged the accurate number is yet to be counted.     He said migrant workers did not complain about the government and quietly returned to their hometowns, "some engaging in farming again, others still seeking jobs."     "I want to take the opportunity to extend my gratitude to our migrant workers," he said, adding they had made great contributions to the nation.     The government should encourage them to start their own business by offering tax stimulus and training opportunities, said Wen.     He also expressed deep concerns over the employment issue of college students and jobless urban families.     "Employment is not only related to one's livelihood but also one's dignity," said Wen.     China's State Council, or the cabinet, issued a notice on Feb. 10 urging governments at all levels to make every possible effort to expand employment.     When answering netizens' concerns over income discrepancies, Wen said narrowing the rich-poor gap could not be achieved "in a static state" and should be conducted alongside with economic development.     He acknowledged that China's social and economic development does have the problem of "imbalanced, discordant and unsustainable" growth.     The major problem is the imbalance between different regions, between the urban and rural areas and income imbalance, he said.     Meanwhile, Wen said he still has confidence in China's economy and the development of Chinese enterprises.     In a reply to complaints over the slumping stock market, he said he is confident about the capital market as its performance is decided by economic fundamentals and company profitability.     The government has the responsibility to establish an open, fair and transparent market environment and resolutely fight against illegal acts such as manipulating the market, he said.     Housing prices were among the most frequently asked questions raised by netizens during the chat. In response, Wen said he hopes to see a stable and healthy development of the country's real estate sector in the face of the global financial crisis.     China should strengthen management and regulation to keep housing prices and the scale of property construction "at a reasonable level", said Wen.     Housing prices have long been under fire in China, as consumers complain houses in large cities are too expensive to afford, giving developers unfair huge profits.     Wen said the government highly values the property industry as it concerns the life of ordinary people and directly affects the national economy.     The government has urged for stronger confidence in the real estate market while pledging more money and energy to meet the needs of low-income families, he said.     The government fund must be used properly to ensure house construction is economical, safe and of good quality, said Wen. He also noted the construction should save land and suit people's needs.     "Auditing and supervision should go along with all property projects," said Wen. "Problems must be dealt with whenever they emerge."     Property prices in 70 major Chinese cities fell 0.9 percent in January from a year earlier, a faster fall than the previous month.     In December, the figure saw the first year-on-year drop since the government started to release it in 2005.

BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Finance (MOF) said Monday that fiscal revenue fell 0.3 percent from a year earlier to 440.22 billion yuan (64.43 billion U.S. dollars) in March.     First-quarter fiscal revenue fell 8.3 percent to 1.46 trillion yuan, the ministry said on its website, while tax revenue shrank 10.3 percent to 1.3 trillion yuan.     Fiscal revenue includes taxes as well as administrative fees and other government income, such as fines and income from government-owned assets.     Business profits shrank as economic growth slowed, the MOF said, and tax cuts intended to spur the economy and the financial markets reduced government revenues. First-quarter business income tax revenue fell 16.7 percent.     China halved the purchase tax on cars with engine displacements of less than 1.6 liters on Jan. 20, and revenue from that tax was down 7.6 percent in the first quarter.     To shore up the stock market, the government cut the share trading stamp tax from 0.3 percent to 0.1 percent last April and scrapped the stamp tax on stock purchases in September. And even though the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index is up more than 35 percent so far this year, the tax cuts on share transactions meant a decline of 86.2 percent in revenue from that category in the first quarter.     Actual revenue amounts in each category were not released.     Customs tariff revenue fell 23.9 percent during the first quarter, the MOF said, without giving further details.     Central government fiscal revenue fell 17.7 percent in the first quarter to 721.3 billion yuan, while local government fiscal revenue rose 3 percent to 742.9 billion yuan.     First-quarter fiscal expenditures surged 34.8 percent to 1.28 trillion yuan, as both the central and local governments adopted a proactive fiscal stance to boost the economy and domestic demand.     China unveiled a 4-trillion-yuan stimulus package in November to be spent over in next two years, with 1.18 trillion yuan from the central government.     Fiscal revenue exceeded 6.13 trillion yuan in 2008, up 19.5 percent.