World's largest oil trade show sees more Chinese presence

HOUSTON -- The world's largest oil and natural gas trade show, the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), kicked off in the US energy hub of Houston on Monday with a visible presence of emerging Chinese companies.

The annual event, a conference and exhibition, was unveiled Monday morning in the cavernous complex of NRG Park near downtown Houston. Thousands of professionals from around the world braved the Texas heat to attend the industry gala.

The show has apparently felt the pinch from the plunging oil prices as quite a few OTC veterans told Xinhua they saw less visitors and exhibitors coming this year.

OTC Chairman Ed Stokes, however, remained optimistic, saying though he did not have the attendance number right now but this year's exhibition floors are the largest ever -- enough to cover around 12 American football fields.

"The drop in oil price may have some impact (on OTC), but it doesn't affect the quality of the programs we have. The people here to speak are top class and the equipment and technologies on display are top notch," Stokes said.

Stokes noticed the increasing number of Chinese companies coming to the show. Among some 2,700 exhibitors, about one tenth are from China.

"We have more than 130 countries represented here. China is the second largest economy in the world and also a big player in oil industry," said Stokes. "So it's very important for Chinese companies to be here to advertise themselves and network with others."

Cao Minghui, an operation director with Sinopec Oilfield Services Corporation, admitted to Xinhua that as a latecomer in the industry, China still lags behind in many areas, especially in core technologies, but "we boast some leading stuff too."

"We are here to show our strength," Cao said while pointing to several simulated models of rig platforms, "we are eager to expand our overseas market."

Yang Yun, executive vice president of China Offshore Oil Engineering Co., was more ambitious. "During previous years, we were here more to learn from others, but this year we are more focused on marketing our own products and landing overseas clients," he said.

The four-day-long show includes exhibitions, panel discussions by high-profile speakers, and technical sessions. Started in 1969, it showcases leading-edge technology for offshore drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection.

source: interaksyon.com

Angry kin of Chinese passengers on MH370 march on Malaysian embassy

BEIJING -- Scores of angry relatives of the Chinese passengers aboard Flight MH370 set out on a protest march to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing Tuesday to demand more answers about the crashed plane's fate.

Around 200 family members, some in tears, linked arms and shouted slogans including "The Malaysian government are murderers" and "We want our relatives back."

The embassy is about four kilometers (2.5 miles) from the Lido Hotel, where meetings have been taking place throughout the drama.


A new chapter opened late on Monday when Malaysia said the plane had crashed in the Indian Ocean.

Chinese authorities normally keep a very tight rein on any protests in Beijing.

Scores of black-clad uniformed police officers were blocking traffic at the diplomatic mission, their walkie-talkies abuzz.

A relative who refused to give his name, but who has been one of the unofficial leaders of the Flight MH370 group, told AFP that the police "would have known" about the demonstration.

"We are still discussing with the police what we are going to do," he told AFP. "Maybe they are preparing for us to arrive."

Earlier, the relatives boarded large shuttle buses bringing them from various hotels to the Lido, intending to take them to the diplomatic mission, but dozens of police surrounded the vehicles and prevented them from driving off, leading them to march instead.

"We are going to protest at the Malaysian embassy," one man told AFP as he joined some 200 other relatives to board the buses at the hotel where they had gathered throughout the 17-day ordeal.

One family member was holding a loudspeaker and urging journalists to head to the embassy, while others stood in a group, somber and motionless, many holding pre-prepared printed placards and wearing "Pray for MH370" T-shirts.

"We want our families," read one placard. Others read "Son: mother and father's heart is broken, hurry home" and "Husband, hurry home. What am I and our son going to do?"

The protest did not appear to be spontaneous, as at least a dozen police cars were waiting nearby at the Lido.

The officers were standing in a row behind a sign reading: "Traffic restrictions, vehicles take a circular route." A policeman refused to say why the traffic restrictions had been imposed when asked by an AFP reporter.

The move to protest outside the embassy came hours after relatives reacted with grief and anguish as Malaysia confirmed their worst fears about the flight.

In dramatic scenes at the Lido Hotel, stretcher-bearing paramedics were drafted in to tend to family members devastated by the news, with at least two people carried out.

China has demanded that Kuala Lumpur hand over the satellite data that led it to conclude that the Beijing-bound Malaysia Airlines flight crashed at sea and that none of the 239 people aboard survived.

Two-thirds of the passengers were Chinese.

source: interaksyon.com

Angry kin of Chinese passengers on missing Malaysian jet demand info

BEIJING -- Chinese relatives of passengers on a Malaysia Airlines flight missing between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing on Saturday angrily accused the airline of keeping them in the dark, while state media criticized the carrier's poor response.

Relatives were taken to a hotel near Beijing airport, put in a room and told to wait for information from the airline, but none came. Malaysia Airlines said at least 152 of the 227 passengers on flight MH370 were Chinese.

About 20 people stormed out of the room at one point, enraged they had been given no information.

"There's no one from the company here, we can't find a single person. They've just shut us in this room and told us to wait," said one middle-aged man, who declined to give his name.

"We want someone to show their face. They haven't even given us the passenger list," he said.

Another relative, trying to evade a throng of reporters, muttered: "They're treating us worse than dogs."

Amid chaotic scenes, an unidentified Malaysia Airlines official spoke to reporters for just a few minutes without taking questions before leaving.

"We are working with authorities who have activated the search and rescue teams," the official said. "Our thoughts and prayers are deeply with the affected passengers and their family members."

Adding to the confusion, the official mentioned a rumor that the Chinese government has already denied -- that the aircraft had landed in the southern Chinese city of Nanning.

"There has been speculation that the aircraft has landed in Nanning. We are working to verify the authenticity of the report of others," the official said.

Some Chinese media reported that he meant a place in Vietnam called Nanming. It was unclear exactly what he was talking about.

Chinese media outlets took to their official Weibo microblogs to criticize the airline for taking so long to announce what was going on and for refusing to answer questions.

"Malaysia Airlines, why did you wait for five hours after losing contact with the aircraft to first announce the news, and why did you only have a news conference after almost 13 hours?" the official Xinhua news agency wrote on one of its Weibo accounts.

Sanved Kolekar, an Indian working in Beijing, stood stunned at the airport where he was waiting for his parents who were coming over on a visit.

"My parents are on the flight, they were supposed to come here at 6.30, I don't know what happened," he said. "They haven't given me any information, it's very difficult because I don't understand the local language."

Malaysia Airlines told passengers' next of kin to come to Kuala Lumpur's international airport with their passports to prepare to fly to the crash site, which has still not been identified.

About 20-30 families were being kept in a holding room at the airport, where they were being guarded by security officials and kept away from reporters.

Malaysia Airlines said people from at least 14 nationalities were among the 227 passengers.

Chinese media said at least 24 artists and their family members were aboard, returning from an art exchange forum, including a well-known calligrapher.

At least two names on a passenger list released by Beijing police appeared to have been redacted, with the names pixelated out, leading to online speculation that they could have been ethnic Uighurs, a Muslim people from the restive far western Chinese region of Xinjiang.

The government has not confirmed this, and it was not possible to reach Beijing police for comment.

source: interaksyon.com

US sells lucky 'Year of the Horse' greenbacks for Chinese market

WASHINGTON DC - The US Treasury is selling red "hong bao" envelopes with "lucky" dollars bearing auspicious serial numbers to mark the Chinese Year of the Horse next year.

Exactly 88,888 of the dollar notes go on sale Wednesday, each stuck in a red envelope blazoned with New Year's greetings and horse pictures.

The serial number on each note begins with 8888, which pronounced in Chinese sounds like the word for "prosper" and is considered by many to be especially lucky.

Chinese often give and receive gifts of money in red envelopes -- hong bao -- to mark the new year, which falls on January 31 in 2014.

The Treasury is selling each note, with envelope, for $5.95, though the prices falls to $4.50 for 50 or more, and $3.95 apiece for 1,000 or more.

Cheng Wang, a retired official of the Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing, said the annual lucky banknote issue is a hit, especially in years represented by the most propitious animal symbols of the Chinese zodiac.

"The Year of the Dragon (2102), it was sold out in one week. That's how hot it was," he said.

"The Year of the Horse is good too. You reach a goal with a horse."

source: interaksyon.com

Lucky Chinatown celebrates Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day with week-long events

June 8, Saturday, marks the 12th year that the country is celebrating Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day and Lucky Chinatown is marking this wonderful occasion with a grand week-long festival called “Silken Ties: 12 years of Filipino and Chinese Friendship.”

Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo, Manila pays tribute to the rich and uniqueness Filipino-Chinese culture with a line-up of performances, activities and exhibits, in an event called, “Lucky Chinatown’s Silken Ties.”

Leading these series of events is a Fil-Chi Chic Fashion Exhibit that opened on June 3 and will run till June 9 at the ground floor. On display are the exquisite creations of top Filipino-Chinese designers such as Lizanne Cua, Gerswin Qua and Edwin Uy.

The Chinese influence in Philippine cuisine is showcased in The Melting Pot: Filipino Chinese Fusion Cuisine Exhibit. Ongoing till June 7, mall goers can take a look at this gallery of mouth-watering Filipino-Chinese fusion dishes, which gathers well-loved dishes such as the Patatim, Lumpiang Shanghai, Chinese-Style Fried Chicken, Pancit and many more. These dishes are also available at different Lucky Chinatown restaurants and food establishments until June 16.


Shoppers looking to know more and experience different arts of either Filipino or Chinese origin can drop by the Chinoy Cultural Fair on June 8 to 9. Math enthusiasts can stop by the abacus exhibition, while artists will surely enjoy seeing Chinese brush paintings. Mall-goers can also have fun learning more about their personalities at the Handwriting Analysis booth or get a lovely drawing from the Kho Shou Art Club. They can also check out a display on charms from Dragon Phoenix and those who want to brush up or learn Hookien can visit the You Speak Hokkien booth.

The Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day festivities at Lucky Chinatown culminate with a community celebration to be led by Chinese-Filipino Business Club Inc. (CFBCI) and various Chinese schools and community groups. From 10am onwards on June 8, spectators will be treated to a grand cultural affair, which will be highlighted by spectacular dance numbers and musical performances among others.

With educational exhibits, workshops and cultural performances in store, Silken Ties is a can’t miss weeklong celebration for both Filipinos and Filipino-Chinese. Families can have fun and learn more about Filipino-Chinese culture in this Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day Festival only at Lucky Chinatown.


For more information on Silken Ties: 12 years of Filipino and Chinese Friendship, contact the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Concierge at (+632) 576-8139 or log on to www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com.

source: interaksyon.com

9 on trial in China over teenager's sale of kidney for iPad and iPhone

(CNN) -- Nine people went on trial in southern China over allegations they helped a teenager to sell one of his kidneys so he could buy an iPhone and an iPad, a court in Hunan Province said Friday.

Prosecutors said in court Thursday that the nine people "should be held criminally liable for intentional injury," the court in the province's Beihu District said in a statement Friday.

The 17-year-old high school student from Anhui Province -- who was referred to only by his surname, Wang -- suffered renal failure after the kidney was removed in April 2011, according Xinhua.

The defendants included a man named He Wei, who was described the authorities as "penniless and frustrated over gambling debts."

He was "seeking financial gain via the illegal kidney trade" and recruited others to help him look for donors in Internet chat rooms and set up the operation, the prosecutors said.

A surgeon from a provincial hospital in Yunnan Province, Song Zhongyu, carried out the removal of Wang's kidney and transplanted it into the recipient, according to prosecutors.

The proceeds from the sale of the kidney were shared unevenly among those involved, according to the Xinhua report.

Another defendant, Su Kaizong, the contractor of the urology department of the hospital where the operation took place, received 60,000 yuan (about $9,400); He's cut was 56,360 yuan; Song got 52,000 yuan; and two other defendants received smaller amounts.

For the loss of his kidney, Wang allegedly received 22,000 yuan. After he got home, his mother asked him where he had got the money for the Apple products. At that point, he told her had sold his kidney, Xinhua reported.

His attorney requested compensation of 2.27 million yuan on Thursday, the news agency said.

The police detained Song, He, Su and two others in July 2011 and later put the four other defendants -- two nurses, a surgical assistant and an anesthesiologist -- under residential surveillance, the court statement said.

The hearing ended Friday, the court said, and the verdict will be announced at a later date.

The likelihood of the defendants' being found guilty is high: Chinese criminal courts convicted 99.9% of the people who stood trial in 2010, a U.S. State Department report said, citing the Chinese Supreme People's Court.

source: CNN