With the wealth of nations, and indeed their debts, estimated nowadays in billions as opposed to mere millions, there is a danger that a tangible aspect of Ireland’s trade mission to China in securing contracts worth €35m could be dismissed as ‘small beer’.

Campaign groups want Western leaders to consider human rights when trading with China, writes Caroline O’Doherty

China’s government vowed today to clamp down on inflation and urgently raise incomes as it pushes to spread the benefits of economic growth at a time when living standards are rising, but so are calls for greater change.

Beijing: Premier Wen Jiabao warned of “latent risk” in China’s banks and pledged to crack down on property speculation as the government faces the consequences of flooding the economy with money to drive growth.

China promised a vigorous government spending programme today, with increased money for infrastructure, social schemes and tax cuts to overcome the country’s brewing economic crisis.

China’s National People’s Congress has re-elected President Hu Jintao to a second five-year term, as widely expected.

A group of more than 100 Tibetan exiles went on hunger strike today after being arrested in northern India during a march protesting China’s hosting of the Olympic Games, organisers said.

Nick Davies, communications director for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), has moved to allay fears that pollution may cause further athletes to withdraw from this year’s Beijing Olympics – a day after world record holder Haile Gebrselassie decided not to run the marathon.

Chinese politicians have backed a measure to end nearly three decades of blanket tax breaks for foreign investors in a step that will raise the tax burden for many companies.

TO say that the Chinese love to gamble would be a gross cultural generalisation. Then again, one could be excused for assuming as much, considering how the world’s gaming industry is going after China’s gamblers.

Premier Wen Jiabao opened the annual session of China’s figurehead parliament today with promises of massive new social spending to placate the poor, restive countryside and said the sizzling economy will slow this year but should still grow by 8%.

US SECRETARY of State Condoleezza Rice yesterday suggested it would be irresponsible of European governments to sell sophisticated weaponry to China that might one day be used against US forces in the Pacific.

China’s parliament today authorised the military to go to war to stop any Taiwanese independence move – a step that caused alarm across Asia.

China’s parliament enacted a law today authorising force to stop rival Taiwan from pursuing formal independence, prompting anger on the self-governing island and warnings from Japan of a rise in regional tensions.

China’s threat to oppose Taiwanese independence with military force today has triggered an immediate call for peaceful dialogue from Japan and discussion of Australia’s treaty obligations should a war break out.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa was named a vice chairman of a high-level Chinese government advisory panel today, apparently confirming his departure as the territory’s leader.

Ireland’s largest foreign trade mission, featuring the Taoiseach, four Cabinet ministers and dozens of business delegates, jets out to China today for a week of building contacts and cutting deals.

Chinese lawmakers began considering a proposed anti-secession law today that Beijing says is aimed at pushing Taiwan to unite with the mainland and which the self-ruled island contends could serve as a pretext for a military attack.

Chinese President Hu Jintao warned today that imitating Western political systems would lead his nation to “a dead end”.

China took control of Hong Kong’s political process today, saying the territory cannot change the way it picks its leaders without approval from Beijing.

China announced today an 11.6% increase in military spending for 2004, a bigger increase than last year in an age when the People’s Liberation Army is racing to make itself competitive and adapt to a hi-tech world.

With capitalist-style reforms topping his agenda, China’s premier opened its legislature today by vowing more action to help the poor and thrust the economy forward – including cutting taxes for farmers and streamlining regulations for entrepreneurs.

CHINA is changing its constitution to protect private property rights for the first time since the 1949 communist revolution — a key step in making capitalism its economy’s driving force.

Vice President Hu Jintao was appointed as leader of China’s Communist Party today, handing him the country’s most powerful position and making him a certain bet to replace Jiang Zemin as president next year.