Archive for February, 2009

Beijing Olympic – Four outstanding people awarded Hong Kong’s top honor

Friday, February 27th, 2009

Four outstanding persons — Andrew Li Kwok-nang, Henry Hu Hung-lick, Cheng Yu-tung and Chan Sui-kau — Tuesday were awarded Hong Kong‘s top honor Grand Bauhinia Medal.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government published in the HKSAR Government Gazette here Tuesday the list of this year’s awarding, which covered a total of 269 recipients.

A presentation ceremony for the awards will be held later this year, tentatively in October 2008.

The gazette recognized the Grand Bauhinia Medal recipient, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal Andrew Li Kwok-nang’s distinguished public service, particularly her significant contribution in ensuring the successful implementation of the new constitutional order under the “One Country, Two Systems” concept.

Henry Hu Hung-lick was recognized by the government gazette for his life-long dedication and contribution to public and community service, particularly in broadening the tertiary education opportunities of the younger generation by establishing Hong Kong Shue Yan University which is the first private university in Hong Kong.

According to the gazette, Cheng Yu-tung, chairman of the New World Development Company Limited, is awarded the GBM for his distinguished public and community service, in particular his significant contribution to the development and innovation of the jewelry manufacturing industry. He has also been active in charitable activities and has set up the “Cheng Yu Tung Foundation” which has made numerous donations to educational projects in Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and overseas.

Chan Sui-kau was recognized for his life-long dedication to the promotion and development of the textiles and clothing industry in Hong Kong. Chan is also active in charitable activities and has been keen to support and promote education in Hong Kong and in the Chinese mainland, according to the HKSAR government gazette.

Deceased fireman Wong Ka-hei has been posthumously awarded and his colleague Chin Kwok-ming awarded Gold Medal for Bravery for their utmost act of bravery in the Tsuen Wan industrial building fire in May this year.

The 2008 Honors List is the 11th full Honors List since Hong Kong’s return to its motherland. Eight people – Cheng Yiu-tong, Liao Cheung-sing, Cheung Kin-tung, Fong Ching, Lam Chung-lun, Leung Wong Bei-fong, Wong Chi-yun and Wu Ting-yuk – will receive the Gold Bauhinia Star award.

This year also saw 24 awarded with Silver Bauhinia Star and nine Distinguished Service Medals for the disciplined services and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). A total of 45 people were named Bronze Bauhinia Star recipients, one were awarded the Bronze Medal for Bravery, 47 got Meritorious Service Medals for the disciplined services and the ICAC, and 74 were given the Medal of Honor.

For the Chief Executive’s Commendation for Community Service, 38 people were named, and another 19 took the Chief Executive’s Commendation for Government/Public Service.

(Source: en.beijing2008.cn)

China Travel – Luoyang Bridge

Friday, February 27th, 2009

 

The Luoyang Bridge lies over the Luoyang River, which divides Quanzhou City and Hui’an County, 10 kilometers east of Quanzhou City in Fujian Province.

Luoyang Bridge, also known as Wan’an Bridge, is a girder-type stone bridge. Its construction began in 1053 during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) and lasted seven years. The original bridge was over 1,200 meters long and five meters wide, with 46 piers, 500 railings, 28 stone lions, seven pavilions and nine stone pagodas. The bridge was listed among other famous girder stone bridges in ancient China.

 

The construction project was very demanding. To build the foundation, many of stones were thrown into the river along the central line of the bridge to form a low dam. Bridge piers were then erected on the dam. Mucilage from a large quantity of oysters raised in the water beneath the bridge was used as an adhesive to attach the base to the piers. This method, among many others, was an important scientific innovation in ancient China.

 

Many stone tablets from past dynasties were erected near the middle pavilion on the Luoyang Bridge, including stone statues of pagodas and warriors. The site of a former temple lies on the north end of the bridge and Caixiang Temple stands on the opposite end. Inside the temple is a stone tablet from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) with an inscription by Cai Xiang recording his Notes on Wan’an Bridge. With its exquisite carvings, the tablet gained the reputation of the three superbs.

(Source: chinaculture.org)

Chinese Conversation – lesson 365

Friday, February 27th, 2009

韩国和美国科学家报告称,他们已通过克隆创造出人类胚胎,并从中提取出胚胎干细胞。胚胎干细胞是在医学研究方面具有广阔前景的普适细胞。科学家们表示,他们的目标不是克隆人类,而是促进对疾病的起因和治疗的认识

Scientists in South Korea and America report that they have created human embryos through cloning and extracted embryonic stem cells, the universal cells that hold great promise for medical research. Their goal, the scientists say, is not to clone humans but to advance understanding of the causes and treatment of disease.

(Source: wwenglish.com)