Philips in China：Fishing with a Long Line

ROYAL Philips Electronics first entered China in 1920 and established the very first joint venture in 1985. With its accumulated investment worth in excess of US $2.6 billion, Philips owns 35 joint ventures and sole proprietorships in China. After seven quarters of losses, Philips began to profit in 2003. During this time, the Chinese market played an important role for Philips - its business in China maintained a good profit record. "China's economy has helped provide for speedy and stable growth," said Philips' president Gerard Kleisterlee on a 2003 visit to China. "It is a high point of the world economy and one of Philips' most important markets. We are confident about our business in China and the future of China's development."     

From Pips to Quips

THE next time you call a handset, don't be surprised if you hear a cute, Bart Simpson style voice answer: "Hi! This is Handset Xiaoqiang. John Q is in a pretty bad mood these days because of too much overtime. When your call gets connected, be nice and let him grouch on about his boss for, oh about twenty minutes I guess. Ready? You're through." Nowa-     

Chuxiong＇s Medicine Boom

YUNNAN Baiyao, a white medicinal powder produced by the Yunnan Laoboyun Pharmaceutical Company, is well known for its miraculous treatment of hemorrhages, wounds and bruises. The Yi ethnic minority group of Chuxiong, Yunnan Province discovered it some 300 years ago.     

Psychological Barriers：Students Under Pressure

MA Jiajue, 23, came from an impoverished rural family in a remote village in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Enrolled at the renowned Yunnan University, Ma found himself unable to cope with a study environment. He had anger issues stemming from shame about his family's poverty and made few friends. In February, after an altercation with his classmates, Ma bludgeoned four of them to death. This incident shocked the entire nation. Many asked, what's wrong with our children?     

Town of Ancientry and Ethnicity

IN 2004. the Chinese government set itself the goal of building ar-harmonious society, and still more emphasis has been put on this goal in 2005. Building an harmonious society means not only encouraging growth of GDP, but also achieving harmonious coexistence between human beings and nature, and coordinated development of various social aspects. Putting into practice this-concept has revitalized Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in southwestern China's Yunnan Province.     

Embracing Western Ways While Cleaving to Tradition

Colorfully coiffured Chinese youth dressed in up-to-the-minute grunge listening to rock music as they walk,or sitting in a group discussing last night‘s NBA league match are common sights in Chind‘s large cities,Western,particularly stateside,youth culture is rapidly incorporating itself into everyday urban Chinese life,What does the country‘s youth and society in general think about this cultural omslaught?     

Riding the World Heritage Gravy Train

TO tour guide Wang Yanli, Chengde's world heritage status is far more than just a source of civic pride. "Chengde's minimum living standard is 218 yuan a month. These days tour guides earn around 3,000 yuan a month," she explains cheerfully. Increasing numbers of visitors to Chengde have made tour guiding a relatively lucrative occupation. Within its 18.6 square kilometer area are more than 60 travel agencies employing 2,000 tour guides. Most sprang up during the mid-1990s     

A Private Folk Carving Museum

SITUATED onLiulichang, Beijing's antique street is the architecturally important Songtangzhai Folk Carving Museum. Privately owned by manager Li Songtang's family, this gallery is a two-story building from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and is the best-preserved     

The Government Role in Pan-Pearl River Delta Development

THE Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Regional Cooperation development strategy has received the central government and relevant State Council departments' immediate attention. As regional cooperation operates under a market system, the governmental role is service-oriented, while enterprises have more decision making power.     

Deqen：Shangri-la on Earth

MORE than 60years ago, B r i t i s h writer James H i l t o n ' s novel LostHorizon described Shangri-la as a dream-like Utopia, Hollywood adapted the novel into a film, and ever since the name Shangri-la has been famous worldwide. Many people come to China, Nepal, India and related areas looking for this paradise.Deqen is Tibetan for "auspicious place." It is the only Tibetan