China

WASHINGTON, DC, Monday, March 30, 2009 – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood joined China’s Minister of Transport Li Shenglin today in a historical signing of an agreement to cooperate on the safe transportation of hazardous materials.

Signing the agreement, Secretary LaHood said that both nations’ industries – including manufacturing, agriculture, and medical research – need regular access to certain types of dangerous materials to conduct business.

“Chinese businesses ship billions of dollars worth of trade goods around the world each year, including to the United States,” said Secretary LaHood. “We are eager to work together to make sure these items are transported safely. And I look forward to participating in this important mission.”    » read more »

PALO ALTO, Calif., March 24, 2009 -- HP today announced that it has resolved patent violation issues with China-based Ninestar Image Co., Ltd. relating to HP 02 and HP 14 inkjet cartridges.(1)

As part of the settlement, Ninestar acknowledges that HP’s patents are valid and infringed, and has agreed to stop selling the cartridges in question in the United States and other countries where HP has corresponding patent rights. Additionally, the company has agreed to pay HP an undisclosed sum of money.    » read more »

March 16, 2009 -- BEIJING -- ExxonMobil Chemical Company announced today that it has made the final decision to build a technology center in Shanghai, China to provide product applications support for its growing business in the Chinese and Asian markets.

“Over the next 10 years, we expect roughly 60 percent of the world’s petrochemical growth to occur in Asia, and we are rapidly expanding our manufacturing footprint through major capacity additions in Fujian, China and Singapore," said Steve Pryor, president, ExxonMobil Chemical Company. "The decision to build a technology center in Shanghai reinforces our long-term commitment to China and the region. The new investment will support our growing sales of premium products by providing innovative solutions to customer needs.”    » read more »

New Lab Space Set to Open In Bangalore, India; Adds to Expansions in United States, Germany and China

BANGALORE, India & FAIRFIELD, Conn.--11 March 2009-- GE Global Research, the technology development arm of the General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), today announced the opening of its newest research space, a 350,000 sq. ft. building at its technology campus in Bangalore, India. The new environmentally designed building, which is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold certified, will house nearly 2,000 researchers.    » read more »

Includes the Largest Gas Turbine Combined-Cycle Plant in Zhejiang Province; GE Energy Also Awarded First Contractual Service Agreement for a 9E Gas Turbine in China

ATLANTA, GA.—March 3, 2009—To assist China in meeting its goals of increased energy efficiency and reduced emissions, GE Energy recently signed service and maintenance agreements totaling $128 million for two power plants, including the largest gas turbine combined-cycle power plant in the Zhejiang Province.

GE Energy will provide inspections and service for two GE 9FA gas turbines at the Zhejiang Zheneng Zhenhai Power Plant in Ningbo. The plant, which is the biggest gas turbine combined-cycle plant in the Zhejiang Province, has an electricity output of 795.6 megawatts.    » read more »

Washington, D.C. (Feb. 20, 2009) – Four U.S. stainless pipe producers, and the United Steelworkers (USW) today applauded a final order by the unanimous vote of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that found injury by dumped and subsidized Chinese imports of welded austenitic stainless steel pressure pipe.

Leo W. Gerard, USW President, said: “The determination by the commission against illegal stainless steel pipe imports from China was desperately needed to preserve American family supportive jobs.” He pledged that “the USW and the companies who employ our members will continue to vigorously battle these Chinese unfair trade practices.”    » read more »

February 2, 2009 -- The United States passed Germany to become world #1 in wind power installations, and China’s total capacity doubled for the fourth year in a row. Total worldwide installations in 2008 were more than 27,000 megawatts (MW), dominated by the three main markets in Europe, North America and Asia.

Global wind energy capacity grew by 28.8% last year, even higher than the average over the past decade, to reach total global installations of more than 120, 800 MW (120.8 gigawatts (GW) at the end of 2008. Over 27,000 MW (27 GW) of new wind power generation capacity came online in 2008, 36% more than in 2007.    » read more »

Bank lending, prices of industrial goods and consumption up in China

Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, 28 January 2009 − Addressing participants on the first day of the World Economic Forum, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said: “From late last December, we have seen signs in the recovery of the Chinese economy; the signs are small ones but they give me hope.” He pointed to increases in bank lending, prices of industrial products and consumption.    » read more »

January 27, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Lip Gloss Keychains

Units: About 75,000

Importer: Markwins Beauty Products, of City of Industry, Calif.

Hazard: The metal clasp attached to the keychain contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

Washington, D.C.-Between 2000 and 2007, carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion worldwide increased 22 percent to an estimated 8.2 billion tons, according to the latest Vital Signs Update released by the Worldwatch Institute. China accounted for a staggering 57 percent of the growth in emissions during this period, while India contributed 8 percent and the United States and Europe contributed 4 and 3 percent, respectively.    » read more »

August 12, 2008 -- The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Sun Smarties™ Children’s Board Skirts

Children’s Board Skirts Recalled By Chelsea & Scott Ltd. Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Units: About 600

Manufacturer: Chelsea & Scott Ltd., of Lake Bluff, Ill.

Hazard: The paint on the grommets of the skirts contains an excess level of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

August 1, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, other senior Members of Congress, and families impacted by unsafe toys joined together at an enrollment ceremony today for the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. This bill, which now goes to President Bush for his signature into law, gives the Consumer Product Safety Commission the resources, authority, and oversight it needs to protect children from lead, dangerous toys and other unsafe products.

“At the beginning of this Congress, I proudly gaveled the Congress to order in the name of all of America’s children, promising to make this a children’s Congress. This week, we have more than one reason to be honoring that pledge and be glad about that.    » read more »

4 August 2008 -- As China makes last minute preparations to host the Olympics, the environment is proving to be one major wild card that Chinese leaders cannot totally control. Olympic host city Beijing has some of the most polluted air in the world. Despite measures aimed at clearing the skies, the air is still often a disturbing murky gray.

These days, people watch the skies above Beijing closely. Some days, especially after it rains, the skies are relatively clear.

More often than not, though, a thick murky haze fills the air and makes it nearly impossible to see nearby buildings.

What is causing Beijing's gray skies? Is it natural phenomena, or is it pollution?    » read more »

Wednesday, July 16, 2008 -- "China Inside Out," a documentary reported by ABC News' Bob Woodruff, explores the stunning global transformation that is taking place at the outset of what is already being called "The Chinese Century." While much of American foreign policy has been focused on the Global War on Terror, China has been shaking hands and making deals all around the world. In this hour-long documentary, Woodruff examines four of those relationships to discover how China's rise is impacting all of us. "China Inside Out: Bob Woodruff Reports" will air on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on a special edition of "Primetime" on ABC.    » read more »

Caterpillar Announces Plans to Build Small-Sized Hydraulic Excavators in China

BEIJING, People's Republic of China (PRC), July 1, 2008 - Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) announced today plans to build world-class small-sized (less than 20 tons) hydraulic excavators in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China. This facility fits into Caterpillar's China and emerging markets, strategy, and it will be a key element of the company's worldwide excavator manufacturing footprint. The announcement follows the signing of an investment agreement between Caterpillar and Jiangning Science Park Administrative Committee (JSPAC). The proposed facility will be located in the Jiangning Science Park district (JSP) and wholly owned and operated by Caterpillar.    » read more »