Society

Chinese Motorists Top in the World

By the end of November 2014 the number of Chinese motor vehicle drivers exceeded 300 million （including 244 million car drivers）， and the number of automobiles on the countrys roads hit 154 million， ranking fi rst and second worldwide. By global standards， a country is an “auto society” if car ownership reaches 20 per 100 households. China has 25 cars per 100 households， and as many as 63 in its capital city， Beijing. Thirty percent of Chinese adults drive. Over the past decade the number of female motorists has risen rapidly — from three million to 60.59 million， or 19-fold. The number of motorists over 60 also soared — from 100，000 to 3.93 million.

Foreign Investment Courted in Geriatric Care

The Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Civil Affairs recently issued a notice encouraging foreign investors to set up for-profi t elderly care facilities in China， either independently or with local partners. They are also encouraged to participate in the ownership reform of existing public nursing homes. But the notice cautions that the employees rights must be protected and state assets preserved. Foreign-funded facilities providing commercial services to pensioners will be entitled to the same preferential policies on tax and administrative fees as their Chinese-funded peers.

China to Set up Regional Circuit Courts

The Leading Group for Overall Reform， led by President Xi Jinping， has approved draft plans to set up circuit courts and courts with jurisdiction across different regions in a move to further ensure judicial justice and independence. The plans will enable the Supreme Peoples Court to set up circuit courts that represent its authority， and permit the establishment of cross-regional courts and procuratorates.

The establishment of circuit courts by the top court to hear administrative， civil and commercial cases will help judicial authorities to connect with the grassroots and make it easier for all parties to be heard， according to a statement released after the meeting.

Meanwhile， the creation of cross-regional courts and procuratorates will help prevent interference from administrative authorities during trials， the statement said. The ultimate goal is to form a judicial structure in which special cases will be heard at the cross-regional courts， and common cases will be heard at regional courts， the statement added.

License Mandated for Emissions

Starting in January 1， 2015， all entities are required to obtain a license before they can discharge waste， pursuant to Chinas new Environmental Protection Law. The Ministry of Environmental Protection has enacted a statute saying that all waste dischargers must follow procedures specifi ed by their licenses. Violations will be punished through custodial sentences for top management of the culprit entities， as well as those directly involved. The new rules highlight seven types of establishments， including waste facilities， factory farms， and industries that release pollutants into air and water. The decree says that before a license is issued a notifi cation must be made to the public. If authorities reject a license application， the applicant can challenge it by fi ling for administrative reconsideration or litigation.

Activity

Budapest Symphony Orchestra New Years Concert

Date： January 3， 2015

Place： Shanghai Oriental Art Center

Price： RMB 200/400/600/800/1080

Founded in 1907， Budapest Symphony Orchestra is one of the oldest of its kind in Hungary. It became well-known through radio broadcasts in the 1920s. András Keller was appointed as conductor and artistic director of the orchestra in 2007 when it celebrated its centennial. Kellers leadership further consolidates the orchestras status as one of the national leading orchestras.

Broadway Musical The Sound of Music

Date： January 24-30， 2014

Place： Guangzhou Opera House

Price： RMB 80/180/280/380/480/680/880/1080

Based on The Story of the Trapp Family Singers， The Sound of Music first appeared as a stage musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II in 1959. In 1965， it was adapted as a film musical. The Broadway version was by Andrew Lloyd Webber who made his fame through a good number of musicals including The Phantom of the Opera and Cats.