Society

Steady Rise in Giant Panda Population

The fourth national giant panda survey by the State Forestry Administration concludes that remarkable achievements have been made in the preservation of this adorable， endangered animal. At the end of 2013， the wild giant panda population stood at 1，864， 16.8 percent more than the findings of the third survey， and 375 were living in captivity. Their natural habitats also expanded 11.8 percent to 2.58 million hectares. China conducted three national giant panda surveys in the 1970s， 1980s， and at the beginning of this century. The latest commenced in 2011 and concluded at the end of 2014. It covered 62 counties （cities and districts at the same administrative level） in three provinces— Sichuan， Shaanxi， and Gansu.

More Rural Netizens， But Urban-Rural Gap Remains

The latest China Internet Network Information Center （CNNIC） report shows that at the end of 2014， Internet users in rural China amounted to 178 million， 1.88 million more than the previous year. This increment， however， represents only one tenth of that for urban netizens. The Internet， now that it is more accessible， is playing a bigger role in the daily life and work of rural residents， but predominantly for entertainment rather than as a platform for diversified services as it is for urbanites. Many urban dwellers use their smart phones to book air tickets and taxis， and to shop， but most of their rural peers use their handsets mainly for gaming and browsing news.

Steadily Rising Sea Level

The sea level in Chinas coastal areas rose by an average three millimeters per year from 1980 to 2014， faster than the world rate， according to a bulletin released by the State Oceanic Administration. The rise in 2014 was 111 mm above the average during the 1975-1993 period， and 16 mm above the 2013 level. It is the second peak since 1980.

There has been a marked rise in Chinas coastal area sea levels since the 1990s. This phenomenon threatens erosion of shorelines， seawater intrusions， and land degradation， among other disasters. It also compromises coastal anti-flooding infrastructures， and exacerbates damages inflicted by ferocious storms and tides， devouring low-lying shores， and hiking saline and alkaline levels in soil. Extraordinarily high sea levels in the dry season can cause seawater to flow back into the rivers that empty into the sea.

One-year Ban on Ivory Importsendprint

China has imposed a oneyear ban on the importation of carved ivory items acquired after July 1， 1975， when the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora （CITES） entered into force. The ban， which took effect on February 26， was announced by the State Forestry Administration， Chinas wildlife watchdog.

Over the past years， increased poaching， destruction of natural habitats， clashes with human settler， wars， poor law enforcement， and pervasive poverty have all threatened the subsistence of wild elephants in Africa， arousing concern around the world. As a signatory country of CITES， China is obliged to fulfill its international duties， according to a senior official of the State Forestry Administration. “During the year of the ban China will observe and evaluate results of the measures to protect African elephants， so that we may take more effective measures at the next stage of our concerted effort together with African countries and the international community，” the official said.

Activity

Piano Recital by Stephen Kovacevich

Date： April 3， 2015

Place： Shanghai Oriental Art Center

Price： RMB 150/220/300/380

Born in Los Angeles， Stephen Kovacevich made his concert debut as a pianist at the age of eleven. He moved to the UK when he was 18 to study with Dame Myra Hess. Kovacevichs collaboration with EMI on 32 Beethoven sonatas completed in 2003 is hailed as one of the most authoritative ever recorded. He is devoted to chamber music and has appeared with many of the worlds top conductors.

Katy Perrys The Prismatic World Tour in Guangzhou

Date： April 18， 2015

Place： Guangzhou International Sports Arena

Price： RMB 480/680/880/1280/1580/2280

Katy Perrys The Prismatic World Tour was a huge success in 2014 with sellout gigs in the UK， North America， Australia and New Zealand. The tour continues in 2015 throughout Europe， Asia and South America. The unique concert stage is designed to allow Katy Perry to get closer to her fans than ever before.endprint