Looking Forward: China’s Major Events in 2008 (2)

Looking forward: China’s major events in 2008 (2)Mark the 30th anniversary of reform and opening up

This year will be the 30th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up. At the end of 1978, the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee was held in Beijing, starting an era ofreform and opening up.

The session adopted the policy of reform and opening up and shifted the work of the party and state from “taking class struggle as the key link” to economic development.

From the countryside to the city, great changes have taken place in China since that decision, which has been proven correct by history.Implement laws to promote social justice and harmony

New laws are taking effect in 2008 to promote social justice and harmony. The Labor Contract Law, which took effect on Tuesday,entitled employees who have at least 10 years’ service in one company to sign contracts that protect them from dismissal withoutcause. It also required employers to contribute to employees’ social security accounts and set wage standards for probation and overtime.

Also from Tuesday, a milestone corporate income tax law took effect. The law set a unified income tax rate for domestic and foreign companies at 25 percent. This came after years of criticism that the original dual income tax mechanism, intended toattract foreign investment, was unfair to domestic enterprises.

The anti-monopoly law, which aims to ensure fair competition, will take effect on Aug. 1. Lawmakers said the statute will improve market regulation and provide a better environment for domestic and foreign investors.Launch the Shenzhou VII spacecraft

China’s third manned space mission is scheduled to be launched in 2008. Compared with the previous two manned space flights, the upcoming Shenzhou VII space mission, which includes a space walk, is more complex. The crew is also scheduled to perform extravehicular work such as installing equipment and tightening screws.

There are 14 astronauts undergoing extensive training for this project and learning to cope with any contingencies. The Shenzhou VII is expected to carry three astronauts in 2008 on a Long March 2F carrier rocket that is being tested now.

China launched its manned space program in 1999. It successfully sent Yang Liwei, the country’s first astronaut, into orbit on the Shenzhou V spacecraft in 2003. Yang spent about 21 hours in orbit.

Two years later, astronauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng completed a Chinese record five-day flight on the Shenzhou VI. Allastronauts returned safely. (more)

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