In This Edition

 

Hundreds of protesters rally in the Libyan city of Benghazi to call for greater autonomy for their region.

United States President Barack Obama says there's still a lot of work to do to get areas ravaged by Superstorm Sandy back to normality.

China test flies its second stealth jet fighter, one of the most advanced in the world.

And a three-day national artificial intelligence exposition is now underway in Zhejiang, showcasing China's latest achievements in technologies.

 

Hot Issue Reports

 

Protesters in Benghazi Call for Autonomy

 

Hundreds of protesters have rallied in the Libyan city of Benghazi to call for greater autonomy for their region.

 

The protesters claim they have been marginalized by the Tripoli government.

 

"Benghazi is marginalized, the whole eastern region is marginalized. There's nothing new after the revolution. Maybe we were better off before the revolution."

 

Many in Benghazi want to manage their own affairs and have a larger share of resources in a nation that draws massive revenues from oil reserves in the east of the country.

 

Benghazi was at the forefront of the 2011 uprising that toppled former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

 

Despite the fact, the protesters said Libya's new leadership has deprived Benghazi of its fair share of political and economic power.

 

Calls for a semi-autonomous region in eastern Libya with Benghazi as its capital flared earlier this year when tribal leaders and armed factions came together to press demands on Tripoli.

 

The autonomy push eased after landmark national elections were held in July to form the National Assembly.

 

Hamas Angered by Abbas' Plan to Give up Homeland Claims

 

The Islamist political party Hamas has criticized Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for comments he made to the Israeli media, alleging that they contradict long-held Palestinian territorial demands.

 

Abbas' remarks came ahead of a UN bid that would see Palestinians gain partial statehood recognition. He insisted his aim was to establish a Palestinian state only alongside Israel's pre-1967 boundaries with the West Bank and Gaza.

 

However, Abbas said he accepted his birthplace Safed was now part of Israel and that he would have no right to residency there.

 

Abbas' remarks have angered Hamas and residents of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

 

Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh voiced his fury.

 

"ˇIt is not possible for any person, regardless of who he is?a person, a president, government or authority?to give up on Palestinian land or to give up the right of return to our homes that we were forced out from."

 

Mohammed Hussein, a Gaza resident said Abbas' comments have struck a sour chord among Palestinian refugees.

 

"This is the personal opinion of the president, but if you ask any refugee, he clings to his homeland. I am from Majdal-Askalan, and I do not want any other place as my homeland."

 

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were displaced from their homes in the course of Israel's War of Independence in 1948 and '49 and during the 1967 Middle East War.

 

Nowadays, the Palestinians and their descendants live mainly in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Some five million are registered as refugees with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. The Palestinians have historically demanded the right of return.

 

US Storm-Ravaged East Coast on the Way to Normalcy

 

United States President Barack Obama says there's still a lot of work to do to get areas ravaged by Superstorm Sandy back to normality.

 

Obama was speaking from the headquarters of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington DC, for an update on recovery efforts.

 

"We still have a long way to go to make sure that the people of New Jersey, Connecticut and New York and some of the surrounding areas get their basic needs taken care of and that we start moving back to normalcy."

 

Obama added that "after the initial search and rescue" operations, the recovery process was "difficult" and "painful".

 

The White House said several Cabinet secretaries were heading to Connecticut, New Jersey and New York.

 

Meanwhile, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo said that emergency mobile petrol stations would be set up at five locations around the New York City metropolitan area to distribute free fuel with a limit of 10 gallons per person.

 

Cuomo said that the gas shortage brought about by the superstorm was due to tankers being held in the harbour and not allowed to make deliveries.

 

He said state and government officials have been working with the Coast Guard to get those tankers released.

 

Fuel Shortage Anger Continues in New York

 

New York residents remain frustrated by the fuel shortage days after Hurricane Sandy wrecked havoc on the northeastern U.S. metropolis.

 

Sandy slammed into the eastern part of the U.S. on Monday, bringing a record storm surge to coastal areas.

 

In the lower portion of Manhattan, one of the boroughs of New York City, many empty gas stations did not have customers, lights or security personnel.

 

But 20 blocks from one working station in Midtown, cars lined up to fill their nearly empty tanks.

 

Despite the efforts of the police to organize the flow of traffic surrounding the Hess station, tempers flared among customers who had waited hours in line to refuel their tanks but were eventually turned away.

 

"Now I'm here in front of the pumps, and now they're saying they're not giving any gas except for emergency vehicles. I have kids in my car; my wife is in there. I can't even move the car."

 

"Very, very bad. I'm going to be angry. I'm not going to be happy. After six hours, and I have to work"

 

During the hurricane, seawater flooded lower Manhattan, much of which still lacks power and subway service, while the midtown and uptown sections were close to normal.

 

Power is expected to be restored throughout Manhattan by Saturday, but residents in suburban areas and more distant towns along the coast may have to wait a week or more.

 

New York Cancels Marathon

 

New York City has cancelled its annual marathon amid outcry from New Yorkers concerned about resources diverted from the Hurricane Sandy recovery effort.

 

The decision came after a growing number of storm victims, runners and politicians criticized Mayor Michael Bloomberg's previous decision to go forward with the race.

 

Bloomberg said in a statement that the event would be scrubbed because if had become a "source of controversy and division."

 

Mary Wittenberg, president and CEO of the New York Road Runners which hosts the marathon, made the announcement shortly after the mayor's office issued its statement.

 

"From the earliest days this week, the marathon ceased to be about running, and it was all about how best to aid New York City. It is with incredibly heavy hearts today, tonight, that we share that the best way to help New York City at this time is to say that we will not be conducting the 2012 ING New York City Marathon."

 

The 26.2-mile New York City Marathon is one of the world's most popular sports events. The race had been expected to draw more than 40,000 runners.

 

China's Non-manufacturing Sector Grows in October

 

The Purchasing Managers Index, or PMI, for China's non-manufacturing sector reached 55.5 percent in October, up 1.8 percentage points from the previous month.

 

The figure, an indicator of economic development, was released in a report by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.

 

Cai Jin, vice-chairman of the federation, said last month's relatively high PMI figure would boost market confidence and contribute to stable economic growth.

 

"October's commercial activity index of 55.5 percent is fairly high. A non-manufacturing index ranging between 55 percent and 60 percent reflects active growth in the market, especially in China's consumer market. An index lower than 55 percent will mean a cooling market, and higher than 60 percent will possibly mean an overheated market, which will press prices to rise."

 

Individual market sectors also have their own PMI figures. China's construction sector gained pace in growth with PMI at 60 percent, up 2 percentage points from September. China's service sector saw PMI at 54 percent, up 1.8 percentage points from the previous month.

 

In the meantime, China's non-manufacturing sector is facing pressure from price hikes. But Cai Jin says the it will continue to maintain reasonable prices for consumers.

 

"Increasing demand in the booming non-manufacturing sector is obviously raising prices, but the effect hasn't been transmitted to the final prices."

 

China's manufacturing-sector PMI rose to 50.2 percent, just above the 50-percent benchmark.

Light News

 

 

China's Second Stealth Jet Fighter Makes Debut Flight

 

Anchor: China's new stealth jet fighter, the J-31, made its maiden flight this week. It is an entirely new fighter design that emerged in China in two years. Compared to the previous J-20, the J-31 is much lighter and is believed to be more maneuverable. Experts are considering the possibility that the aircraft might be deployed on an aircraft carrier. CRI's Shen Chengcheng has the story.

 

Reporter: The first test flight for the J-31 was held Wednesday at an airfield in northeast China's Liaoning Province. The radar-evading aircraft conducted a 10-minute flight.

 

The J-31 is a twin-engine stealth fighter aircraft prototype developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corp.It features enhanced double-wheel nose landing gear and two big tail wings.

 

With a lighter size and better avionics, the J-31 is considered to have the potential of operating on aircraft carriers.

 

Xu Luming, a military enthusiast, says the fighter has three traits that make it suitable for service on aircraft carriers.

 

"The published photos show that the J-31 is suitable for aircraft carriers. The double-wheel nose landing gear makes it possible to bear the force of both compression and tension. The design is similar to prototypes in other countries. Also, the double-engine design shares characteristics with carrier aircrafts."

 

In January, 2011, China unveiled its first stealth fighter, the J-20. It is a fifth-generation twin-engine stealth fighter aircraft prototype developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group.

 

Du Wenlong, a senior researcher at the Academy of Military Science for the People's Liberation Army, said the J-31 is more economical and maneuverable than the previous model.

 

"The J-31 is smaller than the J-20, and it is much cheaper. Stealth fighters usually cost a lot of money and resources, which makes it hard to block equipment. The smaller design is the best way to conserve resources. It helps balance cost, resources and efficiency."

 

Du said the new stealth fighter marks the transformation of China's defense capability.

 

"The changes in the form of war have forced the development of military equipment. The new armaments need to be oriented toward oceangoing, high altitude, electromagnetic and radar-evading equipment. The new stealth jets set up new growth points for China's new military weaponry and equipment. It marks a major improvement in China's national defense capabilities. "

 

China is now the second nation, after the United States, to develop two fifth-generation fighters.

 

For CRI. I'm Shen Chengcheng.

 

Expo Showcases China's Intelligent Technology Industry

 

A three-day national artificial intelligence exposition is now underway in Zhejiang, showcasing China's latest achievements in technologies.

 

Dancing robots, miniature intelligent vehicles and intelligent home appliances highlight the expo.

 

Besides companies, contestants also came from universities who have entered their robots for competition under the categories of "Dancing, Boxing, and Serving."

 

A robot spinning "Gangnam Style" won the singles dance title at the expo.

 

There is also a section featuring intelligence automobiles. On display were prototypes of vehicles that can steer to avoid obstacles, read traffic lights, and enter a parking space accurately.

 

A representative from a company specialized in intelligent equipment said artificial intelligence is changing people's lives.

 

"If you want to watch a movie or TV program when you get home, you just press this button of cinema mode. The curtains will close and the lights in the room will be switched off."

 

"Gangnam Style" Dance Popular among Chinese Students

 

The students of a primary school in China's capital Beijing have performed horse-riding dance to the "Gangnam Style" music as their class-break exercise recently.

 

When the bell rang, more than 1,000 students at Beijing Chongwen Primary School rushed to the playground. After the warm-up exercise, the children began to perform the "Gangnam Style" dance excitedly.

 

Lin Chun, group leader of the teaching group for music, physical education and art at the school said the exercise is getting more popular.

 

"The new exercise is very popular among students. Besides, it is a heavy exercise. We took the children's pulses and the average pulses are about 130 beats per minute."

 

It was the children who suggested the performance of the horse-riding dance during class breaks. However, teachers were concerned about the effect of introducing the dance. Bai Shulan, headmaster of the school explains.

 

"We had two concerns. Firstly, whether or not the spread of South Korean popular culture in the school is good for children. Secondly, whether trend chasing is appropriate for children. Nevertheless, I believe education should emphasize children's personality development. So why not encourage creativity through things which children like"

 

The "Gangnam Style" is a South Korean pop artist PSY's video of song and dance, which has gained worldwide popularity this year. The singer's unique horse-riding movements in the video impressed audience all over the world.

 

Hong Kong Asian Film Festival Underway

 

The 9th annual Hong Kong Asian Film Festival is underway after opening with cop thriller "Cold War", and a Taiwan's young adult film "When a Wolf Falls in Love with a Sheep."

 

The cast and crew of both opening films were in attendance for the opening ceremony.

 

"When a Wolf Falls in Love with a Sheep" is a romantic comedy. Actor Kai Ko plays a delivery boy for cram schools in Taipei and falls in love with a corky girl who loves drawing pictures of a sheep on test papers.

 

Director Hou Chi Jan said he has mixed feelings about opening the film in Hong Kong.

 

"On one hand there is pressure, on the other hand, I'm really happy about it. We just watched the film with the audience. People were laughing and enjoying it, that makes me feel more assured. I'm excited. I think the Hong Kong audience will like this film."

 

The Hong Kong Asian Film Festival will last for about two weeks until November 18th.

 

Hong Kong and Shenzhen Get Closer after Return

 

Since its return to China in 1997, Hong Kong has found itself in ever closer ties with Shenzhen, an adjacent city just to its north in south China's Guangdong Province.

 

The past decade has witnessed an increasing number of citizens commuting between the two cities in proximity -- for they either live in Shenzhen but work in Hong Kong, or the other way round.

 

It's estimated that at least 400,000 people travel between the two cities through land crossings each day.

 

Subway connections between the two neighboring cities have been completed, linking Hong Kong's Lok Ma Chau station directly to Futian station of Shenzhen.

 

On weekends, many Hong Kong people would come to Shenzhen for various businesses.

 

A woman from Hong Kong, who declines to give her name, is taking her little daughter for classes in Shenzhen.

 

"It is convenient for us to commute between the two cities, and I feel as if there's no difference between them."

 

Shenzhen and Hong Kong are also cooperating in fields of academic research and technology development.

 

[Media Digest]

 

Xinhua: Clinton's Call Reveals Failings of West's Tactics Concerning Syria

 

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said earlier this week that Washington no longer viewed the Syrian National Council as the visible leader of the opposition in Syria.

 

Previously, the U.S. had fully supported the Istanbul-based opposition group in the nearly two-year-old conflict in the Middle Eastern country.

 

A commentary by China's Xinhua News Agency says the change of heart indicates that the West's tactics concerning Syria are in disarray, and it is now scrambling to find other proxies.

 

The commentary goes on to say the abrupt change is akin to the U.S. slapping its own face by finding the Syrian National Council disappointing and withdrawing its support. It also notes that the U.S. is shifting its support to other opposition forces.

 

But the commentary contends that Washington's continued intervention is likely to fail again, because the U.S. has not addressed the root cause of the chronic Syrian crisis.

 

Xinhua adds that experience indicates that foreign intervention and the blunt call for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's ouster has not stopped the raging violence, but pushed the country into deeper chaos. It stresses that the West should not support one side to try to wipe out the other, because such a move would have severe consequences.

 

The Xinhua commentary concludes that the only right approach for the West is to join China and Russia in genuinely supporting a political and diplomatic solution to the crisis.

 

China Daily: Signs of Economic Recovery Should Be Viewed with Caution

 

A report released by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing shows that the country's purchasing managers index (PMI) recently climbed to 50.2 on a 100-point scale, indicating the country's manufacturing activity returned to expansion in October for the first time in three months.

 

An editorial in the China Daily newspaper suggests the figure represents upward momentum for China's manufacturing sector, which has been hard hit by weaker demand from Europe and the United States and domestic curbs imposed on investments and construction.

 

The editorial points out that the PMI index's improvement is a ray of hope that industrial activity will continue to expand and the Chinese economy will rebound in the fourth quarter of this year.

 

However, it also warned that caution was still necessary to evaluate and deal with potential problems that might affect China's mid-term to long-term economic growth.

 

The editorial cited some policymakers who said the promising signs of recovery should not be used to cover up other areas of concern such as the increasing number of problem loans among commercial lenders and worsening corporate profitability ?- both of which indicate a long and bumpy path to economic recovery.