Jan. 30, China is publishing a cultural encyclopedia that experts believe will be an unprecedented summary of the country's historic works since the founding of the New China. The series, "Zhong Hua Da Dian" ("The Great Encyclopedia of China"), had 49 volumes in print with more than 100 million words as of 2007. The series is expected to cover more than 20,000 ancient books and texts in various categories including history, literature, philosophy, astronomy, medicine and others. The period covered ranges from the Qin Dynasty (221 B.C.-206 B.C.) to the Revolution of 1911, led by Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, which overthrew the Qing Dynasty. Work on the series began in 1992 with a government allocation of 400 million yuan (about 55 million U.S. dollars). The series is scheduled to be finished by 2010 with more than 100 volumes and 800 million words. "The compiling and publishing of this encyclopedia is a significant symbol of China's prosperity in economics and culture," said Wu Shangzhi, a … [Read more...] about China’s cultural encyclopedia to cover 20,000 ancient works
2010 encyclopedia britannica
Grammy-winning producer debuts scholarship fund in Vietnam
The Moroccan-Swedish music producer partook in the ceremony to debut Trinh Cong Son Music Scholarship Fund held on August 28 evening in Ho Chi Minh City.Part of the fund earnings will go to autistic children.The fund offers grants to outstanding candidates for programs run by the SOUL Music and Performing Arts Academy (SMPAA), initiated and managed by Vietnamese-Australian singer/composer Thanh Bui.Ten candidates are named annually by a council made up of Thanh Bui, principal of SMPAA; Tyler Smith, vice president of the Trinity College London in Asia; Trinh Vinh Trinh, Son’s younger sister; violin virtuoso Bui Cong Duy; and some seasoned Vietnamese journalists. “I’m positive that music is a miracle for patients, including autism sufferers. Music soothes autistic children and even helps them reclaim their non-autistic part,” RedOne told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.He divulged that he has studied Son’s notable works and life.“Though I … [Read more...] about Grammy-winning producer debuts scholarship fund in Vietnam
Meeting the man helping render the Britannica Concise Encyclopedia into Vietnamese
The Vietnamese version of the Britannica Concise Encyclopedia has been available on the local market since January.The encyclopedia is 3,060 pages thick (including two volumes) and features more than 2,500 illustrations and 25,000 entries.Apart from the core content, which provides a wide range of knowledge in 51 different areas including art, literature, science and technology, the Vietnamese version also boasts nearly 250 entries about Vietnam compiled by local scholars and approved by U.S.-based Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.According to Pham Quoc Cuong, the rendering project overseer, 54 local translators and 62 experts and contributors in various fields, including eight prominent dictionary pundits, joined the rendering, editing and appraising process. Insiders’ storiesIn early 2007, veteran translator Nguyen Viet Long and dozens of other contributors were brought together by the Vietnam Education Publishing House to embark on a mammoth project to render the Britannica … [Read more...] about Meeting the man helping render the Britannica Concise Encyclopedia into Vietnamese
Vietnamese model to be sent to Miss Bikini 2010
Nineteen year-old Nguyen Do Bac Linh will represent Vietnam at the Miss Bikini 2010 pageant in China. Last year model Huynh Thanh Tuyen missed this pageant due to the spread of A/H1N1 flu. This year, Bac Linh, a young model of PL Modeling Company will display her charms at the late May fest. Bac Linh has just graduated from high school. She won the bronze cup of the Model Star competition 2010 held by the HCM City Youth Cultural House. The young model is preparing for the contest at the assistance of PL Modeling Company director Ta Nguyen Phuc and make-up artist Tran Vu. Source:VietNamNet … [Read more...] about Vietnamese model to be sent to Miss Bikini 2010
Today -2010: Restoring traditionally-selected festivals
(Cinet)- This is one of core contents in a coordination program implemented by National Committee and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism from now to 2010. Under this program, Culture agency and national work agency at all levels will focus on conducting some contents such as preserving, promoting traditionally cultural values of ethnic minorities; building a cultural life at mountainous and ethnic areas; safeguarding, investing, restoring vestiges, beauty scenery, ecological environment at ethnic areas… Important works need be done immediately, including investigating, researching, collecting, assess the efficiency of restoration; promoting traditionally cultural knowledge among nations; reviving traditionally-selected festivals; developing traditional handicraft; preserving, promoting and using nations’ costumes in community cultural exchanges; setting up classes on national language teaching at secondary schools; forming cultural areas models at local … [Read more...] about Today -2010: Restoring traditionally-selected festivals
The general planning for Ba Ria – Vung Tau province tourist development is approved until the 2010 year
(Cinet)- Under regulation project on the general planning for Ba Ria – Vung Tau province tourist development until 2010 and orientations until 2020 approved by People’s Committee at Decision No. 1828/QD-UB dated 13th June 2005, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province has a tourist center and 4 tourist groups as follows: - Vung Tau city tourist center and surroundings: A major tourist center for culture, festival, night entertainment, sports and key conference of the province. - Phuoc Hai – Long Hai tourist group: A group for general sports culture, senior relaxing area of the Southeast region and the province. - Nui Dinh – Ba Ria tourist group: A group for convalescence and high technical entertainment, especially in Ba Ria – Vung Tau and a place for assisting Vung Tau city in developing tourist trade and conference. - Binh Chau – Ho Linh tourist group: A group with an ecological virgin forest for convalescence, typically that of the Southern and province, … [Read more...] about The general planning for Ba Ria – Vung Tau province tourist development is approved until the 2010 year
Insurance value hits $524 billion in 2010-15
HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The insurance market saw total insured value reach VND11.7 quadrillion (US$524 billion) from 2011-15, said Phung Ngoc Khanh, head of the Finance Ministry's Insurance Supervisory Authority (ISA) during a press conference in Ha Noi on March 29.Of the sum, VND10 quadrillion was paid by enterprises from different sectors, while VND1 quadrillion was recorded in the life insurance sector and VND700 trillion in health insurance, Khanh told the conference, which reviewed the results of insurance market development plan during the period.Viet Nam is currently home to 61 insurance providers, including 29 non-life insurance firms, 17 life insurance enterprises and two re-insurance and 12 insurance broker companies.Nearly 10 million people are covered by health insurance and 30 million people are insured against aviation and railway accidents, in addition to about 12 million students with health insurance cards.Khanh commented that the sector fulfilled goals set in the … [Read more...] about Insurance value hits $524 billion in 2010-15
State budget reached $28 billion in 2010
HA NOI — Total State budget revenue in 2010 reached VND588.4 trillion (US$28 billion) while total expenditure hit VND648.8 trillion ($30.89 billion) due to increased spending for development investment, according to the 2010 audit report released on Wednesday by the State Audit of Viet Nam (SAV). Deputy State Auditor General Le Minh Khai appreciated efforts made by relevant authorities to collect the State budget, with the 2010 budget revenue 27.5 per cent higher than estimate. Despite signs of improvement, the State Audit recommended that more than VND21.76 trillion ($1 billion) would be handled in total, with an additional sum of more than VND3.2 trillion ($152 million) for the revenue and a reduction of VND2.19 trillion ($104 million) in expenses. State auditors also found that many State-owned enterprises had made inadequate contributions to the State budget, and instructed them to pay an additional VND545 billion ($25.95 million). According to the report, 19 out of 21 … [Read more...] about State budget reached $28 billion in 2010
PM approves 2010-2020 Science and Technology Development Strategy
Hà Nội – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung approved the Science and Technology Development Strategy for the 2010-20 period which targets boosting the value of high-tech and applied science products to about 45 per cent of GDP by 2020. Under the strategy, the value of the science and technology (S&T) market will increase by an average of 15-17 per cent per year. The development strategy also requires an increase in the ratio of scientific researchers and professional staff in information and communication technologies (ICT) to nine or ten people per ten thousand. Up to 5000 highly skilled engineers will be trained to manage and operate high tech production lines in Việt Nam's spear-headed fields by 2015. Việt Nam aims to have 60 internationally qualified basic and applied science research centres by 2020 which are capable of tackling the country's vital S&T issues. The number of S&T organisations will eventually reach 6000. Under the approved … [Read more...] about PM approves 2010-2020 Science and Technology Development Strategy
IMF admits ‘notable failures’ in 2010 Greece rescue
WASHINGTON – The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday admitted to significant failures in the first Greek rescue that forced a second, larger bailout and left the country in a deep recession. However, the global lender placed much of the blame on its Greek and European partners, saying they were unprepared for the crisis and the harsh choices – including a deep debt restructuring – that may have made the first bailout work better. The IMF said in a review of the 2010 rescue that it overestimated both Greece's debt sustainability and Athens's ability to implement structural reforms. It said there were some problems co-ordinating with the European Commission and the European Central Bank, its troika partners in the 110 billion euro ($144 billion) programme, and that they lacked expertise and harmonised goals. The European Commission was more focused on European issues than the Greek situation alone, it said. "The Fund's program experience and ability to … [Read more...] about IMF admits ‘notable failures’ in 2010 Greece rescue