1. Phoenix Satellite TV: I have two questions: first, academician Zhong Nanshan from the China Academy of Engineering, said recently that a large-scale flu epidemic might break out worldwide at any time. Can you tell me whether or not Shanghai, a populous city, has taken any special measures to prevent such an epidemic? Second question: A Shanghai school for the children of Taiwan compatriots has applied for a name change to "a school for children of Taiwan businessmen" in order to gain recognition from Taiwan-based educational institutions so that they can receive 30,000 Taiwan dollars (US$909) in annual subsidies. Has the Shanghai government approved the application, or what is its status?

Jiao Yang: We have noticed these reports and have consulted the local medical authorities. Flu viruses in Shanghai are presently at a normal level, with no signs of an epidemic breaking out, but monitoring and preventive work is currently being conducted, including strengthening the monitoring and control of the sources of diseases, and improving education, especially at schools and for individuals. All schools must guarantee that classrooms are well ventilated. Moreover, the elderly, weak, sick and those easily susceptible to disease should receive vaccinations. At present, the incidence of flu is normal and the situation is stable.

Your second question draws attention to many people in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. I don't know whether you are clear about the origins of the issue. With increased cooperation and exchanges across the Taiwan Strait over recent years, more Taiwanese have invested, worked and lived in Shanghai. Their presence here has caused a schooling problem for their children. By September of last year, more than 5,000 Taiwanese children were studying in Shanghai, and that number is expected to increase this year. The Shanghai Educational Commission and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipality are both focusing on the schooling of Taiwan children and have developed various programs to offer quality education in order to ensure their studies are appropriate. Their schooling problem has been solved. Establishing schools specifically for these children is one of the measures. As you said two months ago, a school for the children of Taiwan compatriots has failed to gain recognition from the Taiwan educational authority due to the name problem, so they have applied to the district and city-level authorities for a name change. When approving the name of Taiwan compatriots at that time, the Shanghai Educational Commission and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipality had thought that Taiwan compatriot has a wider appeal than that of "Taiwan businessmen" as, except for the children of Taiwan businessmen, children of other Taiwan residents working in Shanghai can also study at such schools. However, the Taiwan side's rejection of the school due to the name problem will affect the development of the school, the future of its students and will increase the economic burdens of parents. We are sticking to a principle that we will try our best to do the things which are beneficial to Taiwanese people, so we have suggested that the school applies for a name change. They are now selecting a suitable occasion to announce the name change. Thanks.

2. Shanghai Morning Post: You have just mentioned the concept of a home-based nursing service. What is the definition of this service? What measures will be taken to develop and standardize these services in the future? Secondly, effective tomorrow, Shanghai has developed a plan to change rail transport charges. The plan will adjust passenger flows through price leverages, which will divert some passengers during peak time. After the policy is implemented, are there any relevant measures for ground traffic? Can you describe for us the local solutions to ease traffic jams?

Jiao Yang: You are familiar with the concept of home-based nursing, and you are seeking a concrete definition, examples of specific situations and information about the development of the service. There are three modes in foreign countries: the traditional way of looking after the elderly at home (the natural way); taking care of the elderly in professional institutions (a social way); and home-based nursing by depending on residential communities and introducing professional services (a social way).
Home-based nursing is a social way to take care of the elderly in their home. In Shanghai, it is a professional social service which makes use of the patient's residence, The service also fits traditional Chinese values governing the treatment of the elderly, and the actual circumstances of Shanghai. Over the past two years, Shanghai has been establishing a government subsidy system for home aid service which is linked to the employment services of residential quarters. However, the system is still in a fledgling state and needs to be improved. This year, the Shanghai Municipal government has made unprecedented efforts to improve the home-based nursing services. District and city-level governments have invested a total of 80 million yuan (US$9.8 million) this year in subsidizing the services, while last year, the figure was 17 million yuan. The subsidy to each bed in nursing homes has been raised from 1,600 yuan to 5,000 yuan, with a combined 50 million yuan for 10,000 beds. The beneficiaries of the subsidies include senior citizens over 70 living in low-income families who cannot take care of themselves, and those aged between 60 and 69, living below the poverty line who cannot look after themselves. The number of beneficiaries this year is expected to double that of last year, and they can also receive more subsidies than last year. Professional services included in home-based nursing will cover drop-in medical and psychological care rather than only the labor as was previously the case.

Just now, the reporters raised an issue that concerns most citizens. After the price adjustments, some passengers who take short subway trips may have to change to other means of transportation. Local media introduced to the public yesterday how the transporation administration intends to improve the road transporation system. But the reporters seem to be more concerned with our measures on the maintenance of smooth traffic flow and the elimination of traffic jams, rather than the underlying hardware and equipment improvements. Now, I'll mention something important:. subway fares will rise tomorrow. Relevant departments have intensified security.  Companies concerned have intensified management of subway operations and services. The whole public transport sector has been well prepared for the change. We'll deal with the situation actively, to satisfy the needs of passengers switching from subway to bus transport.
Currently, the public transport network and subway system are highly-integrated, well-equipped, and convenient for  passengers who need to change from one mode to another. Transportation administrators have also taken measures to increase capacity on trunk routes, arrange additional cars in shifts if necessary, and intensify management at bus stops to ensure all the needs of  passengers are satisfied.
Related management measures are also being taken by the traffic police. First of all, police patrols will be intensified at such main traffic intersections as People's Square,  Shanghai Stadium, Zhongshan Park,  Jing'an Temple, Xujiahui,  Shanghai Railway Station and Xinzhuang, and along the light rail network. Police will act to relieve traffic pressure at these places, and on the routes reserved for buses on  Yan'an Road, and will have random patrols ensuring public transport flows smoothly and that buses arrive on schedule.
Secondly, traffic police will have enough tow-trucks waiting at designated areas along the elevated roads, bridges and cross-river tunnels so that they can drag problem cars away immediately after an engine failure or accident. Thus, traffic police can further improve their quick-response abilities and ensure smooth traffic flows, especially on the bridges and tunnels that cross the Huangpu River.
Thirdly, traffic police will intensify the management and education of bus drivers. They'll re-educate the drivers, stop their bad habits and force them to follow the rules and improve their driving-practices.

Our recent measures on eliminating traffic jams and maintaining smooth traffic flows have already been included in my answers to the questions above. I won't repeat myself. We can provide reporters with a complete copy of our recent measures, if you are really interested. Here is the abstract.
1. Perfect traffic light functions at downtown intersections.
2. Increase the number of designated one-way roads and bus lanes.
3. Intensify research work on how to relieve  traffic at the places where most jams and problems occur. Take more measures to increase the number of lanes, equip traffic lights with time-indications, offer more transport alternatives and make adjustments to bus stops. 
4. Step-up studies on directing traffic to more alternative sub-lanes at the western end of the cross-river Eastern Fuxing Road Tunnel, so as to relieve  traffic conjestion at Eastern Yan'an Road .
5. Broaden the areas to which the standard road parking system applies.
6. Recreate, reform and improve the signal system.
7. Improve traffic control on the south-bound side of the north-south elevated road.
8. Adjust lane directions at the Wanping Road slip-road of the Inner Ring Road and the Yanchang Road outlet of the north-to-south elevated road so that traffic jams at seven elevated road slip-roads are relieved.
9. Improve traffic control at the entrances to elevated expressways. Make minor adjustments to the six entrances that are intermittently closed according to schedule.
10. Consolidate the success of the publicity and improvement work.
11. Intensify traffic control and coordination between administrative bodies so that nowhere is left uncovered.
12. Intensify work on accident clearance, implementing the policy of issuing quick disposal notices at accident sites. Increase the number of people who resolve traffic disputes privately, as opposed to going to the police station. Increase penalties on those who refuse to  resolve problems  quickly.
13. Make adjustments to traffic police-posts and work-schedules.
14. Implement the policy of issuing notices and re-investigating past cases to track-down the people who should be held accountable.
15. Intensify supervision of roads to ensure smooth real-time information flow.
16. Report back to the committees of the Chinese Communist Party at all levels, the Shanghai People's Congress, the government and the Shanghai People's Political Consulltative Conference on a regular basis. Invite representatives from the Congress or the political consultative conference for inspection tours.
17. Every month, arrangements will be made for reporters to cover traffic jams on-site and add traffic news in text form to TV programs, and broadcast public-service advertisements on traffic safety.

3. Reuters:  I learned from today's newspapers that the Shanghai municipal government will unveil new measures to promote Putuonghua in order to improve the language environment in the city by 2010, when Shanghai will host the World Expo.  Would you please explain the goal of the new measures?  And do you personally think Shanghainese are poor at Putonghua? Thanks!

Jiao Yang: The question from the Reuters reporter is quite interesting.  Then, what about the Putonghua skills of local people?  Your view, as a third party, may be fairer.

Reuters: I think it is good.  The elderly may not be very good at Putonghua, but the younger generations have no real problems with it.

Jiao Yang: For years, the Shanghai Language Commission has attached great importance to the promotion of Putonghua.  When I was a university student, students from outside Shanghai said the Shanghai dialect sounds more like a second foreign language to them and it was not understandable because the dialect is quite different from Putonghua.
Therefore, the language authority, emphasizing that Shanghai, as an international city, must tune its local language environment in to that of other international metropolises, has been encouraging people from when they were young children to speak Putonghua.  In schools, no matter whether kindergartens or primary and secondary schools, all courses are given in Putonghua.  Some schools require students to speak only Putonghua on campus.  That has led to a reporter's impression that young kids can communicate very fluently in Putonghua.  Many colleagues of mine, as well as my daughter, who are born and brought up in Shanghai, can even speak better Putonghua than they can Shanghai dialect.
Notwithstanding, as a local language of the city that has its own practical and cultural values, Shanghai dialect will exist for a long time.  To pass down the language culture is an important task.
Meanwhile, the government of Shanghai, a city open to the nation and the world, is actively promoting the use of Putonghua.  In preparation for the World Expo, it will also promote international languages such as English.

4. STV News: You mentioned that five new policies have included part of the cost of nursing services into the coverage in the city's medical insurance system.  How about the details?
Installing solar panels on building roofs is now restricted in many residential quarters.  What is the new approach in the new "action plan"?  Will this restrictive property management rule be scrapped?
With the opening of the Hong Kong Disneyland the day before yesterday, people are expecting such an amusement park on China's mainland.  I read in an evening newspaper that a parcel of land in Pudong's Chuansha Area has been reserved for such a park, which is being treated the same as the Disneyland park.  It sounds as if Shanghai may introduce a Disneyland project. Can you confirm it?

Jiao Yang: In regards to the medical insurance sector, there are detailed regulations in the "Action Plan".  It's true that some of the elderly complain that the medical insurance program doesn't provide sufficient coverage for nursing services, with only 21 nursing homes covered citywide.
Responding to the requests of seniors in medical institutions, the Shanghai Medical Insurance Bureau and the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau have researched the city's nursing homes for their medical facilities. Now, according to the new regulations, regular expenses for medical facilities with major nursing institutes, where over 60 percent of the resident seniors are participants in the medical insurance program, and where the institutes have business licenses issued by the health bureau, will be covered by the medical insurance program.  These expenses will be deducted from the base and the self-sponsored sections of an account.  (Note: It refers to only the deposits in the account, exclusive of the socially financed section.)  We will select some well-equipped nursing homes at both city- and district-levels for a trial operation to expand the coverage into the socially financed section of the medical insurance accounts.  The purpose is to improve the medical services for senior citizens as well as to reduce the operational costs.

In the second question, the reporter said residents in some residential quarters are not allowed to install solar panels.  To answer the reporter's question.Let me first describe the factors that may deter the promotion of solar panels:
First, the high cost of Photographic Voltage-powered (PV-powered) electricity;
Second, the restrictions on raw materials;
Third, the lack of standards in design, installation and use.

Currently, there are no national regulations for the design or installation of solar water-heating systems on buildings.  Solar water-heaters installed by residents have a negative impact on a city's landscape.
Also, there is an absence of technical standards for the merging of the two networks of PV-powered electricity and the coal electricity.
The Ministry of Construction is drafting technical economic policies and technical standards for the inclusion of solar energy use in buildings.  Based on these standards, Shanghai, for the purpose of building an international city, will adapt them to localized guidelines for applications. 
In this case, before the standards and polices are ready, residents must abide by the property management rules when installing solar panels.

The third question is often raised.  Quite a few enterprises hope to build theme parks in Shanghai.  But the right to approve such projects is not in Shanghai's hands.  The city has not yet received approval for any theme park.

5. Xinmin Evening Post: My first question is about local nursing services. Let me recall that you described in a press conference on August 17 a new impetus in the city's social assistant program. You stated that the "Cliff Effect" from now on would become the "Terrace Effect", which is an attempt to perfect the social aid system, where the city will introduce separate aid initiatives in a multi-level structure to help those in need.
I'd like to know which of the 18 separate aid measures embody the new impetus of the program? Thank you.

Jiao Yang: It is very sensitive of you to link the problems of two different conferences together.
In fact, many of the 18 separate aid measures embody the new impetus of the city's social assistant program. For instance, the social aid package and the relevant benefit policies are no longer the privilege of the families who receive the minimum subsistence allowance, but also the elderly in low-income families who have now become beneficiaries.
As for the "Cliff Effect" which you mentioned just now, some of the journalists seated here perhaps are not very familiar with this. These separate aid measures are designed for the purpose of helping the needy population attain the level set by the government. They will improve on the previously untenable situation that saw families falling below the poverty-line getting full benefits from the insurance system, while those slightly above the line were getting nothing at all. These measures which focus on educational and medical care, will also help upgrade the city's social aid system towards a multi-level structure.
In addition, the separate aid measures for needy families will not remain unchanged or permanent, but will instead build a healthy and sustainable social assistance system.
Therefore, we have been practical and realistic when drafting the new regulations, trying hard to make sure that supply meets demand.

6. Singapore United Morning Post: What percentage will green power contribute to the total power supply in the long-term plan of the municipality.  And could you please explain in detail the restriction on real estate developers in the new "action plan"?
The first session of the Cross-Strait elite forum will open tomorrow in the city. My second question is that as the host of the forum, what does Shanghai think of this event? And what will the city do to make it successful.  Thank you.

Jiao Yang: As I said last time, Shanghai, as a large international metropolis, should maintain sustainable development in the economy by strengthening its exploration of renewable energy sources. This is an essential requirement of both scientific development and the achievement of a sustainably developing city.
The city is now further promoting the use of "Green Power", including solar energy, wind power and biomass power. Last June 12, the first 15 local enterprises signed goodwill contracts with the municipal electric power company to purchase 6 450 000 kilowatt/hour(kw/h) from "Green Power".  Since then, the electric power company has received many inquiries on power subscription issues from individuals and enterprises who have expressed their wish to purchase "Green Power". As a result, we believe that the amount of "Green Power" that will have been purchased by the end of this year will reach 20 million kw/h.

The completed wind power plants in Fengxian, Nanhui and Chongming Island, with a total installation capability of 24.4 MW, are expected to generate 59.78 million kw/h electricity a year. So far "Green Power" including solar energy, wind power and biomass power has contributed little to the total power consumption of the city, less than ten in ten thousand kw/h. Nevertherless, the government will not stop taking steps to popularise and develop "Green Power" as it is essential in establishing an energy-saving and environmentally friendly city.

The installation of solar energy systems will add to the material costs of the buildings for real estate developers. Currently, there are no national regulations for the design or installation of solar water-heating systems on buildings. The Ministry of Construction is drafting technical economic policies and technical standards for the inclusion of solar energy use in buildings. Based on these standards, Shanghai will adapt them to detailed localized guidelines for applications.

The first session of the Cross-Strait elites forum will open tomorrow in Shanghai. Jointly sponsored by the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the policy research center of the People First Party (PFP), the two-day forum aims to promote economic and trade cooperation across the Taiwan Straits. The forum is regarded as a major step in implementing the communique issued after the meeting between General Secretary Hu Jintao of the CPC Central Committee and PFP Chairman James Soong in May. The forum as a bridge of mutual trust positively moves relations across the Taiwan Straits towards peaceful and stable development.
The two-day forum of elites attracts more than 100 scholars and renowned business figures from both sides of the Straits, among them are 68 formal representatives invited by the PFP and 75 by the CPC.
James Soong, chairman of the Taiwan based People First Party, will also participate in the forum.
Attaching great importance to this cross-Strait elites forum, the Municipal commission of the Communist Party of China requests the relevant administrations go all out to be cooperative and supportive to ensure a successful forum.

7. Eastday (www.eastday.com): In the statement released just now, you noted that the government would allow qualified new homes for the elderly to create subsidiaries which range in size from 20 to 49 care beds. How did you reach this decision?

Jiao Yang: Under the local regulations on homes for the elderly which was issued in 1998, agencies are required to have at least 50 beds. Considering that land is scarce in the inner city, the government has decided to permit homes for the elderly to pool their resources by means of opening branches.
The Shanghai Bureau of Civil Affairs has recently given a written notice about its intention to launch a pilot scheme in ten urban districts. The scheme encourages well-operated nursing homes to set up affiliated agencies that can offer 20 to 49 beds in residential areas. The government will take a cautious approach and promote the idea based on the experience gained from the trial. The parent companies will pool and share resources with the branches. The convenient locations of these affiliated facilities will not only benefit senior citizens, but also promote the development of local nursing homes. The decision is also being made in response to local conditions.
 
8. National Business Daily: I have heard of a proposal to install solar panels on the roofs of local buildings. What progress is being made in this area? Secondly, rumor has it that a piece of land in Chuansha Town in Pudong District was set aside for a special purpose. What purpose? When will the land be utilized?

Jiao Yang: I have just replied to the second question and have nothing new to add now. In answer to your first question, the city is placing great importance on the production of solar energy and is making even greater efforts to promote its use. In 2004 the city saw the installation of 200,000 solar-powered water heaters and 210,000 square meters of solar panels. More than 90 percent of the solar water heater users are individual residents. We plan to install solar water heating devices whose energy absorbing panels will total 100,000 square meters in local buildings. If each person needs 0.75 square meter of absorbing surface for water heating, the heating systems can provide hot water for about 130,000 residents.

9. Shanghai Financial News: It is said that Shanghai will launch a programme called "let your home fund your old age". Could you give more details?

Jiao Yang: We have noticed media reports that the city has begun to implement this plan. According to the local management committee of the housing provident fund, the city is following the regulations set by China's State Council for the housing provident fund. The local elderly population is growing fast these years and a considerable proportion of them own their own houses or apartments. In order to improve living standards, some senior citizens hope to use their dwellings as a source of income. The departments concerned are considering the request.

10. Traffic Radio: Some commuters have shifted to road transportation after the new metro pricing policy went into effect. Will subway operators provide better management and service after rasing ticket prices? Will the operators take measures to prevent such irritations as beggars, news vendors, and those distributing leaflets on air tickets? 

Jiao Yang: I have described the municipal government's policy on beggars and tramps on several occasions. The city has done a lot of work to help those people and has achieved a desired effect. You should be able to see the progress. As to the leaflets, the government has noticed the problem and will regulate the behavior according to the law.
The departments concerned are studying ways of providing better service after the new pricing was introduced. The subway operator has made detailed plans. The local media will keep a close watch on the issue and produce follow-up reports. As to the new metro pricing policy, it's not simply a question of a price hike. The ticket price has increased by one yuan for short-journey travellers. The price remains the same and may be even lower than previously for long trips. The new policy aims to regulate the pricing system. For the convenience of local riders, the departments concerned have introduced various measures like offering discounts to regular commuters (which is a standard practice throughout the world). The discount will benefit quite a few passengers who continue to use the subways despite the price hike. Of course, the metro devices will require adjustments if we want to implement these measures. We may launch the discount scheme in November.

11. Xinwen Wubao: I have a simple question. You have mentioned that the city will launch at most two demonstration projects on solar powered decorative lights each year. Have you decided the demonstration sites? Could you name a few? Thanks. 
                                                         
Jiao Yang: Luwan and Jing'an Districts have already had demonstration sites for solar-powered external decorative lights (e.g. floodlights and advertising billboard lights). Solar-powered lights have also been installed in some green spaces. The district governments are paying close attention to the projects. In cooperation with the departments concerned, these districts have achieved some positive results in the field. Since the heads of the Shanghai Economic Commission and Shanghai Development and Reform Commission are present now, you can ask them for the details after the press conference.