1. Taiwan TVBS: The funeral service for Mr. Wang Daohan (the Chinese mainland's top envoy on Taiwan affairs) is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Can you tell us about the preparations made by the Shanghai Municipal government? Which officials of the Chinese central government will attend?

Jiao Yang: Preparations for the funeral are following the requirements of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and especially paying respect to the wishes of the deceased and his family. The preparations are being made in a careful way. As to your question of which officials of the central government will attend, I am not authorized to say. Thankyou.

2. Eastday: The central government plans to establish a socialist new-model countryside; what are the concrete measures and ideas for Shanghai? Can you give us some pointers on the comprehensive strength of Shanghai's rural areas this year?

Jiao Yang: In the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 16th Central Committee of the CPC and of an economic work conference of the central government, and taking the city's actual circumstances into account, the Eighth Plenary Session of the Eighth Communist Party of China (CPC) Shanghai Municipal Committee has put forward the strategic goal of establishing a socialist new-model countryside with good planning, a strong economy, ideal living environment, improved quality of life and enhanced democracy and legal systems.
Good planning: develop a four-pronged system of building up one central city, nine new cities, about 60 new towns and 600 villages, with the building of infrastructure centered on rural areas.
Strong economy: facilitate the shift of industries to rural areas, improve economic structure, direct the pattern of economic growth, take a new road to intensive industrialization by depending on large industries and projects and transform rural areas into important bases of advanced manufacturing industries
Ideal living environment: focus on the fundamentals, actual effects and environmental and ecological protection in the suburbs.
Improved quality of life: accelerate the shift of focus to social development, the establishment of public services and improvements in the village or town-based medical institutes and cultural, educational, sports and social security infrastructure in rural areas.
Enhanced democracy and legal systems: implement village self-government systems led by the Communist Party of China, with democratic elections, faster and democratic decision-making processes, transparent management of village affairs and democratic supervision in accordance with the rules.
as for the comprehensive strength displayed in rural areas, it's a big question. I will give you some statistics. This year, local rural areas are expected to register: total added value of 373 billion yuan (US$46 billion), up 14 percent from the previous year and accounting for 45 percent of the city's total;  total industrial output of 986 billion yuan, up 15 percent year-on-year and accounting for 62 percent of the city's total; total government revenue of more than 80 billion yuan, an increase of 27 percent, and farmers' disposable income of 8,100 yuan per capita, a rise of 10 percent from a year earlier. These figures go some way to answer your question.

3. Radio Shanghai: Mr. Sun Jian (vice director of the Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau) has just said that 350,000 vehicles in the city have failed to meet the European I criteria for emissions. Can you tell me what proportion of these are buses? What influence will the new policies have on public transport and residents' lives from next February? Thanks.

Sun Jian: There are a total of nearly 18,000 buses in Shanghai, with more than 9,900, or over 50 percent, meeting the European I standards. At present, nearly 10,500 buses operate inside the city's Inner Ring Road, with nearly 3,000 failing to meet the criteria. Such buses will be upgraded to meet the standard before being able to enter downtown.

4. Jiefang Daily: Mr. Zhu Weiming (chief of the General Team of Traffic Police), can you tell me what punishments will be handed out to violators who enter within the Inner Ring Road?

Zhu Weiming: According to the Laws on Road Traffic Safety, once the ban on heavily-polluting vehicles in the restricted zone is implemented, we will install signs on the roads in advance. According to the No.90 rule of the Laws on Road Traffic Safety, violators will be subject to fines of up to 200 yuan and two penalty points can be added to their driving records.

5. Shanghai Morning Post: I have three questions: the first two are for director Sun concerning the ban on polluting vehicles. You have just mentioned that motorists who wish to drive within the target area need to apply for stickers that certify their vehicles to be environmentally-friendly. Is this measure recommended or compulsory? Second question: Shanghai has carried out a three-year environmental protection plan, which will be completed by the end of this year. What kind of work has been covered in the plan and what achievements have been made to date? My third question is for the government spokeswoman: we are all concerned about the payment of salaries owed to migrant workers. Can you tell us about the situation in Shanghai?

Sun Jian: Now, something about the signs. I mentioned just now that in the restricted zone, vehicles without the "environmental friendly" stickers will be considered as violators to be punished in accordance with the traffic laws. Therefore, it's compulsory. As I've said before, we'll distribute the stickers. Take cars for example. Local car owners can obtain stickers free of charge at the designated places, because the city has been promoting the Europe I standard since July 1999. Put the sticker on the windshield and you are allowed to enter the restricted zone. July 1999 was the starting point of the implementation. After the standard was introduced, those violating it faced penalties. Your second question about the three-year initiative is good. We'll hold a city-level meeting on January 10 to review the work of environmental protection over the past three years, to assess and laud the achievements and commence the third stage of the initiative. We'll also provide comprehensive details to reporters at that time. We've accomplished the tasks set for the second year of the initiative, and we intend to make a special presentation about it.

Jiao Yang: The issue of unpaid bills is raised at the end of each year. This year is the second year after the State Council promissed that it would solve the problem in the construction sector within three years. 2005 is also the year in which the city promised to ensure all bills were paid by year-end. A total of 4.58 billion yuan of unpaid bills relating to construction projects were reported to the Ministry of Construction by construction companies by the end of September, and it has been confirmed  by the Ministry online that all amounts outstanding had to be settled within the year. So far, 4.548 billion yuan, or 99.3 percent, has been paid. Among them, all government-sponsored projects have settled their bills. We've achieved the one of the highest work efficiency and accomplishment ratios in the country.

Concerning unpaid salaries to migrant workers, the city solved 99 percent of the problem by ensuring a total of more than 62 million yuan was paid to more than 23,000 migrant workers by the end of November, accomplishing the objectives assigned by the government ahead of schedule.

We've also drafted a regulation to prevent construction companies delaying or refusing to pay their bills. The rule aims to ensure that capital is available prior to the construction permit being granted, supervises the management of the capital, checks the bills once the project is completed and guarantees the construction companies' deposit to pay migrant workers' salaries. We've also set up a mechanism to manage and supervise the whole process of the project to avoid delay or failure to pay.

We'll seriously take to heart the spirit of the tele-meeting of the State Council about the issue of payment delay and failure so as to deal with outstanding payments successfully, safeguard what we've achieved so far and establish a long-term mechanism for prevention. We call on all departments concerned to persist with their efforts in 2006, especially in changing the focus from the aftermath to prevention or real-time control, to settle or pay salaries to migrant workers on a monthly basis, so that they can feel the benefits of the reform and opening-up policy and the advancement of society, and be part of the construction of a harmonious and cultured city.

6. Phoenix TV:  I'd like to ask how the Shanghai government assesses the late-mayor Wang Daohan, who contributed a lot to the city's development when in his post in the 1980s?

Jiao Yang: It's a big question. I think it's not proper for me to evaluate such a revered superior. We exalt him, paying him great reverence. A more appropriate person than myself will evaluate Wang Daohan in a few days, and in more appropriate circumstances.

7. Nippon Broadcasting System: A Japanese employee at the Japanese consulate general in China committed suicide in May last year after refusing to supply information about Japan to the Chinese security services. He chose to die and left a suicide note. Does the Shanghai government know anything about it? If it does, what is your its evaluation of the matter? If not, will you investigate it?

Jiao Yang: I note that the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs answered on this matter yesterday. I've nothing more to add today. Thanks.

8. Shanghai Financial News:  The regulation concerning the management of the housing provident fund took effect on January 1. It states that the fund's payment rate can float. What's the rate? Are there any limits, and if so what are they?

Jiao Yang: Your question is astute. You may get a more detailed presentation at the Shanghai Provident Fund Management Center. Therefore, I suggest that you contact the center after the press conference. We can also arrange the meeting for you if needs be.

9.The Yomiuri Shinbun:  I have two questions. The first one is about renovation of the Japan Consulate, which was defaced during the anti-Japan rally in April.  The renovation work began last week.  How long will it take and how much will it cost? 
The other question is about compensation for Japanese restaurants that were affected by the same event.  What is the government's approach? Thank You!

Jiao Yang: As you have noticed, under the mutual agreement between the relevant departments of the Shanghai government and the Japanese side, cleanup and cleansing commenced on December 20 of some houses belonging to the Consulate of Japan that saw damage in the April 16 anti-Japan rally. 
But as to your second question, I am not aware of it.

10. East Radio: My question is for Director Zhu. With the New Year and Spring Festival season upon us, Shanghai's public traffic is again under new tests and pressures. The elevated roads here are very jammed.  So what new measures does the traffic administration department have in response to this?
My second question is for Director Sun. You mentioned that heavily-polluting vehicles, classified in terms of noise, exhaust gas and emissions, mainly comprise refuse trucks, vehicles of the environmental protection bureau and supermarket shuttle buses. Since the ban on these vehicles entering the downtown area is from 7 am to 8pm each day, what will happen at other times, when the management staff is off work and a large number of such vehicles can enter?

Zhu Weiming: It's true that the period between the New Year day and Spring Festival is the busiest time for local traffic every year, this year even more so.  In response, administrative departments have initiated a number of policies, such as the traffic control measures and regulations covered by Shanghai's major media a few days ago.
Let me expand on the issue here.
From the point of view of the traffic administrative department, we think traffic congestion is a result of many factors.  Considering the overall situation this year, we tightened-up traffic management and reduced factors that lead to man-made congestion.  For example, random parking of vehicles and jumping the lights at intersections where no traffic police are positioned are blamed for causing blockages at intersections. For such man-made blockages, which evolve from disorder, we will organize more police on-site to control the traffic so as to reduce congestion as much as possible.
With regards to traffic police, we have recently adjusted manning levels. We have transferred a lot of personnel from management organizations to add  to the numbers on the street.  Particularly at dawn and dusk, we aim to ensure as large a police presence on the streets as possible to direct traffic.  Thanks to the high importance placed by the city government on traffic, all involved departments have cooperated closely.  In particular, the traffic administration department, in its efforts to prevent lengthy and man-made traffic jams, has stipulated that traffic police will not leave their positions until congestion problems are solved.

Jiao Yang: This requires the support and cooperation of pedestrians and drivers.  I hope the media will help promote the traffic rules and call for their observation.

Sun Jian: Vehicular pollution control is a systematic project, which involves a variety of measures.  The measure we are talking about today is only targetted at heavily-polluting vehicles and the area within the Inner Ring Road. 
These vehicles are categorized according to national standards, involving nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and so on in their emissions.  In fact, the country has also set a standard for noise pollution. 
This time, the focus falls on the downtown area, though pollution overall in Shanghai is severe. 
Auto-emission pollution cannot be solved by a single measure, however.  Much other work remains to be done.  Trucks carrying refuse and construction waste, for example, have aroused many complaints that have recently attracted the attention from the city party committee and municipal government.  As a result, a plan to upgrade and replace such vehicles is included in the city's new three-year environmental action plan.  This is expected to help solve the issue, though it alone is not enough.  We will adopt other pollution control measures, including an introduction of loaded-mode emission tests and promotion of the Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Program.  Also, we will cooperate with traffic police to improve and refine the existing traffic laws. Preparatory work is underway.
All these measures form only part of the controls over auto pollution, rather than the whole picture.  We will focus on every aspect of the work and develop effective measures to control pollution from autos so as to protect the health of citizens.

11. China Business News:  My question is about the increase in farmers' income.  When releasing the news, you said that next year a mechanism will be set up to mediate on farmers' benefits from land development.  I'd appreciate it if you could expand upon this, such as the proportion of shares to be held by farmers whose land is taken over for a property project.  Thank you!

Jiao Yang: The reform of the system of farmland use is at the top of the policy agenda for deepening the reforms in rural areas.  The key to this reform is to rectify procedures on land-use deals, and finally achieve land demutualisation and shareholder ownership.  We are now conducting trials, during which a certain proportion of the land is reservered for farmer's with the remainder for communal use to develop their Secondary and Tertiary industries.  Then, the farmers who have contributed their land are able to enjoy stable and long-term benefits from land development.
At the moment, this reform is on trial in Qibao Town in Minhang District.  The income of the farmers there is composed of salary, rent, money paid for shares and compensation. 
The local municipality is conducting research and trials and refining the reform project prior to its final implementation.

12. Shanghai Afternoon Post: I have two questions for Director Sun.  Why does the ban on these vehicles, mainly trucks carrying waste, from entering the downtown area extend from 7 am through 8pm each day instead of the full 24-hours?  How do you see it?  And do vehicles from out-of-town have to display a special label to show they are environmentally-friendly?

Sun Jian: As for your first question, I said just now that the average index of roadside air pollution is double the required standard.  The index during peak periods can even be eight-times that of non-peak periods. This means that pollution can be better-sustained during the nights.  We should find a way to balance the needs of the public and of environmental protection.

As for the vehicles from out-of-town, generally speaking, licensed vehicles will be treated the same as local vehicles.  There are two scenarios. Out-of-town cars will be issued with a temporary transit identification as they enter if the intention is for them to stay in the city for less than seven days.  This offers convenience to visitors from outside the city.  We have also studied the traffic flow situation at entry-points.  Most vehicles meet the Euro-I Standard. 
If the lengh of stay is intended to be beyond seven days, the car owner should obtain a permit from the special service outlets designated by the municipality.  This regulation is applicable to locals whose cars carry licenses from out-of-town.  Those obtaining plates after the Euro I Standard was applied can obtain free stickers showing their vehicle to be environmentally-friendly.
In addition, we have special vehicle-testing centers to see if they meet the Euro I Standard.

13. Oriental Morning Post: It's said that Metro Line Four will be open before the end of this year.  Is there a definite completion date for this project? And have you made any preparations for trial operations on this new line? Thank you.

Jiao Yang: The concerned municipal administration is making active preparations for the formal operation of the new line.  And the schedule has not changed.

14. CtiTV (Taiwan): You mentioned that the preparations for the funeral service areespecially paying respect to the wishes of his relatives. Can you tell us more about this?  Is the farewell ceremony scheduled for the morning or the afternoon?  Will the media be given access to the ceremony?  Will there be bans on traffic near the funeral house?  And who will attend the ceremony? Thank you.

Jiao Yang: The relatives of Mr. Wang Daohan expressed that the funeral service would fully respect the wishes of Mr. Wang himself.  The whole service will conform to the principle of simplicity.  The relevant body will also fully respect the wishes of Mr. Wang and his relatives, including while drafting the attendee list. The media from different countries or regions may apply to the relevant administrative department in Shanghai for permits.  For example, those from Taiwan may apply to the Municipal Taiwan Affairs Office.  Those from Hong Kong and Macao may turn to the press office of the municipality and foreign-based ones to the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office.  Others from Mainland China may apply to the Propaganda Department of the CPC Shanghai Committee.

CtiTV (Taiwan): As for the list of invitees,  Yen Cho-yun (C), widow of Koo Chen-fu, and many other representatives of the parties in Taiwan wishing to pay their respects to Mr. Wang, wants to attend the funeral ceremony.  So, who has the government invited from Taiwan ? Will all the various representatives of the parties there be permitted to attend?

Jiao Yang: I myself learnt the news that Madam Yen Cho-yun would come to Shanghai from the media.  The list of invitees is not drafted by the municipal government, but by the funeral arrangement office of Mr. Wang Daohan. I'm afraid I'm not authorized to release it.
 
15. Youth Daily: Motorists who wish to apply for stickers certifying that their vehicles have met the Euro 1 emission standards will have to obtain them from the local traffic police or government departments concerned. When will the issuance of stickers start? Is there a time limit for applications? Since cars without the stickers will be banned from all the elevated roads within the Inner Ring Road from February 2006, does that double as a deadline for sticker applications? My second question is for the government's spokeswoman. You mentioned at the last press conference that Shanghai had adopted 35 new policies promoting the modern service sector. Since the policies have been piloted in Pudong District, what has been achieved? Please elaborate on the progress. Thank you.

Sun Jian: You raised a specific issue. Today's press conference focuses on giving official notifications to the public. I have talked about applications for stickers in detail just now. Local environmental protection and public security authorities will issue explicit instructions in the next two days. Things like where to apply will be announced after the New Year holiday. Brochures introducing the new traffic rule will be sent to local residential communities starting today. Today's press conference aims to publicize government policies. We will provide a reference manual and inform the public of the venues through the media after the holiday.

Jiao Yang: Questions about the planned reforms in Pudong District are often asked by reporters at press conferences. It is obvious that the subject has attracted a great deal of media attention. 

The municipal and district governments have attached great significance to the reforms in Pudong District since the reform package was sanctioned by the State Council. The municipal and district governments are conducting further research to help decide where and how to commence the reforms. We will also seek the support of the central government, conduct research on the reforms together with the central government departments concerned and encourage innovation in the reforms.

Since I have talked about the "three emphases" and the "four moves toward integration" included in the reform package for Pudong District at previous press conferences, I will not repeat them again. I'd like to elaborate on the "five innovations", another focus of the reform package. The "five innovations" are: reforming government management systems; improving the market mechanism; changing the pattern of economic growth; changing the mode of local development; and creating a new mechanism for societal management.   
There are media reports that Pudong District plays a pioneering role in implementing the reforms aimed at promoting the modern service sector locally. You have also mentioned the point just now. The current situation in Pudong is as follows: the People's Bank of China, the country's central bank, officially opened its second headquarters; Shanghai customs has launched a pilot scheme which includes eight new measures; the State Bureau of Foreign Exchange has taken nine measures to reform the controls on foreign exchange for multi-national companies located in Pudong; the supervisory department is conducting pilot projects; the Administration of Industry and Commerce is set to introduce three pilot projects; and the city's 30 new policies promoting the modern service sector will also be piloted there. With the help of the central government, the municipal government is taking efforts to encourage reforms in Pudong. In addition, Pudong is also a pioneer of local reforms of the administrative licensing process. Taking advantage of the fourth round of the administrative licensing reform, Pudong is further improving its government management systems, economic growth patterns and so on. Thank you. 

16. Traffic Information Channel, Shanghai Radio Station: You have just stated that people who break the new traffic rule (that vehicles failing to meet the Euro 1 emission standard will be barred from entering downtown Shanghai during the day) will either face fines of up to 200 yuan (US$24.77) or have two points added to their driving safety records. We know that the sticker certifying the vehicles are environmentally friendly will be free of charge and voluntarily applied for, but will it be a criterion for entering downtown? There will be two kinds of vehicles not showing stickers: ones that achieve the emission standard and those that do not. Will the traffic police treat the two cases differently? 

Zhu Weiming: I'd like to discuss it briefly. The traffic police hope local motorists can obey the government's new traffic rule and thus avoid sanction. Some vehicles will not have stickers because they fail to meet the emission standard. As you have mentioned, it is also likely that some vehicles which have, in fact, achieved the standard will carry no sticker because the owners have neglected to apply for it. We will treat the two cases differently in practice. However, the sticker will be the sole criterion for vehicle admission downtown. Local traffic police have been ordered to show mercy to the violators and treat different cases differently at the beginning of implementation. In a word, we hope local motorists can obey the new traffic rule voluntarily and are hoping not to have to impose penalties.

Jiao Yang: I have enjoyed great cooperation from you people here this year. To the reporters here and the work group behind me, thanks ever so much for your help, I really appreciate it. The success of Shanghai's spokesperson system is not my achievement. It owes everything to the support, understanding and cooperation of the reporters here and the excellent work of my team. I am greatful to the reporters here, my work group and the two directors who attended today's news briefing. Thank you all again.