FOOTBALLER BECOMES UNAIDS AMBASSADOR

Chinese soccer star Shao Jiayi was appointed a national goodwill ambassador by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS （UNAIDS） on April 27.

According to a press release from UNAIDS， Shao is expected to promote the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030 in China. He will encourage young people to become leaders in the response to AIDS and to help end the stigma and discrimination associated with people living with HIV.

The 35-year-old Shao currently serves in the Chinese Super League. Previously， he enjoyed an extensive career in Germany and has represented China in the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and in Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup tournaments.

“Football is a powerful platform for engaging young people and raising their awareness of the importance of preventing HIV， and also for speaking out in support of everyone who faces stigma and discrimination，” Shao said.

Sports-Focused Cities

Oriental Outlook April 30

Although the real estate industry still plays a dominant role in most Chinese cities development， the sports industry is gradually emerging.

Hosting major sports events helps cities attract investment and develop tourism. In China， however， most sports events are hosted by the government. In January， the General Administration of Sport lowered the threshold for hosting marathons in order to encourage privately organized events. With a large number of participants， marathons are expected to bring considerable income to cities， given the contestants spending on food， accommodation and shopping.

A lesson may be drawn from Indianapolis， the United States. Facing sluggish growth in the 1970s， the city built sports stadiums to host professional matches， which attracted tourists and revived the local economy. Indianapolis has since developed into a famous sportscentered city.

The Chinese Government has also recognized the importance of the sports industry in its economic upgrading. Last October， the Central Government issued a plan aimed at accelerating the development of the sector， pledging to turn it into a driving force behind the transformation of the countrys economic growth model.

Controversial Rock Star

China Newsweek April 27

Wang Feng， presumably the richest rock singer in China， has become a controversial figure in China over the past few years. His entangled relationships with his two ex-wives and his relationship with famous Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi raised quite a few eyebrows.

In an era which endorses entertainment， people tend to pry into public figures private lives in order to amuse themselves. However， many have ignored that besides all the drama of Wangs private life， he has been working strenuously for many years to develop himself into a successful singer.

Born in 1971， Wang started to play the violin at an early age. After graduating from the Beijing-based Central Conservatory of Music majoring in violin and viola， Wang joined the National Ballet of China in the 1990s as a violinist. However， a stable job was not what he wanted. He quit and founded the rock band No.43 Baojia Street， named after the address of his conservatory. The meager income from the band prompted him to leave and sign a solo contract with Warner Music Beijing Co. Ltd.

Since then， Wang has embarked on a road toward success. He has always abided by two principles： First， his music should be pleasant and encompass diverse styles， and second the lyrics should be related with the latest developments in China. These two principles have contributed to his commercial success.

IT Innovation

Peoples Daily April 27

A recent report revealed that beginning in May， users of WeChat would be able to check out at stores of global chain supermarket Carrefour across China through the payment function of this mobile social communication app developed by Chinese Internet giant Tencent. Checking out can be completed within a matter of seconds. Another report that caught the attention of IT experts was the official debut of the Apple smartwatch. Many believe it might be the next innovative product that will help spawn a series of associated apps.

The two reports concerned two different innovative models. The first belongs to service innovation connected to the concept of Internet Plus， which was mentioned by Premier Li Keqiang when he delivered the Government Work Report in March， referring to a trend marrying the manufacturing industry with Internet-based technology. The second is product innovation， reflecting a higher level of technological development of both hardware and software.

No guaranteed formula exists for innovation. But few Internet companies in China seem able to take the lead in the current tide of innovation sweeping the IT industry today. The goal of Internet Plus is to explore potential emerging industries through the introduction of Internet applications into traditional industries. Apart from developing new services and business models， Chinese companies should attach greater importance to original technological innovation.

CELEBRATED POET PASSES AWAY

Famous Chinese poet Wang Guozhen died of liver cancer at the age of 59 on April 26.

In 1984， Wang published his first poem in a magazine after graduating from Jinan University in south Chinas Guangdong Province with a degree in literature. In the late 1980s and early 1990s， he was one of the most popular poets in China and published more than 50 books.

Wangs poems have been frequently quoted by celebrities and writers. Delivering a speech in Indonesia in 2013， Chinese President Xi Jinping quoted a sentence from Wangs poem， saying “There is no mountain higher than man， and no road longer than his feet，” to emphasize Chinas determination regarding economic reform， which has given Wangs works a new lease of life in recent years.

“It is inevitable that there will be more mergers and acquisitions among centrally administered state-owned enterprises， which is the focus of the ongoing reform.”

Liu Yuhui， an economist with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences， in an interview with Beijing-based Global Times on April 27

“[Chinas] negotiations on free trade agreements （FTAs） with three countries from Asia and Europe that are involved in the initiative [to build the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road] are reaching the final stage， and we may see the results this year.”

Wei Jianguo， former Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce， opining that Chinas Belt and Road Initiative is expected to promote its FTA negotiations with countries along the routes

“Its a pity that America forgets the history and is only seeking the current interests by supporting Japan to reinterpret the constitution.”

Lichuang Zhu， bureau chief of Asia-American Times in New York City， commenting on new guidelines for U.S.-Japan defense cooperation released on April 27 that allow Japans self-defense force to take on more ambitious global role

“The primary uses of the AG-600 will be forest fire control and maritime search and rescue. But it can also play an important role in law-enforcement tasks at sea and other maritime operations that protect our rights and interests.”

Huang Lingcai， chief designer of Chinas homegrown AG-600 amphibious aircraft， which is due to make its maiden flight in the first half of 2016， speaking to reporters on April 27