PHILOSOPHICAL CLASSIC

　　Commutation Rule

　　Chinese authorities have vowed to deter judicial corruption in commutation of sentences and probation following a string of convicts who bribed their way out of prisons.

　　“Terms and procedures on commutation，parole and serving a sentence outside jail for medical reasons should be stringent within the frame of the law，” according to an instructive document released on February 24 by the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

　　In a high-profile case，Zhang Hai，former board chairman of Jianlibao Group Co. Ltd.，a Chinese beverage giant based in south China’s Guangdong Province，fabricated evidence in order to have his sentence reduced by five years in a second court trial and had his jail term further reduced by more than four years while he was serving.

　　Zhang escaped overseas after he was freed. Twenty-four police officers，prison guards and court officials have been investigated for their role in Zhang’s lessened sentence and commutation.

　　Geographic Data

　　China plans to offer basic geographic information at low costs or even for free in the future so as to boost the development of the geomatics industry，said the national geoinformation authority on February 24.

　　Geomatics is a relatively new scientific term that refers to the discipline of gathering，storing，processing，and delivering geographic information.

　　The policy will offer support to companies and promote their value-added development based on this data，according to the National Administration of Surveying，Mapping and Geoinformation at a meeting.

　　The government also plans to invest more in purchasing services from social sectors，take measures to encourage companies to compete internationally，boost growth in consumption of geographic information，and invigorate private investment in the sector，according to the administration.

　　It is estimated that the annual total output value of China’s geomatics industry reached 260 billion yuan ($42.5 billion) in 2013，up 30 percent from 2012，figures from the Ministry of Land and Resources show.

　　International Students

　　About 413，900 Chinese students went abroad to study in 2013，with 353，500 returning，up 3.58 percent and 29.53 percent respectively，the Ministry of Education revealed on February 22.

　　According to the ministry，in the last 35 years，more than 3 million people have furthered their studies in foreign countries.

　　With a growing number studying abroad，more overseas students are also coming to China，and the quality of education is improving.

　　In 2013，356，500 people from more than 200 countries and regions worldwide attended courses at 746 universities，scientific research institutions and other educational institutes across China.

　　Drinkable Water

　　Some 680，000 rural residents in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region will have access to safe drinking water by the end of this year，according to the regional government.

　　The central authorities and regional government will invest 500 million yuan ($82 million) in 2014 to make it happen，Xinjiang’s Rural Work Office revealed on February 25.

　　Xinjiang has been striving to provide more residents，especially those living in rural and pastoral areas，access to tap water since 2010.

　　By the end of 2013，10.65 million Xinjiang residents in rural and pastoral areas had access to drinking water that meets safety standards，according to the office.

　　The government said that 86 counties across the region have drafted plans on building their water quality monitoring network. Sixty-five county-level laboratories that will carry out water quality tests have been set up.

　　Needle Standardization

　　Needle Standardization Acupuncture，a traditional Chinese medical practice，treats patients by manipulating thin needles that are inserted into specific points in the skin，has had the needles used for it internationally standardized.

　　It is the first standard set by the International Standardization Organization (ISO) for the traditional medicine. Standards have been set for texture，diameter，length，hardness and elasticity of the disposable needle.

　　It was listed as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by the UN Educational，Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2010.

关注读览天下微信， 100万篇深度好文， 等你来看……