China news digest 5.

Here's what is making news in China --

1. Wen Jiabao has stressed the need for technological developments and scientific research which would be the cornerstone of the nation's future. This was at a function where 2 of China's greatest scientists were awarded for their lifetime contribution.

2. China's senior experts Saturday called on local governments to shift their focus from gross domestic product (GDP) figures to economic restructuring and the raising of ordinary people's living standards.Reducing environmental problems and boosting energy efficiency also slows GDP growth pace, said Wang, citing pressure on China to keep its annual energy consumption below four billion tonnes of standard coal in 2020.
An economy that grows too fast is difficult to transform, especially when the growth is driven by investment, Wang said.

3. China hopes stability in Tunisia is restored as early as possible, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Saturday.
Hong made the remarks when responding to a question concerning recent unrest and upheaval in the North African nation.
"Tunisia is China's friend. China is concerned with what is happening in Tunisia and hopes stability in the country is restored as early as possible," said Hong, adding that a stable society is in the fundamental interests of the country's people.

4. Property taxes, seen as a silver bullet to curb excessive growth in China's housing prices, triggered an intense debate among economists and industry analysts recently, with some saying it may not help tame soaring prices but rather, increase costs for home buyers.Rigid demand for housing has remained robust in China because of accelerating urbanization and industrialization. Every year, between 10 million and 15 million rural residents migrate to cities, and this trend may be continued for the next decade, experts forecast.Both the influx of populations and property speculation have pushed up China's housing prices, prompting the government to roll out measures to control the runaway market, including increasing down payment requirements, suspension of mortgage loans for third-home purchases and, more importantly, pledging to speed trials of a property tax that might be rolled out nationwide.

5. The successful test flight of J-20, China's new-generation fighter, on Jan 10 is a significant achievement for the country, especially for its defense industry. It is a symbolic leap in the country's military modernization drive, too.

Yet there is no reason for China to be excessively conceited or complacent. It should not forget the huge gap between it and Western developed countries, led by the United States, in terms of military armament and weaponry. More importantly, it should remain highly vigilant against the possibility of some countries using the J-20 fighter as an excuse to stoke a new round of "China threat" frenzy.The peaceful development path that China has chosen and its defensive national defense policy pose no threat to any country. It is normal for any country to try and upgrade its military and weaponry to safeguard its national security.

China develops and produces weapons and military equipment for self-defense. It has the right to safeguard its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. And there is no reason for other countries or regions to feel threatened.

Chinese leaders have on innumerous occasions made it clear that China is opposed to hegemony and military expansion, and it will under no circumstances be part of or trigger an arms race.