Sunday, May 13, 2012
China, Japan, ROK to launch Free Trade Agreement Talks
Original source
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Sunday that China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have agreed to launch talks on a free trade area (FTA) this year.
Wen made the remarks at a press briefing after a trilateral leaders' meeting attended by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and ROK President Lee Myung-bak.
Calling the agreement "an important strategic decision," Wen said the three nations should make concerted efforts for the early establishment of the FTA.
The three nations also clinched a deal to promote, facilitate and protect investment on Sunday morning. Wen said it will serve as the first important legal document on trilateral cooperation in the economic field.
He said the three nations have promised to seriously implement the deal, so as to "create a stable, fair and transparent environment for expanding mutual investment among the three countries and further deepen economic integration."
Meanwhile, Wen said they agreed to deepen fiscal and financial cooperation and promote the development of Asian bond markets.
The three countries will also expand cooperation in the field of sustainable development while accelerating the construction of pilot bases for recycling economy.
Trade and economic ties were highlighted at the meeting as China-Japan-ROK trade has seen rapid growth in recent years.
Trilateral trade had more than quadrupled from 130 billion U.S. dollars in 1999 to 690 billion U.S. dollars in 2011. China has topped the trading partners' lists of Japan and the ROK for many years, while Japan and the ROK rank fourth and sixth among China's trading partners, respectively.
At the end of 2002, China, Japan and the ROK agreed to start the FTA feasibility study. In May 2010, the joint study on the FTA was officially launched, and the joint study group completed its work in December 2011.
Trade ministers of the three nations met in Beijing Saturday to finalize a trilateral investment accord and push FTA negotiations up on each country's agenda.
Spain's "indignados" return
May 12, 2012 by AlJazeeraEnglish
Spanish protesters angry over high unemployment rates, bank bailouts and harsh austerity measures have returned to Madrid's central Puerta del Sol once again.
Though they're loud and their numbers are high, it's unclear whether their actions are having any political effects. Spain has voted in a right-wing government, and more cuts on are on the way.
Spanish protesters angry over high unemployment rates, bank bailouts and harsh austerity measures have returned to Madrid's central Puerta del Sol once again.
Though they're loud and their numbers are high, it's unclear whether their actions are having any political effects. Spain has voted in a right-wing government, and more cuts on are on the way.
Rick Rule on JP Morgan and Black Swans
TSA - the most hated profession in America?
May 12, 2012 by RTAmerica
The Transportation Security Administration has been criticized for frisking toddlers and the elderly and many Americans feel the TSA is just a waste of tax payer's money. One American decided to do something about the inadequate agency. Jonathan Corbett, president of Fourten Technologies, put the $87 million body scanners to the test and they failed to detect metal objects in his pockets.
The Transportation Security Administration has been criticized for frisking toddlers and the elderly and many Americans feel the TSA is just a waste of tax payer's money. One American decided to do something about the inadequate agency. Jonathan Corbett, president of Fourten Technologies, put the $87 million body scanners to the test and they failed to detect metal objects in his pockets.
Keiser Report: Central Bank Monarchs
May 12, 2012 by RussiaToday
In this episode, Max Keiser and co-host, Stacy Herbert discuss the alleged meritocracy of old Etonians running the world (into the ground) while the rest of us remain wards of the state - from the President of France to PhDs on foodstamps. In the second half of the show Max talks to John Titus, producer of the new documentary, Bailout.
In this episode, Max Keiser and co-host, Stacy Herbert discuss the alleged meritocracy of old Etonians running the world (into the ground) while the rest of us remain wards of the state - from the President of France to PhDs on foodstamps. In the second half of the show Max talks to John Titus, producer of the new documentary, Bailout.
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