BEIJING, March 18 -- China's property market in major cities continued to stabilize after the authorities took a string of measures to curb price spikes, according to an official survey released Saturday.
Of 70 large and medium-sized cities surveyed, more than half of them in February witnessed a month-on-month price decline or a mild price uptick less than 0.5 percent for new residential housing, said the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Among those cities, 12 of them saw a month-on-month price drop, with new residential housing prices in two cities remaining flat in February, said NBS senior statistician Liu Jianwei.
Another 37 cities witnessed month-on-month price increases less than 0.5 percent for newly-built homes in February, while 19 cities saw home price gains higher than 0.5 percent last month.
New residential house prices in first-tier cities such as Beijing and Shanghai rose 0.1 percent on average in February on a month-on-month basis, while the second-tier and third-tier cities registered price increases of 0.3 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Keep up good momentum for China-U.S. ties
BEIJING, March 18 -- Never before has the China-U.S. relationship been so complicated to comprehend, and too important to fail.
Saturday marks Rex Tillerson's first visit to China as secretary of state. Many speculate that one of the top U.S. diplomat's missions in Beijing over the weekend is to communicate with the Chinese side over a possible meeting between the heads of state of the two countries in the coming weeks.
Prior to Tillerson's visit, recent days have seen a number of positive developments in the China-U.S. relations.
In a telephone conversation last month between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. Counterpart Donald Trump, the two leaders pledged to build a constructive bilateral relationship.
President Trump once wrote on Twitter that Washington need not to be bound by the one China policy. While speaking with Xi, he reversed that stance and reassured his Chinese counterpart that the U.S. government will honor the long-standing principle, something fundamental for the world's most important bilateral ties.
The world's top two economies do have every reason to remain committed to a strong relationship because of their broad range of shared interests, especially in trade and commerce.
The two-way trade of goods last year exceeded 519.6 billion U.S. dollars, according to the Chinese ministry of commerce. That makes China America's largest trading partner, while America China's second largest.
Also, instead of taking away U.S. manufacturing jobs, economic and trade exchanges between the two countries have actually supported more than 2.6 million jobs across a host of U.S. industries from automobile, construction equipment to agriculture.
These facts and statistics are a clear-cut demonstration of the interdependence of the world's top two economies. Any setbacks in bilateral ties would cause immeasurable harm to both sides.
Tillerson's trip also comes at a time when Asia-Pacific and the wider world are facing a trove of thorny issues that require close coordination between the two countries, notably on the situation in the Korean Peninsula.
Before he arrives in Beijing, the U.S. diplomat visited South Korea, where he called for a new approach to deal with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and hinted that military options against Pyongyang are on the table.
However, there is nothing new in this approach. These same tactics were once used by Trump's predecessor George W. Bush, and failed.
In the early years of his presidency, then U.S. President Bush implemented an isolationist and coercive policy against the DPRK's nuclear ambition, yet the DPRK did not back away.
Later, the Bush administration started to engage with the country both bilaterally and multilaterally. In exchange, Pyongyang closed its Yongbyon nuclear facilities in 2007, and returned to the negotiating table.
The approach illustrated that Washington needs to talk to the DPRK, not to terrorize it.
Before Tillerson set out on his Asian tour, the U.S state department said the secretary wanted to pursue "a results-oriented" relationship with China.
Positive results require effort and good faith from both sides. China has never fallen short of offering its fair share. It's all up to Washington now.
Saturday marks Rex Tillerson's first visit to China as secretary of state. Many speculate that one of the top U.S. diplomat's missions in Beijing over the weekend is to communicate with the Chinese side over a possible meeting between the heads of state of the two countries in the coming weeks.
Prior to Tillerson's visit, recent days have seen a number of positive developments in the China-U.S. relations.
In a telephone conversation last month between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. Counterpart Donald Trump, the two leaders pledged to build a constructive bilateral relationship.
President Trump once wrote on Twitter that Washington need not to be bound by the one China policy. While speaking with Xi, he reversed that stance and reassured his Chinese counterpart that the U.S. government will honor the long-standing principle, something fundamental for the world's most important bilateral ties.
The world's top two economies do have every reason to remain committed to a strong relationship because of their broad range of shared interests, especially in trade and commerce.
The two-way trade of goods last year exceeded 519.6 billion U.S. dollars, according to the Chinese ministry of commerce. That makes China America's largest trading partner, while America China's second largest.
Also, instead of taking away U.S. manufacturing jobs, economic and trade exchanges between the two countries have actually supported more than 2.6 million jobs across a host of U.S. industries from automobile, construction equipment to agriculture.
These facts and statistics are a clear-cut demonstration of the interdependence of the world's top two economies. Any setbacks in bilateral ties would cause immeasurable harm to both sides.
Tillerson's trip also comes at a time when Asia-Pacific and the wider world are facing a trove of thorny issues that require close coordination between the two countries, notably on the situation in the Korean Peninsula.
Before he arrives in Beijing, the U.S. diplomat visited South Korea, where he called for a new approach to deal with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and hinted that military options against Pyongyang are on the table.
However, there is nothing new in this approach. These same tactics were once used by Trump's predecessor George W. Bush, and failed.
In the early years of his presidency, then U.S. President Bush implemented an isolationist and coercive policy against the DPRK's nuclear ambition, yet the DPRK did not back away.
Later, the Bush administration started to engage with the country both bilaterally and multilaterally. In exchange, Pyongyang closed its Yongbyon nuclear facilities in 2007, and returned to the negotiating table.
The approach illustrated that Washington needs to talk to the DPRK, not to terrorize it.
Before Tillerson set out on his Asian tour, the U.S state department said the secretary wanted to pursue "a results-oriented" relationship with China.
Positive results require effort and good faith from both sides. China has never fallen short of offering its fair share. It's all up to Washington now.
Beijing budgets billions of yuan to clean up air
A worker hangs ornaments at the Ming Dynasty City Wall Ruins Park under a blue sky in Beijing this month. LIU PING/CHINA DAILY
Beijing will expand funding to reduce air pollution in 2017, including phasing out hundreds of thousands of automobiles and replacing coal furnaces in hundreds of villages, the municipal government said.
So far in March, more than 10 days of clear, blue skies have been recorded. There were 198 such days last year and 186 in 2015, according to the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau.
In addition, the number of days with severe air pollution mainly due to a high concentration of PM2.5－particulate matter of 2.5 microns deemed dangerous to human health－fell to 39 last year, down from 46 in 2015, 47 in 2014 and 58 in 2013.
PM2.5 is used as a major index to record the concentration of the six major airborne pollutants.
"Beijing saw its average PM2.5 level lowered to 73 micrograms per cubic meter in 2016, a year-on-year decrease of 9.9 percent," said the capital's mayor, Cai Qi, giving credit to existing measures such as reducing coal consumption and the number of vehicles.
Data from the environmental protection bureau showed the capital cut PM2.5 levels by 19 percent from 2013 to 2016, said Zhang Dawei, director of the Beijing Environmental Monitoring Center.
Beijing will take tougher measures in 2017.
"We will crack down on air pollution with an iron fist ... to meet the public expectation of blue skies," Cai said.
Among those measures are subsidizing drivers, as about 300,000 old vehicles with excessive exhaust will be banned from the roads; and helping 700 villages replace coal-fired boilers with clean energy such as electricity and gas, which would eliminate coal consumption in the downtown districts and southern regions.
In winter, coal consumption for heating in rural areas was a major source of air pollution, Zhang said.
"In 2017, Beijing will lower its coal consumption (including for industrial production and heating) by 30 percent, with the total amount falling to less than 7 million metric tons," Cai said.
The Action Plan on Air Pollution Control and Prevention stipulated that the capital should lower its PM2.5 concentration to 60 micrograms per cubic meter by the end of this year.
The municipal government plans to spend up to 18.2 billion yuan ($2.6 billion) this year on stronger pollution-control measures, the Beijing Finance Bureau said. In 2014, the special allocation for air pollution was 12.9 billion yuan.
Beijing will expand funding to reduce air pollution in 2017, including phasing out hundreds of thousands of automobiles and replacing coal furnaces in hundreds of villages, the municipal government said.
So far in March, more than 10 days of clear, blue skies have been recorded. There were 198 such days last year and 186 in 2015, according to the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau.
In addition, the number of days with severe air pollution mainly due to a high concentration of PM2.5－particulate matter of 2.5 microns deemed dangerous to human health－fell to 39 last year, down from 46 in 2015, 47 in 2014 and 58 in 2013.
PM2.5 is used as a major index to record the concentration of the six major airborne pollutants.
"Beijing saw its average PM2.5 level lowered to 73 micrograms per cubic meter in 2016, a year-on-year decrease of 9.9 percent," said the capital's mayor, Cai Qi, giving credit to existing measures such as reducing coal consumption and the number of vehicles.
Data from the environmental protection bureau showed the capital cut PM2.5 levels by 19 percent from 2013 to 2016, said Zhang Dawei, director of the Beijing Environmental Monitoring Center.
Beijing will take tougher measures in 2017.
"We will crack down on air pollution with an iron fist ... to meet the public expectation of blue skies," Cai said.
Among those measures are subsidizing drivers, as about 300,000 old vehicles with excessive exhaust will be banned from the roads; and helping 700 villages replace coal-fired boilers with clean energy such as electricity and gas, which would eliminate coal consumption in the downtown districts and southern regions.
In winter, coal consumption for heating in rural areas was a major source of air pollution, Zhang said.
"In 2017, Beijing will lower its coal consumption (including for industrial production and heating) by 30 percent, with the total amount falling to less than 7 million metric tons," Cai said.
The Action Plan on Air Pollution Control and Prevention stipulated that the capital should lower its PM2.5 concentration to 60 micrograms per cubic meter by the end of this year.
The municipal government plans to spend up to 18.2 billion yuan ($2.6 billion) this year on stronger pollution-control measures, the Beijing Finance Bureau said. In 2014, the special allocation for air pollution was 12.9 billion yuan.
China, Philippines agree to boost trade, economic cooperation
DAVAO CITY, the Philippines, March 17 -- China and the Philippines agreed on Friday to strengthen trade and economic cooperation between the two countries after the conclusion of a high-level meeting.
During a meeting with the Philippine cabinet's economic management team, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang said China is willing to join hands with the Philippines to promote free trade and widen bilateral trade between the two sides.
Wang said that leaders of the two countries made a right decision last October to push bilateral relations back to the track of good neighborly friendship and cooperation.
"Institutional cooperation has been completely restored. Cooperation in major sectors has witnessed quick development. There is a boom of Chinese companies investing in the Philippines and there is a rapid increase of Chinese visitors," he said.
Wang said China is buying more and more tropical fruits from the Philippines.
"All these show that bilateral relations between China and the Philippines have returned to the right track," he said.
Wang, who is on a four-day visit to the Philippines, said he came here to push forward pragmatic cooperation in various fields in the hope that the two peoples would benefit from bilateral cooperation.
"China invites the Philippines to join China's Belt and Road initiative to help the Philippines to develop," he said.
Wang said China regards the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as its top priority in its peripheral diplomacy and China supports the establishment of ASEAN community and its central status in regional cooperation.
He said China is willing to throw full support behind Philippines' rotating presidency of ASEAN in 2017.
"China would like to work with the Philippines to deepen China-ASEAN relations, properly handle South China Sea issue, jointly safeguard stability in the South China Sea and maintain the good momentum of development in China-ASEAN relations," Wang Yang said.
Wang said China hopes to see an early conclusion of the negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in building a free trade zone in the Asia-Pacific region.
"It will bring more opportunities for the region's countries, including the Philippines," he said.
Officials of the Philippine side expressed their gratitude for China's support and aid, saying the Philippines will join hands with China in deepening cooperation in sectors such as infrastructure, trade, investments, agriculture, fishery and tourism.
They said the Philippines attaches importance to China's role in regional cooperation, saying the Philippines will use its presidency to enhance China-ASEAN partnership and push forward RCEP negotiations.
They said that the Philippines supports China's Belt and Road initiative and is willing to join it.
The two sides signed the Six-Year Development Program (SYDP) for Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Philippines and China.
The SYDP aims to promote stable and orderly development of economic cooperation, enlarge the scope and enhance the level of cooperation, and drive sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development in both countries.
During a meeting with the Philippine cabinet's economic management team, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang said China is willing to join hands with the Philippines to promote free trade and widen bilateral trade between the two sides.
Wang said that leaders of the two countries made a right decision last October to push bilateral relations back to the track of good neighborly friendship and cooperation.
"Institutional cooperation has been completely restored. Cooperation in major sectors has witnessed quick development. There is a boom of Chinese companies investing in the Philippines and there is a rapid increase of Chinese visitors," he said.
Wang said China is buying more and more tropical fruits from the Philippines.
"All these show that bilateral relations between China and the Philippines have returned to the right track," he said.
Wang, who is on a four-day visit to the Philippines, said he came here to push forward pragmatic cooperation in various fields in the hope that the two peoples would benefit from bilateral cooperation.
"China invites the Philippines to join China's Belt and Road initiative to help the Philippines to develop," he said.
Wang said China regards the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as its top priority in its peripheral diplomacy and China supports the establishment of ASEAN community and its central status in regional cooperation.
He said China is willing to throw full support behind Philippines' rotating presidency of ASEAN in 2017.
"China would like to work with the Philippines to deepen China-ASEAN relations, properly handle South China Sea issue, jointly safeguard stability in the South China Sea and maintain the good momentum of development in China-ASEAN relations," Wang Yang said.
Wang said China hopes to see an early conclusion of the negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in building a free trade zone in the Asia-Pacific region.
"It will bring more opportunities for the region's countries, including the Philippines," he said.
Officials of the Philippine side expressed their gratitude for China's support and aid, saying the Philippines will join hands with China in deepening cooperation in sectors such as infrastructure, trade, investments, agriculture, fishery and tourism.
They said the Philippines attaches importance to China's role in regional cooperation, saying the Philippines will use its presidency to enhance China-ASEAN partnership and push forward RCEP negotiations.
They said that the Philippines supports China's Belt and Road initiative and is willing to join it.
The two sides signed the Six-Year Development Program (SYDP) for Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Philippines and China.
The SYDP aims to promote stable and orderly development of economic cooperation, enlarge the scope and enhance the level of cooperation, and drive sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development in both countries.
Targeted deductions crucial to tax reforms
ZHAI HAIJUN/CHINA DAILY
Raising the individual income tax threshold is always in the public's interest. But since an indiscriminate increase in the threshold will neither be fair nor serve the purpose of China's tax reforms, the authorities have decided to adopt various exemption standards to ease different income groups' financial burdens.
The Government Work Report mentions applying different exemption standards for different sectors to charge individual income tax; the application also found mention at the finance minister's news conference during the just-concluded annual sessions of China's top legislature and top political advisory body.
The pace of the tax reforms, however, should be progressive, with the individual income tax reform leading the overall reform process. The reforms will ease the financial burdens of families and individuals if they can help improve people's livelihoods. That's why some have suggested that the expenses for raising a second child, supporting the elderly and acquiring professional training should be deducted from an individual's taxable income, because it will provide incentives for people to better fulfill their responsibilities.
Programs allowing certain types of expenses to be deducted from the taxable income were put on trial in some places last year. For example, the policy to exempt the premium paid for commercial health insurance from the taxable income, which was launched in 31 pilot cities, will raise the individual income tax threshold from 3,500 yuan ($506.4) per month to 3,700 yuan if the premium for commercial health insurance reaches 2,400 yuan a year, according to a document jointly released by the Ministry of Finance, the State Administration of Taxation and China Insurance Regulatory Commission.
However, this doesn't mean the government's tax revenues will reduce in the long run. Since "nothing is certain except death and taxes", the government will talk about tax reduction only if its overall tax revenues remain stable. For example, if employees are trained to acquire more professional skills, they will earn more in the future. And the more they earn, the higher the income tax they will pay.
The method of paying income tax could pose a problem, though. Private companies and government organizations now deduct the individual income tax from employees' salaries and deposit it with the tax authorities. With the deepening of the reform, people might have to report their personal incomes and provide the details of their exemptible or deductible expenses themselves, which will require a more comprehensive and stricter regulatory environment, especially for supervising the certification of taxpayers' deductible expenses.
The need, therefore, is to build a modern information tracking system across China, which will include all the information on personal incomes and property, and the entire process of tax collection, management and validation. Also, some sectors and groups of people require special supervision. For instance, specialized tax records and files should be put in place for professionals who manage cross-border investments and trade.
Another point I tried to make in my proposal to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee this year is to reduce the number of tax rate categories. At present, salaries and wages are classified into 11 types, so there is a different exemption threshold and tax rate for each type of income. Developed economies' experiences show simplified tax rates can be better managed. Besides, the tax rates at the primary stage should be lowered as the lower-income groups are not targeted to pay higher taxes.
The tax reforms can achieve major breakthroughs this year, though they should be initiated gradually across the country owing to the different levels of development and supportive measures in place in different regions. Also, to make the reforms more effective, we need a more comprehensive policy design based on the advice of experts and public opinions.
Raising the individual income tax threshold is always in the public's interest. But since an indiscriminate increase in the threshold will neither be fair nor serve the purpose of China's tax reforms, the authorities have decided to adopt various exemption standards to ease different income groups' financial burdens.
The Government Work Report mentions applying different exemption standards for different sectors to charge individual income tax; the application also found mention at the finance minister's news conference during the just-concluded annual sessions of China's top legislature and top political advisory body.
The pace of the tax reforms, however, should be progressive, with the individual income tax reform leading the overall reform process. The reforms will ease the financial burdens of families and individuals if they can help improve people's livelihoods. That's why some have suggested that the expenses for raising a second child, supporting the elderly and acquiring professional training should be deducted from an individual's taxable income, because it will provide incentives for people to better fulfill their responsibilities.
Programs allowing certain types of expenses to be deducted from the taxable income were put on trial in some places last year. For example, the policy to exempt the premium paid for commercial health insurance from the taxable income, which was launched in 31 pilot cities, will raise the individual income tax threshold from 3,500 yuan ($506.4) per month to 3,700 yuan if the premium for commercial health insurance reaches 2,400 yuan a year, according to a document jointly released by the Ministry of Finance, the State Administration of Taxation and China Insurance Regulatory Commission.
However, this doesn't mean the government's tax revenues will reduce in the long run. Since "nothing is certain except death and taxes", the government will talk about tax reduction only if its overall tax revenues remain stable. For example, if employees are trained to acquire more professional skills, they will earn more in the future. And the more they earn, the higher the income tax they will pay.
The method of paying income tax could pose a problem, though. Private companies and government organizations now deduct the individual income tax from employees' salaries and deposit it with the tax authorities. With the deepening of the reform, people might have to report their personal incomes and provide the details of their exemptible or deductible expenses themselves, which will require a more comprehensive and stricter regulatory environment, especially for supervising the certification of taxpayers' deductible expenses.
The need, therefore, is to build a modern information tracking system across China, which will include all the information on personal incomes and property, and the entire process of tax collection, management and validation. Also, some sectors and groups of people require special supervision. For instance, specialized tax records and files should be put in place for professionals who manage cross-border investments and trade.
Another point I tried to make in my proposal to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee this year is to reduce the number of tax rate categories. At present, salaries and wages are classified into 11 types, so there is a different exemption threshold and tax rate for each type of income. Developed economies' experiences show simplified tax rates can be better managed. Besides, the tax rates at the primary stage should be lowered as the lower-income groups are not targeted to pay higher taxes.
The tax reforms can achieve major breakthroughs this year, though they should be initiated gradually across the country owing to the different levels of development and supportive measures in place in different regions. Also, to make the reforms more effective, we need a more comprehensive policy design based on the advice of experts and public opinions.
China, Rwanda agree to upgrade strategic cooperation
Chinese President Xi Jinping(2nd R) and his wife Peng Liyuan (1st R) pose for a photo with Rwanda President Paul Kagame (2nd L) and his wife in Beijing, capital of China, March 17, 2017. Xi held a welcome ceremony for Kagame's China visit before their talks on Friday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
BEIJING, March 17 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting Rwanda President Paul Kagame on Friday, and the two leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral strategic cooperation.
Xi hailed the growth of bilateral ties over the past 46 years, citing enhanced political trust, trade cooperation and cultural exchanges.
He called on both sides to further deepen trust, boost personnel exchanges, share governance experience and keep close contact in global and regional affairs.
Xi vowed to support Rwanda in building an economic zone, calling for stronger bilateral cooperation in the areas of industrialization, agricultural modernization, capacity, infrastructure building, tourism and security. China will encourage more enterprises to invest in Rwanda's major infrastructure projects.
During his visit to Africa in 2013, Xi proposed developing relations with Africa with sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith and the correct viewpoint of righteousness and benefit.
"The essence of this is to combine China's growth with helping Africa's development, in a bid to realize win-win cooperation and common development," Xi told Kagame.
China is not only a supporter of Africa's sustainable development, but a pioneer leading global cooperation with Africa, said the Chinese president.
"No matter how the international situation changes, China's policy towards Africa remains unchanged, and China will not reduce its efforts to boost win-win cooperation with Africa," Xi said.
China hopes to work closely with African countries to implement the decisions of the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in South Africa's Johannesburg in 2015, he added.
Kagame, in his turn, said Rwanda cherishes its friendly ties and cooperation with China, and appreciates China's contribution to his country's reconstruction and development.
He welcomed more Chinese investment in Rwanda's agriculture, mining, tourism and infrastructure.
Rwanda appreciates China's friendly policy towards Africa, and spoke highly of China's adherence to equality and mutual respect while developing ties with Africa, Kagame said.
Before their talks, Xi held a welcome ceremony for Kagame's China visit.
BEIJING, March 17 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting Rwanda President Paul Kagame on Friday, and the two leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral strategic cooperation.
Xi hailed the growth of bilateral ties over the past 46 years, citing enhanced political trust, trade cooperation and cultural exchanges.
He called on both sides to further deepen trust, boost personnel exchanges, share governance experience and keep close contact in global and regional affairs.
Xi vowed to support Rwanda in building an economic zone, calling for stronger bilateral cooperation in the areas of industrialization, agricultural modernization, capacity, infrastructure building, tourism and security. China will encourage more enterprises to invest in Rwanda's major infrastructure projects.
During his visit to Africa in 2013, Xi proposed developing relations with Africa with sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith and the correct viewpoint of righteousness and benefit.
"The essence of this is to combine China's growth with helping Africa's development, in a bid to realize win-win cooperation and common development," Xi told Kagame.
China is not only a supporter of Africa's sustainable development, but a pioneer leading global cooperation with Africa, said the Chinese president.
"No matter how the international situation changes, China's policy towards Africa remains unchanged, and China will not reduce its efforts to boost win-win cooperation with Africa," Xi said.
China hopes to work closely with African countries to implement the decisions of the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in South Africa's Johannesburg in 2015, he added.
Kagame, in his turn, said Rwanda cherishes its friendly ties and cooperation with China, and appreciates China's contribution to his country's reconstruction and development.
He welcomed more Chinese investment in Rwanda's agriculture, mining, tourism and infrastructure.
Rwanda appreciates China's friendly policy towards Africa, and spoke highly of China's adherence to equality and mutual respect while developing ties with Africa, Kagame said.
Before their talks, Xi held a welcome ceremony for Kagame's China visit.
Rising Like a Phoenix
Beijing women's football team has been top-ranked in China since it was established in 1985. The team has twice won the gold medal at the National Games of China, and the team has twice won the championship of the top-level Chinese women's league. Thirty of the team's players have been members of the national squad. In November 2016, Beijing Enterprises Group Co., Ltd. (one of Beijing's largest State-owned enterprises) announced it planned to establish BG Phoenix Football Club, and pattern the team on Beijing women's football team. BG Phoenix has hired a professional team to deal with management, marketing and the transfer of players. The club plans to sign some top foreign players. The club will establish both an international football school and a training base for young players. BG Phoenix has five coaches and a 25-member squad, including two players from Chinese Taipei. The club also has three groups of players under age 18.As the team's head coach, Liu Ying, a former member of the national squad, said the establishment of the club will definitely benefit the team's development. China's women's football team won the silver medal at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, and it finished second at the Women's World Cup in 1999. The members of the national squad, including Liu, who competed between 1990 and 2005, were called "steel roses." Liu said every football player dreams of competing in the World Cup and Olympic Games. She feels satisfied with her playing career. Liu retired in 2005. Since then, she coached the Beijing U-18 women's team for eight years. Most recently, she has been the head coach of Beijing women's team.Due to the lack of sponsorship, the team couldn't offer good salaries to the players. Some star players joined other teams in 2015, and it was hard for Beijing to find qualified young players. In 2016, Beijing finished sixth among eight teams in the league. "Some teams completed their transformation into professional clubs two years ago. They have obtained sponsorships and they have top squads. Thus, it is significant that BG Phoenix was established. Although we still don't have a strong squad in 2017, I believe a highly competitive league will push our players to spare no effort during every match. The players will have higher incomes than before as long as they perform well," Liu says. BG Phoenix will compete in the women's super league and the Tianjin National Games this year. The team has been preparing since January."It is the club's first year. We will do our best in all matches, and we will seek steady improvements through the matches. As a coach, I still have much to learn. I will keep improving my professional competence," Liu says.When Liu and the Chinese team competed for the World Cup in 1999, Gu Yasha, now a member of both BG Phoenix and the national squad, started learning to play football. "Back then, the Chinese women's team was very strong, and many players were popular throughout the country. But I was not much interested in the game until my PE (physical education) teacher in primary school asked me to join the school's football team, when I was 10. Once I got involved, I enjoyed it. Now, playing football still makes me happy," Gu says. Two years later, to receive more professional training, she left her hometown, Zhengzhou, capital of Central China's Henan Province. She attended Chaoyang District's Sports School, in Beijing, and in 2005 she joined Beijing women's team. Given her good performance, Gu, then 17, was named to China's Olympic squad in 2008. "I didn't have much pressure at that time, and it felt amazing that I was able to score a goal, on home soil. I'll always remember that moment," Gu says. She also competed in the Women's World Cup in 2015. Last year, Gu became the only member of the Rio Olympic squad who had competed in the Beijing 2008 Olympics. "Compared with my first Olympics, I knew I had to make a bigger contribution and help the team go further in Rio. I was happy that I scored a goal again for the team," says Gu. Gu is now in the second year of her master's program. She is working toward a master's degree in sports education from Beijing Normal University. She hopes she can play football for several more years. She also hopes to help promote women's football education after she obtains her degree. Zhang Yue, goalkeeper of BG Phoenix, was also a member of China's Olympic squad in 2016. She said competing in the Olympic qualifiers was an unforgettable experience. "Because we failed to qualify for the London Olympics, and because our rivals performed better in international events, many people thought it would be hard for our team to win the qualifiers. However, we made it with our concerted efforts. I felt proud of the team," Zhang says. Gu and Zhang hope they will help BG Phoenix achieve good results in 2017. "We hope we will perform well in the women's super league. We expect that more fans … will come to watch our games at the stadium. We will design the images of the club and players. We hope we will blaze a trail in the development of Chinese women's football clubs," says Zhang Tingzhe, general manager of BG Phoenix.(Executive Editor: XIAO FENG, Women of China English Monthly March 2017 Issue)
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