01-31-08

中國將限制因特網視頻 (China to Restrict Internet Video)

中國政府定於星期四開始採取措施，加強對因特網的控制。12月29號宣佈的措施給予國營公司提供網上視頻或允許用戶分享個人視頻的獨家權力。

這一措施由中國國家廣電總局和資訊產業部制訂。目前還不清楚這一政策將如何落實。

星期四早上，像土豆網、我樂網和網友天下等由私營公司經營的廣受歡迎網站還在運行。

中國上個星期還宣佈，將採取措施控制針網上音樂內容，以防止盜版行為。

China is scheduled to take steps Thursday to tighten controls on the Internet. The measure, announced December 29th, will give state companies the exclusive right to provide online video content or allow users to share their own videos.

The measure was adopted by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the Ministry of Information. It was not immediately clear how the policy will be implemented. 

Popular Web sites run by private companies like Tudou-dot-com, 56-dot-com and Wangyou-dot-com were still operating early Thursday.

China announced last week that it will also take steps to rein in online music content to prevent piracy.

中國官員稱暴風雪嚴重影響農作物 (Chinese Official Says Winter Storms Having Extremely Serious Impact on Crops)

中國一位主要農業官員表示，中國惡劣的暴風雪對越冬農作物帶來極為嚴重影響。陳錫文星期四在北京對媒體表示，對中國南方農作物的影響已經極為嚴重。他稱對水果和新鮮蔬菜造成毀滅性損害。

陳錫文表示，目前還不清楚全部的災情和損失情況。他補充說，這將主要取決於天氣。他說，如果暴風雪向北方移動，威脅到冬季糧食供應，局勢將進一步惡化。

天氣預報說，新一波嚴冬天氣星期四將為中國中部和南部帶來更多降雪和凍雨。數以十萬計的中國民眾仍然被困在這些地區的火車站和機場。

A top Chinese agricultural official says brutal winter storms in China are having an extremely serious impact on winter crops. Speaking with reporters Thursday in Beijing, Chen Xiwen said the impact on crops in southern China was already extremely serious. He called the damage to fruit and fresh vegetable crops catastrophic.

Chen said it is still unclear what the full impact and losses will be, adding that would largely depend on the weather. He said the situation could worsen if storms move north and threaten winter grain supplies.

Forecasters are predicting a new wave of harsh winter weather will bring more snow and freezing rain to central and southern China Thursday. Hundreds of thousands of Chinese remain stranded at train stations and airports in parts of the country.