In May Chinese President Hu Jintao exchanged congratulatory messages with Queen Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard of the Netherlands in celebration of 40 years of diplomatic ties. In his message, Hu noted that China and the Netherlands have increased mutual understanding and trust thanks to their concerted efforts. Bilateral cooperation in various areas such as trade, agriculture, science and technology, education and culture has yielded great achievements. The president added that both nations have also maintained good communication and coordination in global and regional affairs.

Queen Beatrix said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the Netherlands and China have had close contact on politics, economy, culture and a range of other areas and their constructive

Vice Premier Li Keqiang met with Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr in May to discuss bilateral ties. Li hailed the achievements made during the 40 years of bilateral relations, citing close exchanges and fruitful cooperation in trade, education, technology and culture.

China has become Australias largest trading partner, he said, adding that both

sides have maintained sound coordination in regional and international affairs. The vice premier called on both sides to strengthen political trust, re-

More than 10 international and domestic automobile companies signed contracts with Shanghai International Automobile City to enter its Auto Research and Development Harbor in May. This first batch of companies include Italys car design firm Pininfarina and Canadas KSR International Co., as well as Chinas Shenzhen Hangsheng Electronics Co., Ltd. and Chongqing Chaoli Hi-tech Co., Ltd.

With an investment of RMB 1.5 billion, the Auto R&D Harbor covers an area of 12.4 hectares, on which the construction of 120 independent research and development buildings will be completed in 18 months. The center is expected to house 150 medium-sized auto R&D companies.

Shanghai International Automobile City is an integrated automobile industry base, combining 15 public research and development platforms, 12 enterprise headquarters and 65 auto research centers and more than 10,000 researchers.

This lovingly crafted audiocassette coffee table will add a unique sense of nostalgic novelty to your home. It is crafted in maple, walnut and Lucite. Though the 12:1 wooden scale tape doesnt actually play any music, it works as a fully functioning and practical table.

Northwest Chinas Gansu Province, home to the countrys earliest nuclear base, plans to build more than 30 radiation monitoring stations in the next five years.

The province will invest RMB 30 million in setting up stations in 14 cities and prefectures and also in areas with sources of radioactivity including uranium mining and metallurgy and nuclear facilities, according to the local nuclear and radiation safety bureau.

Gansu has already established three automated radiation monitoring stations in the cities of Lanzhou, Jiayuguan and Jinchang in the past five years. They contributed greatly to emergency monitoring during the Fukushima nuclear disaster, and have been providing accurate data on local