[Photo/VCG] HONG KONG -- Those who are bringing in, making, selling, distributing, or promoting alternative smoking products including E-cigarettes in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) may face a maximum penalty of a fine of 50,000 HK dollars ($6,370) and six months' imprisonment. A bill to amend the Smoking Ordinance targeting alternative cigarettes was submitted to the Legislative Council of HKSAR on Wednesday. The bill is proposed by the Food and Health Bureau of the HKSAR government and will have its first reading on Feb 20, or next Wednesday. Safeguarding the health of the public is the primary concern of the government though the bill may raise different opinions under expected paramount discussion, said Sophia Chan, secretary for the Food and Health Bureau, on her official blog. The government hopes to nip the problem in the bud, Amy Yuen, deputy secretary for the Food and Health Bureau, told press on Wednesday. As these products are still relatively new in Hong Kong, they're not as entrenched as conventional smoking products. It is the responsibility of the government to prevent these products from taking root in Hong Kong, said Yuen. recycled silicone wristbands24 hour silicone wristbands24 hour wristbandssilicone wristbands made in canadacustom bracelets
BEIJING -- China Development Bank (CDB), a major policy bank, plans to lend 400 billion yuan (about $63.8 billion) to support targeted poverty relief projects this year.The loans will be used to fund infrastructure construction, relocate poor residents, develop local industries, and improve education and health care in poverty-stricken areas, according to the bank.It said it has extended 919 billion yuan of loans in the past five years for targeted poverty relief projects in 987 poor counties.Founded in 1994, the CDB is designed to provide finance to major national projects and development strategies. It has become the world's largest development finance institution.The Chinese government aims to lift over 10 million people out of poverty in 2018, including relocating 2.8 million people from inhospitable areas.More than 68.5 million rural people were lifted out of poverty in China between the end of 2012 and the end of 2017. The national poverty rate fell from 10.2 percent to 3.1 percent.China is aiming to eliminate poverty by 2020 in a bid to create a "moderately prosperous society."Policy makers have listed poverty alleviation as one of the country's "three tough battles" for the next three years, along with risk prevention and pollution control.
