The 8th China Plastics Expo opened on November 6. On the very day, 35 projects were signed, The total investment for the projects reaches million 352 million US dollars. including 24 foreign-funded projects, contracts valuing 165 million US dollars, 6 scientific and technological projects, 5 Chinese funded projects, and contract Chinese agreement valuing 514 million yuan.

On the same day, The foundation laying ceremony was held for the 3rd phase project of China Plastics City (CBD). The total investment for the project is 550 million yuan and the floorage of the project amounts to 140,000 sq meters. The project is to be completed in October 2008.

On November 7, China Plastic Institute and Ningbo Plastic Institute were founded in Yuyao. Jiang Taiwei, Head of Zhejiang Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Zheng Yu, Director of Ningbo Bureau of Science and Technology, and other government officials were present at the opening ceremony. Foundation of the institute is an important step for the development of China Plastic City and it indicates that the capacity of the plastic industry of Yuyao will be highly raised.

Plastic industry is one of the key industries of Ningbo and one that has strong regional advantageous features. Yuyao is the largest production base of plastic products in China, known as "Kingdom of Plastics", and "Capital of Moulds". In June this year, Yuyao Government and China Weapons Industry Group decided to found Plastic Institute of Yuyao Plastic City, and Ningbo Plastic Institute. The institutes In line with the market demand of the plastic industry, the institute aims to promote the development of the plastic industry of Yuyao, and tries to become a strong research institute and a platform of technological innovation and services in Ningbo and Zhejiang.

On November 6, the organization committee of China Food Expo announced that the Food Expo this year will have 2,200 standard exhibition stalls, with a floorage of about 55,000 square meters. Over 1,500 food producers and about 50,000 professional purchasers will come to the expo. Thus, the Expo is to be the Top Food Expo of China.

And the expo will be a meeting of food producers and purchasers from the five continents of the world.

According to the organization committee, the national exhibition will try to attract attention of the African officials of China-Africa Cooperation Forum. So far, trade representatives from 14 African countries including Kenya, Libya, Nigeria, and South Africa have confirmed to come to the food expo.

European countries, American countries, and Asian countries will also participate in the expo. Some international purchasers including Carrifour, Metro, and Auchan have decided to put in larger orders. Vice Manager of Metro will lead 50 professional purchasers to the expo.

For the first time, the expo will have a special exhibition hall for China time-honored brands. Shibajie Mahua, Deserts of Fuyuanguan, Dong'e donkey-hide gelatin, Guorenzhang's nutlets, Whangzhihe's preserved bean curd, Wufangzai's zongzi, and Tianli vinegar and many other have decided to come to Ningbo.

On the morning of November 2, 2006, the Sweden antique sailboat "Goteborg", which has taken about 11 years for its building, arrived at the fishing port of Shenjiamen, Zhoushan. The whole town of Shenjiamen turned out to welcome the arrival of the friendship messenger from Swede. Shenjiamen is the last port that she visited during her voyage in Mainland China. In the next days during the 4th China Shenjiamen International Fishing Festival, Goteborg will be open for the visitors.

As early as 260 years ago, the Sweden merchant ship "Goteborg" took her voyages along the Silk Road on the Sea to China, and she is now a witness of the friendship between Swede and China. Now, the rebuilt Goteborg has taken the same route and revisited China.

Yesterday morning, with flowers, colors and fireworks, 2006 China Tourism Investment and Symposium opened at Ningbo International Exhibition and Conference Center. Officials from the relevant central government departments, governments of Zhejiang and other provinces, and some government officials from foreign countries were present at the opening of the symposium.

This session of the symposium will last for two days. However, the symposium is a good opportunity for a visitor to have a wonderful tour of all China. The 1,100 exhibition stalls of 24,000 square meters display the most magnificent sight of the best known mountains and rivers of China through models, pictures and multi media.

The exhibition of Ningbo is quite unique in its features as a port city, concentrating on the display of the holiday resort of Ninghai Bay, the Hangzhou Bay wet land, the Dongqianhu Wold Theme Park and other 82 tourist resorts.

On the morning of November 1, the contract signing ceremony of the 2006 China Tourism Investment and Symposium was held at Ningbo International Exhibition and Conference Center. Officials present at the ceremony included Shao Weiqi, Director of State Tourist Bureau, Tang Hongguang, Director of Information Center of State Tourist Bureau, Ji Genli, Director of the Organization Committee of the Symposium, Mao Guanglie, Vice Secretary of Ningbo Municipal Committee of the CPC and Mayor of Ningbo, and other officials of Ningbo Municipal Government.

In the ceremony, 18 projects involving investment of 12.01 billion yuan were signed. These projects are related to the development and construction of scenic areas, theme parks, hotels, and other tourist projects. The investors are in the main from Shanhai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and USA.

In the symposium, Ningbo is the biggest winner of the investment. Of the investment of 12.01 billion yuan, 5.5 billion is into Ningbo.

There are a group of farmers in Daqi Street who, though all busy making a living, at appointed times, will drop their hoes and gather in a rehearsal hall, where their weather-beaten hands are equally ambidextrous with those western musical instruments. Standing before the band with a baton in hand, Chen Junzhong, is both the founder and conductor of the band.

Used to serve in the army, Mr. Chen is in his fifties and was elected vice chairman of the country's elders' association last year. However, on the parole organized by the street years ago, compared with other teams featured either by dragon dancing or bell drum, the team of his village was anything but impressive. And this made Mr. Chen, a music fan sad. "Our opera band was one of the best in our county, but now we fall behind."

Mr. Chen decided that a band with its own striking character should be organized and the lost reputation should be regained. Once, when he was in Daqi Culture Square, he was attracted by the performance given by East Sea Fleet brass band, by their inspiring music, tidy uniform and shining musical instruments."How about having a brass band of our own?" an idea occurred to him. With the support given by the village leaders, he began to buy the instruments and invite teachers. A month later, a band of 27 farmers was founded in Xuyang village, the first in Beilun District.

The beginning part is always difficult. With little knowledge of music, his members had great difficulty dealing with those instruments. "It was even hard to make sound, let alone syllables. During this difficult time, it was the support given by my family as well as village heads that made me carry on.” said Mr. Chen. To solve the problem of the noise, the village gave them a room far away from the residents. Chen's daughter, though doing business far abroad, always called and supported him. And she also sent back 4,000 yuan to support her father.

After a couple of months, his band could play almost ten songs and began playing in various ceremonies. On 1st May, 2006, the band took part in the performance organized by Daqi Street in Tianyi Square, downtown Ningbo. With a sonorous "Entering a New Era", the band won thunderous applause from the audience.

Looking back at the past, Mr. Chen told the reporter that his band has gained a good reputation now, and the appearance fee of the band is 2,000 yuan now with many customers waiting for their show, some even having signed long-term contracts. He said that the band was founded with the help of the village, but now it will make a living by its own. He was quite confident that the band would entertain more people and its members would also have a better life.

More than 500 volunteers from universities in Ningbo are now ready for the coming of Tourism and Investment Fair. They are determined to provide more considerate and convenient service for guests from home and abroad. They will become the symbol of civilized Ningbo.

2006 China Tourism and Investment Fair will be held during 31st of October to 2nd of November in Ningbo. The Youth League and Volunteer Association of Ningbo called for active participation of the Fair by volunteers. During the Fair, volunteers will become civilization envoy who can demonstrate the glamour of the city to guests with their warm and sincere service.

It is said that more than 500 volunteers have expressed their willingness to serve in the Fair. They come from universities in Ningbo, including Science and Engineering School of Zhejiang Univeristy, Wanli College, Zhejiang Industry and Commerce Vocational College and Ningbo Dahongying Institue. They will serve as translators, secretaries, computer operators and guides during the Fair.