‘Terrorism’ redefined Chinese lawmakers reviewed draft legislation on the nation’s first counter-terrorism* law on December 21. The draft, tabled for a third reading at the bimonthly session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, is China’s latest attempt to address terrorism at home and help maintain world security. One notable change in the text is an updated definition of the term “terrorism.” 100m new urbanites China plans to turn 100 million farmers into registered urban residents with the hope that this will encourage them to buy city apartments and help alleviate the country’s massive housing glut*, an official said on December 22. The plan will be implemented starting next year, said Xu Shaoshi, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, the country’s top economic planning agency. Xu didn’t specify when the plan would be completed. Vanke supported by Anbang In a dramatic twist* in the fight to take over China Vanke, Anbang Insurance Group, a significant shareholder of the largest home builder in the world by sales, said it will support chairman Wang Shi and his management team to run the company and fend off a hostile takeover by the Baoneng Group. Anbang said in an announcement, issued by the Shenzhen-based Vanke on Thursday, that it approved of Vanke’s existing corporate culture and operating style. New law to allow 2 children Chinese lawmakers passed a historic law on Sunday, allowing all couples to have two children. “The State advocates* that one couple shall be allowed to have two children,” according to the newly revised Law on Population and Family Planning, passed at the bimonthly session of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, which ran from December 21 to Sunday. The newly revised law will take effect on January 1. Relaxation of the family planning policy is expected to provide part of the solution to the challenge of an aging population, and to become a new driver for the economy in the long run.(SD-Agencies) | 