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The "Northeast Passage" is in blue. The maiden voyage to Europe by a Chinese merchant ship through the "Northeast Passage" will help the world's biggest exporter speed goods to market and is a symbol of Beijing's strategic ambitions in the Arctic. The emerging Arctic Ocean shipping route north of Russia has been opened up by global warming and cuts thousands of kilometres (miles) -- and many days -- off the journey from China to its key European market. A vessel owned by Chinese state shipping giant COSCO left the northeastern port of Dalian last week bound for Rotterdam in the Netherlands, on a 5,400-kilometre (3,380-mile) voyage which state media said would take just over 30 days. That is up to two weeks faster than the traditional route between Asia and Europe through the Suez Canal, according to COSCO. "It's potentially going to change the face of world trade," said Sam Chambers, editor of SinoShip magazine. "The Chinese will use the Arctic route in a very big way. It's all about having options, having alternatives in case of emergency," he said. But China is also eyeing the Arctic for better access to resources to fuel the world's second largest economy, such as the natural gas reserves held by political ally Russia in the region. China -- which does not border the Arctic and has no territorial claim to any of it -- also recognises the area's potential for scientific research and its strategic value as what one Chinese analyst who did not want to be named called "military high ground". The commercial shipping route is currently only open for about four months a year as polar ice melting as a result of global warming makes it more accessible. Three months ago, China gained observer status in the Arctic Council, a group of nations with interests in the region which is believed could hold rich mineral and energy resources. The council's eight full member states are Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States. "The opening of the new shipping route indicates China is participating more in Arctic Ocean affairs," said Zhang Yongfeng, a researcher at the Shanghai International Shipping Institute. The European Union is China's biggest export destination with 290 billion euros ($385 billion) in goods sold last year and COSCO, China's largest shipper, described the new service in purely commercial terms, saying it will slash shipping times, thus cutting costs and fuel consumption. "The Arctic route can cut 12-15 days from traditional routes so the maritime industry calls it the 'Golden Waterway'," COSCO said in announcing the journey. The company's 19,000-tonne ship Yong Sheng -- which is carrying a mixed cargo, including heavy equipment and steel -- is expected to pass through the Bering Strait later this month and dock in Rotterdam in September, it said. "It will change the market pattern of the global shipping industry because it will shorten the maritime distance significantly among the Chinese, European and North American markets," Dalian Maritime University professor Qi Shaobin told state media. But analysts said developing the route would take time -- while lack of infrastructure raised worries over contingencies for potential emergencies. "In the near term, the economic value for shipping is definitely not big," said Zhang, of the Shanghai International Shipping Institute. "The navigable period of the passage is relatively short... while the port and pier infrastructure along the route is incomplete." China is seeking to grow markets in southeast Asia and Africa, so more trade might flow to the south, lessening the importance of the Arctic route, he added. China's total foreign trade volume was $3.87 trillion last year. But some Chinese estimates claim between five and 15 percent of the country's international trade could use the Arctic route within a mere seven years.

Just to help you to get rid of your Monday's Blues and looking forward to the rest of the week............... I believe no English dictionary has been able to explain the difference between these 2 words in a way that's so easy to understand Difference Between Complete & Finished... : People say there is no difference between COMPLETE & FINISHED. . but there is: When you marry the right one, you are COMPLETE.... And when you marry the wrong one, you are FINISHED..... And when the right one catches you with the wrong one, you are ... COMPLETELY FINISHED Have a nice week ahead .......................

while Engine stop or running multimeter to measure got DC13V, engine igniting drop to DC10V, each Ignition time 1~2sec, no repeating How is the battery status?

Is Toyota's reputation finished and will they lose market dominance over the self accelerating issue? Let's look at this from a local and international perspective. I don't know about international markets but consumers here are probably too besotted by the badge to care. Most likely nothing will change until local Altises start shooting off Sheares bridge. I do feel a bit sorry for Toyota because American car makers have been in the red so now is the time to bring out the daggers. It's also hard to tell whether the accidents was caused by faulty accelerator, kayu driver or just some chao keng trying to make a quick buck.

Hi to all my fellow MCFers, my contract with StarHub is over, I am paying $174 per month for my broadband and 6 basic group of cable TV. Now I am wondering if I should RENEW or go to Mio. My DAD watches EPL, my 3 children watches discovery and the cartoon channels. What do you think? My current package is Expensive? Please advice, thanks!

Hi to all bro and sis, I just finished my servicing package by TCM when I sent in for the 50k servicing. TCM recommendedme to continue with them as they have a package to cover I think 6 more servicing for about 900-1k dollars. I have been hearing that ususally we are able to find outside workshop that is either better or at least cheaper too. Not so sure if need to change parts is cheaper too? Can anyone please advice me some workshop to go. I was thinking of comfort delgro. Please advice. Oh by the way my ride is a Sunny N16. Thanks.

I'm 90% done on my DIY capsule from PVC pipes. Want to thank "Firespitter" & "Normal_aspirated" for giving some critical information to put me on a think path. Design Vol, Market spec = 1.0lit to 1.7lit My material 3" PVC pipe, Hazard from MSDS "will degrade at 260oC to produce HCL" Parts: 1) 3" PVC pipe, lenght 12" 2) 2x PVC endcap & 2x eblow 3) 2x brass spigot, 1 end with screw tread & nut. Cost = RM$28 Time taken 3hrs max.