College entrance exam gains recognition in more countries, but it lags behind other tests
Up to 1,000 universities in 14 popular overseas destinations for Chinese applicants now accept gaokao test scores as admission criteria, according to a report released on Monday by an online portal for students.
The findings reflect increasing overseas recognition for China's national college entrance examination, though it still lags behind other exams.

London-based MyOffer, which helps international students with university placement, overseas internships and career development, released the study as this year's gaokao scores were announced in some parts of China.

Earlier reports claimed that gaokao results were accepted in 20 countries and regions, but MyOffer's study contains by far the most detailed findings available.

Italy and France, according to MyOffer, are the most welcoming destinations. All of France's more than 180 universities and colleges accept gaokao scores.

Chinese applicants may apply for 206 Italian institutions through bilateral education arrangements operated by the Marco Polo Project and Turandot Program if their scores meet admission requirements.

Australia, where more than 30 universities accept gaokao scores for admission, and Spain, with more than 50, are both considered favorable destinations.

Chinese applicants must submit their scores to Singapore's 10 public-fund universities and polytechnics.

In Germany, which has more than 380 officially recognized universities, "most schools require gaokao scores", according to MyOffer.

However, Chinese students whose gaokao scores meet the admission requirements still need to study in a university at home for one to three semesters before enrolling for bachelor's degree courses in Germany.

Nine Canadian universities, including the top-rated University of British Columbia, accept gaokao test scores, although those who score below 75 percent of the maximum mark of 750 are unlikely to be considered.

Recognition of gaokao scores is still quite low in the United States, where they are accepted by only four universities; in South Korea, by just three; and New Zealand, by two.

East London University is currently one of the few UK institutions to accept the scores, though dozens of university foundation courses require them for admission.

Applicants from the Chinese mainland will find that their test scores are more welcome in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.

Up to 135 universities in Taiwan admitted mainland students with gaokao scores last year, while all eight universities in Hong Kong and six in Macao accept the scores.

MyOffer CEO Philip Hao said China's national exam "still has a long way to go compared to Advanced Placement examinations in North America and A-levels in the UK".

AP results are accepted by more than 3,600 universities in more than 40 countries, while A-level results are recognized by more than 11,000 universities in 160 countries, he said.

"Overseas universities evaluate applicants' overall performance with a comprehensive approach, while gaokao test scores play a decisive role for students who stay at home," he said. This different "education logic" poses a major challenge for gaokao internationally.

However, more overseas universities will be "forced" to accept gaokao results as an increasing number of young Chinese choose to study abroad, he added.

A total of 9.42 million Chinese students took this year's gaokao this month.

Nearly 460,000 Chinese students went abroad last year, up by 11.09 percent compared with 2013, according to the Ministry of Education.

YULIN (China): A Chinese woman has paid over $1,000 to save 100 canines from being eaten during a dog meat festival, media said today, as activists have lashed out at the event labeling it cruel.

Animal-loving Yang Xiaoyun paid about 7,000 yuan ($1,100) to save around 100 dogs in the southern city of Yulin on Saturday, web portal Netease reported.

The city holds an annual festival devoted to the animal's meat on the summer solstice, which has provoked an increasing backlash from animal protection activists.
The city's government has tried to distance itself from the event.

"Some residents of Yulin have the habit of coming together to eat lychees and dog meat during the summer solstice," the city's news office wrote on Sina Weibo, a Chinese Twitter equivalent.

"The 'summer solstice lychee and dog meat festival' is a commercial term, the city has never (officially) organised a 'dog meat festival'," it added.

Eating dog is not illegal in China, but the government called on meat vendors to respect food safety laws.

"Yulin is an open, tolerant and civilized city," it said. "We welcome people across the world to pay attention to Yulin."

These plans seems to be an utopia...very difficult to complete.
Keeping in view the transnational problems which many are experiencing it might be a difficult dream.
I have listening about India-Iran Gas pipe line passing through Pakistan & Afghanistan,seems it will never see the light of the day !!!

China is planning to build a tunnel under Mount Everest, called Qomolangma in Tibetan, as part of its plan to extend its rail link to Nepal, the state run China Daily said on Thursday.
"The line will probably have to go through Qomolangma so that workers may have to dig some very long tunnels," railway expert Wang Mengshu told China Daily.

He said that the changes in elevation along the line were remarkable and added that the speed of trains on the proposed Nepal line would be restricted at 120 km per hour because of the difficult mountain terrain.

This 2800 kilometer rail route could be a critical component for the BCIM corridor that seeks cross border trade and flow of people.

China has pledged $40 billion for the silk route, having a trade potential of USD 132 billion.

China has been endeavoring for a revival of the silk route with a visionary plan to establish wide ranging connectivity from Kunming to Kolkata.

Yunnan enjoys crucial geographical location, involving in GMS and BCIM regional cooperation.