China remains the leading destination for clean energy investment as of last year as global investment continues to decline.

A report in the United States says China remains the leading regional and global clean energy market, attracting over 50 billion U.S. dollars last year.

The report says the worldwide investment in clean energy kept declining last year after reaching its peak in 2011. It was mainly dragged down by the curtailment of incentives in regions including Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Clean energy finance in the European region slid sharply for the second consecutive year, by over 40 percent.

However, Japan, Canada and non-G20 markets witnessed quick investment growth. Japan experienced the fastest growth in the world by increasing 80 percent last year to almost 30 billion dollars.

The report also found more solar than wind energy was installed globally for the first time last year. Solar will be the leading clean energy technology in both investment and capacity for the next few years.

This is NEWS Plus Special English.

Children's literature writers in China have been urged to produce more outstanding work and boost their presence in the global market.

The call came amid International Children's Book Day which fell on April 2.

April 2 is the birthday of prominent Danish fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen. It is an annual event featuring writing competitions, book fairs, awards and talks.

Founded in 1967, the day is sponsored by the International Board on Books for Young People, an international non-profit organization.

The China Society for the Study of Children's Literature says Chinese children's literature has developed its own characteristics in recent years. Children's authors stick to the values of truth, goodness and beauty so as to help children obtain valid philosophies and life values.

However, experts also pointed out that the quality of children's books varies greatly, and China needs excellent kids' books with international influence.

You are listening to NEWS Plus Special English. I'm Mark Griffiths in Beijing.

A new mobile messaging application called FireChat is empowering nearby smartphone users to stay in touch even when there's no cellular service or Internet connection.

In just two weeks since its release on the iPhone, FireChat already has already provided a flicker of hope for people pining for more effective, secure and affordable ways to communicate. That's because the free messaging app harnesses a technology called wireless mesh networking, which might one day allow a myriad of devices to connect like links in a chain.

The technique might one day be used to tie together thousands of devices with built-in radios and make it possible to be online without having to pay for the access. It could also enable online communications in remote areas or disaster zones without Wi-Fi or cellular signals.

Furthermore, the conversations in these so-called "off-the-grid" networks can't easily be hacked into by spies and mischief makers or shut down by governments trying to stifle free speech.

Michael Benoliel, CEO of Open Garden, the maker of the FireChat app, says they are trying to create networks built by the people for the people.

Open Garden, a San Francisco startup with just 10 employees, has released a FireChat app for Android phones.

This is NEWS Plus Special English.

The European Parliament has voted to stop Internet providers from charging for preferential access to their networks. This is a step cheered by consumer groups and startups, but bemoaned by the telecommunications industry.

The bill on "net neutrality" forces Internet providers to treat all traffic the same regardless of its source.

The European Commission has hailed the overwhelming vote as "historic", saying it will help to get rid of barriers and to make life less expensive for consumers.

Small companies, consumer groups and online freedom activists cheered the vote.

But large European telecommunications companies protested, warning of dire consequences if net neutrality is enacted in all European countries.

You're listening to NEWS Plus Special English. I'm Mark Griffiths in Beijing.

Turkey's government has lifted its ban on Twitter a day after the country's highest court ruled that the block was a violation of freedom and must be restored.

Turkey blocked access to the social media website a few weeks ago after some users posted links suggesting government corruption. The government also blocked access to YouTube following the leak of an audio recording of a high-level security meeting.

The leaks were posted on Twitter and YouTube in the run up to local elections on March 30, which gave the ruling party a decisive victory.

The moves sparked international criticism and the ban was challenged in several Turkish courts.

However, the high court decision was limited to Twitter. Access to YouTube remained blocked.

This is NEWS Plus Special English.

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