Saturday, December 20, 2003

• Taiwan SARS patient in stable condition
• Chinese, Russian presidents talk over phone
• Macao SAR gov't embraces rosy picture in final-year term
• China welcomes Libya's announcement to renounce WMD
• Flag-hoisting ceremony kicks off Macao SAR anniversary celebrations
• China faces skills crisis among senior skilled workers
• Charter plan across the Taiwan Straits faces failure
• China keeping WTO pledges: official

• Firms learn to fend off copyright disputes
• Cinemas open wider to foreign investment
• Beijing reports big rise in automobile sales
• HK GNP down 1.9 pct in Q3
• HK manufacturing gross output slips in 2002
• Bank of China (HK) sees 5% growth of HK economy in 2004
• Corporate executives jailed for fraud, embezzlement
• Nokia wins mobile telephone contract in China

• US to keep contact with China on DPRK nuclear issue
• Bremer says December assassination bid failed
• Iran promises "nuclear transparency" with signing NPT protocol
• "Saddam" proves popular name among Thai Muslims
• Alleged al-Qaida tape warns Americans
• Libya announces to abandon WMD
• Inter-Korean meeting ends with agreement on communication, transaction
• Brazil, Russia propose expanding UN Security Council
• Japan unveils FY 2004 budget draft
• Iran's additional nuclear protocol widely welcomed
• Russia says business interests crucial in Iraq debt relief
• India, Pakistan to resume rail services
• Revised WTC Freedom Tower design unveiled 
• Blair welcomes Libya's decision to give up WMD

• NATO sharpens edge to confront future challenges
• GDP no longer sole index of China's growth
• India, Pakistan inch tentatively toward normalization of relations
• Could Iraq issue lead to Bush's political demise?
• Caution needed on Japan's defence growth: Analysis

• Mars probe launch successful: European space officials

• Chinese F1 Grand Prix ticket prices set

• Macao names winners for medals of honors
• Precious ancient canoe discovered in Fujian
• 10 students poisoned by wild plant
• Fifth East Asian Women's Forum kicks off in HK
• Tibetan edition of three-volume Tibetan folklore to be published
• Hepatitis B carrier launches legal action