Thursday, March 18, 2004

• China's top legislator hails debut of Pan-African parliament
• China's top diplomat to visit DPRK
• Trial voyage to Diaoyu Islands set out later this month
• Forest fire on Myanmar border threatens China
• Mysterious tunnel linked to smugglers
• Advanced judicial identification center launched in E. China
• Nuclear energy to relieve China's power demands
• Photos: Anti-terror drills in Shandong
• China urges other countries to lift poultry import ban
• China's income distribution policy urged to be adjusted
• Tsang : HK not a testing ground for political system
• Quarantine official urges to lift restrictions on poultry imports from China
• Premier urges to properly handle death of Chinese miners in Turkish gas explosion
• Four drug gang members executed in east China
• China urges prioritizing urban public transport development
• Bodies of 9 Chinese victims of Kazakhstan landslide back home
• FM offers condolences to Russia over building blast
• China urges Sudan to rescue kidnapped workers

• Elite US law firm to expand in China
• Australia, China target free trade
• More gains for power companies
• Oil importer lands LNG contract with Iran
• Tom Group net profits hit US$1.62m in 2003
• Volkswagen wants larger stake in FAW VW
• Nansha port targets overseas investment
• Carrefour opens flagship store in Beijing 
• IMF raises its forecasts for world economic growth
• 3.31 million tons of liquor produced in 2003
• Fast rise in investment recorded
• Major SOEs target US$30b profit this year
• China Telecom pledges to seize all opportunities to accelerate growth
• China urges prioritizing urban public transport development
• CEOs worldwide identify Asia as key market for growth: IBM study
• Patent applications in China amount to 2 million

• UN calls on captors to free two Chinese engineers
• Sudan condemns abduction of two Chinese workers
• US to designate Pakistan non-NATO ally: Powell
• Georgia's president to fly to rebel province for talks
• Goh Kun doubles as commander-in-chief
• S. Korean court asks President Roh to attend hearing
• At least 15 killed, 300 injured in Kosovo
• Arkhangelsk death toll rises to 55
• Australia, China target free trade agreement
• Russian navy test-fires intercontinental ballistic missile
• Gas explosion kills five Chinese in Turkey 
• International presence might be needed in Gaza: UN envoy
• US to stay in Afghanistan for a long term: Powell
• AU to set up anti-terror center in Algeria
• 27 killed, 40 injured in bombing at Baghdad hotel
• US to announce new sanctions on Syria soon
• French government issues law banning headscarves in public schools

• Iraq war transforms US foreign policy
• Iraq war bears lots of "bitter fruit" in the past year: Commentary
• Martin, Sam play it again in anti-China duet: Comment
• China's "putting people first" development model: Commentary

• Chinese scientists: Sedna good as "planetoid", not planet 
• Nation educates 1.5 million inmates on law
• China develops special robot for diversified complex situations
• Overseas students in China decline in 2003: official
• Advanced judicial identification center launched in E. China
• China becomes second largest spam receiver
• Ming Dynasty road discovered in SW China
• AMD introduces new chip for notebook computers
• Schools attract global students
• NASA develops 'thought-reading' software
• CAS president urges scientists to be more innovative
• China's first large aircraft may take off by 2018

• Li Guoxu starts new career in Boca Juniors
• S.Korea closer to Olympics with 1-nil win over Iran
• China defeats Myanmar in soccer friendly
• "Basketball Cesar" seeks feeders for Yao Ming
• Snooker prodigy Ding qualifies for players championship
• Olympic champion Kong out of China's table tennis roster for Olympic qualifiers

• Women foster Sino-French links
• Kiln collapse kills four, injures one in north China
• Liu Hairuo Returns to HK
• Call for 5 more annual holidays
• Alarm over false air traffic instructions
• Strong wind to end in North China
• Zhang Daqian's Last Painting Unveiled in SW China
• Ruins of ancient iron-casting workshops unearthed in central China
• Chinese vets give sex lessons to panda Hua Mei 
• Leading literary magazine honored by Shanghai gov't
• Mainland, Taiwan Buddhist music concert staged in Macao
• Shanghai reforms medical system, extending cheaper services to migrants