Biggest and roungest moon of the year

A full moon is seen atop the 26-story building of the Westin Hotel in Shanghai, June 3, 2004. Astronomers said the moon was the biggest and brightest of the year, as it travelled closest to the Earth at 21:00 Thursday. Since the moon goes around the Earth in an oval-shaped orbit, it is 50,000 km closer to the Earth at the closest point and looks one-third bigger. The next chances to see the biggest moon will be July 21, 2005, August 9, 2006, and October 26, 2007. [newsphoto]

China U-21 team leading Group A in Toulon tounament

China men's U-21 team withstood the storm of their powerful French counterpart and ended up a scoreless tie in their second match in Group A in Toulon International Tounament (U-21) ongoing in Toulon, France on June 3.

Shaolin Kung Fu

"Shaolin kung fu", the symbol of Chinese martial arts, and variants of the name have been registered as trademarks by many overseas enterprises, arousing concerns from martial arts practitioners at the renowned Shaolin Temple, the Beijing-based Star Daily reported Tuesday.

S. Korea, DPRK military talks

S.Korea, DPRK start new general level military talks at South Korean resort Mount Seolak, June 3, 2004. (Xinhua/AFP, Reuters Photo)

Japanese Grand Sumo Delegation visits China

Tosimitu Kitanoumi, Chairman of Japanese Sumo Association (R2) shakes hands with Wang Xiaolin (R1), Chairman of Chinese Wushu Association. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Sino-Japanese Air Agreement and air transportation, Japanese Grand Sumo Delegation visited China again since their last tour 31 years ago. The delegation will present two shows in Beijing Capital Stadium on June 5 and 6, and have a series of cultural exchanges in China.

Top Chinese legislator met Norwegian King

Norwegian King Harald V (L) meets with Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, in Oslo June 3, 2004. The top Chinese legislator is on an official good-will visit to Norway.

China's Special Envoy met Jordanian minister

China's Special Envoy on the Middle East issue Wang Shijie (R) meets with Salah Bashir, minister of Justice and minister of State for Cabinet Affairs of Jordan, in Amman June 3, 2004. Wang visited Palestine before his arrival here. Jordan is the second leg of his Middle East tour, which will also take him to Syria.

Farewell to "Empress of Henan Opera"

The photo of Chang Xiangyu, noted Chinese Henan Opera actress, is seen at a ceremony to mourn for her in Zhengzhou City, central China's Henan Province, June 3, 2004. Hailed as the "Empress of Henan Opera", Chang died of illness at the age of 81 at Henan Provincial People's Hospital in Zhengzhou Tuesday. More than 3,000 people from all walks of life in China were present at the ceremony.

Border guards' drill against violence

Border armed policemen attend a training against violence in Alxa, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, June 2, 2004. China's public security frontier guards have launched a drilling aimed at strengthening the combat capabilities against smuggling and drug trafficking.

A natatorium for newborns in Nanning and Shanghai

A nurse helps a baby do exercises after playing in a special swimming pool for babies in Nanning, capital of southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 2, 2004. A natatorium for newborns has been built in Nanning jointly by hospitals for the protection of mothers' and children's health in Nanning and east China's Shanghai.

UN to conduct investigation on Isreali

B.A.B. Goonetilleke (C), chairman of the United Nations Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, speaks at a press conference in Cairo, capital of Egypt, June 2, 2004. Goonetilleke introduced the latest investigation of the committee and said the committee would issue the investigation report to the UN General Assembly in August.

Symposium on Tibetan religion and culture hold in NY

Liu Biwei (2nd L), Chinese consul general in New York, addresses a symposium in New York, the United States, June 2, 2004. The Chinese delegation of scholars on Tibetan culture and Living Buddhas in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region and Sichuan Province held the symposium with the media on Tibetan religion and culture on Wednesday during a visit to the US.

China to hold the most successful World Expo

Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi (L2) delivers a speech at the first meeting of the organization committee of the Shanghai World Expo 2010, in Beijng June 3, 2004. The organization committee of the Shanghai World Expo was set up here on Thursday.

Premier Wen addresses Academician Conference of CAS and CAE

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivers a report to about 1,100 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijng June 3. (Xinhua Photo)