Chess queen loses in computer chess match

World chess champion Zhu Chen plays with portable computer "Star of Unisplendour" June 8, 2004 in Beijing. The computer, newly-developed by top Chinese IT company Tsinghua Unisplendour Corporation Ltd, is installed with software programs developed from chess specialists and top players. Zhu Chen lost the first game and will play a second game on June 12.

Chinese, Polish presidents hold talks

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) shakes hands with his Polish counterpart Aleksander Kwasniewski at the solemn welcome ceremony in Warsaw, Poland, June 8, 2004. Hu's visit marks the first state visit to Poland by a Chinese president since the two countries established diplomatic relations 55 years ago.

Jia Qinglin urges efforts to enhance religion work

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), shakes hands with participants attending a seminar in religion work among provincial leaders.

President Hu arrives in Poland for state visit

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) shakes hands with a Polish official upon arrival at an airport in Warsaw, capital of Poland, June 8, 2004 for a two-day state visit. This was the first visit to Poland by a Chinese head of state 55 years after the two countries established the diplomatic relations.

Netizens recommend red-crowned crane as national bird

About 1.6 million Chinese netizens recommended the red-crowned crane to be the national bird through an Internet survey which was wound up by June 8. The survey, launched by the Chinese Wildlife Animals Protection Association, China News Service and 20 other news organizations, received 2.5 million votes from Chinese netizens at home and abroad from May 16 to June 7. About 1.6 million votes recommended the red-crowned crane to be national bird.

Olympic torch relay Beijing leg starts

Yu Zaiqing, vice-president of the Chinese Olympic Committee and a member of the International Olympic Committee, holds up the 2004 Athens Olympic torch leaves the Great Hall of the People to start the torch relay in Beijing, China, June 9, 2004. A total of 148 torchbearers will participate in the relay, which covers 55.6 kilometers through the Chinese capital.

Japanese sumo delegation in Shanghai

A Japanese sumotori takes photo with a boy at the Bund of Shanghai on May 8. The Japnese sumo delegation will give two public performance in Shanghai during their stay.

Ousted Haitian president condemns US and France

Ousted Haitian president Jean Bertrand Aristide accuses the United States and France of involving coup de'etat in Haiti that led to his ousting four months ago at a press conference in Pretoria, South Africa June 7, 2004.

"Passage of Venus"

The Venus (black dot, L) passes by the sun as viewed in Beijing June 8, 2004. The astronomical event is known as the "passage of Venus". It last occurred on Dec. 6, 1882 and will happen on June 6, 2012 next.

Putin visits Mexico

Accompanied by Mexican President Vicente Fox, Russian President Vladimir Putin (3rd, L) reviews the guard of honor during the welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Residence in Mexico City, Mexico June 7, 2004. Putin arrived in Mexico on Monday for a one-day state visit. Putin is the first Russian president to visit Mexico in more than a century of diplomatic relations.

Olympic torch on display

Zhang Mao (R), vice mayor of Beijing, holds the Olympic torch with Olympic Ambassador Spiros Lambridis during the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Display at the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall in Beijing, China, June 8, 2004. The Olympic torch relay will be held in Beijing June 9, 2004.

Olympic flame arrived in Beijing

Olympic Ambassador Spiros Lambridis, holding a lantern carrying the Olympic flame, steps down the hanging ladder after arriving in Beijing, 08 June 2004. The Olympic torch relay will be held in Beijing June 9, 2004.