Travelling in Suzhou for a summer holiday

A Chinese woman rows a wooden boat for tourists who seeks coolness on a water canal in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu province July 16, 2004.

Bangkok AIDS conference ends

Thailand's Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan (C) hands over a symbol to Mark Waimnberg (R), a representative from Canada, at the closing ceremony of the 15th International AIDS Conference in Bangkok July 16, 2004. The 16th International AIDS Conference is scheduled to be held in Toronto, Canada in 2006.

China helps Afghan children

Afghan children wait for the beginning of a class at a school built with funds donated by China, in Kabul July 15, 2004. People in south China's Guangdong Province have donated 100,000 US dollars for the construction of the school, which was handed over to Afghanistan by the Chinese Embassy in Kabul on July 15. The people in Guangdong have also donated another 100,000 dollars for the development of Afghanistan's education, with one more school under construction.

Science expo for teenagers

A child touches a model of Didongyi, the seismograph invented by Chinese scientist Zhang Heng in 132 A.D., during the 2004 Beijing Scientific and Technological Exposition for Teenagers July 16, 2004. The exposition which inaugurated Friday provides lots of scientific and technological knowledges for students.

NPC leader meets Malian president

Wu Bangguo (R) , chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC). talks to Malian President Amadou Toumany Toure at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing July 16, 2004. Toure was on his five-day state visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

NSB announcs 9.7 percent growth of China's GDP

The Information Office of the State Council hold a press conference on July 16 to brief the overall operation of China's national economy for the first half of the year. Zheng Jingping, spokesman for National Statistics Bureau, declared that China's GDP grew 9.7 percent for the first six months of the year. The pace is 0.9 percent faster than the same period of last year and the fastest for the same period since 1997.

A "rainbow" across the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal

On the early morning of July 16, the two sections of the super cable-stayed bridge across the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal were joined successfully.The bridge stands at the south of Zuzhou city.

Asia Cup kicks off in Beijing

The photo shows a child plays badmintoon near the Beijing Workers' Statium on July 16. On July 17 Asia Cup kicks off in Beijing.

NBA star in China

NBA basketball star Jermaine O'neal (L) from Indiana Pacers directs to young players after a basketball final in Shanghai, China, July 16, 2004. He watched the match, cheered for both teams and demonstrated the playing skills for these young players.

River drifting

A group of people float downstream in a raft as they take part in a drifting contest at a river in Enshi, central China's Hubei province July 16, 2004. Some 560 participants challenged the swift current on the 38.5 km-long river course to enjoy the outdoor extreme game.