77th anniversary of the founding of PLA

Soldiers of the People's Liberation Army's Garrison to China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) take training for parade at the barrack in Shek Kong District, July 31, 2004. August 1 of 2004 marks the 77th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

6 injured in Chinese pub blast in Islamabad

A policeman stands guard at the gate of a pub run by Chinese nationals in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, July 31, 2004. A blast occurred here at about 2:00 (local time) on Saturday. Six people, including two Chinese employees, one local employee and three foreign patrons, were injured in the blast.

Kuwaiti PM holds talks with Iraqi PM

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (R, Front) greets Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi (L, Front) at the airport in Kuwait, July 31, 2004.

Iran beat South Korea 4-3 to advance

South Korea's Park Ji-Sung (L) controls the ball in the match against Iran during the quarter final of the Asian Cup in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, July 31, 2004. Iran beat South Korea 4:3.

Jamhuriat hospital collapses in Afghanistan

A Chinese worker sprays water on the site of the collapsed Jamhoriat hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, July 31, 2004. The under-reconstructed main building of Jamhuriat hospital with Chinese assistance suddenly collapsed Monday afternoon. The death toll resulting from the tragic accident is probably above 10, sources said.

Rainbow over snow mountain in Sichuan Province

A rainbow is seen above the snow mountains after a night of heavy rain early July 30, 2004, in Luding Hailuogou National Geopark, China's southwest Sichuan Province. The rainbow lasted about 10 minutes.

Army Day celebration in Guangxi Province

Some residents of Nanning, capital of southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, enjoy ¡°bamboo dance¡± with armed police soldiers while visiting the barracks one day before the Chinese Army Day, July 31, 2004. August 1 of 2004 marks the 77th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

Anti-terror training in Shanghai

Soldiers from an emergent squad of the 7th detachment of Shanghai Armed Police Corps receive training in the scorching daytime of Shanghai July 31, 2004. Founded in 2000, the squad shoulders the responsibility to struggle against hijacking, terrorists and explosions in the city. Each member of the team should undertake intensive training and master skills like shooting, boxing, scouting and bomb disposing.

UN threatening sanctions against Sudan passed

Members of the United Nations Security Council vote on a United States drafted resolution on Sudan Darfur crisis in New York July 30, 2004. The Security Council adopted the resolution on Friday threatening sanctions against Sudan if it fails to disarm the marauding Arab militia in the troubled western Darfur region and prosecute its leaders. The resolution was passed by a vote of 13-0, with abstentions from China and Pakistan.

BIMSTEC leaders pledge free trade talks

Leaders from seven Asian nations, (L-R) Nepal's PM Sher Bahadur Deuba, Myanmar PM General Khin Nyunt, Sri Lanka's President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra, Indian PM Manmohan Singh, Bhutan's PM Lyonopo Jigmi Ythinly and Bangladesh's PM Begum Khaleda Zia, line up for a group photograph on the final day of the first BIMST-EC Summit in Bangkok on July 31, 2004. Seven leaders from South and Southeast Asian countries pledged timely advancement in the free trade area talks in a declaration issued at the end of their summit meeting. At the summit, the group was renamed as BIMSTEC or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation to better reflect its new initiatives.

Japan luckily make it into semis

Jordan's Al-Shboul (L) kicks in the penalty shootout during the quarter final match of the Asian Cup in southwest China's Chongqing, July 31, 2004. Japan won 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the game tied 1-1.