Shipbuilding in China

Shipbuilding tonnage on the Chinese mainland will exceed 8 million tons this year, up from 6.05 million tons last year. The tonnage during the first half of this year grew by 66 per cent to 4.09 million tons, accounting for 14.4 per cent of the world's total. New ship orders received by the mainland's shipbuilders rose by 21 per cent to 9.9 million tons during the period, controlling 19.3 per cent of the world's total new ship orders.

Shenyang Int'l Agricultural Expo

A Chinese boy poses with a huge pumpkin at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Shenyang International Agricultural Expo held in this capital city of northeast China's Liaoning Province Sept. 9, 2004. Some 332 enterprises from 12 countries and regions were attracted to this event, which displayed the latest agricultural technology and produce in 10 categories.

Moon cake model in Suzhou

A huge gas-filled mooncake model stands high in the street of Suzhou, a scenic city of east China's Jiangsu Province Sept. 9, 2004. Mooncake is a traditional food for Chinese families on Mid-Autumn Day, the 15th of the eighth month of a Chinese Lunar Year.

Kunming Int'l Flower Festival

Girls in white gauze gown wearing garland display the unique flowers produced by their own company at the opening ceremony of the 2004 China Kunming International Flower Festival in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province Sept. 8, 2004. Flower-related enterprises from the Netherlands,Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and the United States took part in the festival.

56th anniversary of the founding of DPRK celebrated

Artists perform during a concert marking the 56th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Pyongyang Sept. 8, 2004.

Top legislator meets Gabonese President

Wu Bangguo (R)£¬chairman of the Chinese National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with visiting President of the Gabonese Republic El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba in Beijing, Sept. 9, 2004.

Chinese Premier meets Vanuatu PM

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) meets with Vanuatu Prime Minister Serge Vohor in Beijing, Sept. 9, 2004.

Shanghai stock index drops

Traders watch the stock index board at a Stock Exchange in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 9, 2004. The Composite Stock Index on the Shanghai Stock Exchange closed at 1,284.31 points on Thursday, down 25.02 points from the previous close.

Olympic champions visit Macao

The Olympic champions have pictures taken during their visit to the Macao Tower, September 9, 2004. The Olympic gold medalist delegation from the Chinese mainland arrived in Macao at about 11:00 Thursday morning for a whirlwind two-day visit.

Paralympic delegation leaves for Athens

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu (front) and State Councilor Chen Zhili met on September 9 the over 287 athletes for the 12th Paralympic Summer Games to be held in Athens, Greece between September 17 and 28.

Blast in Jarkata kills at least 8

Indonesian Police Chief Da'i Bachtiar speaks to journalists during a hospital visit in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept. 9, 2004. An explosion rocked outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta Thursday morning, leaving at least 8 killed and over 100 wounded.

Portuguese President meets CPPCC Chairman

Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio (L) meets with Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, in Lisbon, capital of Portugal, Sept. 8, 2004.

Chinese Premier meets Gabonese President

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) meets with visiting President of the Gabonese Republic El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba in Beijing, Sept. 9, 2004.

10th anniversary of the founding of PPD marked

Chinese singer Wei Wei performs during a celebration to mark the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Partners in Population and Development (PPD), a south-south organization, in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province Sept. 9, 2004. The Yangtze Declaration was announced and passed during the event.

National Teachers' Day

A school boy writes his schoolwork in the Yuhai Primary School in the rural area of Yongning County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Sept. 9, 2004. Nine teachers are expected to enroll in this school so that the pupils here may get the compulsory education from professionals. Chinese people will celebrate the 20th National Teachers' Day on Sept. 10.

Jakarta car bombing kills 9, injures 160

Broken windows of a building is seen near the Australian embassy in Central Jakarta, Indonesia Sept. 9, 2004. A powerful car bomb blasted outside the Australian embassy this morning, killing 11 people and injuring 161 others, according to the local media's report. (Xinhua Photo/Ainiwaer)