Sun Tiantian beaten in China Open 1st round

Athens Olympic doubles champion Sun Tiantian was beaten by Sanda Mamic from Croatia 0-2 (4-6,2-6) in the first round of the women's singles in China Open, September 21, Beijing.

Third International Peace Day

A woman prays during a peace rally to mark the third International Peace Day in Washington Sept. 20, 2004. The United Nations General Assembly decided that, beginning in 2002, the International Day of Peace should be observed on Sept. 21 each year.

Zheng/Yan reach 2nd round in China Open

Chinese Zheng Jie and Yan Zi (R) beat Russian Alina Jidkova from Russia and Abigail Spears from the United States 2-0 (6-3,7-6) on September 21 to reach the women's doubles 2nd round in China Open.

Chinese language school puts up branch in Mexico city

Peng Chunli (R), President of the Huaxia Chinese Language school of the Mexico City introduces its branch at the inauguration ceremony on Sept 20. The first branch of the Huaxia school is established that day. Established in 1999, the Huaxia Chinese language school is the first non commercial Chinese language school in Mexico city. The school teaches students to learn pinyin, simplified Chinese characters and fosters ability to apply Chinese languagae in daily life.

Beijing's Olympic clock

The picture taken on September 21, 2004, shows the countdown of Beijing's Olympic clock in Tian'anmen Square. Standing 14 meters (46 feet) tall, the clock displays the number of days, hours, minutes and seconds to go until the games begin in 2008. The clock begins four-year countdown Tuesday.

Another paddler Zhang wins another 100th gold for China

Chinese Zhang Xiaoling (C) from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region wins the gold medal in the final women's singles table tennis TT6-8 in the 12th Paralympic Games in Athens on September 21. Her victory brings China its historic 100th gold at Paralympic Games.

China Construction Bank Limited inaugurated

The inauguration ceremony of China Construction Bank (CCB) Limited is held in Beijing Sept. 21, 2004. As a milestone in the development of the country's biggest property lender, the former wholly state-owned bank has been transformed into a joint-stock commercial bank controlled by the state.

President Hu addresses celebration rally marking the 55th founding anniversary of CPPCC

Chinese President Hu Jintao, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, delivers a keynote speech at a celebration rally marking the 55th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, Capital of China, Sept. 21, 2004.

President Hu Jintao meets Sultan of Brunei

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with visiting Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Capital of China, Sept. 21, 2004.

President Hu Jintao meets Chief Executive of Macao SAR

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with chief executive of China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Edmund Ho Hau Wah in Zhongnanhai, the headquarters of the Chinese government, in Beijing, Capital of China, Sept. 21, 2004.

Honda Fit compact car to be released on market before Natinal Day

The photo taken on Sept 17 shows a Honda Fit compact car exhibited at the Guangzhou Expo. The Guangzhou Honda Motor announced at the Guangzhou Expo that its honda fit compact car will come into market on Sept 22. The Fit, with displacement of 1, 300 cc and 1,500cc, sales between RMB 96, 800 to 11, 680.