Olympic champion duo stopped at China Open semifinal

Li Ting (L) and Sun Tiantian were beaten by Emmanuelle Gagliardi of Switzerland and Dinara Safina of Russia in the women's doubles' semifinal of China Open, Beijing, September 25.

Kuznetsova, Serena Williams to meet in China Open final

Svetlana Kuznetsova beats her fellow Maria Sharapova 2-0 to enter China Open final, Beijing, September 25.

World news agencies hold first congress in Moscow

The first congress of the world's news agencies opens in Moscow, capital of Russia on Sept. 24, 2004. Over 400 people, including delegates from 115 news agencies of some 100 countries like Xinhua, AFP, AP and Reuters attended the congress which was organized by Itar-tass news agency of Russia and will last for two days.

Session of China's leading advisory body concludes

Jia Qinglin (C, first row), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), presides over the concluding session of the seventh session of the Standing Committee of the 10th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing, Capital of China, Sept. 25, 2004.

Security strengthened for China's construction in Afghanistan

An armed Afghan security guard patrols outside the camp of workers from China Railway Shisiju Group Corporation at a construction site of the Jalalabad-Sarobi road, suburb of eastern Afghan city Jalalabad Sept.24, 2004. Chinese companies under high security measures here continued its building operation despite increasing tensions ahead of the Afghan presidential elections.

Mass rally protests military procurement plan in Taiwan despite rain

Tens of thousands of residents in Taiwan rallied on September 25 afternoon against 18.2 billion US dollar plan to purchase advanced weapons from the United States, which was proposed by Taiwan authorities.

Interesting agate

The picture shows a piece of agate that looks like a map of China displayed in Beijing Sept. 25, 2004. The agate looks as if it is composed of grapes.

Chinese students in Ottawa celebrate National Day

Chinese students carry the national flag after their performance in Ottawa, capital of Canada, Sept, 24, 2004. Chinese students from over 20 colleges in Canada gathered here Friday, to celebrate the 55th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China which will be marked on Oct. 1.

7th Beijing International Culture and Tourism Festival opens

A Mexican actress greets Chinese audience during the carnival parade in Beijing, Sept. 25, 2004. The 7th Beijing International Culture and Tourism Festival opened on Nanzhongzhou (south axle) Road Saturday. Over 100,000 local residents and tourists crowded the newly renovated road to witness the festal ceremony performed by more than 2,000 folk artists from the country and abroad.

Democratic success requires timely assistance: Iyad Allawi

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan (R) shakes hands with visiting Iraqi interim prime minister Iyad Allawi during their meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 24, 2004. Annan assured the Iraqis that the world body will provide assistance to their elections next year, including more staff "as circumstances permit."

China launches "Iron Fist-2004" military exercise

Military vehicles run to the site to take part in a military exercise with live ammunition held in the Queshan Training Base in Henan Province, central China Sept. 25, 2004. Some 60 foreign military leaders, observers and officers from 16 countries, including Brunei, the Philippines, Tajikistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, observed the exercise, which was code-named "Iron Fist-2004". The exercise was carried out by a reinforced mechanized infantry division in mountains in the training base of the Jinan Military Area Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Hu meets with Cuban vice president of State Council

President Hu Jintao (R), also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and vice president of the Council of State of Cuba, in Beijing, Sept. 25, 2004.