Beijing special police force makes debut

Beijing special police force under the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau made debut in front of the media on December 15. During an activity called "special police public day" the policemen displayed their mastery of marksmanship, driving skills, perfect mutual coordination and valorous catching techniques. The photo shows special police force drilling.

European Parliament members vote about Turkey

Dutch green Member of the European Parliament Kathlijne Buitenweg holds a 'yes' placard during a vote over the opening of membership talks with Turkey at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, December 15, 2004. (Reuters)

Beijing first snow this winter follows smog

The dense smog that brought Beijing a lot of trouble had no sooner left yesterday with the northerly winds than snowflakes began to dance in the air above Beijing. Beijing's first snow this winter - "rice snow" started to fall at about 9am of December 16 and the whole capital was soon wrapped in white.

Abducted Turkish engineer killed in Afghanistan

The body of Turkish engineer Eyup Orel is carried to a military hospital in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Dec. 15, 2004. Orel was found dead Wednesday, a day after he was kidnapped in eastern Afghanistan.

Lt heavyweight boxers to vie for WBA championship in Kunming

Maneno Oswald (1st L) from the Netherlands and Peter Kariuki (1st R) of South Africa attend the fans meeting held in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 15, 2004. Oswald is to face Kariuki on Friday during a World Boxing Association (WBA) fight for the Lt heavyweight champion belt of the Pan-Asian and Pacific region.

Air China debut at London Stock Exchange

Vice President of Air China Wang Shixiang (C), China's Ambassador to Britain Zha Peixin (1st L) and Chief Executive of London Stock Exchange Clara Furse pose for a photo in London, capital of Britain, on Dec. 15, 2004. Air China Co. Ltd was listed on London Stock Exchange Wednesday.

Campaign for Iraqi general election begins

Two Iraqi cilivians pass by a banner on the first day of the campaign for Iraq's upcoming general elections in Baghdad on Dec. 15, 2004. The words on the banner call on the Iraqis to vote for the future of the country.

Japan rejects compensation for Chinese war victims

Chinese plaintiff Liu Mianhuan (1st R), a 77-year-old woman who was forced to be a sex slave at 14 years old for Japanese invading troops in China during World War II, or so-called "comfort woman", denounces atrocities of the Japanese troops, at the Tokyo higher court in Tokyo Dec. 15, 2004. Since 1995, Liu has filed lawsuits several times at the court to seek compensation and apology from Japanese government. The court on Wednesday announced that Liu lost the lawsuit, a move which also aroused strong complaints of Japanese people.

Skiiing resort strive to reduce impact of "warm winter"

A worker transports man-made snow at the Jingyuetan Skiing Field in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, Dec. 15, 2004. Owing to the lack of snowfall this winter, skiing fields in Changchun are busy producing man-made snow to reduce the impact the "warm winter" brings to the tourism.

Air China goes public in HK

President of China's flag carrier China International Air Co., Ltd Li Jiaxiang (L) is interviewed by Hongkong Phoenix TV at Hongkong Stock Exchange in the Hongkong Special Administrative Region Dec.15, 2004. China International Air Co., ltd traded on stock markets in London and Hongkong synchronously on Wednesday.

Chinese Premier meets Pakistani counterpart

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz during a welcome ceremony Wen hosts for Aziz in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 15, 2004.