Bridge of Millau opens to traffic

The bridge of Millau of 270 meters above the ground in France, Dec. 16, 2004. The bridge, the tallest in the world, was opened to traffic on Thursday.

Snowfall later than usual in Beijing

A baby plays with snow near a "smiling face" on a car in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 16, 2004. The first snowfall this winter hit Beijing Dec. 16, later than usual because of the warm weather.

10th UN Conference on Climatic Change held in Buenos Aires

Liu Jiang (2nd, L), head of the Chinese delegation and vice-minister of China's State Development and Reform Commission, speaks at the ministerial meeting of the 10th United Nations Conference on Climatic Change in Buenos Aires, Argentina Dec. 15, 2004. More than 7,000 people attended the meeting held between Dec. 15 to 17.

Rime scene in Jilin Province

Trees covered with rime beside the Songhuajiang River in the city of Jilin, northeast China's Jilin Province, Dec. 16, 2004.

Reconstruction of Guizhou-Guangxi Railway kicks off

Local officials lay a foundation for the reconstruction project of the Guizhou-Guangxi Railway, in Liuzhou, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Dec. 16, 2004. The railway linking Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, and Liuzhou, is 608 kilometers long.

Afghanistan tightens security for Turkish organizations

An Afghan policeman stands guard at the office of the Turkish Ser-Hat construction company in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Dec. 16, 2004. Afghan government has tightened security measures for Turkish organizations in Afghanistan, after Eyup Orel, a Turkish engineer employed by this company, was kidnapped on Dec. 14 and found dead the next day in eastern Afghanistan.

India issues stamps to mark the 350th anniversary of Taj Mahal

Dayanidhi Maran (R), Indian minister of communication and information technology, and Renuka Chowdhury, state minister of tourism, stand beside the sample of a stamp marking the 350th anniversary of the establishment of the Taj Mahal in New Delhi, capital of India, Dec. 16, 2004. The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Prisoners get police assistance via video

A prisoner (C) chats with a policewoman via a video communion system while the other two watch the screen in a prison in Chongqing, southwest China, on Dec. 16, 2004. Termers can communicate with 15 policewomen with a good mastery of laws and psychological education through the system, opened on Thursday, to get help for a fresh start.

China donates office equipment to Somali transitional government

Guo Chongli (L), Chinese ambassador to Kenya, shakes hands with Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed during a donation ceremony in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Dec. 16, 2004. China donated office equipment worth 300,000 RMB yuan (36,000 US dollars) to the Somali transitional government here on Thursday.