Chinese online media unveil top int'l, domestic news 2004

The unveiling ceremony of China Internet Media Top News 2004, an activity sponsored by People's Daily Online (www.people.com.cn), Xinhuanet, CCTV.com, China.org.cn and Qianlong.com and undertaken by People's Daily Online was held at 9:30am Thursday at Beijing Kunlun Hotel. People's Daily Online carried live broadcast of the ceremony. About 500,000 netizens participated in the activity and selected the Top Ten Domestic News and Top Ten International News.

Cai Mingzhao, deputy director of State Council Information Office gives a speech at the ceremony.

Top Ten Domestic News Stories:

1. The central government issued "No.1 Document" promoting farmer's income growth and many measures were released to protect the rights and interests of farmer workers.

2. The central government released measures to enhance ideological and political education of university students and the moral construction of the young people further received attention.

3. The second session of the 10th Committee of the National People's Congress adopted a amendment to the Constitution and human rights protection, private property protection etc. were written into the Constitution.

Jiang Shaogao, deputy editor-in-chief of People's Daily.

4. China's enhanced economic macro-controls made remarkable achievements and China's economy maintain a high-speed growth with total foreign trade for the first time exceeding one trillion US dollars.

5. Illegal and Unhealthy Information Reporting Center was open and a special campaign was launched nationwide to crack down on pornographic websites.

6. China stepped up auditing and supervision. The full audit report by the National Audit Office for 2003 was published and aroused strong response.

He Jiazheng, president of People's Daily Online.

7. The Chinese team made a historic breakthrough at the 28th Olympic Games held in Athens and reaped the first gold medal in history at men track and field.

8. The 4th Plenary Session of the 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held, which stressed on improving the Party's governing capabilities and elected Hu Jintao as the Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China.

9. Major accidents such as the Daping mine accident, Tongchuan mine accident and Baotou flight accident occurred, which warned of the safe production situation.

10. The Taiwan authorities kept creating "Taiwan independence" incidents. The anti-secession law (draft) was listed by the 26th Chairman Meeting of the 10th Committee of the National People's Congress into the draft agenda of the 13th session of the 10th Committee of the National People's Congress.

Top Ten International News Stories

1. Human beings opened a new chapter in their exploration on the Mars as the rovers "Spirit" and "Opportunity" landed on the Red Planet.

2. Outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza incurred Asia serious losses.

3. Terrorist blast in Madrid on March 11 led to heavy casualties.

4. Unrests and battles in Iraq killed a great number of civilians; kidnaps occurred frequently.

5. The international community strongly condemned the prisoner abuses by US-British coalition troops.

6. Russia witnessed several terrorist incidents; hundreds dead and injured in Beslan school hostage taking; Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov killed in bombing.

7. World crude oil prices hiked, getting on various countries' nerves.

8. Yasser Arafat, President of Palestinian National Authority (PNA), died with variables arising in the Middle East.

9. Japan's new National Defense Program Outline and Japanese politicians' frequent visits to the Yasukuni Shrine roused strong dissatisfaction of Asian countries.

10. Catastrophic earthquake-triggered tsunami in the Indian Ocean killed over 100, 000 people of countries and regions of Southeast and South Asia. The international community including China offered their hands.

By People's Daily Online