President Hu joins CPPCC group discussions

Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd R) and Jia Qinglin (1st R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), take part in a joint panel discussion with CPPCC members from the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, Taiwan Democratic Self-government League and All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots in Beijing March 4, 2005.

Anti-secession law not "war mobilization order"

Jiang Enzhu, spokesman of the National People's Congress answered questions at a pre-session press conference held in the Great Hall of the People March 4, 2005 in Beijing. The proposed anti-secession law, which will be deliberated by China's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), at its upcoming annual full session, is by no means a so-called "law on the use of force against Taiwan", nor a so-called "war mobilization order", Jiang said.

Machinery products on show

Participants examine machinery products on show at an international machinery exhibition held in Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning Province, on Wednesday. The expo lured more than 100 machinery manufacturers from across the nation.(newsphoto)

Bashir jailed over Bali blasts

Indonesian Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir defended himself at a makeshift court during a trial in south Jakarta (file photo). Bashir Thursday was sentenced to 30 months in jail for conspiracy in the October 2002 Bali bombings.

Reconstruction of Iraqi Academy of Health Science begins

US Ambassador to Iraq John Negroponte speaks during the starting ceremony on the reconstruction of Iraq Academy of Health Science in Baghdad March 3, 2005. The academy, one of the key reconstruction projects of the Health Ministry of Iraq, started its reconstruction here on Thursday with a total investment of around 4.3 million US dollars. The project will be built on the site of the dismantled training center of Saddam's Special Guard and is scheduled to be completed this October.

Training of Palestinian security soldiers

Palestinian security soldiers take part in the military exercise in the West Bank city of Ramallah, March 3, 2005. Satisfied with the improvement of security in Gaza, Israel expects the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to replace security chiefs in the West Bank, the Ha'aretz daily reported Thursday.

Thai navy fleet starts visit to China

RADM .Wttoon Kumpeerapana (1st, R) receives flowers from a Chinese soldier after arriving at the dock of Yangtse River in east China's Shanghai, March 3, 2005. The Thailand's navy fleet, headed by RADM.Wttoon Kumpeerapana, started its five-day visit to Shanghai Thursday.

Fossett completes historic solo non-refueled round-the-world flight

American aviator Steve Fossett landed at Salina Municipal Airport in Kansas, on Thursday in the experimental Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, completing the first solo, non-stop flight around the world without refueling. (Photo: Xinhua/Reuters)

CPPCC annual session: sidelights

More than 100 diplomats stationed in Beijing hear the report by Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), on the work of the Standing Committee at the opening ceremony of its third session in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Thurday, March 3, 2005.

Job fair for females held in Hangzhou

Job seekers consult employer representing her company during a special job fair for females in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province March 3, 2005. More than 30 private companies provide over 400 jobs for female job seekers at the fair.