Tibet: largest winter habitat for black-necked cranes

Black-necked cranes staying in Lhasa Valley. Thanks to China's intensified publicity on and efforts in ecological conservation, the ecological awareness of the residents in conservation areas has been continually enhanced. Over the recent years, sharply increasing numbers of black-necked cranes have been seen in Tibet, the world's largest winter habitat for such birds. Statistics show, currently there are over 4, 500 black-necked cranes passing winter there, 75 percent of the world's total. Photo taken on March 9, 2005.

CPPCC chairman meets Maltese guest

Jia Qinglin (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, shakes hands with Jason Azzopardi, chairman of the Committee on Foreign and European Affairs of the Maltese Parliament, during a meeting in Beijing, capital of China, March 17, 2005.

Jericho quiet after handover

Two armed Palestinian policemen stand guard on a street in the West Bank city of Jericho March 17, 2005. The Palestinian police began carrying out duties by patrolling and setting up posts in Jericho March 17, one day after Israel handed over the security control of the city to Palestine. The situation in Jericho was quiet on Thursday.

Ninth Ankara Capital Fashion Festival

A model presents a creation during the Ninth Ankara Capital Fashion Festival in Ankara, capital of Turkey, March 16, 2005. More than 20 fashion brands were shown in the two-day festival, opened on Wednesday.

First motor cinema opens in Tianjin

A waiter makes preparation to serve movie goers at the first motor cinema drive-in in Tianjin March 17. The cinema, covering an area of 5,000 sq.meters, can hold 80 cars. Movie goers will be able to enjoy movies inside their cars here.

Charity concert held for children of migrant workers

World famous violinist Qian Zhou performs during the 2005 spring charity concert in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, March 16, 2005. The income of the charity concert would be donated to the activities facilitating the school education of the children of migrant workers in Zhejiang.

Undergraduate class for deaf people opened in Zhejiang Province

Deaf people Song Honggang (R) and Du Tieping communicate with each other by finger language during their university enrolling ceremony in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, March 17, 2005. An undergraduate class specifically for deaf people, the first of its kind in Zhejiang, was opened here on Thursday. The first group of 12 deaf students will take three years' study on decoration art and design.

Exhibition on life of Charles de Gaulle opens in Wuhan

Designers and organizers of the exhibition on the life of General Charles de Gaulle, a great French statesman and one of the first Westerners to greet new China, work in the Wuhan Museum in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, March 16, 2005. The exhibition, part of the Chinese-French cultural exchanges, will be opened to the public in the museum on March 18.

Condoleezza Rice starts visit to Afghanistan

Afghan President Hamid Karzai (R) talks with United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a press conference held following their meeting in the Presidential Palace in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, on March 17, 2005. Rice arrived here Thursday morning on her first visit to the Central Asian country.

OPEC ministerial conference opens in Isfahan

Saudi Arabian delegates receive interviews during the OPEC ministerial conference in Isfahan, Iran, March 16, 2005. Eleven member states of OPEC and some observer states attended the conference Wednesday.

Azerbaijani president kicks off visit in China

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) holds a ceremony to welcome Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 17, 2005.