Lien Chan makes homecoming in Xi'an

Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) Party Chairman Lien Chan speaks at the Houzaimen primary school that he attended in his childhood, in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 30, 2005. Lien Chan arrived in Xi'an Saturday, where he was born in 1936, the third leg of his mainland visit.

Nation awards model workers

Xu Zhenchao, a model port worker from Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province and one of the "National Model Workers", delivers a speech at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing April 30, 2005. The national awarding ceremony for the almost 3,000 "National Model Workers" and "Advanced Workers" was held here on Saturday, prior to the International Labor Day.

Russia confers medals to Chinese veteran soldiers

A total of 27 Chinese veteran soldiers were conferred National Medals by Russia in memory of the 60th anniversary of victory of the war of defending the Soviet Union in Beijing April 29. Among the veteran soldiers are Mao Zedong's son Mao Anqing, Liu Shaoqi's daughter Liu Aiqin and Zhu De's daughter Zhumin.

Lien Chan arrives in Xi'an

Visiting Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) Party Chairman Lien Chan (L) gives a brief speech at Xianyang International Airport in Xi'an, capital city of China's Shaanxi Province on April 30, 2005. Lien Chan left Beijing for Xi'an, the third leg on his eight-day mainland tour, at around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Lifelike sculptures to be displayed in Wuhan

A sulpture of Yuanchun, a figure in ancient Chinese fiction "Dream in the Red Mansion" displayed in in the Wuhan Museum on April 29. The arrangement of lifelike sculptures in Wuhan Museum was completed. Residents in the city will be able to see a total of 33 lifelike sulptures during the May Day holiday. The sculptures are made of macromolecule polyester and human hair. Compared with wax sculptures, the polyester sculptures have more elastic skin.

Colliery blast in Shaanxi kills two, rescue underway

Rescue work was going on at the Xiayukou Colliery in Hancheng City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province April 29, 2005. A gas blast killed two miners and trapped the other 23 underground in the colliery Thursday night.

Russian people prepare to celebrate 60th Victory Day

Russian soldiers drill on the Red Square to prepare for the celebration of the 60th Victory Day falling on May 9, in Moscow, capital of Russia, April 28, 2005.

Celebration marking founding of the Islamic State of Afghanistan

A girl holding a sports ring performs in the celebration marking the 13th anniversary of the founding of the Islamic State of Afghanistan in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, April 29, 2005.

Lien Chan holds press conference in Beijing

Lien Chan, chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) Party, holds a press conference in Beijing, capital of China, April 29, 2005.

Putin starts visit to Palestine

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) talked to President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas upon his arrival in Ramallah in the West Bank April 29, 2005. Putin arrived in Ramallah that day to start a short visit to Palestine, the first by a Russian president.