National college entrance exam ends

Students throw their stationery bags into the sky after taking the national college entrance exam in Zhaoping County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region June 8, 2005. China has seen 8.67 million students taking the two days' national college entrance exam, which ended on June 8 in most parts of China.

Competition of Foreigners Speaking Chinese

Two girls from Tadzhikistan sing Chinese songs in the First Competition of Foreigners Speaking Chinese in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, on June 7, 2005. The competition was held at Shandong University in Jinan on Tuesday, with 18 foreigners from 10 countries participated.

Giant pandas at Wolong

Two giant pandas eat bamboo in Wolong Giant Panda Research and Breeding Centre in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province June 8, 2005. China's wildlife are busy choosing two giant pandas, as a goodwill gifts to Taiwan people. It is reported that experts from Taiwan experts will come to Wolong later this month to choose a pair from over a dozen candidiates. (newsphoto)

Tariff-free fruits from Taiwan on sale in Hangzhou

A worker of a supermaket arranges the fruits from southeast China's Taiwan Province in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province June 8, 2005. The first batch of tariff-free fruits from Taiwan came into the supermarkets of Hangzhou Wednesday. Around 14.94 tons of fruits from Taiwan were transported to Ningbo, a coastal city of Zhejiang via Hong Kong on June 6, the first batch of tariff-free fruits from Taiwan to Zhejiang.

Palestinians protest against Israeli security wall

Protestors clash with Israeli soldiers during the demonstration against the construction of the Israeli separation barrier (security wall) in the West Bank village of Bil'in June 8, 2005. Five people were arrested and several others lightly injured during the clash.

British Foreign Secretary starts visit to the Middle East

Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas (R) shakes hands with visiting British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw during their meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah June 8, 2005. Jack Straw kicked off the visit on Tuesday to the Middle East.Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas (R) shakes hands with visiting British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw during their meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah June 8, 2005. Jack Straw kicked off the visit on Tuesday to the Middle East.

Chinese worker killed in Israeli settlement

A staff member in the Chinese Embassy to Israel (L) is discussing with head of Israeli insurance company about the transport of body of the Chinese worker killed Tuesday afternoon in a Palestinian mortar shell attack on the Jewish settlement bloc of Gush Katif in the Gaza Strip.

Stock exchanges jump, Chinese investors smile

A stock investor smiles in a stock exchange market in Fuyang, east China's Anhui Province June 8, 2005. The composite indexes of both Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges jumped by more than 8 percent on Wednesday. Wednesday's total turnover in both Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges was about three times that of the daily turnover for the last few months.

Chinese CPPCC chairman meets Irish Parliament delegation

Jia Qinglin (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), meets with an Irish Parliament delegation, led by Rory O'Hanlon (C), chairman of the House of Representatives of Ireland, in Beijing, capital of China June 8, 2005.

Gas leak in Hunan kills 21 miners

Chinese rescuers rush an injured miner to a hospital after a gas leak at the Zijiang mine in Lengshuijiang, central China's Hunan province, June 8, 2005. At least 21 miners have been killed and 82 being rushed to hospital after a gas leak at the coal mine in central China. (newsphoto)