NH90 helicopter at Paris Air Show

A NH90 helicopter (NATO Helicopter) gives flight performance at the Paris Air Show, which is held from June 13 to June 19, 2005 in Paris le Bourget International Exhibition Centre.

ARJ 21 regional jet displayed at Paris Air Show

ARJ 21 regional jet developed by China Aviation Industry Corporation I was displayed at the 46th Paris Air Show, which was held at Bourget exhibition center in suburb of Paris on June 13-19. The show attracted about 1,900 aerospace enterprises from 41 countries and regions.

Merlin HC Mk3 at Paris Air Show

Agusta-Westland exhibits its EH 101 military helicopter at the 46th Paris Air Show. Merlin HC Mk3 for the UK Royal Air Force also presented an aero-performance. The aircraft was equipped with front-view infrared-ray rotating stage, which can be quickly installed and unloaded, below the nose, and refueling point to the right. It also has radar warning and infrared ray interference equipment for self-defense.

Koizumi kicks off two-day visit to the Republic of Korea

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi arrives at Seoul Airport on June 20, 2005, kicking off his two-day visit to the Republic of Korea. Koizumi is to hold summit meeting with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun later in the day on issues of mutual concern.

Home-made turbo fan engine debuts at Paris Air Show

Turbo fan 500 engine, a small one of its kind independently developed by China Aviation Industry Corporation I, made its debut lately at the Paris Air Show and drew great attention from specialists. The engine is developed by a turbo fan research institute under AVIC I. As a small engine with a driving force of 500daN, the engine can provide power for an unmanned jet, or be modified into an engine of small-scale business planes. It can also be developed into a small gas turbine providing combined heat and power.

Mirage IV fighter's farewell show

A Mirage IV fighter is taking off. The Mirage IV fighter has been serving in the France Air Force for 41 years since it was equipped in 1964. The fighter gives last flight show before it retires from the Air Force at the 46th Paris Air Show, which is held during June 13 to June 19, 2005 in Paris le Bourget International Exhibition Centre.

Totti ties knot with TV showgirl

The captain of Italian Serie A football club AS Roma, Francesco Totti (R), kisses his wife, television personality Ilary Blasi, after their wedding at the church of Santa Maria dellAracoeli in Rome June 19, 2005.

Li Zhaoxing plays table tennis with Silvan Shalom

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing plays table tennis with his Israeli counterpart Silvan Shalom after a meeting in Jerusalem, June 19, 2005. Li began his visit in the country on Sunday and had a meeting with his Israeli counterpart.

Harbin Fair for Trade and Economic Cooperation closes

A visitor bought herb medicines at the 16th Harbin Fair for Trade and Economic Cooperation in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on June 19, 2005. The fair closed on that day. More than 10,000 exhibitors from 81 countries and regions have participated in the fair, and contracts with a value of US$ 3.96 billon have been signed during the fair.

Rural artists perform music of Tang Dynasty in Beijing

Rural artists perform in Beijing, capital of China, June 17, 2005. About 100 rural artists from northwest China's Shaanxi Province staged the performance of music popular in the royal court of ancient China's Tang Dynasty (618-907). Reputed as a music epic of ancient China, the music of the Tang Dynasty was listed as one of China's major cultural projects for protection. The application work of the music under the title of "Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" (MOIHH) is underway.

Argentina defeats Australia 4-2 at 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup

Argentina's Juan Riquelme (C) vies with two players of Australia during a Group A second round match of the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup in Nuremberg, Germany, June 18, 2005. Argentina beat Australia 4-2.

Germany beat Tunisia 3-0 at 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup

Germany's Kevin Kuranyi (L) vies with Tunisia's Clayton during a Group A second round match of the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup in Cologne, Germany, June 18, 2005. Germany beat Tunisia 3-0.

China held 2-2 draw with Costa Rica in soccer friendly

China's Zheng Zhi (L) vies with Costa Rica's Solis during a match of 2005 Siemens Team China Football Tournament in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, June 19, 2005. China tied Costa Rica 2 to 2.

Memorial hall of rural reform opened

The Memorial Hall of All-round Contract System opened in Xiaogang Village in Fengyang County in east China's Anhui Province, June 19, 2005. In 1978, 18 peasants from the village signed a secret agreement on household contract responsibility system, dividing the then People's Commune-owned farmlands into pieces for each family to cultivate on its own. The system was later affirmed by Deng Xiaoping and Xiaogang thus became the pioneer in China��s rural reform.

Fourth round of Lebanon's parliamentary elections

A woman voter casts her ballot at a polling station in northern Lebanon, June 19, 2005. Polling stations of two constituencies in northern Lebanon opened Sunday morning for some 700,000 eligible voters to cast their ballots to choose 28 lawmakers in the last stage, or fourth round of the parliamentary elections.

Fire breaks out in oil plant in C.China city

Firemen work at an oil extraction plant which got fire at 12:20 a.m. in the plant of Zhongyuan Oilfields in Fanxian County, central China's Henan Province on June 19, 2005.The fire was caused by a blowout and was put out at 9:53 p.m. More than 140 firemen and 23 fire engines were mobilized to fight the fire. No casualty was reported and the investigation into the cause of the blowout is underway.

Battle of Waterloo reenacted

History enthusiasts, dressed as French armys and Allied troops, take part in the re-enactment of the famous battle of Waterloo on its 190th anniversary in Plancenoit on June 19, 2005. Some 2,500 men from 24 countries gathered here from Saturday to Sunday to re-enact the 1815 battle.

Condoleezza Rice's Mideast tour

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (L) and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attend a press conference after their meeting in Jerusalem, June 19, 2005. Rice's Mideast tour was to promote the peace process between Palestine and Israel as well as to promote the enforcement of Israel's pullout plan from Gaza Strip.