Miss Puerto Rico claims title of national costume contest

Miss Puerto Rico Joelly Ortega (C) won the champion in the best National Costume contest of Miss Tourism Queen International 2005 at the 10th Zhouzhuang International Tourism and Culture Festival in the evening of June 19, 2005 in Zhouzhuang, east China's Jiangsu Province.

Beijing fosters senior police officers for Olympic Games

16 Chinese police officers that were sent by the Beijing Public Security Bureau to study in Australia presented a Degree-Issuing ceremony held for them at the Canberra University in Canberra, Australia on June 20, 2005. After one year's study, the officers, trained as senior personnel for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, have obtained master degrees in English.

Premier Wen signs decree to appoint Donald Tsang as the CE of HKSAR

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao shows the decree he signed to appoint Donald Tsang, 60, as new Chief Executive (CE) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) at the plenary meeting of the State Council, or the Chinese central government, in Beijing June 21, 2005. According to the Basic law of Hong Kong, Tsang should assume his CE office on June 21 and his term will expire by June 30, 2007.

Traditional Chinese wedding for foreigners in Beijing courtyard dwellings

A traditional Chinese wedding was held on June 20, 2005 for Martin (2nd left), bridegroom from the Netherlands, and his bride from the United States (1st Left) in a courtyard dwelling at Dafangjia Lane, Dongcheng District, Beijing. About 20 relatives and friends of the new couple come from overseas to experience Chinese wedding customs.

Model of Zheng He's treasure ship built

After four months' work, construction of the "Zheng He's treasure ship" by Wei Wenxi, a grass root expert on ancient ships, and his fellow workers was completed recently.

Animals in Nanjing relieve summer heat

A giant panda lies beside ice blocks to cool itself down at the Hongshan Zoo in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, June 20, 2005. The highest temperature stood at 35 degrees centigrade in Nanjing on June 20.

Torrential rain triggers flood in Guangxi

A child looks back beside the flood in Liuzhou, a city in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 20, 2005. Heavy rainfalls are hitting areas in northern Guangxi these days, causing the water levels of the Liujiang River, Guijiang River and Xijiang River higher than the vigilance levels.

"Swanlake" in China's Xinjiang

Swans swim in the Sayram Lake in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region June 18, 2005. The Sayram Lake in the Tianshan Mountain is the largest alpine cold-water pool in Xinjiang, with an area of about 460 square kilometers. It is an ideal habitat of many species of birds including mallards and swans.

Roh Moo-Hyun, Junichiro Koizumi held joint press conference

South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun (R) speaks while Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi listens at a joint press conference held at the Presidential Office in Seoul, June 20, 2005. Koizumi arrived in Seoul June 20 for a two-day visit.

Chinese FM meets Isreali, Palestinian leaders

Israeli Minister Prime Ariel Sharon(R) meets with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Jerusalem June 20, 2005.

Wild donkeys in Hoh Xil Nature Reserve

Photo taken on June 15, 2005 shows wild donkeys in the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve in northwest China's Qinghai Province. The Hoh Xil Nature Reserve is home to dozens of endangered animals including wild yaks, wild donkeys and Tibetan antelopes. China has taken various measures to protect the natural environment and the wildlife in the reserve.

China's top legislator meets Chilean Senate President

Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, shakes hands with Chilean Senate President Sergio Romero during their meeting in Beijing June 20, 2005.

Federer, Hewitt easy opening-round winners at Wimbledon

Roger Federer of Switzerland serves during a match with Paul-Henri Mathieu of France at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, June 20, 2005. Federer won 3-0. The 2005 Wimbledon Tennis Championships started on June 20.

Chinese Premier meets Jamaican Prime Minister

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) shakes hands with visiting Jamaica's Prime Minister Percival Noel James Patterson during a welcome ceremony Wen hosts for Patterson in Beijing, capital of China, June 20, 2005.