Contestants for Miss Tourism Queen experience folk customs in ancient town

A total of 71 contestants for Miss Tourism Queen 2005 experience unique folk customs of the south of the lower reaches of the Yangze River by participating in an activity called "taking bride home by flier" at ancient town of Zhouzhuang, east China's Jiangsu Province on June 21, 2005.

North China baked in heat wave

Some military medical members bring heatstroke preventive medicine to a solider guarding at the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, June 21, 2005. The average temperature of north China has surpassed 35 degrees centigrade recently, while Beijing was struck by high temperature up to 38 degrees centigrade on Tuesday, and the high temperature is expected to last for two days, according to the meteorological station. With warning from meteorological station, the residents made full preparation for the coming of heat waves on Tuesday, which coincided with the Summer Solstice, the solar term indicating the longest daytime.

Japanese university develops robot as dancing partner

A student of Japan's Tohoku University dances with a robot partner in Chino, Japan, June 21, 2005. The robot, with a height of 1.65 meters, is developed by the university and a Japanese company. It can move in any direction with three wheels at the bottom. Equipped with an inductor, the robot can automatically adjust pas through sensing the hand moves of its partner.

Zeng Qinghong's inspection tour in Inner Mongolia

Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong (1st R) talks with locals during an inspection tour in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region June 18, 2005. Zeng made an inspection tour in Inner Mongolia on June 17-21.

Former Lebanese Communist Party chief killed in bomb blast in Beirut

Photo taken on June 21, 2005 shows the car of former chief of the Lebanese Communist Party George Hawi, destroyed in an explosion, in Beirut. Hawi was killed in the bomb explosion occurring June 21.

US President meets Vietnamese PM

US President George W. Bush on Tuesday met at the White House with Vietnamese Prime Minister PhanVan Khai, the first Vietnamese leader to visit Washington since the Vietnam War.

Women's fashion in Tehran, Iran

An Iranian woman selects lipsticks in a shop in Tehran June 21, 2005. It is young women's nature to dress up beautifully despite strict regulations on female dressing in Iran. Presidential candidates have promised to ease bans on women's dressing if they win the ongoing election.

Germany edge China 3-2 in World Youth Championship

China's Zhou Haibin (L) vies with Germany's Reinhard Christopher during the 1/8 final match at the FIFA World Youth Championship in Tilburg, the Netherlands, June 21, 2005. Germany won the match with a score of 3-2.

A cool summer for penguins in Jinan

Two penguins enjoy the coolness at their den in the zoo of Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, June 21, 2005. The advanced system on air conditioning guarantees a cool summer for the penguins here, though the city has witnessed a hot season with a temperature of more than 35 degrees centigrade since June 12.

Donald Tsang pledges to deliver ambitions

Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, new chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), speaks during a press conference held at the HKSAR government headquarters in Hong Kong, south China, June 21, 2005. Donald Tsang was appointed as the new HKSAR chief executive by the Chinese State Council, or the central government, June 21.

Continuing heat triggers water shortage in northern India

A girl carries a bottle of water in a residential area in New Delhi, capital of India, June 21, 2005. New Delhi faces a serious water shortage because of the continuing heat wave in northern India.

The hottest day in Beijing

A bicycler wears a waterish towel to cool himself down in Beijing, capital of China, June 21, 2005. The highest temperature stood at 38 degrees centigrade in Beijing on June 21, the hottest day so far this summer.

Chinese premier welcomes PM of ROK

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) accompanies South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan in reviewing the honor guard of the three services of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in Beijing, capital of China, June 21, 2005. Wen Jiabao held a welcome ceremony for Lee Hae-chan on June 21.

Israeli President meets Chinese Foreign Minister

Israeli President Moshe Katsav (1st L) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Jerusalem June 21, 2005.

15th Inter-Korean Ministerial Meeting to open in Seoul

Kwon Ho Ung (L front), senior cabinet councilor of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), walks together with South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young in Seoul, capital of South Korea, June 21, 2005. Kwon Ho Ung was leading a DPRK delegation to the 15th Inter-Korean Ministerial Meeting, to be held in Seoul on June 22-24. Chung Dong-young was heading the South Korean delegation.