Over 60 poisoned by leaked liquid ammonia in Shanghai

Two poisoned children are receiving treatment in a hospital in Shanghai, July 4, 2005. A steel bottle with liquid ammonia carried by a motor vehicle exploded in Huinan Town of Shanghai's Nanhui District on that day at noon. More than 60 people were poisoned, sent to hospital and later out of danger. Investigation into the accident is underway.

2005 Fire Balloon Competition starts in Hetian

2005 "Zhongkun Cup" South Xinjiang Fire Balloon Competition was held at the Unity Square, Hetian city, on July 3, 2005. A total of 55 fire balloon teams from 21 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, as well as five foreign teams took part in the competition, with the contestants reaching 120.

Pregnant belly painting contest held in Beijing

A total of 18 pregnant women participated in the finals for the first pregnant belly painting models contest, which is held in Beijing on July 3rd. The contest aims to show beauty of maternity women. Professional painters drew a wide variety of colorful patterns on bellies of the pregnant women.

Second GMS summit opens

(From L to R) Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, Prime Minister of Myanmar Soe Win, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Laotian Prime Minister Boungnang Vorachit, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Haruhiko Kurodapose for a family photo prior to the opening ceremony of the Second Summit of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) held in Kunning, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province July 5, 2005.

Famous actor playing Mao Zedong dies

File photo shows Chinese actor Gu Yue (L), famous for playing Mao Zedong, talking with overseas Chinese in China Town of New York City, USA. Gu Yue died of miocardial infarction in southern Guangdong Province of China on the night of July 2. Gu, whose original name is Hu Shixue, was enrolled in the army in 1949. He was appointed by Marshal Ye Jianying to play the role of Mao Zedong in 1978, two years after the great leader passed away. In his 27-year-long screening life, Gu played Mao in 84 TV programs or movies.

Scorching weather in Nanjing

A water melon vendor drinks to cool himself off in a market in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province July 4, 2005. The highest temperature in the city has stayed at 37-38 degrees Celsius for more than a week. (newsphoto)

NASA space probe smashes into comet

A NASA space probe struck the comet Tempel 1 as planned early Monday morning, by which scientists hope to have a peek at the comet's heart to expand understanding of the formation of the solar system. The collision occurred about 24 hours after the copper projectile was released from its mothership Deep Impact.

"Pet Salon" in Hangzhou

A pet beautician trims a dog's hair at a pet center in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, on July 4, 2005. With high temperatures these days, many residents have their dogs trimmed at the center.

Chinese, Kazakh presidents sign joint statement on strategic partnership

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) shakes hands with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev after signing a joint statement on the establishment and development of strategic partnership between the two countries, in Astana, July 4, 2005.

Security tightened for G8 summit

A policeman patrols around the summer palace of the Queen at Edinburgh, capital of Scotland July 3, 2005. Since the G8 summit scheduled to be held at Gleneagles in Scotland approaches, security measures are beefed up by closing Scottish Parliament and Queen's summer palace to the public and reinforcing police to prevent protests and chaos.

Federer trounces Roddick at Wimbledon

Roger Federer strengthened his claim to greatness Sunday, winning his third consecutive Wimbledon title by beating Andy Roddick 6-2, 7-6 (2), 6-4. With an impeccable performance, the top-ranked Federer became the third man since 1936 to win three straight Wimbledon crowns, joining seven-time champion Pete Sampras and five-time winner Bjorn Borg.

Two reporters of Radio Free Europe detained in Afghanistan

People talk at the entrance to the Afghanistan Bureau of Radio Free Europe, commonly known as Radio Liberty or Radio Azadi, in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, July 4, 2005. Bureau chief of the radio Mohammad Amin Mudaqiq confirmed on July 4 that Afghan authorities have taken into custody two local reporters of the radio on charge of establishing contact with Taliban militants.

Fifth AU Summit opens in Libya

Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi addresses the Fifth Summit of the African Union (AU) in Libyan coastal city Sirte July 4, 2005. The two-day summit, opened on July 4, is expected to highlight poverty reduction, the continent's integration and a common position on the United Nations reform.