Nanjing cloud-pattern brocade, Chinese unique skill

The origin of Nanjing cloud-pattern brocade can be traced back to 1,500 years ago. It used to be the brocade that was reserved only for the emperors and the royal family members in the dynasties of Yuan, Ming and Qing. It is said that the cloud-pattern brocade was used to make imperial robes and hats as well as the concubines' clothing. In Qing Dynasty, the development of Nanjing cloud-pattern brocade entered its period of full bloom. At that time, there were more than 30,000 looms with nearly 300,000 workers engaging in this trade. The weaving technique of Nanjing cloud-pattern brocade was so complicated that only five to six centimeters of brocade could be woven every day. In the year of 2001, Nanjing cloud-pattern brocade has been selected into candidate programmes of the oral and intangible heritage of human at UNESCO.

Fashion show at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa

A model presents a dress that combines the African tradition and modern elements during a fashion show at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg of South Africa, July 17, 2005. The show is one of the series activities of the three-day Beauty Africa, a premier professional expo for the beauty, health, hair and nail industries from July 16 to 18. Now in its 7th year, Beauty Africa consecutively attracts thousands of beauty industry professionals, manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, importers and exporters who meet to show latest products, make new contacts and to develop profitable trade relationships.

Tour of Qinghai Lake cycling race

Locals wearing ethical costume welcome a cyclist with Hada during the third stage of the 4th Tour of Qinghai Lake cycling race between Qinghai Lake Hotel and Bird Island in northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 18, 2005. Fischer Mulilo (Naturino-Sapore Di Mare/Switzerland) won the stage and Martin Mares (ZVVZ / Czech) won the yellow jersey as overall leader.

G4 FMs hold key UN talks in NY

The G4 foreign ministers -- Germany's Joschka Fischer (L1), Japan's Nobutaka Machimura (L2), India's Natwar Singh (R2) and Brazil's Celso Amorim (R1) shake hands with the president of the UN General Assembly, Jean Ping, at the UN headquarters in New York, July 17, 2005. The G4 ministers on Sunday met with Ping and the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.They also had a meeting with representatives of the African Union, but the two sides failed to reach a compromise on the expansion of the UN Security Council.

Over 1,000 kilometers of track laid for Qinghai-Tibet railway

Photo taken on July 18, 2005 shows the construction site of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway at the Duilong Deqing County, western Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The Qinghai-Tibet railway from Gelmud in Qinghai Province to Lhasa runs 1,142 kilometers on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and its completion is due at the end of 2005. By date, construction workers have laid tracks of over 1,000 kilometers.

"Haitang" approaches E.China's Hangzhou

Tourists enjoy cool while a storm is nearing at the West Lake of Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, on July 18, 2005.Typhoon Haitang, which hit eastern Taiwan with strong winds and heavy rains on Monday morning, is approaching Hangzhou.

Chinese pair grabs the gold in the men's 3m Springboard Synchronized Diving competition

From left to right, Germany's Andreas Wels / Tobias Schellenberg, China's Wang Feng / He Chong and Troy Dumais / Justin Dumais of U.S. show their medals in the reward ceremony of the men's 3m Springboard Synchronized Diving competition of the 11th FINA World Championships in Montreal, Canada, July 17, 2005. The U.S. won bronze, Germany won silver and China won the gold medal.

Chinese president meets with Vietnamese counterpart

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) and his visiting Vietnamese counterpart Tran Duc Luong review a guard of honor during a welcoming ceremony in Beijing, July 18, 2005.

Beauties assemble in Huangshan City

Miss Panama learns to write Chinese characters with brushat at tourist hot spot Taiping Lake in Huangshan City, East China's Anhui Province, July 17, 2005. Some 58 beauties from throughout the world assemble at the city for the finals of Miss Continent Universe. (newsphoto)

Former British PM Edward Heath passes away

Former British Prime Minister Edward Heath died on July 17, 2005 at the age of 89 at his home in Salisbury. Sir Edward, who was knighted in 1992, won his first seat for the Conservative Tories in 1950 and led the 1970-74 Conservative Government.