Silk Road Model Contest closes in Urumqi

The Silk Road International Model Contest concluded July 18 in Urumqi, capital city of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The photo shows the Russian contestant, who won the title. Twins from Ukraine and Chinese contestant Wang Jiaying won 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up respectively. More than 50 famous models from countries including Russia, Ukraine, the United States, Romania and China attened the event.

Japan's unjust ruling on Germ Warfare

Tokyo High Court rejected on July 19 Chinese plaintiffs' demand for compensation and an apology from Japan's government for biological warfare conducted in China before and during World War Two. The plaintiffs, along with their lawyers demonstrated in front of Tokyo High Court, expressing their disagreement with the judgment. They will appeal the case to Japan Supreme Court.

Colorful hairstyles at the African Fashion show

A hairdresser is arranging hair for a model at the African Fashion Show held in Johannesburg, South Africa July 18. The colorful African hairstyles displayed here show charms of the African women in the 21st century.

Centennial Commemoration of Edgar Snow's Birth held in Beijing

July 19 marks the 100th birthday anniversary of the famous American journalist Edgar Snow. In order to recall the old friend of Chinese people, nearly 100 scholars from the United States, Japan, Singapore, Russia and China, etc. assembled in Peking University to take part in the international academic conference: "Understanding China: Centennial Commemoration of Edgar Snow's Birth".

HK fascinated by Tibetan culture

Middle school students in Tibetan costume visit exhibitions for Tibetan Week in Hong Kong on July 15. The five-day exhibition of Tibetan pictures, Thangka works, and cultural relics and treasure attracted some 40,000 HK visitors.

Beckham to miss Real Madrid's Beijing match

Real Madrid player Beckham was at the match against Los Angeles Galaxy in Los Angeles, the United States on July 18. Real Madrid defeated LA Galaxy 2-0 in the end. After the match Beckham said that due to his foot injury, he might end his Asia tour ahead of time.

Kuwait's first female pilot

Munirah Mohammad Buruki operates an aircraft in pilot cabin. The 19-year-old Kuwaiti girl Munirah Mohammad Buruki, who recently graduated from the Jordanian Royal Academy, finally got her private flying license to become Kuwait's first female pilot. She said this is another victory and testimony that Kuwaiti women are just as able as their male peers.

Typhoon Haitang hits Wenzhou

Farmers in Longgang Town, Cangnan County, Wenzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, brave the storm as Typhoon Haitang swept through China's coastal provinces on July 19, 2005.

Ping-Pong star Ai Fukuhara debuts in Beijing

Ai Fukuhara, member of Liaoning Bengang Ping-Pong Team better known as "porcelain baby" comes to a Japanese school in Beijing on July 19 to exchange skills with young Ping-Pong fans there. On July 20, Ai Kukuhara will take part in the 11th round of Chinese Ping-Pong Super League against Beijing Dayang Jiaojiao.

Chinese IMO team comes in first in group score

The 46th International Mathematic Olympiad concluded on July 18, 2005. Chinese team won the competition with a group score of 235. The US team and Russian team came in the second and the third respectively. Six Chinese contestants and their group leader and teachers pose for photos after the awarding ceremony.

Sweet revenge of Chinese women's soccer team over Australia

China's Han Duan (L) vies with Australia's Karla Reuter during their friendly match in Tianjin, north China's harbor city, July 19, 2005. China won the match 2-0.

Uruguay marks Constitution Oath Taking Day

Policewomen walk past the rostrum to be reviewed while attending the 175th anniversary of Uruguay's Constitution Oath Taking Day, in Montevideo, capital of Uruguay, on July 18, 2005. Uruguayan government has been holding activities to celebrate the Day annually to sharpen people's awareness of respecting and being loyal to the constitution since July 18, 1830.

Tourists from ASEAN nations kept increasing in Guangxi

Philippine tourist Edgar Lucenecio (L) dances with a girl in Nanning, capital of southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on July 19, 2005. Tourists from ASEAN nations kept increasing in Guangxi during the first half of this year, with Vietnam and Malaysia ranking its top two sources. The total number of tourists from Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand reached 150,000, surpassing that of Hong Kong and Macao.

Over 48 million yuan to offer cataract patients free treatment

A doctor (L) checks the eyes of 85-year-old Tan Mujie after treatment for cataract at the People's Hospital in Wuming County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on July 19, 2005. A help-the-cataract-patient project was launched here on Tuesday. Over 48 million yuan (about 5.8 million US dollars) appropriated from welfare lottery will be used to provide 30,000 patients with free treatment during the period between July 2005 and July 2006.

Palestinian militants keep up attacks on Israeli targets

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas listens to questions during a meeting with members of the Foreign Press Association at his office in Gaza City July 18, 2005. Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip kept up rocket and mortar fire on Israeli targets on Monday despite Abbas's vow to do his utmost to prevent further attacks.

Three-dimensional traffic pattern formed in Tibet

50 years after the peaceful liberation, especially the 40 years after the founding of Tibet Autonomous Region, Tibet has made considerable progress in traffic.

Chinese leaders meet Vietnamese president

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with visiting Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong during their meeting in Beijing July 19, 2005.

Typhoon Haitang to land the Chinese mainland

Heavy clouds hang over the city of Jinjiang in southeast China's Fujian Province as Typhoon Haitang is to land the southeastern coast of the Chinese mainland at noon of July 19, 2005.

Wu Minxia won the silver at the 11th FINA World Championships

Wu Minxia of China performs during the Women's 1m Springboard Diving competition of the 11th FINA World Championships in Montreal, Canada, July 18, 2005. Blythe Hartley of Canada won the gold medal with 325.65 points and Wu won the silver medal with 299.70 points.

Shaanxi coal mine blast left 3 killed and 3 salvaged

A rescuers is ready to go down the mine to look for the trapped miners in Tongchuan City of northwest China's Shaanxi Province July 19, 2005. A coal mine explosion happened in Tongchuan City Tuesday afternoon when 29 miners were working underground. At least 3 people are killed, 3 salvaged with 23 others still missing. The rescue work is underway.