"Haixun-31" conducts cruise exercise in Qinhuangdao Port

China's largest maritime inspection vessel "Haixun-31" and three patrol ships of the marine safety authority of north China's Hebei Province conduct a cruise drill in Bohai Bay, July 19, 2005. "Haixun-31" is China's first non-military ship equipped with a helicopter hangar it developed and built by itself. After that China included contiguous area and exclusive economic zone into its scope of maritime supervision to strengthen its cruise surveillance.

Russian girl claims the title of Chinese Contest of the World University Students

Anna Kuzina from Russia won the champion of the Fourth "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Contest of the World University Students sponsored by China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, and was awarded the title of "Chinese Envoy".

Finalists of 34th Miss Intercontinental tours Mt. Huangshan

Finalists of 34th Miss Intercontinental Beauty Pageant pose for pictures as they go sightseeing in Hong Village, a Chinese tour attraction enlisted into the World Cultural Heritage on July 22, 2005.

China and six ASEAN nations cut tariffs

A vendor at Wuliting farm market in Nanning, capital city of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southwest China, said Night-blooming Gereus (called dragon fruit in Japan) imported from Vietnam had become a little bit cheaper. The picture was taken on July 20 when Agreement on Trade in Goods of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Co-operation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China began hence effective. Favorable tariffs will be given to trade between China and the six ASEAN members, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand on 7,455 products originated from China and the six trade partners. Tariffs of these products will be cut down to zero over the next five years.

Chinese dance drama "Dunhang My Dreamland" made splendid debut in Australia

A splendid Chinese dance drama "Dunhang My Dreamland" made its wonderful debut in Sydney on July 20. Another 26 performances in Sydney and Melbourne will be arranged for the drama, produced by Lanzhou Musical Troupe.

2005 British students' Chinese Culture Summer Camp held in Hangzhou

2005 British students' Chinese Culture Summer Camp was officially launched in Hangzhou on July 21. Over 70 British students from six middle schools of England and Scotland are to spend 20 joyful days by the West Lake of Hangzhou. The British students will not only learn Chinese, Chinese traditional painting and calligraphy as well as martial arts, etc., they will also visit some Chinese families and communicate with the local middle school students.

China scraps yuan peg to US dollar

A staff worker with the China Minsheng Bank counts US dollar notes in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province, Friday, July 22, 2005. The People's Bank of China, the central bank, announced to scrap the yuan's decade-old peg to the U.S. dollar, and in stead phase in a flexible mechanism of the yuan exchange rates by taking into account of a basket of major world currencies. The exchange rate of yuan vs U.S. dollar was announced at 8.11 vs 1 on Thursday. (newsphoto)

Real Madrid stars shopping in Beijing

About fifty guests from the visiting Real Madrid Football Club including David Beckham, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo and Michael Owen went shopping at the Beijing Lufthansa Shopping Center Thursday evening. The shopping center opened exclusively for the Real Madrid soccer stars at night. The exquisite goods and caring service of the shopping center gave the stars very deep impressions.

Saddam Hussein appears before a tribunal official

Iraq's toppled President Saddam Hussein appears before a tribunal official, listening to an Iraqi official reading charges against him, including dispossessing properties belonging to Iraqi Kurds and Shiite Muslims.The judge said Saddam are detained by an elected government for charges against him and he has the right to have a lawyer. Saddam protested that he had not been allowed to see his lawyer except at hearings and said he had not been told in advance when the hearings would be held.

Premier Wen meets with Samuel Hinds

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) meets with Samuel Hinds, prime minister of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing July 21, 2005.

Real Madrid gives press conference in Beijing

Real Madrid and England soccer star David Beckham smiles at a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, July 21, 2005. Real Madrid are on a four-day visit to China where they will play local team Beijing Hyundai at the Workers' Stadium, July 23, 2005.

Blasts hit 3 London subway stations, bus

Four explosions hit London underground system and bus on Thursday, causing at least one injury but no death had been reported yet.