Constestants for 2005 New Silk Road model contest in training

Taiwan model Wu Weixin (R) and her Beijing counterpart Zhang Xiaowen are in training on Sept 19, 2005. The finals of New Silk Road Model Contest will open in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province Sept 23. A total of 57 contestants are from 40 countries and regions are to compete in the contest.

Xinjiang builds an economic highland in west China

Xinjiang has realised a three-dimensional traffic and transport pattern since the new century. On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the autonomous region, two highways with a total length of 394 km opened to traffic.

Rooney awarded FIFPro Young Player

England's Wayne Rooney (L) and his girlfriend Colleen McCloughlin arrive at the FIFPRO World Player Awards at BBC Television Center in London, September 19, 2005. Rooney was awarded the FIFPro Young Player award at the ceremony by the awards committee and Manchester United's Chinese soccer player Dong Fangzhuo was shortlisted for the prize.

Physical check on panda cub

A ten-month-old panda cub rests in a box after going through a physical check at the national park in Washington. The little panda was born by Meixiang, a panda China presented to the United States. Now the little panda weighs 4.3 kg at a length of 57cm.

Week-long IAEA regular board meeting opens in Vienna

Mohamed El Baradei, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), speaks during a press conference in Vienna, Austria, Sept. 19, 2005. The week-long IAEA regular board meeting was opened in Vienna on Sept. 19 to mainly address the growing international concern over Iran's nuclear program.

26th General Assembly of AIPO held in Vientiane, Laos

The 26th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliament Organization (AIPO) is held in Vientiane, capital of Laos, Sept. 19, 2005. The four-day session will focus on issues including anti-terror measures, forming a Southeast Asia development fund and prevention and control of natural disasters.

Shaolin monks demonstrate Kungfu in Rome

A monk (L Front) from China's Shaolin Temple demonstrates Chinese kung fu in Rome, Italy, Sept. 18, 2005. China and Italy signed a letter of intent in Rome Sept. 18 on jointly setting up a Shaolin martial art and culture center in Italy.

Parcel bomb explodes in Beirut

Lebanese army soldiers and security policemen stand guard in front of the entrance of the tower where a grenade exploded in the Kuwaiti Information Office in Beirut Sept. 19. One was killed and two injured in the explosion.

Liu Xiang breezes to win in Japan

China's Liu Xiang celebrates after winning the men's 110 metres hurdles race at the Seiko Super Track and Field 2005 in Yokohama, south of Tokyo September 19, 2005. It was the second title for him in three days. The gold medallist clocked a time of 13.08 seconds, 0.38 seconds faster than the runner-up.

Li Ao arrives for "Chinese culture trip"

Famous Taiwan writer and cultural figure Li Ao gestures at a news conference after he arrives at Capital Int'l Airport in Beijing. Li Ao arrived at the Beijing Capital Airport around 5:10 p.m. Monday, starting his 10-day "Chinese culture trip." This is his first trip back to the Chinese mainland in 56 years.

Common statement adopted at six-party talks

The heads of the delegations to the six-party talks shake hands following their press conference after the end of the talks' fourth round in Beijing, September 19, 2005. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the United States, South Korea, Japan, Russia and China take part in the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue.

London Fashion Week

A model shows a dress by fashion designer Julien Macdonald��s spring/summer collection 2006 in London September 18, 2005, during the first day of London Fashion Week.

President of Malta meets CPC senior official

President of Malta Edward Fenech Adami (R) shakes hands with Wu Guanzheng, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC Central Committee, during their meeting in Valletta Sept. 19, 2005. Wu arrived in the Maltese capital on Sept. 17 for a goodwill visit.

Chinese Premier meets Prime Minister of Djibouti

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with Prime Minister of Djibouti Mohamed Dileita at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Sept. 19, 2005.