Wang Daohan's funeral held in Shanghai

Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin walks past the coffin of Wang Daohan, president of the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), in Longhua Funeral House in Shanghai, December 30, 2005. Wang died at the age of 90 on December 24, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of Koo Chen-fu's death in Taiwan, according to Chinese lunar calendar. Koo, chairman of the Taiwan-based Strait Exchange Foundation, and Wang in his role as president of ARATS made a milestone negotiation in Singapore in 1993, setting up the basis for any future dialogues between the two organizations.

Moscow hit by heaviest snowfall this year

A woman holding her child in the arms takes a walk in a park in Moscow Dec. 29, 2005. The Russian capital was hit by the heaviest snowfall this year on Dec. 29.

Coal mine flooding kills 2, traps 15 in Shanxi

Rescuers work at the Fanjiasi Coal Mine in Zuoyun County, north China's Shanxi Province, Dec. 29, 2005. A flooding took place in the coal mine at around 8:00 (0000 GMT) Dec. 28 when 22 miners were working in it. Five people fled the accident, but two have been confirmed dead and 15 others still trapped in the mine, the provincial colliery work safety supervision bureau said on Dec. 29.

Bells of Ming, Qing Dynasties exhibited at Hanshan Temple

Monks view the bells, which are exhibited for the first time, at Hanshan Temple in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 28. The temple exhibited some 120 bells, most are founded in Ming or Qing Dynasty, as an activity named " Hearing the Bell Ringing in Hanshan Temple on New Year's Eve" is drawing near.

"Grandparents" rental service in Beijing

Two employees put up a billboard about renting "grandparents" as housemaids at a domestic economy company in Beijing on Dec. 29, 2005. The newly established company offers a novel service to rent "grandparents" so as to deal with housemaid pinch, which is resulted from the fact that most housemaids will return home for family reunion during the forthcoming New Year and Spring Festival holidays. Healthy retirees, aged over 50, with good educational background and patience with children, are wanted by the company now. More than 40 elderly people have applied for the job.

Ancient Baidicheng city's excavation

Photo taken on Dec. 28, 2005 shows the excavation site of the ancient Baidicheng city in Fengjie, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. After 3 months' excavation, three ancient Baidicheng cities respectively built in the age of three kingdoms (220-280), Tang Dynasty (618-907), and Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), unveiled in Baidishan, Fengjie county, which had significant meanings to the study of the historical change and development of the Baidicheng city.

Chinese short-course speed skating team eyes one gold at Turin

A gold medal is the primary goal of the Chinese short-course speed skating team as they look forward to the upcoming Turin Winter Games. The team held an open training session Thursday in Beijing, showcasing their strength in the sport.

Ronaldihno becomes major role in cartoon

Barcelona star player Ronaldinho of Brazil becomes the major role in a cartoon story. He attended the ceremony of publication of the book in Alegre Porto, Brazil on Dec. 28, 2005. (Xinhua Photo)

30 killed in landslide in Yemen

Yemeni villagers take part in a search and rescue operation in al-Dhofair village, about 20 km (12 miles) southwest of Sanaa December 29, 2005. Landslides in Yemen destroyed the small village killing at least 30 people including women and children with dozens more missing, officials said on Thursday. (Xinhua Photo)

Palestinian bombers kill 4 at checkpoint

Israeli soldiers and medics remove a body from the scene of a suicide bomb attack at an Israeli army checkpoint near the West Bank town of Tulkarem Thursday Dec. 29, 2005. A Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up near an Israeli military checkpoint in the northern West Bank on Thursday, killing one Israeli soldier and two Palestinians.