World Economic Forum opens in Egypt

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak addresses the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Middle East Conference in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on May 20, 2006. Some 1,200 political and business leaders from 49 countries and regions and international organizations attended the three-day conference.

Saving miners in flooded coal mine

A rescuer carries a drainpipe to the Xinjing Coal Mine in Zuoyun County of north China's Shanxi Province, late May 20, 2006. It seems 44 miners have been trapped in the flooded coal mine in Zuoyun County, rescuers said Saturday night.

Shenzhen develops Asia's largest animation industry

Employees of animation companies dressed up as cartoon figures celebrate the opening of the Shenzhen Yijing National Cartoon and Animation Industry Base in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, May 19, 2006. The Yijing National Cartoon and Animation Industry Base was opened here on May 19 as part of the Second China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair (ICIF) running from May 18 to 21. The animation industry of Shenzhen is developing rapidly during the recent years. At present, the output of the animation of Shenzhen ranks number one in Asia and fourth in the world.

East Star maiden flight

An Airbus A319 of East Star Air is seen at the Meilan International Airport in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, May 20, 2006. East Star Air opened the flight from Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, to Haikou on May 20. The Wuhan-based company is the fourth private airlines in China.

Iraqi parl't approves new cabinet as violence kills dozens

Iraq's new Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (L) presents his government to the Iraqi parliament in Baghdad, May 20, 2006.Many countries around the world and international organizations on Saturday welcomed the formation of the first full-term Iraqi government after the ouster of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, and promised aid and continued support for Baghdad.

The Third All-China Games opens in Suzhou

The Third All-China Games is opened in Suzhou, a city in east China's Jiangsu Province, on May 20, 2006. The event held every four years include almost all non-Olympic sports items in China.

Match-making gathering in Shanghai

Two young single people perform at a matchmaking gathering in the Shiji Park in Shanghai, east China, May 20, 2006. A matchmaking gathering held in the park attracted tens of thousands of people on Saturday.

Rescue continues in Lijiang after tunnel collapse

Sandbags for a rescue operation are transported into a collapsed railway tunnel, connecting Dali and Lijiang, in Heqing County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 20, 2006. Six workers were trapped in the tunnel, which collapsed on May 16.

China rescues Vietnam fishermen

Chinese rescuers offer food to Vietnamese fishermen they have saved in the South China Sea on May 20, 2006. The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry presented a note to the Chinese Embassy to Vietnam on May 19 that 12 Vietnamese fishing boats and 356 fishermen were in danger after running out of oil and water, and asked for help. Chinese rescue ship "Nanhaijiu 111" has saved 97 Vietnamese fishermen in the Dongsha area in the South China Sea.