Filling stations overcrowded for possible oil price hike

Photo taken at night on May 23 shows that cars queue up in long line at a filling station for refueling in Beijing at the news that oil price would likely be raised the next day. According to National development and Reform Commission, China will raise the retail price of petrol, diesel and aviation fuel by 500 yuan per ton respectively starting from May 24. In Beijing, the price of 93-octane petrol will be raised up by 0.44 yuan to 5.09 yuan per ton.

Laureus World Sports Awards 2006

Swiss tennis player Roger Federer kisses his trophy at the Laureus World Awards ceremony in Barcelona May 22, 2006. Federer reasserted his status on top of the sporting world on Monday by again winning the 'Sportsman of the Year' title at the Laureus World Sports awards on a big night for tennis.

National conference of China's sci-tech association opens

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R front), along with China's other state leaders, meets with representatives to attend the 7th national representative conference of the China Association for Science and Technology in Beijing on May 23, 2006.

Badminton player Xia Xuanze gets married

Chinese badminton player Xia Xuanze(R) holds his bride on their wedding in Hangzhou, May 22, 2006. Xia Xuanze and his girlfriend Jin Beilei held their wedding here Monday evening, inviting Li Yongbo, the general coach of China Badminton Team, and some famous athletes Zhang Ning, Luo Xuejuan, Bao Chunlai etc.

Century-old tramcar in Dalian

The coastal city, which pays great attention to environmental protection and city cleanness, has been using tramcars for almost 100 years starting from 1909. Experts recently call for more use of clean energy in China's metropolitans. Comparing with general public transportation which depends mainly on oil and gas as the fuel, the electrically driven vehicle enjoys several advantages for they are environmently friendly with lower noise and less air polution.

Female South China Tiger is expecting

A pair of South China Tigers mate in Suzhou Breeding Center for South China Tigers, May 22, 2006. The international code 294, 7-year-old male tiger and the international code 343, 3-year-old female tiger succeeded in natural mating without any hormone injected on Monday. This is the fourth successful natural mating case in the center since this spring. Some eight to 12 South China tiger babies are expected to be born this summer and autumn, according to the breeding center.

Sino-Greek Economic &Trade Co-op Forum

Visiting Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Wu Bangguo speaks at the opening ceremony of the Sino-Greek Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in Athens, capital of Greece, May 23, 2006.

US airstrike kills 80 Taliban, 16 civilians in S.Afghanistan

Afghan man who was injured in the U.S. air strike lies at Mirwais regional hospital in Kandahar of southern Afghanistan May 22, 2006. Up to 80 Taliban militants and at least 16 civilians were killed during an overnight US-led coalition force's air raid on a village in southern Afghan province of Kandahar.

Annan visits main stadium for Beijing Olympics

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (C) and his wife, accompanied by Liu Qi (R), president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympics, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, visit the main stadium for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, capital of China on May 23, 2006. Annan left here Tuesday, concluding his five-day official visit to China.

China's top legislator holds talks with Greek leaders

Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress Wu Bangguo (L) meets with Greek President Karolos Papoulias in Athens, capital of Greek, May 23, 2006. Wu arrived here on May 22 for his four-day official and goodwill visit to Greece, the third leg of his four-nation tour.

German Chancellor rides Shanghai maglev

Accompanied by Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan (R), German Chancellor Angela Merkel rides the maglev (magnetic levitation) rail line in Shanghai, east China, May 23, 2006. Merkel arrived in China's financial hub of Shanghai on Monday night and wrapped up her China visit on Tuesday.