Stephen Hawking sightsees in Temple of Heaven

Stephen Hawking, the famous British physicist, spent two hours visiting the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, capital of China, on June 18. This is the third time he's paid visit to Beijing. When appreciating the Circular Mound Altar where the Emperors in Qing and Ming dynasties held ceremonies to offer sacrifices to heaven in winter, he could not wait to express his feeling with his special sound recognizer, "Fabulous!"

"China's water tower", Sanjiangyuan

The photo shows a splendid view of nightfall in Sanjiangyuan area. Sanjiangyuan area is the largest and highest natural wetland in China. It is also a nature reserve that accommodates the largest number of biotic species in the world. It provides 49.2% of the Yellow River's total discharge, 25% of the Yangtze River's and 15% of Lancang River's. This is why it is called "China's water tower". As part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, its special geographic environment and climate conditions can have substantial influence on the general circulation of China's air, East Asia and even the northern hemisphere.

Qinghai-Tibet Railway creats nine world records

Workers are working on the Ando Rack Base.After five-year hard work, 100, 000 railway constructors have created nine world records.

Atomic city, China's first nuclear weapons development base

A monument to China's first nuclear weapons development base is erected in Xihai Township, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. Covering an area of 1,100 square km, Yuanzicheng, or Atomic city, is China's first base for the development of nuclear weapons, which is located on the Jinyintan Grassland to the north bank of Qinghai Lake. Since 1950s, Chinese scientific workers successfully developed the first atomic bomb and hydrogen bomb of China here after painstaking efforts. Nowadays, the mysterious atomic city has become an important tourism zone on the Qinghai Plateau, attracting hundreds of thousands tourists annually.

Kazakhstan launches first satellite

A Russian-built Proton booster with KazSat 1 satellite aboard takes off in the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan, early Sunday, June 18, 2006. The satellite is designed to provide TV broadcasts and communications for Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and part of Russia.

Prmier Wen starts visit to Ghana

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L front) is welcomed by Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor at the airport as he arrived in Accra on a two-day official visit to Ghana, June 18, 2006.

Shanghai International Film Festival

Taiwanese supermodel Chiling Lin pose for a photo at the opening ceremony of the Shanghai International Film Festival at the Shanghai Concert Hall June 17, 2006.

National Lotus Exhibition in Hangzhou

The photo taken on June 18, 2006 shows lotus blossoms at an exhibition in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province. The 20th National Lotus Exhibition opened here Sunday. The one-month exhibition displays over 10,000 jars of lotus in over 200 varieties from China, Japan, Thailand, Russia and Australia, etc.

Chinese people's donation helps rebuild school in Kabul

An Afghan girl raises her hand in class at the Hasa Awal Shah Shahead Middle School in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, June 11, 2006. The school was newly rebuilt as it got 250,000 U.S. dollars of donation from Chinese people in 2004.

Heat wave sweeps Beijing, warning signal issued

Foreign tourists eat popsicles in Beijing Zoo in Beijing, capital of China, June 18, 2006. The highest temperature of Beijing reached 38 degrees centigrade on Sunday. Beijing Observatory issued a high temperature orange early-warning signal on 2 p.m..

Marathon operation separates conjoined twins

10-month old conjoined twins Regina (right) and Renata were staying in a paediatric special nursing ward, waiting for their operation in Children's Hospital Los Angeles on June 14th.

Chinese delegation invited to observe US exercise in Guam

Aircraft carrier fleets to take part in the U.S. military exercise gather in the sea area of Guam, the United States, June 18, 2006. The preparation for the military exercise are all ready, according to the official website for the military exercise. A Chinese delegation has been invited by commander of the U.S. Pacific Command Admiral William J. Fallon to observe the military exercise, which will be held on June 19-23.

Chinese Premier meets Egyptian parliament speaker

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (2nd R) meets with Speaker of the Egyptian People's Assembly Ahmed Fathi Sorour in Cairo, Egypt, June 18, 2006.

Anti-war protesters demonstrate with coffins in front of White House

Several anti-war protesters lie on their backs among replicated coffins to make a scene of dead soldiers in front of White House on June 14th. Over ten anti-war protesters demonstrated in front of White House and called for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq that day.