Multinational maritime military drill held in Pakistan

Chinese soldiers clean the missile frigate "Lianyungang" at a military harbor in Karachi, a city in southern Pakistan on March 7, 2007. The multinational maritime military drill, named "Peace-07", is divided into two phases. The first phase was held on March 6-7 and focused on communication while the second is a maritime drill being held between March 8 and March 11.

Spring comes to West Lake

A visitor shoots peach flowers with a camera at the West Lake scenic spot in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province on March 8, 2007.

Bomb the floating ice in Yellow River

Two bombs fall on the floating ice at a section of the Yellow River in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, March 7, 2007. Three fighter planes from China's Air Force dropped 24 bombs on the floating ice that threatened the cofferdams.(newsphoto)

Forest reserve on fire in SW China

A general view shows the forest fire on Mount Cangshan, a well-known scenic spot in Dali, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, March 8, 2007.

White lion quintuplets survive

Two of the 45-day-old white lion quintuplets play around at a zoo in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province March 8, 2007. These lionets will be sent back to the herd of lions to keep their nature of savagery. (newsphoto)

Fans pay $3,400 to see Jackson

U.S. pop star Michael Jackson opens a car window to greet fans as he arrives at the venue for the "Premium VIP Party with Michael Jackson" in Tokyo March 8, 2007. The ticket price for the exclusive party is 400,000 JPY (3,400 U.S. dollars).

Finance Minister Jin holds press conference

Chinese Finance Minister Jin Renqing addresses the media during a press conference held by the Fifth Session of the Tenth National People's Congress in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2007.

Paulson delivers speech at Shanghai Futures Exchange

U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson delivers a speech at Shanghai Futures Exchange, east China, March 8, 2007. He that China had made strides in reforming its financial sector but needed to accelerate the process.

Most detailed view of Antarctica

This image released on March 7, 2007 displays a portion of the natural color mosaic over McMurdo Station, the largest research base in Antarctica. Ross Island is roughly 45 miles across at its widest point. In support of the International Polar Year (2007-2008), the new Landsat Image Mosaic of Antarctica (LIMA) provides a comprehensive view of Antarctica. The USGS, the British Antarctic Survey, and NASA, with funding from the National Science Foundation, are developing the new mosaic along with an Antarctic web portal and online map viewer.

President Hu urges officials to serve people better

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C, front) talks to female deputies during the panel discussion of deputies from southwest China's Chongqing Municipality to the Fifth Session of the Tenth National People's Congress on the occasion of International Women's Day in Beijing, capital of China, March 8, 2007.

Top advisor reiterates resolute opposition to "Taiwan independence"

China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin reiterated that the mainland will resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities at a parliament panel discussion with the country's lawmakers on Thursday.