Seminar held on Sino-Latin American economic cooperation

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Yang Jiechi, also China's permanent observer to the Organization of American States, makes a keynote speech during a seminar of economic and trade cooperation between China and Latin American, Caribbean countries in Washington, the United States, Oct. 1, 2004. The seminar was organized by the Inter-American Development Bank.

Sharapova into Korea Open final, Canas Shanghai Open

Guillermo Canas of Argentina hits a return during the semifinal match against Jiri Novak of Czech Republic at Shanghai Open ATP tennis tournament in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 2, 2004. Canas won the match 2-0 and advanced to the final.

Artists gather at Chinese International Folk Art Festival

Czech artists dance during the Sixth Chinese International Folk Art Festival in Huangshan, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 2, 2004. More than 30 folk art troupes from 22 countries and regions attended the festival, opened on Oct. 2.

International Lusheng Festival in Guizhou Province

Two performers play Mangtong, a traditional musical instrument, during the Kaili International Lusheng Festival in Kaili, a city in southwest China's Guizhou Province, Oct. 2, 2004. The five-day festival was opened on Oct. 1. Lusheng is a kind of reed-pipe wind instrument.

Agung Laksono elected speaker of Indonesian House of Representatives

Agung Laksono (L2), the newly elected speaker of the House of Representatives of Indonesia, and vice chairmen of the House of Representatives stand during a swearing-in ceremony in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 2, 2004.

First Beijing Twins Cultural Festival held

A pair of twin brothers take photo of another pair of twins during the First Beijing Twins Cultural Festival in a park in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 2, 2004. More than 500 pairs of twins from across the world took part in the four-day cultural festival, opened on Oct. 2.

School year starts in Iraq

A teacher gives the first lecture at Al Ta'Mim School for Boys in Baghdad Oct. 2, 2004, the first day of the Iraqi new school year. The school year started on Saturday amid endless explosions and kidnapping across the country.

President Hu urges heartfelt concern for the grass roots cadres

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R2), talks to local people during his tour of inspection in Shunyi District of Beijing, October 2, 2004. Hu urged the cadres at grass roots level to improve their own capacities, safeguard people's democratic rights and always put themselves under people's supervision.

Meeting of IMFC held in Washington

Zhou Xiaochuan (C), governor of the People's Bank of China, attends a meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) in Washington, the United States, Oct. 2, 2004. The IMFC is the policy-making body of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).