China's first astronaut visits launching center

China's first astronaut Yang Liwei receiving interviews at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province Oct. 15, 2004. Yang was sent into the space aboard Shenzhou-5 spacecraft a year ago. He visited Jiuquan on Friday to recollect the unforgettable memory.

24th meeting of the chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee held

Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), presides over the 24th meeting of the chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 15, 2004.

Putin arrives in Xi'an for visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives by a special plane in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Oct. 15, 2004, to continue his three-day state visit to China.

Putin meets Chinese leaders

President Hu (R2, sitting), his wife Liu Yongqing (L1, sitting) and Putin (L2, sitting) and his wife Lyudmila (R1, sitting) are at the state banquet at the Great Hall of the People. (Xinhua Photo)

Rescued Chinese hostage returns to motherland

Chinese vice foreign minister Wu Dawei (L) shakes hands with Chinese engineer Wang Ende at Beijing International Airport after Wang Ende and Meng Dequn (R), wife of the other Chinese engineer Wang Peng, arrived in Beijing by a chartered plane from Pakistan, Oct. 15, 2004. Pakistani military force carried out a rescue operation on Thursday to rescue two Chinese engineers Wang Ende and Wang Peng held hostage in west Pakistan's tribal region, but failed to rescue Wang Peng. (Xinhua Photo)