1. Space exploration: Good news one by one; Shenzhou-VI successfully launched

Huygens on Jan. 14 landed smoothly on Saturn's moon Titan and obtained a great amount of precious data. After that, Deep Impact smashed into Tempel 1; Discovery spacecraft returned to the space; Venus Express lifted off.

On Oct. 12, China's self-developed Shenzhou-VI manned spacecraft blasted off with two taikonauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, who afterwards conducted quite a lot experiments. The spacecraft landed safely on Oct. 17 after orbiting the earth 77 times.

2. Iraq: reconstruction in difficulty; Saddam Hussein's trial doubted

At the end of January, Iraq held its landmark elections participated by multiple parties after the Iraq war, with an interim National Assembly voted and the transitional government established in April. On Aug. 28, Iraq's new constitution met the public after great hardship. On Dec. 15, general elections were held again in accordance with the new constitution. Throughout Iraq, violence including bombings, gun killing and abductions occurred one after another, leading to heavy casualties. By Dec. 12, 2,140 US soldiers have been killed in Iraq. Large-scale anti-war demonstrations broke out in the United States.

3. UN reform: Security Council enlargement a focus; G4 face setback

Secretary-general Unite Nations (UN) Kofi Annan delivered on Mar. 21 a report on UN reform. Japan, India, Brazil and Germany wished to become permanent members at the UN Security Council at this opportunity. However, as a majority of countries were concerned, the reform of the UN Security Council bears on the interests of various countries therefore should be fully negotiated instead of setting a deadline or forcing a voting. No consensus was reached at the UN Summit in September; the attempts of the four countries were met troubles.

4. Commemoration of WWII -- peace hailed across the world; Koizumi's visits infuriating

On May 9, leaders of more than 50 countries and representatives from some international organizations gathered in Moscow, attending the grand celebration for the 60th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War. A grand meeting was held in Beijing Sept. 3on to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Anti-Fascist War. A variety of activities, aiming to demonstrate the will and belief of human beings to maintain peace and oppose war, were also held in many countries.

In sharp contrast, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Oct. 17willfully visited the Yasukuni Shrine, arousing the indignation and condemnation among the peace-loving peoples around the world. His act also seriously impeded the normal development of Japan's relations with its Asian neighbors.

5. EU Constitutional Treaty -- integration, a dream hard to come true

Between late May and early June, the European Union (EU) Constitutional Treaty was rejected in the referendums in France and the Netherlands. On Jun. 6, Britain announced to shelf the plan of a referendum. EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso announced on Jun. 15 that the EU postponed the ratification process. The setback indicates the general public's doubts in the construction of Europe.

6. Counter-terrorism -- serial bombs attack London; int'l community tightens security

The most devastating serial bombing attacks broke out in London on Jul. 7, killing 57 and injuring more than 700. Before and after this, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Indonesia, Myanmar, India and Russia also suffered terrorist attacks. Facing ever-rampant terrorism, countries strengthened counter-measures.

7. Prevention of nuclear proliferation -- progress seen in six-party talks; Iran issue back to deadlock

On Jul. 26, the fourth round of six-party talks on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula was held in Beijing, and ended on Sept. 19 after two phases.

The participants issued their first joint statement ever since the inauguration of the talks, marking an important achievement. Afterwards, the fifth round of talks started the first phase.

On Aug. 8, Iran restarted its uranium conversion facilities in Isfahan, leaving the nuclear talks between Iran and the EU halted. The Council of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution urging Iran to suspend uranium conversion programs. The United States, worrying Iran's nuclear programs are for military purposes, said once and again to deliver Iran's nuclear issue to the UN Security Council.

8. Harmonious world -- idea receives positive comments; China's development draws wide attention

From Sept. 14-16, a leaders' meeting at the 60th UN anniversary was held at the UN Headquarters. Chinese President Hu Jintao put forward at the meeting the idea of "Build Towards a harmonious World of Lasting Peace and Common Prosperity", which received attention and positive comments in the international community. Chinese leaders participated a wide range of multilateral activities, expounding China's stance to adhere to a path of peaceful development. In December, China issued the white paper "China's Peaceful Development Road". With remarkable advancement in its economy, comprehensive strength as well as status, China weighs more and more in the world situation, expanding its influence. Its development is all the more a global focus.

9. South Asia earthquakes -- disasters with untold losses; mankind suffers frequent disasters

On Oct. 8, a severe earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale hit northern Pakistan, killing totally 86, 000 people. Neighboring Afghanistan and India-controlled Kashmir were affected. On Feb. 22, an earthquake of 6.5 on the Richter scale killed and injured over 2, 000 in south Iran's Zarand. Late August, Hurricane Katrina swept six southern US states, leading to a death toll exceeding 1,000 and at least 200 billion US dollars for reconstruction.

10. Bird flu -- rapid global outbreaks; countries join hands

A ministerial conference on bird flu prevention was held in Ottawa, Canada on Oct. 24-25, at which a mechanism of joint action was urged to monitor the bird flu outbreaks.

On Nov. 7-9, another international conference on bird flu was held in Geneva. Since January, bird flu cases started to emerge in some countries. Till now more than 120 people have been infected, over half of whom dead.

By People's Daily Online