http://english.people.com.cn/ http://english.people.com.cn/images/en/top_logo_e.gif People's Daily Online http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/ 6821444 2009-11-23 22:01:39 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6821443 2009-11-23 22:00:48 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6821423 2009-11-23 21:00:49 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6821422 2009-11-23 20:59:39 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6821400 2009-11-23 20:27:07 &$By People's Daily Online &$&$ ]]> 6821398 2009-11-23 20:16:53 &$Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan (R) meets with Sergio Balbinot, CEO of Italian insurance giant Generali Group, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 23, 2009. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)&$&$ Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan met on Monday with Sergio Balbinot, CEO of Italian insurance giant Generali Group. They exchanged views on issues of common concern, including the current economic and financial situation. ...]]> &$Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan (R) meets with Sergio Balbinot, CEO of Italian insurance giant Generali Group, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 23, 2009. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)&$&$ Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan met on Monday with Sergio Balbinot, CEO of Italian insurance giant Generali Group. They exchanged views on issues of common concern, including the current economic and financial situation. &$&$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6821397 2009-11-23 19:33:31 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6821325 2009-11-23 18:34:30 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6821323 2009-11-23 18:28:58 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6821322 2009-11-23 18:28:13 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6821321 2009-11-23 18:26:51 &$Source: Xinhua &$&$ ]]> 6821287 2009-11-23 17:08:53 &$Source:chinadaily.com.cn&$&$ ]]> 6821284 2009-11-23 17:07:35 &$Source:chinadaily.com.cn&$&$ ...]]> &$Source:chinadaily.com.cn&$&$ ]]> 6821283 2009-11-23 17:06:39 &$Source:chinadaily.com.cn&$&$ ]]> 6821282 2009-11-23 17:05:44 &$Source:chinadaily.com.cn&$&$ ]]> 6821269 2009-11-23 16:59:47 &$Source:Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6821248 2009-11-23 16:52:22 &$The photo taken on Sunday November 22, 2009 shows Beijing Olympic Games' "Crystal Piano" in Beijing. (bjnews.com.cn Photo)&$&$ The "Crystal Piano" used for the Beijing Olympic Games has been auctioned and bought by a private bidder at 22 million yuan (3.22 million US dollars) in Beijing, chinanews.com.cn reports. The auction company - North Latitude, told the media that the piano was designed to meet the ...]]> &$The photo taken on Sunday November 22, 2009 shows Beijing Olympic Games' "Crystal Piano" in Beijing. (bjnews.com.cn Photo)&$&$ The "Crystal Piano" used for the Beijing Olympic Games has been auctioned and bought by a private bidder at 22 million yuan (3.22 million US dollars) in Beijing, chinanews.com.cn reports. The auction company - North Latitude, told the media that the piano was designed to meet the demand of a large-scale concert and is unique in the world. The piano was played at the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 by renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang, who brought the audience an unforgettable night by playing "Starlight". &$&$Source: CRI online&$&$&$ 【1】 【2】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6821173 2009-11-23 16:05:36 &$Tourists are taking photos in Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon scenic spot in Nyingchi, east of Tibet on November 21. (Xinhua Photo)&$&$ The splendid natural scenery in Nyingchi Prefecture, east of Tibet Autonomous Region and the coming of Gongbo New Year festival which fell on November 17 drive the winter tour in this region to a new height. In spite of summer, the usual hottest tourist season for Tibet, wi ...]]> &$Tourists are taking photos in Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon scenic spot in Nyingchi, east of Tibet on November 21. (Xinhua Photo)&$&$ The splendid natural scenery in Nyingchi Prefecture, east of Tibet Autonomous Region and the coming of Gongbo New Year festival which fell on November 17 drive the winter tour in this region to a new height. In spite of summer, the usual hottest tourist season for Tibet, with the development and promotion of "winter tour in Tibet" by related tourist department, Tibet has attracted more and more tourists with its specific Tibetan festival and stunning natural scenery. When it just pasted 8 a.m. on November 21, Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon scenic spot in Nyingchi Prefecture ushered in its first tourist group. Even though entering the slack season in November, this scenic spot still can receive some 50 tourists each day, sources from a staff of the spot. Suo Qiang, a tourist from Xijiang told reporter that he will stay in Tibet for about 7 days and will pay a visit to Lhasa, Xigaze besides Nyingchi. "Winter Tibet shows you a unique lingering charm beyond imagination which can not experience in other seasons," he added. Meanwhile, the distinctive custom in Nyingchi also boosts winter tourism. With the fall-on of Gongbo New Year festival on November 17, a tourist group from Guangdong Province came to Zongguo Village, Nyingchi Town on the next day to share the festival happiness with local Tibetan people. Besides, Lhasa will host the 3rd Tibetan New Year Custom & Tourism Festival on February 14, 2010, while, the Tibetan New Year in Xigaze will be held one month prior to that. The Tourism Department of Tibet Autonomous Region has begun to promote "winter tour in Tibet " in 2007 and it had received 430,000 tourists last year, according to Wang Songping, vice director of the department. The "winter tour in Tibet" this year has kicked off from the mid-October and related scenic spots have given some discounts in ticket prices since then. &$&$Source: China Tibet Information Center&$&$ &$&$Book your trip to China>>&$&$&$ 【1】 【2】 【3】 【4】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6821168 2009-11-23 15:59:00 &$Harvey is viewing a Thangka painting work. (China Tibet Information Center Photo)&$&$ The Thangka art exhibition by famous intangible cultural heritage inheritor Niangben has concluded on November 21 in Beijing. Over 200 guests have visited the exhibition and some of them even ordered some Thangka works on the show. We recently interviewed an American friend Harvey, who currently works in China, writing ...]]> &$Harvey is viewing a Thangka painting work. (China Tibet Information Center Photo)&$&$ The Thangka art exhibition by famous intangible cultural heritage inheritor Niangben has concluded on November 21 in Beijing. Over 200 guests have visited the exhibition and some of them even ordered some Thangka works on the show. We recently interviewed an American friend Harvey, who currently works in China, writing a column for newspaper and also making some film between Turkey and Spanish. Harvey is very interested in the paintings in Mokao Grotto at Dunhuang. It is his dream to go there someday and see those extraordinary works by himself. What this Thangka painting inspired him is the teacher of Niangben, who used to learn painting in Dunhuang, merged the painting style into Thangka painting. So this two kinds of paintings have something in common. Harvey highly appraised the Thangka painting which is perfect. It's also very time consuming, and cannot make any mistakes when painting. The colours in Thangka are all very warm and make people feel comfortable. When talking about Tibet, Harvey's first impression about Tibet came from his hearing and seeing when he was young. He saw some of Tibetan cultural art works in local art museum in America, and also from his professor's friends when he studied in Harvard University Law School. In the talk, he mentioned the word "spiritual" many times, and also other words like magical, profound. He also appreciated the great history of Tibet, and he learnt Tibet from many ways such as TV, newspaper, websites. There are many aspects of Tibet discussed in the western countries, but what draws his interest most is cultural aspect. Mentioning of Tibet's current development and trend of Tibet's future, Harvey agreed on environment protection in Tibet, Tibet is facing the same challenge like many other places in the world. He thinks Tibet should not overtake population beyond its capability due to its special geographic conditions and environment. He thinks keeping balance is of the most importance. Tibet should preserve religious activities, cultural relics sites while developing modern convenience for people to enjoy. Under the huge support of Chinese central government and other provinces, the life of Tibetan people is getting better and better. Today Tibetan people do more and more things that traditional Tibetan people have never done before. There're more ways of increasing income. But Harvey doesn't think money is the creator of happiness, happiness has nothing to do with money. And many people in Tibet go to China's inland and go abroad for better personal development and they also should keep learning their own language and religious systems. And last, he was asked if he would go to Tibet, he said yes, it's another dream. But he would not make any film or documentary about Tibet. He said there are many sides about Tibet in western world, and just because of this, people should go to Tibet by themselves and find out the truth. &$&$Source: China Tibet Information Center&$&$ ]]> 6821164 2009-11-23 15:55:38 &$Yundan Drolma, a Tibetan girl from Mailing is selling the Tibetan boots at Brahmaputra Grand Canyon tourist attraction, photo from chinatibetnews.The tourism industry is developing rapidly in Tibet which provides local young Tibetans more employment chances. (Chinatibetnews Photo)&$&$ &$&$Book your trip to China>>&$&$ ...]]> &$Yundan Drolma, a Tibetan girl from Mailing is selling the Tibetan boots at Brahmaputra Grand Canyon tourist attraction, photo from chinatibetnews.The tourism industry is developing rapidly in Tibet which provides local young Tibetans more employment chances. (Chinatibetnews Photo)&$&$ &$&$Book your trip to China>>&$&$ ]]> 6821099 2009-11-23 15:18:13 &$Black-necked cranes, rare birds under national priority protection, find food in the Napahai Nature Reserve, Shangri-la County, Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua Photo)&$&$ A recent survey indicates that black-necked cranes spending the winter in Shangri-la Tibetan Autonomous County, Yunan Province, breed in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's ...]]> &$Black-necked cranes, rare birds under national priority protection, find food in the Napahai Nature Reserve, Shangri-la County, Deqen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua Photo)&$&$ A recent survey indicates that black-necked cranes spending the winter in Shangri-la Tibetan Autonomous County, Yunan Province, breed in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Living at an altitude of 2,500 m to 5,000 m, the cranes are the only cranes inhabiting and breeding on a plateau. Every year, about 500 live through the winter in Shangri-la's Pudacuo and Napahai nature reserves. However, it is little known where these birds breed and how they migrate there. This new discovery of the species' breeding place is based on the two-year satellite tracing of the activities of two cranes in the Napahai Nature Reserve. Later this winter, a ground investigation of the present conditions of the places for its breeding and inhabitation will continue following the survey to locate the bird's migration route, rest venues and the rest period. 　 &$&$Source: Xinhuanet&$&$ ]]> 6821096 2009-11-23 15:16:50 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6821092 2009-11-23 15:15:45 &$Namtso Lake, 240 km north of Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, is the highest salt lake in the world. The lake covers an area of 1,940 sq m and is located at an altitude of more than 4,700 m. ( Lhasa Evening News Photo)&$&$ The ticket price of the Namtso scenic zone in Damxung County dropped to 50 yuan from 80 yuan from Nov. 1 to April 30 next year, according to the Tourism B ...]]> &$Namtso Lake, 240 km north of Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, is the highest salt lake in the world. The lake covers an area of 1,940 sq m and is located at an altitude of more than 4,700 m. ( Lhasa Evening News Photo)&$&$ The ticket price of the Namtso scenic zone in Damxung County dropped to 50 yuan from 80 yuan from Nov. 1 to April 30 next year, according to the Tourism Bureau of Damxung County, Lhasa, Tibet. Some roads in the scenic zone have been frozen as it is getting cold in Tibet, so tourists are unable to visit Lake Namtso for the sake of their safety. Yet they can enjoy the view of the lake on Mt. Lagenla. A staff worker of the bureau said security personnel have been on guard around the clock at the ticket offices, the villagers' committee of Namtso Village, and Zhaxi Island. &$&$Source: Xinhuanet&$&$ ]]> 6821087 2009-11-23 15:13:30 &$Picture taken on Nov. 22, 2009, shows a Tibetan woman of the New Guantang Village, Guide County, northwest China's Qinghai Province, using a government-supplied solar cooker. Since construction of the Longyangxia Hydropower Station got started in 2006, more than 500 herders from Guantang Village, Guinan County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northeast China's Qinghai Province, have moved and resettled in Guide, ...]]> &$Picture taken on Nov. 22, 2009, shows a Tibetan woman of the New Guantang Village, Guide County, northwest China's Qinghai Province, using a government-supplied solar cooker. Since construction of the Longyangxia Hydropower Station got started in 2006, more than 500 herders from Guantang Village, Guinan County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northeast China's Qinghai Province, have moved and resettled in Guide, Guinan's neighboring county. Thanks to the government's preferential policies, the herders now live in new free houses and enjoy better medical care as well as educational conditions. (Xinhua Photo)&$&$&$ 【1】 【2】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6821079 2009-11-23 15:11:45 &$Photo shows a bird's eye view of the Yarlung Zangbo River which flowing through the Tibet Autnomous Region. (China Tibet Information Center Photo)&$&$&$ 【1】 【2】 【3】 &$&$ &$Photo shows a bird's eye view of the Yarlung Zangbo River which flowing through the Tibet Autnomous Region. (China Tibet Information Center Photo)&$&$&$ 【1】 【2】 【3】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6821037 2009-11-23 14:46:42 6820964 2009-11-23 14:13:23 &$A stuff member shows wicker craftwork at 2009 Lianyungang Culture Expo in Lianyungang, a city of east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 22, 2009. The two-day expo opened here on Sunday with more than 120 exhibitors attending. (Xinhua/Wang Chun)&$&$&$ 【1】 【2】 &$A stuff member shows wicker craftwork at 2009 Lianyungang Culture Expo in Lianyungang, a city of east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 22, 2009. The two-day expo opened here on Sunday with more than 120 exhibitors attending. (Xinhua/Wang Chun)&$&$&$ 【1】 【2】 【3】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6820953 2009-11-23 16:02:42 【1】 【2】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6820937 2009-11-23 13:57:23 &$Source:Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820932 2009-11-23 13:55:24 &$Source:China Daily&$&$ ]]> 6820851 2009-11-23 13:19:46 &$Source:Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820849 2009-11-23 13:19:14 &$Source:Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820839 2009-11-23 13:18:05 &$Source:Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820763 2009-11-23 11:10:23 &$A staff member showcases a mobile phone with the function of Tibetan short message service in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on November 20. (Xinhua Photo)&$&$ A ceremony was held in Lhasa on Friday to mark the launch of the joint research project on Tibetan language short message service (SMS). Jointly undertaken by Xinhua News Agency, China Mobile and Tibet Universit ...]]> &$A staff member showcases a mobile phone with the function of Tibetan short message service in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on November 20. (Xinhua Photo)&$&$ A ceremony was held in Lhasa on Friday to mark the launch of the joint research project on Tibetan language short message service (SMS). Jointly undertaken by Xinhua News Agency, China Mobile and Tibet University, the project is designed to make it possible to send short messages in the Tibetan language. Dai Zhong, general manager of the China Mobile Tibet Branch, said that the project, based on the Windows mobile and symbian mobile phone operating systems, will help download the Tibetan language software package from the Internet and realize real-time peer-to-peer SMS. &$ &$Photo taken on November 20, 2009 shows the ceremony to mark the launch of the joint research project on Tibetan language short message service (SMS) in Lhasa, capital of Tibet. (Xinhua Photo)&$&$ Tibet University and China Mobile will be responsible for the development of the software platform, while Xinhua News Agency will undertake to provide the contents of Tibetan short messages. The China Mobile Tibet Branch and the Xinhua News Agency Tibet Branch opened the "mobile Xinhua news" short message service in March 2008. Among the one million mobile phone users in Tibet, 300,000 subscribe to such a service, receiving ten short messages in the Han language everyday, covering major events happening in Tibet and other parts of China. In Tibet, more than 80 percent of the Tibetans live in vast agricultural and pastoral areas hard of access to transportation services and information. The project will thus enable Tibetan farmers and herders to receive the "mobile Xinhua news" in both Han and Tibetan languages. Ding Yexian, a Tibet Autonomous Regional Government official, said that the launch and operation of the Tibetan SMS will create conditions for Tibetans to promptly learn the latest political, economic, scientific and cultural information. &$&$Source: Xinhuanet&$&$ ]]> 6820756 2009-11-23 11:07:58 &$File photo shows the head of the Lhasa SOS Children's Village tutoring the children. (sos.mca.gov.cn Photo)&$&$ Since the Lhasa SOS Children's Village opened in September 2000, Nyima Phurdron, a Tibetan woman, has been serving as a "mother of ten." The village, covering an area of 26,680 sq m, is the ninth of its kind in China. Zhouqiang, assistant to the village head, said that the village has 17 h ...]]> &$File photo shows the head of the Lhasa SOS Children's Village tutoring the children. (sos.mca.gov.cn Photo)&$&$ Since the Lhasa SOS Children's Village opened in September 2000, Nyima Phurdron, a Tibetan woman, has been serving as a "mother of ten." The village, covering an area of 26,680 sq m, is the ninth of its kind in China. Zhouqiang, assistant to the village head, said that the village has 17 households with 179 adopted orphans from all parts of Tibet. Nyima's house was full of the smell of Tibetan incense. Several photos were inserted into the glass frame of a cabinet. Pointing at one picture, Nyima said, "Those are my ten children. One daughter is studying in Tianjin City in North China and two boys have moved to the youth hostel." The rest seven children, three boys and four girls shared one mother's love. "They are more considerate than the children from common families. At the beginning, they always made my hands full. But now they have grown up and become my good helpers. My second child often cooks with me," speaking of her children, Nyima could not help smiling broadly. Before her children returned home after school in the evening, Nyima did some sewing and had small talks with other moms in the village about the daily trifles and their children's study. &$ &$File photo shows a view of the Lhasa SOS Children's Village. (sos.mca.gov.cn Photo)&$&$ Nyima said, "Sometimes, we go for an outing or a picnic at weekends. But the happiest thing of my family is to celebrate the Tibetan New Year, when all the people sing and dance together in an auditorium." Nyima could not clearly remember all the sweets and bitters in the past nine years, but when it came to her interdependence with her children, Nyima could not hold back her tears. She said, "Once I was out for ten days to attend a training course held in inland areas. When I came back, I saw the scrawled characters written on the door, 'Mom, when will you come back?' I burst into cry right away." Placed in order in the study are the children's books and certificates of merit. An electronic organ and a violin lie in an inconspicuous place. Nyima said, "I bought them these for they are eager to learn. My children are thoughtful and won't ask for name brand clothes." Speaking of her expectations on her children, Nyima said, "I will feel very happy if they abide by laws and can become useful to society." &$&$Source: Xinhuanet&$&$ ]]> 6820753 2009-11-23 11:05:10 &$Picture taken on Nov. 20, 2009, shows the Jade Emperor Pavilion, architecture from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, in Guide County, northwest China's Qinghai Province. Located in a warm and humid valley on the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Guide makes great efforts to develop tourism by taking advantage of being an ancient city on the upper reach of the Yellow River with a long hi ...]]> &$Picture taken on Nov. 20, 2009, shows the Jade Emperor Pavilion, architecture from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, in Guide County, northwest China's Qinghai Province. Located in a warm and humid valley on the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Guide makes great efforts to develop tourism by taking advantage of being an ancient city on the upper reach of the Yellow River with a long history and diverse cultures.(Xinhua Photo)&$&$&$ 【1】 【2】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6820747 2009-11-23 11:03:15 &$Photo shows published reproduction of the French Collected Dunhuang Tibetan Documents. (chinanews.com.cn Photo)&$&$ About 10,000 Tibetan documents drained overseas from the Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang, Gansu Province, are being published in China in the form of books, according to Northwest University for Nationalities. Since the Sutra Cave of the grottoes was discovered in the early 20th century, thou ...]]> &$Photo shows published reproduction of the French Collected Dunhuang Tibetan Documents. (chinanews.com.cn Photo)&$&$ About 10,000 Tibetan documents drained overseas from the Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang, Gansu Province, are being published in China in the form of books, according to Northwest University for Nationalities. Since the Sutra Cave of the grottoes was discovered in the early 20th century, thousands of historical documents and cultural relics have been taken to foreign countries such as Britain, France, Japan and Russia. The cave, considered as a treasury of literature, contains documents involving politics, economics, military affairs, religion, ethnic folklores, languages, science and philosophy. Tsering, an expert on tibetology of the Oversea Ethnic Document Research Institute of the university, noted that those Dunhuang documents in the ancient Tibetan language stolen by British explorer Marc Aurel Stein and French Sinologist Paul Pelliot are now collected in the British Library (BL) and the National Library of France (NLF), respectively. It is hard to have the original scripts of these Tibetan documents drained overseas in large quantities return to China, so they have to be reproduced as prints, he added. Dating back from 7 to 8 A.D. of ancient Tibet's Tubo Kingdom, these documents are regarded as probably filling a literature gap in a warring period in Tibet's history. Since 2006, the university has been cooperating with the BL, the NLF and the Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House in the compilation and publication of these documents. &$&$Source: Xinhuanet&$&$ ]]> 6820744 2009-11-23 11:01:01 &$Photo taken on Nov. 19, shows a screen in the Tibet Electric Power Company, Lhasa, showing that "Celebrations on Successful Hooking Up of the Nyingchi Grid and the Central Tibet Grid." Electric grid of the Tibet's Nyingchi Grid costing 360 million yuan (43.56 million U.S. dollars) and the Central Tibet's Grid was connected on Nov. 19, 2009. Power supply shortages in central Tibet will be eased accordingly. (Xinhua Phot ...]]> &$Photo taken on Nov. 19, shows a screen in the Tibet Electric Power Company, Lhasa, showing that "Celebrations on Successful Hooking Up of the Nyingchi Grid and the Central Tibet Grid." Electric grid of the Tibet's Nyingchi Grid costing 360 million yuan (43.56 million U.S. dollars) and the Central Tibet's Grid was connected on Nov. 19, 2009. Power supply shortages in central Tibet will be eased accordingly. (Xinhua Photo)&$&$ ]]> 6820738 2009-11-23 10:52:52 &$Source:chinadaily ...]]> &$Source:chinadaily.com.cn&$&$ ]]> 6820728 2009-11-23 10:49:56 &$Source:Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820725 2009-11-23 10:49:21 6820720 2009-11-23 10:47:00 6820718 2009-11-23 10:45:48 &$Source:Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820715 2009-11-23 10:44:59 &$Source:Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820713 2009-11-23 10:45:10 &$File photo shows a Tibetan farmer picking marrow squash in a greenhouse in Panam County, Xigaze Prefecture, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.(Xinhua Photo)&$&$ Lhasa, capital of Tibet, now has a pollution-free food production base covering 3.4 million sq m with an annual output value of 60 million yuan RMB, according to the city agriculture department. An official of the Lhasa City Bureau o ...]]> &$File photo shows a Tibetan farmer picking marrow squash in a greenhouse in Panam County, Xigaze Prefecture, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.(Xinhua Photo)&$&$ Lhasa, capital of Tibet, now has a pollution-free food production base covering 3.4 million sq m with an annual output value of 60 million yuan RMB, according to the city agriculture department. An official of the Lhasa City Bureau of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Bureau said that Lhasa is a latecomer in pollution-free food production, which has been developing rapidly in the last few years. The area of the production base has been expanded to 3.4 million this year from last year's 1.3 million sq m. "With rapid economic development, people now care more about what they eat. They prefer environment-friendly, natural and healthy foodstuffs," he added. He said pollution-free foods are popular among Lhasa citizens, but the output of such foods can hardly meet market demand due to the limited production area. &$&$Source: Xinhuanet&$&$ ]]> 6820699 2009-11-23 10:42:38 &$Photo taken on Nov. 21, 2009 shows the winter scenery in Nyingchi Prefecture, home to the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Nyingchi Prefecture in southeast of China's Tibet Autonomous Region, covering 117,000 square kilometers, is known for its humid and mild climate, charming scenery and rich natural resources. (Xinhua/Lin Ruxuan)&$&$ &$ &$Photo taken on Nov. 21, 2009 shows the winter scenery in Nyingchi Prefecture, home to the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Nyingchi Prefecture in southeast of China's Tibet Autonomous Region, covering 117,000 square kilometers, is known for its humid and mild climate, charming scenery and rich natural resources. (Xinhua/Lin Ruxuan)&$&$ &$&$Book your trip to China>>&$&$&$ 【1】 【2】 【3】 【4】 【5】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6820676 2009-11-23 10:27:05 &$The Kawagebo Peak of Meili Snow Mountain is illuminated by sunrise in Deqin county, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in southwest China's Yunnan province, on Oct. 27, 2009.(Xinhua/Lin Yiguang)&$&$ The Meili Snow Mountain is located at the border between Deqing County in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan and Zayu County in Tibet. It lies deep in the Hengduan Mountain where the Jinsha, Lan ...]]> &$The Kawagebo Peak of Meili Snow Mountain is illuminated by sunrise in Deqin county, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in southwest China's Yunnan province, on Oct. 27, 2009.(Xinhua/Lin Yiguang)&$&$ The Meili Snow Mountain is located at the border between Deqing County in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan and Zayu County in Tibet. It lies deep in the Hengduan Mountain where the Jinsha, Langcang and Nu rivers converge. It is a holy place of pilgrimage for Tibetan Buddhists. At this place, 13 peaks are 6,000 meters above sea level. Among them, the Kawagebo peak, 6,740 meters above the sea level, is the highest in Yunnan Province. Near Kawagebo, 13 peaks line up, like a guard of honor for the God. During the period of the end of autumn and the beginning of the winter, a great number of devotees would come here to worship without thinking of how long the way they have to go. It is admiring to see that they crawled to go up the high mountain gradually. At the foot of it, there are continuous glaciers and cirques known as the Modern Glaciers in the low latitude. The complex geology of the Hengduan Mountain and the changeable climate in the low-latitude snow mountains mean that the Meili Snow Mountain is fraught with fatal dangers. Violent glacier movements have aggravated fissures in the mountain body, giving rise to suspended glaciers, hidden ice crevices, ice avalanches and snow avalanches. Because of the precipitous massifs and perpetual snow, there are snow slides, dense fogs, heavy rain and fierce wind, and it is still a 'virgin peak" which no one has conquered. &$&$Source: chinatouristmaps.com&$&$ &$&$Book your trip to China>>&$&$ ]]> 6820675 2009-11-23 10:25:37 &$Photo shows a view of Mt. Qomolangma, a scenic wonderland in the Himayalan area. (Xinhua Photo)&$&$ Mt. Qomolangma, also known as Mt. Everest, meaning Mother Goddess of the Universe, in Tingri County, Xigaze Prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region, is the highest peak in the world. It straddles the border between China and Nepal. It has been called the most revered of all mountains and the world's third p ...]]> &$Photo shows a view of Mt. Qomolangma, a scenic wonderland in the Himayalan area. (Xinhua Photo)&$&$ Mt. Qomolangma, also known as Mt. Everest, meaning Mother Goddess of the Universe, in Tingri County, Xigaze Prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region, is the highest peak in the world. It straddles the border between China and Nepal. It has been called the most revered of all mountains and the world's third pole. The whole mountain looks like a huge pyramid, mighty and imposing. Its surrounding landforms are very steep and dangerous, making its ascent very difficult. Qomolangma is 8,844.43 meters above sea level. Its northern slope is in Tingri County, Tibet, China and its southern slope lies within Nepal. It is surrounded by towering mountains, more than 40 of which are over 7,000 meters. They include the famous Lhotse (the world's 4th highest peak) and Makalu (the world's 5th highest peak) to the southeast. There are other first-rate peaks beyond. Kangchenjunga (8,586 meters), the world's 3rd highest peak, is to the southwest, and to the west stand Gyachung Kang (7,986 meters), Cho Oyu (8,201 meters) and Gasherbrum (8,027 meters). The North Col of Everest is located in Tinggri (Shegar). Massive glaciers and seracs feature a thrilling splendor. The peak has been a holy climbing attraction for world's mountaineers. In recent years, more and more mountaineers start from the Qomolangma Base Camp trying to conquer the world's highest peak while tourists trek to the foot of the peak to enjoy its beauty. Since the 18th century, explorers and mountaineers from other countries have gone to the Qomolangma Peak to explore its secrets. In the 1920s and 1930s, seven attempts were made by foreign mountaineering teams to climb Qimolangma via the north face, but all failed. A Chinese mountaineering team conquered the summit from the north face for the first time in 1960. Even today, it is still a cherished goal of countless mountaineers. &$&$Source: chinatouristmaps.com&$&$ &$&$Book your trip to China>>&$&$ ]]> 6820668 2009-11-23 10:24:02 &$Photo shows the Gongga Mountain (Minya Konka). (China Daily Photo)&$&$ Mountain Gongga or Minya Konka is in Luding, Kangding and Jiulong County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. In Tibetan language, "Gong" means permanent snow cover, while "Ga" means white, so Gongga means white snow cover. It is located in the Miya Raogang area, a traditional Tibetan Buddhist administrative divisi ...]]> &$Photo shows the Gongga Mountain (Minya Konka). (China Daily Photo)&$&$ Mountain Gongga or Minya Konka is in Luding, Kangding and Jiulong County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. In Tibetan language, "Gong" means permanent snow cover, while "Ga" means white, so Gongga means white snow cover. It is located in the Miya Raogang area, a traditional Tibetan Buddhist administrative division. Local people also call it Miya Gongga. The towering peak rises to an awesome 7,556 meters, making it the highest peak east of the Himalayas, and is the highest mountain in Sichuan Province. Minya Konka peak is a high snowy peak with narrow ridges. While wildlife on the grasslands has been deeply affected by the changes in Tibet, remote mountain peaks and valleys often serve as refuges of isolation where wildlife remains abundant. In the high and steep Gongga Mountain, the snow does not melt perennially. The climate of Minya Konka is moist, snowy and very changeful. Climbing is more difficult than QionmoLangma (Mt. Everest). Since 1932, only seven expeditions, with 22 people, have reached the summit of Minya Konka successfully. A streak of blood-red light pierced the dark clouds, revealing over 50 steep snow-capped summits, shining, dazzling and thrusting into the clouds like golden swords. On the other side of the valley there were pinewoods, dark green in the sunshine, like green flower garlands above the mountain fields girdling the immeasurably high golden snow-capped summits. This "Sunshine over the Golden Mountain" is the most famous scenic view in the Gongga area. &$&$Source: chinatouristmaps.com&$&$ &$&$Book your trip to China>>&$&$ ]]> 6820664 2009-11-23 10:21:34 &$File photo shows Qiangba, a villager of Dagze County, Lhasa, capital of Tibet, calling up his family. (Xinhua Photo)&$&$ To date, 4,271 villages in Tibet, or 81.2 percent of the region's total, have had access to telephones, according to the China Telecom Tibet Branch. Tibet set the target at the beginning of 2009 to make telephones accessible to another 320 villages this year, with the China Telecom T ...]]> &$File photo shows Qiangba, a villager of Dagze County, Lhasa, capital of Tibet, calling up his family. (Xinhua Photo)&$&$ To date, 4,271 villages in Tibet, or 81.2 percent of the region's total, have had access to telephones, according to the China Telecom Tibet Branch. Tibet set the target at the beginning of 2009 to make telephones accessible to another 320 villages this year, with the China Telecom Tibet Branch responsible for 120 villages by and the China Mobile Tibet Branch for the rest. In spite of difficulties brought by Tibet's geographical conditions, the China Telecom Tibet Branch has met its target set for the whole year ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, the China Mobile Tibet Branch has made telephones accessible to 101 villages, 50.5 percent of this year's target. &$&$Source: Tibet Daily/Xinhuanet&$&$ ]]> 6820655 2009-11-23 10:20:14 &$Photo shows a woman decorated with Tibetan-style ornaments. (Cultural China Photo)&$&$ Peng Xiaoyun began to appraise jewelry for his friends in 1996. "At that time, the jewelry market in Lhasa was not fully developed. Once in a while some of my friends would come to me to ask me to appraise their jewelry," said Peng. Later on, as more people asked him to appraise their treasure, Peng became well kn ...]]> &$Photo shows a woman decorated with Tibetan-style ornaments. (Cultural China Photo)&$&$ Peng Xiaoyun began to appraise jewelry for his friends in 1996. "At that time, the jewelry market in Lhasa was not fully developed. Once in a while some of my friends would come to me to ask me to appraise their jewelry," said Peng. Later on, as more people asked him to appraise their treasure, Peng became well known among his friends as a jewelry appraiser. He did the part-time job till 2001. By then, he had been doing jewelry appraisal for 13 years. "To appraise jewelry can be easy or difficult," said the jewelry expert. It is easy because the jewelry is, in fact, just some beautiful stone and it is his major in college to appraise stones. However, to examine stones one needs a profound professional knowledge. For average citizens, the knowledge is not easy to master. In 2002, Peng obtained the certificate for national jewelry appraiser and became a professional in the field. Also that year he joined related departments in Lhasa in appraising the so-called diamonds from Russia and Australia in the Lhasa jewelry market.&$ 【1】 【2】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6820623 2009-11-23 10:06:09 &$The site of starting ceremony of mobile news in Tibetan language. (China Tibet Information Center Photo)&$&$ A starting ceremony of mobile news in Tibetan language was held in Lhasa, which was cosponsored by China Mobile, Tibet University and Xinhua News Agency. Tibetan mobile information system based on windows mobile and symbian systems can download Tibetan language software package automatically and ...]]> &$The site of starting ceremony of mobile news in Tibetan language. (China Tibet Information Center Photo)&$&$ A starting ceremony of mobile news in Tibetan language was held in Lhasa, which was cosponsored by China Mobile, Tibet University and Xinhua News Agency. Tibetan mobile information system based on windows mobile and symbian systems can download Tibetan language software package automatically and then send Tibetan text messages point to point. Zhang Chunjiang, vice president of China Mobile said:" The success of this research stands for a development in modern information and communication technology. It also reflects the contributions made to develop Tibetan cultural inheritance." In future, the mobile news in Tibetan language could provide the necessary agriculture science & technology knowledge and information for farmers and herdsmen in Tibet. &$&$Source: China Tibet Information Center&$&$&$ 【1】 【2】 【3】 【4】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6820592 2009-11-23 09:54:16 &$Little Drolma is standing in the sunshine. (Xinhua Photo)&$&$ Little Drolma is an eight years old Tibetan girl in Ningzhong village of Damxung County. Drolma was born in pastoral area of northern Tibet, but she enjoys her life with her family members and the cattle on the grassland. &$&$Source: China Tibet Information Center&$&$&$ 【1】 【2】 【3】 【4】 【5】 【6】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6820547 2009-11-23 09:36:28 &$Shen Kaiyun (R) exchanges ideas with a monk in the Samye Ling Monastery. (CRI online Photo)&$&$&$ 【1】 【2】 &$&$

&$Shen Kaiyun (R) exchanges ideas with a monk in the Samye Ling Monastery. (CRI online Photo)&$&$&$ 【1】 【2】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6820527 2009-11-23 09:25:48 &$Source: CRI online&$&$ ]]> 6820509 2009-11-23 09:19:12 &$Source:China Daily&$&$ ]]> 6820441 2009-11-23 09:02:58 6820437 2009-11-23 09:01:55 &$Source:Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820431 2009-11-23 09:03:02 &$Source:Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820427 2009-11-23 09:03:02 &$Source:Xinhua& ...]]> &$Source:Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820421 2009-11-23 09:03:03 &$Source:Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820414 2009-11-23 08:59:17 &$Source:Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820408 2009-11-23 08:58:50 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820407 2009-11-23 08:59:21 &$Source:Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820387 2009-11-23 08:55:23 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820375 2009-11-23 14:21:32 &$Li Changchun (2nd R Front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, visits the exhibition hall of the 11th China International Hi-Tech Fair in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 20, 2009. Li Changchun made an inspection tour in Guangdong Province on Nov. 18-22. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)&$&$ A senior Chinese leader has calle ...]]> &$Li Changchun (2nd R Front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, visits the exhibition hall of the 11th China International Hi-Tech Fair in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 20, 2009. Li Changchun made an inspection tour in Guangdong Province on Nov. 18-22. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)&$&$ A senior Chinese leader has called on the publicity and ideological sectors to vigorously publicize the success and fresh experiences in tackling global financial crisis and promoting industrial upgrading. Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, made the remarks during an inspection tour to southern Guangdong Province between Wednesday and Sunday. Li urged the sectors to work hard to further boost confidence of the cadres and people, and step up support for achieving the goals of economic and social development this year. During the inspection, Li called on the province to lay a solid foundation for its sounder and long-term development by unswervingly implementing the CPC Central Committee's policies on promoting economic growth, improving people's livelihoods and safeguarding social stability. Li also expected the province to be a pioneer in shaping outstanding companies in the cultural sector. In addition, Li stressed schools should play a vital role in ideological and moral education among the minors. He called for more efforts to crack down on illegal information on the Internet and mobile phones and create a healthy environment for the teenagers. &$&$Source:Xinhua&$ &$【1】 &$&$【2】 &$&$【3】 &$ &$ &$&$ ]]> 6820284 2009-11-23 10:40:50 &$Little girls perform mulanquan during the 21th Shanghai Mulanquan Competition, in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 22, 2009. More than 500 players from 40 mulanquan teams take part in the competition. (Xinhua/Zhuang Yi)&$&$&$ 【1】 【2】 【1】 【2】 【3】 【4】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6820279 2009-11-23 08:37:09 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820277 2009-11-23 10:40:50 &$Wang Zhiguo (L), commander of the Chinese naval 3rd escort fleet, talks with officials of the European Union (EU) navy 465 formation during his visit to the Dutch frigate "Eversten" at the invitation of the European Union (EU) navy 465 formation in the Gulf of Aden, Nov. 22, 2009. (Xinhua/Guo Gang)&$&$&$ 【1】 &$&$ 【1】 【2】 【3】 【4】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6820224 2009-11-23 16:18:18 &$Rescuers get ready to go down into the pit to search for survivors at the site of the accident at the Xinxing Coal Mine in Hegang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Nov. 22, 2009. [Xinhua] &$&$ The death toll from the deadly coal mine blast in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has risen to 104, said local authorities early Monday morning. Another four are still trapped in the shaft. ...]]> &$Rescuers get ready to go down into the pit to search for survivors at the site of the accident at the Xinxing Coal Mine in Hegang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Nov. 22, 2009. [Xinhua] &$&$ The death toll from the deadly coal mine blast in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has risen to 104, said local authorities early Monday morning. Another four are still trapped in the shaft. The blast happened at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday at the Xinxing Coal Mine under the state-owned Heilongjiang Longmei Mining Holding Group's subsidiary in Hegang City. A total of 528 miners were working underground when the blast happened. &$&$Source:Xinhua&$&$&$ 【1】 【2】 【3】 【4】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6820187 2009-11-23 10:44:45 &$Source: China Daily&$&$ ]]> 6820176 2009-11-23 10:40:50 &$Kim Yong Chun (R), minister of the people's armed forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), welcomes Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie during a ceremony in Pyongyang, capital of the DPRK, Nov. 22, 2009. Liang started a five-day visit in the DPRK on Nov. 22. (Xinhua/Yao Ximeng)&$&$&$ 【1】 【1】 【2】 【3】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6820153 2009-11-23 08:19:49 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ...]]> &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820143 2009-11-23 08:16:15 &$Source:Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820129 2009-11-23 08:13:08 &$Source:China Daily&$&$ ]]> 6820118 2009-11-23 16:18:39 &$Source:Global Times&$&$ &$ &$[1] &$&$[2] &$ &$ &$&$ ]]> 6820102 2009-11-23 16:30:49 Source:Global Times&$ &$ [1] [2] [3] &$&$ &$ ]]> 6820092 2009-11-23 08:01:00 &$Jia Qinglin&$&$ arrived in Lima on Sunday, kicking off his official good-will visit to this South American country. Jia, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, delivered a wr ...]]> &$Jia Qinglin&$&$ arrived in Lima on Sunday, kicking off his official good-will visit to this South American country. Jia, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, delivered a written speech upon his arrival at the airport of the Peruvian capital. &$ &$Jia Qinglin (L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, arrives in Lima to start an official goodwill visit to Peru on Nov. 22, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)&$&$ In the speech, Jia hailed the traditional friendship and sound development of bilateral ties, highlighting the fruitful cooperation in various fields and close coordination on international and regional affairs since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1971. The China-Peru relations entered a new phase of development when the two states established a strategic partnership in 2008, Jia said. &$ &$Jia Qinglin (L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, arrives in Lima to start an official goodwill visit to Peru on Nov. 22, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)&$&$ China always attaches importance to the relations with Peru and will work together with Peru to promote the partnership in a bid to benefit the two peoples, he noted. Jia is paying a two-day visit to Lima, which is expected to further friendship, mutual respect and cooperation, at the invitation of the Peruvian government. &$ &$Jia Qinglin (L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, arrives in Lima to start an official goodwill visit to Peru on Nov. 22, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)&$&$ He is scheduled to meet the Peruvian leadership and attend the opening ceremony of a China-Peru business forum on Monday. Jia visited the Philippines and made a stopover at French Polynesia last week. He will also visit Ecuador and Brazil. &$&$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820060 2009-11-22 13:40:56 &$Photo taken on Nov. 21, 2009 shows the Lin Zexu Square under project of overall renovation, in the downtown of Fuzhou City, southeast China's Fujian Province. The renovation project starts recently to meet the need of the city's Subway No.1 construction, and is set to remove the landmark bronze statue of Lin Zexu, which stands at 7.75 meters and weighs 7.3 tons. Lin Zexu (1785--1850), a historical hero of China who fou ...]]> &$Photo taken on Nov. 21, 2009 shows the Lin Zexu Square under project of overall renovation, in the downtown of Fuzhou City, southeast China's Fujian Province. The renovation project starts recently to meet the need of the city's Subway No.1 construction, and is set to remove the landmark bronze statue of Lin Zexu, which stands at 7.75 meters and weighs 7.3 tons. Lin Zexu (1785--1850), a historical hero of China who fought against opium smuggling and foreign invasion during the Qing Dynasty over 150 years ago, is a native of Fuzhou. (Xinhua/Zheng Shuai)&$ &$【1】 &$&$【2】 &$&$【3】 &$ &$ &$&$ ]]> 6820059 2009-11-22 13:38:24 6820033 2009-11-22 13:08:11 &$Palestinian children practise Kungfu during martial arts training class at the Red Dragon School in Beit Lahiyathe Town, northern Gaza, Palestine, Nov. 21, 2009. Over 10 clubs like Red Dragon Scholl teach martial arts in Gaza. Each of them has more than 150 members.(Xinhua/Yasser Qudih)&$&$ &$ &$Palestinian children practise Kungfu dur ...]]> &$Palestinian children practise Kungfu during martial arts training class at the Red Dragon School in Beit Lahiyathe Town, northern Gaza, Palestine, Nov. 21, 2009. Over 10 clubs like Red Dragon Scholl teach martial arts in Gaza. Each of them has more than 150 members.(Xinhua/Yasser Qudih)&$&$ &$ &$Palestinian children practise Kungfu during martial arts training class at the Red Dragon School in Beit Lahiyathe Town, northern Gaza, Palestine, Nov. 21, 2009. Over 10 clubs like Red Dragon Scholl teach martial arts in Gaza. Each of them has more than 150 members.(Xinhua/Yasser Qudih)&$ &$【1】 &$&$【2】 &$ &$ &$&$ ]]> 6820031 2009-11-22 13:04:00 6820029 2009-11-22 12:59:19 &$Francis Chua, chairman of the 10th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC) organizing committee, delivers a report at the closing ceremony of the 10th WCEC in Manila, capital of the Philippines, on Nov. 21, 2009. Singapore will host the World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC), the biennial gathering of the Chinese businessmen around the globe, in October 2011. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)&$&$ &$ &$Francis Chua, chairman of the 10th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC) organizing committee, delivers a report at the closing ceremony of the 10th WCEC in Manila, capital of the Philippines, on Nov. 21, 2009. Singapore will host the World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC), the biennial gathering of the Chinese businessmen around the globe, in October 2011. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)&$&$ &$ &$Teo Siong Seng, chairman of Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Singapore, addresses the closing ceremony of the 10th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC) in Manila, capital of the Philippines, on Nov. 21, 2009. Singapore will host the World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC), the biennial gathering of the Chinese businessmen around the globe, in October 2011. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)&$&$&$ 【1】 【2】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6820028 2009-11-22 12:53:58 &$Jia Qinglin (2nd L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with French High Commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia Adolphe Colrat (2nd R) in Papeete, capital of French Polynesia, Nov. 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Li ...]]> &$Jia Qinglin (2nd L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with French High Commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia Adolphe Colrat (2nd R) in Papeete, capital of French Polynesia, Nov. 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) &$&$ During the meeting, Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), hailed the long friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two sides. Jia said French Polynesia is known as the "Pearl of the South Pacific" and has a long history of friendly contacts with China. In as early as the 19th century, there were Chinese settling on Tahiti, the most famous island among the Polynesian islands, who integrated themselves into the local society and actively participated in local economic development. They have served as a bridge linking the friendly and cooperative ties between French Polynesia and China, Jia said. Both sides have seen more frequent exchanges and enhanced cooperation in the fields of economy, culture and tourism since the Chinese Consulate in French Polynesia opened in 2007 and the Chinese government granted the islands the status of designated tourist destination last year, Jia added. Jia further thanked his host for supporting the Chinese scientific research vessel "Yuanwang" which has made many stopovers at the island. The China-France ties now face new opportunities of development, which has created favorable conditions for developing local cooperation and exchanges between the two countries, Jia said. Jia went on to say that French Polynesia has unique geographical advantage and rich marine and tourism resources. China is willing to work with French Polynesia to boost cooperation in such fields as trade and tourism, in which there is great potential for cooperation. For his part, Temaru said his government is willing to forge a candid, friendly and close relationship with China in the era of globalization. The top Chinese political advisor arrived at the South Pacific island Friday for a technical stopover in the midst of his four-state tour. He has visited the Philippines and will continue his trip to Peru, Ecuador and Brazil. &$&$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820004 2009-11-22 09:37:36 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820003 2009-11-22 09:35:56 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820002 2009-11-22 09:35:18 6820001 2009-11-22 09:34:14 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6820000 2009-11-22 09:33:35 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819998 2009-11-22 09:30:20 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819994 2009-11-22 09:23:48 &$Performers play the lusheng musical pipe during the Lusheng and Horse Fight Festival held in the Sports Park in Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nov. 21, 2009. A dozen of lusheng dancing troupes of the Miao ethnic group from mountainous villages in Rongshui took part in the 4th Lusheng and Horse Fight Festival on Saturday. (Xinhua/Long Tao)&$&$ &$< ...]]> &$Performers play the lusheng musical pipe during the Lusheng and Horse Fight Festival held in the Sports Park in Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nov. 21, 2009. A dozen of lusheng dancing troupes of the Miao ethnic group from mountainous villages in Rongshui took part in the 4th Lusheng and Horse Fight Festival on Saturday. (Xinhua/Long Tao)&$&$ &$ &$A man blows the horn to pray for good luck and bumper harvest during the Lusheng and Horse Fight Festival held in the Sports Park in Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nov. 21, 2009.(Xinhua/Long Tao)&$ &$【1】 &$&$【2】 &$&$【3】 &$ &$ &$&$ ]]> 6819992 2009-11-22 09:15:46 &$Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang (1st R) visits an injured miner at a hospital in Hegang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Nov. 21, 2009. The death toll of a gas outburst accident in a coal mine in Hegang City has risen to 42 while 66 other miners were ...]]> &$Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang (1st R) visits an injured miner at a hospital in Hegang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Nov. 21, 2009. The death toll of a gas outburst accident in a coal mine in Hegang City has risen to 42 while 66 other miners were still missing. &$&$ Another 21 are still trapped in the shaft. &$ &$Heavy smoke rises from the entrance to the coal mine in Hegang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Nov. 21, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)&$&$ The blast happened at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday at the Xinxing Coal Mine under the state-owned Heilongjiang Longmei Mining Holding Group's subsidiary in Hegang City. A total of 528 miners were working underground, among whom 420 have escaped the accident, said staff with the company. &$&$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819991 2009-11-22 09:13:22 &$Zhou Yongkang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Seychellois Vice President Joseph Belmont in Victoria, capital of Seychelles, Nov. 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)&$&$ Zhou, a member of ...]]> &$Zhou Yongkang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Seychellois Vice President Joseph Belmont in Victoria, capital of Seychelles, Nov. 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)&$&$ Zhou, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, was welcomed Thursday evening at the airport by the general secretary of the People's Party of the Seychelles, Danny Faure, who is also finance minister. During their meeting, Zhou said the CPC and the People's Party have maintained close and friendly cooperation since the two parties forged ties in 1979 and played positive roles in promoting the relations between the two countries and the friendship between the two peoples. The CPC is willing to enhance exchanges and cooperation with the People's Party of the Seychelles to further strengthen the political basis of the bilateral relationship, said the senior CPC official. The CPC and the Chinese government are also willing to boost cooperation with African countries, including the Seychelles, in meeting the challenges of the international financial crisis, said Zhou. &$ &$Zhou Yongkang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Danny Faure, general secretary of the People's Party of the Seychelles, in Victoria, capital of Seychelles, Nov. 19, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)&$&$ Faure said China has always treated the Seychelles, a small country, on an equal footing, adding that the two nations, the two peoples and the ruling parties of both countries have maintained friendly relations, which could be regarded as a model for relations between big and small countries. The People's Party hopes to promote exchanges with the CPC on the experience of governance, said Faure. When meeting with Vice President Joseph Belmont on Friday, Zhou said the relations between China and the Seychelles have witnessed a sustained healthy and steady development since the two countries established diplomatic ties 33 years ago. With the smooth implementation of China's eight measures regarding cooperation with Africa, proposed by Chinese President Hu Jintao in 2006, China and the Seychelles have seen increased exchanges of high-level visits, deepened traditional friendship and expanded cooperation, Zhou said. The Chinese government announced eight new measures to enhance cooperation with Africa earlier this month, and China is willing to jointly implement these measures with the Seychelles so as to bring more benefits to the Africans, including the Seychelles people, he said. The senior CPC official also expressed appreciation for the support of the People's Party and the Seychelles government on the Taiwan and human rights issues. Belmont said the Seychelles people have benefited extensively from China-Africa cooperation, adding that the Seychelles welcomed China's new measures on its cooperation with Africa and would implement them in a timely manner. &n ]]> 6819990 2009-11-22 09:04:47 &$Jia Qinglin(1st L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, is welcomed by French High Commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia Adolphe Colrat (C) and French Polynesia President Oscar Temaru (1st R) upon his arrival ...]]> &$Jia Qinglin(1st L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, is welcomed by French High Commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia Adolphe Colrat (C) and French Polynesia President Oscar Temaru (1st R) upon his arrival in Papeete, capital of French Polynesia, Nov. 20, 2009. Jia Qinglin arrived at the South Pacific island Nov. 20 for a technical stopover on his way to Peru. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)&$&$ Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), arrived at the South Pacific island Friday afternoon for a technical stopover amid his four-state trip. Recently, China-France relations have returned to the right track and showed a sound momentum of development, Jia told Colrat, who welcomed the top Chinese political advisor at the airport. Chinese President Hu Jintao and French President Nicolas Sarkozy held a successful meeting in September on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, and French Prime Minister Francois Fillon is expected to visit China soon, Jia said. &$ &$Jia Qinglin (L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, is welcomed by representatives of overseas Chinese upon his arrival in Papeete, capital of French Polynesia, Nov. 20, 2009. Jia Qinglin arrived at the South Pacific island Nov. 20 for a technical stopover on his way to Peru. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)&$&$ The two nations are facing new opportunities to further improve and develop their relations, he added. The Chinese government has attached great importance to its friendly relations with France, and will work with France to ensure that bilateral ties will develop along the right direction, he said. China is willing to make joint efforts with France to promote the long-term, steady and sound development of China-France all-round strategic partnership based on the principles that the two countries respect each other and treat each other on an equal footing, he added. Jia hailed the traditional link between China and the French Polynesia, pledging to keep close contact and expand cooperation in the fields of trade, tourism and aquaculture. Colrat, on his part, spoke highly of France-China relations, saying the solid and long-standing bilateral ties will continue to grow despite all difficulties and setbacks. He vowed to enhance cooperation with China, expand exchanges between the two peoples and push forward the bilateral ties. Jia flew here from the Philippines, and will continue his visit to Peru, Ecuador and Brazil from Saturday. &$&$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819948 2009-11-21 16:27:45 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819911 2009-11-21 16:23:01 &$Relatives of coal miners come to the accident site to wait for further information in the Xinxing Coal Mine owned by the Heilongjiang Longmei Mining Holding Group in Hegang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Nov. 21, 2009. An explosion accident occurred here at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday while 528 miners were working under the mine. Death toll has risen to 23, while 90 other miners were still missing. The re ...]]> &$Relatives of coal miners come to the accident site to wait for further information in the Xinxing Coal Mine owned by the Heilongjiang Longmei Mining Holding Group in Hegang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Nov. 21, 2009. An explosion accident occurred here at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday while 528 miners were working under the mine. Death toll has risen to 23, while 90 other miners were still missing. The rescue headquarters said that gas outburst caused the explosion. (Xinhua/Fang Baoshu)&$&$ Death toll of a gas outburst accident in a coal mine in Hegang City, in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, has risen to 23, while 90 other miners were still missing. The rescue headquarters said that gas outburst caused the explosion in the Xinxing Coal Mine owned by the Heilongjiang Longmei Mining Holding Group. The company has updated the number of miners who escaped the accident to415 from the previously reported 389. &$ &$Relatives of coal miners come to the accident site to wait for further information in the Xinxing Coal Mine owned by the Heilongjiang Longmei Mining Holding Group in Hegang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Nov. 21, 2009. (Xinhua/Fang Baoshu)&$&$ It said that 528 miners were working under the mine, when the explosion occurred at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have made instructions on the rescue work. Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang is on way to the site. The mine is located over 400 km east of the provincial capital of Harbin. Xinhua's reporters are on the way to the accident site. The Hegang subsidiary of Longmei is a state-owned mining company with an annual coal output of 12 million tons. Its mining area has a verified coal reserve of 3 billion tons. &$ &$Relatives of coal miners come to the accident site to wait for further information in the Xinxing Coal Mine owned by the Heilongjiang Longmei Mining Holding Group in Hegang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Nov. 21, 2009. (Xinhua/Fang Baoshu)&$&$ &$&$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819906 2009-11-21 15:39:04 &$Yedos, a 8-year-old and grade 2 pupil of Kazak ethnic group, pays attention to the lecture on class, at Sardawan Town, Urumqi County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Nov. 3, 2009.(Xinhua/Shen Qiao)&$&$ During a class of Virtue and Life on Nov. 4, 2009, Yedos glues the a triplet colors of red, yellow, and green leaves onto a white paper, and draws inter-strip patterns of blue and black, by ...]]> &$Yedos, a 8-year-old and grade 2 pupil of Kazak ethnic group, pays attention to the lecture on class, at Sardawan Town, Urumqi County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Nov. 3, 2009.(Xinhua/Shen Qiao)&$&$ During a class of Virtue and Life on Nov. 4, 2009, Yedos glues the a triplet colors of red, yellow, and green leaves onto a white paper, and draws inter-strip patterns of blue and black, by which Yedos composes a work known as Story in Autumn. As the severe winter with windy and snowy weather draw nearer. Yedos's home is over 100 km away, deeply inside the pasture of Mountain Tianshan. He was once such a light-hearted boy enjoying insouciant life by indulging on the expansive prairie with her elder sister. Sense of loneliness struck on the little boy on day in 2007 when his sister bid farewell to him to go to boarding school in town. Yedos yearned so eagerly the life in school, and longing for studying and playing game with his little fellows. His dream of going to school came true in the Autumn of 2008, when his father took him and his sister to the central primary school at Sardawan Town, 30 km south of Urumqi City, the capital of Xinjiang. With over 520 pupils on campus, the school attracts Yedos with its spacious ambience strewing with verdant groves around the playground and classrooms. The boy feels everything exciting and refreshing, he scampers about all around in exultation, trying on new suits and skim through all new textbooks. Yedos gets quickly adaptable to the new life on campus, particularly active on the class of physical exercise, running, skipping rope and shooting basketball with inexhaustible vigor. In full excitment, Yedos spent away the first Autumn of his school year, and the stormy snow ensued come along with the early advent of winter. The location of Sardawan is a famous wind gap with its geographic token of Asian Center visible on campus. As a result of local government's efforts to tap tourism, a number of sculptures with typical tokens of Asian countries are erected up. Yedos followed teacher to have a geography lesson here and he was most impressive with the roaring gale that blow up sand and grits. Children have to hold hands together to trudge against the gust. Fearing the kids might be blown away by the gale, some parents even load heavy stones into the their satchels. The gale is still ravaging and wuthering, Yedos bends over the window in the classroom, nibbling at his yogurt biscuit from his mom, watching the trees are being overwhelmed in the gust. "Gale will blow people down," as teachers remind the students of not going outside. Feeling scary, Yedos slips into teachers' office, mumbling, "When the gale could weaken a little bit?" "As long as all the trees grow as high as enough," as teacher points to the saplings that bend over in the gale, "then the wind is sure to be lessened on our campus." Now comes the second autumn in Yedos's school year, he ascends to grade 2 and the saplings on cam ]]> 6819905 2009-11-21 15:36:15 &$Jia Qinglin&$&$, has met with Amelita Villarosa, acting speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, a Chinese delegation official said Saturday. Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Co ...]]> &$Jia Qinglin&$&$, has met with Amelita Villarosa, acting speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, a Chinese delegation official said Saturday. Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), hailed the traditional friendship and growing bilateral ties between China and the Philippines during the meeting, which was held hours before he wrapped up his official goodwill visit to the Southeast Asian country Friday night. "The year 2010 marks the 35th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and the Philippines, and we will work together with the Philippine side to further the bilateral ties, of which we are full of confidence," the CPPCC delegation official, who refused to be named, quoted Jia as saying during the meeting. Jia spoke highly of the bilateral trade and economic cooperation between China and the Philippines, which "brought tangible benefits to the two peoples." Some Chinese companies have taken an active part in projects aimed at improving the Filipinos' well-being, which were successful both economically and socially, he said. The Chinese government will continue to encourage investment in the Philippines, strengthen cooperation in such fields as infrastructure construction, agriculture and tourism, and explore new ways to boost economic and trade ties, Jia said. The Chinese side will also promote exchanges and cooperation with the Philippine parliament, Jia said, expressing appreciation to the Philippine parliament's long-time adherence to the one-China policy on the Taiwan issue. Villarosa, for her part, thanked China for the aid supplied to the Philippines following devastating typhoons that hit the Southeast Asian nation, saying the relationship with China is of special significance in the Philippines' foreign relations. She said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had paid nine visits to China over recent years and traveled to southwest China's earthquake-hit province of Sichuan, which was an evidence of the special friendly relations between the two nations. The Philippine House of Representatives will strive to boost bilateral exchanges and cooperation, especially in such fields as disaster prevention and relief, she said. The Philippines is the first leg of Jia's four-nation tour, which will also take him to Peru, Ecuador and Brazil. &$&$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819862 2009-11-21 14:19:43 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ...]]> &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819861 2009-11-21 14:19:10 &$Zhou Yongkang&$&$, a member of the Standing Committee of the &$&$Communist Party of China&$&$ (&$&$CPC&$&$) Central Committee Political Bureau was back to Beijing on Saturday from official good-wil ...]]> &$Zhou Yongkang&$&$, a member of the Standing Committee of the &$&$Communist Party of China&$&$ (&$&$CPC&$&$) Central Committee Political Bureau was back to Beijing on Saturday from official good-will visits to Sudan and South Africa. &$&$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819729 2009-11-21 10:30:36 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819728 2009-11-21 10:30:36 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819727 2009-11-21 10:30:37 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ...]]> &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819726 2009-11-21 10:30:37 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819725 2009-11-21 10:30:37 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819724 2009-11-21 10:28:17 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819723 2009-11-21 10:16:58 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819722 2009-11-21 10:14:12 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819721 2009-11-21 10:13:40 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819720 2009-11-21 10:14:17 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819718 2009-11-21 10:11:36 【1】 【2】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6819715 2009-11-21 10:08:45 &$IT'S KIDS'HOLIDAY TODAY&$&$ On this special day, in its early morning, the hearts of the world are beating in time with the pulses of children. It's the third time Opaka and his siblings met Tian Ye. Circling around their big brother, they were laughing and jumping, little hands holding the gifts. Knowing these kids would move into a new house built with cement walls and sheet-iron roof, which was financed by a philanthropic agency, was now under construction, Tian Ye smiled. "Do you know today is Universal Children's Day?" Tian Ye asked. Looking puzzled, Opaka murmured: "All kids will have gifts?", yet staring afar with his twinkling eyes. The camera may be one of the most important inventions of human civilization, for it can faithfully record and replay our undertakings. Through cameras, we can see in an elementary school in Togo, a western African nation, kids are singing and dancing to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child. We can hear graceful music performed in concert themed "Keeping children away from violence" at the music hall of Russia's Gnesin Institute of Music in Moscow, whose entire income will be donated to a local orphanage. We can enjoy cakes with Miyuki Hatoyama, wife of the Japanese prime minister, as well as with kids from many parts of the world, rejoicing in the 20th birthday of that important document for children. These recorded videos or soundtracks may have different characters and contents, but they are identical in nature and purpose. Perhaps Miyuki Hatoyama said it best: "Many of our kids are suffering or dead due to sickness, hunger or shortage of drinking water. It's the adults' responsibility to end their bitterness." &$ 【1】 【2】 【3】 &$&$ &$ ]]> 6819714 2009-11-21 10:03:56 &$Li Keqiang&$&$ Friday called for intensified efforts to build up the country's capacity in polar exploration and active participation in international polar exploration projects. Li made the remarks on the 25th anniversary of China's launching first polar exploration mission. On Nov. 20, 1984, China sent its first team to the South Pole. Polar ...]]> &$Li Keqiang&$&$ Friday called for intensified efforts to build up the country's capacity in polar exploration and active participation in international polar exploration projects. Li made the remarks on the 25th anniversary of China's launching first polar exploration mission. On Nov. 20, 1984, China sent its first team to the South Pole. Polar exploration missions concern the country's long-term interests and are of pragmatic significance to the research and counter-measures against climate change, Li said. Li urged people working in the field to be down-to-earth, innovative and hardworking so as to make contributions to global sustainable development. &$&$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819700 2009-11-21 09:26:08 &$Source: China Daily&$&$ ]]> 6819699 2009-11-21 09:24:21 6819697 2009-11-21 09:13:13 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819696 2009-11-21 09:11:51 &$Wen Jiabao&$&$ on Friday congratulated EU's top leaders elected on Thursday, vowing to further boost China-EU all-round strategic partnership. Wen made the remarks in his meeting with a group of EU diplomats including former French Prime Minist ...]]> &$Wen Jiabao&$&$ on Friday congratulated EU's top leaders elected on Thursday, vowing to further boost China-EU all-round strategic partnership. Wen made the remarks in his meeting with a group of EU diplomats including former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin and Hungary's ex-Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy, who were here to attend a China-EU forum. The Belgian prime minister was unanimously elected on Thursday as the first full-time EU president and Britain's EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton as EU foreign policy chief. "As a strategic partner of the EU, China congratulates the leaders elected and feels glad for that," Wen said. Calling EU as an important pole of the world, Wen said the EU integration would help the 27-nation bloc to play greater role in international affairs. He called for courage and insight of political figures of both sides, as well as support from various circles of the society to deepen China-EU relations. "The Chinese government is ready to cement trust and deepen cooperation with EU to promote bilateral all-round strategic partnership," he added. Some of the EU representatives told Wen both the EU and China shoulder great responsibilities in the world globalization. The two sides should not only properly settle issues in bilateral ties but also jointly respond to major global challenges such as climate change. &$&$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819695 2009-11-23 08:11:07 &$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]> 6819690 2009-11-21 09:50:44 &$Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Kim Hyong-o, speaker of South Korea's National Assembly, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)&$&$ "We will work with the ROK to increase friendly exchanges at various levels and enhance pragmatic ...]]> &$Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Kim Hyong-o, speaker of South Korea's National Assembly, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)&$&$ "We will work with the ROK to increase friendly exchanges at various levels and enhance pragmatic cooperation in various sectors," Hu told Kim Hyong-o, speaker of the ROK National Assembly. Hailing the smooth development of China-ROK ties in recent years, Hu said the leaders of the two nations had maintained frequent contacts, exchanged views often and reached broad consensus on important issues. "This gives strong impetus to the growth of bilateral relations," Hu noted. The two nations had also witnessed fruitful cooperation in economy, trade, environmental protection and energy, and made active exchanges between parliaments, political parties and people, he said. "Our coordination in international and regional affairs are close," he added. Both China and the ROK were faced with important tasks to promote economic recovery, improve people's life and safeguard peace and stability, Hu said, noting that to keep the stable and healthy growth of bilateral ties would not only benefit the two nations and the two peoples, but also help promote regional and world peace and development. The government also supports the legislative organs from both countries to expand exchanges and cooperation, the president said, expressing his hope that the ROK parliamentary members would make efforts to promote China-ROK friendship. Echoing Hu, Kim spoke highly of China's measures to cope with the international financial crisis and to maintain stable and rapid economic growth. The ROK-China relations were at its best period in history, and the ROK National Assembly would work with the National People's Congress (NPC) of China to contribute to the further growth of ties between the two nations, Kim noted. Kim is visiting China from Nov. 18 to 22 at the invitation of Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee. &$&$Source: Xinhua&$&$ ]]>