China Today

2008 Summer Davos to be held in north China

2008-09-18T08:09:00.007-07:00

The 2008 Summer Davos will be held in north China's Tianjin Municipality, and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is to deliver a speech at the opening ceremony.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu made the announcement at a regular press conference here on Thursday.

The Summer Davos, also known as the Annual Meeting of the New Champions, is held annually in China. The first session was held in Dalian of the northeastern Liaoning Province last September, attracting nearly 2,000 participants.

The current session is to last from Sept. 27 to 28 in Tianjin's Binhai New Area, a pilot reform zone.

Source:Xinhua

Hong Kong stocks close 0.03% lower, recoup 7% early loss

2008-09-18T08:09:00.005-07:00

Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index edged down 4.73 points, 0.03 percent, to close at 17,632.46 Thursday, rebounding from the largest early loss of over1,350 points, or nearly 7.7 percent, after leading central banks launched a coordinated effort to ease liquidity in the financial markets.

Hong Kong stock market experienced a roller coaster day and rebounded quickly during the afternoon session while leading central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England, are taking coordinated action in an attempt to ease strains in the financial markets.

The stock market were also boosted during the afternoon session on news that the Hong Kong Monetary Authority attempted to ease the credit squeeze by injecting 1.56 billion HK dollars into the banking system.

Hong Kong stocks opened 2.93 percent lower Thursday, and quickly fell off 17,000 level in first several minutes during the morning session, tracking losses of the U.S. market overnight amid a new wave of financial tsunami triggered by Lehman Brothers which filed for bankruptcy.

The Hang Seng Index once nosedived to the intraday low of 16,283.72, down 1,353.47 points, or 7.67 percent lower during the morning trading, and finished Thursday's morning session 1,301.05 points, or 7.38 percent down at midday.

Turnover rose to 102.23 billion HK dollars , above 100 billion HK dollars first time since May 7 , from Wednesday's 76.23 billion HK dollars .

Source:Xinhua

China cancels stamp tax on stock buying to boost market confidence

2008-09-18T08:09:00.003-07:00

China decided on Thursday to scrap the stamp tax on stock purchase, effective on Friday, in a move to boost the equities market after domestic stocks fell for third consecutive day since Tuesday.

With the authorization of the State Council, China's Cabinet, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation said they decided to cancel the share trading stamp tax on stock purchase while the stamp tax on share selling remained unchanged at 0.1 percent.

The cancellation came several hours after Chinese stocks tumbled 1.72 percent on Thursday, amid the current global financial turmoil.

It was the second time this year the government had adjusted the stock trading stamp tax. On April 24, it cut the tax from 0.3 percent to 0.1 percent amid falling share prices.

The Central Huijin Investment Co., Ltd., an investment arm of the government, said on Thursday it would buy shares of three major Chinese lenders on the secondary market to fortify their share prices amid the stock market slump.

The company said it would buy the shares of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the Bank of China and the China Construction Bank and the operation had started on Thursday.

The move was to ensure the government's interest in the three lenders, support the steady operation of major state-owned financial institutions and to stabilize their share prices.

"The decision was important for a stable operation of the capital market," said a China Securities Regulatory Commission spokesman.

Central Huijin was set up in 2002 with a mission to reform state-owned banks burdened with a high ratio of non-performing loans.

Source: Xinhua

Hong Kong stocks ride on roller coaster amid worldwide capital injection news

2008-09-18T08:09:00.001-07:00

Hong Kong stocks experienced a vibratile trading day, staging a huge rally in the afternoon from an over 1,000 points plunge in the morning session, on news that leading central banks worldwide launched a coordinated effort to ease liquidity in the financial markets.

Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index edged down 4.73 points, 0.03 percent, to close at 17,632.46 Thursday, after trading between 16,283.72 and 17,849.97.

Regional stocks all tumbled in early trading following another sell-off on Wall Street, where the Dow Jones industrial average fell about 450 points, or 4.06 percent, to 10,609 overnight.

Hong Kong stocks opened 2.93 percent lower Thursday, and quickly fell off the 17,000 level in the first several minutes during the morning session, tracking losses of the U.S. market overnight amid a new wave of financial tsunami triggered by LehmanBrothers which filed for bankruptcy. The Hang Seng Index once nosedived to the intraday low of 16,283.72, down 1,353.47 points, or 7.67 percent lower during the morning trading, and rallied hugely to the day high of 17,849.97 in the afternoon.

Leading central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England, took a coordinated effort to ease strains in the financial markets,making 180-billion U.S. dollars available to improve liquidity in the money markets.

The stock market was also boosted during the afternoon session on news that the Hong Kong Monetary Authority attempted to ease the credit squeeze by injecting 1.56 billion HK dollars into the banking system.

Turnover rose to 102.23 billion HK dollars , above 100 billion HK dollars for the first time since May 7 , from Wednesday's 76.23 billionHK dollars .

Other Chinese bank stocks regained lost ground in the afternoon.

Blue-chip heavyweight HSBC, which accounts for the largest weighting of the Hang Seng Index, was down 0.17 percent to 114.90 HK dollars.

Bank of China, the country's second largest bank trimmed the decline to 0.69 percent at 2.88 HK dollars. China Construction Bank, the third largest bank in China, narrowed its loss to 0.63 per cent at 4.7 HK dollars. ICBC, China's largest lender, rallied 0.25 percent at 4.02 HK dollars. Bankcomm recovered 1.82 percent at 6.7 HK dollars.

China Mobile, the largest mobile phone operator in the country and the market's largest stock measured by capitalization, rallied4.27 percent to 73.2 HK dollars.

Netcom's shareholders passed the merger with China Unicom to set up a new Unicom, up 6.76 percent to 16.12 HK dollars and 10.8 percent to 11.08 HK dollars respectively.

The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, the sole market operator, was down 0.79 percent to 87.88 HK dollars.

With international oil futures bounding, China's largest offshore oil producer CNOOC was down 0.49 percent to 8.16 HK dollars. PetroChina, the country's largest oil producer, was flat at 7.45 HK dollars. Sinopec Corp, Asia's largest refiner, was down0.17 percent to 6.04 HK dollars.

Source: Xinhua

China supports strategic SOEs to buy more stocks of listed subsidiaries

2008-09-18T08:08:00.003-07:00

China is to back up its 147 centrally-administered state-owned enterprises in buying more stocks of their listed subsidiaries, the top state assets regulator said here Thursday.

Li Rongrong, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission director, said the regulatory body had long held SOEs, particularly the 147 which report to the central government, should be an active force in facilitating a stable development of the stock market.

Companies mainly owned by the 147 giants should play a exemplary role on the market, he added.

Li stressed the Chinese economy was basically sound, and the 147 conglomerates were performing well. The SASAC supported them to buy more stocks of their listed companies based on their own growth requirements.

Chinese stocks have continued to hit new lows amid worries about global financial turmoil and the slowdown of the domestic economy. On Thursday, Chinese stocks tumbled 1.72 percent, the third fall in three days.

Source: Xinhua

PD Editorial: Creating a Splendid World for Everyone

2008-09-18T08:08:00.001-07:00

People's Daily, the leading newspaper in China and the voice of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, carries an editorial on Thursday, September 18, to hail the successful close of the Beijing 2008 Paralympics, which is titled "Creating a Splendid World for Everyone". Its full text is read as follows:

The 12-day Beijing 2008 Paralympics came to a successful conclusion at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in north Beijing amid a splendid fireworks gala overhead with a riot of colors and to the accompaniment of joyous singing and dancing in the stadium.

For the past dozen days, more than 4,000 Paralympic athletes from 147 countries and regions have presented to the world a vivid, grand sport event with superb competing abilities and a staunch, indomitable will. Marvelous scenes shown in the Beijing Paralympic Games have carried forward the Olympic spirit as they annotate the Games theme of "One World, One Dream', spread the concepts of "Transcendence, Integration and Equality" and display the tenacious and dauntless spiritual force of humanity.

The outgoing Paralympic Games represents another magnificent event Beijing has hosted in the wake of the 2008 summer Olympics, and is bound to be recorded into the brilliant annals as the Paralympic Games with the most extensive scale, the highest sports attainments and the most outstanding organizing work.

Thanks to Paralympians from various countries, who have exerted themselves unceasingly and forged ahead boldly and heroically to become stronger. At the sight of blind athletes jumping to retrieve balls with the sense of touch or hearing, brain paralysis athletes doing weightlifting on the back, and amputees striding vigorously in false limbs, we truly and directly perceive through the scenes what is an unyielding resolve and what is tugging at people's heartstrings. Those special athletes, transcending their own limitations, have been competed to offer their very best amazingly despite barriers in themselves and with more strain and sweat than normal people and created so many stunning feats in the Games.

Their hard, strenuous endeavors and dedications have enabled us to see their indomitable quality with all courage despite a disability, their sanguine life full of sunshine and to see that they themselves, too, have a sound outlook on life and successful careers. So, people have exclaimed wholeheartedly that "the life is so beautiful and so splendid".

Thanks to all those who worked assiduously and made selfless contributions. People have come to realize penetratingly and profoundly the respect, value, attention and good care of the International Paralymics Committee and the host in particular for Palalympians, from the grand, splendid opening and closing ceremonies, which are truly fabulous and grandiose as if created in a fantastic dream, a barrier-free environment for Paralympians in the Paralympic village and all sport arenas, the work of organizing varied game events with high standards, high efficiency and flying colors, easy accesses provided for Paralymic athletes, the service with hearty smiles offered to them by countless volunteers, and acclamations of cheering crowds from viewing stands.

Special attention the host nation has attached to Paralympians from around the world in all links shows that the Chinese government has paid particularly meticulous care and input much more in the Paralympics with the high-standard courtesy, and thus truly pursued the goal of "Two Games with Equal Splendor", note by overseas press media comments.

Thanks to the IPC, as it has led people in China and the world at large to turn their affectionate eyesight increasingly to the disabled people. Progress in history has often been linked with some great events. The Beijing Paralympics, though merely a sports event in the twinkling of an eye, has gone through the baptism of the mind and is therefore the distillation of ideology. The disabled people globally pose an immense disadvantageous group that cannot be neglected, as indicated by the Beijing 2008 Paralympics. And the governments of all nations and healthy people worldwide are entitled or duty-bound to help the disavantaged tide over difficulties which are hard for themselves to avert in such fields as in their daily life, medical and health work, education and employment, and their involvement in society. So, it is imperative to further examine and keep improving their social security system, respect and protect their rights and interests, attach greater importance and render more support to the development of their cause.

With a population of more than 80 million disabled people, China has taken the cause of the disabled as an important component part of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Since the launch of its reform and opening-up three decades ago, the Chinese government has taken a series of vital measures to ensure the rights and interests of those disabled people and accelerated their cause. As a result, the environment and conditions for the disabled to partake in social life have improved noticeably and remarkably with a steady rise in their livelihoods and quality of life.

Beijing Paralympics is a crucial, vital pivot, as it is sure to inspire more and more people in caring for the disadvantagous handicapped people; Beijing Paralympics is a new starting point, as it bound to spur the continuous advancement of the cause for the disabled people.

The Paralympic holy flame, lit with passion, went out slowly on Wednesday evening. The Paralympic Games of short duration, however, has so many reminiscences to recall, so many moving stories to keep in mind and so much affection and friendship indelibly printed on memory. Let us join hands and act in concert to create a harmonious society, in which both the able-bodied and disabled people help one another and build a society shard by all and a splendid world for every one.

By People's Daily Online

UNGA decides not to include Taiwan proposal on agenda

2008-09-18T08:07:00.005-07:00

The General Committee of the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly decided on Wednesday not to include the so-called issue of "Taiwan's participation in the activities of United Nations specialized agencies," submitted by Nauru, Gambia and a very few other countries, into the agenda of the General Assembly.

"There is only one China in the world. The United Nations and the vast majority of its member states all adhere to the one China principle," China's UN Ambassador Wang Guangya said at the meeting of the General Committee.

"UN specialized agencies have all resolved the issue of China's representation in the United Nations in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and Resolution 2758," he said.

"People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share the same blood and destiny. In the wake of the massive earthquake that struck Wenchuan in May, our Taiwan compatriots offered generous contribution and selfless assistance for disaster relief. This deeply moved everyone and gave full expression to the saying that 'blood' is thicker than water," he said.

Wang noted that at present, cross-Strait relations have shown a good momentum of improvement and development.

"We hope people across the Strait will work together, on the basis of the one China principle, to create conditions for resumption of consultation and negotiations so as to resolve in a pragmatic manner various concerns of the Taiwan compatriots, including giving priority to discussion of their participation in WHO activities," he said.

"We firmly believe that the prospect of peaceful development of cross-Strait relations is in the hands of people on both sides of the Strait. So long as the two sides bear in mind the well-being of people across the Strait and the overall interests of the entire Chinese nation, and act in a spirit of 'building mutual trust, putting aside differences, seeking common ground and striving for a win-win result,' we will surely find an appropriate solution through consultation," Wang added.

Source:Xinhua

Bangladeshi garment workers stage sit-in protest in Jordan

2008-09-18T08:07:00.003-07:00

About 38 Bangladeshi migrant workers Wednesday staged a sit-in outside Jordanian Labor Ministry, urging the government to take legal action against their former employer in Sahab, southeast of capital Amman, local daily The Jordan Times reported Thursday.

The Qudorat Garment Company in Sahab closed down suddenly and the owner left the kingdom, leaving 321 Bangladeshis and 31 Jordanians without their salaries for July and August, Abu Zeineh, an official with General Trade Union of Workers in Textile, Garment and Clothing Industries, said on Wednesday.

The Labor Ministry cooperated with the union to redistribute the remaining workers to garment factories in Sahab and at Al Hassan Industrial Estate in Irbid, Abu Zeineh said, adding that some Bangladeshi workers refused to continue working in the kingdom.

Labor Ministry Secretary General Ghazi Shbeikat said the ministry addressed the Social Security Corporation to refund the workers their SSC subscriptions.

"We are also taking measures in cooperation with authorities in Sahab to confiscate the company's assets in order to be sold to offset the workers' outstanding dues," Shbeikat said, adding that the ministry will continue to provide the workers with food and shelter until they leave the country.

According to Zeineh, the union contacted Qudorat's main branch in Hong Kong regarding the workers' financial rights, but the company refused to take responsibility.

A total of nine out of 32 garment factories have shut down since the beginning of 2008, after Qudorat abruptly ended its operations this summer, according to officials.

Source:Xinhua

China to reinstate visa-free facility for Singaporean

2008-09-18T08:07:00.001-07:00

With effect from Sept. 19, Singaporeans who intend to travel to China for 15 days or less will no longer require a visa, Singapore's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement the ministry and Singapore's embassy in Beijing have been informed by the Chinese authorities that China will reinstate the visa-free facility, which was suspended from July 1 this year.

The move was part of security measures for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Source: Xinhua

Knightley, Bloom set for on-screen reunion

2008-09-18T08:05:00.000-07:00

Keira Knightley is set for an on-screen reunion with Orlando Bloom. The pair - who starred together in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy alongside Johnny Depp - are to appear in "The Fever Returns," a new film based on cult disco movie "Saturday Night Fever."

The original film, which was released in 1977 and starred John Travolta, was set in Brooklyn but movie bosses are reportedly planning to base "The Fever Returns" in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, England. It is not yet clear if the movie will be a sequel or remake of "Saturday Night Fever."

Earlier this week, Keira admitted she is unsure of the type of movie roles she wants to take on next.

Keira Knightley is set for an on-screen reunion with Orlando Bloom.

She said: "I haven't quite found what I'm looking for yet. What I'm not capable of doing is saying, 'For my career, I should be doing this right now.' I can't do that because I can't try and be interested in something that I'm not. "It has to be about something that I do actually want to talk about. It can be really embarrassing and depressing and very cynical if you sit there and go, 'Well, I got a really big pay cheque.' "

Source: China Daily\agencies

Bond star bans tight trunks

2008-09-18T08:04:00.005-07:00

Sorry, ladies - Daniel Craig has refused to wear tight swimwear in a James Bond film again.

The 40-year-old star - who sent female fans pulses racing when he donned fitted blue trunks in a beach scene for his first film as the secret agent in Casino Royale - has vowed never to squeeze into the garment again.

He said: "I'm not going to put those trunks on ever again."

The actor also revealed he will not look as toned and muscular in new film "Quantum of Solace" because of a different exercise regime.

He said: "I trained differently this time."

A source added: "Even if he has spent less time in the gym and will be wearing more clothes, Daniel would be hard-pushed to disappoint his female fans."

The action star - who has vowed to portray 007 until he dies - was seen wearing a sling across his right arm and sporting what looked like a black eye when he stepped out in London yesterday.

It is not yet known how he got his injuries.

"Quantum of Solace" is due for release in late October in the UK and worldwide in November.

Source: China Daily\agencies

Ceramics exposition opens in Zibo

2008-09-18T08:04:00.003-07:00

The eighth four-day China International Ceramics Exposition and World Ceramics Purchasing Fair kicked off Tuesday in Zibo, east China's Shandong province.

The show is expected to attract 40,000 participants from over 30 countries and regions.

More than 1,000 ceramics enterprises will display their latest porcelain and pottery products and present new technologies at the 160,000-sq-m exhibition.

"The exposition is a pageant in ceramics circles that promotes exchanges between China and the world and fosters the industry's development in Zibo," said the city's mayor Zhou Qingli.

Sponsored by China Federation of Industrial Economics and China Ceramic Industry Association, the exposition displays a range of products including industrial ceramics, ceramics for daily use, artistic work and that used in building.

Exhibition zones are organized according to the product categories.

More than 300 domestic and overseas buyers are expected to take part in the purchasing meeting held during the exhibition, Mayor Zhou said.

Zibo has established alliances with international ceramics associations, chambers of commerce and multinational purchasing groups.

A product design competition will also be held in four categories--- daily-use, arts and crafts, building and sanitary ceramics.

The latest designs by 423 ceramics artists from seven provinces are on display to promote innovation in the sector's technology, arts and materials. The oldest competitor is more than 80 years old and the youngest is just 9.

Academic meetings and forums will also be held with 500 domestic and overseas experts expected to exchange scientific and technological results.

Through its role of promoting the development of ceramics in industry and science, the event is now well known at home and abroad.

As one of the most influential industries in Zibo, the ceramics sector generates 40 billion yuan in revenue annually through production of 860 million items a year, 60 percent of which are exported to around 80 different countries and regions.

Source: China Daily

Yao Ming wins AIDS prevention award

2008-09-18T08:04:00.001-07:00

Chinese Basketball icon Yao Ming won a prize for his support to fighting against the discrimination of people living with HIV on September 17, 2008.

Dr. Peter Piot, the executive director of the United Nations' vanguard of HIV/AIDS prevention , presented a special award to three individuals including UNAIDS Special Representative Serge Dumont, Tsinghua University Professor Li Xiguang and a representative of Yao Ming in Tsinghua University in Beijing on September 17, 2008.

Yao Ming, who is currently helping reconstruction work in China's quake-battered Sichuan Province, thanked UNAIDS for the award through a video message.

He said, "I am honored to receive this esteemed award for AIDS work. Contributing to the fight against AIDS is something that I happily do as I believe that AIDS is one of the most important global problems. We can and we should do something to stop the spread of AIDS and the discrimination of people living with HIV."

By People's Daily Online

Death toll rises to four in tainted baby formula scandal in China

2008-09-18T08:03:00.006-07:00

The death toll in the contaminated baby formula scandal has risen to four in China, with the death of a baby in northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, local authorities said on Thursday.

The latest death was at a hospital in the Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture of Bayingolin, the Xinjiang Autonomous Regional Health Department said on its website , but no more details were given about the victim.

In addition, 86 babies in the region had fallen ill after drinking the milk powder tainted with the chemical melamine, which was believed to have helped to increase protein content, the department said.

A woman her baby return Sanlu brand milk powders in a supermarket in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Sept. 17, 2008. The Chinese government on Wednesday announced a comprehensive nationwide tests for melamine on every dairy product by every producer after a third infant died after drinking contaminated milk powder, The State Administration for Industry and Commerce, which supervises product quality at retail level, also ordered all the tainted products to be immediately be taken off shelves.
About 10.3 tonnes of baby milk powder produced by the dairy giant Sanlu Group had been pulled off shelves in the region, it said.

The scandal has also claimed the lives of three other babies, including two in northwestern Gansu Province and one in eastern Zhejiang Province.

The dairy giant Sanlu based in the Hebei provincial capital Shijiazhuang in north China was the first company exposed in the tainted milk powder scandal. It is 43 percent owned by New Zealanddairy company Fonterra and has been ordered to halt all its production lines.

Tian Wenhua, the sacked board chairwoman and general manager of Sanlu, has been detained by police for questioning.

Nationwide, more than 6,200 infants had developed kidney stones after drinking Sanlu's tainted baby formula, Health Minister Chen Zhu told reporters on Wednesday.

The State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine had carried out test samples involving 491 batches of products sold by all 109 companies that produced baby milk powder in the country. The inspectors found melamine in 69 batches of baby milk powder produced by 22 companies.

To date, 18 suspects in Shijiazhuang had been arrested. Six were charged with selling melamine, while the other 12 were dealers suspected of selling contaminated milk to Sanlu, said Shi Guizhong, spokesman for the Hebei Provincial Public Security Department, on Thursday at a press conference.

On Wednesday the mayor of Shijiazhuang Ji Chuntang resigned as a result of the scandal.

Earlier on Tuesday, four officials in the city were fired. They included Zhang Fawang, vice mayor in charge of agricultural production; Sun Renhu, the Shijiazhuang Municipal Animal Husbandryand Fishery Bureau director; Zhang Yi, Shijiazhuang Municipal Foodand Drug Administration director; and Li Zhiguo, Shijiazhuang Municipal Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision director.

Source: Xinhua

Tokyo film festival to go green with ecological themes

2008-09-18T08:03:00.005-07:00

The Tokyo International Film Festival will for the first time present a Green Carpet welcome ceremony to celebrities and film stars in the hope of conveying the message of environmental protection.

"We make films, but the Earth made us. We would like to appeal to as many people as possible the importance of environment," said Tom Yoda, chairman of the film gala.

Organizers of the 21st TIFF, scheduled for October 18 to 26, declared at a press conference on Thursday that this year's event will include several new activities with ecological themes.

Those activities also feature a symposium focused on the environment and a new award to an outstanding new film that gives due consideration to nature, the environment and ecology.

"One of the most urgent problems we now face is protecting the Earth's environment," Yoda said. "While many individual films have grappled with how to sustain our environment, no international film festival has yet stepped up to champion this issue."

"We hope our ideas will resonate far beyond the film community, contributing to the global conversation on our planet's future," he added.

A total of 690 films from 72 countries will vie in the TIFF's competition section. U.S. actor Jon Voight will serve as the president of the jury.

Chinese ancient epic Red Cliff will open the special screening section of the film festival, while Walt Disney's animation Wall-E will close the curtains of the section.

The TIFF, established in 1985, aspires to be recognized as one of the four best film festivals in the world - in the same league as Cannes, Venice and Berlin, which now stand at the summit of the more than 2,600 international film celebrations.

Source: Xinhua

Sacked Sanlu chairwoman removed from local legislature over baby formula scandal

2008-09-18T08:03:00.003-07:00

A sacked board chairwoman and general manager of a Chinese dairy producer was removed from the local legislature on Thursday over the ongoing baby formula scandal.

The decision to dismiss 66-year-old Tian Wenhua, who had led the Shijiazhuang-based Sanlu Group, as a deputy to the Hebei Provincial People's Congress was made at a meeting of the legislative body's Standing Committee.

The dairy giant Sanlu, based in the Hebei capital of Shijiazhuang in north China, was the first company exposed in the baby formula scandal. It is 43 percent-owned by New Zealand dairy company Fonterra and has been ordered to halt all production.

The infant death toll in the scandal has risen to four, the latest fatality reported in the northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, local authorities said on Thursday.

The infant died at a hospital in the Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture of Bayingolin, the Xinjiang Autonomous Regional Health Department said, without giving further details.

The contamination earlier claimed the lives of three other babies, two in the northwestern Gansu Province and one in the eastern Zhejiang Province.

Nationwide, more than 6,200 infants have developed kidney stones after drinking Sanlu's baby formula, tainted with the chemical melamine, which was believed to have helped to increase protein content.

Tian, who was also sacked as secretary of the Sanlu Group Committee of the Communist Party of China, has been detained by police for questioning.

To date, 18 suspects in Shijiazhuang have been formally arrested. Six were charged with selling melamine, while 12 others were dealers suspected of selling contaminated milk to Sanlu, Shi Guizhong, Hebei Provincial Public Security Department spokesman, told reporters on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Shijiazhuang Mayor Ji Chuntang resigned over the scandal.

Earlier on Tuesday, four city officials were fired. They included Zhang Fawang, vice mayor in charge of agricultural production; Sun Renhu, the Animal Husbandry and Fishery Bureau director of Shijiazhuang; Zhang Yi, Food and Drug Administration director; and Li Zhiguo, director of the Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision.

The State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has carried out test samples involving 491 batches of products sold by all 109 companies that produced baby milk powder in the country. The inspectors found melamine in 69 batches of powder from 22 companies.

Source: Xinhua

China fights uphill battle for food safety

2008-09-18T08:03:00.001-07:00

The contaminated milk powder scandal in China triggered removals of company executives and negligent officials, arrests of suspects and put 22 melamine-tainted dairy producers under fire.

What's truly applauded by consumers, however, is the quality watchdog's late Wednesday announcement that it would remove all inspection exemptions formerly granted to food producers.

This is a positive step forward in China's uphill battle for food safety, but only if all quality checks are carried out in a strict, open and impartial manner.

Food safety should be the last category exempt from checkups.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has used the exemption as a special reward since 2000. Chinese companies with a reputation of quality products, big market shares and strict safety controls didn't have to undergo certain inspections.

Immunity has indeed helped nurture some domestic brands, but the honor roll became a blacklist when a number of companies became involved in food safety scandals.

The latest involves Sanlu Group, Mengniu, Yili and Yashili, among other well-known dairy producers. In the past, most of these companies have been exempt from food quality checks. Instead they had been crowned "domestic name brands" and were expected to bolster national pride in the dairy industry, as China, a traditional tea-drinking nation, plays a lesser role in the international market.

Melamine-contaminated Sanlu milk powder had by Wednesday sickened more than 6,200 babies across China and caused four deaths. The hard lesson we should learn from this tragedy: never overestimate the credibility of any company, or any product.

Take Sanlu for example. The company, based in Shijiazhuang, was fully aware of the contamination but kept the fact from the public.

The dairy giant received a consumer's complaint at least three months ago about children getting sick from its product. Instead of tracing its own problems, the company reportedly bribed the consumer into deleting his online posts with more than 2,000 yuan worth of milk products.

Infant kidney stone cases cropped up in several provinces. Domestic media reported the babies drank "the same brand of milk powder," but no brand name was given.

In early September, a newspaper in northwestern Gansu Province pointed a finger to Sanlu for the first time. Sanlu still insisted its products were safe.

The company's confession that its formula wasn't safe appeared after an internal investigation which lasted only one day. By then, at least 700 tons of the problematic product was still on sale.

Sanlu Group blamed illegal dairy dealers for adding melamine to milk, as if the company itself had nothing to do with the scandal.

By shunning responsibility, Sanlu is trying to convince the public that it simply buys milk from contracted dealers -- regardless of what is in it, puts the milk on production lines and then packs up tons and tons of product for unsuspecting consumers.

This is not the message Sanlu conveyed this time last year.

On nationwide TV, Sanlu ran a series of commercials about how good its milk powder was and how the company's quality tests were strict.

All Sanlu products underwent complicated testing procedures involving 1,100 steps, the commercial stated. But how many steps does it take to detect melamine?

Sanlu was reportedly one of the blacklisted producers in a shoddy low-protein infant milk powder scandal four years ago. Backthen, 13 infants died and 171 were hospitalized.

Few people traced how the company made it off that list. Perhaps many believed a smaller company produced the bad milk powder but used Sanlu's name. Perhaps we were all too apathetic.

Some say the dairy scandal could be a blessing in disguise. At least the problem is now on the table which is the first step to solving it.

The quality watchdog's decision to remove all exemption qualifications for food producers, is at least a positive move to sweep away the "blind areas" in food safety.

As a mother, I would like every party involved to shoulder their responsibilities as China works to improve its system.

Businesses should adopt stricter quality controls. Governments, at all levels, should exercise more supervision. Media should point its finger when the facts are there.

Only when those objectives are met can Chinese stop wondering what to put on dinner tables or in their babies' bellies. Only then can Chinese businesses feel confident in the face of their international competitors.

Source: Xinhua

China, U.S. launch undergraduate summer exchange program

2008-09-18T08:02:00.002-07:00

China and the United States will exchange 30 undergraduate students annually for three weeks of study, tour and cultural activities starting next year, according to China's Ministry of Education on Wednesday.

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on the summer exchange program for undergraduates on Tuesday. It aimed at strengthening mutual trust and understanding between young people.

The memorandum was based on the "Agreement on Educational Exchange and Cooperation" renewed by the two governments in 2006 and a result of the U.S.-China Education Dialogue held in April.

The program is also an important activity to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-American diplomatic ties, and the 30th anniversary of the implementation of the Chinese-American student exchanges and the launch of the Fulbright study program.

"What we do is to plant the seeds," said Goli Ameri, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs."Our goal is not to create volume, but to provide opportunities for people who are going to be future leaders. That's why we select the students very carefully."

"Once we've paved the way, we will get out of the way and let the private sector, such as universities, take over to increase the exchange volume."

According to data of the American-based Institute of International Education "Open Door 2007" initiative, China was number two in sending students to the United States in the 2006-2007 school year. China enrollments were up 8 percent to 67,723 in the period. This accounted for 11.6 percent of the total international enrollments in the country.

In addition, China was also the seventh most popular destination for U.S. students to study abroad. In the 2005-2006 school year, 8,830 Americans were studying in the country, up 38 percent compared to 2004-2005.

Source: Xinhua

Beijing bids goodbye

2008-09-18T08:02:00.001-07:00

People may be forgiven for switching on their TV sets today to catch something on the Paralympic Games. Many are known to have done that the day after the Olympics ended to catch Olympic action.

The disappointment and the sorrow of bidding farewell to two of China's greatest events in recent times will linger for days, if not months. But like every good thing in life they had to come to an end.

The Paralympic Games torch atop the Bird's Nest flickered till the last before vanishing into the sad Beijing night sky on Wednesday, bringing the curtains down on a sports gala that began with the Olympics on Aug 8.

It seemed the flame could hear the heartbeats of not only the 90,000 people in the stadium, but also billions across the world. It appeared to answer the little girl, who "sang" using her hands : "The flame do you see? You are in my heart. The flame, do you hear? I'm singing to you with my heart."

But the end came after what many said was a befitting closing ceremony program for the Paralympics. What better way to bid farewell to friends from across the world than to evoke the image of China's mother river? The performers, dressed in yellow, created a flow that could only be matched by the surging waters of the Yellow River.

The sounds of bells opened the first part, Red Leaves of Fragrant Hill, followed by A Letter to the Future, which saw small yellow flowers blooming to the slow, rhythmic flow of music.

The program was divided into four parts, during which athletes and officials were showered with small red leaves and yellow petals; the red leaves conveying Beijing's love and respect for the athletes.

More than 4,000 athletes from 147 countries and regions competed in 20 sports for the 472 gold medals, shattering 279 world and 339 Paralympic records.

China topped the medal tally with 89 golds, 70 silvers and 52 bronzes - a total of 211 medals. It was its best show at a Paralympics.

But these are mere statistics, though they speak of the sincerity and backbreaking efforts of the athletes.

The greater message from the Paralympics was something altogether different. If the 17-day Olympics was a proud achievement, the 12-day Paralympics proved to be a humbling experience.

Everyone, including President Hu Jintao, has said it will help us to serve the physically challenged better.

Panama's Said Gomez and South Africa's Natalie Du Toit were given the Whang Youn-dai award.

The award was introduced by the International Paralympic Committee in Seoul 1988 to steel the resolve of physically challenged people to overcome adversities by trying to excel in sports.

Gomez, who lost his eyesight at a young age, is a triple Paralympic gold medallist, and Du Toit, who competed in the Olympics too, claimed golds in all the five Paralympic swimming events she took part.

"The Paralympic spirit that is ever bright in our movement, found here in China, a kindred spirit," IPC President Philip Craven said. "It reached out to you, you embraced it and it is now cherished in your hearts."

All the participants got the opportunity to write their hopes and blessing on postcards, 10,000 of which were distributed at the site.

London took over the Paralympics torch from Beijing yesterday. London Mayor Boris Johnson took the Paralympic flag from Beijing Mayor Guo Jinlong at the end of the closing ceremony. A red double-decker was driven inside the Bird's Nest for the second time in less than four weeks to cheers from the crowd.

Source: China Daily

Olympic movement 'stronger'

2008-09-18T08:01:00.004-07:00

The Beijing Games has done a lot for the Olympic movement by opening up China to the world, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said yeserday.

"It contributes to a lot better reception of the world toward China and probably a better reception of the world by China," he told China Daily before attending the Paralympic Games closing ceremony.

"I would say that the Games has opened up China. I think this is a very good aspect ."

The Olympic movement reached its pinnacle in Beijing Games, where a record 11,000 athletes from 204 countries and regions took part.

"The Olympic movement has gone from step to step. Each time the Games has improved and each time the Games is better and better."

A good Games is judged by the way it treats the athletes, he said. "We should never forget one thing, the Games is for athletes this is the main priority."

Rogge was thrilled with the quality of competitions in Beijing, the main reason why he described the Beijing Games "exceptional".

Source: China Daily

A promise honored, says Hu

2008-09-18T08:01:00.003-07:00

China has kept its word in presenting a special Paralympic Games, President Hu Jintao said while raising a toast to some 30 VIPs from across the world in Beijing yesterday.

"The Chinese people have kept the solemn promise made to the international community. They have welcomed guests from across the world with enthusiasm, and presented a special and high-standard Games," Hu said at the Paralympics closing ceremony luncheon.

China had promised "Two Games, Equal Splendor" while biding for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The dazzling opening ceremony won worldwide praise, and International Paralympic Committee President Philip Craven described the "excellent organization" throughout the 12 days of the Paralympics as "first class".

"These Games have been a great Games. I think everybody realizes that the two Games have been of equal splendor but with distinguishing features," Craven said at a press conference before he attended the luncheon hosted by Hu.

The Chinese people have shared their "success and joy" with people around the world in the process, Hu said.

He congratulated athletes of all the teams for their outstanding performance, and promised that China would use this opportunity to better serve the physically challenged people.

After the Games, China will move ahead on its path of reform, opening up and peaceful development, he said. " will like to work with other countries to build a nice future."

The guests enjoyed their lunch at the same venue, the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, where the Olympics closing ceremony luncheon was held.

Economic deals

Later in the day, Hu met with the king of Jordan, Abdullah II, in the Great Hall of the People. The king, in Beijing to attend the closing ceremony, and Hu officiated the signing of several documents of cooperation in economy, technology, energy and resources.

Premier Wen Jiabao also signed economic and technology cooperation agreements with Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi after a 40-minute meeting.

Source: China Daily

Expo offers great deals on wheels

2008-09-18T08:01:00.001-07:00

When it comes to buying a new wheelchair, it is all about getting the one that suits your needs, 50-year-old Zhou Ping, said last week at the 2008 Care & Rehabilitation Expo China in Beijing.

"For me, a wheelchair is more than just something to get around in, it's like a part of my body," the former wheelchair basketball player said.

After much deliberation at the show, which ran for three days until Sunday at the Beijing International Exhibition Center, Zhou decided on a manual model from a Hong Kong manufacturer, disregarding the salesman's efforts to get him to buy a more expensive, electric-powered one.

"Price is not the issue for me," he said.

"I'm more concerned about convenience and style."

While electric wheelchairs are less work and look modern, the manual one Zhou chose is lighter and easier to maneuver, he said.

Zhou has suffered from polio since the age of 3, and as a result has always had great difficulty walking.

As a child, he said he would struggle to school with the aid of two canes, but was constantly mocked by his classmates.

It was not until 1984 that he got his first wheelchair.

"It was very heavy and made of iron," he said.

A year later, however, he got a much better model, when he joined a Beijing wheelchair basketball team.

"It was a streamlined sports chair, made of some lightweight material but with a fixed shape and angled wheels to aid stability when making sharp turns," he said.

After years of training, Zhang said his upper body and arm strength developed enormously, which further increased his speed and agility on the basketball court.

"But a sporty wheelchair is no good for everyday use," he said.

He said he soon realized he needed different chairs for the different aspects of his life.

Zhou's latest purchase is designed for use when he is traveling. He has three others - one for indoors, one for outdoors and one for basketball.

"I had to negotiate quite a lot over my fourth chair, as I needed them to remodel it for me," he said.

It had to weigh no more than 11 kg, so he could lift it with one hand, he said.

"Also, it has to be easy to fold - so I can put it in my car - and easy to reassemble."

Zhu Tuling, one of the founders of the China Disabled Persons Assistive Devices Center, said wheelchair design has come a long way over the years.

The first locally made chairs began to appear toward the end of the 1980s, but the turning point came in 1991, when the government launched a program of developing assistive devices for disabled people, he said.

Since then, and as the market has opened up to foreign manufacturers, disabled people have had far more choice, he said.

"Today's market is headed by models from America, Japan and Germany," he said.

Furthermore, Cheng Kai, vice-president of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, told China Daily yesterday that the most significant change to have occurred is that more and more disabled people now realize that having a decent wheelchair can change their lives.

"Having the right chair is like having the right clothes," he said.

Source: China Daily

Sprinter thanks his 'eyes' for the prize

2008-09-18T08:00:00.009-07:00

Standing on top of the Paralympic podium, blind sprinter Liu Xiangkun thought he should give half of his gold medal to Chen Liang, his guide.

"I was wondering why there wasn't a gold for Chen. I think my medal belongs to both of us," Liu told China Daily yesterday.

On Tuesday, the 28-year-old won gold as part of China's 4x100m relay T11-T13 team, which set a new world record in the process.

Liu, who was born blind, ran the first leg of the race, as he was the only one who required a guide.

"My guide is the real hero behind my success," he said.

A sports major at the prestigious Peking University, Chen, 24, began guiding Liu at the end of last year. Linked to Liu with an elastic band, the Beijinger helps stop Liu from running into the wrong lane.

"When he goes fast, I go fast; he slows down, I follow", was how Chen described his role.

Although Chen did not get a medal, he did win rousing applause from the huge crowds in the Birds' Nest, as he guided his partner onto the podium's top spot.

"I was so excited when I heard the national anthem. My brain just went blank," Chen said.

As well as the relay, the two had earlier competed in the 100m and 200m T-11, but failed to win a medal in either. Liu did finish 4th in the 100m, however, the best ever show by a Chinese Paralympian.

By the time the relay came around, the pair was hungry for a medal, Chen said.

"When I told Liu we had won and broken the world record, he fell straight down onto the track," Chen said.

"It was such a huge relief."

With the pressure off, the two men began their celebrations back at the Paralympic Village; the party went on until 2 am yesterday morning.

Liu said he also made lots of phone calls to friends and family, thanking them for their support that helped steer him to success.

But Chen is the person he most has to thank, he said, as with his help, his progress, and speed, on the track has been faster than ever.

Liu said he measures his performance not in terms of time, but in the number of paces he has to make to reach the finish line.

"I needed to run 55 steps in the past, but since Chen has been my guide, I need only 50," Liu said, adding that equates to him being about half a second faster.

He said having Chen around makes his whole life easier and more enjoyable.

There are seven guides on the Chinese track and field team. As Liu's guide, Chen accompanies him almost 24 hours a day. They sleep in the same room and eat together.

For Liu, having Chen around lets him enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Every time Chen plays a computer game, he describes it to Liu.

"I can't see, but I can enjoy by visualizing it from Chen's description," he said.

Unfortunately for the two men, they will soon be divided once again, as Liu must go back to Liaoning, his home province, to continue his training with the track and field team, and Chen has to go back to university.

Talking about the future, the two expressed their wishes to work together at another Paralympics.

"Give us four more years together, and we'll be ready to win the gold medal in the 100m at London 2012.

"And not just in the relay!" Liu said.

Source: China Daily

More world leaders offer congratulations on success of Beijing Olympics

2008-09-18T08:00:00.007-07:00

More leaders of foreign governments and international organizations have sent congratulatory messages in recent days on the success of the Beijing Olympic Games.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said China should be proud of the stunning Games it hosted. The Beijing Games is a success of the Olympic principle and ideal, and a success of the practice of "a green Olympics, a High-tech Olympics and the People's Olympics," he said.

The Games was also an important chance for the international community to promote world peace and harmony through enhancing dialogue and mutual trust, he said.

The grand event has drawn together athletes, leaders and people from around the world in celebration of the Olympic spirit, which is a tremendous contribution by China to building a better world, he said.

Israeli President Shimon Peres said the Beijing Olympics is a great unparalleled, stunning event, which has shown to the world a splendid new China.

The Games extended a message of peace and a grand picture of unity, said Peres, noting that the Beijing Games will become a milestone with its famous motto of "One World, One Dream."

The Cold War thinking is destined to be replaced by the warm idea of "harmony," he said.

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah said the Beijing Games excelled in its organizational and preparatory work, which ensured a sound and fair competing environment for the athletes.

The Games fully reflected China's progress in its civilization and its competitiveness to seek excellence and realise dreams in various fields, he said, noting that the honor of China's success in hosting the Olympics belongs to the whole of Asia.

Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheihk Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah said the tremendous efforts by China to hold the Olympics, notably the finest preparatory work, have secured the success of the world's greatest sports event.

Latvian Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis said the organizational work of the Beijing Games was outstanding, and the opening and closing ceremonies were spectacular. The success of the Games has further enhanced China's international sphere, he said.

The National Assembly of Venezuela passed a resolution which said the Beijing Games has again highlighted the important role of sport in fostering the all-round development and spirit of humankind as well as in promoting multiple dialogues between different nations.

Beijing has witnessed during the Games the noblest human senses -- humanity, unity and friendship, and has meanwhile shown the world its outstanding technologies, organizational work and sensitivity to humanity, it said.

Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa congratulated China on the success of the Beijing Games, which was a great opportunity for the nation to show its cultural prowess.

She thanked the Chinese government and people for their efforts and contribution to the Games which will prove conducive to regional peace and stability.

Source:Xinhua

Full text of speech by IPC president Craven at Beijing Paralympics closing ceremony

2008-09-18T08:00:00.005-07:00

Following is the full text of the speech delivered by Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Committee at the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games on Wednesday night:

Closing Speech for the XIII Paralympic Games

17 September 2008

Zun Jing de Hu Jintao zhu xi ji Fu Ren

Athletes, Officials, Distinguished Guests

Paralympic Sports fans from all over the world

Wan Shang hao Huan Ying Ni men

2,500 years ago Confucius said

"You Peng Zi Yuan Fang Lai, Bu Yi Yue Hu? "

"That friends should come to one for afar, is that not after all delightful?"

On behalf of all members of the Paralympic Family may I take the liberty to paraphrase the Good man's great words.

"It is equally delightful to come from afar and make new friends here in China".

We have to give a big thank you to

BOCOG and its President, Liu QI,

The athletes,

The fantastic volunteers,

The officials and staff of the IPC, the IFs and NPCs

The 5,500 media who have covered the Games and, in particular Manolo Romero and his team for the television images,

The sponsors and last but certainly not least you, the inspirational spectators.

What a great Paralympic Games this has been!

An ethereal Opening Ceremony,

Staggering athletic performances in perfect stadia,

The best-ever Paralympic Villages,

Amazing high definition television coverage,

A never ending and self generating supply of passion and emotion,

Superb organisation

Wonderful volunteers

Millions of new Paralympic sports aficionados both here in China and around the world

These are the greatest Paralympic Games ever.

It is all about spirit. The Paralympic spirit that is ever bright in our movement, found here in China, a kindred spirit. It reached out to you, you embraced it and it is now cherished in your hearts. Now these spirits are united,

"One World"

"One Dream"

and "One People" has become a reality.

All athletes, coaches and officials should take the unique sporting spirit from these Games to the four corners of this planet, Earth. There, encourage new athletes, make new friends and inspire them to light the flame in their hearts.

Finally the time has come for me to declare the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closed.

I call upon Paralympic athletes from all over the world to meet in London in four years time when once again you will inspire and excite the world with your sporting excellence.

Xie Xie Xiang Gang, ,

Xie Xie Qingdao, ,

Xie Xie Beijing, ,

Xie Xie Zhong Guo. .

Source:Xinhua

Demonstration parks to cease function after Games: official

2008-09-18T08:00:00.003-07:00

The three parks in downtown Beijing designated as demonstration zones during the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics will cease function upon the ending of both Games, a senior official with the Games organizing committee said here on Wednesday.

"In future, relevant departments will continue to accept and handle demonstration applications in accordance with China's law on assemblies, processions and demonstrations as well as the law's implementation methods," said Liu Shaowu, director of the security department under the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 29th Olympic Games .

The three parks, namely the Zizhuyuan Park, Ritan Park and World Park, were approved to serve as demonstration areas during the two Games in accordance with the requirement of the International Olympic Committee and the common practice of other host cities of major international events, said Liu.

"During the Games, relevant departments received a number of demonstration applications from home and abroad. Except for very few cases that were not allowed by Chinese laws, all applications aimed at the settlement of some specific problems and issues," said the official.

Through consultations between relevant authorities and the applicants, all the problems and issues were handled and settled properly, and the applicants withdrew their applications voluntarily, he added.

Commenting on the Games' security work, Liu said his department had worked hard with efficiency over the past seven years to ensure the safety and success of both Games.

Since its establishment, the department has played a key role in the Games' overall security planning and policy-making, the design of security operations at the Games venues, and the development of high-tech security systems including the electronic ticket verification system, said the director.

It has also coordinated accreditation management and international exchange and cooperation, and facilitated security information collection, precautions against terror and riots, as well as security guarantee for the VIPs, the torch relays and the Internet, said Liu.

The department has also recruited and trained security volunteers for the Games, and conducted security drills during the test events before the Games, he added.

He revealed that the Beijing 2008 Games have applied many high-tech security systems and facilities, such as the venue security control system, electronic ticket and card verification system, communications guarantee system, monitoring system, counterterror and riot-prevention system, and the security screening facilities.

And the planning, design, installation and application of these first-class systems and facilities have kept pace with the design and construction of all Games venues, to avoid incompatibility and ineffectiveness, he noted.

While a huge number of security checks were carried out on personnel and vehicles during the two Games, there was no report of security incidents caused by negligence of the security staff, said Liu.

And thanks to the understanding, cooperation and support of the general public, the security checks have been conducted in a smooth manner and in a harmonious atmosphere, he stressed.

International cooperation also helped a lot in the security work of the Beijing 2008 Games, according to Liu.

The BOCOG security department has attached great importance to drawing experience from the hosts of the previous Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, and has engaged in broad exchange and cooperation with its counterparts worldwide, said Liu.

Meanwhile, Chinese security departments have cooperated with information and law enforcement departments in relevant countries, to effectively prevent and strike on various sabotage activities aimed to harm the security of the Games, he noted.

Such cooperation and exchange have helped enhance mutual understanding between Chinese security departments and their foreign counterparts, and created a mode of international security cooperation that can be referred to in major international activities in the future, he added.

Source:Xinhua

French media hails Beijing Paralympics

2008-09-18T08:00:00.001-07:00

The 2008 Beijing Paralympics provided a stage for excellent performances by disabled athletes from around the world, drawing a great deal of international attention, French media said Wednesday.

With their relentless efforts, some of the disabled athletes achieved results that could rival that of normal athletes, French sports daily L'Equipe said, adding that the wonderful performances of "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius, South African amputee swimmer Natalie du Toit and Poland's Natalia Partyka among others even made people forget their physical disability.

Meanwhile, AFP said the Beijing Paralympics is the grandest in history as it drew the participation of over 4,000 athletes from some 150 countries and regions.

Aside from the unprecedented scale, the event will also be remembered for the hundreds of new records achieved, the AFP said.

Source:Xinhua

Russian sports official hails paralympians' achievements

2008-09-18T07:59:00.007-07:00

A senior Russian sports official said Wednesday that the Russian team achieved their goals at the just-ended Paralympic Games in the Chinese capital of Beijing.

"We are returning home with pride. We looked a worthy team and we have accomplished everything we wanted to," RIA Novosti cited Vladimir Lukin, the head of the Russian Paralympics Committee as saying.

The Russian team, which had set itself the target of making the top 10, finished in eighth place, having won 18 gold, 23 silver and 22 bronze medals.

This is a great improvement for the Russians, who finished in 11th place at the 2004 Athens Paralympics with 16 gold, 8 silver and 17 bronze medals, RIA said.

A total of 145 Russian athletes took part in the Games, compared to 84 at the 2004 Athens Paralympics.

Source:Xinhua

Spanish Paralympic officials, reporters laud Beijing Games, closing ceremony

2008-09-18T07:59:00.005-07:00

Spanish Paralympic officials and reporters Wednesday lavished praise on the Beijing Paralympic Games and its closing ceremony.

President of Spanish Paralympic Committee, Miguel Carballeda, said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua that the scale, organization and facilities of the Beijing Paralympics were all unprecedented and even the future hosts would find it hard to exceed that.

The Beijing Games can be called a "role model" with its precise organization, orderly process and hospitality of the spectators during the Games which have enormously inspired the athletes' morale, he said.

Beijing has in a very short time cleared all the obstacles for the handicapped people in many tourist spots, a move that shows China's love and care for the disabled, he said.

The tremendous efforts by the Chinese people for the Paralympics are very moving, he said.

Meanwhile, journalists of Spanish news agency EFE spoke highly of the closing ceremony of the Paralympics, saying that the show, together with the opening ceremony, was just as spectacular as that of the Olympics a month ago.

The efforts by China to host the Paralympics have drawn more world attention to disabled people and their Games, they told Xinhua.

A presenter on Spanish state television, which ran a live broadcast of the closing ceremony, said the grandiose show was held with considerable sensitivity to handicapped people.

The ceremony, together with the achievements by the athletes, whose number also scored a record, has brought to an end of a successful Paralympics, said the presenter.

Source:Xinhua

Italian sports TV hails success of Beijing Paralympics

2008-09-18T07:59:00.003-07:00

Italian sports TV Rai Sport piu hailed the successful conclusion of the 12-day Beijing 2008 Paralympics Wednesday, saying the event was as wonderful as last month's Olympics.

With the same magnificent show of fireworks, the Chinese capital city of Beijing swiftly turned into a Paralympic town in early September from an Olympic town in August, the TV broadcaster said.

Rai Sport piu, which was televising live the Beijing Paralympics, said the event will be of historical significance as it has impressed the world with outstanding organizational work, good service by tens of thousands of volunteers and spectacular performances of Chinese traditional music and dance.

The Beijing Paralympics offered a happy holiday for the disabled athletes from the whole world, the broadcaster said.

Gerardo Greco, a lawyer who was watching the closing ceremony of the Beijing Paralympics on Rai Sport piu, told Xinhua that he saw the performance of the Paralympics as a continuation of that of the Olympics.

He said both Games are successful, serving as evidence of social progress in China and "One World, One Dream."

Source:Xinhua

Prestigious Brazilian website says "Beijing Paralympics moves the world"

2008-09-18T07:59:00.001-07:00

Beijing has fulfilled its mission with the success of the 2008 Paralympics, which moves the whole world again, Brazil's media giant Globo said Wednesday on its website.

Beijing staged a perfect ending to the 2008 Paralympics with an evening party celebrating the nobleness of life, Globo said, adding that the hospitality of the host and the festivity touched the whole world.

"China should be proud of itself as the flawless organization work and fully-packed grandstand boosted the morale of the athletes and impressed the world," Globo said.

Source:Xinhua

Success of Beijing Paralympics applauded in Belgium

2008-09-18T07:58:00.012-07:00

The Beijing Paralympic Games, which ended Wednesday, were hailed as a great success in Belgium.

The Belga news agency said the Paralympics and the summer Olympics were equally successful.

"Comparing Olympic and Paralympic Games, China promised to offer 'two games of equal splendor.' For International Paralympic Committee President Philip Craven, the goal is reached," said Belga.

The Paralympic Games were marked by flawless organization and a high degree of involvement by the Chinese public, said the Belgian news agency.

The Paralympics, which attracted 4,000 athletes from some 150 countries and territories for 12 days, managed to overshadow disability thanks to the performance of increasingly better trained and more professional athletes, said Belga.

Martin Bratanov, a Belgian table tennis player, told Xinhua that the Beijing Paralympics will be remembered for modern sporting facilities, good organization and respectful spectators.

He said Craven's comments at the closing ceremony that the Beijing Paralympic Games have been the greatest ever in history were appropriate.

The wonderful opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics and Beijing Paralympics will be remembered for a long time, said Bratanov.

Xia Tingyuan, who attended the opening ceremony of the Paralympics as a representative of Chinese Belgians, said he was moved by many stories in and outside competition venues.

China's efforts paid off when athletes displayed banners reading "Hello, Beijing" or "Thank you, China," he said.

Source:Xinhua

BBC: Beijing Paralympic Games "the best ever"

2008-09-18T07:58:00.011-07:00

The BBC reported Wednesday that once again, the Beijing Paralympic Games organizers have produced a ceremony packed with light, sound and choreography, lapped up by a capacity Bird's Nest audience.

It said Philip Craven, the International Paralympic Committee chief, paid tribute to "the best ever Paralympic villages, a never-ending and self-generating supply of passion and emotion, superb organization and wonderful volunteers" in his speech.

He hailed the "millions of new Paralympic sports aficionados both here in China and around the world," the BBC reported.

London Mayor Boris Johnson took the Paralympic flag from Mr Craven and Mr Guo Jinlong, Mayor of Beijing, to signify the beginning of London's term as host city.

Earlier, Johnson said "Beijing gives us a superb challenge and a fantastic platform to go forward. We will work to make sure London is the most accessible Games ever."

"Now we must deliver for all disabled Londoners and visitors," he added.

"Our segment was a statement of intent that our Games will be inspiring and fun, and get the whole world involved," said London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe.

The British team is expected to arrive back at Heathrow Airport Thursday. Celebrations are taking place in Britain to mark the handover. Up to 5,000 schools around Britain are holding similar celebrations, with some hosting Paralympic sports days.

Source:Xinhua

Foreign media, leaders laud Paralympics, closing ceremony

2008-09-18T07:58:00.009-07:00

Foreign media and world leaders Wednesday lavished praise on the Beijing Paralympic Games and its closing ceremony.

French media said that the 2008 Beijing Paralympics provided a stage for excellent performances by disabled athletes from around the world, drawing a great deal of international attention.

With their relentless efforts, some of the disabled athletes achieved results that could rival that of normal athletes, French sports daily L'Equipe said, adding that the wonderful performances of "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius, South African amputee swimmer Natalie du Toit and Poland's Natalia Partyka among others even made people forget their physical disability.

Meanwhile, AFP said the Beijing Paralympics is the grandest in history as it drew the participation of over 4,000 athletes from some 150 countries and regions.

The BBC reported that once again, the Beijing Paralympic Games organizers produced a ceremony packed with light, sound and choreography, lapped up by a capacity Bird's Nest audience.

It said Philip Craven, the International Paralympic Committee chief, paid tribute to "the best ever Paralympic villages, a never-ending and self-generating supply of passion and emotion, superb organization and wonderful volunteers" in his speech.

He hailed the "millions of new Paralympic sports aficionados both here in China and around the world," the BBC reported.

Italian sports TV Rai Sport piu hailed the successful conclusion of the 12-day Beijing 2008 Paralympics Wednesday, saying the event was as wonderful as last month's Olympics.

With the same magnificent show of fireworks, the Chinese capital city of Beijing swiftly turned into a Paralympic town in early September from an Olympic town in August, the TV broadcaster said.

President of the Spanish Paralympic Committee, Miguel Carballeda, said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua that the scale, organization and facilities of the Beijing Paralympics were all unprecedented and even the future hosts would find it hard to exceed that.

The Beijing Games can be called a "role model" with its precise organization, orderly process and hospitality of the spectators during the Games which have enormously inspired the athletes' morale, he said.

Journalists of Spanish news agency EFE spoke highly of the closing ceremony of the Paralympics, saying that the show, together with the opening ceremony, was just as spectacular as that of the Olympics a month ago.

The efforts by China to host the Paralympics have drawn more world attention to disabled people and their Games, they told Xinhua.

A presenter on Spanish state television, which ran a live broadcast of the closing ceremony, said the grandiose show was held with considerable sensitivity to handicapped people.

The ceremony, together with the achievements by the athletes, whose number also scored a record, has brought to an end a successful Paralympics, said the presenter.

Belgium's Belga news agency said the Paralympics and the summer Olympics were equally successful.

"Comparing Olympic and Paralympic Games, China promised to offer 'two games of equal splendor.' For International Paralympic Committee President Philip Craven, the goal is reached," said Belga.

The Paralympic Games were marked by flawless organization and a high degree of involvement by the Chinese public, said the Belgiannews agency.

The Paralympics, which attracted 4,000 athletes from some 150 countries and territories for 12 days, managed to overshadow disability thanks to the performance of increasingly better trained and more professional athletes, said Belga.

Beijing has fulfilled its mission with the success of the 2008 Paralympics, which moves the whole world again, Brazil's media giant Globo said Wednesday on its website.

Beijing staged a perfect ending to the 2008 Paralympics with an evening party celebrating the nobleness of life, Globo said, adding that the hospitality of the host and the festivity touched the whole world.

"China should be proud of itself as the flawless organization work and fully-packed grandstand boosted the morale of the athletes and impressed the world," Globo said.

Earlier, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said China should be proud of the stunning Games it hosted. The Beijing Games is a success of the Olympic principle and ideal, and a success of the practice of "a green Olympics, a High-tech Olympics and the People's Olympics," he said.

The Games was also an important chance for the international community to promote world peace and harmony through enhancing dialogue and mutual trust, he said.

The grand event has drawn together athletes, leaders and people from around the world in celebration of the Olympic spirit, which is a tremendous contribution by China to building a better world, he said.

Source:Xinhua

China presents best Paralympics in history: chief of German team

2008-09-18T07:58:00.007-07:00

China has probably hold the best and most dramatic Paralympic Games as expectations, said Karl Quade, chief of German team, according to an article "The best game of all time " posted in Germany's newspaper Handelsblatt on Wednesday.

Quade said, Beijing has made great efforts for the Games and the athletes have felt very good. The German team was generally satisfied with outcome they have reached, he said.

"What was missing were a few more gold medals," said Quade. In this Paralympic Games German team has got a total of 59 medals, including 14 Golds, 25 Silvers and 20 Bronzes, ranging the 11th position.

Source:Xinhua

Paralympic Games helps open more doors

2008-09-18T07:58:00.005-07:00

For Beijing, the Olympics and Paralympics have brought the clearest and bluest skies to the capital in the last 10 years, reduced traffic congestion by half, promoted the concept of queuing at bus stops and subway stations, improved infrastructure with new sidewalks and resurfaced streets, promoted public politeness, increased green spaces in the city and last but not least increased access for persons with disabilities in public spaces around the city.

It does not get any better for disabled persons living in Beijing than September 2008, at least near the Olympic park where the subway has elevator access for wheelchairs, where wheelchair ramps have been recently built for some local businesses, and where banners marking the Paralympics give a sense that disabled people will be out and about.

Increased disability access is evident in the many public buses that are equipped with automated wheelchair ramps and sound systems that indicate the number of the bus for blind persons. Also, one might spot one of the 30 new wheelchair accessible taxis on the streets.

In general and in short, Beijing is among the more physically accessible cities in Asia. But there are still problems. For example, some taxi drivers are not willing to pick up wheelchair users. The introduction of the 30 accessible taxis has actually added to the problem in a way, because drivers of regular taxis use them as an excuse for not picking up wheelchair users, saying that the potential passenger should take a special taxi instead.

Drivers of buses with wheelchair lifts claim to not know how to operate the lifts, and the more honest drivers saying they do not want to make the effort. In some public restrooms, the handicapped stalls end up as broom closets or are simply locked. Around the city, signage will sometimes indicate that a space is handicapped accessible, when in fact there is no access.

Physical access problems aside, one would expect that disabled persons would be going about their daily lives in Beijing just like everyone else. But where are they? It is rare to see a person with an evident physical disability on the streets of Beijing, yet government statistics say that 6 percent of the country's population is either mentally or physically disabled and that Beijing has close to 1 million disabled residents.

Although there are many three-wheeled scooters on the streets with stickers indicating that the operator is disabled, few of these persons seem to have any disability and likely operate the scooter based on a disabled family member's special permit. The answer to why we do not see many disabled people "going about daily life" is that despite strides in physical access, societal barriers keep many disabled persons from finding work, attending school, or even getting out of their home.

The China Disabled Persons Federation, which has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities, notes that some companies deliberately break employment laws that require them to hire a percentage of disabled persons. These companies would rather pay fines than hire workers with disabilities.

And in the area of education, many schools simply lack access or cite outdated school policies for not opening their doors to disabled students. This is particularly discouraging as barriers snowball if one has no education.

The federation says that Chinese society is "not fully informed of the disabled people's suffering", and that the government needs to increase publicity efforts so that society on the whole, and the disabled, can better communicate with each other.

The government is now doing just that with its unprecedented coverage of the Paralympics by the Chinese media. Also, tickets to the Paralympics are selling well. This means that the 4,200 national and international Paralympians have had large crowds to cheer them on. It is perhaps the greatest promotional effort thus far to increase awareness of persons with disabilities in the country. Chinese society can witness firsthand the abilities of disabled persons in the sporting arena.

The next step will be for the abilities of disabled persons on the Paralympic field to be translated into a realization of their abilities to study, work, and go about daily life in a barrier-free society. The Paralympics is not an event to give the disabled something to do. It is to showcase that disabled persons, despite whatever perceived disability, are just as able as the non-disabled to contribute to society. They should not be considered a burden.

Dedication and hard work will be on display at the Paralympics. And all those fortunate enough to have witnessed the athletes need to know that such dedication translates to the workplace in terms of having a more productive and loyal employee in a company. In the academic arena, excluding the disabled means a country is not fully reaching its own potential: educational opportunities should be provided to all citizens.

The clear blue skies these past few weeks have spurred Beijing residents to call for keeping such measures as traffic reduction permanent. Perhaps with increased awareness of the abilities of the disabled, calls for positive change for these citizens will be made as well.

Source: China Daily/By Eric Roeder

Ancelotti under pressure to deliver in UEFA Cup

2008-09-18T07:58:00.003-07:00

MILAN: It may only be the UEFA Cup but AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti will nevertheless be desperate to get a good result at home to FC Zurich in the first round, first leg on Thursday.

Milan had openly stated prior to the season beginning that Serie A was its main priority, suggesting that the UEFA Cup - which Milan finds itself in after a poor fifth place finish in last season's championship - would be used to rotate the squad a little.

And while ideally that would be the case for Ancelotti, he badly needs a win to fend off the circling vultures beginning to congregate not so high above his head.

Carlo Ancellotti reacts during his team's Serie A match against Genoa on Sunday. AFP
Ancelotti is no stranger to the pressure of being in the Milan hotseat but despite winning two Champions League titles in his seven years at the helm, his return of only one Serie A crown is starting to catch up with him.

And while last year he managed to paper over the cracks by harking on about winning the European Super Cup and Club World Cup - which together entailed winning a total of three matches - Ancelotti needs to succeed this season or he is almost certain to face the sack, particularly with former Italy coach Roberto Donadoni job hunting.

But things could not have started any worse for Milan as it lost its opening two matches of the season, sandwiching a 2-0 friendly loss to a team from the Swiss second division.

Ancelotti, though, has remained defiant and believes he can turn things around.

"We've had a meeting with the management, the technical staff and medical staff," said Ancelotti.

"We analyzed the most suitable solutions to escape from this situation. There is a solution."

Milan's top brass are clearly worried as Ancelotti has had to meet with president Silvio Berlusconi and vice-president Adriano Galliani.

"Everything went well," he insisted. "We've found a solution."

That solution will have to exclude Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo who will miss the match against the Swiss team with a thigh strain.

It's another blow to a Milan outfit already reeling from a disappointing start to the season and some anonymous performances from their two highest profile summer signings.

While Ronaldinho starred on his debut in the home defeat by Bologna, both he and Ukraine forward Andrei Shevchenko - returned to Milan following a disastrous two-year stint at Chelsea - flattered to deceive away at Genoa on Sunday and were both hauled off at half time.

Milan is in danger of suffering the same league fate that befell it last season when a failure to win at home in its first seven scudetto encounters ensured it reached the winter break more than 20 points behind city rival Inter and out of Serie A contention.

Then it still had the Champions League to defend and once its interest in that competition was ended, fourth place and Champions League qualification for this season to fight for.

That having been missed, Ancelotti is under extreme pressure to deliver and anything other than a convincing win and a boost to sagging confidence could see the sharpened knives striking a fatal blow to his Milan tenure.

Source: China Daily

Ferguson fumes as FA overturns a ban on Terry

2008-09-18T07:58:00.001-07:00

LONDON: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has reacted angrily to the FA's decision on Tuesday to overturn the red card Chelsea's John Terry was shown in the Premier League game at Manchester City on Saturday.

England captain Terry will now be available for Sunday's league clash against champion Manchester United at Stamford Bridge after winning his appeal against the sending off.

Referee Mark Halsey dismissed Terry for serious foul play after he grabbed City striker Jo in Chelsea's 3-1 win but an independent FA regulatory commission overturned the decision.

Ferguson was quoted in Wednesday's British newspapers as saying Keith Hackett, general manager of the Professional Game Match officials board, had overruled Halsey thereby saving Terry from a three-match ban starting with the United game.

"As I understand it Hackett told Mark Halsey to rescind the red card and he wouldn't do it," said Ferguson. "I understand Halsey is being made to referee in the second division this weekend. I just don't understand how this could have happened.

"If it had been Manchester United, Hackett would not have done this. In future, if referees are seen to make mistakes then this is going to have to happen all the time."

A PGMO spokesman said Hackett had played no part in the appeals process, adding: "All matters of discipline are an issue for the FA and them alone".

The decision to show Terry a straight red seemed harsh as there were other covering defenders, though Halsey's insistence it was for serious foul play appeared to weaken Terry's case.

Source: China Daily

English clubs down French rivals

2008-09-18T07:57:00.012-07:00

PARIS: English clubs ran the rule over their French counterparts on Tuesday as Liverpool and Chelsea beat Marseille and Bordeaux respectively in the opening round of Champions League group stages.

A Steven Gerrard double - taking his total to 99 for the club - saw Liverpool to a 2-1 win over Marseille in France, while Chelsea ran out easy 4-0 winner over Bordeaux.

Chelsea's former boss Jose Mourinho also got off to a winning start as Inter Milan beat Panathinaikos 2-0 in Athens, but Inter's Serie A rival AS Roma went down 2-1 at home to Champions League debutants Cluj - for whom Juan Culio notched a double.

Werder Bremen was surprisingly held to a goalless draw by Cypriot debutant Anorthosis Famagusta in Group B - the first team from the divided island to reach this stage of European soccer's top competition.

The two Spanish sides in action also claimed all three points, Barcelona giving coach Pep Guardiola a first competitive win - 3-1 over Sporting Lisbon - while Atletico Madrid made a triumphant return to the top European club competition after a 11 year absence beating PSV Eindhoven 3-0.

Gerrard, not for the first time, brought Liverpool back into a match, scoring with a sublime effort four minutes after Marseille had taken the lead, and then adding a penalty before half-time.

Marseille, though, could feel hard done by not to have at least got a point from the encounter, but a mixture of poor finishing and good goalkeeping by Pepe Reina allowed Liverpool to hold out.

"We played well in the first half but then they pinned us back in the second half," admitted Gerrard.

"We stopped playing in the second-half and we will have to have a look at that and see what the reason was."

Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez echoed fellow perfectionist Gerrard's own admission afterwards that "he played well - but he could have played better."

Benitez added: "The key was to score a third goal and finish them off but we couldn't and we were under a bit of pressure at the end."

Marseille coach Eric Gerets was downcast.

"I am very disappointed and a bit angry with the result, given the chances we created - more than five. We could have pulled it off," said the Belgian, a competition winner as a player with group rival PSV Eindhoven 20 years ago.

Goals from Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka ensured Chelsea made a winning return to European action at Stamford Bridge just four months after its heart-breaking Champions League final defeat to Manchester United.

But the road to May's Rome final is certain to feature many tougher tests than this and coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was determined to keep his team's feet on the ground.

"We know that we made many mistakes in the second half," he said. "We tried to attack without the ball and with no good combinations between the players.

"When you play in the Champions League and are winning 2-0 at half time you need to work the ball and control the game. You don't need to win 5-0, it is still the same three points."

Bordeaux boss Laurent Blanc added: "We were up against a superior team but we showed them too much respect. We weren't aggressive enough. The scoreline says it all."

The scoreline said it all too for AS Roma coach Luciano Spalletti as he contemplated one of the more humiliating results during his tenure.

"After half-time I thought it would improve as my players are capable of better than that," he said.

"But we got rattled, and it became even harder. The problem is as much physical as mental."

The faces of Barcelona's players expressed relief for a victory which Samuel Eto'o, who scored with a penalty, admitted did not come without a few nervy moments.

"It was nice to score with the penalty but winning was the most important thing," said Eto'o.

"We needed a victory after the difficult league start because otherwise the nerves can start to creep in. We had to get some confidence."

Atletico was far more convincing with Argentine Sergio Aguero especially impressive as he scored two of their goals - the only downside to the evening was an injury to Uruguayan star Diego Furlan.

Atletico's Mexican coach Javier Aguirre was in seventh heaven.

"Obviously I'm delighted about the result, especially coming away from home. It's fantastic," said Aguirre.

His PSV counterpart Huub Stevens tried to take the defeat on the chin.

"3-0, is obviously a huge slap in the face," said Stevens.

"Morale-wise it is not a great thing to happen. But I prefer to lose 3-0 than to lose 1-0 three times."

Source: China Daily

Score board

2008-09-18T07:57:00.011-07:00

Baseball

NEW YORK: Major League Baseball results on Tuesday

Chicago White Sox 6 NY YANKEES 2

CLEVELAND 12 Minnesota 9

LA Dodgers 6 PITTSBURGH 2

Baltimore 2 TORONTO 0

TAMPA BAY 2 Boston 1

Philadelphia 8 ATLANTA 7

FLORIDA 5 Houston 1

WASHINGTON 1 NY Mets 0

CINCINNATI 7 St Louis 2

TEXAS 5 Detroit 4

CHICAGO CUBS 5 Milwaukee 4

KANSAS CITY 6 Seattle 3

COLORADO 10 San Diego 3

ARIZONA 2 San Francisco 0

OAKLAND 8 LA Angels

Standings

American League

Eastern Division

W L PCT GB

Tampa Bay 89 60 .597 -

Boston 89 62 .589 1

NY Yankees 80 71 .530 10

Toronto 80 71 .530 10

Baltimore 67 82 .450 22

Central Division

Chi White Sox 84 66 .560 -

Minnesota 82 69 .543 2 1/2

Cleveland 74 77 .490 10 1/2

Detroit 70 80 .467 14

Kansas City 67 84 .444 17 1/2

Western Division

LA Angels 92 58 .613 -

Texas 75 77 .493 18

Oakland 70 80 .467 22

Seattle 57 93 .380 35

National League

Eastern Division

Philadelphia 84 67 .556 -

NY Mets 83 67 .553 1/2

Florida 78 72 .520 5 1/2

Atlanta 67 84 .444 17

Washington 58 93 .384 26

Central Division

Chicago Cubs 91 58 .611 -

Milwaukee 83 68 .550 9

Houston 80 70 .533 11 1/2

St. Louis 78 72 .520 13 1/2

Cincinnati 69 81 .460 22 1/2

Pittsburgh 63 88 .417 29

Western Division

LA Dodgers 79 72 .523 -

Arizona 74 76 .493 4 1/2

Colorado 69 83 .454 10 1/2

San Francisco 68 83 .450 11

San Diego 58 94 .382 21 1/2

SOCCER

European Champions League

PARIS: European Champions League results on Tuesday, the opening round of games in the 2008/2009 season:

Group A

At London: Chelsea 4 Bordeaux 0

At Rome: AS Roma 1 Cluj 2

Group B

At Athens: Panathinaikos 0 Inter Milan 2

At Bremen, Germany: Werder Bremen 0 Anorthosis 0

Group C

At Basel, Switzerland: FC Basel 1 Shakhtar Donetsk 2

At Barcelona, Spain:

Barcelona 3 Sporting Lisbon 1

Group D

At Eindhoven, Netherlands: PSV Eindhoven 0 Atletico Madrid 3

At Marseille, France: Marseille 1 Liverpool 2

English Championship

LONDON: English League The Championship results on Tuesday:

Barnsley 0 Cardiff 1

Bristol City 1 Birmingham 2

Burnley 2 Blackpool 0

Doncaster 0 Charlton 1

Preston 2 Nottingham Forest 1

Reading 6 Sheffield Wednesday 0

Sheffield United 1 Coventry 1

Swansea 1 Derby 1

Watford 1 Plymouth 2

Wolverhampton 2 Crystal Palace 1

Tennis

Pan Pacific Open

TOKYO: Results from the $1.34 million Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament on Tuesday :

Agnieszka Radwanska bt Aiko Nakamura 6-1, 6-4; Marion Bartoli bt Maria Kirilenko 6-2, 6-2; Ayumi Morita bt Agnes Szavay 6-7 , 7-5, 6-4; Dominika Cibulkova bt Amelie Mauresmo 0-6, 6-1, 7-6 ; Alize Cornet bt Aleksandra Wozniak 4-6, 6-3, 6-3; Flavia Pennetta bt Shahar Peer 6-4, 6-4; Kaia Kanepi bt Anna Chakvetadze 6-4, 3-6, 6-3; Francesca Schiavone bt Daniela Hantuchova 6-1, 7-5.

Guangzhou Open

GUANGZHOU: Results from the WTA Guangzhou Open on Tuesday:

1st round

Xu Yifan bt Stephanie Dubois 6-3, 6-1; Pauline Parmentier bt Han Xinyun 6-1, 7-5; Arantxa Rus bt Yanina Wickmayer 6-7 , 6-2, 6-4; Jill Craybas bt Anastasia Pivovarova 6-2, 6-4; Gisela Dulko bt Tatiana Poutchek 7-6 , 3-6, 6-4; Zheng Jie bt Sun Tiantian 6-0, 6-1.

Source: China Daily

Djokovic set for Brisbane International

2008-09-18T07:57:00.009-07:00

SYDNEY: World No 3 Novak Djokovic and French star Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - the finalists in this year's Australian Open - will top the draw at the Brisbane International, organizers said yesterday.

Former world No 1 and reigning French Open champion Ana Ivanovic was last month named as the top drawcard among the women competing at the inaugural event to be held in the lead-up to the Australian Open.

Djokovic said the January event would be a key part of his preparation to retain the Australian Open title he won in a dramatic four-set victory over Tsonga in Melbourne in January.

"It is the perfect way to begin my Australian campaign," the Serb said.

"It is going to be great to renew my acquaintance with the very supporting Australian tennis fans," he said in a statement.

Tsonga, who has missed some competitions this year following a knee operation, said he was looking forward to returning Down Under.

"Naturally I have fond memories of the blue Australian courts and they tell me the Brisbane surface is exactly the same as the Open," he said.

"I look forward to getting down there and trying to win the first event of the year."

Tournament director Steve Ayles said Djokovic and Tsonga were major draws for the new event.

"We really wanted these two. They ignite crowds all over the world. As well as being supremely gifted, they play the game with athleticism, flair and personality," he said.

The Brisbane International, which replaces the men's Adelaide International and the women's Gold Coast tournament, will be held in the northeastern Australian city from Jan 4-11.

Source: China Daily

More world records fall on final day

2008-09-18T07:57:00.007-07:00

Paralympians wrapped up the final day of their Games in spectacular style at the National Stadium yesterday, setting new records in all of the five marathon events.

Athens silver medalist, Austria's wheelchair racer Thomas Geierspichler broke his own world record by about three minutes in the T52 class.

Mexico's runner Mario Santillan smashed the previous T46 world record of 2 hours, 31 minutes and 15 seconds set by Spain's Javier Conde, shortening the time by about three minutes. Meanwhile, China's Qi Shun walked away with a gold and a new world record in class T12 for athletes with visual impairment.

Australia's defending wheelchair racing champion Kurt Fearnley set a new Paralympic record in the men's marathon T54, winning his fourth medal in Beijing. Switzerland's Edith Hunkeler also set a new Paralympic record in the women's T54. Both athletes took bronzes in the previous evening in the 1,500m.

Chinese and French fencers grabbed the last two golds on offer at the fencing hall.

In the men's individual sabre category A final, 21-year-old Ye Ruyi of China took his second gold of the Games by upsetting fellow teammate Tian Jianquan 15-14. The bronze went to Italian Alberto Pellegrini.

France's Laurent Francois defeated Hong Kong fencer Hui Charn Hung and won the gold in the men's individual saber category B. Ukrainian Serhiy Shenkevych took the bronze.

Defending champion Brazil lifted the title in football 5-a-side by beating China 2-1 thanks to a late penalty from Marcos Pelipe with just 25 seconds to go.

The South American powerhouse remained unbeaten throughout the six-team tournament in Beijing while China, a Paralympic debutant in the sport, finished second.

Argentina, the Athens silver medalist, beat Spain 1-1 in a penalty shootout to win the bronze.

Source: China Daily

Mickelson content to leave leadership to Azinger

2008-09-18T07:57:00.005-07:00

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky: Phil Mickelson is reluctant to take on a leadership role for the United States at this week's Ryder Cup, despite being the most experienced American on the 12-man team.

Justin Leonard, Hunter Mayhan, Anthony Kim and Phil Mickelson during a practice round for the 37th Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday. AFP
The left-hander will be representing his country for the seventh time in the biennial competition but believes US captain Paul Azinger has given the host requisite direction and guidance.

"My only responsibility is to play well," world No 2 Mickelson told reporters on Tuesday after the first official day of practice at Valhalla Golf Club.

"That's something I've been working on and all of the players have been working hard on. We are all getting ready and hopefully we'll be sharp and have our 'A' game because we know that our competition is very strong.

"I think captain Azinger has been a wonderful leader for us," added Mickelson of a US team containing six rookies.

"One of the biggest challenges heading into a Ryder Cup is some of the uncertainty we'll face during the week. He's been a great captain and has given us great direction."

Mickelson has tasted victory only once in six matches against Europe and concedes the Americans will go into this week's matches as clear underdogs.

"I don't feel there's a question about that. Given our play and given the fact that we've lost our top player, that's the case," he said, referring to the absence of injured world No 1 Tiger Woods.

"But it doesn't mean that we can't come out and play well and, with the help of the crowd and with a golf course that's very well suited for many of our players, have a great week and possibly come out on top."

Europe is bidding for a fourth successive victory over the Americans. It won the last two matches by record-equaling margins of 18-1/2 points to 9-1/2.

Bittersweet memories

Justin Leonard produced one of the greatest Ryder Cup moments nine years ago when he holed a spectacular winning putt but the American said on Tuesday he wished he had done things differently.

Returning to the US Ryder Cup squad for the first time since 1999, Leonard recalled his snaking 45-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole in the last-day singles that clinched an astonishing fightback victory for the US over Europe.

The American win was marred by accusations of unsporting behavior over the three days, culminating in a charge across the 17th green by US players and their spouses shortly after Leonard had holed his spectacular putt.

His opponent Jose Maria Olazabal was yet to complete the hole.

"I would have done it differently," Leonard told reporters. "But I think you have to keep in mind there was so much emotion that day and we had so much momentum going, and unfortunately that spilled over into it.

"I certainly would have done some things differently. I know for myself and for anybody that was on that team, it didn't take away from our victory at all, but I think we all would have done some things differently."

Following years of escalating sniping between the Americans and Europeans, Brookline was a watershed in the Ryder Cup's transformation from a friendly competition to an ill-tempered affair.

Since Brookline the respective captains have succeeded in returning the spirit of sportsmanship to the Ryder Cup and while Leonard regrets the unpleasant scenes, the shot remains one of golf's most memorable.

"It's been nine years for me, and I've got some good memories of Ryder Cups, and hopefully I can bring some of those memories back and help the team as best I can," Leonard said.

"I've been asked about it a lot, been able to relive it quite a bit.

"It's been a lot of fun, especially in Boston at the Deutsche Bank a few weeks ago, being pretty close to Brookline, I heard it at least once a hole, so that was a very fun week."

Source: China Daily

Navarro's 9th RBI single wins for Rays

2008-09-18T07:57:00.003-07:00

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida: Dioner Navarro singled with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning, enabling Tampa Bay to beat Boston 2-1 on Tuesday and remain in first place in the American League East.

New York Yankees' Derek Jeter tips his helmet to the cheering crowd after he hit a single, his 1,270th hit at Yankee Stadium, during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox in their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York on Tuesday. The hit came off White Sox Starting pitcher Gavin Floyd. Reuters
Navarro delivered his second game-winner in a week against the defending World Series champions, lifting a fly ball that sailed over the head of center fielder Coco Crisp on a 2-2 pitch from Justin Masterson .

A night after Boston hit six homers to rout Rays ace Scott Kazmir 13-5 and pull within percentage points of the division lead, Tampa Bay wiped out a 1-0 deficit on Carlos Pena's seventh-inning homer off Josh Beckett.

The Rays, who have led the division for the past 54 days, moved one game ahead of the Red Sox, who have lost seven of eight at Tropicana Field this season. Dan Wheeler struck out the only batter he faced to bail Tampa Bay out of a ninth-inning jam and get the victory before 32,079.

White Sox 6, Yankees 2

In New York, Gavin Floyd pitched seven innings against New York and Paul Konerko had two hits and an RBI in his return from a knee injury for AL Central-leading Chicago.

Alexei Ramirez homered and Juan Uribe had three hits and drove in two runs for Chicago, which began the night with a 1 1/2game lead over Minnesota. Ken Griffey Jr. had an RBI single and Brian Anderson added an run-scoring double for the White Sox.

Floyd put runners in scoring position in four of his seven innings but gave up just two runs for his first win in three starts this month. Floyd gave up nine hits, including Jason Giambi's 31st homer, and struck out three without walking a batter.

Derek Jeter passed Lou Gehrig for most career hits at the soon-to-close Yankee Stadium with his 1,270th, a sharp single in the first inning.

Eagles 8 Braves 7

In Atlanta, Ryan Howard rallied Philadelphia back into the National League East lead, hitting a go-ahead homer in the eighth for his fourth hit in the victory over Atlanta on Tuesday.

Brad Lidge escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth for his 37th save in as many chances and Philadelphia moved a half-game in front of fading New York, which lost 1-0 at Washington.

After trailing the Mets by 3 1/2 games going into last Thursday, Philadelphia leads the division for the first time since Aug 26.

Howard had a run-scoring triple as the Phillies scored twice in the seventh. He leads the majors with 45 homers and 136 RBIs. He was 4-for-5 with three RBIs.

Nationals 1, Mets 0

At Washington, Odalis Perez shut down slumping New York and scored the only run of the game.

The Mets lost for the fourth time in five games and dropped one-half game behind Philadelphia in the NL East.

A day after John Lannan held the Mets to one hit over seven innings, New York mustered just two in the first seven innings against Perez .

The lefty retired 13 straight between the hits - which came in the first and sixth innings - and never let a runner advance beyond second. Perez struck out six and did not walk a batter in 7 1/3 innings, his longest outing since Aug. 11, 2005.

With two outs in the fifth, Perez hit a soft liner to left that Fernando Tatis dived for and missed, allowing Perez to reach second with a double. Tatis remained on the ground in pain, eventually walking off with a separated right shoulder. After a walk, Cristian Guzman drove in Perez with a ground-rule double.

Cubs 5, Brewers 4

At Chicago, CC Sabathia took his first NL loss as Chicago dealt Milwaukee its fifth straight defeat while spoiling interim manager Dale Sveum's debut.

Sabathia , acquired by the Brewers on July 7, had won 12 straight decisions overall, dating to a June 5 loss to Texas when he was still pitching for Cleveland. He gave up four runs and nine hits in seven innings, including Alfonso Soriano's 29th homer in the seventh.

Sveum replaced Ned Yost, who was fired Monday in a shocking move by a team that is still 15 games over .500 with 11 left. But the Brewers lost for the 12th time in 15 games and fell one-half game behind New York for the NL wild card.

Source: China Daily

Top shot

2008-09-18T07:57:00.001-07:00

Bob Bryan out of US Cup team

MADRID: American Bob Bryan, one half of the world's top-ranked doubles pair, has pulled out of the Davis Cup semifinal against Spain starting on Friday after aggravating a shoulder injury.

Bryan told the tournament website that he exacerbated the injury while winning the US Open doubles title with his twin brother Mike.

"I had to shut it down now. I can't even hit any balls," he said. Partner Mike Bryan, who has not played a tournament without his twin brother since 2002, said he had been practising with US Open quarterfinalist Mardy Fish. Captain Patrick McEnroe would not confirm if they would be the doubles pair. "The shoulder has been bothering him since Wimbledon. It's been a long summer, he has been taking anti-inflammatories and it's pretty sore," Mike Bryan told a news conference in the Las Ventas bullring, which still stages the event.

"I'm not a doctor but I think it is pretty serious."

The US team, which will depend on Andy Roddick with 20-year-old Sam Querrey also included, faces world No 1 Rafael Nadal and a strong Spanish team enjoying home advantage on their favorite clay surface.

Shoaib banned in Pakistan

KARACHI, Pakistan: Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will not be allowed to take part in the domestic season unless he pays a fine of 7 million Pakistan rupees .

The legal counsel for the Pakistan Cricket Board said Shoaib would not be eligible to start the season on Oct 4 with the highly popular Twenty20 national championship until he had cleared the fine.

"He has to pay the fine first or get a stay order from the court against it. Otherwise he can't play for Pakistan or anywhere in Pakistan at any level," Tafazzul Rizvi said.

The Board's appellate tribunal reduced in June a five year ban imposed on the fast bowler to 18 months. But it asked him to pay the hefty fine as punishment.

Shoaib then filed a petition in the Lahore High Court against the ban and fine and the court suspended the ban until the case was decided.

Rizvi said the court had not suspended the fine and Shoaib had to pay it to fulfil legal formalities.

Shoaib was fined following his criticism of Pakistan selectors.

McLaren defends Kovalainen

LONDON: McLaren defended Heikki Kovalainen's performance on Tuesday after the Finn lost to Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel in last weekend's Italian Grand Prix despite starting on the front row.

"Heikki has no reason to feel disappointed," said McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh in a team debrief.

"The reality is that he didn't put a foot wrong all weekend and looked blindingly fast in dry, damp and full-wet conditions," he added.

"He struggled a little with visibility in the early stages of the race and had a few difficulties with his tyres and brake temperatures, but we are not disappointed with his result.

"Let's not forget that Heikki is fearsomely quick but is still very much developing his approach. We have a clearly defined program for him in the weeks and months ahead and feel certain that he will only grow stronger."

Kovalainen, in his first season with McLaren after a difficult rookie year with Renault, won last month's Hungarian Grand Prix but has fallen out of contention in the championship battle.

British teammate Lewis Hamilton has won four of the 14 races so far, as well as being stripped of a fifth victory in Belgium, and leads the championship with 78 points. Kovalainen is sixth overall.

Source: China Daily

Age becomes an issue for Indian cricket stalwarts

2008-09-18T07:56:00.009-07:00

NEW DELH: India's four most senior batsmen, the engine room of the national side for more than a decade, are facing a debate over their age and whether the time is ripe to inject fresh blood into the test squad.

India's Saurav Ganguly runs during a practice session in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata last week. Reuters
Dubbed the "Fab Four", former captains Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar plus Vangipurappu Laxman are coming under pressure ahead of a high-profile home test series against Australia starting on Oct 9.

The heated debate has been sparked after they struggled during a 2-1 test series defeat in Sri Lanka in July and August, where spin sensation Ajantha Mendis repeatedly foxed them.

Experts and the media have speculated that the first casualty could be Ganguly, the oldest among the senior batsman at 36 and India's most successful test captain.

Ganguly, who made a splendid second comeback in late 2006, has been omitted for next week's Irani Cup five-day game between Rest of India and Ranji champions Delhi, seen as a selection game for the Australia series.

Tendulkar and Dravid are both 35 and are showing signs that their reflexes are slowing down. The side must also face the fact that test skipper and leading spinner Anil Kumble turns 38 next month.

Some experts feel that a younger generation of one-day players, led by wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, will pile extra pressure on the seniors.

Dhoni, who led the team to last year's World Twenty20 win, shone with the bat to help clinch India's first one-day series win in Sri Lanka, countering Mendis much better than the seniors did in the preceding tests.

Among the four elder batsmen, only Tendulkar still plays one-dayers but he has suffered a spate of injuries this year. The Irani Cup will mark a return from his latest layoff.

There is anticipation that the team against Australia could reveal changes, continuing the firm decisions taken by the national selectors under ex-skipper Dilip Vengsarkar since 2006.

Vengsarkar's panel has successfully reshaped the one-day side since India's shock first-round exit in the 2007 World Cup and coach Gary Kirsten has favored a gradual change in tests.

Former chief selector Chandu Borde saw Ganguly's omission as a message for the others.

"When they select a team they also see how good fielders they are," he said. "As they get older, their reflexes, particularly in fielding, come down. This is also an indication for the other seniors."

The whispers for change began early this year, after a young one-day side cashed in on Tendulkar's superb batting efforts to clinch a tri-series in Australia.

The Sri Lanka tests only added weight to the argument that the time has come to set aside sentiment.

Ganguly and Tendulkar averaged around 16 and Dravid made 25 runs apiece from six innings in Sri Lanka. Laxman, 33, scored 215 runs at an average of 43 to somewhat acquit himself.

On many occasions, senior Indian batsmen were given out after decisions by on-field umpires were referred to the TV official in a new system being trialed.

One former player felt the quartet were shown in poorer light because the referrals, especially over leg-before appeals, wiped out the benefit of doubt which batsmen normally enjoy.

Madan Lal, former India all rounder and coach, felt the seniors should consider their future carefully.

"Just because they didn't score runs in Sri Lanka doesn't mean they are not good players," he said. "But when the time comes in life, you have to face all this.

"We don't know when we want to go," he added. "We keep on lingering, one year, one year. That is the problem with us."

Lal said younger one-day batsmen Suresh Raina and Subramaniam Badrinath needed to be given test opportunities alongside Yuvraj Singh, who has played only 23 tests since his debut in 2003.

"I've a lot appreciation for Saurav," Lal said. "He has done well, was a good captain, scored lot of runs in one-day and test cricket, but now comes the time when you have to say goodbye.

"Go like a champion, the way you played."

However, opener Virender Sehwag defended the seniors.

"The four have been playing cricket together for more than 10 years," he said. "They have often rescued India when the team was in trouble."

Source: China Daily

Mission Hills Golf World Cup seed teams announced

2008-09-18T07:56:00.007-07:00

The 18 seeded teams competing in the 2008 Omega Mission Hills Golf World Cup have been revealed with Scotland, represented by Alastair Forysth and Colin Montgomerie, set to defend the title.

The United States, winners of 24 times in the Cup history, is yet to announce their players, while the host Chinese team will name its players later next week. A total of 34 players from 28 teams are set to compete in the annual event.

Scotland is seeking to win back-to-back titles in the 5.5 million U.S. competition at the Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China, schedudled from November 27 to 30 with Montgomerie looking to retain the trophy he and Marc Warren claimed last year after beating the U.S team a playoff.

Montgomerie said: "I am really looking forward to being part of the team to defend Scotland's World Cup title. Alastair will be a great partner and I really hope we can enjoy the success that MarcWarren and I enjoyed last year. I thoroughly enjoy match play so will be looking forward to the week very much."

Sweden is the highest ranked team in the field, represented by world No.7 Henrik Stenson, who will be partnered by world No. 17 Robert Karlsson, winner of last week's Mercedes-Benz Championship.

England will send Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher to challenge the other teams.

Spain, looking to claim the first victory since 1984, will send Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal, while five times winners South Africa is represented by Rory Sabbatini and Richard Sterne.

Ireland, which first won the World Cup 50 years ago, will bid for a first win since 1997, with Graeme McDowell and Paul McGinley in the team.

Germany, twice winners of the tournament, will attempt to win a third World Cup with Martin Kaymer teaming up with Alex Cejka, while 2005 winners Wales will also try to seal a third win, represented by Bradley Dredge and Richard Johnson.

Four times winner Australia, represented by Richard Green and Brendan Jones, is also a strong power in the field.

The remaining nine teams will be determined in the qualifiers in Europe, Asia and South America.

Following are the teams which have announced their players:

Australia

Chile

Denmark

England

France

Germany

India

Ireland

Japan

New Zealand

Scotland

South Africa

Spain

Sweden

Chinese Taipei

Thailand

Wales

Source: Xinhua

Coe confident of 'great Games'

2008-09-18T07:56:00.005-07:00

The chief of the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games is confident the city will deliver a great Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 after learning from his Beijing counterparts.

"The Beijing Games will be remembered, in my view, for wonderful elite sports, superb organization, stunning venues and spectacular Opening and Closing Ceremonies," said Sebastian Coe, the British double Olympic medalist and chairman of LOCOG.

"Beijing a great Games. We have a great responsibility and we will match Beijing and also deliver a great Games."

Coe said he had learned a lot from the Beijing organizing committee during the Olympics and Paralympics.

"The attention to detail that BOCOG brought to both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and particularly the Paralympic Games, is something we would want to emulate in London," he said on Tuesday. "Service provided to competitors has been of the highest order."

Coe said London had learned from Beijing that the Games was not just about the timely delivery of infrastructure, but also about legacy and correct emphasis.

"Athletes have to be at the center of these championships. If you have athletes at the center of the project, you have to deliver well in so many other areas," he said.

"Secondly, presentation of the sports should further foster understanding of these sports, with one aim in mind, to broaden interest among young people in Olympic and Paralympic sports."

The London 2012 Olympic Games will run from July 27 to Aug 12, while the Paralympic Games will take place from Aug 2 to Sept 9.

"Our responsibility over the next four years is to deliver a Games that will continue to excite and engage young people both in Olympic and Paralympic sports and to leave structures behind that go on delivering for young people," he said.

Coe also promised that all venues would be completed on schedule and tickets would be available in 2011.

"All the venues will be delivered on time. That's the essential requirement of the Games. I'm entirely confident that will be the case," he said.

"We have started much of our Olympic infrastructure ahead of schedule. the Olympic venues started three months ahead of schedule."

The venues will also be a valuable legacy for young people in the city.

"Londoners have a rich tradition of being involved in sports. But for many years, it has not had the facilities or the infrastructure to realize many of those ambitions. So these facilities will provide a valuable quality of service for the local community," he said.

"We also want those facilities to inspire young people throughout the whole country to take care of Olympic and Paralympic sports."

Source: China Daily

Chinese President meets Jordan King, pledges closer cooperation

2008-09-18T07:56:00.003-07:00

Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with Jordanian King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein, who is on a two-day visit to China and attends the Beijing 2008 Paralympics closing ceremony, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Sept. 17, 2008.
Chinese President Hu Jintao highlighted his country's cooperation with Jordan in a meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein on Wednesday.

The king, who is on a two-day visit to China, is attending the Beijing 2008 Paralympics closing ceremony on Wednesday night in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in north Beijing.

President Hu said China highly values its cooperation with Jordan and hopes to deepen such cooperation through intensified efforts.

Hu said leaders of both countries shall maintain communication on important issues in the bilateral relations, while the two countries shall also take care of each other's core interests and critical concerns.

China appreciates Jordan's long-time adherence to the one-China policy, and will continue to support Jordan's efforts to safeguard national stability, promote economic and social progress, and seek a bigger role in regional and international affairs, Hu said.

China will actively push for practical cooperation with Jordan in areas like resources development, and advance its economic and trade relations with Jordan in an all-round and in-depth manner, he added.

Hu also took the opportunity to thank the Jordanian government and people for their support to the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, as well as their assistance to China when the country was hit by a major earthquake in May.

The Jordanian king told Hu that the Chinese government and people have impressed the world with their successful hosting of the two Games.

Jordan will steadfastly follow the one-China policy, and be firmly committed to the development of a strategic cooperative relationship with China, said the king.

The two countries shall strengthen their exchanges and cooperation in such fields as resources development, infrastructure construction, trade, science and technology, culture, and human resources development, he noted.

China is playing an important role in the Middle East and Africa, and Jordan welcomes and supports China to continue to play a constructive role in the region, he added.

Following their talks, the two leaders attended the signing ceremony of documents regarding bilateral cooperation on economic, agricultural technologies and resources development.

Source: Xinhua

LOCOG chief Coe confident of "Great Games"

2008-09-18T07:56:00.001-07:00

The chief of the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games is confident the city will deliver a great Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 after learning from his Beijing counterparts.

"The Beijing Games will be remembered, in my view, for wonderful elite sports, superb organization, stunning venues and spectacular Opening and Closing Ceremonies," said Sebastian Coe, the British double Olympic medallist and chairman of LOCOG.

Sebastian Coe, chairman of London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games , speaks during a press conference held at the Beijing International Media Center in Beijing, China, Aug. 22, 2008.
"Beijing a great Games. We have a great responsibility and we will match Beijing and also deliver a great Games."

Coe said he had learned a lot from the Beijing organizing committee during the Olympics and Paralympics.

"The attention to detail that BOCOG brought to both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and particularly the Paralympic Games, is something we would want to emulate in London," he said on Tuesday. "Service provided to competitors has been of the highest order."

Coe said London had learned from Beijing that the Games was not just about the timely delivery of infrastructure, but also about legacy and correct emphasis.

"Athletes have to be at the center of these championships. If you have athletes at the center of the project, you have to deliver well in so many other areas," he said.

"Secondly, presentation of the sports should further foster understanding of these sports, with one aim in mind, to broaden interest among young people in Olympic and Paralympic sports."

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2008 shows the London's 8-minute performance during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games held in the National Stadium, also know as the Bird's Nest in Beijing, capital of China.
The London 2012 Olympic Games will run from July 27 to Aug 12, while the Paralympic Games will take place from Aug 2 to Sept 9.

"Our responsibility over the next four years is to deliver a Games that will continue to excite and engage young people both in Olympic and Paralympic sports and to leave structures behind that go on delivering for young people," he said.

Coe also promised that all venues would be completed on schedule and tickets would be available in 2011.

"All the venues will be delivered on time. That's the essential requirement of the Games. I'm entirely confident that will be the case," he said.

"We have started much of our Olympic infrastructure ahead of schedule. the Olympic venues started three months ahead of schedule."

The venues will also be a valuable legacy for young people in the city.

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2008 shows a scene of the London 2012 flag handover presentation on the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday.
"Londoners have a rich tradition of being involved in sports. But for many years, it has not had the facilities or the infrastructure to realize many of those ambitions. So these facilities will provide a valuable quality of service for the local community," he said.

"We also want those facilities to inspire young people throughout the whole country to take care of Olympic and Paralympic sports."

Source:China Daily