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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
The Beijing Hour
Evening Edition
Tuesday, August 27th, 2013.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this evening.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is getting ready to take part in his first official visit to Central Asia next week.
The government of Russia is warning of "catastrophic" consequences if Syria is attacked militarily.
Brazil's foreign minister has resigned in the wake of a fugitive Bolivian senator finding refuge inside Brazil's borders.
In Business，Industrial profits are on the rise here in China.
In sports，Li Na has eased into the 2nd round of the US Open.
In entertainment，Nsync is denying rumors of a revival tour.
Weather
Beijing will have moderate rain tonight with a low of 22 degrees Celsius. Tomorrow light rain with a high temperature of 28.
Meanwhile Shanghai will be cloudy tonight, with a low of 27, cloudy tomorrow, with a high of 35.
Lhasa will have showers tonight, 11 degrees the low, cloudy tomorrow with a high of 23.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, thundershowers, with a high of 32.
Kabul, sunny, 33.
Over in Australia
Sydney, sunny, highs of 23.
Canberra, sunny, 20.
Brisbane, sunny, 27.
And finally, Perth will have rain with a high of 19.
Top News
Xi Jinping will start four-nation tour in Central Asia next week
Anchor:
Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to start a four-nation tour in Central Asia next week, which will also take him through St. Petersberg, Russia for this year's G20 Summit.
CRI's Su Yi has the details.
Reporter:
Xi Jinping will start his trip to the four nations, Turkmenstan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on September 3rd.
It's widely expected that the President's first official tour of the region should help clairify the new administration's foregin policy in the region.
Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping.
"Xi Jinping's four-nation tour in the region will coincide with a head-of-states summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. It is expected the countries will sign many important cooperation treaties in the fields of energy, transportation, telecommunications and other investments."
Cheng adds aside from getting business deals done, the Chinese president will also deliver a speech at the University of Nazarbayev in Kazakhstan to outline the new Chinese leadership's foreign policy in Cenral Asia.
Following this, Xi Jinping will travel to Russia for the G20 Summit.
His time there is expected to outline China's expectations for the reform of the International Monetary Fund.
Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong.
"A key part of the president's deliberation at the summit will focus on the reform of the quota system of the IMF, whereby the emerging markets and developing countries can increase their representation and voting rights in the organization."
Aside from pushing for deeper reforms in the IMF, Xi Jinping is also expected to hammer-home China's resolve toward reducing trade protectionism at the summit.
The G20 summit will also give Xi Jinping an opportunity to meet seperately on bilateral issues with the G20 leaders.
Some have speculated the Chinese leader might have used the occasion to meet with his Japanese counterpart to ease frictions between the two countries.
However, Li Baodong says the Japanese government lacks the fundamental sincerity in maintaining good ties with China.
"Japan has disregarded historical facts, has refused to seriously engage in talks over the Diaoyu Islands. Leaders there have deliberately tried to escalate tension. Then how can we meeting on such basis?"
Li Baodong says the Chinese side will only meet with Japan's leaders when Japan starts taking substantive steps toward trying to mend ties.
At issue is the dispute over the Diaoyu Islands, as well as recent trips to the controversial Yasakuni Shrine by members of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet.
For CRI, I am Su Yi.
Russia warns of 'catastrophic' Syria strike
Anchor
The Russian government has issued a statement, saying military intervention in Syria could have "catastrophic consequences" for the region.
The Russian side is calling on the international community to show "prudence" amid the current situation.
The warning comes amid reports the UK is drawing up contigency plans for military action.
Meanwhile, Syria's foreign minister has been holding a news conference, denying the government has deployed chemical weapons.
At the same time, Walid al- Moallem says any potential military strike against Syria will not affect the advancement of the Syrian troops against the rebels.
All this comes as UN chemical weapons inspectors begin their second day of investigations in the suburbs of Damascus where an alleged chemical weapon attack has taken place.
The UN team came under fire from unidentified snipers on Monday.
CRI's Cao Yuwei has more.
Reporter:
Snipers opened fire on Monday striking a vehicle in a UN convoy carrying a team investigating the alleged use of chemical weapons outside of Damascus.
A spokesman for UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq says the attack forced investigators back to their base.
"I don't have any details about the direction from which the shooting came. The shooters have not been identified as of yet, although we certainly hope that the parties will help bring this issue to a close and prevent any further recurrence."
Both the Syrian government and the rebels accuse each other of carrying out the attack.
One the first day of investigations UN experts visited two hospitals, interviewing witnesses, survivors and also collecting samples.
Both the US and the UK say they have information suggesting Syrian government forces have deployed chemical weapons.
U.S Secretary of State John Kerry has called the use of chemical weapons against civilians in Syria "inexcusable" and "undeniable."
"the indiscriminate slaughter of civilians, the killing of women and children and innocent bystanders by chemical weapons is a moral obscenity. By any standard it is inexcusable and despite the excuses and equivocations that some have manufactured, it is undeniable."
The US is accusing the Bashar al-Assad government of destroying evidence.
Meanwhile unusual activity has been monitored at a British military base in Cyprus, causing speculation of possible preparation for military action against government targets in Syria.
However, the Syrian president has dismissed the chemical weapons charges.
Assad says Western claims that the Syrian government used chemical weapons were "an insult to common sense."
Meanwhile, Russia is blaming the Syrian opposition for manipulating reports of a sniper attack on UN experts.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says there is no evidence supporting the accusations.
"They have announced it officially in Washington, London and Paris that they have inconvertible information, inconvertible evidence, regarding the guilt of the Syrian authorities. They cannot produce evidence, but keep on saying that the 'red line' has been crossed and they cannot wait any longer."
The EU has said it is important UN inspectors in Syria are able to examine evidence as quickly as possible and reach clear conclusions.
Chinese government says it is firmly opposed to the use of chemical weapons by any party in Syria.
For CRI, this is Cao Yuwei.
E-reading recorded calling on China opens up its digital publications market
The General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television is on record saying it has plans to further open up the country's digital publication market.
A top official from the media watchdog says the Chinese side wants more foreign digital publishers cooperating with local digital publishers.
Digital publication has become a booming market in recent years.
The sector generated a total revenue of 190-billion yuan last year.
This is up 40-percent year on year.
For more on the digitization of reading, and its business implications, CRI's Zheng Chenguang spoke earlier with Catherine Khoo, a Publisher with Experiences & Experiments Books in Singapore.
…
Catherine Khoo, a Publisher with Experiences & Experiments Books in Singapore, speaking with CRI's Zheng Chenguang.
Wildfire may threaten San Francisco's water supply
A raging wildfire in California's Yosemite National Park is threatening the water supply for the city of San Francisco.
Local utility officials say they're concerned that runoff from the normal spring flooding will dump ash and charred debris into the city's Reservoir.
California Governor Jerry Brown.
"Well the water concern is that as the months go on and the winter comes and the floods move all the ash and loose debris onto the water and the water gets contaminated, that's bad. So whatever the firefighters can do to prevent that, we're doing."
A massive new 4.6 billion US dollars gravity-operated pipeline system to move water quickly to reservoirs closer to San Francisco is being put into operation.
Utility officials point out the ash is non-toxic.
The city will begin filtering water for customers if problems are detected.
The fire is also threatening two groves of giant sequoias that are unique in the region.
Japan cancels launch of rocket
Japanese authorities have cancelled the launch of a new rocket.
Officials haven't said why the launch of the cheaper rocket has been cancelled, other than to say it suffered "a problem."
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency had been planning to fire-off the three-stage Epsilon rocket from a space centre on southern Japan earlier this Tuesday.
Speaking before the cancellation, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga expressed his governments hope the rocket would pave the way for further Japanese space exploration.
"This satellite has much possibility for expanding usage going forward. We believe this enables us to secure robustness and efficiency for space-related developments. The rocket's development is the result of the accumulation of the wisdom of all organizations that are involved, and we very much anticipate its successful launch of the Epsilon rocket."
The Epsilon, designed to be a cheaper and more efficient way of putting satellites into space, is the first new rocket design for Japan since the H2A was introduced in 2001.
Authorities say it's unclear when or if the launch will be rescheduled.
The cause of the malfunction is under investigation.
Palestinians call off round of talks after three killed in clashes with troops
A leading Palestinian official says planned peace talks with Israel have been called off following Monday's deadly clashes in the West Bank.
Israeli troops shot and killed 3 Palestinians as part of a raid on Monday.
More than a dozen others were wounded in the fighting.
The clashes broke out after Israeli forces stormed a refugee camp looking for suspected militants.
Hanan Ashraw is an executive committee member of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
"This is clearly the use of live ammunition again densely populated areas and the storming of refugee camps using tremendous violence and live fire has led to this tragic murder of Palestinians and the wounding of 15 others, six of them critically. This betrays a mentality of violence, of militarism and total disregard for human lives - and of course a total disregard for the most basic tenets of civilised and ethical behaviour."
An Israeli border police spokesperson say hundreds of Palestinians poured into the streets, hurling firebombs, concrete blocks and rocks at the Israeli officers.
The Israeli military says it only responded because its troops were in imminent danger.
Despite the Palestinian claim the peace talks have been suspended, an official in Washington says the meeting between the two sides has gone ahead as planned.
Brazilian FM resigns amid row with Bolivia over senator's escape
Brazil's president has named a new foreign minister.
This, after former foreign minister Antonio Patriota resigned over a diplomatic row with neighboring Bolivia.
Patriota has resigned a day after Bolivian senator Roger Pinto, who is wanted for multiple charges in his home country, was helped by a Brazilian diplomat into Brazil.
Roger Pinto had been holed up in the Brazilian Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia for over 450-days.
Bolivia has opposed Brazil granting asylum to the senator.
Pinto, a right-wing opponent of Bolivian President Evo Morales, alleges the corruption charges against him are politically-motivated.
Indian Lower House passes landmark Food Security Bill
India's lower house of parliament has passed a landmark Food Security Bill which will provide subsidized food to the country's poor.
The welfare scheme will cover two-thirds of the country's population.
If the bill is approved by India's upper house of parliament, about 800 million people will receive 5 kilograms of cheap grain every month.
The project is expected to cost the Indian government 24-billion U.S. dollars a year.
Critics argue the plan will hurt India's economy.
The main opposition in the Indian parliament says the scheme is still too narrow to tackle the widespread malnutrition in India.
Four-nation free trade zone launched in Latin America
The foreign ministers of Latin America's free-market Pacific Alliance have agreed on the establishment of a regional free trade zone.
The new free-trade zone will remove tariffs among the four emerging economies of Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile.
Chilean foreign minister Alfredo Charme.
"What you have before you is an agreement we have just signed that will perfectly integrate the economy, that all our countries in all products and services will finally have no barriers among them and will add to the capacity of these countries. We're talking about countries of about 200 million people which have the best growth, not just in the region, but in the majority of the world."
The four-nation grouping is hoping to promote free market policies to spur growth, attract more foreign investment and integrate their capital markets and energy networks.
The ministers attending the summit are downplaying suggestions the grouping is a rival for other blocs in the region.
The group's total gross domestic product accounts for more than one-third of Latin America's GDP.
Biz Reports
Asian Stock
Most Asian stocks fell Tuesday, with south-east Asian markets hit particularly hard.
The main exchange in the Philippines has tumbled 4 percent.
The afternoon trading session saw Indonesia's JSX drop 3.8 percent and Thailand's SET lose 1.7 percent.
Here in China, shares rose amid new data showing an increase in industrial profits.
We'll have more on that in just a moment.
Following the release of the new data, Dongfeng Automobile rose 1.4 percent, and China Shipping Container Lines added 3.4 percent.
Shares of several Shanghai-based firms also extended gains amid hopes they'll benefit from the planned free-trade zone in the city.
The Shanghai Composite was up 0.3 percent.
The Shenzhen Component gained 0.1 percent.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng fell 0.6 percent.
Japan's Nikkei dropped 0.7 percent.
South Korea's KOSPI lost 0.1 percent.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index plumeted 1.6 percent
Australia's ASX 200 gained 0.1 percent.
Industrial profit growth quickens as economy firms
New stats are suggesting major industrial Chinese firms have seen their profits rise through June.
The National Bureau of Statistics is reporting the combined profits from Chinese firms with more than 20-million yuan in annual revenues have risen by a combined 11.6-percent.
This compares to the 6.3-percent growth seen in June.
Among the 41 industries surveyed, 27 have seen growth in their profits increase through the first 6-months of the year.
Private businesses have led the growth in profits, rising 15.4-percent year on year through the first 7-months.
State-run enterprises have seen their profits rise 5.5-percent through the same period.
Shanghai's free-trade zone puts Hong Kong's future in the spotlight
Anchor:
The launch of the new Shanghai free-trade zone is meeting with support in Hong Kong, despite certian suggestions the plan may rob Hong Kong of some of its lustre as an international financial hub.
CRI's Hu Jia has more.
Report:
While a front-page story here on mainland, the go-ahead from the State Council to officially launch the Shanghai free-trade zone hardly make a splash in the media in Hong Kong.
Still, CRI's Hong Kong correspondent Xu Weiyi says those "in the know" in Hong Kong are paying attention to what's happening in Shanghai.
"The official approval served as a wake-up call to Hong Kong. It means it can no longer acclaim itself as the primal contender over competition of the offshore yuan trading center. Although Hong Kong's advantages lie in its direct financing capacity, in a long term, as Shanghai has gradually loosened the door to oversea capitals, Hong Kong if it doesn't want to be substituted, it should get a preemptive plan."
The Shanghai free-trade zone, championed by Premier Li Keqiang, is part of a larger plan for more financial liberalization here on the mainland, and in Shanghai in particular.
As part of its 10 years blueprint, authorities are hoping the new free-trade zone will turn Shanghai into a major international trade center by 2020.
Although the exact details of the plan are yet available, Foreign exchange regulations in the Shanghai FTZ are expected to be relaxed from their current standards.
It's also expected the municipal government in Shanghai will loosen its capital account controls and promote the yuan as the currency-of-choice for most business transactions.
Zuo Xiaolei, chief economist at China Galaxy Securities, says Hong Kong doesn't need to be threatened by any of the moves underway in Shanghai.
"Shanghai will be at a competing position to Hong Kong only on conditions that the city has gained the status of fully convertible yuan. At present, it doesn't strike a threat to Hong Kong's offshore RMB trading business. Actually I think to have this topic of two rival cities now is a bit of 'worrying too much". Even if there are overlaps, they should be regarded as healthy competitions. And Hong Kong needs a promising follower to spur its innovation."
The latest data shows the daily trading volume of the yuan in Hong Kong has jumped to a record high since May.
May was the first time the trading volume of the Renminbi surpassed local Hong Kong Dollars.
Offshore yuan market growth in Hong Kong has gathered momentum since it was launched in mid 2010.
Yuan deposits have grown from less than 1 percent of total deposits to around 10 percent in Hong Kong's banking system.
One concern being raised in Hong Kong about the FTZ in Shanghai is the potential loss of business through transient trade.
Many overseas firms looking to expand onto the mainland use Hong Kong as a 3rd party transit route.
Trade and logistics has helped Hong Kong's economy grow by 3-percent through the past quarter.
The sector accounts for nearly 25 percent of Hong Kong's economic output.
Mei Xinyu, a trade researcher with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, says that business in Hong Kong is likely to face fierce competition from Shanghai as the harbor becomes fully active.
"Shanghai Free Trade Zone includes free tax zones such as the Waigaoqiao Port and the Yangshan Deep Water Port that provides the city some inheritance for developing the transit trade business."
It is being reported that customs procedures in the Shanghai FTZ will be greatly simplified to allow goods to move freely in and out of the city.
Other plans for the Shanghai FTZ are expected to include a variety of incentives, such as tax breaks and reduced regulatory requirements for foreign and domestic businesses.
That may include lowering the restrictions for establishing foreign bank branches and insurance companies.
For CRI, I'm Hu Jia.
German business confidence on the rise
Business sentiment in Germany has hit its highest point in 16-months.
Stats from European think-tank IFO show its business-climate index has seen it's 4th monthly rise in a row through August.
The figures show business confidence in Germany is being driving by the upswing in manufacturing.
The German economy slowed to a halt at the end of last year and narrowly avoided recession through the first quarter of this year.
However, Germany's economy has grown at its strongest rate in more than a year in the second quarter, helping the euro zone as a whole out of its 1.5-year recession.
India approves raft of projects to kick-start investment
The Indian government has approved a raft of infrastructure projects in a bid to give a boost to the country's economy.
The Indian government is rolling out a stimulus package worth around 27-billion US dollars.
Most of the money is being directed toward 36 halted projects in the oil, gas, road and railway sectors.
The move comes as the country's currency hits record lows against the US dollar.
The government of India is also trying to have a 20 billion US dollar food assistance program approved as well.
Epson to recall defective printers in China
Epson China is recalling close to 170-thousand printers in this country.
The 16 different models are being recalled amid concerns about a fire hazard.
The printers, manufactured between September of 2011 and this June, have flaws in their electrical design which might lead to electrical shorts of self-ignitition.
The company is recalling and fixing the printers for free.
Headline News
China-Japan leaders meeting unlikely at G20 summit
Chinese vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong says it's unlikely the Chinese and Japanese leaders to hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the upcoming G20 summit in Russia.
Li Baodong says it's impossible for the Chinese government to take part in a meeting like that while Japan keeps making "provocative moves."
Ties between China and Japan have been strained amid the dispute over the Diaoyu Islands and recent trips to the controversial Yasakuni Shrine by members of Shinzo Abe's cabinet.
Russia warns of 'catastrophic' Syria strike
The Russian government has issued a statement, saying military intervention in Syria could have "catastrophic consequences" for the region.
The Russian side is calling on the international community to show "prudence" amid the current situation.
The warning comes amid reports the UK is drawing up contingency plans for military action.
Meanwhile, Syria's foreign minster has been holding a news conference, denying the government has deployed chemical weapons.
Walid al- Moallem also says any potential military strike against Syria will not affect the advancement of the Syrian troops against the rebels.
Meantime, UN chemical weapons inspectors are beginning their second day of investigations in Damascus where an alleged chemical weapon attack has taken place.
The UN team came under fire from unidentified snipers on Monday.
Industrial profit growth quickens as economy firms
New stats are suggesting major industrial Chinese firms have seen their profits rise through June.
The National Bureau of Statistics is reporting the combined profits from Chinese firms with more than 20-million yuan in annual revenues have risen by a combined 11.6-percent.
This compares to the 6.3-percent growth seen in June.
Among the 41 industries surveyed, 27 have seen growth in their profits increase through the first 6-months of the year.
Private businesses have led the growth in profits, rising 15.4-percent year on year through the first 7-months.
State-run enterprises have seen their profits rise 5.5-percent through the same period.
Agreement near on CRA establishment: Chinese bank official
The Deputy Governor of China's central bank says a Contingent Reserve Arrangement could soon be established among the BRICS countries.
With an initial size of 100-billion US dollars, the financial trust is designed to act as a stabilizer to the financial markets of the five major developing economies.
Yi Gang says BRICS leaders will discuss the details when they meet at the G20 summit in Russia early next month.
China to further open up its digital publications market
The General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television is on record saying it has plans to further open up the country's digital publication market.
A top official from the media watchdog says the Chinese side wants more foreign digital publishers cooperating with local digital publishers.
Digital publication has become a booming market in recent years.
The sector generated a total revenue of 190-billion yuan last year.
This is up 40-percent year on year.
Newspaper Picks
Xinhua
"Deer released to restore Siberian tiger population"
Dozens of deer were released in China's Jilin Province on Monday following a similar project last year, in an attempt to restore the region's Siberian tiger population.
Supervised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and local forestry authorities, seven red deer and 30 sika deer were released into the forests of Wangqing County near the Changbai Mountains.
WWF China released 22 red deer and 12 sika deer in July, 2012, in a bid to complete the food chain of the Siberian tiger, luring them to migrate from Russia's far east to China.
Siberian tigers are among the rarest species in the world. Only about 500 are estimated to live in the wild, most of which inhabit eastern Russia with only about 20 in northeast China.
Regular sightings of the rare felines, however, have been reported in China in recent years, prompting calls to cooperate with Russia on tiger protection and the expansion of nature reserves.
Global Times
"More expats leave within 5 years"
Previous report show over 200,000 foreigners are working in China, a number that has been increasing annually by 10 percent since 2000.
But a recent report from YourCareerChina shows that more than 60 percent foreigners will leave for their country after staying in China for less than 5 years.
The reason for the short stays varies from person to person, but many treat their experience in China as a stepping-stone for their future career.
First-hand experience in one of the largest economies in the world bestows the expats, especially those who just graduated, added value to compete with others. In order to gain this exclusive experience in China, many expats are willing to compromise on their salaries. The report from YourCareerChina shows that the salary of a foreign graduate in China is about 50,000 yuan per year, lower than one might think.
The Telegraph
"Japan to introduce internet 'fasting camps' for addicted kids"
Japan is planning to introduce Internet "fasting" camps staffed by education experts to help children overcome their addiction to the online world.
More than 500,000 Japanese children between the ages of 12 and 18 are believed to be addicted to the internet.
The ministry of education is planning a comprehensive research project into internet addiction, which is designed to get children away from their computers, mobile phones and hand-held game devices.
The ministry is proposing to hold "fasting" camps at outdoor learning centres and other public facilities where children will have no access to the Internet.
The youngsters will be encouraged to take part in outdoor activities, team sports and games, with psychiatrists and clinical psychotherapists on hand to provide counselling should the transition back into the real world prove too traumatic.
Internet addiction is blamed for sleep and eating disorders in growing numbers of young people in Japan, while extreme cases have led to symptoms of depression and deep vein thrombosis.
Special Reports
Mobile Internet Industry Sees more Opportunities for Youth
Anchor:
With the rapid rise in this country's mobile internet market, more and more young people are trying to get a foothold in teh sector.
CRI's Shen Ting has more.
Reporter:
The rapid development of China's mobile internet industry in the past two years has produced numerous business opportunities.
Qiao Liang is a product manager working at an app-making company in Beijing. Like other IT professionals, Qiao believes the future of the mobile internet industry is bright.
"I joined the mobile internet industry two years ago; before that, I worked for an ordinary internet company. As a product manager, if I hadn't become involved in the mobile internet industry as soon as possible, it would not have been good for my future career, because I think the popularity of mobile applications will exceed that of the internet."
According to an annual statistical report on the Chinese mobile phone market, 450 million Chinese people accessed the internet with mobile phones by the end of 2012, which accounts for almost 88 percent of China's overall internet users.
Qiao believes the mobile internet era is approaching.
"I could feel the move towards mobile internet when the iPhone 4 was released two years ago. Now, the price of smartphones with Android systems has dropped significantly to become affordable for the general public."
Qiao adds that the convenience of mobile phones and tablet computers has surpassed computers; and computers will probably become office tools in some professional industries, whereas the word input on mobile phones is not that convenient.
However, having worked in the mobile internet industry for over 2 years, Qiao still has his concerns.
"Currently there are many companies making games or apps for mobile phones. At the initial stage of development of the mobile market, everybody had opportunities to produce products for users to download, but now the competition is tough for many small companies who are struggling to survive in the market."
Where there is competition, however, there is also a market. Due to the growing numbers of smartphone and tablet computer users, mobile industries are booming. Qiao says he made the right choice in entering the mobile internet industry.
"In the past, I could never imagine that there were so many functions the mobile phone platform could provide. Now the smart equipment of mobile phone has many sensors like the gravity sensor, and it contains GPS capabilities and cameras. There is a large space for people to consider developing the mobile internet industry."
Su Huazheng is a market manager with China Mobile's Guangxi Branch.
"Mobile phones and computers have almost the same functions. But with the improving technologies, mobile phone companies will provide people with more creative and higher quality products. It is a good supplement to people's demand."
For CRI, I am ST.
Sports
Li Na through to second round at the US Open
Chinese ace Li Na is through to round-2 of the US Open.
Li Na needed just 64 minutes to win her first-round match, dispatching Belarussian Olga Govortsova 6-2, 6-2.
"I think before two or three years ago I cannot hung in there because I was feeling maybe I was crash because of the pressure. But now if you student of life, I have to learn every day. So this couple years I think I was stronger a little bit. Not too much. But still learn every day to, how do you say, like the pressure, like the way. I was feeling pressure can push me go forward."
Li Na, a quarter-finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2009, is set to take on world 100th seeded Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden.
Chengdu native and doubles specialist Zheng Jie is also through the first round of the singles competition after dummping Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands in straight sets.
Peng Shuai is getting her first round matchup underway as we speak.
She's taking on Austrian qualifer Yvonne Muesberger.
Later on tonight it's Chinese qualifier Duan Yingying taking on 6th seeded Caroline Wozniaki.
In other action from the Women's singles first round, it was Venus Williams playing like her former self.
The 7-time major champion, who's been battling illness for the past two years, returned to form, hammering Belgium's Kirsten Flipkins 6-1, 6-2, to easily move to the next round.
"For me I stay positive because I know I can play great tennis.Sometimes you just have to go through more than what you want to go through. Sometimes you have to have losses. When I had losses, it always motivates me a lot to do better and to work harder. So I realize that I haven't had a lot of chances to play this year or a lot of chances to play healthy this year, have had injuries and what have you, so I'm just going to have to keep working my way into it maybe more than some of the other players, but I know I can do that. That's what it is."
Venus' sister Serena has also moved through with ease.
She demolished former 2010 French Open champion Francesa Schiavone 6-love, 6-1.
On the men's side..
Rafael Nadal continues his hard-court form, dumping American Ryan Harrison 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.
He is set to battle Australian Bernard Tomic in the second round.
Spain's David Ferrer has also moved through in straight sets on the opening day over Australian Nick Kyrgios.
11th seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan has been bounced from the tournament early.
He went down in straight-sets to World 179th ranked Daniel Evans of Great Britian in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.
Tracy McGrady retires from NBA
7-time all-star Tracy McGrady has announced his retirement from the NBA.
"I think I've had a great run, and this comes to an end. I think I am happy and excited about what's the next to come.
Drafted out of high school by the Toronto Raptors in 1997, McGrady has averaged 19.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.
McGrady signed with the San Antonio Spurs in April after working his way back from injuries.
However, he never got on the floor for a team that made a run to the Finals.
Asked whether he may consider returning to China to play, McGrady says the "door's still open."
McGrady played last year for Qingdao in the China Basketball Association.
However, his presence only helped the Double Stars win 8 games last season, leaving the club last in the league.
Manchester United and Chelsea drew 0-0
In European football...
Manchester United and Chelsea have drawn nil-nil in Monday's Premier League fixture.
Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho says he's satisfied with the result, describing it as "fair."
"I think that it's a fair point. I think that nobody deserved to lose. Nobody did enough or nobody was better than the opponents to deserve a clear victory. So I think it's a fair point and I think for us, after two home victories, to come to the Champions and in their first match at home to get a point I think is fine. It's positive."
One of the sub-stories is Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney, who Chelsea have expressed an interest in buying.
Mourinho has given Rooney 48-hours to decide if he wants to remain with Man-U.
"I think that the person who starts the story has to finish the story. A club like us, a manager like me and the people that work in the club with me, we are not silly to try to get a player from a big club, a club that doesn't sell what they don't want to sell."
Rooney has netted 156 goals since joining the English Premier League in 2002.
A leading fixture for Manchester United, Rooney has reportedly become disenfranchised with the club after being left out of a number of matches toward the end of last year's season.
Former Portugal and Chelsea playmaker Deco retires
Former Portugal and Chelsea playmaker Deco, whose full name is Anderson Luis de Souza, has retired after 17 years in professional football.
The 35-year-old has been playing with Brazilian club Fluminese.
His contract was set to expire at the end of the year.
Deco has been battling a number of injuries.
He's played a total of 686 matches with eight clubs and the Portuguese national team over the course of his career.
His career has seen him net 116 goals and win 23 titles, including 11 with FC Porto, where he played from 1999-2004.
EurAsia Cup announcement made in Kuala Lumpur
The European Golf Tour is teaming up with the Asian Tour to launch a new match-play tournament next year called The EurAsia Cup.
The announcement has been made at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Malaysia, which will also will be the venue of the inaugural event.
Charlie Tingey is the Senior Director of the EurAsia tournament.
"If you look at the matrix, the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup, the EurAsia Cup kind of completes the circle. The Asian Tour being the fastest growing professional tour in the world, to be able to have the opportunity to put the Asian Tour in the shop window I think is great for the golfers across the region."
The tournament is scheduled to run from March 28th to 30th.
It will see 20 of the top golfers from Asia and Europe take part in head-to-head matchups over the 3-days.
The plan is to hold the event every 2-years.
Europe's squad will be made up of the top-4 players from the final Race to Dubai rankings, 4-players from the Official World Golf ranking and two captain's picks.
The make-up of the Asian team will include the 4-leading Asian players from the Asian Tour Order of Merit, the leading 3-Asian players on the official world golf rankings and three captain's picks.
Entertainment
Nsync denies tour rumours
They giveth and they taketh away.
After reuniting at Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards, rumors of a reunion tour have been spreading like a wildfire.
Unfortunately for the expectant fans amongst us, Nysnc have no plans to tour.
Singer JC Chasez has told the press that the performance was nothing more than a one off.
Chasez said that the band members took to the stage to support Justin Timberlake, who scooped up four gongs at the ceremony.
Chasez added that the performance was a last minute affair for Justin, who wanted to pay a nod to the boyband era of his career.
Whilst this may be disappointing news for those who grew up with the five piece, no need to worry as Timberlake is hotly preparing for the release of new material.
The singer teased his fourth studio album, The 20/20 experience: 2 of 2 in an open letter on his website.
In the statement, Timberlake announced that 20/20 Experience 2 of 2 will drop on September 30th.
The singer has hyped the recording process of the upcoming album as "like no other time" he's ever had in the studio.
Transformers casts four more Chinese actors.
After a four months televised battle, four Chinese actors have been chosen to feature in upcoming Transformers 4.
The China Movie Channel held contest attracted over 70,000 applicants, all hoping to clinch that prized Hollywood role.
The lucky winners have been revealed as Byron Li, Austin Lin, Candice Zhao, and Teresa Daley.
Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura have praised the selection process as a great way to learn about Chinese culture.
JD Salinger documentary set for release
A new documentary chronicling the reclusive and secret life of famous author JD Salinger has begun making waves in Hollywood.
Entitled "Salinger", the film promises to lift the lid on the notoriously secretive author, offering never-before-seen footage, photographs, and biographical information.
Salinger's iconic The Catcher in the Rye has been a touchstone of American literature since its appearance some 6 decades ago.
The most interesting revelation from the documetary spells out the possibility of future post-humous publications.
Salinger, who died in 2010 at the age of 91, instructed his estate to publish at least 5-more new books after his death.
It is expected that the publications will feature well-known characters from his previous work as well as completely new material.
Expected in the planned new releases is The Last and Best of the Peter Pans, about the family of "Catcher in the Rye's" misfit protagonist Holden Caulfield.
Fans can expect the books to emerge as soon as 2015, according to instructions given to Salinger's estate in his will
"Salinger" the documentary hits US theaters September 6th.
Vin Diesel receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Action star Vin Diesel has received a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The 46 year old has become the 2,504th star on the beacon of film industry of achievement.
The star was joined at the ceremony by Fast and Furious co-star Michelle Rodrigeuz and Jordana Brewster.
The actor, whose real name is Mark Sinclair, took on his alter-ego Vin Diesel whilst working as a night club bouncer.
Diesel got his breakthrough when his performance in self-written and directed short film "Multi-Facial" caught the eye of Steven Spielberg.
Spielberg subsequently cast Diesel in the Oscar Winning "Saving Private Ryan", an appearance that paved the way for Diesel's Hollywood dominance.
Diesel went on to carve out a career as the quintessential tough guy in action flicks such as XXX, the Fast and Furious series and Pitch Black.
Disel can next be seen reprising the role of Riddick in upcoming instalment to the Pitch Black series.
Riddick hits UK cinemas on September 4th before arriving in the US on 6th September.
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