新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 08:00 2014/05/16

The Beijing Hour
 
Morning Edition

Paul James with you on this Friday, May 16, 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this morning...
The Chinese government has sent a team into Vietnam to help in the fall-out from this week's attacks on Chinese-run businesses amid the current tensions in the South China Sea.
A new round of national reconciliation talks in Ukraine are slated to take place in the would-be break-away region of Donetsk.
Mass protests have been taking place in Turkey in connection with that country's worst-ever mining disaster.
In Business... new policy documents released this week are providing a clearer picture of what the Chinese government is going to do to help the export sector.
In sports... Li Na moving forward at the Rome Masters.
In entertainment.... a British film is the highlight of Day-2 of the Cannes film festival.
But first... lets get a check on the weather...
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be sunny today with a high of 28 degree Celsius.
Overnight temperatures should drop down to around 15.
Shanghai will be cloudy during the daytime with a high of 26.
Overnight, it will be clear with a low of 17.
In Chongqing, it will see showers with a high of 23.
Overnight lows are expected to be around 18.
Elsewhere in the world, staying here in Asia.
Islamabad will be cloudy with a high of 34.
Kabul will have heavy rain with a high of 18.
Over to North America.
New York will see heavy rain today with a high of 21 degrees.
Washington will have slight rain with a high of 19 degrees.
Honolulu, cloudy, 29.
Toronto, Canada, will have slight rain with a high of 13 degrees.
Finally, on to South America,
Buenos Aires will be overcast with a high of 19.
And Rio de Janeiro will be cloudy with a high of 25 degrees Celsius.
 
 
Top News
 
 
China lodges solemn protest with Vietnam over deadly violence
 
The Chinese government has launched a formal protest against the recent violence in Vietnam against Chinese companies.
At least one Chinese national in Vietnam has been killed and more than 100 others injured amid the anti-China protests which have been taking place in several Vietnamese provinces this week.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying.
"The Vietnamese side has an inescapable responsibility for the beating, smashing, looting and burning targeted at China and other countries. We urge the Vietnamese side to immediately take all necessary and effective measures possible to protect the safety of foreign citizens and enterprises in Vietnam, including those from China, and provide a decent working environment for foreign enterprises doing normal business there."
The Chinese government has sent a working group to Vietnam to deal with the aftermath of the violence.
Vietnam's prime minister has been forced to order police to protect foreign companies.
Companies from Singapore and South Korea have also been targeted in the unrest.
More than a thousand people have already been detained in the unrest.
The protests come amid rising tensions over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea.
The unrest began last week after Vienamese ships attempted to disrupt a Chinese oil drill from entering the waters in around the Xisha Islands.
 
 
China and SK pay close attention to Japan's move on collective self-defense
 
The Chinese and South Korean governments are both warning they're keeping a close eye on the Japanese government's move toward possibly lifting a ban on using collective self-defense.
A panel set up by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is proposing removing a ban on using collective self-defense.
This would be a reinterpretation of the country's pacifist constitution.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying:
"In light of a series of negative actions that Japan has undertaken, Asian countries including China - alongside the world community - have sufficient reason to remain highly vigilant over Japan's real motives and future direction. We urge Japan to respect the legitimate and reasonable security concerns of countries in the region, adhere to the path of peaceful development, earnestly face up to and reflect on history and play a constructive role in regional peace and stability."
At the same time, the South Korean government is also calling on Japan to clairfy its intentions, given its anxiety over Japan's past.
Japan annexed the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945.
Currently Japan's post-war constitution only allows for a military force for its own self-defense.
If the latest proposal is approved, it will allow Japan to come to the defense of its allies, even if Japan is not subject to the attack.
 
 
Ukraine to start next round of national talks in Donetsk
 
Anchor
Ukrainian and Russian diplomats have confirmed the next round of national talks on the future of Ukraine will take place in the region of Donetsk.
This is one of two Ukranian regions which has announced a spit from Kiev this week.
CRI's Yu Yang has more.
Reporter
Diplomats with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe say the next round of talks could be held as early as this weekend.
Russian ambassador to the OSCE, Andrei Kelin, is suggesting the forthcoming talks in Donetsk should include all interested parties.
"Ukrainian ambassador Prokoptschuk today promised that the next round of this dialogue will take place in Donetsk. We are certain that all the regions should take part in this national dialogue. Let it be east, south or west of Ukraine."
The Ukrainian government held a first round of national talks on the potential decentralization of power yesterday without including pro-Russia activists.
The regions of Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence following referendums over the weekend.
Pro-Russia activists in Donetsk are asking Russia to be absorbed into the Russian Federation.
Russia's government says Moscow has not received a formal request at this point.
At the same time, Russia has announced that Ukraine must pay in advance for Russian gas supplies starting from next month.
If not, Russia says it may stop sending gas into Ukraine.
Moscow says Kiev owes it 3.5-billion US dollars for natural gas its already delivered.
In response to the threat, central European leaders have agreed to draw up plans to cooperate on gas supplies in case Russia cuts off deliveries through Ukraine.
Close to 15 percent of all natural gas used in Europe is delivered from Russia via Ukraine.
While this dispute takes place, European and US officials have agreed to impose more sanctions on Russia if it tries to disrupt this month's Presidential election in Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry:
"We agreed this morning that if Russia or its proxies disrupt the election, the United States and those countries represented here today in the European Union, will impose sectorial economic sanctions as a result. Our message is really quite simple: let Ukraine vote. Let the Ukrainian people choose their future."
Washington, Brussels and Kiev say they all agree the forthcoming elections the only way to de-escalate tensions in eastern Ukraine.
The Chinese government is also offering its thoughts on the forthcoming election, saying China holds a just and objective position on the issue.
Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping:
"Our consistent diplomatic policy is that we respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, including Ukraine. We follow the policy of no interference in the internal affairs of Ukraine and deem that issue of the country should be solved by its people."
Under a peace plan proposed by the OSCE, violence has to stop in Ukraine before the presidential election can be held.
The OSCE plan offers an amnesty for those involved in the unrest.
It also calls for a potential decentralization of power away from Kiev, as well as the potential for special recognition for ethnic Russians living in Ukraine.
For CRI, I'm Yu Yang.
 
 
Election Commission says July poll in Thailand 'unlikely' amid crisis
 
Thailand's Election Commission says it is "highly unlikely" that the country will be able to hold July elections due to the political unrest in the country.
Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn.
"According to the process of decree issuance, the decree must be issued on May 22. That is now only seven days away and we will not talk again this week. As we cannot finish our discussions we don't have time to propose a royal decree. So it's certainly likely that the election won't be held on July 20."
The announcement follows a meeting between the electoral body and the acting Prime Minister.
Thursday's meeting was held at the Royal Thai Air Force auditorium, where hundreds of protesters stormed the compound.
The anti-government protestors were demanding the premier and other ministers leave the meeting.
The protests come on the heels of a gun and grenade attack earlier the day in Bangkok which saw 3-people killed and a number of others injured.
Thailand's political crisis deepened last week when the Constitutional Court removed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra following months of unrest.
 
 
One-day strike in Turkey in protest against the mine disaster
 
Clashes have broken out as part of a one-day strike in Turkey in protest against the worst mining disaster in the country.
Thousands have taken to the streets in cities across the country, demanding better working conditions.
A wave of resentment has been directed towards politicians, including Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for the handling of the disaster.
283 people are confirmed dead, while more than 100 are still missing, after an explosion and subsequent fire in a coal mine in western Turkey on Tuesday.
 
 
Palestinians Mark Nakba Day with Rallies and Clashes
 
Anchor
Rallies have been taking place in Palestinian territories to mark the Palestinian day of Nakba, otherwise known as the Day of the Catastrophe.
CRI's Alexander Aucott explains.
Reporter
In the West Bank city of Ramallah, people gather in the city center, march in the street and lay wreaths at late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's compound to commemorate Nakba, demanding Palestinian refugees be allowed to return to their homes.
Nakba commemorates the day after the anniversary of Israel's independence in 1948.
This is when an estimated 700-thousand Palestinians fled their homes.
Today, their decendants number about 5 million.
Laila Jammal, President of the Palestinian Mothers and Children Care Society, has taken part in a rally in Ramallah, holding a poster writing "Stop the Occupation" in Arabic, English and Hebrew.
"I demand all the world population to speak up, say 'enough is enough' to the Israeli occupation, get out of here, enough is enough! End the occupation!"
With the latest Israeli-Palestinian peace talks ending without a breakthrough, many Palestinians admit they're not optimistic about the future of negotiations with the Israrelis.
"Not as long as our lands are with them, and we are here living separated from each other, no, there won't be peace in this case. We have been calling for peace for 66 years, and we are gaining nothing, we are still in war right now, so I don't want peace no more, I just want my land back, and I am not ready to negotiate with anybody."
However, some at the rallies have been expressing hope.
The recent Palestinian reconciliation between the rival factions of Hamas and Fatah is bringing some new optimism.
Fatah and Hamas announced a national unity deal last month in an attempt to try to end 7-years of political division.
The deal includes the creation of a national unity government within the next five weeks.
New elections are also to be held within 6-months.
"I think that is a very good thing for the Palestinian case, because as a first step towards victory we need to come one hand. When we are so separated and everyone is seeking a part by his own, we won't be able to achieve anything."
While thousands of Palestinians rallied across the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem to mark Nakba, clashes have also been taking place.
At least two Palestinians have been killed amid clashes with Israeli security forces near Ramallah.
For CRI, I'm Alexander Aucott.
 
 
S.Korea charges crew members of sunken ferry with murder
 
South Korean authorities have brought homicide charges against the captain and three senior crew members of the sunken ferry Sewol.
The crew could face life in prison if convicted.
The father of a victim of the sunken ferry is calling for a severe punishment for the 15 crew members.
"They should apply the strictest law on them and give them the toughest punishment. I think it is one of the best ways to prevent these kinds of irresponsible people from doing the same thing again."
The other 11 crew members have also been charged with causing death or injury by negligence and violating the Law of salvage at sea.
However, they are not facing homicide charges.
Those facing the murder charges were the first to escape the boat after it began taking on water, leaving the passengers trapped in the ship.
The new charges come as divers continue searching for the remaining 21 still thought to be missing amid the wreckage.
Recovery efforts are being hampered by concerns a bulkhead on the ship is close to collapse, increasing the danger for the divers.
One diver has already died amid the recovery efforts, while dozens of others have been injured.
 
 
Three priorities determined during transition phase of MH370 search: Malaysian minister
 
Chinese, Malaysian and Australian officials have agreed on a new set of strategies during the transition phase in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines' flight MH370.
Malaysian acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.
One: to re-analyse all data to verify a more accurate search area. This analysis will be conducted by the group of experts together with Inmarsat. Secondly to conduct a bathymetric survey involving an extensive mapping of the seabed. And thirdly to conduct the search operation by identifying and deploying the relevant towed and autonomous underwater vehicles, AUV, required for the terrain"
The agreement means the surface search for the missing jetliner has been officially called off.
Despite extensive searches in the southern Indian Ocean following the flight's disappearance on March 8th, no trace of the missing airliner has been uncovered.
The flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with 239 passengers and crew onboard, disappeared after the plane's communication and radar-tracking systems were shut off.
About two-thirds of the passengers are Chinese nationals.
While officials have yet to suggest any official reason for the disappearance of the flight, they have ruled out any involvement with the passangers themsevles.
This suggests the investigation is pointing toward the twelve crewmembers aboard the flight.
 
 
Regional Integration, A Way to Treat Urban Blights: Experts
 
Anchor
A number of urban management experts have gathered here in Beijing to discuss ways to combat the problems which normally come with rapid urbanization, which they describe as "urban blights."
CRI's He Fei has more.
Reporter
Urban blights, which are usually caused by the rapid process of industrialization and population growth, include congestion, air pollution and rocketing real estate prices.
To date, China's capital, Beijing, is in a development dilemma because of these urban blights.
Wen Kui, former president of Capital University of Economics and Business.
He suggests that Beijing seek integrated development with neighboring Hebei Province and Tianjin municipality, to get out of trouble.
"Part of Beijing's city functions should be diverted. However it doesn't mean a simple transfer of local heavy polluting enterprises, which its neighbors would find unwelcome. A precondition to achieving regional integration and coordinated development between Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province is for each party to gain a good understanding of each other's needs, rather than considering chiefly its own interests."
Beijing's gridlocked roadways and resultant smog affect 100-million people living in the 216,000 square kilometers that comprise the three areas.
The plan involving two major municipalities directly under the central government and a huge province is intended to not only ease congestion in the nation's capital but also to upgrade the industrial structure.
Meanwhile it's expected to help treat the pollution in Hebei and develop the region into a new economic hub.
In a bid to upgrade the city's industrial structure, Wang Lianfeng, deputy director of Beijing's Urban Management Law Enforcement Bureau, believes moving low-end enterprises out of Beijing is necessary.
"Low-end businesses in Beijing should be relocated. However, low-end businesses do not merely mean heavy polluting enterprises. For instance, Dahongmen clothing wholesale market in Fengtai district, the massive wholesale market group which is located around Beijing Zoo in Xicheng district, and the Automobile Spare Parts Factory in Chaoyang district, we've consulted with different cities in Hebei and basically reached deals on the relocation of these projects."
Wang Lianfeng added that, although the integration initiative is a crucial approach to treating urban blights from Beijing, its effect is not likely to be immediately noticeable.
The experts' discussion is part of an annual science and technology innovation and urban management forum, which is often held along with the Beijing International High-tech Expo.
For CRI, I'm He Fei.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Anchor
First off, a check on the closing numbers in North America and Europe.
Joining me on the desk, CRI's XX.
Reporter
U.S. stocks widened losses Thursday, extending the previous day's declines into a second session, as investors looked for excuses to take money off the table after the market's recent rally.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 1.2 percent.
The broader S&P 500 dipped 1.3 percent.
The Nasdaq lost 1.5 percent.
Investors grew restless after Wal-Mart posted a disappointing earnings report before the opening bell.
The world's largest retailer has reported first-quarter earnings per share of 1-dollar-10-cents, missing market expectations.
Wal-Mart shares closed Thursday's trading down 2.4-percent.
Over in Europe, markets there were also dragged down, largely on the back of what was happening in the US.
UK's FTSE 100 dropped 0.5-percent.
Germany's DAX dipped 1-percent.
France's CAC 40 lost 1.2-percent
 
 
China backs stable trade growth
 
New policy documents released this week from the last meeting of the State Council, the Chinese cabinet, are providing a more clear picture of the government's plans to provide help to this country's export sector.
Among other things, the documents are calling on Chinese companies to be more active in setting up factories overseas.
They're also calling for more expansion in the high-tech and value-added sectors.
And at the same time, the documents also call for a streamlining of the export clearance lists.
The documents also say the government is going to provide additional assistance to Chinese firms when it comes to launching requests for anti-dumping and anti-subsidy probes.
This comes amid an over 2-percent decline in exports through the first 4-months of this year.
 
 
China to promote innovative securities businesses
 
The China Securities Regulatory Commission has issued a new set of recommendations for the securities sector.
The CSRC is calling for the development of a broader investment banking system, including cross-border banking.
It's also calling on institutional trading firms to diversify their products to better help small and medium sized companies better invest.
The CSRC is also suggesting institutional firms look deeper into derivatives trading and better asset management roles.
The new suggestions also come with a warning from the securities regulator that financial difficulties are still ahead.
 
 
China's logistics growth to slow: report
 
A new report is suggesting the logistics sector here in China will grow at a slower pace this year.
The industry report is pointing to a period of industrial restructuring and weak economic growth as the main factors.
The report from Chinese logistics authorities says the overall amount of goods moved will expand by 9 percent this year.
This would be down from the 9.5-percent growth seen last year.
Still, the logistics industry expects to move around 190-trillion yuan worth of products through 2014.
 
 
Call-in with Doug Young on corporate news of the week
 
Anchor:
Time to check in with some of the action taking place this week on the corporate front here in China.
Doug Young is an associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters.
Story 1:
Tencent has just announced that it hopes the app can turn profitable soon.
Story 2:
Bank of China's has issued a batch of preferential shares.
Back Anchor:
Doug Young, associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief with Reuters.
 
 
Xiaomi launches 1st tablet, targeting iPad
 
Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has launched a new tablet.
The 7.9-inch Xiaomi Pad retails for around 15-hundred yuan for the 16-gig model.
The 64-gig Xiaomi Pad will cost around 17-hundred.
The new tablet features an 8-megapixel camera and advanced graphics chip.
Xiaomi's chief executive says they hope to rival the iPad Mini, which costs over 28-hundred yuan for a 16-gigabyte model.
In making the announcment, Xiaomi also says it plans to debut the second-generation of its Xiaomi TV here in Beijing before the end of the month.
That product will cost around 4-thousand yuan.
 
 
CITIC Pacific raises $5.1b to buy parent's assets
 
CITIC Pacific has secured over 5-billion US dollars to help fund the purchase of some 36 billion dollars in assets from its State-owned parent company.
The deal is essentially the injection of CITIC Group main operating business into the Hong Kong-listed company.
China's National Social Security Fund will be the biggest investor, agreeing to buy 2.2 billion US dollars worth of shares.
The asset purchase is meant to give a much-needed boost to CITIC Pacific's finances after it miscalculated the huge cost of developing a mine in Western Australia.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
China lodges solemn protest with Vietnam over deadly violence
 
The Chinese government has launched a formal protest against the recent violence in Vietnam against Chinese companies.
At least one Chinese national in Vietnam has been killed and more than 100 others injured amid the anti-China protests which have been taking place in several Vietnamese provinces this week.
The Chinese government is urging the Vietnamese side to immediately take effective measures to protect the safety of Chinese citizens and enterprises in Vietnam.
The protests come amid rising tensions over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea.
The unrest began last week after Vietnamese ships attempted to disrupt a Chinese oil drill from entering the waters in around the Xisha Islands.
 
 
Ukraine to start next round of national talks in Donetsk
 
Ukrainian and Russian diplomats have confirmed the next round of national talks on the future of Ukraine will take place in the region of Donetsk, one of the two regions which has announced a spit from Kiev this week.
At the same time, Russia has announced that Ukraine must pay in advance for Russian gas supplies starting from next month.
If not, Russia says it may stop sending gas into Ukraine.
Meanwhile European and US officials have agreed to impose more sanctions on Russia if it tries to disrupt this month's Presidential election in Ukraine.
The Chinese government is also offering its thoughts on the forthcoming election, saying China holds a just and objective position on the issue.
 
 
Election Commission says July poll in Thailand 'unlikely' amid crisis
 
Thailand's Election Commission says it is "highly unlikely" that the country will be able to hold July elections due to the political unrest in the country.
The announcement follows a meeting between the electoral body and the acting Prime Minister.
Thursday's meeting was held at the Royal Thai Air Force auditorium, where hundreds of protesters stormed the compound.
The anti-government protestors were demanding the premier and other ministers leave the meeting.
The protests come on the heels of a gun and grenade attack earlier the day in Bangkok which saw 3-people killed and a number of others injured.
 
 
One-day strike in Turkey in protest against the mine disaster
 
Clashes have broken out as part of a one-day strike in Turkey in protest against the worst mining disaster in the country.
Thousands have taken to the streets in cities across the country, demanding better working conditions.
A wave of resentment has been directed towards politicians, including Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for the handling of the disaster.
283 people are confirmed dead, while more than 100 are still missing, after an explosion and subsequent fire in a coal mine in western Turkey on Tuesday.
 
 
French public sector workers strike over pay freeze
 
A public-sector strike in France has been disrupting domestic flights in the country.
Over a hundred flights, mostly to southern France, have been cancelled because of the job action.
Around 30-thousand civil servants across the country have walked off the job on Thursday to protest the French government's austerity measures.
They've been demanding the government of Francois Hollande lift the public-sector pay freeze first brought in under the former Sarkozy government in 2010.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
BEIJING TIMES
HEADLINE
Punishment for porn
SUMMERY
Qvod Technology, a Shenzhen-based Internet video provider, has been sanctioned for spreading pornography.
The company has had its license stripped.
Several suspects are also in-custody.
BEIJING MORNING POST
HEADLINE
9 dead in mine accident
SUMMERY
The death toll from a coal mine accident in Shaanxi has risen to nine.
Four others remain trapped.
Authorities are warning their chance of survival is slim at this point.
THE BEIJING NEWS
HEADLINE
Chengguan officers face punishment
SUMMERY
A court in central China has upheld prison terms of up to 11 years for four city management officers who beat up a fruit vendor last year, leading to his death.
The incident took place in the city of Chenzhou last year.
GLOBAL TIMES
HEADLINE
Polluters forced out of capital
SUMMERY
Beijing's municipal authorities are forcing around 300 companies to leave the city to help with this city's pollution problems.
These companies are mainly involved in construction, metal casting, chemical production and furniture manufacturing.
CHINA YOUTH DAILY
HEADLINE
Anti-terror drill in Beijing
SUMMERY
Beijing police have held another anti-terror drill.
The drill yesterday afternoon involved two police helicopters and more than 30 special vehicles.
This is the 3rd anti-terror drill over the past mont.
CHINA DAILY
HEADLINE
Cyber attack report
SUMMERY
New analysis is suggesting Chinese websites were hit by numerous overseas attacks last year.
The China Internet Development Report says "backdoors" set up by overseas hackers hit over 60-thousand Chinese websites last year.
The same report suggests around 11-million Chinese computers were turned into drones for hacking around the world.
SHANGHAI DAILY
HEADLINE
Traffic restrictions for summit
SUMMERY
Authorities in Shanghai are putting restrictions on major roads, railways and ferries ahead of a regional Asian summit in the city next week.
Shanghai is hosting the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia on the 20th and 21st.
Subway lines and site-seeing locations may also be affected.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
China Mobile's 4G service discounts stir market
 
Anchor
Despite a new plan by China Mobile to change its 4G pricing policies to try to attract more customers, some concerns are being raised about whether or not it may affect the company's overall coverage of the new fast-speed network.
CRI's Li Dong has more.
Reporter
China Mobile's fee adjustment comes as the domestic fourth-generation, or 4G smartphone market booms. According to a report by IHS Technology, a global market research company at the begining of the year, China's domestic 4G smartphone market is set for an explosive growth in shipments this year.
Shipments of 4G smartphones within China are forecast to reach 72.4 million units, from just 4.6 million last year, with the market expected to take off in the second half of the year.
Wang Xuehong, board chairman of Taiwan-based mobile phone manufacturer, HTC, says building brand credibility is the key for the future development of China's 4G smartphone manufacturers.
"How to exert their imagination and innovation to the maximum and avoid simply duplicating other companies' products is what many domestic enterprises should consider. Only by doing this, could the country and the industry step forward."
So far, more than four million clients from about 200 cities have used China Mobile's 4G services. And China Mobile will start to lower prices of its 4G mobile phone network services next month to attract more users. The country's largest mobile telecommunications provider will launch a 30-yuan service for 500 megabytes of data. Certain new packages will be lowered to 58 yuan from 88 yuan.
Xing Hongtao, vice manager of market price administration for China Mobile, says in general the data price will drop up to 50 percent in the new packages.
"This time, China Mobile's 4G service price adjustments only include the standardized data package products, like the monthly data package. We also have data service packages for customers who need long term service, like by a quarter or and half a year."
In some new packages, 70 yuan will buy 2G data instead of 1G. In others, users can enjoy two to six times more data at the same price as a previous package. The company also offers a service that allows a user to share his package data with up to four relatives or friends.
Cui Zheng, a scholar from Beijing Technology and Business University, says China Mobile's move to lower its 4G service fee is a good move for consumers, but the technical support of the 4G service should also be ensured.
"Consumers should be guaranteed that they can use China Mobile's quality 4G service at anytime, anywhere. For instance, the 4G service may be good at Tiananmen Square, but the signal becomes weak at the Great Wall. What if I really need to use 4G to send a picture at the Great Wall? The after-service should follow up."
The China Mobile's announcement was the first response given to the government's decision to grant telecom operators full pricing autonomy. Last week, authorities freed up telecom fees, allowing all operators in the sector to make pricing decisions on their own as long as the charges abide by law and regulations.
For CRI, I am Li Dong.
 
 
Sports
 
 
Li Na defeats Samantha Stosur at Rome Open
 
In Tennis,
China's Li Na has scored her first career victory over Samantha Stosur of Australia in the third round of the Rome Open.
After a tight start to the first set, the second seed began to take control of the baseline rallies and snatched three straight breaks of serve as some superb returns ensured that she was able to exploit any weakness of the Stosur serve.
An emphatic down the line forehand saw her wrap up a 6-3 6-1 win in just over an hour.
Meanwhile third seed Agnieszka Radwanska faced former French Open Champion Francesca Schiavone for a place in the final eight.
The Pole withstood some sustained pressure from the tenacious Italian in the opening set, but just edged it 6-4 to take control of the match after this she powered on to claim the second set with a clinical 6-1 victory for the match.
…………………………………………….
Over in the men's event,
German veteran Tommy Haas caused upset on the clay court taking out Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka in three sets. 　
Haas dropped the first set but came back fighting to take the next two ending the match 5-7, 6-2, 6-3.
It's the first time the German has reached the last eight at the Italian event since 2002 when he lost to Andre Agassi in the final.
The 36-year-old said he is feeling on good form:
　　 "I seemed to relax a little bit once you get up a break in the second and started to swing a little bit free and played some good tennis and got myself back into the match and once the third set started I felt like OK, it's maybe going to come down a few big points here and there and see what happens," Haas said afterwards.
　　
Meanwhile, Britain's Andy Murray beat Austrian Juergen Melzer 7-6(1) 6-4 to make it through to the next round, where he'll face world number one Rafael Nadal.
　　
Also through is big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic who saw off Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 6-4.
 
 
Eddie Pepperell takes one stroke lead at Spanish Open
 
In Golf,
Britain's Eddie Pepperell leads by one stroke after the first round of the Spanish Open. The 23-year-old shot a four-under-par round of 68.
Pepperell recovered from his opening bogey to post five birdies during the rest of his round.　
The defending champion Raphael Jacquelin of France made a better start than the Englishman birdying the first hole but then a few dropped shots saw him end with a one-over 73.
Spanish stalwart Miguel Angel Jimenez went round in 69, with three birdies, to share second place with seven others.
One of those was Sergio Garcia at his home tournament.　
After finishing third in the Players Championship in Florida on Sunday, the world number seven made two early birdies and an eagle in his round.
 
 
NBA and NHL playoff updates
 
In basketball,
There are a pair of games in the NBA playoffs this morning.
The Indiana Pacers are looking to enter the Eastern Conference finals with a win on-the-road in Washington, as they take on the Wizards in Game-6 of their semi-final.
The Wizards should come into the game with a bit of confidence, after handing a 102-79 beating to the Pacers on Tuesday.
Tip-off in this game is at 8am Beijing Time.
--
And out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder are hoping to put an end to the LA Clippers season later on this morning in Game-6 of their Western Conference semi-final.
The Thunder head into Los Angeles holding a 3-2 series lead after narrowly edging out the Clippers in Game-5 by a single point.
That game gets underway at 10:30am Beijing time.
--
No games scheduled today in the National Hockey League playoffs.
The final game of the quarter-finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs will go tomorrow morning, after the Los Angeles Kings managed to force a Game-7 in their series against Anaheim, edging the Ducks at home yesterday morning 2-1.
The winner of Saturday morning's game will go-on to meet the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference Finals.
--
The Eastern Conference Final in the NHL was set-up yesterday after the Montreal Canadiens upset top-seeded Boston at home yesterday morning, downing the Bruins 3-1.
 
 
Sprinter Justin Gatlin ready to race at Shanghai Open
 
American Sprinter Justin Gatlin is among the athletes who've arrived in Shanghai ahead of the Diamond League meeting on Sunday.　
Last year the 32-year-old finished second behind Jamaica's Warren Weir, losing by three 10ths of a second in the 100 metres.
He said he enjoys the event but is hoping for better weather in 2014.
"Last year was pouring down, raining, all the way up to the race, still went out there and had good times. This year, I'm ready for some good times. I think that I'm capable of going out here and running very, very fast at the beginning of the season. And I hope that I'm able to excite the fans with that."
Gatlin, who was a bronze medalist at London 2012 won the Diamond League's Doha leg last Saturday in a time of 9.97 seconds.
Shanghai is the second meeting of the 2014 IAAF Diamond League which visits 14 cities across the world.
 
 
CSKA Moscow win Russian Premiere League title
 
Zenit St. Petersburg, Russia’s only representative in the knockout phase of this year's UEFA Champions League, has missed out this season's Russian Premier League title despite a 4-1 away victory over Kuban Krasnodar.
The result was not enough to push Zenit ahead of arch rivals CSKA, who hung on for a 1-0 win over third-placed Lokomotiv in a high-stakes Moscow derby.
The win leaves CSKA with 64 points from 30 matches, while Zenit and Lokomotiv finish with 63 and 59 points respectively.
 
 
Walter the Orangutan predicts victory for Borussia Dortmund in German Cup
 
In European football there are two big domestic cup finals this weekend,
Arsenal take on Hull City for the FA Cup in England while the German cup will see Borussia Dortmund take on their bitter rivals Bayern Munich.
Arsenal are strong favourites to take their first silverware since 2005 in that match, but to predict the other the Germans have saught the predictions of a primate.
Walter the Orangutan of Dortmund Zoo has predicted a clear victory for his home side, according to his Zoo Keeper Eddy Laudert
EDDY LAUDERT, is a keeper at the zoo:
　　"It shows that Dortmund will be the winner of the cup final and deservedly so. We will see a clear 4-0 victory and all will be fine."
Animal oracles in Germany have become popular and gained worldwide attention ever since Paul the Occtupus accurately predicted many of the results at the 2010 world cup.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
British director Mike Leigh brings Mr. Turner into Cannes
 
(Mr. Turner)
British director Mike Leigh has kicked off day two of this year's Cannes Film Festival with his film "Mr. Turner."
The film focuses on the life of radical British artist J.M.W. Turner.
In a news conference before the premiere, Leigh explained how he saw a potential in making the Turner into the film.
"Turner is a great, obviously a great artist, one of the great painters of all time anywhere really. A great radical revolutionary painter. I felt it would be, there was scope for what could be a fascinating film, because of what may seem to be the tension between this very mortal and in some ways flawed, and very inspired individual and this epic work."
British actor Timothy Spall, who plays the role of Turner, studied painting for two years to better portray his character.
"Obviously I researched a lot. And the great thing is I knew a little bit about Turner. The great thing is, what made us the perfect match, apart from anything, was that he was a funny looking fat little man, and so am I."
Mr. Turner is competing with 17 other films for the Palme D'or, which director Mike Leigh Leigh won in 1996 for "Secrets and Lies".
 
 
Ludacris to host 2014 Billboard Music Awards
 
It's been announced that this year's Billboard Music Awards on Sunday are going to be hosted by rapper Ludacris.
Ludacris has 18 top-10 singles to his name, the third most of any hip-hop musician.
He has also produced five number-one albums on the Hip-Hop charts.
At the same time, Shakira has also been added to the bill as a performer in Las Vegas this weekend.
She will join a host of other performers, including Jennifer Lopez, Lorde, Miley Cyrus, Carrie Underwood, One Republic and Ricky Martin.
 
 
Snowden incident to hit cinemas
 
Sony has bought the copyright for the book "Nowhere to Hide" by Guardian journalist Glenn Grenwald.
The book chronicles his involvement in the Edward Snowden revelations.
The book has already been translated into more than 20 languages.
Sony is planning to adapt the book into a film.
Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have already been approached to co-produce the film.
Grenwald is the reporter who interviewed Edward Snowden extensively in Hong Kong, blowing the whistle on the National Security Agency for spying on foreign countries.
 
 
Museums at Night festival set to open
 
Museums, galleries and historic spaces in the UK are preparing to host almost 700 night-time events until Saturday as part of the 6th annual Museums at Night festival.
Visitors will be given free access to museums from sunset onwards.
 
 
 
That’s it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
The Chinese government has sent a team into Vietnam to help in the fall-out from this week's attacks on Chinese-run businesses amid the current tensions in the South China Sea.
A new round of national reconciliation talks in Ukraine are slated to take place in the would-be break-away region of Donetsk.
Mass protests have been taking place in Turkey in connection with that country's worst-ever mining disaster.
In Business... new policy documents released this week are providing a clearer picture of what the Chinese government is going to do to help the export sector.
On behalf of the Beijing Hour staffers, this is Paul James in Beijing hoping you'll join us for our next edition of the Beijing Hour to open a window to the world together.