新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 20:00 2014/06/09

The Beijing Hour
 
Evening Edition
 
 
Shane Bigham with you this Monday, June 09th 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on the programme this evening.
The Chinese government says it is willing to play an active role with all parties during the upcoming Iran nuclear talks.
for the first time ever, the Chinese navy will participate in the Rim of the Pacific navy drills, hosted by the United States near Hawaii.
and Egypt's newly elected president is promising that his country is about to undergo a rebuilding phase...
In business, new talks between China and the US regarding an investment treaty...
In sport, the Heat get even with the Spurs...
In entertainment, history is made at the annual Tony Awards...
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be cloudy tonight with a low of 17 degrees Celsius. Thundershowers tomorrow with a high of 29 degrees.　
Meanwhile Shanghai will be cloudy tonight, with a low of 21, cloudy also tomorrow, with a high of 27.
Chongqing will have showers, 22 degrees the low,　also showers tomorrow with a high of 26.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, sunny with a high of 41.
Kabul, sunny, 30.
Over in Australia
Sydney, showers, high of 18.
Canberra, partly cloudy, 16.
Brisbane, mostly sunny, 23.
And finally, Perth will have rain with a high of 16.
 
 
Top News
 
 
China to play constructive role in Iran nuclear talks
 
China says it is willing to keep close contact with all parties in the Iran nuclear talks and play a constructive role.
China's foreign ministry made the comment as Iran is to hold its first bilateral talks in decades with the United States and separate talks with Russia.
The foreign ministry's spokesperson Hua Chunying:
"Now the negotiation is entering uncharted waters. It will now involve more complicated and sensitive issues. All parties need to put aside differences to seek a common ground. We believe that bilateral talks between Iran and individual members of the six powers will help to strengthen mutual understanding and promote negotiations. We are willing to keep close contacts with all parties and play a constructive role in the process. "
Over the weekend, Iran said it would hold talks with the U.S in Geneva on Monday and Tuesday.
Two days of direct talks with Russia will immediately follow in Rome.
The unprecedented set of direct talks come before Iran's next round of discussions with the six world powers, including China, in Vienna starting next Monday.
 
 
China to join RIMPAC naval drill
 
The Chinese navy has announced that it will join this year's Rim of the Pacific exercises, or RIMPAC, later this summer, to be held near Hawaii.
This is the first time China is joining this military drill.
China's missile destroyer Haikou, frigate Yueyang, a supply ship, a hospital ship, and two helicopters will take part in the exercises.
Xu Hongmeng is the deputy commander of the Chinese navy.
"This mission is an important diplomatic mission. It is an opportunity showcasing the new type of relationship between China and the U.S. and that of the military forces of two countries. This is also a diplomatic mission to boost our ties with Southern Pacific countries. It will play a positive role in strengthening our cooperation with the U.S and Southern Pacific nations."
The drill, hosted by the United States Navy's Pacific Fleet every two years, is now the largest international maritime exercise.
23 countries will take part in this year's drill.
The drill will involve 48 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel.
The exercises are expected to run for five weeks, wrapping up in August.
 
 
Taliban claims responsibility for Karachi airport attack
 
The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack at Karachi airport that left at least 28 people dead.
The group calls it a revenge attack for the killing of their former leader Hakeemullah Mehsud in a U.S. drone strike in November last year.
The group also threatens more attacks in future.
It is reported that gunfire resumed at the airport after the army said it had retaken control and killed all 10 attackers.
The attackers disguised as police guards attacked an old terminal at the country's biggest airport with machine guns and a rocket launcher.
The terminal is mainly used for charter and executive flights. The airport in Karachi has just resumed operation.
Dr. Seemi Jamali is from a local hospital.
"Twelve injured were brought here, including Rangers, police and Airport Security Force staff. We have shifted four of them to the operation theatre, some to the wards and discharged the rest after giving them first aid. We received 11 dead bodies, two of whom have not been identified yet."
Gun battles between the attackers and security forces went on for five hours and ended earlier this morning.
Officials say no aircraft have been damaged and all flights have been diverted.
In a separate incident on Sunday, at least 23 people including Shia pilgrims were killed in a suicide attack in a restaurant in Taftan, a town near the Pakistan-Iran border.
The attacks come as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government tries to engage Taliban militants in talks to end years of fighting.
China has strongly condemns the attack and conveys sympathy to the victims' families as well as those injured.
 
 
Floods in northern Afghanistan kill more than 80
 
Over 80 bodies have been found after a devastating flash flood in Afghanistan's mountainous north.
Local police in Baghlan province say the death toll now stands at 81.
The flooding, which started last Friday, has destroyed some 850 houses across several villages, leaving thousands of people in need of shelter and food.
Abdullah Abdullah, the front runner in Afghanistan's presidential runoff election, visited the area.
"I will provide you the facility to cook food for yourselves here and will use donkeys to move the food to the remote areas."
Last month, a landslide triggered by heavy rains buried a village in a remote area of northeast Badakhshan province killing at least 300 people.
Flooding and landslides often occur during the rainy season in northern Afghanistan.
 
 
Sisi pledges to make up what they have missed
 
The newly inaugurated Egyptian president is promising that Egypt is going to embrace a rebuilding phase.
Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi made the pledge while meeting with foreign dignitaries following his swearing-in on Sunday.
"I intend to make sure the upcoming rebuilding phase will be full of pledges domestically and internationally to make up for what we have missed and fix the mistakes of the past. We will establish a strong republic that will be just, safe and stable, prosperous and blessed. "
Al-Sisi met with China's Industry and Information Technology Minister Miao Wei, who was sent as the envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The new Egyptian President says he welcomes more Chinese investment in Egypt.
He also says he hopes China can continue to support Egypt's political transition.
Al-Sisi was sworn-in following an election in which he garnered 97-percent of the vote.
To mark the occasion, Sunday was declared a national holiday.
"We feel very happy, nothing like before, because we have chosen this man. It is a great responsibility and we have to help him."
"I am very happy. I hope that president el-Sissi provides us with safety and security. I think he will be able to deliver."
Al-Sisi faces a wide array of challenges in his new role.
Egypt's economy has been hammered since the fall of former president Hosni Mubarak in 2011.
 
 
Egypt's Sisi assigns PM to form new cabinet
 
Egypt's new President Abdel-Fattah al- Sisi has assigned interim Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, who had tendered his government resignation, to form new cabinet.
Mahlab was the second interim prime minister who resigned in nearly one year. His predecessor Hazem Beblawi's cabinet took office last July.
Mahlab will lead the new caretaker cabinet with minor reshuffle of ministers until the parliamentary elections end.
Based on the 2014 constitution, Egypt will have the semi-presidential ruling system that grants wide jurisdictions for the prime minister and the executive authority.
The constitution gives the president the right to name prime minister, but the parliament has the chance to support or veto the nomination.
If it is rejected, the president must accept the appointment from the party or alliance that has the most seats in the parliament.
 
 
Nigerian government's newspaper restrictions led to accusation
 
The Nigerian military has censored some of the country's newspapers, citing safety concerns.
That has led to accusations of restricting press freedom from local journalists.
According to reports, the crackdown may be the result of a particular newspaper report about military generals' suspected involvement with militant group Boko Haram.
The military has since denied these reports, adding that the crackdown on some newspapers is merely routine security.
However, many journalists disagree.
Omonijo is a journalist from Nigeria's Nation Newspaper.
"It's not routine. It's not usual. If it is usual, then there would not be an outrage over it. It's unusual, it's undemocratic, it's inexplicable. They told us that it's about security and that does not explain anything,"
The abduction of 270 schoolgirls by the Boko Haram has led to various accusations against the Nigerian government, and international pressure to find a way to free the captives.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has assured the country that his government will soon end the Boko Haram insurgency.
"All what I can assure you is that all those issues of equipment, we are handling them. And God willing, the issues of Boko Haram or other criminal elements will soon come to be history in this country."
The Boko Haram militants are also active in several other West African countries, including Cameroon and Chad.
 
 
Anti-war rallies hold in Myanmar
 
Anti-war rallies have been held in Myanmar's largest city of Yangon calling for a ceasefire between government forces and the ethnic Kachin Independence Organization.
The rallies mark the three-year anniversary of the start of clashes in Kachin state in the country's north.
"I was in ninth grade when the conflicts started. We had to flee. There was a flood back then, and fighting too. I saw a woman dying in front of me, which was very scary. I truly desire peace, and that's why I'm here in Yangon for the rally."
Last month, the Myanmar government and the ethnic rebels renewed peace talks after the government launched an offensive in April.
The clashes have created an estimated 100,000 refugees in the region.
Kachin is the second largest state in Myanmar and has rich mineral and forestry resources.
 
 
3 people dead in Las Vegas shooting by two suspects
 
Two suspects opened fire in Las Vegas, killing two police officers and at least one more person.
The two suspects, a man and a woman, walked into CiCi's Pizza and shot the officers at point-blank as the cops were eating their lunch.
The suspects then fled to the Walmart across the street, where they fatally shot a person inside the front door.
There are reports that officers exchanged gunfire with the suspects before the couple apparently killed themselves.
 
 
Supporters of jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez gather to demand his release
 
Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez gathered in Caracas on Sunday to demand his release from detention.
The supporters say that they are angry that Lopez has been jailed for his political beliefs and has been denied bail.
"I'm protesting because we are all Leopoldo, because it is unfair what Leopoldo has gone through, all of these days imprisoned, instead of being set free from jail. In addition, he's being accused for his thoughts. We are all now accused for thinking differently, we live in a country as prisoners."
Lopez was sentenced to jail on charges of inciting violence at anti-government demonstrations earlier this year.
 
 
March held in Rio de Janeiro for raising awareness for the hepatitis C.
 
A march has been held in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro to raise awareness for hepatitis C.
Giant puppets resembling football players and famous figures marched through the streets while medical workers handed out pamphlets on the disease and offered free testing.
The event was organized by the World Hepatitis Fund aiming to make the fight against hepatitis one of the official themes of the 2014 World Cup, which Rio will be co-hosting.
The event has won support and understanding from locals.
"Getting tested is important at any time. The World Cup brings more attention, there are more people out in the streets, but I think if it was a normal day it would still be a good idea. The test is important and this is a good service."
Acording to the World Hepatitis Fund, there are round 3 million Brazilians suffering from hepatitis C.
 
 
Transparency urged in college students enrollment/Michael 1602
 
Anchor:
The Ministry of Education is urging more transparency and supervision when it comes to college enrollment. The call was made yesterday as students across China completed the annual national college entrance exam.
CRI's Li Dong has the details.
Reporter:
The exam, known in Chinese as "gaokao", took place on June 7 and 8 this year across the country, attracting nearly 9.4 million participants.
Gaokao is viewed by many Chinese as one of the most important opportunities to change their fate.
However, some people began to doubt admission transparency and fairness after a scandal involving a corrupt admission official was exposed.
Cai Rongsheng, former head of admissions at Beijing's Renmin University of China, was arrested a week ago on charges of receiving huge bribes.
Cai was put under official investigation last November. He is accused of taking over 10 million yuan or about 1.6 million U.S. dollars to unfairly "help" students during enrollment.
Xiong Bingqi, deputy-director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, says interference from administrative leaders is the main source of corruption during university enrollment.
"Because the student recruitment is still a job mainly carried out by executive departments, though some schools have a so-called enrollment committee. But that's not an independent department. This situation provides opportunities for the executive administrators to interfere with the enrollment work."
Xiong points out that relevant government departments need to take their responsibilities to effectively supervise the enrollment process.
"The government should urge and strengthen the supervision of universities' publication of recruitment information. According to the Ministry of Education, the recruitment process should be transparent. Violators should face certain punishments. But, so far, it seems the government is not taking their responsibility to supervise the schools' related information publication work."
He adds that a more independent enrollment michanism needs to be established in China's universities to ensure the fairness of the enrollment work.
"Universities' internal management procedures should be reformed. Admission and enrollment should be the work of an independent commission. They are the ones who set the standard and execute it. However, nowadays, schools' administrative departments are still having a big say in the enrollment process. Their function should be reduced."
To ensure a fair enrollment for this year's college applicants, the Ministry of Education has just taken the first step to order strict adherence to the country's admission policies and severe punishment for any malpractice on the part of enrollment officials.
For CRI, I am Li Dong.
 
 
3 dead, 4 injured in SW China apartment blast
 
At least 3 people have been killed and another four injured in a blast in an apartment in southwest China's Yunnan Province.
Local officials say the blast ripped through the fourth floor apartment on Ziyun Street in Chuxiong City.
The injured have been rushed to hospital, and the cause of the explosion is under investigation.
 
 
Explosion rips through refinery in east China
 
An explosion has ripped through an oil refinery and triggered a fire in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing.
No casualties have been reported.
Local firefighters say crude oil tanks near the sulfur recovery facility at the refinery of Sinopec Yangzi Petrochemical Co. exploded at about 12:44 p.m.
Three of the eight oil tanks at the site are on fire after the explosion toppled them.
The cause of the accident is yet unknown and an investigation is underway.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Stocks 
 
Anchor:
Time for a look at what's making news in business, beginning with market numbers in Asia. With more, here's Ding Lulu.
Reporter:
Asian stocks touched their highest levels in nearly three years on Monday, basking in the glow of a record close on Wall Street after bright U.S. jobs data pointed to improving economic momentum.
Weekend trade data from China also supported the view of a recovering global economy, with exports gaining steam last month.
But the same data also contained some cause for concern, as a surprising drop in imports could herald weaker domestic demand.
The benchmark Shanghai composite index ended flat.
The Shenzhen Component Index was down 0.1 percent.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng went up 0.7 percent.
Japan's Nikkei stock average advanced 0.3 percent, hitting a three-month high bolstered by brisk U.S. and Japanese economic data.
South Korea's KOSPI also gained 0.3 percent.
Singapore's Straits Times Index rose 0.2 percent.
Australia's ASX added 0.7 percent.
 
 
China, U.S. hold new talks on investment treaty
 
A new round of negotiations over an investment treaty between China and the United States has begun in Beijing.
China's Ministry of Commerce says the two sides will step up discussions about "core issues" during the five-day negotiations, which started today.
The ministry has not given any other details.
Talks over the treaty began in 2008. The two sides held the last round of talks in Washington in March this year.
 
 
New Zone established to develop marine economy
 
The State Council of China has approved the establishment of a new zone in the eastern coastal city of Qingdao.
This move is linked to ocean exploration and development of maritime resources.
It is expected to contribute to China's maritime strategy of developing an efficient and environmentally-friendly seaside economy.
The State Council is urging departments to coordinate development efforts in the zone.
Located on the west coast of Jiaozhou Bay, the new zone covers 5,000 square km of offshore waters and nearly 2,100 square km of land.
Qingdao boasts a variety of resources and advantages for developing the marine economy, which will further serve the transformation of eastern coastal regions and build China into a marine powerhouse.
 
 
China's foreign trade recorded mild growth in May
 
Anchor:
New figures show China's foreign trade grew by 1.5 percent in May year-on-year.
The General Administration of Customs attributes the mild growth to an improving global markets and helpful policies enacted by the government in Beijing.
Official data shows the country's exports rebounded from a 4.8 percent slump in the first four months of the year to 5.4 percent growth in May.
The customs data shows that China's imports and exports totaled 10.3 trillion yuan or about 1.7 trillion US dollars in the first five months of the year.
That represents a decline of 2.2 percent year on year.
For more on this, CRI's Paul James spoke earlier with Mike Bastin, Visiting Professor of China's University of Economics and Business.
…
Back to Anchor:
Mike Bastin, Visiting Professor of China's University of Economics and Business.
 
 
Mixed picture on Japan's economy
 
There are positive and negative economic signs emerging in Japan.
An updated government report shows the country has recorded GDP growth of 6.7 percent in the first quarter of the year, but April's Current Account surplus has plunged 76 percent.
Japan revised its growth figures for the January-to-March period due to robust consumer spending and stronger growth in business investment.
However, weighed by the yen's depreciation and a surge in fossil fuel imports, Japan saw a serious drop in its current account surplus for April.
Despite a 6.2 percent growth in exports, its imports rose 6.6 percent, resulting in a 7.6 billion dollar trade deficit.
 
 
Bulgaria halts work on gas pipeline after US talks
 
Bulgaria is to halt work on its Russian-backed South Stream gas pipeline following criticism from the EU and the US.
The Bulgarian Prime Minister has announced that he has "ordered all work to be stopped".
The Gazprom-financed pipeline would ship gas to western Europe via the Balkans, thus avoiding Ukraine.
The European Commission sent Bulgarian authorities a letter at the start of the month, asking them to suspend work on the project.
The EC claimed Bulgaria may have broken EU public procurement laws by choosing local and Russian bidders.
Meanwhile, Moscow, Kiev and Brussels will restart talks on Russian gas supplies later today to try to resolve a dispute over price.
Russia and Ukraine have been at odds over gas pricing following the ouster of former Ukranian President Viktor Yanukovych.
Russia has been demanding Ukraine pay in advance for new gas deliveries.
Ukraine is the delivery point for around one-third of Europe's natural gas supplies from Russia.
 
 
Microsoft sets up Xiaobing partnerships
 
Microsoft is relaunching its chatbots "Xiaobing" or little ice here in China, but this time with Netease's messaging app Yixin.
Microsoft announced that it set up strategic cooperation with Yixin over the weekend in an effort to bring back Microsoft's artificially intelligent chatbots.
Based on the cooperation, Yixin users can have intelligent chats with the chatbots, after following Xiaobing's account on Yixin.
The partnership came right after a similar agreement between Microsoft and Beijing-based Xiaomi Technology, owner of a SNS platform named Miliao, last Friday.
Both announcements are in response to the removal of Xiaobing by Tencent from its popular messaging app WeChat over alleged privacy concerns and claims of an emergence of fake Xiaobing on June 1.
 
 
Former top COSCO executive expelled from the CPC
 
A former COSCO executive has been expelled from the Communist Party of China for taking advantage of his position and claiming expenses for personal items.
Xu Minjie was an executive director at China's largest bulk shipping company until last November.
Xu was sacked last November as China intensifies its efforts to crack down on corruption.
The party says it has now referred the matter to the relevant judicial bodies.
 
 
Sony 'overtakes' rival Nintendo in console sales
 
Sony has overtaken Nintendo for the first time in eight years, based on the total number of game consoles sold.
Sony sold 18.7 million systems in the last financial year, compared to Nintendo's tally of 16.3 million video games machines.
Sony's PlayStation 4 has emerged as the bestselling "new-gen" console.
But demand for Nintendo's Wii U has lagged far behind the original Wii, which was the most popular hardware of the last generation.
Sony, Nintendo and their US rival Microsoft will all be announcing new titles this week to coincide with the E3 video games expo in Los Angeles.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
China to play constructive role in Iran nuclear talks
 
China says it is willing to keep close contact with all parties in the Iran nuclear talks and play a constructive role.
China's foreign ministry made the comment as Iran is to hold its first bilateral talks in decades with the United States and separate talks with Russia.
Over the weekend, Iran said it would hold talks with the U.S in Geneva on Monday and Tuesday.
Two days of direct talks with Russia will immediately follow in Rome.
The unprecedented set of direct talks come before Iran's next round of discussions with the six world powers, including China, in Vienna starting next Monday.
 
 
China to join RIMPAC naval drill
 
The Chinese navy has announced that it will join this year's Rim of the Pacific exercises, or RIMPAC, later this summer, to be held near Hawaii.
This is the first time China is joining this military drill.
China's missile destroyer Haikou, frigate Yueyang, a supply ship, a hospital ship, and two helicopters will take part in the exercises.
The drill, hosted by the United States Navy's Pacific Fleet every two years, is now the largest international maritime exercise.
23 countries will take part in this year's drill.
The drill will involve 48 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel.
The exercises are expected to run for five weeks, wrapping up in August.
 
 
Taliban claims responsibility for Karachi airport attack
 
The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack at Karachi airport that left at least 28 people dead.
The group calls it a revenge attack for the killing of their former leader Hakeemullah Mehsud in a U.S. drone strike in November last year.
The group also threatens more attacks in future.
It is reported that gunfire resumed at the airport after the army said it had retaken control and killed all 10 attackers.
The attacks come as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government tries to engage Taliban militants in talks to end years of fighting.
 
 
Sisi pledges to make up what they have missed
 
Egypt's new president is promising his countrymen that Egypt is about to undergo a rebuilding phase.
Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi made the pledge while meeting with foreign dignitaries following his swearing-in on Sunday.
Al-Sisi met with China's Industry and Information Technology Minister Miao Wei, who was sent as the envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The new Egyptian President says he welcomes more Chinese investment in Egypt.
He also says he hopes China can continue to support Egypt's political transition.
Al-Sisi was sworn-in following an election in which he garnered 97-percent of the vote.
To mark the occasion, Sunday was declared a national holiday.
Egypt's economy has been hammered since the fall of former president Hosni Mubarak in 2011.
 
 
3 people dead in Las Vegas shooting by two suspects
 
Two suspects opened fire in Las Vegas, killing two police officers and at least one more person.
The two suspects, a man and a woman, walked into CiCi's Pizza and shot the officers at point-blank as the cops were eating their lunch.
The suspects then fled to the Walmart across the street, where they fatally shot a person inside the front door.
There are reports that officers exchanged gunfire with the suspects before the couple apparently killed themselves.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
Xinhua
"American pianist releases Chinese piano music album in US"
American pianist Joel Schoenhals has released an album of Chinese piano music in the United States, taking Chinese music to a new, overseas audience.
The album includes 16 pieces such as Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon, composed in 1935 for Chinese instrumental ensemble.
Schoenhals picked every piece on the album carefully, to make them representative of Chinese music. The selection and recording of the pieces has taken him several years.
Schoenhals has also written sleeve notes for each piece of music to help western audiences understand the music.
Schoenhals said a lot of Americans are familiar with European, Russian or South American music, but very few of them know about Chinese music. And he wishes more western people appreciated Chinese music and culture.
Shanghai Daily
"City employs foreign talent to boost trade"
A multi-lingual lawyer from Uruguay, a British IT expert, and a Londoner enthusiastic about research have been chosen by a Chinese organization and given a challenging task.
They are part of a team of foreign employees hired by the local government in Foshan City in south China's Guangdong Province.
Last year, the Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Foshan City decided to hire a team of five foreigners for its Foshan Investment Promotion Agency.
The bureau director said the organization wanted a "more international" business environment.
Their job is to distribute international investment information, communicate with transnational companies, as well as design and maintain the agency's English website.
The Independent
"Smoking damages hearing, too, even for passive smokers"
A Manchester University study has found current smokers have a 15% higher chance of hearing loss than non-smokers.
The study found the more cigarettes smokers have, and the longer they smoke for, the greater risk to hearing.
But researchers have speculated that ex-smokers can reduce their chance of hearing loss by adopting a healthier life style overall.
Researchers say passive smokers have an even greater risk of hearing loss than smokers.
The research was conducted using data from the UK Biobank, a long-term health study that began in 2007 and is following around 500,000 volunteers in the UK.
The India Express
"Argument with dad? Find friendly ears to talk it out"
A new study shows adolescents' well-being can improve when conflicts with their father are adequately explained – by mom, a friend or even dad himself.
Researchers from the San Francisco State University found that when a teen is having an argument with his or her father and seeks out others for help, the response he or she receives is linked to better well-being and father-child relationships.
Adolescents who receive a reason for the father's behaviour or a better understanding of who is at fault feel better about themselves and about dad as well.
Those feelings about dad, in turn, are linked to a lower risk of depression for youth.
The study is the first to explore the intricacies.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
Shanty Towns Renovation Speed Up to Benefit the Low-incomes
 
ANCHOR:
The Chinese central government is planning to accelerate shanty town renovations, with the hope of improving the living conditions of low-income residents.
CRI's Xiao Yi has more.
REPORTER:
The Chinese Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development has planned to renovate 100 million shanty houses between 2013 and 2017, which they say will benefit residents that have been living in the sub-par conditions of the make-shift housing for decades.
"A lot of old people live here. When it rains, it's hard for us to go outside, so we have to pave the road higher; and the snow never melts here in winter."
"All I want is a house that has a kitchen and a bathroom."
"I don't want any of my friends or relatives to visit me. The living conditions here are embarrassing."
This year, 4.8 million shanty houses are slated for renovation.
But in the face of the current economic slowdown, financing is still a major problem for reconstruction of shantytowns in China.
Feng Jun, chief economist with the Housing Ministry, says new methods should be taken to solve the problem.
"First, intensify fiscal support from all government levels for the reconstruction of these homes. We'll allocate the limited financial resources available to better people's livelihoods. Second, financial support needs to come from somewhere; credit funds that have low interest-rates and a long repayment period can go to these projects. Meanwhile, local governments need to verify their financing channels and bring non-governmental funds, such as issuing special bonds, into these projects."
The central government has allocated 198 billion yuan, or over 30 billion US dollars, this year to subsidize the reconstruction project.
That's an increase of 25 billion yuan, compared with last year.
For CRI, I'm XYee.
 
 
Sports
 
 
LeBron James leads the Heat to a 98-96 victory in Game 2 of the Finals
 
Starting off with the NBA finals,
Defending champions Miami Heat have snatched a last buzzer victory at San Antonio and evened their series at one game apiece. Game Two was played this morning.
The Heat trailed 93-92 but scored the next six points to take a 98-93 lead.
A three-point shot by the Spurs' Manu Ginobili at the final buzzer ended the scoring.
Showing no effects from the leg cramps that forced him to sit out most of the fourth quarter of Game One, LeBron James led the Heat with 35 points and 10 rebounds in the crucial 98-96 road win.
The series now shifts to Miami for the next two games, giving the Heat home-court advantage as they try to take the series lead.
Miami's Chris Bosh praised the play of his teammate, Lebron James, following game 2.
"He's the most unselfish player I've ever played with and - especially with the talent that he has playing the game the way he plays the game - he doesn't, you know, he doesn't try to force anything ... even if he is hot, he'll still hit you if you're wide open. And that's what makes this team special, because your best player is willing to sacrifice a shot, a good shot for a great shot and you just have to commend him for that."
Miami has rebounded with a win 13 consecutive times following a postseason loss, just like last year when they lost game one of the NBA finals, also to the San Antonio Spurs.
Game Three is on Wednesday, 9 in the morning Beijing time.
 
 
French Open recap as Nadal claims ninth French Open crown
 
For anyone who missed the result of the French Open,
A quick recap of the weekend's finals.
For the men's singles, world number one Rafael Nadal has taken his ninth French Open title after he came out a 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 winner against Novak Djokovic.
With this win, the Spaniard has become the first person to win five straight titles at Roland Garros.
Nadal is now tied with American Pete Sampras with 14 grand slam singles titles, just three shy of Roger Federer.
Over on the women's side,
Maria Sharapova reigned in Paris once again, beating fourth seeded Romanian Sinoma Halep 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 to win her second French Open title and her fifth grand slam title overall.
Sharapova was also winner at Roland Garros in 2012.
And in women's doubles, reigning world number one pair Peng Shuai and her partner Hsieh Suwei earned their second Grand Slam title by defeating Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-4, 6-1 in the final.
The Chinese pair rose to the world number one ranking back in February this year.
 
 
Ciro Immobile shines with a hat trick as Italy beat Brazilian league winner 5-3 in a Friendly
 
In football,
Italy's new striking power Ciro Immobile shined this morning as the Serie A's top scorer scored a hat trick to bring the Azzurri to a 5-3 victory over Brazilian club Flunimense in a friendly.
24-year-old Immobile, who will make his debut with Italy's national squad at the World Cup in Brazil, was also crucial in setting up the other two goals in the victory against the four time Brazilian champions.
The Azzurri had been on a seven-game winless streak prior to this match.
Coach Cesare Prandelli opted not to put in his big name players to avoid injuries as the World Cup campaign is just five days away.
But the line-up against Flunimense, consisting mostly of reserves, has proved Italy can still pose a potent challenge to any rival, thanks to the quality of players who usually spend most of their time on the bench.
Italy will take on England on Saturday for their World Cup opener.
They will also play Costa Rica and Uruguay in Group D.
 
 
Daniel Ricciardo wins his first F1 race at the Canadian Grand Prix
 
In formula One,
Australian Daniel Ricciardo cruised to his first Formula One victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, which was also Red Bull's first win this season.
Starting alongside each other on the front row, the Mercedez pair Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton had looked poised for another of their private duels.
But Hamilton and Rosberg did not compete 1-2 like they have in so many races this season and Ricciardo was quick to take advantage.
He dealt the Mercedes team its first defeat of the season.
Championship leader Rosberg, who finished second ahead of quadruple champion Sebastian Vettel in third, said that his second pit stop slowed him down.
"Yeah it was a big battle all the way. Already on the start I didn't have the best getaway, but I got better through Turn One, so managed to keep the lead and from then on, yeah, it was a big battle all the way through, managed to stay ahead until the second pit stop and then we had a problem at the pit stop and then I think, so that's the main thing and I dropped behind as a result."
Ricciardo said he was thrilled to see the Australian crowd cheering for him at the Montreal circuit.
The 24-year-old became Australia's new favorite F1 driver after his fellow countryman, Mark Webber, retired from F1 competition last year.
 
 
Ma Qinghua wins the World Touring Car Championship in Moscow
 
Some big local motor-sport news,
Chinese driver Ma Qinghua has made history. He won the 16-lap Race 2 of the FIA World Touring Car Championship in Moscow.
With the win, Ma becomes the first-ever Chinese driver to win at the World Championship level.
Ma had previously been the first ever Chinese driver to sit in a Formula One car.
The 26-year-old was a test driver for the Caterham Formula One Team in 2013 and the now disbanded HRT F1 Team the year before.
The Shanghai native has also appeared in British and Spanish Formula 3 championships.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Aura McDonald made history at 68th Tony Awards
 
Host Hugh Jackman kicked off the 68th annual Tony Awards with a bounce, hopping up and down like a kangaroo.
It is the fourth time the Australian actor has hosted the ceremony, and his first stint in nine-years.
The awards were handed out Sunday Night at New York's Radio City Music Hall.
The lethal romp 'A Gentlemen's Guide to Love and Murder' got a lot of love at the Awards, nabbing the best new musical trophy.
Meanwhile, 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' took home the award for best revival of a musical.
Aura McDonald made history on Broadway.
She won her sixth Tony for portraying Billie Holiday in 'Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill'.
The award puts her ahead of five-time winners Angela Lansbury and the late Julie Harris for the most wins by an actress.
McDonald got a prolonged standing ovation and she thanked her parents for not medicating their hyperactive child.
"I'm gonna start with the most important people in my life, 'cause I don't wanna forget them. I wanna thank my mom and my dad. I have been, for, for disobeying the doctor's orders and not medicating your hyperactive girl and find out what's she into instead, and push her into theatre. Thank you mom. I wanna thank my husband Will Swenson. He's my best friend and best supporter I've ever known."
McDonald has also become the only woman to have won a Tony in all four acting categories.
Brian Cranston, famous for his role in TV series 'Breaking Bad', won the best lead actor in a play for playing former American President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Neil Patrick Harris, leading actor in 'Hedwig' and former Tony host, got his first Tony award – best actor in a musical.
His co-star Lena Hall won best featured actress in a musical.
Mark Rylance collected his third Tony for playing the countess Olivia in 'Twelfth Night'.
And Kenny Leon won his first Tony for directing the revival of 'A Raisin in the Sun'.
The show ran more than 15 minutes over its allotted three-hours.
The producers had to cut the memorial segment where notable theater deaths of the past year were to be acknowledged.
 
 
Actor Huang Haibo pleads no appeal
 
Actor Huang Haibo has released a statement through his agent that he will not seek to appeal his criminal case.
Police in Beijing caught the actor having sex with a prostitute in a hotel last month.
Huang made a full confession after his arrest.
In the statement, Huang says he is deeply sorry for what he did and is willing to accept the punishment given to him by the court.
 
 
Tracy Morgan in critical condition, but responsive
 
Comedian and 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan is still in a critical condition after 6-car crash.
His spokesman says Morgan is showing signs of improvement following surgery for a broken leg.
Jimmy Mack, Morgan's friend and fellow comedian, was killed at the scene.
The two were traveling in a limo bus on a highway in New Jersey when the crash happened on Saturday night.
Two others have been critically injured.
Authorities say a 35-year-old truck driver, Kevin Roper, apparently failed to slow for traffic ahead. He apparently tried to swerved at the last minute to avoid a crash.
Roper has turned himself in to state police.
The driver has been charged with one count of death by auto and four counts of assault by auto.
He was released on 50,000 dollars bail Saturday night and has been placed on administrative leave.
 
 
'Fault in Our Stars' tops US box office
 
Romance movie, 'Fault in Our Stars', has topped the U.S. box office with more than 48 million dollars in receipts for its opening weekend.
Starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, the film tells the story of two young lovers who meet in a cancer support group.
The adaption of John Green's popular book has easily beaten 'Maleficent' and Tom Cruise's 'Edge of Tomorrow'.
Cruise's new sci-fi epic opened to a disapointing 29 million dollars despite stellar reviews.
'Edge of Tomorrow' is performing much better overseas, especially in China and Russia.
The epic topped Chinese market in the weekend, taking in 25 million U.S. dollars.
'Maleficent' sits safely in second place.
The movie has earned over 330 million US dollars worldwide, and is yet to be launched in China and Japan.
 
 
Japanese best-seller book to be made into movie
 
Japanese novelist Keigo Higashno's Tian Kong Zhi Feng, or Bees in the Sky, will be adapted into film.
Published in 1995, the detective novel tells a story involving terrorism attacks related to atomic bombs.
In the book, terrorists carry explosives to a nuclear station using a remote-control helicopter.
Later, they send a threatening letter to the Japanese government, asking it to stop the construction and operation of the nuclear plant.
The film stars renowned actors Yosuke Eguchi from 'Tokyo Love Story' and Masahiro Motoki from 'Departures'.
It's their first collaboration.
The author says he is excited about how the theme of the book will presented today, 20 years after it was first published.
The film will be under production this Thursday and will premiere in Japan in 2015.
 
 
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
for the first time ever, the Chinese navy will participate in the Rim of the Pacific navy drills, hosted by the United States near Hawaii...
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack near airport in Afghanistan's capital...
and Egypt's newly elected president is promising that his country is about to undergo a rebuilding phase...
In business, new talks between China and the US regarding an investment treaty...
On behalf of the Beijing Hour staffers, this is Shane Bigham in Beijing hoping you'll join us for our next edition of the Beijing Hour to open a window to the world together.