新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 08:00 2014/07/03

 
The Beijing Hour
 
Morning Edition
 
It's Paul James with you on this Thursday, July 3, 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this morning...
Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to begin a much-anticipated trip to South Korea later today.
Ukraine and Russia have agreed to open a new round of talks with pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine.
The initial results of the Presidential runoff in Afghanistan have been delayed amid vote-rigging allegations.
In Business.... a new survey is suggesting Chinese companies are poised to do more hiring in the 2nd half of this year.
In Sports... Peng Shuai and Hsieh Suwei will not be repeating as Wimbledon Women's Double champs this year.
In Entertainment... Chinese actress Tang Wei has announced her engagement to a South Korean director.
First, let's check in with what's happening with the weather....
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will see thundershowers today with a high of 29 degree Celsius.
Overnight temperatures should drop down to around 23.
Shanghai will be cloudy during the daytime with a high of 29.
Overnight, it will be overcast with a low of 23.
In Chongqing, it will see heavy rain with a high of 27.
Overnight lows are expected to be around 21.
Elsewhere in the world, staying here in Asia.
Islamabad will see slight rain with a high of 37.
Kabul will be cloudy with a high of 28.
Over to North America.
New York will see slight rain today with a high of 29 degrees.
Washington will have moderate rain with a high of 32 degrees.
Honolulu, light rain, 30.
Toronto, Canada, will be cloudy with a high of 27 degrees.
Finally, on to South America,
Buenos Aires will be sunny with a high of 16.
And Rio de Janeiro will be cloudy with a high of 25 degrees Celsius.
 
 
Top News
 
 
South Korean President on Bilateral Relations upon Xi's visit
 
Anchor
South Korean President Park Geun-hye says she expects more pragmatic cooperation between China and South Korea.
She made the suggestion ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to her country, which is set to begin later today.
CRI's Xie Zhao has more.
Reporter
The Chinese President's state visit to Seoul starts on Thursday.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye says she hopes the visit takes bilateral relations to a new high.
Park also says both countries should work together for the well-being of their respective people.
"President Xi brought up the 'Chinese dream' as a national vision and it has much in common with my idea of the South Korean dream which aims to build a new era of hope and national happiness. I think the two dreams share the same ultimate goal and it's an important reason why the two countries should enhance cooperation."
She says there will be more pragmatic cooperation between the two countries after the trip.
China and South Korea will release a joint paper during President Xi's visit.
Both sides are also set to sign cooperative documents pertaining to the economy and trade, finance, the environment and consular affairs.
South Korean Ambassador to China Kwon Young-se says both sides have made remarkable achievements in nearly every respect, especially the economic ties.
"The development in economic aspect has been rapid as always. The free trade agreement negotiations between China and South Korea have been smooth despite some problems."
Kwon says he hope President Xi's visit will propel negotiations on the China-South Korea free trade agreement, which is set to enter the 12th round of talks later this month.
Official numbers from South Korea show the volume of bilateral trade exceeded 270 billion US dollars last year.
The figure was a mere 6 billion US dollars when the two countries established diplomatic relations 22 years ago.
China has become South Korea's largest trading partner and export market, while South Korea is now the third-largest trade partner and the fifth-largest source of foreign investment for China.
For CRI, I'm Xie Zhao.
 
 
A Korean student's life in China
 
Anchor
As part of Xi Jinping's time in South Korea, it's expected issues connected to cultural exchanges are going to be discussed.
Beijing is already home to a large and growing population of South Korean students, who have become social ambassadors, helping link young people from both countries.
CRI's Li Dong has more.
Reporter
Lee Laehyun is a South Korean student at Beijing Normal University. He has been studying Chinese for 4 years. Like many other Korean students, he politely bows when he meets someone.
Lee has been living in Beijing for a long time and has witnessed the development of a Korean community in Beijing.
"I think after the 2008 Olympics, public service facilities became more developed, like the newly built subway lines in Wudaokou and Wangjing. Now, I can always find stores that sell products from my hometown, and restaurants run by Korean people. It makes our life convenient and cozy."
Lee has been interested in learning foreign languages since he was a kid. When he came to China with his parents years ago, Chinese became his major.
He likes Chinese culture. As the overseas student leader of the Institute of Literature at Beijing Normal University, he used to organize Korean students to learn Chinese calligraphy.
"In South Korea, we have calligraphy. But it's not as profound as the Chinese calligraphy. We Korean students don't know how to write it. So I organized an activity, inviting calligraphy artists and Chinese students who are also interested in this art to share their experience. It was an experience of fun."
In recent years, the South Korean entertainment industry has had a significant impact on China. People in many different age groups like to watch Korean TV shows. Lee says those shows, the actors and actresses, and even Korean food are big topics of conversation among his many Chinese friends.
"This is a big topic. Whenever I meet Chinese friends for the first time, they will always ask me whether I have met their favorite Korean actor or actress when I was in Korea, and is it true that in South Korea people really match beer and fried chicken. I laugh and say it's true. We ordinary people do drink beer when having fried chicken. We think they taste good together."
Lee Laehyun says his father has been doing business in China for a long time.
"My father has been in China for more than 10 years. His company, a clothing business, is in Qingdao, Shandong Province. Doing business in a country other than your motherland is tough sometimes. But he says China is a fast developing country, and China has many opportunities that other places can't provide him. So he stays here. I agree with him."
Figures from the Ministry of Education last year show that the number of South Korean students continues to top numbers from other countries in China.
For CRI, I am Li Dong.
 
 
Annual dialogue and consultation between China and the US to be held in Beijing next week
 
China and the United States are due to hold their annual talks next week here in Beijing.
The two sides have agreed the sixth China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue and the fifth China-U.S. High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange will be held on July 9th and 10th.
The sessions will be co-chaired by Vice Premier Wang Yang and State Councilor Yang Jiechi, as well as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew.
The current form of the annual bilateral meetings, known as the S&ED, began in 2009.
The sessions were expanded from a previous format first fostered under the administrations of Hu Jintao and George W. Bush.
The people-to-people exchange component was added in 2010.
 
 
China urges Japan to act cautiously in military security fields
 
China is calling on Japan to act cautiously when it comes to its military.
The call comes after the Japanese cabinet lifted the long-standing ban on Japanese troops fighting outside Japan.
The Chinese side also says it will remain watchful of Japan's pacifist policies.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei.
"Japan's military and security policies concern the direction of Japan's development and the security of Asia. We urge Japan to adhere to peaceful development, handle relevant issues cautiously, respect the reasonable concerns of its neighboring countries in Asia, and refrain from undermining regional peace and stability. As far as Japan's lifting of its ban on collective self-defence rights, China has repeatedly expressed its concerns, urging Japan not to hurt China's sovereignty and security interests."
Japan's move is heightening concerns over regional stability among neighboring countries.
Opposition parties in Japan have been calling on the Abe administration to reverse its decision.
 
 
Ukraine update: Russia, Ukraine agree on fresh ceasefire talks
 
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to hold three-way talks involving rebels in eastern Ukraine by Saturday to pave the way for a new ceasefire.
It comes following meetings among the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France in Berlin.
Ukrainian foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin.
"Now we are trying to work for a bilateral ceasefire and this is why we have expressed our readiness to work together for a resumption of the trilateral contact group which has so far not been able to come together and meet in the last few days."
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov says they have agreed to work toward a "stable and long-term truce".
"Once a ceasefire has been agreed, the Russian side will continue to be ready during such a ceasefire to allow representatives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe at certain border crossings or checkpoints."
Fighting between government forces and rebels is continuing in eastern Ukraine after President Petro Poroshenko renewed military operations in the region this week.
The government says five soldiers have been killed, and 28 others wounded, during clashes on Tuesday.
It's also being reported at least 9 civilians have been killed in an attack on a village in Luhansk, with both the government and the rebels blaming each other for the deaths.
 
 
Iran ensures nuclear program peaceful without submission
 
Iran says its ready to take concrete steps to guarantee its nuclear program remains peaceful.
The comments have come amid the latest round of nuclear talks among Iran and the P5+1.
Tehran says its committed to resolving the situation before the July 20th deadline.
But it is also warning the world powers not to try to ram-in last minute concessions.
Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
"In the next three weeks, we have a unique opportunity to make history, to forge a comprehensive agreement over Iran's nuclear energy program, and to end an unnecessary crisis that has distracted us from addressing together our common challenges, such as the horrifying events of the past few weeks in Iraq."
Zarif is also dismissing suggestions that it's his side who has been pressured into making a final deal.
If a final deal isn't reached before July 20th, previous sanctions imposed on Iran by the international community will be reinstated.
Tehran will also then be able to resume its nuclear enrichment activities which it suspended during the current 6-month interim agreement.
 
 
Iraq update: PM says declaration of Islamic state threats entire region
 
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is warning the declaration of an Islamic state by Sunni militants is a threat to the entire region.
"The caliphate state is a message to the region's countries - you are not outside the red circle. ISIL was talking about the State of Iraq and the Levant before, but now they are talking about the caliphate state in the whole region."
Al-Qaeda offshoot the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant has declared itself a "caliphate", and proclaimed its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as "caliph".
Al-Baghdadi has been calling on Muslims from around the world to immigrate to the "Islamic State" to support him.
Fighters from the group overran the northern Iraqi city of Mosul last month, and are continuing to advance toward Baghdad.
In Syria, the militants have captured territory in the north and east, along the frontier with Iraq.
Fighting between Iraqi security forces and Sunni militants is continuing on the ground.
In the latest development, long-time Iraqi foe Iran is now supplying Iraqi forces with warplanes to help it counter the insurgency.
The US is also sending in planes, meaning the US and Iran are now tacitly working together for a common goal.
 
 
Final result of Afghan presidential elections to be announced on Aug. 24
 
The final results of the Afghan presidential election are to be announced on the 24th of August.
The head of the Election Commission has confirmed the date and says the preliminary results of the presidential polls will be announced this coming Monday.
The initial results were supposed to be out yesterday.
But electoral authorities have delayed the announcement of the preliminary results to allegations of voter fraud.
Abdullah Abdullah, one of the two contenders to become Afghanistan's next president, is accusing his opponents supporters of stuffing the ballot boxes in last month's run-off.
"The fact that 7.5 million votes were devoted, the turnout is 7.5 million that itself is questionable. And nobody has answered our concerns to this, explain it to us that what is the base of that claim. And there are other issues as well, including the involvement of election officers and the ballot was stuffed in one day before the election in several places."
Afghanistan's chief election official has already resigned over fraud allegations.
Abdullah led the first round of voting by a margin of nearly 14 points, winning 45 percent of the vote.
His closest rival, ex-World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani, received around 31 percent support.
However, indications from observers in the run-off are suggesting Ghani has a wide lead in the 2nd round of voting.
The fraud allegations are creating concerns about an ethnic rift exploding in Afghanistan.
The UN says it fears the standoff between Abdullah, who draws his support from the minority Tajik community, and Ghani, a member of the Pashtun majority, could inflame long-simmering ethnic tensions.
The Pashtun are Afghanistan's largest ethnic group, while the Tajiks are the second largest.
 
 
Sarkozy: corruption allegations 'politically motivated'
 
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy says the French legal system is being used for political ends.
He's making the suggestion after being put under formal investigation as part of a corruption probe.
Speaking publically for the first time since leaving office in 2012, Sarkozy says he feels compelled to break his silence.
"I felt that the situation was sufficiently serious for me to tell the French people where we stand on the political exploitation of part of the legal system today. In our country, which is the country of human rights and the rule of law, there are things being organized which the French people have to be made aware of."
The investigation concerns suspicions that he used his influence to gain details of a separate investigation into the funding of his 2007 election campaign.
That inquiry is looking into whether Sarkozy received illegal donations from late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Sarkozy is denying any wrongdoing, saying he is "profoundly shocked" at the allegations.
"I want to say to all those who are listening or watching that I have never betrayed them and have never committed an act against the Republic's principles and the rule of law."
Under French law, when a suspect is placed under formal investigation, he or she is then examined by a judge, who determines whether there is sufficient evidence for the suspect to be charged.
The step often, but not always, leads to trial.
The affair is a major setback to Sarkozy's hopes of staging a political comeback after losing the presidency to Socialist rival Francois Hollande in 2012.
Current Prime Minister Manuel Valls is insisting the investigation is being carried out independently of the Socialist government.
The 59-year-old Sarkozy has faced a series of legal woes since leaving office.
He has already been subject to a judicial probe last year, which was later dropped. 
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Anchor
First off, a check on the closing numbers in the U.S and Europe.
Joining me on the desk, CRI's Tu Yun.
Reporter
U.S. stocks ended one of their slowest sessions in years on Wednesday, as a positive read on private sector employment wasn't enough to impress investors.
At market close, both the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones added a slight one-tenth of a percent.
And the Nasdaq ended almost unchanged on very low trading volumes.
On the corporate front, shares of JPMorgan Chase lost 1 percent after Chief Executive Jamie Dimon announced he has been diagnosed with early stage throat cancer.
Dimon says he will remain with the Bank while in treatment.
Over in Europe, major European indexes went up, as upbeat US auto sales put a run on shares of automakers such as Daimler and BMW.
Britain's FTSE 100 added a fraction of a percent.
France's CAC 40 picked up two-fifths of a percent.
and Germany's DAX inched up slightly.
 
 
State Council approves Dalian pilot zone
 
The State Council, China's cabinet, has approved a new industrial zone in the northeastern coastal city of Dalian to steer local development and boost cooperation with Northeast Asian countries.
The Dalian Jinpu New Area is being set up to try to develop a coastal economic belt in Liaoning.
The New Area is expected to help Dalian become an international shipping center and a global logistics hub.
The new zone will cover a land area of about 23-hundred square kilometers.
 
 
Call-in with Cao Can Forex regulator grants banks autonomy in deciding USD-RMB exchange rates
 
Anchor
China's foreign exchange regulator has lifted its controls on the exchange rates banks can set when exchanging the renminbi and the US dollar.
This means banks can now set their dollar rate against the yuan in over-the-counter deals, based on market demand.
The idea is meant to further liberalize exchange rates for the Chinese currency.
Under the old rules, banks were only allowed to buy and sell the US dollar at 3-percent fluctuation of the central parity rate, which the People's Bank of China currently allows to move to a maximum of 2-percent on a daily-basis against the US dollar in the interbank market.
For more on the change, we are now joined on the line by our financial commentator Cao Can.
1. How big is the impact of this move in making the exchange rate more market-driven?
2. What potential is there for a bidding war to break out among Chinese banks when it comes to US dollar sales?
3. Media reports suggest China and South Korea might launch direct trading of yuan/won this year, if so, Korean won will become the eighth currency to directly trade with yuan. How soon will full convertibility of the renminbi come?
4. Although the yuan is becoming more and more international, it's mainly used in international settlement and trade, when will yuan become a reserve currency for global investors?
Back anchor
CRI's financial commentator Cao Can.
 
 
BoC report says second quarter GDP grows at 7.5 percent
 
A Bank of China report is suggesting China's economy has grown 7.5-percent through the second quarter, thanks to a moderate pick-up in the economy since May.
China's economic growth slowed to 7.4 percent through the first quarter, marking the lowest rate of growth in six quarters.
Official data shows industrial production has expanded at a faster pace in May, rising 8.8 percent year on year.
Retail sales in the January to May period have also grown at 12.1 percent, slightly higher than the 12-percent growth rate seen in the first four months.
A series of first-half figures from the National Bureau of Statistics are due out on July 16th.
 
 
Peugeot to open new plant in Chengdu
 
French car-maker Peugeot Citroen has announced it's chosen to build its fourth joint-venture factory here in China in the southwestern city of Chengdu.
Peugeot and its Chinese partner Dongfeng already own three factories in Hubei's capital, Wuhan, which currently produce 750-thousand vehicles per year.
Construction of the new plant in Sichuan's capital is set to get underway this year, and is expected to take the group's production capacity here in China to 1 million vehicles by 2016.
Peugeot and Dongfeng hope to sell more than 650-thousand vehicles in China this year.
Dongfeng became a major shareholder in Peugeot earlier this year after the holdings of the Peugeot family were diluted.
 
 
China Merchants Bank to set up Luxembourg branch
 
China Merchants Bank has received permission from the central authorities to set up a branch and a subsidiary in Luxembourg, making it the fourth Chinese bank to have a presence there.
The three other Chinese banks in Luxembourg are Bank of China, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and China Construction Bank.
Luxembourg is one of the few EU countries that views China's supervision of its banking industry as being equivalent to its own system.
The Luxembourg Stock Exchange was the first European exchange to list a dim sum bond, or a bond denominated in yuan and issued in Hong Kong, in 2011.
Luxembourg is the world's second-largest investment fund center after the United States.
The tiny country has more than 38-hundred investment funds that manage assets worth some 3.4 trillion US dollars.
 
 
Pick up Yihaodian commodities at FamilyMart
 
Shanghai-based e-commerce site Yihaodian has reached a new partnership agreement with convenience store chain FamilyMart.
The agreement will allow Yihaodian customers to pick up packages at 300 participating FamilyMart outlets in Shanghai.
The idea is to increase delivery efficiency, while at the same time, cut down on logistics costs.
Customers will need their ID cards and a verification code on their mobile phone to pick up orders from the FamilyMart stores.
A number of online retailers have been moving to team up with brick-and-mortar stores to cut down on logistics overhead.
Tmall and Taobao also have similar programs to allow customers to pick up their deliveries at so-called "pickup stations," which are usually grocery or convenience stores.
 
 
Xiaomi sees 270% rise in smartphones sales in the first half
 
Chinese smart phone maker Xiaomi is reporting its sold more than 26-million smartphones through the first six months of this year.
This represents a massive jump of 270 percent year-on-year.
Xiaomi only sold 19-million handsets through the whole of last year.
Xiaomi's January to June sales have more than doubled compared to a year ago, reaching 33 billion yuan, or nearly five and a half billion US dollars.
Beijing-based Xiaomi is now the fifth largest smartphone maker in the country, with a market share of just under 10 percent.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
Xi Jinping to begin South Korean tour
 
South Korean President Park Geun-hye says she expects more pragmatic cooperation between China and South Korea.
She has made the suggestion ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to her country, which is set to begin later today.
Park says she wants her administration to work with the Chinese government to help each other reach their respective goals.
South Korean officials are also hoping Xi Jinping's time in South Korea will help push forward movement on a China-South Korea free-trade deal.
Xi Jinping's trip to Seoul will be his first as Chinese President.
 
 
Former vice governor of Hainan expelled from CPC
 
Another former leading official here in China has been kicked out of the party.
The former vice-Governor of Hainan, Ji Wenlin, has been expelled from the CPC for "severe violations of discipline and law."
The 47-year old is accused of taking advantage of his position to benefit others.
The Central Committee also says Ji Wenlin demanded and recieved a "huge amount" of bribes.
He's also accused of adultery.
Ji Wenlin became vice-Governor of Hainan in January of last year.
 
 
Russia, Ukraine agree on fresh ceasefire talks
 
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to hold three-way talks involving Ukrainian rebels by Saturday to pave the way for a new ceasefire.
It comes following meetings among the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France in Berlin.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov says they have agreed to work toward a "stable and long-term truce".
Fighting between government forces and the separatists is continuing in eastern Ukraine after President Petro Poroshenko renewed military operations in the region this week.
 
 
West African leaders meet on deadly Ebola outbreak
 
Health ministers from 11 African countries are meeting in Accra, Ghana over the deadly and worsening Ebola outbreak.
So far, some 760 people have been infected with the virus and 468 of them have died.
Most of the cases have been in Guinea where the outbreak started and then spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Officials say it's now the biggest and most deadly Ebola outbreak the world has seen.
The World Health Organization is calling for "drastic" action to stamp out the virus and ensure it does not spread to other countries in the region.
 
 
Sarkozy: corruption allegations 'politically motivated'
 
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy says the French legal system is being used for political ends.
He's making the suggestion after being put under formal investigation as part of a corruption probe.
The investigation concerns suspicions that he used his influence to gain details of a separate investigation into the funding of his 2007 election campaign.
Sarkozy is denying any wrongdoing, saying he is "profoundly shocked" at the allegations.
The affair is a major setback to Sarkozy's hopes of staging a political comeback after losing the presidency to Socialist rival Francois Hollande in 2012.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
BEIJING MORNING POST
Headline
Party kicks out 3 more officials
Summary
The Communist Party of China has expelled three more senior officials in its ongoing crackdown on corruption.
The move adds to a growing list of officials snared in the campaign launched by President Xi Jinping, who has warned that pervasive corruption is a threat to the ruling party's survival.
THE BEIJING NEWS
Headline
Gas station inspections
Summary
Beijing police have begun inspecting around a thousand gas stations in the capital as part of the crackdown on terrorism.
More than 100 inspection teams are fanning out to check the safety of the stations and the management of oil products.
Gas stations are prohibited from refueling vehicles without license plates or those with their plate number covered.
THE BEIJING TIMES
Headline
'Good Samaritans' take gaokao
Summary
Two teenagers who missed the national college entrance exam because of injuries they suffered when they stopped a knife attack, took the test yesterday in Jiangxi.
Because of their wounds, they missed the Gaokao on June 7th and 8th.
This is the first time officials in Jiangxi have organized a separate gaokao.
GLOBAL TIMES
Headline
Emergency response for flood season
Summary
The Ministry of Civil Affairs has issued an urgent circular, asking local authorities to strengthen their disaster relief capacities for this year's flood season.
The circular requires local authorities to send immediate relief materials out when the emergency response grade exceeds the warning level.
SHANGHAI DAILY
Headline
Teenager arrested for kidnapping
Summary
A 17-year-old laborer has been arrested for the kidnapping of a 6-year-old boy in in Shanghai.
The suspect had been demanding 50-thousand yuan from the boy's parents.
He was arrested after he was caught taking the kidnapped boy out for something to eat.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
Over 30-million people say goodbye to iron bowl
 
Anchor
China's government-sponsored institutions are eliminating their permanent employment scheme, and are embracing contract-based employment.
This means some 30-million government employees are losing their so-called "iron rice bowls."
CRI's Cao Yuwei explains.
Reporter
A new regulation on the employment policy of China's public institutions is taking effect on July 1.
Over 30-million people in some 1-million government-sponsored institutions are no longer secured with permanent job offers.
Yin Weimin is the Minister of Human Resources and Social Security. He says this is so far the most significant move in the reform of labour force management in China.
"To define the relation between public institutions and their employees as a 'contractual' or terminable, is a major step forward. The new regulation helps to establish an employment scheme based on terminable contracts, encourage fair competition, bring both incentives and restraints, and better protect employees' rights."
Yin adds that the new scheme aims to optimize the recruitment and promotion procedure in public institutions, which means those permanent workers could also get laid off.
Previously, permanent employees in public institutions were not included in the social welfare system, but their wage and benefits are considered as much more favorable than those in ordinary enterprises.
Analysts say this reform should be based on a fair and inclusive social welfare system, so that the once permanent staff members need not worry if they get laid off.
According to the new regulation, employees in public institutions will be covered by the social welfare system.
But Wu Jiang, Director of the Chinese Academy of Personnel Science, says the paper did not lay out how it is going to proceed.
"Welfare scheme for the public institution is in parallel with the national social welfare system. The new regulation has just pointed out a general direction for the next move. But it did not have specific explanation on how the two schemes will be merged."
In fact, many cities in China have started their trial programs since 2002. So far, over 90-percent of those once permanent employees in public institutions across the country have signed terminable contracts with their employers.
For CRI, I'm Cao Yuwei.  
 
 
Sports
 
 
Peng & Hsieh fall at Wimbledon
 
In tennis,
A number of upsets from Day 9 at the All England Club.
The Chinese duo of Peng Shuai and Hsieh Suwei will not be defending their Women's Double's Crown this year.
They went down to a 14th seeded pair from Hungary and France in a 3-set battle.
There is still some Chinese representation left at Wimbledon.
Taiwan's Chan Hao-Ching and her partner from Belarus are into the quarter-finals of the Mixed-Doubles event.
And 16-year old Xu Shilin, who had her debut on the WTA earlier this year at the Shenzhen Open, is in the 3rd round of the Girl's Singles event at Wimbledon.
--
On the Men's Singles bracket,
Defending Champion Andy Murray will also not be able to defend his title from last year.
Murray has gone down in straight-sets in the quarter-finals to hard-serving 11th seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, 6-1, 7-6, 6-2.
Dimitrov is going to be up against top-seed Novak Djokovic, who survived a 5-set test last night with 26th seeded Croatian Marin Cilic.
Former Wimbledon champ Roger Federer is through to the semi-finals after he powered past compatriot Stan Wawrinka in 4-sets.
Federer will be up against Canadian 8th seed Milos Raonic, who put an end to 19-year old Nick Kyrgios' dream run at Wimbledon.
Kyrgios, currently ranked 144th in the world, who made it into the quarter finals following his shocking upset of World number-1 Raphael Nadal on Tuesday, seemed poised to continue his stellar performance, taking the first set against Raonic.
However, Raonic's experience just proved too much for the Aussie teen, who was overpowered by the hard-serving Canadian in the next 3-sets.
--
On the women's bracket,
The remainder of the semi-final draw has been set.
French Open finalist Simona Halep is through.
The Romanian 3rd seed destroyed last year's Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisiki 6-4, 6-love.
Halep will be up against 13th seeded Canadian Eugine Bouchard.
The 20-year old, who will have appeared in the semi-finals of all the Grand-Slams so far this year, rolled past 9th seeded German Angelique Kerber in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.
The other semi-final, set the day before, will see an all Czech battle, with 6th seeded Petra Kvitova taking on 23rd seeded Lucie Safarova.
Both the women's semi-finals will be contested tonight, starting at 8pm Beijing time.
 
 
LatAm football official seeks to lessen Suarez's penalties
 
There are no matches today at the World Cup, but there is action off the pitch.
The head of the South American Football Confederation has reportedly been working to try to reduce the penalties imposed on Uruguayan footballer Luis Suarez for biting.
FIFA's disciplinary committee suspended Suarez from playing in nine national team matches, and has banned him from any football-related activity for four months.
If the ban from national team games holds, Suarez will miss the entire 2015 Americas Cup championship in Chile and part of the qualifying matches for 2018 World Cup in Russia.
----
The Ghana Football Association has announced that head coach Kwasi Appiah will keep his job, despite the team's first round World Cup exit.
Appiah took Ghana to the worst performance in the World Cup since the Black Stars made it to the 2006 finals in Germany.
----
The quarter-final action at the World Cup quarter-final will begin Friday night at midnight, Beijing time, when European power-houses Germany and France will do battle.
Then later on at 4am, hosts Brazil will be in a tough test as they take on Columbia.
Sunday morning's matches have Belgium up against Argentina, while Costa Rica will take on the Netherlands in the 2nd fixture.
 
 
FIFA Urges Der Spiegel to Prove Match Fixing Claims
 
FIFA is challenging a German magazine's claims that a World Cup may have been fixed.
Football's government body is demanding Der Spiegel provide evidence to back up its report.
FIFA is demanding the German magazine provide details of all its conversations with previously convicted match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal to prove its claim that Cameroon's 4-nil loss to Croatia may have been fixed.
FIFA spokesperson Delia Fischer.
"So far we have found no indication of any match manipulation on the betting market in relation to any of the 2014 FIFA World Cup matches. FIFA takes all such allegations very seriously and it is vital that the media and any other stakeholder handles such matters with the necessary respect and responsibility."
Cameroon's soccer federation says it is going to investigate Der Spiegel's allegations.
 
 
Valencia sack coach Juan Antonio Pizzi
 
In European football news,
Valencia has fired head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi just a week before its players are due to return for the start of pre-season training.
Pizzi only became Valencia's head coach in December.
He was able to help guide Valencia to the semi-finals of the Europa League this past season.
His successor has not been named.
 
 
Jailed Chinese Referee's Sentence Commuted
 
A court in Beijing has shortened the jailed term of former Chinese soccer referee Lu Jun for one year.
The Beijing Number-2 Intermediate Court is rewarding Lu for his good performance in prison.
With the sentence reduction, Lu Jun is expected to be released in September.
Lu was arrested in 2010 and convicted and sentenced to 5.5-years in jail in 2012 for taking bribes from a number of Chinese soccer clubs.
Lu Jun also refereed a pair of group matches in the 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.
 
 
Lionel Hollins replaces Jason Kidd as Nets' new coach
 
In off-season NBA news,
The Brooklyn Nets have reached an agreement with Lionel Hollins to become their new head coach.
Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Hollins' appointment has come on the same day former Nets coach Jason Kidd has been formally introduced as the new head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Hollins, the bench boss for the Memphis Grizzlies this past season, helped guide the team to 56 victories and the Western Conference finals before leaving the team after the Grizzlies bowed out of the playoffs.
He is the only known candidate to be interviewed by the Nets.
----
In NBA free agency news,
It's being reported that the Indiana Pacers will sign free-agent guard C.J. Miles to a four-year deal worth 18 million US dollars.
Miles played for the Cleveland Caverliers last season, setting a team-record of 10 3-pointers in a single game.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Chinese Actress Tang Wei Declares Engagement to Kim Tae Yong
 
Superstar Chinese actress, Tang Wei, has announced her engagement on Wednesday to Kim Tae Yong, the South Korean director of the film "Late Autumn", in which Tang stars.
Through her agents, Tang issued a statement saying she got to know Kim during the shooting of "Late Autumn" and they became lovers last October.
Having received the blessings from parents on both sides, the celebrity couple plan to get married in the near future.
The 35-year-old actress has earned nine acting awards during her career and has gained widespread popularity in South Korea with the release of "Late Autumn."
News of the engagement set Sina Weibo buzzing. Over 100-thousand people have posted comments on the couple's plans to get married.
Many have posted well-wishes for the couple, but there are a handful of forlorn fans who expressed sadness over the actress's status as taken.
 
 
Madame Tussauds gives new look to royal couple
 
A glamorous new look has been given to the wax models of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Madame Tussauds London on Wednesday.
Matthew Clarkson, marketing manager for the London tourist attraction, details the re-design:
"They've been redressed in a glamorous new look. They were originally launched in the attraction two years ago with their iconic engagement pose. We've taken inspiration from what they're doing now and redressed them for a glamorous kind of evening look."
The new outfits are a double-breasted Gieves and Hawkes dinner suit for Prince William and a turquoise silk Issa London gown for the Duchess of Cambridge, with gold embellishment around the neckline.
Her look has been finished with L.K. Bennett Sledge Court Shoes and a clutch bag.
Clarkson feels that the royal couple would approve of their look.
Of course, William and Kate have a new addition to their household following the birth of their son, Prince George. It may be a while before fans get to see a wax figure of him, though.
The new-look Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wax models can now be seen in the Royal Zone at Madame Tussauds London.
 
 
Yao Ming to appear on "Dad Where are we Going 2014"
 
Dad Trailer
Former NBA star Yao Ming will make a guest appearance on this weekend's episode of the hit reality TV show, "Dad, Where are we Going?" which features Chinese celebrity-dads completing tasks with their children.
The theme of this week's program is asking kids to find the tallest person in the village where the father-child pairs are visiting.
The former pro-basketball player will also show his skills on the court during the program.
Yao was originally supposed to be part of this season's cast of fathers, along with his four-year-old daughter, but couldn't fully commit to the project due to scheduling issues.
"Dad, Where are We Going?" is broadcasted by Hunan Television in central China and is based on the South Korean reality show of the same name.
The series has become a massive hit, gaining about 75 million viewers per weekly episode.
The second season of the show features other celebrity dads, like famous Chinese gymnast, Yang Wei, and Taiwan singer, Cao Ge.
 
 
"Maleficent" Earns Over 600 Million USD
 
Disney's "Maleficent," starring American actress Angelina Jolie, passed the 600-million-US-dollar milestone on Wednesday, becoming the fourth film of the year to do so.
Momentum for the "Sleeping Beauty" reboot has not slowed since its strong global opening, which has seen the live-action re-imagining of the animated classic gross over 40 million US dollars in China and over 200 million US dollars in America.
Now in its fifth week, "Maleficent" has made over 400 million dollars across 54 international markets outside the U.S.
Other movies that have busted the 600-million-dollar barrier this year include "The Amazing Spiderman 2," "Captain America: Winter Soldier" and "X-Men, Days of Future's Past." Entertainment trade publication Variety reports that "Maleficent is the twentieth Disney film to pass the 600-million-dollar mark."
The film is also Angelina Jolie's highest grossing live-action movie of all time.
"Maleficent" debuts this weekend in Japan, marking its last international opening.
 
 
Lindsay Lohan Sues "GTA 5" Makers for Using Likeness
 
Actress and tabloid-target Lindsay Lohan is suing the makers of the "Grand Theft Auto" video games. The actress says the latest installment used her image and created a character based on her without her permission.
Lohan's lawsuit was filed Wednesday in a Manhattan court. "Grand Theft Auto 5" game maker Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. and subsidiary Rockstar Games declined to comment.
"Grand Theft Auto 5" was released in September of last year. Sales topped 800-million U.S. dollars on its first day.
Lohan's lawsuit says a character named Lacey Jonas is an "unequivocal" reference to the "Mean Girls" and "Freaky Friday" star.
The suit says Lohan's image, voice and styles from her clothing line are depicted. It also claims that the game features West Hollywood's Chateau Marmont hotel, where Lohan once lived.
The character in the game also seeks help skirting paparazzi.
 
 
 
That’s it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to begin a much-anticipated trip to South Korea later today.
Ukraine and Russia have agreed to open a new round of talks with pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine.
The initial results of the Presidential runoff in Afghanistan have been delayed amid vote-rigging allegations.
In Business.... a new survey is suggesting Chinese companies are poised to do more hiring in the 2nd half of this year.
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.