新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 08:00 2014/07/09

 
The Beijing Hour
 
Morning Edition
 
 
It's Paul James with you on this Wednesday, July 9, 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this morning...
This year's Strategic and Economic Dialogue between China and the US is set to get underway later on today.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a wider-scale assault on targets in the Gaza Strip.
In Business.... the Chinese government is looking for private investment in a new railway fund.
In Sports... Germany is through to the World Cup final after a blistering defeat of hosts Brazil this morning.
In Entertainment... Chinese singer Faye Wong's people moving to refute reports about an arrest for drug use.
First, let's check in with what's happening with the weather....
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be sunny today with a high of 32 degree Celsius.
Overnight temperatures should drop down to around 22.
Shanghai will see slight rain during the daytime with a high of 30.
Overnight, it will be cloudy with a low of 25.
In Chongqing, it will be sunny with a high of 38.
Overnight lows are expected to be around 28.
Elsewhere in the world, staying here in Asia.
Islamabad will be cloudy with a high of 38.
Kabul will be sunny with a high of 30.
Over to North America.
New York will be cloudy today with a high of 31 degrees.
Washington will be overcast with a high of 34 degrees.
Honolulu, slight rain, 27.
Toronto, Canada, will be cloudy with a high of 24 degrees.
Finally, on to South America,
Buenos Aires will be overcast with a high of 15.
And Rio de Janeiro will have moderate rain with a high of 22 degrees Celsius.
 
 
Top News
 
 
China and US to start strategic and economic dialogue
 
Anchor
This year's Strategic and Economic Dialogue between China and the United States is set to get underway later on today here in Beijing.
This year's agenda has over 60 agenda items, including investment and the value of the RMB, among other things.
CRI's Ding Lulu has more.
Reporter
China's Ministry of Finance says the two countries are likely to make progress on Bilateral Investment Treaty during the annual meeting.
China's Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao:
"It is expected that during the meeting, under the efforts of Vice Premier Wang Yang and US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, the two sides will reach a new consens on the Bilateral Investment Treaty, starting negative list-based negotiations as soon as possible. Such talks will be substantial. We believe if the two parties manage to reach a consensus in the end, it will be a historical development."
China wants the US to narrow its national security reviews on Chinese investment, while the U.S. wants China's negative list, which details sectors barring U.S investment, to be as short as possible.
Apart from the treaty, Zhu Guangyao says the two sides will talk about the exchange rate of the RMB and the impact of US monetary policy.
Earlier, China urged Washington to pay attention to the possible spillover effect of changes in its monetary policy on the world economy.
The two countries are also expected to touch upon other issues including new energy and climate change.
China's Assistant Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang:
"The talks will involve major bilateral, regional and global issues. The two sides will exchange ideas on China-US relations, each other's foreign policies, sensitive issues and international issues concerning both countries. The two sides will also talk about climate change, technology and innovation, the situation in Sudan and South Sudan, as well as the illegal animal trade."
The Chinese foreign ministry also says the strategic sessions should provide an opportunity to deal with areas of concern, such as maritime disputes and cyber security.
Former U.S. ambassador to China Stapleton Roy also expressed his concern to the coming dialogue, stressing the importance of such a mechanism between China and the United States.
"Can we imagine that we will be in the United States' interests for us to have a hostile relationship with China? It will divide the region. It will result in enormous waste of resources on military expenditures. It has the possibility of dangerous conflict between two powerful countries. That's not the type of world we want. And therefore, it's very important for us to have mechanisms that work and try to address the types of issues that arise between two countries such as China and the United States. And I think this Strategic and Economic Dialogue is one of those mechanisms."
Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a speech.
The fifth China-US High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange will also be held at the same time.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the U.S.
For CRI, I'm Ding Lulu.
 
 
China, U.S. sign climate change deals before annual dialogue
 
Ahead of the annual (China-U.S. Strategic and Economic) Dialogue, companies and research institutes from China and the United States have signed deals on eight joint projects connected to climate change.
The projects involve carbon capture, usage and storage, hydro fluorocarbon reduction, and a move toward low-carbon cities and a low-carbon model for the cement industry.
The deals have come through the China-U.S. climate change working group, which was launched during U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to China in April of last year.
 
 
China questions Japan-Australia defense deal
 
The Chinese government says it hopes cooperation between Japan and Australia should contribute to regional peace.
The comments have been made after the signing of a new agreement by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott connected to military equipment and technology transfers.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei.
"We have noticed relevant report. We hope cooperation between relevant countries should aim for making active contribution to regional peace and stability, not vice versa, or not even targeting the third party."
The agreement mirrors a partnership Japan concluded with the UK a year ago.
It's expected to take Japan a step closer to a possible deal to build Australia a fleet of stealth submarines.
The deal comes a week after Shinzo Abe loosened previous restrictions on Japan's military.
Meanwhile, over 300 Chinese and South Koreans have gathered outside the Australian Parliament in Canberra to protest the Japanese government's reinterpretation of the country's pacifist Constitution.
"All the Korean are really worried that they'll repeat the history again. If they don't tell the truth of what they've done, what happened in the Second World War, or in the past. If they don't teach that, it means they may do the exact same thing again."
"They have trampled on Asia-Pacific areas, which will never be forgotten by history. But the Abe administration falsifies history and denies their crimes of the past. So I think all people in the Asia-Pacific should unite together to demand that they face up to history."
Shinzo Abe is currently on a tour in the southern hemisphere.
 
 
Declassified U.S. archives detail Japan's wartime human experimentation atrocities
 
A museum in Heilongjiang has put out a series of archives recording bacteriological experimentation on humans during Japan's occupation of northeast China.
The archives are being described as the most authoritative evidence of the Japanese military's germ warfare Unit, known as 731.
Jin Chengmin is the head of the Museum of Unit 731's Atrocities.
"We know Unit 731 used humans to conduct their experiments. We also know where the victims were from. But the archives declassified by the United States explain in detail what types of experiments were conducted, how many people were involved, and the process of the experiments. It is a complete record of Unit 731's human experimentation. After being sent to Unit 731, the victims were called 'muruts', which means log in Japanese. They became the material for human experimentation. So far we can confirm that the number of 'muruts' was up to 1,467 people."
Before Japan's defeat at the end of the war, Unit 731 is said to have destroyed most of the documents connected to its experiments.
However, a number of Japanese officials who worked in the Unit later provided US investigators information about their research to avoid war crimes prosecution.
The United States declassified the information several years ago.
The documents shows the Japanese army launched over 160 biological attacks on Chinese cities, causing over 20-thousand deaths.
 
 
Netanyahu orders broadening of Gaza offensive as rockets target Tel Aviv
 
The Israeli military has been instructed to significantly broaden its military operations in the Gaza Strip.
At least 16 people have been killed in Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian government says at least 12 of the victims are civilians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is threatening a lengthy offensive against Gaza-based militants whose rocket fire this week has reached as far as Tel Aviv.
"We are not rushing into battle but the security of our citizens and our children is paramount. We will do all that's necessary so that the quiet that existed here in the past years will continue. The military is aiming its actions against the Hamas terrorists, and not against innocent citizens, but Hamas is hiding first and foremost behind Palestinian citizens and therefore it is responsible for those harmed unintentionally."
The surge in violence in the region follows a chain of events, which began with the abduction and murder of three Israeli teens last month.
 
 
Security forces prepare for offensive in Salahudin province, battles continue in Iraq
 
Iraqi security forces are set to launch an offensive to recapture control of the city of Tikrit.
This comes as Iraqi troops continue to be engaged with Sunni militants across wide swaths of northern and western Iraq.
Sunni militants and those who connected to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant have also been trying to seize a key oil field north of Baghdad.
However, they're being held off by Iraqi security forces.
Local tribesmen are also being assisted by Iraqi gunships, as they fight militants in the north.
The renewed offensive comes amid word a number of Sunni militants who have been fighting in northern Iraq are returning to their home countries in north Africa in an bid to create militant cells in that region.
Reports are suggesting the militants are hoping to capitalize on the power vaccum left in Libya following the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi to establish a new Islamic movement in that country.
 
 
Poroshenko Ready to Talk with Insurgents in Eastern Ukraine
 
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says he is ready to hold talks with militias in eastern Ukraine.
It comes amid a major Ukrainian government offensive to root out rebels in the region.
Speaking on a tour of the eastern city of Slavyansk, Poroshenko is also promising to liberate the whole of eastern Ukraine.
"I think that in the nearest future we will continue our actions, effective actions of the Ukrainian army. But nobody has forgotten about the president's peaceful plan. And those who are ready today to lay down their arms, those who are ready today to use the future amnesty, those who are ready for a political dialogue to choose new authorities, those who are ready for decentralization of power, those who are ready for peace finally coming today to Donbass - we are open to dialogue."
The retaking of Slovyansk from rebel forces marks a major breakthrough for Kiev in its three-month fight against the insurgents.
Meanwhile, representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have discussed the situation in Ukraine.
But no breakthroughs have been reached.
 
 
Afghan Presidential Frontrunner Hopes to Solve Election Dispute through Dialogue
 
Afghanistan's presidential frontrunner, Ashraf Ghani, says "political discussions" are going to be needed to ensure the results of the presidential elections can be accepted by everyone.
"The historic responsibility that his excellency Dr. Abdullah and I as people who have submitted ourselves to the will of the people of Afghanistan have is to ensure the stability of this country and the legitimacy of the regime for which we have devoted our lives."
Preliminary results put out by the Afghan election commission show Ghani holding the lead with over 56 percent of the vote.
His rival, former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, has garnered just over 43 percent.
However, Abdullah has rejected the preliminary results.
He alleges supporters of Ghani stuffed the ballot boxes.
This has led to fears of a sectarian split, as the two candidates draw their support from different ethnic divides in the country.
Meanwhile, the United States has warned Afghans not to form a "parallel government", saying it would withdraw financial and security support if anyone tried to take power illegally.
 
 
Education Ministry vows fairness in university admission procedures
 
China's Ministry of Education is vowing to ensure fairness in this country's university admission procedures.
The comments come amid a series of cheating scandals connected to the national college entrance exam, or "gaokao".
So far 35 people have been found to be involved in a cheating ring in central Henan Province, where students paid to have others sit the exam for them.
Xu Mei is with the Ministry of Education.
"As for the university students who were paid to sit the exam, the ministry has instructed that, after finding out the truth, the universities should expel those students. The ministry has also instructed provincial authorities in Henan to suspend the candidates involved from taking any type of national exams for three years."
The case is also under a criminal review.
The ministry is also investigating reports out of Henan and Liaoning that students used fake athlete certificates to get extra points on the "gaokao".
Over 9-million high-school graduates sat this year's gaokao.
 
 
Experts Evaluate Beijing's Anti-pollution Goal
 
Anchor
Experts attending a UN forum here in Beijing are suggesting there are a number of challenges involved in tackling pollution in the Chinese capital.
CRI's Min Rui has the details.
Reporter
As one of the bidding cities of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, Beijing has extra incentive for meeting its goal to keep PM2.5 readings under 60 micrograms per cubic meter by 2017.
Pan Jiahua is director of the Centre for Urban Development and Environment at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
He says Beijing's role as a congested metropolis needs to be re-evaluated and adjusted if its pollution goals are to be met.
"For the stated goal, 2017 is too ambitious. Population is the most challenging problem for Beijing. People come to the city, and then you have to create jobs, you have more traffic, and all that inevitably leads to increased emissions. If Beijing can't shift its functions and decentralize the population, it won't bring down PM 2.5."
Pan has made the remarks at a forum entitled "A China Story: Two-New Pathways to Urbanization", being held at the United Nation's headquarters in New York.
2013 marked the beginning of Beijing's "Five-Year Clean Air Action Plan".
According to the municipal environmental angency, the city cut down the use of coal by 130 tons last year and continued to control the number of cars. And new technologies have been used to reduce emissions.
Professor Zhu Dajian, Director of the Institute of Governance for Sustainable Development, Tongji University, is a guest speaker at the UN forum.
He says it's not enough to rely on technologicial innovation alone.
"Technology is really important but they are efficiency oriented. For example, we can have a lot of less emission cars, but they are still cars. Even you improve the efficiency but still if everyone wants to take a car, you'll still have the traffic. We should take some social innovation not just technical innovation. Social innovation means behavior change."
By behaviour change, Professor Zhu says sharing a car instead of owning a car is an example of what he's talking about.
And he says the city needs to change the way it functions, with the goal being to shrink in size.
That would involve building neighbourhoods where living, working, and entertainment areas are all within walking distance of each other.
The Professor suggests that the country can combine its usual top-down approach to governance with the western bottom-up method to speed up its sustainable development.
For CRI, I'm Min Rui.?
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Anchor
First off, a check on the closing numbers in North America and Europe.
Joining me on the desk, CRI's Fei Fei.
Reporter
U.S. stocks continued to slide on Tuesday, as investors locked in gains awaiting second-quarter earnings results from aluminum giant Alcoa.
At the close, both the Dow and S&p 500 lost three quarters of a percent.
The Nasdaq gave up around a third of a percent.
Over in Europe, markets there ended down amid reports of new US fines for banks and the dimming prospects the European Central Bank will launch an asset-purchase program.
Britain's FTSE 100 declined over one percent.
France's CAC 40 dropped one and a half percent.
And Germany's DAX ended down almost one-and-a-half percent as well.
 
 
China's new railway fund aims to attract private investments
 
The Chinese government is looking for private investment in a new railway fund its setting up.
A number of Chinese ministries have unveiled new guildelines connected to the China Railway Development Fund.
As part of the new guildelines, the China Railway Corporation's fund will allow private investors into the system.
But they will not have any say in how the fund is managed.
The new guidelines suggest investors in the funds will enjoy "fixed and reasonable" returns.
The CRC will also cover any shortfalls if the fund fails to meet targets.
The State Council first proposed a fund to diversify the sources of railway investment and financing.
The projected size of the fund hasn't been disclosed.
 
 
WTO members begin negotiations on environmental goods
 
China, along with other 13 WTO members, is taking part in negotiations on an Environmental Goods Agreement.
The plan is to reduce tariffs on at least 50 different items considered "Green."
This current round of negotiations in Geneva is focused on eliminating tariffs on environmental products connected to energy efficiency, as well as products that can help clean air and water, and generate renewable energy.
The second phase of negotiations will focus on addressing non-tariff barriers and environmental services.
 
 
Apple loses voice recognition patent lawsuit
 
Apple has lost a patent infringement lawsuit against a Chinese government agency and a Shanghai technology company.
Apple tried to sue the State Intellectual Property Office's Patent Review Committee and Shanghai Zhizhen Network Technology in February, accusing the company of infringing on the copyright of its voice recognition software, Siri.
Zhizhen, the developer of voice recognition technology Xiao i Robot, also accused Apple of intellectual property rights infringement in 2012.
No verdict in that case has been delivered.
 
 
Call-in on car maker Tesla sued in China for trademark infringement
 
Anchor
U.S. electric car maker Tesla is being sued here in China for trademark infringement.
The suit has been launched by a Chinese business man, who has been in a trademark dispute with Tesla for the past few months.
The suit from Zhan Baosheng comes as a bit of a surprise, as Tesla announced back in January that it's resolved its dispute over the trademark.
Zhan registered the Tesla trademark here in China before the US Company entered the Chinese market.
He's been demanding Telsa shut down all its marketing and pay him nearly 4-million US dollars in compensation.
The Chinese courts will hear the case early next month.
For more on this, we are now joined on line with Benjamin Cavender, associate principal at China Market Research in Shanghai.
Questions:
1. Is trademark dispute a common problem faced by foreign firms in China?
2. How much will this case affect Tesla's operation in China?
3. It's reported that Zhan had in the past sought to sell the label to the U.S. company but negotiations collapsed. Is the 4 million dollars compensation he is seeking now reasonable?
Back Anchor
That is Benjamin Cavender, associate principal at China Market Research in Shanghai.
 
 
Positive GDP estimation from World Bank president
 
World Bank President Jim Yong Kim has issued a new statement, suggesting China's growth this year will remain around 7.6-percent.
He also says the World Bank sees China's growth remaining around 7.5-percent for next year as well.
Kim has made the comments following meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang here in Beijing.
The head of the World Bank also says his organization is willing to work with China in reforming this country's health care system.
That suggestion comes amid Chinese government plans to increase investment in the sector.
 
 
Yellen to deliver monetary policy report next week
 
US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen is set to testify before the U.S. Congress next week, where she's expected to deliver the central bank's latest report on monetary policy.
Her appearance comes as the Fed continues a return to a more normal monetary policy.
The Fed has been scaling back its monthly bond purchase program.
Yellen's testimony is expected to include her thoughts on when the Fed may increase interest rates.
 
 
Chinese spent 22 billion US dollars on assets in US
 
A new report from the US National Realtors Association suggests Chinese nationals have spent some 22 billion US dollars on homes in the country this past year.
That represents an increase of some 70-percent compared with 2012.
Around one-quarter of all US homes sold to foreigners last year were purchased by Chinese nationals.
The realtors report suggests the increasing strength of the Renminbi against the US dollar, on top of concerns about a slowdown of the Chinese economy, are the main reasons prompting Chinese home purchases in the US.
 
 
Italy financial minister urges structural reforms in EU
 
Italian Finance Minister Pier Carlo Padoan is suggesting the European Union and Italy both need to focus on structural reforms to boost growth and investment.
Padoan currently chairs the EU finance minister's roundtable.
Padoan has not specified what reforms Italy is hoping to push for.
But reports say the Italian side has been demanding greater flexibility in meeting EU budget deficit limits in order to allow for more spending to help reduce unemployment.
This suggestion is being opposed by a number of EU countries.
Italy, the third largest economy in the Eurozone, is struggling with unemployment of around 12 percent.
 
 
Deloitte suggests four countries have a chance to be shale gas powers
 
A new oil and gas report from consultancy firm Deloitte is suggesting Poland, Romania, Ukraine and Britain may become a shale gas powers.
The Deloitte report says these countries are strongly motivated to exploit their resources, but need access to shale gas mining technology.
The report suggests this could help the countries to free themselves from the need to import Russian gas.
 
 
China's Fortune 500 companies weak in profitability
 
New analysis of the Chinese companies which made this year's Fortune 500 list suggests most of them have weak profitability compared to their counterparts.
The 95 mainland companies which made the list this year have recorded average annual profits of around 3-billion US dollars.
The average for all the companies on this year's Fortune 500 list is 4-billion.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
China and US to start strategic and economic dialogue
 
This year's Strategic and Economic Dialogue between China and the United States is set to get underway later on today here in Beijing.
This year's agenda has over 60 agenda items, including maritime disputes, cyber security, a bilateral investment treaty and the impact of US monetary policy.
The two sides are also expected to touch upon other issues including new energy and climate change.
One day ahead of the annual Dialogue, companies and research institutes from the two countries have signed deals on eight joint projects for coping with climate change.
The projects address carbon capture, usage and storage, hydrofluorocarbon reduction, and the move toward low-carbon cities and a low-carbon model for the cement industry.
 
 
Merkel calls for sustainable development partnership with China
 
Visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel is calling on Germany and China to take the lead in establishing a partnership to promote sustainable development.
Merkel made the remarks in a speech at China's prestigious Tsinghua University.
She said China and Germany have established a partnership on urbanization aimed at making cities more sustainable through new urban construction plans, intelligent transportation systems, energy-saving buildings and better sewage treatment.
Merkel attended the launch ceremony of a China-Germany electric vehicle charging project after the speech.
Merkel is in China for a three-day visit.
 
 
Rockets hit Israeli heartland as offensive begins
 
Israel has launched its largest offensive in the Gaza Strip in nearly two years, carrying out air strikes on scores of targets.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made clear that continued rocket attacks on Israeli communities would not be tolerated.
Palestinian medics reported at least 25 dead, including six killed in an airstrike that flattened an apartment building in southern Gaza and set off widespread panic.
Gaza militants fired about 160 rockets at Israel, including a strike that reached the northern city of Hadera for the first time, while Israel said it attacked more than 150 sites across Gaza.
The offensive set off the heaviest fighting between Israel and the Islamic militant group Hamas since an eight-day battle in November 2012.
 
 
Islamist militants attack presidential palace in Mogadishu
 
The presidential palace complex in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, has come under attack.
Reports are suggesting militants have used a suicide car bomb to blast through the gate. Heavily armed fighters then broke through a perimeter wall but were repulsed by security forces.
There have been reports of multiple fatalities, though the number of dead is still unclear.
The Somali government says President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud was not at the palace at the time of the attack.
This is the 2nd time this year the Somali presidential palace has come under attack.
Al-Shabaab militants are also claiming responsibility for this attack.
 
 
Indonesians vote for new president
 
Indonesians have begun voting in the presidential election.
The contest pits former Special Forces General Prabowo Subianto against Jakarta Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who have been running neck-and-neck in opinion polls.
Outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono must step down in October after serving two terms.
The election commission expects high voter turnout from the 190 million eligible voters.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
THE BEIJING TIMES
Headline
Governor under probe
Summary
China's top anti-graft watchdog said a senior official in Hainan has been placed under investigation for suspected corruption.
Tan Li, the vice-governor of Hainan, is being investigated for suspected violations of discipline and law.
Details of the investigation haven't been revealed.
GLOBAL TIMES
Headline
Officials punished for forging credentials
Summary
The CPC central committee says three Chinese officials have been punished for forging credentials and personal information.
The three have been accused of colluding to change the birthdate of the head of a department in the municipal government of Shanxi's capital, Taiyuan.
Another 11 officials who were implicated in the case have also received warnings.
BEIJING MORNING POST
Headline
Civil servant recruitment
Summary
The Beijing municipal environmental protection bureau is openly recruiting high-ranking administrators to help tackle the smog problem.
The municipal human resources department has published the vacancies on its official website.
The candidates have to be professionals in the field of air-pollution.
SHANGHAI DAILY
Headline
Mom jailed for killing newborn
Summary
A mother who strangled her newborn daughter has been jailed for 11 years for the murder.
The courts have heard the 21-year-old strangled the baby with a hair band and dumped the body in the garbage after giving birth in a restroom.
The young woman's lawyer claimed the mother suffered from mental problems.
CHINA DAILY
Headline
Detainees dig to escape
Summary
Eighteen detainees at a mandatory drug detox center in Guangxi are back in custody after managing to escape from the center by digging tunnels with their bed boards.
The detainees are all serving a 2-year mandatory drug rehab stint.
BEIJING YOUTH DAILY
Headline
Hospital warning
Summary
Chinese health authorities are warning hospitals not to turn away patients who need emergency care, but can't pay.
Authorities say they're hoping to eliminate what they describe as the social problem of "waiting for money before saving lives". 
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
A hub of football fans in Beijing
 
Anchor
The excitement surrounding this year's World Cup is resonating across China, even though this country didn't field a team in the tournament.
To that end, CRI's Xiong Siqi hit a popular football restaurant here in Beijing to find out more about Beijing's football culture.
Reporter
With the 2014 World Cup in its full swing in Brazil, football fans in Beijing have begun their yearly sports revelry. Qianxiyuan Football Fan Restaurant is one of such popular destinations for them.
"We came here for the atmosphere. If we watch TV at home, it can be noisy to others."
"One of my friends introduced this restaurant to me. In my hometown, restaurants with certain subjects are rare. So it's interesting to me."
The restaurant is located at Xicheng district in Beijing among blocks of residential buildings. It welcomes its customers with waving flags of the countries playing in this year's World Cup and a signboard that reads "Historical and Cultural Centre of Football."
Walking into the restaurant, customers are greeted by a mind-boggling array of footballs and T-shirts with top football star's autographs.
Three sections are divided into "Euro League District", "Guoan District" and "Football Fans District."
What's more, each balcony is named after a football club with its decoration imitating the style of the club.
Wang Zhanjun, the manager of the restaurantsays even names of the dishes are associated with football.
"All of our dishes are named with sports symbols. For example, we call pig's feet 'shoot'. In that dish, carrots are carved in the shape of a football gate with vegetables on the plate representing the pitch."
Gradually, the restaurant has become an icon among its kind in Beijing. It has entertained a wide range of celebrities in the sports circle.
Qianxiyuan Football Fan Restaurant also has its own football team. Wang said it did very well in the local games.
"Our Qianxiyuan football team has taken part in Beijing league and won a lot of championships, such as Amway Cup, Yanshan Cup, Qiqihaer Cup, etc. I love working here and love to chat with football fans. Working here has become part of my life."
The passion of Chinese football fans always inspires Wang Zhanjun. And now, he has set up a sweet home for the fans who are enchanted by the sport. At the same time, this restaurant also accommodates their football dream.
For CRI, I'm Xiong Siqi.
 
 
Sports
 
 
Germany stun Brazil in semis
 
Germany has advanced into the World Cup Final on back of one of the most lop-sided matches in the history of the event.
German striker Miroslav Klose has set a new all-time World Cup scoring record, helping Germany to a 7-1 victory over hosts Brazil this morning.
The German squad, capitalizing on a series of defensive breakdowns by the Brazilians, opened the scoring in the 11th minute on a goal by Thomas Mueller.
Germany then blew the doors of the match wide open, scoring 4-times in a span of just 6-minues - including Miroslav Klose's 16th World Cup goal, to take them into half-time with a 5-nil lead.
Klose has now surpassed Brazilian legend Ronaldo for the most goals by a player in the World Cup.
Back on the pitch, the rout continued in the 2nd half, with Andre Schurrle scoring a pair of goals for Germany to make it 7-nil.
The German shut-out bid was dashed in the 90th minute, with Oscar scoring a consolation goal for the hosts in front of the stunned crowd in Belo Horizonte.
Germany now moves on to take on the winner of tomorrow morning's match between Argentina and the Netherlands.
 
 
World Cup: Dutch captain Van Persie in doubt for semi-final against Argentina
 
The Netherlands captain Robin van Persie is now considered doubtful for tomorrow's World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
Coach Louis van Gaal says his squad's leading scorer has come down with stomach problems.
At the same time, Ron Vlaar, who has started every game at the World Cup for the Netherlands, is also questionable, as he's struggling with a knee injury.
Despite his line-up concerns, Van Gaal says neither team has a clear advantage going into the matchup.
"I don't think there is a favourite. I think that in the semi-finals the countries are at the same level. The results were like that in the quarterfinals and the round of the last 16. So I would say it's going to be a 50-50 match. We have to be a bit lucky. The coin has to end up facing your way, that's what we say in Dutch."
Tomorrow morning's match between the Netherlands and Argentina will get underway at 4am Beijing time.
 
 
FIFA partner defends arrested CEO
 
A FIFA partner firm is defending its chief executive, despite his arrest by Brazilian police in connection with the illegal sale of World Cup tickets.
Match Hospitality says it expects Ray Whelan to be exonerated.
Whelan, a British national, was arrested in Rio on Monday.
He's since been released after questioning.
Whelan's lawyer is Fernando Fernades.
"There is no reason at all to keep him detained under temporary custody. The company has an official contract with FIFA and what is happening is completely absurd."
Last week, police arrested 11 people suspected of being involved in a lucrative ticket-reselling racket.
Whelan remains a suspect in the case.
 
 
Pele's son arrested over drugs links
 
The son of Brazilian football legend Pele has been arrested, once again, in connection with one of the country's largest drug trafficking factions and claims of money laundering.
Edson Cholbi do Nascimento, more popularly known as Edinho, had been free on appeal, despite being sentenced to 33 years in prison a month ago for laundering money that had been obtained through drug trafficking.
The 33-year-old failed to hand over his passport, as required, leading to his re-arrest.
Edinho, a former goalkeeper with Santos, was originally arrested originally in 2005.
 
 
Kittel wins Tour de France stage 4
 
In cycling,
Germany's Marcel Kittel has won the fourth stage of the Tour de France.
The Giant-Shimano rider out-dueled Norway's Alexander Kristoff in a sprint finish for his 3rd stage victory.
However, Italy's Vincenzo Nibali still retains a two-second overall race lead.
The 163km 4th stage is the first to be held in France.
The first three stages took place in England.
 
 
Stricker withdraws from British Open
 
In Golf,
American Steve Stricker has withdrawn from the British Open next week.
It's the second straight year he has decided not to play.
Stricker has been replaced in the field by Japan's Ryo Ishikawa.
Last year Stricker began reducing his schedule to spend more time with his family.
Ishikawa won in Japan last week for his first victory since November 2012.
That has moved him to number-76 in the world rankings, and enables him to replace Stricker as the first alternate for the major.
 
 
Donald Sterling fails to attend Clippers court hearing
 
LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling has failed to attend the opening day of a trial involving the 2 billion dollar sale of his NBA club.
Sterling's estranged wife, Shelly, is hoping to sell the club to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
However, lawyers representing Donald Sterling say this case has no relevance.
"I think he's been very clear about that, he does not want to sell the team. Quite frankly, the fight for us is not here, the fight is in the federal case that's against the NBA, and that case is going to go on irrespective of what happens here."
　
The judge in the case is being tasked with determining whether Shelly Sterling has the right, in accordance with the family trust, to sell the team, despite Donald Sterling's objections.
 
 
Schumacher files: Swiss firm Rega requests investigation
 
A Swiss air rescue service has lodged a legal complaint after its computer was apparently linked to a bid to sell Michael Schumacher's medical file.
The company, Rega, says it has asked Swiss prosecutors to investigate, but believes its staff is not involved.
The ex-F1 champion suffered a head injury in a skiing accident last December and was moved to a Swiss hospital last month.
His records were allegedly stolen and offered for sale to several newspapers across Europe for 50-thousand euros.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Faye Wong's Manager Refutes Star's Drug Rumors
 
The agent of star singer-songwriter Faye Wong, has issued a statement denying that the star is in legal trouble over alleged drug use.
Earlier on Tuesday, rumors circulated on Weibo that a "diva" was arrested for drug-use in Beijing. Since Wong is often referred to as a diva by Chinese media, netizens believed that the unsubstantiated rumors hinted at Wong's supposed arrest.
Faye's manager, Katie Chen, immediately stepped up to defend Faye from the allegations of the star's drug-use when the rumor gained traction.
Chen asked the media in a statement to "refrain from spreading arbitrary rumors," concluding that her company reserves the right to "pursue legal action" on the matter.
Last month, Chinese playwright Ning Caishen and director Zhang Yuan were arrested for drug-use in separate incidents.
 
 
Sohu.com to Offer 20 More U.S. Shows for Streaming
 
Sohu.com has announced that it will add 20 American TV shows to its streaming-video site, including hit late-night talk show, Conan.
The company's CEO, Charles Zhang, announced the new line-up of U.S. programs available on the site during a press conference in Beijing yesterday.
After successfully introducing China's online viewing audiences to classic sketch comedy show "Saturday Night Live" and hit daytime talk-program, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," Zhang said he was "delighted" to start officially carrying "Conan" in its American line-up.
Among the 12 exclusive programs that Sohu is offering are director Michael Bay's "The Last Ship" and actress Halle Berry's television debut, "Extant." The other eight non-exclusive shows include the drama's "Ray Donovan" and "Masters of Sex."
In May, four U.S. shows, including The Big Bang Theory, were ordered to be taken off Chinese video-streaming sites by China's media watchdog.
When asked about the risk of the shows in Sohu's new line-up being taken down in similar fashion, Zhang said that the removal of the four shows in May was an "isolated incident."
 
 
HARRY POTTER MAKES BRIEF RETURN IN NEW J.K. ROWLING STORY
 
Harry Potter is back mysterious, married, and going gray.
J.K. Rowling has given fans a glimpse of the grown-up boy wizard in a new story posted Tuesday on her Pottermore website.
The 1,500-word story describes Harry, about to turn 34, attending the final of the Quidditch World Cup with his family and old friends, Ron and Hermione.
Harry is now greying and has a mysterious cut on his cheek, related to his "top secret" work as an evil-battling Auror.
Meanwhile, Ron now runs the family joke shop, while Hermione is a, literally, high-flying civil servant; Deputy Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
The story is written in the style of a gossip column for the Daily Prophet by reporter Rita Skeeter, a minor character in the novels.
There are also updates on other characters, including Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood, as well as glimpses of a new generation of teenage wizards.
It's the first update since "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" was published in 2007, but there are "no plans" for a new Potter novel.
Rowling has long said that "Deathly Hallows," would be the last Potter novel, but has produced other Potter-related material, including spin-off story collection, "The Tales of Beedle the Bard."
 
 
Production Starts on Sequel in S. Korean Hit Series "Detective K"
 
Production has begun on the Korean period comedy piece, "Detective K: The Laborer's Daughter." The film is a sequel to the 2011 hit, "Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow."
The sequel reunites director Kim Sok-yun with actors Kim Myeong-min and Oh-Dal-su, who play the leads as a bumbling pair of genius detectives.
"The Laborer's Daughter" is slated to screen in February of 2015 during the Lunar New Year holiday.
The first movie in the series sold over four-million tickets, becoming the fourth-highest grossing film in South Korea for 2011.
The "Detective K" series has parallels with the Chinese historic crime drama, "Detective Dee," which was directed by Tsui Hark and loosely based on literary figures. "Detective K," however, is purely fiction.
 
 
DISNEY TO MAKE LIVE-ACTION VERSION OF "DUMBO"
 
Disney is developing the live-action version of the 1941 animated classic, "Dumbo."
The live-action film will stay true to its cartoon predecessor, which centers on a circus elephant that is constantly ridiculed for his oversized ears, but learns to fly with those ears with the help of his only friend and confidante—a mouse.
The script is being penned by "Transformers: Age of Extinction" writer Ehren Kruger, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
"Dumbo" joins the ranks of other animated Disney titles slated for a live-action adaptation, including "The Jungle Book," "Beauty and the Beast" and "Cinderella," which is expected to screen in March of next year.
 
 
Concept Poster for Wang Xiaoshuai's Thriller Released
 
A concept poster for renowned Chinese director Wang Xiaoshuai's thriller, "Red Amnesia," was recently unveiled.
"Red Amnesia" is Wang's first attempt at helming a thriller. Although the plot is still being kept under wraps, Wang told the media that the movie involves supernatural entities and murder.
The film stars award-winning actors Feng Yuanzheng and Qin Hailu.
The released poster for the film is designed with conspicuous colors of red and black. And a middle-age woman's portrait is inserted to the layer with a silhouette effect.
"Red Amnesia" will reportedly be released in the latter half of this year.
Wang Xiaoshuai is commonly grouped in with China's "Sixth Generation" of film directors. The filmmaker is famous for the movies "Beijing Bicycle" and "Shanghai Dreams," the latter of which earned him the Palme d'Or prize at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.
His works mainly focuses on the fates of everyday citizens, specifically exploring issues facing the youth.
 
 
 
That’s it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
This year's Strategic and Economic Dialogue between China and the US is set to get underway later on today.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a wider-scale assault on targets in the Gaza Strip.
Ukraine's President now says he's open for talks with rebel militias in eastern Ukraine.
In Business.... the Chinese government is looking for private investment in a new railway fund.
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.