新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 08:00 2014/07/29

The Beijing Hour
 
Morning Edition
 
 
It's Paul James with you on this Tuesday, July 29, 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this morning...
The death toll in Gaza continues to rise, despite growing international attempts to broker a long-lasting ceasefire.
Chinese nationals are being told to get out of Libya amid the growing fighting in that country's two main cities.
It's being reported Microsoft's offices here in China have been raided amid an anti-monopoly investigation.
In Business... OSI is re-tooling its operations here in China amid the food-safety scandal involving one of its meat packing companies.
In Sports... China's Zhang Shuai has been given an early exit from a US open tune-up.
In Entertainment... a Shanghai production company is reportedly working on a biopic about a famous Chinese actress.
First, let's check in with what's happening with the weather....
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will see thundershowers today with a high of 33 degree Celsius. Overnight temperatures should drop down to around 23.
Shanghai will be cloudy during the daytime with a high of 34.
Overnight, it will be cloudy with a low of 27.
In Chongqing, it will be sunny with a high of 38.
Overnight lows are expected to be around 29.
Elsewhere in the world, staying here in Asia.
Islamabad will have slight rain with a high of 33.
Kabul will be cloudy with a high of 33.
Over to North America.
New York will be cloudy today with a high of 26 degrees.
Washington will be cloudy with a high of 28 degrees.
Honolulu, cloudy, 27.
Toronto, Canada, will see moderate rain with a high of 20 degrees.
Finally, on to South America,
Buenos Aires will be cloudy with a high of 19.
And Rio de Janeiro will have slight rain with a high of 20 degrees Celsius.
 
 
Top News
 
 
More violence in Gaza, UN chief and Chinese envoy call for ceasefire
 
Anchor
Despite pleas by international mediators, including a representative from China, the casualty figures from the Israeli incursion into Gaza continue to rise.
CRI's Su Yi has more.
Reporter
Another 8 Palestinian children and two adults have been killed in an explosion in a public garden in northern Gaza amid the end of Rammadan.
Locals are blaming the explosion on an Israeli air strike.
Howver, Israel has denied responsibility, saying it was a misfire by a rocket launched by Hamas militants.
Faiza Abu Amira's nephew was killed in the blast.
"Our young children were playing on the swings when a rocket hit them and tore them apart on the floor, five children from the same family, all of them died, one of them my nephew. What does Israel want from us for it to do this to our children?"
Israel has also confirmed five of its soldiers have been killed on Monday - one inside Gaza and four in a mortar attack along the border.
Officials say five Hamas militants have also been killed inside Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says they can't quit until they deal with the threat from Hamas.
"I said and I repeat, and I say: We must be prepared for a protracted campaign. We will continue to act with force and discretion until our mission is accomplished."
The suggestion is squashing any hopes of a swift end to the fighting, which has already left over a thousand Palestinians dead, the vast majority of them civilians.
Israel has also lost 48 soldiers in the fighting, while another three civilians have been killed by Palestinian rockets through Monday.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has been hoping to reinforce the Security Council's call for "an immediate and unconditional humanitarian cease-fire."
"The people of Gaza have nowhere to run, they are trapped and besieged on a speck of land - every area is a civilian area. Every home, every school, every refuge has become a target. The casualty and damage figures also raise serious questions about proportionality."
China's special envoy to the Middle East is also pleading for another ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Wu Sike has made the new call back here in China, following a trip to the Middle East region, where he has held meetings with leaders from both Israel and Hamas.
Wu Sike says both sides have voiced willingness for a ceasefire, although differences remain.
"All parties involved are paying a lot of attention to the truce proposal from Egypt. I conveyed to all sides that China will stand behind the proposal. I have also stressed that the truce deal could serve as a very solid foundation. It can be inclusive and more consensus can be established based on that."
Wu Sike is also suggesting the United Nations should be playing a bigger role in the mediation process.
For CRI, I'm Su Yi.
 
 
China urges nationals to leave Libya
 
China is calling on its nationals to leave Libya amid the deteriorating security situation in the country.
The Chinese Embassy in Libya is suggesting that businessmen, corporate personnel and contract workers in foreign companies "leave Libya as soon as possible."
Many of the Chinese companies operating in Libya have already suspended their operations.
Nearly 800 Chinese nationals have left Libya since May.
There are still around a thousand Chinese nationals still in the country.
Fighting in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, as well as Benghazi, has already left over 100 people dead.
 
 
Chinese special envoy stresses peaceful dialogues in Afghanistan
 
Anchor
China's first special envoy to Afghanistan is promising more Chinese support to help Afghanistan's reconciliation process and economic development.
Sun Yuxi has made the pledge while wrapping up a mediation stop in the country.
CRI's Min Rui has more.
Reporter
At the press briefing in Islamabad, Sun Yuxi calls on both presidential candidates make effort to ensure peaceful development in the country.
"I have met with both candidates, Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and expressed the hope that they can reach an agreement on the election as soon as possible. The recount is now under the supervision of a U.N. commission."
Earlier, Abudullah has claimed that the election committee had conducted fraud and asked for a recount of the votes.
There are concerns the disputes between the two candidates could split the country.
Aside from the political disputes, Sun Yuxi also warns against the security concerns in the country.
As the US-led troops are due to leave Afghanistan by the end of the year, there are concerns that Afghan forces are not capable of dealing with the ongoing attacks from Taliban militants.
Sun Yuxi stresses that the most effective weapon against violence should be economic development.
"Our goal is to make the Taliban drop their weapons by themselves and cooperate with the government. We also want the Afghan government to be able to stand by itself and we would like to offer our help if they come across difficulties. However the reconciliation process should be dominated by the Afghan people themselves."
During his stay in Afghanistan, Sun also met with U.S. and European Union ambassadors to the country as well as the head of United Nations Assistance Mission.
The special envoy is now in Pakistan.
He calls for more cooperation with Islamabad in pushing the peace development in Afghanistan.
Sun Yuxi will later visit Russia, India and some other countries for the Afghan issues.
For CRI, this is Min Rui.
 
 
Microsoft Investigated in China
 
US software giant Microsoft says the company has been questioned by officials from China's business watchdog.
The Beijing News is reporting Microsoft China has confirmed the investigation is related to anti-monopoly issues.
Officials from China's State Administration for Industry & Commerce have visited Microsoft offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu on Monday.
Reports are suggesting documents and computers have been seized from their offices.
Microsoft says it is "actively cooperating" with the government.
In May, China banned central government offices from installing Windows 8 on their computers.
At the time, the ban is meant to ensure computer security after Microsoft ended support for its Windows XP operating system, which is widely used on the mainland.
Meanwhile, the company is still pushing forward with plans to release its Xbox One gaming console in China in September, forming distribution ties with China Telecom and e-commerce firm JD.com.
 
 
Ukraine says MH17 downed by missile shrapnel
 
Anchor
Ukrainian officials say they've been told the downed Malaysian airliner's black boxes suggest the plane's fuselage was punctured by shrapnel from a missile.
At the same time, heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine is hampering the international investigation into the crash.
CRI's Qi Zhi has more.
Reporter
The flight data recorders of Flight MH17 are being analyzed in Britain by British experts.
Andriy Lysenko, Ukraine's security spokesperson, says initial analysis suggests the plane suffered a massive, explosive loss of pressure after it was hit by fragments believed to have come from a missile.
"The experts who are investigating the reasons behind the Boeing 777 crash informed us that data from the recovered flight data recorders shows that the reason for the sudden falling and the crash was because of a massive, explosive loss of pressure after being punctured multiple times by shrapnel."
But it remains unclear who fired a missile, with the Ukrainian rebels and Kiev blaming each other.
Dutch investigators leading the investigation have refused to comment on the new Ukrainian suggestion.
On the ground, heavy fighting is preventing an international delegation of Australian and Dutch police and forensic experts from reaching the crash site for a second consecutive day.
Alexander Hug is the deputy chief of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine.
"We returned prematurely from a trip to the site. We were stopped in the town of Shakhtarsk on the way to the crash site. We were stopped because there was gunfire and, what we understand was, artillery impacts nearby, very near. We are sick and tired of being interrupted by gunfights, despite the fact that we have agreed that there should be a ceasefire."
The Ukranian military says it has managed to capture two towns near the wreckage in its bid to win back the territory from the hands of the rebels.
Kiev is also accusing the separatists of continuing to interfere with the wreckage of the plane.
Ukraine's foreign minister says creating a ceasefire in the area of the crash site remains a priority.
In another development, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, says the downing of Flight MH17 could constitute a war crime.
As such, she's demanding a prompt, independent, impartial investigation into exactly what brought the plane down, leaving 298 people dead.
For CRI, I'm Qi Zhi.
 
 
French flags fly at half-mast in honor of victims in Air Algerie crash
 
Flags at all public buildings in France are now flying at half-staff for the next 3-days to honor the 54 French nationals killed last week in Air Algerie crash in northern Mali.
French foreign minister Laurent Fabius says the plane's black boxes have arrived in Paris for investigation.
"The two black boxes have arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport, from Bamako. These black boxes had been handed over yesterday to our ambassador in Mali, in accordance with the decision of Timbuktu's chief prosecutor and the authorisation of the Malian president of the investigatory committee."
Fabius has also confirmed previous reports the plane's crew asked to change its route before contact was lost.
The Air Algerie flight crashed in northern Mali early Thursday, killing all 118 passengers and crew.
Initial indications are the pilots were concerned about bad weather in the region at the time.
The flight was headed from Burkina Faso to Algeria when it went down.
 
 
Fears a full blown famine may be developing in Malakal area of South Sudan
 
The United Nation's Children's Fund is warning more than a million children in South Sudan under the age of five will need treatment for severe malnutrition this year.
UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake.
"We're seeing more and more children who are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, which means not only that many of them could die: perhaps 50 thousand over the course of this year throughout South Sudan."
One area of concern in the country is Upper Nile State, where the UN has been calling on the World Food Program for immediate help.
World Food Program executive director Ertharin Cousin says getting food into the region isn't the only issue they'll have to deal with.
"Food alone won't do it. We must provide the food, but we must also ensure that they live in conditions that have access to clean water and sanitary living spaces."
Months of internal conflict have forced thousands of farmers in South Sudan to abandon their crops, leading to a dramatic downturn in food production in the country.
 
 
Hubei Province investigates alleged GM rice scandal
 
Authorities in Hubei are investigating the illegal sale and cultivation of genetically modified rice in the central Chinese province.
The investigation follows media reports suggesting GM rice is widely on sale in Hubei and neighboring provinces.
Genetically modified rice for commercial production or sale has never been authorized here in China.
Dai Guizhou, the head of Hubei's Agriculture Department, says they're running an inspection into local seed companies.
"No companies are allowed to sell GM seeds, and seed-producing companies are forbidden from using genetically modified rice. A company will be disqualified from selling seeds if it's found to have failed to meet the standards."
The seeds on sale are reportedly one of the two varieties developed in 1999 by a professor at an agricultural university in Hubei.
China's Ministry of Agriculture did authorize the experimental planting of the two varieties and issued them with safety certificates.
But they have never been approved for commercial planting.
The professor who created the strains is denying any involvement in the spread of the GM rice.
 
 
Shanghai court to try GSK investigators publicly
 
A court in Shanghai says the trial of a foreign couple accused of illegally obtaining information about Chinese citizens will be open to the public.
The court will hear the case of Peter William Humphrey, a British national, and his American wife Yu Yingzeng on August 8th.
The couple were arrested nearly a year ago for and indicted for conducting illegal investigations here in China, the first case of its kind involving foreigners.
The couple is accused of compiling various pieces of information about Chinese nationals, and then selling the information to clients, who were mostly multinational corporations, including British drug maker GlaxoSmithKlein.
The British drug maker has been accused of bribing hospitals and doctors in China to try to boost sales.
 
 
24-hour UK visas offered to Chinese visitors
 
The British Embassy in Beijing has announced its going to begin offering a 24-hour super-priority visa service for visitors from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou starting from August 11th.
The price for the service will be 600 pounds, or about 63-hundred yuan.
The service will be open to all business visitors, family visitors and general visitors who have travelled to either the UK, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or the European Union within the last five years.
Last year the number of visas for Chinese nationals issued by the UK increased by over 30-percent.
 
 
Shepherd awarded for saving training from derailing
 
A local herder from the northern Chinese province of Hebei has been honored by the local government and awarded 250-thousand yuan for his bravery.
Lu Wei is credited with managing to save a train carrying oil tanks from derailing earlier this month, putting his own life at risk.
"A rainstorm caused a slide, and the mud and debris poured down from the top of the mountain. I ran down to the railway track, and saw the train coming. It was foggy, but I could still see the train. I moved ahead about 30 meters and waved my arms to stop it."
The train driver saw his distress signal, and stopped the train about 10 metres away from the pile of debris.
Lu Wei has been living as a shepherd the last decade.
He lost 21 goats in the flooding, valued at around 40-thousan yuan.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Anchor
First off, a check on the closing numbers in the U.S and Europe.
Joining me on the desk, CRI's Su Yi.
Reporter
US stocks ended almost flat on Monday as the latest takeover news has offset losses following discouraging data from the housing market.
Among the deals, Dollar Tree has offered to buy rival discount chain Family Dollar Stores for around 8.5 billion dollars.
At the same time, real estate website operator Zillow has agreed to buy Trulia for 3.5 billion dollars.
However, investors' optimism has been limited by the day's economic data.
An index of pending home sales unexpectedly fall of just over 1-percent in June.
This comes after an 8-percent drop of new home sales in June, the biggest slump in almost a year.
In Europe, Germany's Dax fell half a percent.
France's CAC40 added 0.3 percent while London's FTSE100 closed flat.
 
 
US group overhauls China business in meat safety scandal; McDonald's rejects all OSI meat
 
US firm OSI has announced it's reviewing all the meat processing plants it owns here in China amid a meat safety scandal involving one of the holding company's operations in Shanghai.
President and chief operating officer David McDonald says OSI is suspending all its operations at its Shanghai Husi facility, and is also making senior management changes here in China.
"We have found issues that are absolutely inconsistent with our internal requirements for the highest standards, processes and policies. Why these things took place, by whom they took place, and for what motives they took place? We simply can't understand."
The move comes amid allegations OSI's Shanghai unit mixed expired meat with fresh meat, and then sold it to various fast-food outlets, including McDonalds, Pizza Hut and KFC.
McDonald's restaurants in China are now suffering a shortage of supplies following a decision to back away from OSI.
KFC and Pizza Hut's parent company Yum Brands has already severed its ties with OSI.
 
 
Car Makers in China Lack Pricing Luxury
 
Some of the world's biggest luxury car brands are lowering their prices here in China in response to a government investigation into monopolistic practices.
Audi is cutting its spare-parts prices by up to 38 percent.
The announcement comes on the heels of Jaguar-Land Rover cutting prices on three of its models in China in response to a similar probe.
Mercedes-Benz has also revealed it has had discussions with regulators, but contends it isn't under investigation.
For more on the situation, we are joined live on the line by Gao Shang, analyst with Guangtong Futures.
1. Will cutting prices affect the foreign automaker's profitability?
2 Do you expect more international high-end brands to follow suit?
3 How is it gonna affect the auto industry in China particularly the strategy of local brands?
That was Gao Shang, analyst with Guangtong Futures.
 
 
Subaru recalls vehicles in China
 
Japanese car maker Subaru is recalling 3-thousand of its Forester models here on the mainland due to engine flaws.
The vehicles being recalled have been produced between November 2012 and April of this year.
The company says the flaw could cause the vehicle to shake abnormally, along with possible engine failure.
 
 
Hangzhou eases restrictions on home purchases
 
Hangzhou has become the latest city here in China to ease home purchase restrictions.
The provincial capital of Zhejiang is lifting its bans on buying a second home in the city's Xiaoshan and Yuhang districts, as well as restrictions on buying a house more than 140 square meters in the downtown.
Over 20 regions, mostly second- and third-tier cities, have lifted or eased their bans on ownership of more than one home.
The wide-ranging restrictions were first imposed in early 2011 designed to try to cool down soaring housing prices.
The latest stats show new home prices in 55 of the 70 major cities monitored in China have reported a month-on-month drop last month, compared with 35 in May.
The average home price in the 70 cities monitored have slipped by half a percent last month, marking a 2nd consecutive monthly decline in home prices.
 
 
China angered by U.S. protectionism: MOC
 
The Ministry of Commerce has issued a statement, saying the Chinese government is "strongly dissatisfied" with the United States for its anti-dumping and countervailing probes into Chinese exports of photovoltaic products.
The ministry also says frequent use of trade remedy measures will not help the U.S. solve its own problems in the photovoltaic industry.
US commerce department says duties are going to be imposed on imports from both the mainland and Taiwan.
 
 
Lloyds fined ?218m over rate rigging scandal
 
UK banking giant Lloyds has been fined around 300-million US dollars for misconduct connected to the rigging of the so-called LIBOR.
US authorities have determined Lloyds manipulated the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, for yen, sterling and the US dollar.
Lloyds says it "condemns the actions of the individuals responsible" in the case.
The manipulation of the LIBOR rate affected the interest rates people ultimately had to pay for their outstanding debts and credit cards, costing US consumers millions.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
More violence in Gaza, UN chief and Chinese envoy call for ceasefire
 
Despite international mediation efforts, the casualty figures from the Israeli incursion into Gaza continue to rise.
Another 8 Palestinian children and two adults have been killed in an explosion in a public garden in northern Gaza amid the end of Rammadan.
Locals are blaming the explosion on an Israeli air strike.
But Israel has denied responsibility, saying it was a misfire by a rocket launched by Hamas militants.
Israel has also confirmed five of its soldiers have been killed on Monday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists they can't quit until they deal with the threat from Hamas.
 
 
Chinese, Lao Presidents witness signing of agreements
 
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Lao counterpart Choummaly Saygnasone have met in Beijing and witnessed the signing of a series of cooperative deals between the two governments.
During their talks, the Chinese president says the two countries should boost cooperation on agriculture, energy, hydroelectricity and infrastructure.
He is also calling for closer cooperation on law enforcement, management of border areas, terrorism and transnational crime as well as cultural and education exchanges.
Choummaly said Laos looks forward to more Chinese assistance in Laos' push to develop its railways, agriculture and internet.
 
 
Armed clashes set Libya's Tripoli ablaze
 
The fighting in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, has set off a massive blaze at an oil refinery in the city.
The massive blaze has forced the evacuation of people living in a 3-kilometer radius around the refinery.
The facility, containing upward of 6-million litres of oil, was hit by rocket fire on Sunday.
Running battles between Islamist militants and pro-government secularists are still taking place for control of the main airport in Tripoli.
And at the same time, heavy fighting is also continuing between secularists and Islamists in the eastern city of Benghazi.
Numerous countries, including China, have told their citizens to leave Libya amid the massive uptick in violence.
 
 
Hungary commemorates WWI start with exhibits, concert
 
Memorial concerts and several exhibitions have opened in Hungary to mark the official start of the First World War one-hundred years ago.
Addressing a concert in Budapest, the speaker of the Hungarian Parliament says the war has never ended mentally for people in Hungary.
The assassination of Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian nationalist led to the Austro-Hungarian Empire declaring war on Serbia on July 28th, 1914.
Various treaties involving the entire European continent at the time eventually led to one of the most bloody wars in human history.
 
 
Georgia's ex-president charged with exceeding official authorities
 
Georgia's chief prosecutor has filed charges against former President Mikheil Saakashvili, accusing him of exceeding his official authorities during his terms in office.
The charges have been filed after Saakashvili failed to appear for questioning for crimes allegedly committed by high-ranking officials under his administration.
This is the 2nd time Saakashvilli has been summoned but refused to show up.
Saakashvili is charged in connection with a massive crack-down on demonstrators in November 2007, a forced break-in to an opposition TV station and seizure of the property of a high-profile dissident.
Saakashvili, who was defeated in the 2012 parliamentary elections, has been living in the United States since November.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
BEIJING MORNING POST
Headline
Flight delays expected
Summary
China's Air Traffic Information Platform has issued a red alert for flight delays this Tuesday.
Authorities in Shanghai are warning they expect as 75 percent drop in their ability to handle air traffic this afternoon.
BEIJING YOUTH DAILY
Headline
Flood Casualties
Summary
Three counties in Yunnan have been hit by flooding.
Seven have been killed, while seven others are still listed as missing.
The southwestern Chinese province is often subject to heavy flooding this time of year brought on by the monsoon rains which roll through the region from India.
THE BEIJING TIMES
Headline
Petitioners arrested, officials punished
Summary
Seven petitioners who tried to kill themselves by drinking pesticide at the gate of a newspaper in Beijing are now facing formal charges, while 14 officials from a county in Jiangsu have been punished.
The petitioners drank pesticide in protest outside the front gate of the China Youth Daily earlier this month.
All survived.
They had been petitioning repeatedly about what they considered to be unjust treatment during a demolition project in Jiangsu.
THE BEIJING NEWS
Headline
Shanghai investigates senior executive
Summary
Shanghai prosecutors have launched an investigation into a senior business executive who heads several major companies in the city.
Wang Zongnan is suspected of taking bribes and embezzling public funds when serving as the general manager in Shanghai Friendship Group.
Wang had also been the chair of Bright Food, one of China's biggest food corporations, and the president of Bailian Group, a major retailing company.
GLOBAL TIMES
Headline
Jailed for smuggling drug
Summary
A 25-year-old Hong Kong woman has jailed for 10 years for smuggling drugs into New Zealand.
The local courts in New Zealand also says the woman will have to spend at least four years on parole in the country before she will be deported.
The young woman is believed to have been a drug mule for a smuggling cartel.
SHANGHAI DAILY
Headline
Water diversion problems
Summary
Water quality on the Han River is said to be dropping because of the south-north water diversion project.
The river is a major component in the project, which is designed to divert water to drought-prone areas in the north of the country.
CHINA DAILY
Headline
Guilin visa-free entry
Summary
The capital of the southern Chinese province of Guizhou, Guilin, which is a transport hub for backpackers in the region, has begun to offer 72-hour visa-free stays to international transit passengers.
The scheme covers travelers from 51 countries, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and a number of European Union countries.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
American students got free trips to China
 
Anchor
A group of impoverished students from the city of Oakland in California have been given a free trip here to China, allowing the young Americans a chance to see how people here in China live.
CRI's Xiong Siqi has more.
Reporter
The performer of Erhu, a traditional Chinese musical instrument, is an 11-year-old Chinese boy.
He has studied Erhu for five years, but it's his first time performing for foreigners. This time his audiences are 10 American students and a dozen Chinese students, who gathered to share their traditional culture and customs.
The 10 students are from Coliseum College Prep Academy in Oakland, California. They are all top students from underprivileged families. Thanks to the Learning AFAR program of AFAR Media, they are offered a free trip to China, which is sponsored by Chinatour.com in partnership with Global Explorers. Casey Kohn, expedition leader of Global Explorers, said this program aims to help the underprivileged students to explore the world.
"I think this provides an opportunity for amazing experiential learning. Students can't learn about other countries in the world but until they're immersed into the culture and seeing different environments. When you get to experience at first-hand, that's where you learn about yourself and get to experience a new perspective on the world. And if we can inspire them to become responsible global citizens through travel, then the world will be a better place."
The 10 students were selected from 40 applicants. Applicants need to submit five essay questions and two teacher recommendations. They were also required to demonstrate family income, previous travel experience and leadership potential. And all of that information goes to a scholarship board. Amy Boyle, assistant principal at Coliseum College Prep Academy, explained the main selection criteria.
"Preferences are given to students who haven't traveled internationally before. So for almost all of our students, it's their first trip. For some of them, it's their first trip on an airplane. Financial need is considered. And then their desire to develop leadership in themselves is the main criteria for the essay. So are they seeking out experiences to develop themselves? Are they able to explain that? So that's the main criteria."
The 10 students are sponsored to visit five iconic cities in China – Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou and experience first-hand Chinese culture and history. Bryan Wencez is an 11th-grader, who's never been to China.
"It is my first time in China. I've been to the Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square and then we went to the Great Wall. They are really nice. I expect to experience more food and more people talking about China and their daily life and lifestyle. I want to find out the differences between Chinese life and American life because I really like looking at the differences and similarities from my friends from the other side of the world."
As Bryan expected, the organizer arranged many activities for American students to interact with their Chinese counterparts. For example, students from the two countries share the stories of their national festivals and Chinese students teach their American peers Chinese calligraphy, how to make dumplings and moon cakes.
In this way, not only do the American students get to experience Chinese culture, the participating Chinese students also get a chance to know their American counterparts better. This is also a very rare opportunity for the Chinese teenagers. Zhu Longfei is at his junior year of high school. He and Bryan dress alike with cool hats and hip-hop style clothes. So they got along very well when they met each other. Zhu Longfei says,
"Such an opportunity to communicate with American students is very helpful. It helps improve our communication skills and spoken English. I think it's more useful than the rigid study of grammar in school. It's a good way for us to know more about our American peers."
Since Learning AFAR program's inception in September 2009, they have supported over 270 students and educators in traveling to countries including Cambodia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru. It's the fourth time Coliseum College Prep Academy attended the project. Amy Boyle, assistant principal, said the trips have brought the students many changes.
"It completely changed their mindset about what they are personally capable of, the challenges they can overcome. When you have traveled in a foreign country for the first time and have overcome cultural shock and language barriers, it helps the students use their personal ability to stretch themselves. So when they come back, they're more willing to take personal risks and explore their own community. They come back with better understanding of people. These are the biggest changes I see in the students. "
As the sponsor of this year's China project, Chinatour.com, a San Francisco-based travel agency, covered the majority of the expenses. Founded in 2002, Chinatour.com has successfully developed its business to mostly tour packages to China. Ray Cui, CEO of the China Region of Chinatour.com, says they've been looking for such opportunities to take part in cultural exchange projects for many years.
"We have been promoting traveling from the US to China since 2002. It's already been 12 years. Last year, we brought 25,000 American travelers to China. So we think it's time to help some students who cannot afford traveling to China to experience real Chinese culture themselves instead of reading it from books."
Travel is always a good way of education but it's also a luxurious lifestyle, which is not affordable for underprivileged youngsters. However, with such projects, more students from impoverished families are also able to explore the world.
BACK ANCHOR: CRI's Xiong Siqi reporting.
 
 
Sports
 
 
Tennis Roundup
 
In tennis,
At WTA's Bank of the West Classic in Stanford, Conneticut
China's Zhang Shuai has been given an early exit from the tournament.
The world number-30 has been upset by American qualifier Sachia Vickery in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2.
And in another upset from Stanford this morning, Australian Samantha Stosur, ranked 19th in the world, has been bounced from the tournament, going down to Japan's Naomi Osaka in a 3-set battle.
The 16-year old from Japan is currently ranked 406th in the world.
World No. 1 Serena Williams will make her return when she meets the Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova in the seocond round of the tournament thsi Wednesday.
----
In the first round of the Citi Open in Washington DC,
In women's competition,
Sixth-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova routed Slovenian Polona Hercog 6-3, 6-2.
It was American Vania King drubbing Canadian wild card Francoise Abanda 6-2, 6-0.
On the men's side,
American Tim Smyczek downed compatriot Alext Kuznetsov 6-3, 6-0 to move to the next round.
Canada's Frank Dancevic was thumped by Benoit Paire of France 6-4, 6-0.
----
At ATP's Kitzbuehel Cup,
Maximo Gonzalez provided the biggest shock in the first round by knocking out eighth seed Pablo Carreno-Busta in three-sets.
It was Pere Riba dispatching American Dustin Brown 7-6, 7-5.
He will next faces fourth seedded Andreas Seppi in the second round.
Andreas Haider-Maurer beat fellow Austrian Gerald Melzer to set up a meeting against third seed Lukas Rosol.
 
 
Li Na Seeded Second in Upcoming Rogers Cup
 
In tennis,
This year's rankings for the Rogers Cup coming week in Montreal, Canada have been released.
Chinese ace Li Na will come into the tournament still ranked 2nd in the world, despite a charge up the rankings by world number-3 Simona Halep of Romania, who could be poised to overtake Li Na in the world rankings depending on the outcome in Montreal.
This year's Wimbeldon champion Petra Kvitova is also due to take part in the event in Montreal, along with Agnieszka Radwanska and Maria Sharapova.
Canadian rising star Eugenie Bouchard will be the home-town favorite, as the world number-6 is from the city of Montreal.
On the men's side,
Novak Djokovic will lead the men's lineup as the top seed.
Rafael Nadal is the second seed.
Other notable male players on the list are Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych, and David Ferrer.
The Rogers Cup is part of the hardcourt season that culminates with the US Open in New York in late August.
 
 
IOC Announces Yao Ming as Ambassador for Nanjing Youth Olympics
 
The International Olympic Committee has announced Yao Ming is going to be an Ambassador for the forthcoming Youth Olympic Games taking place in Nanjing.
South African swimmer Chad le Clos and American golfer Michelle Wie have also been chosen as ambassadors.
Previous ambassadors to the Youth Olympics have included sprinter Usain Bolt, swimmer Michael Phelps and pole vaulter Yelena Isinbaeva.
This year's Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing will run from August 16th to the 28th.
 
 
PSG in China for Pre-Season Friendlies
 
French football champions Paris St Germain have arrived in Hong Kong for a series of pre-season friendlies here in China.
PSG's head coach, Laurent Blanc, along with some of his players, have attended a training camp in Hong Kong for local children.
PSG is set to take on Hong Kong side Kitchee in a friendly at Hong Kong Stadium later on this Tuesday.
This Saturday, the French champs will be here in Beijing to take on Coupe de France winners Guingamp in the Champions Trophy at Workers' Stadium.
 
 
Arsenal Sign Goalkeeper David Ospina and Defender Calum Chambers
 
In European football news,
Arsenal has announced its latest signings.
The English Premier League club has signed a "long-term" contract with 19-year-old defender Calum Chambers from Southampton.
Details of the contract have not been disclosed.
Chambers says he is excited about joining Arsenal.
"Yeah, I mean the manager has got a fantastic history of nurturing and bringing through fantastic players and especially from Southampton. As you have seen Alex (Oxlade) Chamberlain, Theo Walcott. So you know I just like to have the opportunity to follow in their paths and be a successful as they are."
Chambers made his Premier League debut on the opening day of last season and went on to appear in 22 games for Southhampton.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper David Ospina has also signed on with Arsenal.
The Colombian is moving to the Premier League club after 6-years with French side Nice.
Financial details of Ospina's move have not been revealed.
 
 
Tax fraud Case against Lionel Messi Goes ahead
 
A Spanish judge is ordering a tax evasion case against football star Lionel Messi to go ahead.
The decision means Messi will almost certainly have to defend himself in court alongside his father, Jorge Messi, on three charges of tax evasion.
Messi and his father were first charged over a year ago.
Messi's father is accusing of owing around 4 million euros in unpaid taxes in Spain.
Prosecutors had been recommending the case be dropped.
But the judge has ordered the case to move forward.
 
 
Judge Approves Clippers' Sale
 
In NBA news,
The saga surrounding the potential sale of the LA Clippers has taken another step forward.
A judge has ruled against Clippers' owner Donald Sterling, potentially clearning the way for his estranged wife to complete the $2 billion dollar sale of the team to ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
It's expected Donald Sterling will appeal, meaning the sale will likely be delayed for a while longer.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Shanghai-Based Production Company Developing Anna May Wong Biopic
 
Shanghai-based production company, Fundamental Films, is reportedly developing "Dragon Lady," a biopic about the first Chinese-American movie star, Anna May Wong.
Actress Fan Bingbing, who recently played her first Hollywood role in the latest "X-Men" movie, has reportedly been approached to play the lead role.
Wong, the daughter of second-generation Chinese-American parents, was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1905.
She is the first Asian-American actress to gain international recognition and had a long career that saw Wong make waves in film and television, as well as on stage and even on the catwalk as a fashion model.
The actress is famous for her roles in classics like "Thief of Baghdad" and "Shanghai Express".
But much of her career was marked by her resistance to accept stereotypical roles that portrayed Chinese females in a negative light.
Wong died in 1961 of a heart attack at the age of 56 in Santa Monica, California.
The actress has a star on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame" and appears as one of the "Four Ladies of Hollywood" statues alongside Dolores del Rio, Dorothy Dandridge and Mae West.
 
 
"White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom" Premieres in Beijing
 
A star-studded press conference for the premiere of Jacob Cheung's fantasy 3d film, "White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom," has been held in Beijing.
The movie's lead actor, Huang Xiaoming, along with stars Fan Bingbing and Tong Yao, attend the ceremony.
Fan discussed working on the film and gave well-wishes to her fans:
"We shot the film in cold of Beijing's winter. The director, together with our excellent crew, helped make this great fantasy 3D film. Amid all the festivities, though, I want to express my blessing that everyone shall be well."
The film is adapted from author Liang Yusheng's novel, Baifa Monü Zhuan. It's also a remake of the 1990s version of film, which starred actress Leslie Cheung.
(white haired witch trailer)
The film tells a story about a Wudang sect leader during the Ming Dynasty that falls in love with a witch while on his way to pay tribute to the royal court.
"White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom" comes to theaters on August 1st.
 
 
First Trailer for "The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies" Released
 
The first trailer for the highly-anticipated final installment of director Peter Jackson's "Hobbit" series hit the internet earlier this morning.
(New "Hobbits" Trailer)
The two-minute trailer for "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" identifies this last go-round the "defining chapter" of the fantasy saga.
Showing the armies of Middle Earth preparing for war, the trailer peppers in glimpses of sword-swinging action with lamentations about both the battles that have passed and those yet to come by Bilbo Baggins, the lead character played by actor Richard Armitage.
The two previous "Hobbit" movies have grossed almost two billion U.S. dollars combined.
The second movie in the series, "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug", earned just under one billion dollars globally and enjoyed a 33-million-U.S.-dollar opening in China.
"The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies" hits theatres on December 17.
 
 
Tarantino to Move Forward with New Western "The Hateful Eight"
 
American director Quentin Tarantino is moving forward with his next western romp, "The Hateful Eight," during a panel discussion at Comic-Con.
The director halted work on the project when the script was leaked back in April by online media outlet, Gawker.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, before the script leaked, Tarantino already staged as successful reading of the film with a star-studded panel, including actors Tim Roth, Kurt Russell and Samuel L. Jackson.
Tarantino subsequently filed a lawsuit against Gawker for the leak, but withdrew his claim in May.
Continuing to stay in the time-period of America's westward expansion, the "Django Unchained" director's next film takes place a few years after the U.S. civil war.
The original version of the script centered on a group of people trapped after a blizzard sets a stagecoach off its route.
Among the group are competing bounty hunters, a runaway Confederate soldier, and a female prisoner.
No date is set on when "The Hateful Eight" continues production.
 
 
Cast of "Ant-Man" Finally Set
 
The "Ant-Man" cast is set.
Actor Paul Rudd was previously revealed as the tiny title superhero.
But at Marvel's Comic-Con panel over the weekend, actress Evangeline Lilly confirmed she'll play Hope Pym.
Star Michael Douglas plays her dad, Dr. Hank Pym.
And "House of Cards" actor Corey Stoll is set to play the villain Darren Cross, also known as Yellowjacket.
Marvel Studios says production on the film, due in theaters next summer, is set to begin in two weeks.
Even though shooting hasn't begun, filmmakers offered a peek at the movie's look.
A brief clip showed Dr. Pym's laboratory and a diminutive superhero piloting a fly.
"Ant-Man" is set for release in next summer.
 
 
 
That’s it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
The death toll in Gaza continues to rise, despite growing international attempts to broker a long-lasting ceasefire.
Chinese nationals are being told to get out of Libya amid the growing fighting in that country's two main cities.
Ukrainian officials are suggested it was missile fragments which cut a Malaysian airliner out of the sky in eastern Ukraine earlier this month.
In Business... OSI is re-tooling its operations here in China amid the food-safety scandal involving one of its meat packing companies.
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.