News & Reports 2010-01-01（在线收听）

Broadcasting Time: 07:00-08:00, GMT+08:00, 2010-01-01

Hello and Welcome to News and Reports on China Radio International.

In This Edition

Chinese President Hu Jintao sends New Year's greetings to CRI listeners around the world.

China says it has fulfilled its promise to deliver medical assistance to African countries.

And people around the world celebrate the New Year.

Hot Issue Reports

President Hu Jintao Delivers New Year's Message

On the eve of the New Year, Chinese President Hu Jintao delivered a speech entitled "Jointly Create a Better Future for World Peace and Development".

Light News

Chinese FM to Visit Five African Countries

Chinese Foreign Ministry says foreign minister Yang Jiechi will pay official visits to Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Algeria, Morocco and Saudi Arabia early January.

Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu made the announcement on Thursday at a regular press briefing. She elaborated the foreign minister's visit to Morocco in detail.

"Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will visit Morocco from January 11 to 12. During the visit, he will have talks with the Moroccan Foreign Minister and meet with other Moroccan leaders. The two sides will exchange views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest. I believe this visit will advance the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries."

The spokeswoman added that China-Morocco relations have been on the track of sound and stable development over the past 51 years of diplomatic ties.

She said in recent years, the two countries have witnessed mutually beneficial cooperation in such areas as business, trade, culture and health.

China Says It Fulfills the Promise of Health Assistance to Africa

China says it has fulfilled its promise to deliver medical assistance to African countries according to a three-year assistance plan launched in 2006.

Wang Liji is vice director of the international cooperation department under China's Health Ministry.

"I should say we have not only fulfilled our promise but also achieved it with high quality service. Over the past three years, China sent 2 thousand medical staff to 42 African countries. Nearly 20 million African patients have been treated by the medical staff. About 150 Chinese medical staff members won medals of honor given by African governments. The Chinese staff have become a symbol of friendship between China and Africa."

The official adds that China will continue to send medical teams to Africa and strengthen cooperation with African countries in the fields of pandemic prevention and health emergency response.

At the end of 2006, the Beijing summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation adopted the Beijing Action Plan of 2007 to 2009. According to the plan, China pledged to offer African countries a series of assistance, including health, agriculture and education.

NY Celebrations in Beijing and Auckland

In downtown Beijing, crowds in Sanlitun, one of the capital's central shopping and restaurant district, braved the annual freezing temperatures to celebrate the arrival of 2010 with rock music.
　　
Hundreds of people gathered to bring in the New Year as local Beijing bands played in 2010 with vigor.

Audience members shared their goals in the new year.　　

"What will I be doing? I will be working very hard, that's right."

"I wish to make my own business perform better, this year was not that good, I hope next year will improve, get better and better."

While in New Zealand, onlookers packed the harbor to enjoy a huge fireworks display in the city of Auckland, one of the first to see in the New Year.

As the clock struck midnight, the city's 328 metre Sky Tower became the launch pad for a spectacular pyrotechnic show.

The South Pacific nation is one of the first to greet each new year because of its proximity to the International Date Line.

Johannesburg Hold Traditional New Year Carnival

In South Africa, several hundred people have gathered in downtown Johannesburg to take part in the city's traditional New Year carnival.

This year's theme was focused on next year's FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in South Africa.

Participants carried banners and wore football strips representing the African countries taking part in the 2010 competition.

Many expressed their best wishes for the New Year.

"My hope for the New Year is that everyone must be safe, we must enjoy everything, and there is nothing going to hurt us."

"I hope that people coming here and have great experiences and tell the rest of the world about this country. And I hope that people continue to come back here, and that South Africa becomes more of a destination."

The procession was led by a float carrying a large replica of the World Cup winners' trophy.

South Africa will be the first African country to host the world's biggest football event.

At least half a million visitors are expected at the tournament, which will be held in June and July 2010.