Evening Edition

 

 

Thurday, September 5th, 2013.

Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.

Coming up on our program this evening.

The G20 summit begins in St Petersburg as Xi Jinping meets Vladimir Putin.

China is to focus on the domestic market if global uncertainty continues.

And there's just one more day of campaigning left in the Australian federal election.

In Business, the Shanghai Free Trade Zone is to be inaugurated on the 29th September.

In sports, updates from the China National Games and from Flushing Meadows

In entertainment, we hear from Cliff Richard and Jennifer Lopez.

 

 

Weather

 

 

Beijing will have thundershowers tonight with a low of 17 degrees Celsius.　Tomorrow cloudy with a high temperature of 28.

Meanwhile Shanghai will have light rain tonight, with a low of 21,　also light rain tomorrow, with a high of 24.

Lhasa will have thundershowers tonight, 10 degrees the low, cloudy tomorrow with a high of 22.

Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia

Islamabad, sunny, with a high of 34.

Kabul, sunny, 33.

Over in Australia

Sydney, overcast, highs of 25.

Canberra, overcast, 21.

Brisbane, sunny, 25.

And finally, Perth will be sunny with a high of 23.

 

 

Top News

 

 

China, Russia leaders meet ahead of G20 summit

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin ahead of the G20 summit in St. Petersburg.

The two leaders took time to discuss the joint cooperation projects that the two sides are currently carrying out.

This is the second meeting between the two leaders this year, after Xi's state visit to Russia back in March.

Xi Jinping has already held talks with his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto and Argentine counterpart Cristina Fernandez.

 

 

China to focus on domestic economy: Vice Finance Minister

 

Chinese Deputy Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao has said that should the global market remain volatile, China itself will concentrate on the domestic market, rather than international.

"We should give priority to our internal economic issues. To ensure a sustainable and healthy development, we need to deepen the economic restructuring, improve the quality of economic growth, and coordinate three factors including growth, restructuring, and stimulation plans, as well as overcome challenges they bring."

His remarks come ahead of the G20 summit in St. Petersburg.

Zhu also says he's confident that the Chinese economy can grow by 7.5-percent in 2013.

"China is seeking an environmental friendly and energy saving way of economy growth. We believe that keep perusing such restructuring can further improve the quality of economic growth. At the same time, we are confident in keeping the inflation rate under 3.5-percent, and increase over 10-million job opportunities."

He believes that the correct handling of domestic issues can help contribute the global economy.

 

 

QA with G20 research group

 

For more on the G20 summit, CRI's Nathan Wakelin-King spoke earlier with Professor John Kirton, co-director of the University of Toronto's G20 research group.

…

Professor John Kirton, co-director of the University of Toronto's G20 research group, speaking with CRI's Nathan Wakelin-King.

 

 

China calls for calm and political solution on Syria crisis

 

Chinese government has issued a new statement, calling on all sides in Syria to remain calm and restrained, and to adhere to political measures on the Syria issue.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei.

"China's stance on prohibiting the use of chemical weapons is consistent and clear. Those confirmed using chemical weapons should bear responsibility. Unilateral military actions go against international law and the norms of international relations and will further complicate the Syrian issue and cause the Middle East more turbulence. "

Hong Lei says the next action on Syria should be decided by the United Nations Security Council.

He adds that the UN investigators' final report should form the basis for any future action.

 

 

Top UN humanitarian affairs coordinator arrives in Syria

 

The UN's top humanitarian affairs coordinator Valerie Amos has arrived in the Syrian capital of Damascus.

The visit comes as the Obama administration is attempting to garner support for planned military action in Syria.

Obama has said he's "hopeful" that Russian President Vladimir Putin will change his position on Syria.

Obama made the comments at a meeting of Scandinavian leaders in Stockholm ahead of his trip to St. Petersberg for the G20 summit.

For his part, the Russian President Putin has signaled he won't rule out supporting military action in Syria if it's authorized by the UN Security Council.

However, Putin is also suggesting that the evidence against Bashar Al-Assad's government in connection with an alleged chemical weapons attack in Damascus is far from convincing.

 

 

"Limited strike" in Syria will make civilian population more miserable: Red Cross

 

Fighting among rebel forces and government troops is continuing in and around Damascus, creating more and more refugees.

For more on the plight of the civilian population in Syria, CRI's Su Yi spoke earlier with Rima Kamal, spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Syria.

…

Rima Kamal, spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Syria, speaking with CRI's Su Yi.

 

 

Expanded opportunities delivered by China-ASEAN Expo  

 

Anchor

As the China-ASEAN Expo enters its tenth year, the host city Nanning and companies from ASEAN members have seen many benefits from the trade fair.

CRI's Lucy Du has more.

Reporter:

Over 2,300 companies from China and the ASEAN member states have joined this year's expo.

In Nanning International Convention & Exhibition Center alone, over 42 percent of the exhibition stands have been snapped up by ASEAN members, setting a record high.

Bitis Shoes from Vietnam is one of them. As a regular exhibitor, the company has been going to the Expo since it was first launched in 2004.

Yan Yongle is the sales manager.

"We have gained popularity among Chinese customers via this expo. Retailers from other parts of China come here every year and make inquires about our products. Before we attended this expo, not so many Chinese customers were familiar with the brand. Currently we can sell over 60 million pairs of shoes in China each year."

Meanwhile, as the host city, Nanning has seen a lot investment pouring in since the expo started.

Liao Li is an official from Nanning Commerce Bureau.

"Currently, most of the investment projects in Nanning are coming from Hong Kong and Vietnam. They eyed on the city for its livable urban environment. Meanwhile, businesses in Nanning are also stepping out into the world. Since the Expo first launched, nearly 90 local companies have investments overseas, mostly in Vietnam. Now we have shuttle bus running directly to Vietnam from Nanning. It is China's first international bus route. "

Earlier this year, Guangxi' Dongxing city on the Chinese-Vietnamese border launched a pilot scheme of individual cross-border RMB settlement service to facilitate increased transactions, making it the second city in China to provide such service.

Apart from creating new opportunities for businesses, intensive exchanges between traders coming along to the expo have also brought more affordable import products to local residents.

For example, Ms Luo says that tropical fruits are now much cheaper.

"Previously, mangosteen was very expensive. I dared not even ask the price on the fruit market. But this year, I find it is sold at 4 yuan per half a kilogram, sometimes 3 yuan. So now it is something I can afford."

This year's expo has also introduced the first ASEAN coffee exhibition, showcasing different products from over 60 ASEAN coffee makers.

The expo will run for four days until this Friday.

For CRI, I'm Lucy Du.

 

 

E-commerce Companies Urgently Need Talents for Statistics Analysis

 

Anchor: New statistics show that China is poised to overtake the U.S. in the amount of online shopping it does.

But as E-commerce has rapidly developed in recent years, a leading research company has found that online businesses are short of statistical analysis professionals.

And many successful E-shops have come to realise the importance of statistics analysis as part of their business' operation.

CRI's Xu Fei has more.

Reporter: The I-Research Institute has been focusing on E-commerce related research for the last four years and it's concluded that China's E-shops need these professionals now more than ever.

Yang Weiqing, President of the affiliated iResearch Consulting Group explains:

"On one hand, China's E-commerce undergoes a rapid development. And, statistics is undoubtedly of vital importance for the E-commerce's further development. However, the industry is short of trained professionals who are good at statistical analysis."

Therefore the iResearch Institute has launched a project in Beijing that aims to train these specialists, particularly for E-commerce firms, to improve their core competitiveness.

Meanwhile, Hai Yunfei, who's in charge of the project, disclosed that of over 1000 businesses they've surveyed, 97.9 percent stress the importance of statistics analysis in E-business operations and development and around 51 percent of these firms think they lack statistics analysis capabilities.

Hai says the statistics analysts mainly work in four areas:

"The analysis should be conducted on the market reaction and market trend, the E-commerce company's webpage views, the online shop's operation and also on the customers' purchase activities."

In fact, the practicality of a high street store beginning to trade online is also based on a great amount of statistical analysis.

The Kelan-diamond's online shop, which enables people to purchase their luxury goods online instead of in the shop, is one of the success stories.

Qi Haojie, the marketing director of the company, says the online store helps them maintain competitive prices because of lower operation costs and statistical analysis can help save even more and they can pass the savings on to the customer.

"I could predict the entire selling process through statistical analysis in an accurate and efficient way. This reflects the core essence of E-commerce which aims to save customers from paying interim cost. I think those professionals who deal with statistical analysis will be the core part of my online retail company."

For CRI, I'm Xu Fei.

 

 

Biz Reports

 

 

Stocks  

 

The markets here in Asian ended a mixed day of trading ahead of US jobs data expected on Friday. The Bank of Japan's policy statement gave a slight boost to the Nikkei, holding off the declines experienced of late.

The Shanghai Composite Index dipped by 0.24%

The Shenzhen Component Index fell by 0.71%

Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose by 1.22%

Elsewhere here in Asia,

Japan's Nikkei gained 0.08%

South Korea's KOSPI rose by 0.96%

Singapore's Straits Times Index climbed 0.8%

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.37%

 

 

Shanghai Free Trade Zone to open 27th September

 

It has been reported that September 27th is to be the official date for the opening of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.

CRI can also reveal that Ai Baojun, the deputy major of Shanghai, has been tapped to head trade zone whilst continuing to serve as the city's deputy mayor.

It's also being reported the central government is likely to designate a vice-premier to work with Ai Baojun to help manage the FTZ.

 

 

Morning Call-in with Cao Can

 

Anchor:

China's Bright Food Group Co has announced that it has approached Israel's Tnuva Food Industries in view of a potential acquisition.

This is the latest move in the Shanghai-government backed dairy and food producer's global expansion strategy.

Bright Food, a major domestic presence with over 3,300 retail units, recently took on majority stakes in several overseas companies including British cereal maker Weetabix Co and Australia's Manassen Foods.

Tnuva is the largest dairy manufacturer in Israel and sale of its products account for 70% of the market.

It owns seven of the 10 best known food brands in Israel.

The proposed acquisition is emblematic of a wave of Chinese companies buying up foreign companies in a bid to expand market share and improve production technology.

With the recent Fonterra contamination scandal, Chinese dairy retailers have been keen to seek out relatively untapped countries, such as Israel, for sourcing dairy imports.

CRI's Paul James spoke to Cao Can, CRI's financial commentator.

…

That was CRI's financial commentator Cao Can

 

 

Chinese and US company partner to develop helicopters

 

China's Changhe Aircraft Industrial Group (CAIG) and U.S.-based Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation have signed an agreement to co-produce commercial utility helicopters.

CAIG is a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China, a state-owned aerospace and defense company.

Sikorsky, on the other hand, is the market leader for both military and commercial helicopters.

The agreement states that CAIG will pair with Sikorsky in producing S-76D helicopters, that's a 12 seater carrier used for business, medical and rescue purposes.

The two companies had previously joined forces in 1995 to produce the S92 helicopter - a dual-purpose

civil and military-use aircraft.

The new batch of aircrafts will be assembled here in China, with the first expected to come out in 2016.

 

 

ACCC approves Air New Zealand's expansion of stake in Virgin

 

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has given the go ahead to Air New Zealand's plan to increase its stake in Virgin Australia.

The ACCC said that it would not oppose Air New Zealand's planned 6 percent increase in stakes Australia's second biggest carrier.

It also ruled that the move would not hamper competition between the two airline operators or the sector in general.

Such a deal will still need to be approved by the Foreign Investment Review board. Air New Zealand's share in Virgin Australia would be pulled up to 25.9%

 

 

Cathay issues formal objection to Jetstar's budget HK airlines

 

Cathay Pacific has issued a formal objection to Jetstar Hong Kong's bid to start a budget airline in the territory.

Jetstar Hong Kong is a joint venture between Qantas, China Eastern Airlines and a company founded by gambling tycoon Stanley Ho.

Hong Kong has sovereign rights over its airspace and the law states that only Hong Kong-based companies can obtain licenses to operate.

Cathay, Asia's biggest international carrier, is protesting that the planned venture violates Hong Kong's Basic Law, arguing that Jetstar is essentially a foreign-owned franchise.

A formal objection has already been lodged with the Hong Kong Transport and Housing Bureau.

 

 

Samsung releases Galaxy compliment smartwatch

 

Samsung has unveiled a new smartwatch.

The new gadget is meant to be a compliment to Samsung's popular Galaxy smartphone.

The new smartwatch can make calls, display messages, record videos and snap photos.

The smartwatch has been unveiled at the Berlin IFA consumer electronics show.

"Galaxy gear? Well, it's great! I think something was going to open the new category of wearable computers. I think they did it three years ago with the first Galaxy, now with the watch I think it's going to be huge."

The smartwatch features a 4 centimeter screen and a basic camera.

The watch has up to 70 dedicated applications.

"The watch is very impressive. It is elegant, smart,and above all - it can do everything. It is a potential, open device and that is a good thing. It remains to be seen what the customers and the users think of it. But I think the potential is huge. It is bit like Google glass but on the wrist."

 

 

Headline News

 

 

China, Russia leaders meet ahead of G20 summit

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin ahead of the G20 summit in St. Petersburg.

The two leaders took time to discuss the joint cooperation projects that the two sides are currently carrying out.

This is the second meeting between the two leaders this year, after Xi's state visit to Russia back in March.

Xi Jinping has already held talks with his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto and Argentine counterpart Cristina Fernandez.

 

 

Egypt interior minister survives car bomb attack

 

Egypt's interior minister Mohammed Ibrahim has survived a car bomb attack unharmed when travelling in a convoy in the eastern Cairo suburb of Nasr City.

Security forces say at least four people were injured and have described the incident as an assassination attempt.

Nasr City is a Muslim Brotherhood stronghold, though no one has yet claimed responsibility.

 

 

German president visits massacre site, where hundreds died in Nazi-occupied France

 

German President Joachim Gauck has become the first head of state from his country to visit Oradour-sur-Glane in France.

This is the site where 642 people were murdered by Nazi troops during the end of the German occupation in June 1944, when an armoured SS division forced hundreds of civilians into barns and a church, blocked the doors and set the buildings on fire.

Among the dead were 200 children.

Here's President Gauck.

"The crimes here were perpetrated by soldiers under German command. Therefore it's for any German a difficult task to come here."

The aim of this visit by a German head of state is to underscore Franco-German post-war reconciliation.

 

 

Australian's ruling party may lose its reign

 

The Australian ruling Labor party's six-year reign may be coming to an end, according to analysts.

The opposition leader of the Liberal National coalition, Tony Abbott, has gradually overtaken the once-popular Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in the opinion polls for Saturday's federal election.

Here's Antony Green, election analyst for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation:

"All the opinion polls are pointing towards a change of government. The coalition should be elected with a reasonable majority, a comfortable working majority, maybe even close to a landslide.

Antony Green also reckons that the one difficulty the coalition may have is that they are unlikely to get control of the upper house, the Senate.

The Greens currently hold the balance of power there, while the new WikiLeaks Party is also fielding Senate candidates in three states.

Some voters have already cast their ballots, and the poll will close at 6 pm Australian EST, 4pm Beijing time on Saturday, with a winner being declared that same evening.

 

 

Chinese premier to attend Summer Davos

 

It's been confirmed that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will attend the Summer Davos Forum in Dalian next week.

Premier Li will deliver a speech at the opening ceremony next Wednesday, at this an annual gathering of business leaders, government officials and scholars from around the world.

China has played host to Summer Davos, alternating with Tianjin and Dalian, since its inception in 2007.

 

 

Newspaper Picks

 

 

China Daily

"China aiming to tame weather"

China plans to boost its weather intervention through a national plan.

According to relative authorities, the plan, running from 2013 to 2020, will divide the country into six regions and set up an interprovincial mechanism for weather control.

Each region will build infrastructure and a command center for weather intervention.

Programs in northeastern, central and southeastern areas will be used mainly to guarantee the wheat harvest, and the northwestern program will be for environmental protection

The southwestern program will focus on ensuring the operation of agriculture and hydropower, while the northern program will be concerned with guaranteeing water supplies.

China modifies weather mainly to increase rain or snow and prevent damaging weather such as hail, fog and rainstorms.

Cloud seeding is the major weather modification activity in China.

The northeastern region — covering Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces and parts of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region — was selected as a pilot area to test the coordination system after the National Development and Reform Commission approved a feasibility report in May 2012.

Xinhua

"China developing high-speed helicopters"

China is developing helicopters with the ability to fly at speeds twice the current average.

Lin Zuoming, president of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), said China is striving to make helicopters that can achieve a speed of 500 kilometers per hour.

AVIC produces a wide range of helicopters, from ultra-light varieties to high-altitude adaptive helicopters.

AVIC said it has cracked core technologies in key areas like rotors, flight control and avionics.

China's helicopter industry has been on a steady rise over the last decade.

The Telegraph

"Heartbeats to replace traditional passwords"

Our heartbeats could be used instead of traditional passwords to unlock smartphones, tablets and cars using a new device being developed by a Canadian company.

With usernames and passwords fast becoming unreliable, companies are now turning towards our internal features as an authentication alternative.

One of the new developments in this line of research is the Nymi wristband being developed by Canadian firm Bionym.

The hi-tech gadget monitors the unique pattern of the wearer's heartbeat, which can be used to wirelessly unlock smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and cars. It may even be used to pay for shopping, or act as a replacement for your credit card PIN number.

According to researchers, the Nymi identifies people "not just (by) their heart rate, but the actual shape of their heartbeat."

Although exercise or drug-taking may impact the reading, researchers said that "the system tolerates regular variation".

News.com.au

Slept badly? You may as well be drunk

A researcher from Vancouver, Canada has developed one of the only forms of technology that allows people to find out how much sleep deprivation is affecting their lives.

Pat Byrne, co-developer of Fatigue Science, developed a wristband that collects sleep, fatigue and activity data through the simple movement of the wrist.

The Readiband measures the quality of sleep and performance during the day and then translates that into an objective fatigue level. The wristband then estimates how fatigue slows reaction times, providing the wearer with crucial information about how vulnerable they are to having an accidents.

The Readiband displays an effectiveness score in real time and recommends the number of hours the wearer should have in order to achieve an effectiveness score of 100 per cent.

The researcher found that a 70 per cent effectiveness score is roughly equivalent to a blood-alcohol level of 0.08, meaning that if you were driving you would be 40 per cent slower to respond.

 

 

Special Reports

 

 

National Games puts a lot of pressure on young athletes

 

Anchor:

China's national games began in 1959 as a way to promote sports and fitness throughout the country.

Since then, the games have developed into China's "mini-Olympics", where winning gold is considered paramount.

CRI's Jordan Lee has been talking with athletes in Shenyang to see how they are handling the pressure to medal.

Reporter:

The National games only come around once every four years, and for many of the competitors, it's the highest level of competition they'll ever reach in their athletic careers.

For others with Olympic dreams, the National games is a kind of test stage where their performance will be closely evaluated by coaches and provincial officials who have the power to decide which athletes will represent China at the Olympics.

Either way, the pressure to perform well is immense.

17-year-old Beijing diver Xu Pei Yan was really nervous ahead of her debut at the national games this year.

"The national games is only once every four years, so it is quite a big deal for us."

It was also the first national games for Luo Ying a diver from Hunan.

"This competition is different than any other, after all you only get one chance every four years. It's also very formal, so it is natural to feel excited."

Yang Yi, a 22-year-old Taekwondo athlete for Liaoning, feels the pressure of competing in front of his home crowd.

"I was born in Liaoning so I think it is a rare opportunity for me to play in my hometown. I really want to do my best. But, of course, I can't control the results. The only thing I can do is doing my best and leaving no regret."

Winning a national title is also a significant achievement for officials, because a gold medal is credited to the respective provincial sports bureau.

For this reason, some say that medaling at the national games is more important than winning an Olympic gold.

But 27-year-old swimmer Liu wei jia of Liaoning disagrees. This year is Liu's third appearance at the national games, where he competes in men’s breastroke and butterfly events.

"The pressure isn't greater at the National Games. I represent my hometown here while I represent my country at the Olympics. Only after I do well at the National Games and then I can join the national squad. So I will focus on this game instead of thinking too much about the Olympics."

Liu competed in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, but was not included in the delegations for the Beijing or London Olympics.

Whether driven by the incentive to win or by the fear of losing, some athletes turn to doping.

By the end of August, China's anti-doping agency had caught a total of 20 athletes who tested positive for banned substances.

Agency director He Zhenwen told Xinhua that there has historically been a link between the national games and a rise in positive doping tests.

Sports minister Liu Peng said at a press conference before the games that a lot of the problem has to do with officials attitudes.

Liu said, "The officials of each delegation must not be obsessed with winning medals."

For CRI, I'm Jordan Lee

 

 

Sports

 

 

Azarenka beats Hantuchova to reach US Open semi-finals

 

In Tennis Victoria Azarenka looks on course to defend her title after brushing aside Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova in the US Open women's quarter-final.

The Belarussian world number two took just 72 minutes to take the match 6-2 6-3 and will next face Italy's Flavia Pennetta in the semis.

Afterwards, Azarenka said she was pleased with her performance despite the difficult conditions:

"I think it was better. It was better start, for sure. It was a little bit tricky out there with the wind, and I think, you know, Daniela is the kind of player who doesn't give you much rhythm. So you really have to try to make it happen in one or two shots in the beginning, so that's what I was trying to do. You know, there wasn't much of long rallies, so that's what kind of sometimes more difficult to get into the match. But I felt like I was really good on the important moments. In the first set I really, towards the end, raised my level where I wanted to, and that was what was I think the key to this match."

 

 

Nadal beats Robredo in to go through to US Open quarter finals

 

And in the men's event Rafael Nadal gave fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo a Tennis lesson when he conceded just four games in their meeting.

Robredo had caused upset in his previous match. He sent Roger Federer tumbling out of the competition denying spectators the chance of seeing the first ever meeting between the Swiss ace and Nadal at the US Open.

After returning from a severe knee injury last season Nadal says he is now playing some of his best ever tennis:

I did all the things that you expect to do good in the first set, in my opinion. I am very happy with the way that I moved myself on court, very happy that the way I hit my forehand and my backhand especially. So in general it was my best match of the tournament, so that's great news to be in quarterfinals and played my best match of the tournament. But every day, no, just happy. To be in the semifinals is very important result for me. Is fantastic win, so I just enjoy it today."

 

 

Messi pays five million euros following tax investigation

 

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and his father have paid five million euros to the Spanish authorities after being accused of filing false tax returns.

Prosecutors from Catalonia's office for tax claims alleges the Argentine world player of the year hid earnings from the sale of his image rights using a complex web of companies in Belize, Uruguay, Switzerland and the UK.

Both men are still due to appear at a hearing on September 17. They deny any wrongdoing.

Messi, who gained Spanish citizenship in 2005, earns over 20 million dollars a season in wages and bonuses and about the same again in endorsements. This puts him 10th on the latest Forbes' list of top-earning athletes.

 

 

China's Ye Wo-cheng to becomes youngest-ever golfer

 

In golf, China's Ye Wo-cheng will make history when he becomes the youngest-ever player to tee off at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland this week.

Back in May, Ye became the youngest player to enter the Volvo China Open when he was just 12-years and 242 days old.

He's already twice a winner of the US Kids Junior World Championship in which he beat the tournament record for the lowest score that was previously held by Tiger Woods.

CRI spoke to his coach, David Watson, about what he expects the now 13-year-old Ye to achieve at the high altitude course in the Swiss Alps:

"Well I think we only go on past experiences, really for him to remind him how well he has been playing. He came from Japan he played the ruri…… junior invitational last week and he ran second in that in the under 18s with a final round 67. That was on a 7,200 yard course. This one is 6,800 so it's a little shorter, the conditions are a little difficult but he's been performing well so I said look let's just give it a go and see what we can do."

 

 

National games

 

In the China national games today, it's been a pretty decent day for athletes from Shan Dong.

First, their women's team won the first table-tennis gold medal of the tournament.

Also today, Xie Hong Li from the same province won the 69kg category in the woman's weightlifting.

In the women's double trap clay pigean shooting, Wei Ning, also from Shan Dong, won the gold medal.

Elsewhere, the 25 metre pistol event was won by Chen Kehan from Guangdong.

But as you can see, Shan dong province has been the dominant force in this year's games so far.

They now lead the medal count with 80-and-a-half medals, while the competition's 2013 hosts, Liaoning, are second on 66-and-a-half..

 

 

Entertainment

 

 

'Elysium' hit the big screen in China

 

Hollywood blockbuster 'Elysium' hits the big screen in China today.

The American science fiction movie is co-produced and directed by Neill Blomkamp, who rose to fame with his 'District 9' in 2009.

The story is set in the year 2154. The very wealthy live on a luxurious man-made space station, while the rest of the population still resides on the overpopulated and devastated earth. Max da Costa, a citizen living in the ruins of the earth, takes on a mission to bring equality to the polarized worlds.

The hero is played by Matt Damon. He says he is quite satisfied with this film.

"Within minutes we started to talk about it and you just go I want in, just do what I have to do to be involved with this. …I went to that movie and I had a blast, I've never see a movie like that, I enjoyed every minute in that thing. I think it is satisfactory in all levels that it needs to satisfy."

Oscar-winning best actress Jodie Foster plays a villain for the first time in her career.

She is the senior official of the Elysium government, who cracks down the migrants from the earth.

"I think like District 9 it is really intelligent fantasy. It has a very deep sociological meaning. But it's a personal story. I think it's moving."

The movie is also commended by Chinese filmgoers.

"I think the film wants to talk about the political issues and the theme of inequality. It merges hi-tech tricks and thrilling actions, just like District 9."

"I'm impressed by the action of chasing in the film. It's beyond my expectation. I'm thrilled."

Elysium was released in US on August 9th, topping itself in the American film chart in the first week.

 

 

NEW "IDOL" JUDGE SAYS TO "EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED" IN UPCOMING SEASON

 

New "American Idol" judge Harry Connick Jr. says viewers should "expect the unexpected" from he and his fellow judges Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban for the talent contest's 13th season.

Connick said he's rather enjoying being a judge on the show.

"I didn't know what to expect, and Keith and Jennifer have both done it before, and I think the whole fun of it is not knowing what to expect, like I don't know what Jennifer is gonna say, I don't know how Keith is gonna react. "

The jazz singer and musician has been on the show before as a guest mentor to the contestants.

Fellow judge, Jennifer Lopez, said she's glad to be back on the show after one year away touring.

"I know that we're gonna have a great time and already we're off to a great start with the talent and this season. I think it's gonna be a good one. It feels good."

Fox's American Idol is scheduled to debut in January 2014 in the US.

 

 

Sir Cliff Richard to release 100th album

 

72 year-old British singer Cliff Richard is to release the 100th album of his career.

It's titled 'The Fabulous Rock 'n' Roll Songbook' and will be released on 11th November.

The evergreen pop star released his debut album back in 1959, and has produced 47 studio albums, 35 compilations, 11 live albums and seven film soundtracks.

The new release will feature classic rock 'n' roll tracks.

Sir Cliff said he hadn't plan to make this particular album and isn't quite sure just how his fans would react to the news.

"When the story broke today, I still wasn't sure. Ok, I was excited by it. Would anyone else be excited? Since people are, so thank you for your excitement. For me, it's going back to grassroots. I love singing, I felt myself in a comfort zone, so I'm happy to be back there."

Sir Cliff also expressed his gratitude towards Elvis Presley.

"This man gives me inspiration. If there was no Elvis, there would be no Cliff Richard."

Sir Cliff is the only artist to have had at least one UK top five album in each of the last seven decades.

He has also sold more singles in the UK than any other male British artist, with sales of 21.5 million.

 

 

Rare Van Gogh Sunflowers image found

 

A rare photograph of a lost sunflowers painting by Vincent Van Gogh has been found in Japan.

It shows for the first time how the artist wanted his work to be seen.

Van Gogh painted Six Sunflowers in 1888 but it was destroyed in Japan in World War II.

The photo has been uncovered in the archives of a Japanese museum. The painting shows the orange

flowers in a green vase against a dark blue background.

It seems that Van Gogh wanted it to be exhibited in an orange frame.

Martin Bailey, a curator and correspondent for The Art Newspaper, discovered the photograph while doing a research on Van Gogh's books.

Bailey said the photograph shows that Van Gogh loved complementary colors like blue and orange together.

He was also surprised by the artist's creative idea. It was rather bold and shocking to frame a painting in orange at the time. Conventionally, paintings were framed in gilt frames, and modern

paintings were sometimes framed in plain white frames.

Another of Van Gogh's Sunflowers series sold for ?25m in 1987, smashing the record for the world's most expensive painting at the time.