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

Coming up on our program this morning...

Chinese President Xi Jinping has delivered a speech to the G20 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.

US President Barack Obama has been coming under heavy pressure not to launch strikes against Syria.

Egypt's Interior Minister has survived an assassination attempt.

Business... the Renminbi is now a top-10 traded currency.

Sports... a day of upsets at the US Open in New York.

Entertainment... a new film about the late Princess Diana has premiered in London.

First, let's check on what's happening on the weather front...

 

 

Weather

 

 

Beijing will see thundershowers this morning, with a high of 28 degree Celsius in the daytime, and it will see slight rain tonight with a low of 16.

In Shanghai, it will have slight rain today, 25 the high, and it will have slight rain tonight, the low of 21 degrees Celsius.

Lhasa will be overcast in the daytime the temperature's at 22, and tonight will have showers with a low of 11 degree Celsius.

Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia

Islamabad, sunny, 32.

Kabul, sunny, with a high of 32.

And in North America

New York, overcast, with a high of 23 degrees.

Washington, overcast , highs of 29

Houston, thundershowers, 33.

Honolulu, sunny, 32.

Toronto, sunny, 17.

Finally, on to South America,

Buenos Aires, overcast, 19.

And Rio de Janeiro will see moderate rain with highs of 23 degrees Celsius.

 

 

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We are on Weibo that's weibo.com/beijinghour

You can also send us an email to [email protected]

Please do keep in touch we always like to hear your comments and feedback on the show.

TIMECHECK

 

 

Top News

 

 

Chinese president calls for closer G20 partnership to boost world economy

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping has delivered a speech to the G20 Summit in St. Petersberg, Russia.

Xi Jinping has told the leaders of the world's 20-largest economies they need to build a closer relationship to try to shore up the world economy.

He says part of that needs to include better communication and coordination on macro-economic policy.

The Chinese president has also told the G20 he believes China's fundamental economics are sound, describing his government's policies as responsible for both China and the world.

Xi Jinping has also issued a call for a free and multilateral trade system.

He's also issued a call for improvements to global investment rules.

Xi Jinping has also told the G20 his government is working toward creating more flexibility in the Renminbi.

 

 

Call-in on China-Russia relations

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping has met Russian president Vladimir Putin ahead of the start of the G20 summit.

The two leaders have taken time to discuss the joint cooperation projects that the two sides are currently working on.

This is the second meeting between the two leaders this year.

In march, Xi Jinping took his first overseas visit to Moscow after taking over as China's president.

For more on China and Russia's biliteral ties, CRI's Zheng Chenguang spoke earlier with Professor Dmitri Trenin, Director of the Carnegie Moscow Center.

Professor Dmitri Trenin, Director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, speaking with CRI's Zheng Chenguang.

 

 

US faces growing pressure from global heads not to launch strikes in Syria

 

U.S. President Barack Obama has been running into increasing pressure from world leaders not to launch military action in Syria.

Obama, who is now in St. Petersberg for the G20 Summit, has been facing opposition from Russia, China the BRICS grouping, the European Union and even Pope Francis.

China's G-20 delegation spokesperson, Qin Gang, says the Chinese government is maintaining the position that military action isn't the fundamental way to solve the problems in Syria.

"The United Nations should, based on the investigation results, decide what to do next in Syria. Unilateral military action outside the UN mandate would probably cause even more serious humanitarian crisis in Syria, When it comes to such grave matter as going to war, we urge relevant countries to act with utmost caution and sense of responsibility."

The Kremlin was even more admant in opposing military action in Syria.

Sergei Ivanov is the Kremlin's Chief of Staff.

"Whatever way Congress votes, in any case if it votes for the use of force, all the same this decision will be illegitimate. In any case."

Meantime, two more Russian warships have reportedly passed through the Bosporus enroute to the Mediterranean.

At the same time, British Prime Minister David Cameron says the UK has fresh evidence indicating the use of chemical weapons on August 21st in the suburbs of Damascus.

Cameron says British scientists have found sarin gas in samples taken from the Syrian capital.

Cameron lost a parliamentary vote last week on possible UK military involvement in Syria.

 

 

Egypt's Minister Mohammed Ibrahim survives bomb attack

 

Egypt's interior minister has survived an assassination attempt.

A bomb blew up as his convoy drove through Cairo's Nasr City district.

That area is home to a huge amount of supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi.

The minister, Mohamed Ibrahim, wasn't hurt.

However, 10 others were injured the blast.

Aly Mahrous is a doctor at Nasr City hospital.

"11 injured arrived to the hospital at around 11:30. They were swiftly hospitalised in the emergency room. Those who needed surgery were given it, and the rest were referred to specialised departments within the hospital."

The attack is the first to target a senior government official since Mohammed Morsi was toppled two months ago.

This has raised concerns about a possible campaign of violence by his supporters.

Many Morsi supporters have proclaimed they will fight the military-backed government in the style of al-Qaida, with suicide and road-side bombs.

The Muslim Brotherhood insists it is committed to peaceful resistance.

 

 

Kenya MPs vote to withdraw from ICC

 

Kenya's parliament have passed a motion to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, where the country's president and deputy president face trials.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto face charges of crimes against humanity.

The charges stem from the violence that broke out after the disputed elections in 2007.

The upheaval then left more than a thousand people dead.

Some 600-thousand others were forced from their homes.

Ruto faces trial at The Hague at the start of next week.

Kenyatta, who was elected president earlier this year, faces trial in November.

Political analyst Tom Maliti says the withdrawl will not have any effect on the cases against Ruto and Kenyatta, which are already underway at the ICC.

"The resolution of parliament will have no legal impact or effect on the Kenyan before the ICC because the legal avenues that were available to terminate the cases, to have them postponed have all been exhausted in the last 2 years and so parliaments decision has no effect whatsoever on the cases."

If Kenya goes ahead with the withdraw from the ICC, it will be the first nation to do so.

 

 

Iraq to impose traffic restriction in Baghdad to stem violence

 

The Iraqi government is poised to impose traffic restrictions on the streets of Baghdad.

Vehicles will be restricted with an even-odd license plate system on a daily basis.

The new measures will take effect Saturday.

No specific reason for the move has been released.

However, it's widely believed the move is being made to deal with the increasing number of car bombings in Baghdad.

At least a dozen of car bombs have gone off in Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad this week, leaving close to 50 dead and over 150-others hurt.

 

 

Mandela's home powered off as the national strike spread

 

A city-wide strike by power workers in the South African city of Johannesburg has cut power to the home of former South African president Nelson Mandela.

Mandela's home is now being powered by generators.

It's unclear whether the machines helping keep the ailing former president breathing have been affected.

The work stoppage by power workers in Johannesburg is part of a broader so-called 'strike season' in South Africa.

September is when many public-sector contracts come up for renewal in South Africa.

 

 

PKK leader announces suspension of withdrawal from Turkey: report

 

It's being reported the outlawed Kurdish Workers Party, or PKK, has haulted its withdrawl from Turkish territory.

A leading PKK commander is being quoted as saying the Turkish authorities are not living up to their end of the peace agreement reached last year.

As such, the commander says the Kurdish fighters who have been slowly moving into northern Iraq have now haulted their withdrawl.

He also says if Turkish troops attack their fighters, they will send groups back into Turkey to continue their insurgency.

As part of an agreement reached almost a year ago, the PKK agreed to begin withdrawing its rebel forces from Turkish territory in May as part of a three-pronged peace process.

In agreeing to the provisions, the PKK is demanding Ankara create legal amendments to the constitution to give the ethnic Kurdish population in the country more autonomy.

The PKK contends the Turkish government hasn't lived up to this end of the agreement.

Kurdish rebels have been fighting for an ethnic homeland in southeast Turkey since 1984.

 

 

Expanded opportunities delivered by China-ASEAN Expo (An Jing from Nanning)

 

Anchor

This year's China-ASEAN Expo in Guangxi is drawing in a lot of business for the host city of Nanning.

CRI's Lucy Du explains.

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.

 

 

Adding burden for students

 

Anchor

Education experts here in China are expressing concerns about a new proposal to try to reduce the workload burden for primary school students.

CRI's Li Dong explains.

Reporter

Parents are taking their kids to buy supplementary teaching materials at one of Beijing's biggest bookstores, their shopping baskets filled with exercise books. However, such behavior is not recommended under the newly released draft burden relief policy.

The draft guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education aim to lessen the heavy workload on students suggests that primary school pupils should not have any form of written homework.

Instead, schools should cooperate with parents to organize more extracurricular activities, including museum tours and library study sessions.

However, no parent wants their child to lag behind; many parents are actually sacrificing more of their children's spare time to reinforce their learning. One mom says:

"The homework teachers give in the class is much less than in the past; on the other hand, parents are currently facing great pressure. What taught in school are not enough for students. Parents have to make it up in spare time."

Zhang Ruiyue is a primary school pupil in the fifth grade. She says that many of her classmates are enrolled in several after-school courses in preparation for the fiercely competitive selection exams in the transition from primary to middle school.

"Every one of my classmates is enrolled in several training classes, and they attend at least one class a day, adding up to 10 such classes a week. The most popular one is Olympic mathematics, which gives us the ability to solve maths problems designed for much older age groups. Parents say the primary to middle school selection exam may use questions from Olympic mathematics courses."

Scores and exams are still the key indicators of a students' school performance, as opposed to the unquantifiable benefits derived from museum tours and other extracurricular activities.

Kang Jian, professor at the Institute of Education at Peking University points out that the draft guidelines issued by The Ministry of Education won't make much of a difference in reducing the academic burden on students if the standards for evaluating academic performance in mainstream Chinese society don't change.

"What standard do you use to measure the effects of education and a person's value? You may say the quality of education is good, but you are still measuring by the ultimate standard of examination scores, which determines which universities students will attend. My child will be regarded as a loser if he or she doesn't achieve high test scores. This problem has yet to be solved. Although you may advocate quality-oriented education, you still use the primary standard of examination results to evaluate each and every student. Of course, parents will follow this standard rather than any new concepts being promoted."

Kang Jian's opinion is echoed by Ms Heng, a parent in Xuzhou city, Jiangsu Province. While she would like her child to spend more time playing and learning about what they like, she has no choice but to join the majority of parents who push their children to do more exercises after school.

Act4 Chinese Female

"If the authorities do not reform the senior high school and college entrance examinations, and the mechanism of how we select talents doesn't change, then the policy from the Ministry of Education may add to rather than relieve the burden on students."

The vicious cycle of unsuccessful burden relief has been repeated several times in Jiangsu and many other provinces in recent years where the education authorities tried to cut down the amount of homework. The only way to solve the problem is a comprehensive overhall of the education system.

For CRI, I am Li Dong.

 

 

Biz Reports

 

 

U.S. stocks edged up on Thursday, rising for a third day after strong data indicated improving economic conditions.

Growth in the U.S. services sector accelerated in August to its fastest pace in almost eight years, while new jobless claims last week fell to a near five-year low.

The data has bolstered views the Fed will likely start slowing its bond-buying program later this month.

Retail stocks rose as many U.S. retailers reported stronger-than-expected August sales.

Shares of BlackBerry added more than 2 percent on speculation about a possible sale.

The Dow Jones industrial ended virtually flat.

The S&P 500 gained 0.1 percent

The Nasdaq added 0.3 percent.

In Canada, the S&P/TSX gained 0.7 percent

European stock markets posted solid gains after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi reiterated his pledge to keep rates low for an "extended period of time."

The Bank of England left its key interest rate at a record low of 0.5% and made no changes to its 585 billion dollar asset-purchase program.

Investors also kept an eye on developments in the Syrian conflict.

The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index added 0.9 percent.

France's CAC 40 index rose 0.7%

Germany's DAX 30 index gained 0.5%

 

 

Yuan Enters World's Top 10 Most-Traded Currencies

 

The Renminbi has officially become one of the top 10 most frequently traded currencies in the world.

A new survey by the Bank for International Settlements is reporting that Chinese yuan has climbed to ninth place on the global currency trading list.

This is up from 17th in 2010.

Yuan flows have risen from 4-trillion US dollars a day to 5.3-trillion.

Offshore yuan trading is being cited as one of the main factors contributing to the surge.

Offshore yuan trading began in April.

Significant trading of the Mexican peso has launched that currency into the top-10 as well, bumping the Hong Kong dollar and the Swedish Krona from the top-10.

 

 

China to prioritize internal economic issues: Vice Finance Minister

 

A leading economic official is suggesting the Chinese government may have to start focusing more on overcoming the issues brought on by previous stimulus programs.

Chinese Deputy Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao says if the global market remains volatile, the domestic economy will have to take on the priority.

"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."

At the same time, Zhu Guangyao says he's confident the Chinese economy will grow by at least 7.5-percent this year.

"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 annually."

Rampant lending following the global economic slowdown in 2008 has left many local governments in China swimming in debt.

This has raised questions as to how the governments are going to work their way out of the red, given the broader restructuring plans currently being brought in by the central government.

 

 

Corp News w Doug

 

Anchor:

Let's check in with some of the key events on the corporate front in China this week.

Doug Young joins me on the line.

He's an associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters.

------

China Telecom Reaches Apple Deal To Offer New iPhone

------

It is suggested that China Telecom, the third largest telecom operator, here in China have completed negotiations with Apple for introducing the new iPhone product very soon.

1 Apple has confirmed it will launch at least one new iPhone product next week, how likely do you think China especially the China Telecom deal will be included as part of the global event?

2 Will the new iphone upgrade its system which could be support the 4G network? Or what other features could we expect?

3 Samsung has just debuted its Galaxy accessories the smartwatch to secure more attention for its flagship lineup, do you think this will be the trend as of delving into the side-products to boost product recognition? Can we expect the same thing from Apple?

------

Baidu's iQiyi to Sell TCL Smart TVs

------

Media reports are suggesting that Chinese search engine Baidu will team up with electronic maker TCL to sell smart TVs to try to compete with Alibaba on the same ground.

1 Smart TVs, how related can we apply the much hyped cloud idea to it?

2 If it could be coined as the next big thing in the TV industry, it is more about the technology focusing on the box operating system, or more about the contents rivalry?

3 Online retailer Jingdong Mall has begun selling the first version of the smart TV for 46 hundred yuan or 750 US dollars. And it is said the second version with unspecified features will be available in November at 3 thousand yuan.

What is the response so far from consumers? How strong it appeals to ordinary shoppers when laptop gradually on way to substitute part of the function of traditional TV?

Back Anchor:

Doug Young, associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters.

0 13585724964

 

 

Brazil to Commit $18 Billion to BRICS Nations' Reserve Fund

 

Brazil is pledging 18-billion US dollars to a planned foreign reserve fund for the BRICS countries.

At the same time, the Brazilian government has revealed the group has reached consensus on the operational details of the fund.

Brazil's government says Russia and India will also contribute 18-billion US dollars to the fund.

China is going to throw in 41-billion US dollars.

South Africa will contribute 5-billion.

Brazil's government has also confirmed it will spend 50-billion US dollars as initial capital for the launch of a joint BRICS development bank.

No specific dates have been scheduled as to when the reserve fund or the bank will be launched.

 

 

ECB Raises 2013 GDP Forecast But No Change to Guidance

 

The European Central Bank has raised its forecast for the euro-zone economy for this year.

But at the same time, the ECB is rebuffing suggestions of any changes to its monetary tightening policies.

The ECB president Mario Draghi says the bank expects GDP growth for the region to shrink 0.4 percent, rather than the 0.6-percent downturn it predicted in June.

Still, the ECB has left its refinancing rate at a record low of 0.5 percent for the fourth month in a row.

The ECB has cut its growth projection for next year.

It predicts the output in the eurozone will be around 1 percent, down 0.1 percent form its previous forecast.

The ECB is also predicting the inflation rate will stay below 2 percent both this year and next.

 

 

Headline News

 

 

Chinese president calls for closer G20 partnership to boost world economy

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping has delivered a speech to the G20 Summit in St. Petersberg, Russia.

Xi Jinping has told the leaders of the world's 20-largest economies they need to build a closer relationship to try to shore up the world economy.

He says part of that needs to include better communication and coordination on macro-economic policy.

The Chinese president has also told the G20 he believes China's fundamental economics are sound, describing his government's policies as responsible for both China and the world.

Xi Jinping has also issued a call for a free and multilateral trade system.

He's also issued a call for improvements to global investment rules.

Xi Jinping has also told the G20 his government is working toward creating more flexibility in the Renminbi.

 

 

U.S. proof of chemical weapons use far from convincing: Putin spokesman

 

The Russian government is throwing cold water on any hopes US President Barack Obama might have on a change of Russian position when it comes to Syria.

A spokesperson for the Russian government has issued a new statement, saying the United States' "proof" of the use of chemical weapons in Syria is "far from convincing."

At the same time, the Russian spokesperson says the Russian side is encouraging its partners in the UN Security Council to consider the situation in Syria in "a responsible manner."

Echoing the Chinese position, the Russian government says any decision about action in Syria should only be made after UN chemical weapons experts finish their assessment of last month's alleged attack.

The comments by the Russian government have been made at the G20 meeting taking place in St. Petersberg.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed making the issue in Syria the main talking point during a forthcoming dinner meeting among the G20 leaders.

 

 

Yuan Enters World's Top 10 Most-Traded Currencies

 

The Renminbi has officially become one of the top 10 most frequently traded currencies in the world.

A new survey by the Bank for International Settlements is reporting that Chinese yuan has climbed to ninth place on the global currency trading list.

This is up from 17th in 2010.

Yuan flows have risen from 4-trillion US dollars a day to 5.3-trillion.

Offshore yuan trading is being cited as one of the main factors contributing to the surge.

Offshore yuan trading began in April.

Significant trading of the Mexican peso has launched that currency into the top-10 as well, bumping the Hong Kong dollar and the Swedish Krona from the top-10.

 

 

Yosemite wildfire started by hunter's campfire

 

Investigators in the US have determined the wild fire that has been ripping through Yosemite National Park in California began after a hunter's illegal campfire went out of control.

No arrests have been made.

The hunter's name is not being released.

The blaze, dubbed the Rim Fire, began on August 17th just outside Yosemite National Park.

The fire, the fourth largest in California since 1932, is now 80-percent contained.

 

 

Newspaper Picks

 

 

Beijing Times

'Brother Watch' jailed

Summary:

Yang Dacai, a former work safety chief in Shaanxi Province, has sentenced to 14 years in jail for corruption.

Yang is known here in China as "Brother Watch" because of his taste for luxurious timepieces.

He came under scrutiny after being photographed grinning while assessing the wreckage of a traffic accident which left 36 people dead.

Yang has been found guilty of taking bribes and holding a large amount of property which he could not account for.

Global Times

Sex tape case appeal

Summary:

Three suspects involved in a former official's sex scandal have stood trial for their appeal in Chongqing.

They have already been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for extortion.

Prosecutors are recommending a lighter punishment to the principal suspect, Xiao Ye, should he return the money extorted from officials.

Xiao orchestrated the scheme by luring officials into having sex with women and recording the acts.

Lei Zhengfu, the former chief of Chongqing's Beibei District Party Committee, who was part of the scandal, has already been sentenced to 13 years in jail for bribery.

Lei's appeal begins today.

Shanghai Daily

Couple in the dock for buying answers

Summary:

A gang of five and a couple have been charged with divulging state secrets in Shanghai.

The couple are accused of paying the gang 2,000 yuan per subject for answers to the exam that qualifies them to be involved in local construction.

Beijing News

County engaged in inflated output figures

Summary:

The government of Luliang County in Yunnan is being accused of coercing local companies to report inflated industrial output figures.

Officials with the county also faked investment data.

The motives haven't been specified.

Local government leaders are assessed on their performance based mostly on economic data.

Yanzhao Metropolitan Daily

Sina Weibo ID verification

Summary:

Sina Weibo users looking to have their identity verified are now being required to submit their employment certificate stamped by their employer.

People whose identity are verified as genuine are given a "V" sign beside their nickname.

China Daily

Low-budget education abroad

Summary:

With universities and colleges in European and Asian countries providing low-cost overseas study programs, an increasing number of working-class parents are sending their children abroad.

However, studying in countries like the US, the United Kingdom and Australia, is still a luxury for most students from working-class backgrounds.

South China Metropolitan Daily

About 400 million Chinese can not speak mandarin

Summary:

About 30 percent of the Chinese population, or around 400 million people, can not speak standard mandarin, or "putonghua".

The government is launching a new campaign to educate people in Mandarin in the remote countryside and areas inhabited by ethnic minorities.

 

 

Sports

 

 

Sun Yang-sanity?

 

Anchor

Zhejiang swimming sensation Sun Yang kicked off his run at the National Games with a gold in the mens 400 meter freestyle.

CRI's Jordan Lee has more from Shenyang.

Reporter

Standing a head or two above the crowd at 1.98 meters tall, Sun Yang definitely looks like a swimming star.

And at the first night of competition in the pool, it was clear who China's favorite swimmer is.

Fans yelled from the stands, hoping to attract the Zhejiang swimmer's attention so they could snap a photo.

Others waved signs or hung elaborate banners from the rafters.

Guan Ming Ma traveled all the way from Guanxi to cheer on her favorite athlete.

"When I saw him compete at the London Olympics, I thought he was so cute. I was also touched by his relentless spirit. During the 4 by 200 meter relay, he was at the point of collapsing, but he kept going.

Sun Yang broke onto the international stage as a 16-year-old in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

He didn't qualify for the 400 freestyle final, and finished dead last in the 1500.

But he continued to train and began to prove himself as a specialist in long-distance freestyle events.

Now at 21 years old, Sun Yang has a world record in the 1500 and an Olympic record in the 400 freestyle.

This summer at the Barcelona worlds, he became the first man to sweep golds in the three long-distance freestyle events.

The Zhejiang swimmer says he feels increased pressure to live up to his nation's expectations.

"The last time I took part in the National Games was right after me joining the Beijing Olympic Games and then winning a bronze medal in Rome. I was still in a starting period but now I am in a stable period.

This time I feel much more pressure to win a champion title."

Sun Yang's international success has helped promote swimming as a sport in China.

Young swimmers, like 9-year old Lian De Han, look up to him as an inspiration.

 [Reporter: 你最喜欢的游泳员是谁?]

"Sun Yang... because he swims very well. He's a world champion"

Sun Yang is still relatively unknown outside of China and the swimming circle, but Guan says she expects his name will one day be associated with swimming greats like Michael Phelps.

"I think he is still a rising star, but he will probably make a breakthrough to fame in the 400 and 200 meter freestyle categories."

Sun Yang's celebrity status was helped along by a bit of drama this year when he broke with his long-time coach, Zhu Zhigen.

Although Sun Yang is a long-distance specialist, he will compete in the 100 meter freestyle at this year's National games.

He said he couldn't promise any golds in this new category, but he'd do his best.

For CRI, I'm Jordan Lee

 

 

Super Dan leads PLA to win its first-ever bronze at National Games

 

Sun Yang has also clinched his second gold, helping Zhejiang win the 4x100m freestyle relay.

The PLA has come in second, while Beijing came in third.

Other action at the Chinese National Games,

London Olympic women's 100m butterfly runner-up Lu Ying has taken gold in the event in Shenyang.

Olympic champions Liu Zige and Jiao Liuyang have taken second and third respectively.

---

In the women's 400m free-style, the 18-year-old Cao Yue from Shanxi has taken gold.

---

In Pingpong action,

Wang Hao has helped the PLA defeat Shanghai to win the men's Ping Pong team event.

Beijing taking the bronze.

---

In badminton,

World Champion Lin Dan has helped the PLA to a medal.

The military squad edged Team Beijing 3-2 last night to take the bronze medal in the badminton team event.

---

And in the saber competition...

Former Olympic champion Zhong Man has helped lead Jiangsu to gold in the men's team sabre event.

 

 

Defending champion Andy Murray lost to Stanislas Wawrinka

 

In Tennis,

It's been a day of upsets at the US Open.

Defending champion Andy Murray has been bounced from the tournament.

The world number-3 has gone down in straight-sets to Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.

Wawrinka, ranked 9th in the world, now awaits the winner of the match later this morning between world number-1 Novak Djokovic and 21st seeded Mikhail Youzhny of Russia.

On the other side of the bracket, it's France's Richard Gasquet set to try to upset world number-2 Raphael Nadal in action tomorrow morning.

Nadal has made it into the semi-finals after cruising past fellow Spainard Tommy Robredo in straight sets on Thursday, 6-love, 6-2, 6-2.

(Soundbite English 0906 Nadal)

"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."

---

On the doubles side, Chinese doubles specialist Zheng Jie and her Indian parter have seen their US Open come to an end.

Zheng and Sania Mirza have gone down in straight-sets this morning to the Australian duo of Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua, 6-2, 6-2.

The Aussies now await the winner of the other semi-final between Venus and Serena Williams and Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic.

The Williams sisters have earned their way into the semi-finals after ousting top-seeded Italians Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci this morning, 6-3, 6-1.

---

On the men's doubles side...

The Bryan brothers have been sent packing from Flushing Meadows.

Bob and Mike Bryan, the top seeded American Olympic gold medalists, have been bounced by India's Leander Paes and the Czech Republic's Radek Stepanek.

Paes and Stepanek will now face 2nd seeded Austrian Alexander Peya and Brazilian Bruno Soares in the men's doubles final.

 

 

India's Anirban Lahiri breaks course record to lead European Masters

 

In Golf,

India's Anirban Lahiri holds the clubhouse lead after the first round of the European Masters in Switzerland.

Lahiri fired a course record 8-under-63 to take a two-stroke lead over Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and England's Tommy Fleetwood and Paul Casey.

Jimenez fired three birdies in his first six holes.

Chinese teenager Ye Wo-cheng had a tough opening round.

The 13-year old hit double-bogey on three of his first 4-holes to finish his round with a 7-over-78.

Speaking to CRI ahead of his first round, Ye Wo-cheng's coach David Watson conceeded the course could be a challenge for the teenager.

"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."

Ye Wo-cheng made history last year in Shanghai, becoming the youngest-ever person to play in a professional golf tournament at the age of 12.

 

 

NFL season begins this morning

 

The National Football League is set to open its 94th season this morning.

The Baltimore Ravens will start their quest for a second straight Super Bowl title in about 45-mintues. (8:30am Beijing time)

Baltimore is in Denver in the opening game of the season.

The game, which kicks off at 8:30am Beijing time, is a rematch of a divisional round playoff game from a season ago.

The Ravens survived that one with a 38-35, double-overtime victory.

The Ravens are trying to become the first repeat Super Bowl champions since New England won back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004.

Eight teams will begin this season with a new head coach.

Among them is Andy Reid, who was dumped by Philadelphia and ended up landing in Kansas City.

 

 

Ricciardo, and Alonso talk ahead of Italian Grand Prix

 

On the eve of the practice sessions for the Italian Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo says he wants to get back to "the normal stuff" with Toro Rosso.

This, after news of his transfer next season to Red Bull has been cancelled.

"It's a bit of a relief obviously now　I've got, there's no more speculation and and dodging questions and all the rest of it. Everyone knows now what's happening, including me, so it's nice. I can, obviously it's something to, to look forward to. "

At the same time,　Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso says Monza is a good track for the team.

"Well I'm optimistic. For sure I think in Spa we saw some step forward from, from us and we hope to continue that direction and keep improving also here in Monza. I think the characteristics of the track should help our performance as well. So we have everything in place to do a good weekend. We need to deliver when comes the time on Sunday in the race but you know, we arrive with some good confidence."

The Italian Grand Prix will take place on Sunday.

 

 

Entertainment

 

 

Stray Dogs Premieres at Venice Film Fest

 

Filmmaker Tsai Ming-Liang has premiered his new film Stray Dogs at the 70th Venice Film Festival.

He was joined by the cast at the premiere to the film which tells the story about a homeless family in Taipei and the challenges they face.

Though the film received positive reception from the audience Tsai has confessed he hopes Stray Dogs is his last film.

The filmmaker claims he has grown tired of cinema and dissatisfied by the film industry which he believes now panders to popular taste without challenging convention.

Tsai reportedly fell ill with a strange unspecified sickness during the filming of Stray Dogs which he describes as the feeling he could die at any moment.

Stray Dogs is the only Chinese-language entry out of 20 competing for the Golden Lion award.

This is not Tsai's first rodeo at the festival. In 1994 his film Vive L'Amour won the Golden Lion competition.

 

 

Premiere of Diana Film

 

The stars of Diana have attended the world premiere of the new film about UK's late-Princess Diana in London's Leicester Square.

2-time Academy Award nominee Naomi Watts who appears as the Princess of Wales and Lost actor Naveen Andrews who plays her lover Hasnat Khan appeared on the red carpet and greeted filmgoers who were big fans of the Princess.

Watts opened up about how she approached portraying a larger-than-life person such as Princess Diana.

"Usually when you take on a character you work from the inside and then get to the outside and focus on the appearance and the walk and the voice and things like that, but in this case I did it in the reverse direction. Starting with the look and the voice, obviously being the most important one and then getting into the interior life after."

Andrews did not approach the still living Hasnat Khan in preparation for the role to respect the man's wishes not to be involved with the film.

The film focuses on the last year's of Princess Diana's life including her landmine removal charity work, relationship with Khan, and dealings with the paparazzi.

 

 

Will Smith to Star in Independence Day Sequel

 

US megastar Will Smith will reportedly soon begin talks to appear in the sequel to filmmaker Roland Emmerich's 1996 alien invasion blockbuster Independence Day.

Earlier this summer Emmerich revealed Smith would definitely not be appearing in the film however now it looks like the idea is back on the table.

Emmerich alleges Smith must have had a change of heart considering the upcoming negotiations.

After promoting his summer blockbuster After Earth a few months ago Smith confessed he wanted to take a break from Hollywood blockbuster films.

Instead he expressed a desire to explore a more dangerous artistic side.

Original Independence Day actors Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman have both confirmed they will reprise their roles for the sequel which is expected in 2015 or 16.

 

 

Actor Ian McKellan to Appear as Sherlock Holmes

 

Legendary Hobbit actor Ian McKellan has signed on to appear as the great detective Sherlock Holmes in a new film titled A Slight Trick of the Mind.

Filmmaker Bill Condon known for his work on the Julian Assange film The Fifth Estate will direct the project.

The film will take place in 1947 and follow a retired Holmes who is haunted by an unsolved case from 50-years earlier.

This will be McKellan and Condon's second outing together. They worked together on 1998's Gods and Monsters which ended up winning an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Condon and a nomination for Best Actor for McKellan.

McKellan will be reprising his role as the mutant megalomaniac Magneto in next year's X-men Days of Future Past.