Welcome to the Beijing Hour; we are coming to you live from the Chinese capital.

Coming up on the programme this evening:

Chinese President Xi Jinping is ordering a broader crackdown on graft among officials here in China this year.

A group of Turkish nationals have been detained for allegedly offering assistance to suspected terrorists from Xinjiang.

French President Francois Hollande has led a tribute to three police officers killed in last week's terror attacks in Paris.

In business.... authorities in Beijing are scraping the fuel surcharge for taxis in the capital.

In sports... China pulling off a huge win at the Asian Football Championships this evening.

In entertainment.... the latest Transformers movie leading the charge among films up for a dubious set of awards.

But first, a check on what's happening weather wise...

 

 

Weather

 

 

Beijing will have some smog tonight, with a low of minus 5. It will also have smog tomorrow, with a high of 3 degrees.　

Meanwhile Shanghai will be overcast tonight, with a low of 9, tomorrow will be cloudy, with a high of 11.

Chongqing will be overcast tonight, 9 degrees the lowest, tomorrow will also be overcast with a high of 13.

Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia

Islamabad, sunny day tomorrow with a high of 23.

Kabul, sunny, 12.

Over in Australia

Sydney, cloudy, highs of 27.

Canberra, sunny, 27.

Brisbane will have some clouds, 38.

Finally, Perth will be sunny with a high of 31.

 

 

Top News

 

 

Chinese President Urges Efforts to Step Up Anti-corruption Drive

 

Anchor:

Chinese President Xi Jinping is ordering a stronger fight against corruption across the country this year.

CRI's Qizhi explains.

Reporter:

Speaking at a meeting of the Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the country's top anti-corruption body, President Xi praised the counter-corruption drive in 2014, calling it "effective".

During the past year, a number of senior officials, including security chief Zhou Yongkang, military leader Xu Caihou and political advisor Ling Jihua, were placed under investigation.

President Xi says it shows the world that the CPC is not afraid of taking a "self-purifying" approach.

But he also warns that more work must be done to truly cure the ills of corruption.

"When it comes to investigating and the treatment of corruption cases, our attitude of zero-tolerance will not change. Our determination to use strong remedies to cure illness will not change. Our courage to rid our bones of poison will not diminish. Our standard of severe punishment will not loosen. If a case is exposed, we shall deal with it. We will deal with it no matter how many cases we come across."

He adds that the party will keep up the anti-corruption momentum with the aim of creating a strong sense of deterrence.

He also notes that misconduct has not vanished and counter-corruption strategies are not perfect.

The President has stressed that discipline and rules are very important in the fight against corruption.

"Party members should obey disciplines and rules, and the authority and unity of the CPC Central Committee must be safeguarded at all times. Organizational procedures must be observed with Party members conferring with their superiors when handling major issues. Members must not overstep their authority and must obey the decisions of the Party. Members and officials must supervise their families and the staff working around them. They should not give tacit consent to anyone seeking illegitimate interests through their association."

In his speech, President Xi has also taken time to address the supervision of state-owned enterprises.

"We should intensify the CPC's leadership over state-owned enterprises, strengthen the supervision on their executives, do a good job during inspection tours and enhance audits and inspections. State-owned assets and resources are the common property of all people of the country."

Xi Jinping says the war on corruption is far from over and the fight must continue.

For CRI, I'm qizhi.

 

 

China to strengthen int'l cooperation in hunt for fugitive officials

 

The CPC's disciplinary inspection authorities have been told to strengthen their international cooperation in the hunt for fugitive officials and the recovery of stolen assets.

The call has been issued in a just-released a statement following meeting of the Party's central Discipline Inspection Commission.

The statement calls on disciplinary inspection organs to improve coordination and tighten judicial and law-enforcement cooperation with certain countries and regions to break major cases.

Disciplinary inspection teams are responsible for investigating suspected corrupt officials before handing the cases over to the judicial system for potential prosecutions.

Authorities have been engaged in an intensive and widespread anti-corruption drive since Chinese President Xi Jinping came to power in late 2012.

 

 

10 Turks detained for helping terrorists fleeing China

 

Police in Shanghai have detained 10 Turkish nationals for allegedly providing assistance to terror suspects in Xinjiang.

Reports are suggesting 11 others, including 9 alleged terror suspects from Xinjiang, have also been taken into custody.

The 10 Turkish detainees are accused of providing fake Turkish passports.

It's being reported the group was trying to leave China for destinations including Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan when police swooped in.

Terror-related audio and video materials have also allegedly been discovered on the group.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Hong Lei.

"The fight against illegal immigration is the common aim of the international community. It is also the consistent stand and position of the Chinese government. China is willing to cooperate with the international community on this."

Meanwhile, authorities in Xinjiang have also announced that people who buy fireworks ahead of the Chinese New Year will have to register using their ID cards.

Local officials say the move is to prevent terrorists from obtaining the raw materials needed for much larger bombs.

Retail outlets will have to record the type and quantity of the products purchased by each customer.

This comes on the heels of police in an area south of the city of Kashgar this week shooting-dead 6 people who had explosive devices attached to their bodies.

 

 

CY Leung delivers 2015 Policy Address, with constitutional development and people's livelihood top on agenda

 

Anchor:

Hong Kong's Chief Executive has delivered his annual policy address to local Legislative Council, this time highlighting constitutional development and people's livelihood.

CRI's Hong Kong correspondent Li Jing has more.

Reporter:

Delivering his annual policy address to lawmakers, Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung says this year is crucial for Hong Kong's constitutional development.

He's calling for both lawmakers and people across the city to support universal suffrage, rather than being at, what he calls, a "standstill".

"We have to lobby members of the Legislative Council and obtain two-thirds majority support from them for the passage of the proposal made in accordance with the Basic Law and the relevant stipulations. To secure the implementation of democratic universal suffrage, we must respect one another and seek common ground while accommodating differences. Neither the community nor the Government will accept or tolerate any unlawful acts."

CY Leung also says people's livelihood in Hong Kong remains another priority for the government in 2015.

"Building on the groundwork we have laid to provide adequate housing, alleviate poverty, care for the elderly and support the disadvantaged, we will stay committed to improving the livelihood of the general public, particularly the underprivileged, by changing mindset, implementing appropriate policies and making effective use of financial resources."

CY Leung is also promising to set-aside a reserve of 50-billion Hong Kong dollars for the needs of retirees. What exactly that money is going to be used for hasn't been made clear.Hong Kong Financial Secretary John Tsang.

"For the money that we have reserved, we still have to await the study by the respective bureaux. And when they have come up with some concrete proposals, then we will examine the feasibility."

Meanwhile, CY Leung's speech has also revealed the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme is being eliminated immediately. The program, which has been in-place since 2003, allowed people to gain residence in the city by investing at least 10-million Hong Kong dollars in the local markets.

The scheme has created nearly 40-thousand permanent residents in Hong Kong. 90-percent of them are from the mainland.

At the same time, with this year being the 25th anniversary of the promulgation of Hong Kong's Basic Law, the Hong Kong government is planning to organize a number of activities to promote more understanding of the Basic Law, as well as the "One Country, Two Systems" policy it's based on.

For CRI, this is Li Jing in Hong Kong.

 

 

Hollande pays tribute to police officers killed in the attacks

 

French President Francois Hollande has led the public tributes for the 3-police officers killed in last week's terrorist attacks in Paris.

Hollande has honored the slain officers as "Knights of the French Legion of Honor."

"To you, families, close ones, I assure you that all of France shares your sorrow and your grief. That is what hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens have wanted to express by demonstrating on Sunday everywhere in France, by standing up en masse to share your sorrow, to express their attachment to freedom, to democracy, to brotherhood, also to deliver a message of gratitude to the police forces."

Meanwhile, long queues have been forming at newsstands across France for the latest edition Charlie Hebdo.

Three million copies of the magazine have been delivered.

Normally Charlie Hebdo's circulation was only around 60-thousand per week.

The cover of this edition is a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammed weeping while holding a sign saying "Je suis Charlie" or "I am Charlie."

Written above the picture are the words in French "All is Forgiven."

Any depictions of the Prophet Muhammed are considered sacreligious by many in the Muslim world.

It's believed Charlie Hebdo's previous characters of Muhammed are what sparked a pair of gunmen to kill 12 people inside the magazine's Paris office last week, beginning three-days of terrorist attacks in Franche which left 17-people dead.

 

 

Japan approves record 96.3 trillion yen budget after tax hike

 

Japan's Cabinet has approved a record budget for the coming fiscal year worth some 96-trillion yen, or over 800-billion US dollars.

In it, the Japanese government is planning to increase defense spending by 2-percent.

This represents the third-straight budget the Japanese government has increased its defense spending.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"This budget will contribute to achieve both economic recovery and regaining fiscal health together. Passing both the current supplementary budget and budget for the next fiscal year 2015, we hope to start showing results of economic recovery throughout the country as soon as possible."

The new increase in spending in Japan comes as the government copes with the fall-out from its sales tax increase, which plunged the country's economy into recession through the 2nd half of last year.

However, the Japanese government expects the economy to grow by 1.5-percent this year.

Chen Jian an economics professor with Renmin University.

"So-called Abeconomics has achieved certain results. For example, the implementation of a new housing policy, price rises, the stock market has begun to improve and real estate prices are also up. But the increase in the sales tax has affected consumption. This is why the Abe cabinet is increasing spending, as it wants to stimulate consumption."

The Japanese government is also tweaking the tax rules to encourage elderly people in Japan, who hold about 60-percent of the country's private savings, to spend more on their children and grandchildren.

The final budget still has to be approved by the Japanese parliament.

If approved, it will take effect in April.

 

 

Washington promises more aid for Kiev amidst intense fighting in East Ukraine

 

The United States has issued a new pledge of up to 2-billion US dollars in loan guarantees to Ukraine.

It comes as the fighting in eastern Ukraine has intensified.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest.

"The administration is ready to commit to additional loan guarantees to the people of Ukraine. We've talked about the challenges facing the Ukrainian economy and the President believes that now is an appropriate time for us to show some support for the people of Ukraine as they confront these difficult challenges."

The loan guarantee is going to be subject to US congressional approval.

The European Union has already made a similar pledge of 2.1-billion dollars to help Ukraine stave off its current financial woes.

Ukraine has been hit by major cash-flow problems amid its dispute with Russia over natural gas exports, on top of the cost of the continued fighting in the country's restive east.

Fighting between Ukrainian forces and rebels in eastern Ukrainian has been intensifying in recent days.

Finger-pointing from both sides has been taking place following the death of 12 people, mostly civilians on Tuesday.

They were killed after a shell hit the bus they were in at a check-point near the rebel-controlled stronghold of Donetsk.

The months-long conflict in eastern Ukraine has left some 47-hundred people dead since fighting first broke-out in April.

 

 

Nigeria estimates 150 dead in Baga in Boko Haram insurgency

 

The Nigerian government is moving to clarify the death toll from a Boko Haram assault in the country's northeast last week.

Nigerian authorities say around 150 people, mostly militants, were killed in the attack.

Local officials had been quoted as saying as many as 2-thousand people were killed in attacks on 16 different villages.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian army says it's actively requesting more international help in its fight against Boko Haram.

"The United States, France, UK and so forth, and China offered to support, but most of those supports are in terms of surveillance, tactical conversations or advice and so forth and so on. So we need to go beyond that. And that is why the Nigerian government is continuing to purchase weapons and military hardware from across the world."

Boko Haram took up arms in 2009 in an attempt to have Sharia Law enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.

Since then, thousands have been killed in the insurgency.

Its support base is mostly in the northeast of Nigeria, where many of its attacks also take place.

Nigeria is divided between a predominantly Muslim north and Christian south.

 

 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to Attend 45th World Economic Forum Next Week

 

Representatives of the forthcoming Davos meetings in Switzerland next week are lauding a decision by the Chinese side to send Premier Li Keqiang to the annual session this year.

Li Keqiang has been tapped to join some 25-hundred government, business and other global leaders at this year's sessions, which will run for four-days starting next Wednesday.

Oliver Schwab is the head of the World Economic Forum's Beijing office.

"We're very honored to have Premier Li to come to Dovas for a second time. He was already there in 2010 back then as the vice premier. He will have special address on Wednesday afternoon giving us his vision of China's development, China's economic development and China's role in the world."

Li Keqiang will be among some 40 different world leaders attending the 3-day Davos sessions, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande.

 

 

Mainland hopes new Kuomintang chairman will promote cross-Strait ties

 

Chinese mainland officials say they're hoping to maintain their relationship with the ruling party in Taiwan.

The comments come as the Kuomintang prepares to elect a new party chair this coming weekend.

Ma Xiaoguang is with the mainland's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.

"We hope that after the successful election of the new Kuomintang chair, the two sides can consolidate our political foundations, continue our positive interaction and make strong attempts to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties."

Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou stepped down as chair of the KMT last month, after his party took heavy losses in local election.

Ma Ying-jeou is remaining on as Taiwan leader.

The mainland and Taiwan have maintained an increasingly strong connection since the re-election of the Kuomintang in 2008.

The latest figures show cross-strait trade this past year came in at just under 200-billion US dollars, an increase of around 0.6-percent on an annualized basis.

Over three-quarters of the trade is exports from Taiwan to the mainland.

 

 

Biz

 

 

Anchor:

First, let's have a look at the numbers across the Asian markets this Wednesday.

Joining me on the desk is Poornima Weerasekara.

Reporter:

Chinese markets closed lower this Wednesday, after the World Bank cut its global growth forecast for this year.

The Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.4 percent, even though a batch of 10 new IPOs hit the market today.

The Shenzhen Component Index dipped one percent.

The non-ferrous metal sector led decliners, with copper prices plunging to a five-and-a-half year low.

The aviation sector also lost nearly 3 percent overall.

Bucking the trend, banks posted solid gains.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng decreased 0.4 percent, ending a five-day rally.

Elsewhere in Asia,

The Japanese Nikkei fell 1.7 percent, marking its lowest close in four weeks, despite the cabinet putting forward a record budget.

South Korea's KOSPI dropped 0.2 percent.

In Australia, the ASX 200 slid nearly one percent.

And finally in Singapore, the Straits Times Index ended down by half a percent.

 

 

Beijing Scraps Fuel Tax Surcharges for Taxis

 

It's about to get slightly cheaper to take a taxi in Beijing.

The city's development and reform commission has announced its scrapping the one-yuan fuel surcharge.

The move officially takes effect tomorrow, though cab drivers will have a week to adjust their meters.

The surcharge is being removed amid the continued downturn in fuel prices brought on by low global oil costs.

It was first put into effect in taxi fares in 2009 during a time when fuel prices were hitting record highs.

The move by authorities in Beijing follows similar moves in other cities.

The removal of the fuel surcharge in Nanjing prompted work-stoppages by taxi drivers in the city last week, who complain their costs are already too high.

There are around 67-thousand taxis in-service in Beijing.

 

 

Rail Merger Threatened by Insider Trading Allegations

 

Shares of Chinese train makers CSR and CNR once-again dipped today amid recent claims of insider trading.

At the close, CSR shares dumped over 3-percent.

CNR shares dropped nearly three quarters of a percent.

Shares of both companies have been on a downward slide after reports surfaced last week suggesting more than 20 executives and members of their families may have illegally traded shares in the companies in the lead-up to the announcement of their merger in October.

Both CNR and CSR have denied the accusations.

China's securities regulator has not said whether it is going to launch an investigation.

For more on this, the Beijing Hour's Shane Bigham spoke earlier with Benjamin Cavender, Principal at China Market Research in Shanghai.

 

 

Mexico to Announce Re-bidding for 3.7 billion Dollar Rail Project

 

The Mexican government is re-launching the bidding process for a 3.7-billion US dollar high speed railway project in the country later today.

The last bid, won by a consortium led by the China Railway Construction Group, late last year, was quashed amid opposition protests in Mexico.

CRC is still expected to be part of the bid, which will reportedly be a winner-take-all exercise.

This means which ever group gets the bid will be contracted to do both the design and construction, as well as supplying the trains, on top of a contract for 5-years of maintenance.

The new bidding window will reportedly be open for 6-months.

 

 

27 Secondary Banks Allowed to Issue Asset-backed Securities

 

China's banking regulator is allowing 27 second-tier banks to sell asset-backed securities.

Banks including Huaxia, Minsheng, China Merchants Bank and Industrial Bank of China will only need to register with the China Banking Regulatory Commission before issuing the securities.

The move will allow China's smaller banks to take-in more cash.

It should also allow more liquidity into the Chinese banking system without further increasing the country's money supply.

 

 

North China to Build Electric Car Manufacturing Base

 

A new-energy vehicle manufacturing base is being planned for Beijing's surrounding province of Hebei.

The project in the city of Xingtai is said to be worth nearly 500-million US dollars.

It's reportedly going to be funded mostly by the provincial government.

The new-energy electric vehicle base is expected to generate around 300-thousand electric and hybrid cars a year.

This would make it the second-largest new-energy vehicle base in China behind Shenzhen, which is home to Buffett-backed electric car maker BYD.

 

 

Tesla Says China Sales Unexpectedly Weak

 

US electric car-maker Tesla says its China sales have come-in unexpectedly weak through the fourth quarter.

Company CEO Elon Musk hasn't provided any specific sales figures for China.

But he does say the company's total output was less than 40-thousand vehicles last year.

Musk is attributing the weak 4th quarter sales in China on would-be electric vehicle buyer's concerns about how to charge their vehicles.

Charging stations in China remain rare, despite several new projects being announced to create more of them.

Tesla entered into two major deals in China last year with China Unicom and China Minsheng Bank to set up charging facilities at their outlets.

Those projects are expected to be ramped up by the middle of this year.

 

 

Kaisa's 1.2 billion Sale-for-Liquidity Aborted

 

Embattled Chinese property developer Kaia's plan to sell-off one of its prime properties has fallen through.

Kaisa had been planning to sell the 200-million US dollar building to Shanghai Vanke.

However, Vanke has pulled out of the deal.

Vanke's reason for terminating the deal hasn't been made clear.

Kaisa's projects have been frozen in a number of cities, with the company's creditors applying for asset-for-debt protection.

The company's shares in Hong Kong have plunged 47 percent since the start of December.

 

 

Headline News

 

 

China to strengthen int'l cooperation in hunt for fugitive officials

 

The CPC's disciplinary inspection authorities have been told to strengthen their international cooperation in the hunt for fugitive officials and the recovery of stolen assets.

The call has been issued in a just-released a statement following a three-day meeting of the party's central Discipline Inspection Commission.

The statement calls on disciplinary inspection organs to improve coordination and tighten judicial and law-enforcement cooperation with certain countries and regions to break major cases.

Disciplinary inspection teams are responsible for investigating suspected corrupt officials before handing the cases over to the judicial system for potential prosecutions.

Authorities have been engaged in an intensive and widespread anti-corruption drive since Chinese President Xi Jinping came to power in late 2012.

 

 

Yemen's al-Qaida claims responsibility for Paris attacks

 

A new video has surfaced appearing to show Yemen-based al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula claiming responsibility for last week's terrorist attacks in Paris.

The video appears to show the group's military leader, Nasr al-Anisi, claiming al-Qaeda chose the targets, laid the plans and financed the operations.

Two brothers attacked the offices of satrical magazine Charlie Hebdo, killing 12.

A day later, an apparent associate of the Kouachi brothers killed a French police officer and then killed four hostages at a Jewish supermarket in Paris.

All three terrorists were killed by police.

French authorities have not said whether they feel there's any legitimacy to al-Qaeda's latest claims.

 

 

Pakistani court indicts Musharraf in murder case

 

A court in Pakistan has indicted former President Pervez Musharraf in the killing of a senior tribal elder.

Musharraf is accused of ordering the raid which killed the tribal leader in the country's southwest in 2006.

The former President was not in court during the hearing.

However, he has been ordered to attend the next session, which is set for early next month.

Musharaff, who controlled Pakistan for nearly 10-years after taking over in a coup in 1999, is facing a series of charges connected to his rule.

 

 

Gunfight between militants, Indian troops erupts in Indian-controlled Kashmir

 

Fierce fighting has reportedly broken out between militants and Indian troops in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Reports are suggesting the gunfights have erupted around 50-kilometers northwest of the regional capital, Srinagar.

The Indian military says it was acting on a tip about a local militant commander being inside a home in the area when they were fired upon.

So far there haven't been any reports of casualties at this point.

 

 

5.0-magnitude quake jolts SW China's Sichuan

 

Two people have reportedly been slightly injured following a moderately-strong earthquake in Sichuan this afternoon.

The quake, registered as a 5.0 by the China Earthquakes Network Center, hit shortly after 1pm on the outskirts of the city of Leshan.

Traffic in the quake-hit region has been disrupted, with falling rocks from hill-sides and cave-ins threatening passing vehicles.

Leshan has a population of over 3 million and is about 150-kilometers southwest of Sichuan's capital, Chengdu.

 

 

Newspaper Picks

SINA ENGLISH

Authorities cleaning up China's Internet

According to the national cyberspace watchdog China has closed 50 websites and social media accounts for violations.

Authorities shut 17 public pages on the mobile social messaging app WeChat, as well as 24 websites and nine channels or columns on websites.

Some of the offenses listed include publishing fake information under the guise of the government or media, and publishing information related to gambling or fraud.

By last autumn, the cyberspace watchdog had closed nearly 1.8 million accounts on social networking and instant messaging services since launching an anti-pornography campaign earlier in the year.

Internet authorities have been pressing for a real identity system since 2011.

China has more than 275 million users of microblogs, with Sina Weibo leading the pack, and 459 million users of mobile messaging apps, led by WeChat.

--

CBS NEWS

UK scientists say cancer deaths could be 'eliminated by 2050'

Scientists say cancer deaths in the UK could be "eliminated" within 35 years for anyone under 80 if patients have better access to prevention measures and treatment.

But in a report they said investment in cancer care must increase and questioned restricting access to medicines, while urging the NHS to do more to encourage patients' awareness of minor symptoms that could indicate cancer and lead to early diagnosis.

It follows a government announcement that is to stop funding 25 cancer treatments through the Cancer Drugs Fund as part of efforts to cut its projected costs by 80 million pounds.

Deaths from the four most lethal cancers - breast, lung, bowel and prostate - had fallen by 30% between 1991 and 2012.

Over 300-thousand people are diagnosed with cancer in the UK each year.

--

SKY NEWS AUSTRALIA

Long work hours and alcohol abuse linked

A new international study finds that too much work and too much wine go together like biscuits and cheese.

Employees who work more than 48 hours a week are 11 percent more likely to over consume alcohol than those who work a standard week, Finnish researchers say.

The study looked at more than 300-thosuand people in Australia, Europe and North America.

However, no differences were seen between men and women.

Risky alcohol consumption is considered as more than 14 drinks a week for women and more than 21 drinks a week for men.

About 20 percent of Australians drink at levels that put them at risk of lifetime harm from injury or disease.

Drinking alcohol can affect the liver or cause brain damage, heart disease, high blood pressure and increases the risk of many cancers.

 

 

Special Reports

 

 

China ends use of prisoners' organs for transplants

 

Anchor:

The head of China's organ donation authority is suggesting they expect to see a growing number of people donating their organs, since now that the practice of harvesting organs from executed prisoners in China is no longer legal.

CRI's Niu Honglin has more.

Reporter:

"I believe that after stopping the use of organs from executed prisoners, and after showing our respect to them, there will be more voluntary donations from the public."

That's Huang Jiefu, one of the creators of China's current organ donation system.

Also the head of China's organ donation committee, Huang was the man who originally revealed back in November that as of the start of 2015, harvesting organs from executed prisoners in China isn't allowed, unless those condemned give their consent before hand.

Harvesting organs from dead prisoners had been prevalent in China before this.

In making the change, Huang Jiefu admits the previous system wasn't fair to those condemned to death, and also opened up avenues of potential corruption.

"The announcement I made is a requirement for the 169 medical institutions qualified to perform human organ transplant surgery to strictly follow the law. Our move, I feel, is proof that we are facing up to the mistakes we made in the past and are now trying to make it right. I myself believe, China's establishment of the rule of law is building up step by step through moves like this."

Voluntary organ donation in China is still comparatively low.

Only 6 in ever 10-million people voluntarily give up their organs for transplant, as many in China still maintain cultural traditions, which in many cases, call for bodies to be buried or cremated as the person was when they died.

As such, the use of organs harvested from those executed became common during the 50 years China has had an organ transplant system.

However, that program led to criticism, with some arguing the Chinese justice system was too eager to hand down death sentences in an attempt to keep organ transplant numbers from falling.

Last year, four out of five organs transplanted in China were from public donations. However, tens-of-thousands across China die every year while waiting for an organ transplant.

For CRI, this is Niu Honglin.

 

 

Sports

 

 

Asian Cup: Saudi Arabia downs North Korea as China plays Uzbekistan

 

In Asian Cup action from today:

Saudi Arabia got the better of North Korea, 4-1

And China bested Uzbekistan, 2-1.

 

 

Tennis: Angelique Kerber beats Russian Wildcard Gavrilova in Apia International in Sydney

 

In Tennis:

Fifth seed Angelique Kerber faced Russia wildcard Daria Gavrilova in the second round of the Apia International in Sydney.

The diminutive Russian edged a tight first set, fighting back from a 3-0 deficit in the tie-break as she went toe to toe with her experienced opponent.

In the end, she prevailed 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/2), 6-3.

In other action:

Jarmila Gajdosova, Australia, took out Dominika Cibulkova, of Slovakia, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.

And in the Quarter-finals

Karolina Pliskova, of the Czech Republic, beat Carla Suarez Navarro, of Spain, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0.

And in Men's action:

From Round 1

Jerzy Janowicz, Poland, beat out Nick Kyrgios, of Australia, 6-1, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/5)

And in Round 2

Mikhail Kukushkin, of Kazakhstan, beat Pablo Cuevas, Uruguay, 7-5, 7-5.

Juan Martin Del Potro, Argentina, beat Number-one seeded Fabio Fognini, Italy, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.

And it was Simone Bolelli, of Italy, beating 2nd-seed David Goffin, of Belgium, in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.

 

 

CBA: Qingdao beats Foshan 125-115

 

Last night in the CBA:

Qingdao beat Foshan 125-115;

Tonight at 8 p.m., Beijing time:

Liaoning will face Zhejiang Chouzhou,

Jilin Northeast take on Chongqing,

Jiangsu Tong Xi go up against Guangdong Southern,

Shanxi and Beijing go head to head,

Fujian takes to the court against the Shanghai Sharks,

Jiangsu Dragons are on the road to take on Dongguan,

The Sichuan Blue Whales meet Shandong on the court,

It's Zhejiang away to face Xinjiang,

and Tianjin will take on the bottom-dwelling Bayi Rockets.

 

 

NBA: Cavs fall to Phoenix 107-100, despite return of LeBron.

 

In NBA action:

LeBron James rejoined the Cavaliers and brought a lot of excitement with him.

Just not quite enough for a Cleveland victory.

James scored 33 points in his return from a two-week layoff but couldn't prevent the Cavaliers from going down to their sixth straight loss, 107-100 to the Phoenix Suns earlier today.

And over in Indiana:

Mo Williams scored a career-high 52 points, most in the league this season, and the Minnesota Timberwolves snapped a 15-game losing streak with a 110-101 victory over the Pacers.

The Atlanta hawks are continuing their hot streak.

Al Horford had 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Hawks to their ninth straight win, 105-87 over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night.

The Hawks easily thumped the Sixers even while resting leading scorer Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll in a stretch of four games in five nights.

In other action:

The Washington Wizards got the better of the San Antonio Spurs 101-93.

The Golden State Warriors bested the Utah Jazz 116-105.

The Dallas Mavericks beat out the Los Angeles Kings 108-104.

And it was the Miami heat beating the hosting Los Angeles Lakers 78-75.

 

 

Golf: Preview of the HSBC Championships in Dubai

 

Rory McIlroy will make his first competitive appearance of this year at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship on Thursday - one of nine Major champions in an elite field.

The world number one has finished runner-up three times in Abu Dhabi and is hoping to add to his nine European Tour titles this week.

This year, McIlroy sees Martin Kaymer as his main threat - and with good reason.

The German has won three times in Abu Dhabi and has spent much of the winter practising in neighbouring Dubai to prepare himself for the three events which comprise the "Desert Swing".

Looking further ahead, McIlroy said that he is aiming to complete a career grand slam this year with his first-ever victory in the Masters.

He has already notched up victories at the US Open, PGA Championship and Open, and hopes to become the sixth man to complete the slam.

 

 

Snooker: Ronnie O'Sullivan equals record of Stephen Hendry at Masters in London

 

In snooker:

Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan equaled the record of Stephen Hendry's 775th century in a 6-4 win over Ricky Walden at the snooker Masters at the Alexandra Palace in London.

O'Sullivan fluked the final yellow in the 10th frame, and added the green, brown and blue to match Hendry's long-standing record. The Rocket will next take on Marco Fu of Hong Kong on Thursday.

He is now eyeing another Hendry record of six Masters titles. He'll equal that if he hoists the trophy on Sunday night.

In the day's other match, Ali Carter, who recovered from a lung cancer, made quick work of Barry Hawkins with a 6-1 win.

Carter, a twice world finalist, will meet Neil Robertson of Australia in the quarterfinals.

 

 

NHL: Pittsburgh Thrashes Minnesota 7-2.

 

In NHL Action:

David Perron scored twice and added an assist in Pittsburgh's 7-2 thrashing of reeling Minnesota earlier today, as the Penguins put together the kind of outburst that has been rare at times this season for one of the league's most potent attacks.

And a full slate of scores now on the books:

The Boston Bruins downed the Tampa Bay Lightening 4-3.

The New York Islanders shut out the Rangers 3-0.

Carolina downed the Colorado Avalanche 3-2.

Ottawa took out Dallas 5-4.

Detroit downed Buffalo 3-1.

The Winnepeg Jets mercilessly crushed the Florida Panthers, 8-2.

San Jose beat Arizona 3-2.

And the St. Louis Blues handed the Edmonton Oilers yet another defeat, 4-2. Edmonton moves to 10-25 on the season.

 

 

Entertainment

 

 

Transformers film leads Golden Raspberry Awards Nominations

 

Transformers: Age of Extinction has been nominated for seven Golden Raspberry awards.

The latest film in the Transformers franchise tops the list with seven Razzie nominations including worst picture, supporting actor Kelsey Grammer, supporting actress Nicola Peltz, sequel, screen combo, screenplay and for director Michael Bay.

This year's other worse-picture nominees included Nicholas Cage who was nominated for worse actor and Kirk Cameron who was also recognized as worse actor in the worst picture nominated film.

"Saving Christmas" and "The Legend of Hercules" are tied behind "Transformers: Age of Extinction" with six nods each.

The Razzies announcement comes ahead of the Oscar nominations to be announced on Thursday.

Winners of the annual Razzies will be announced February 21, the night before the annual Academy Awards.

While far less star-studded than other awards shows, past winners like Halle Berry and Sandra Bullock have shown up in person to claim their gold spray-painted prizes.

 

 

Alain Delon Will Attend BTV Spring Festival Gala

 

Renowned French actor Alain Delon is coming to town to attend the Spring Festival Gala of the Beijing Television Stations.

The director of the BTV Gala says Alain Delon's charismatic image in the film Zorro can recall elder generation's fond memories of the good old days. His presence can create a feeling of nostalgia among viewers.

The director has also confirmed the attendance of the Ukrainian choir – La vivo, who gained fame for their interpretation of Chinese traditional songs.

The Gala is reportedly to go on air on February 19, the first day of the Chinese New Year.

 

 

Performers announced for this year's Grammy awards show

 

The performers have been announced for this year's Grammy awards show and include British megastar Ed Sheeran.

Other big stars including Madonna, Ariana Grande and AC/DC are set to hit the Staples Center stage in Los Angeles on February 8th for the annual music awards.

Ed Sheeran is nominated for three awards including album of the year and best pop vocal album for his latest release X.

First time nominee Grande is up for two awards – best pop vocal album and best pop/duo group performance for megahit Bang Bang with Jessie J and Nicki Minaj.

Madonna is rumoured to perform her new single Living For Love.

 

 

Julianne Moore speaks about her Golden Globe win

 

Actress Julianne Moore has spoken out about her Golden Globe win during the premiere for Still Alice.

The star won the Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a Drama for her role in the film.

The actress says she's still excited about the award and has to keep pinching herself.

"It's a tremendous honor. I mean, this is a tiny, little movie.　We didn't even finish it a year ago. There was no guarantee it would even get distribution when Sony Classics picked us up. I do feel in a continual state of surprise about this whole process."

Still Alice, based on the bestselling novel of the same name, tells the story of an accomplished, 50-year-old woman who slowly loses her thoughts and memories to early onset Alzheimer's disease.

Still Alice opens in North American theaters this coming Friday.

 

 

Music streaming site Spotify hits 15 million paid users

 

Music streaming site Spotify has reached 15 million paid subscribers and 60 million users.

Spotify has tripled its number of subscribers in just over two years.

To mark the occasion, Spotify posted a playlist titled 15 million thank yous which boasted triumphant tracks such as Katy Perry's Firework and Kool and the Gang

This comes just after a number of high-profile artists including Taylor Swift and Thom Yorke have spoken out about the music streaming site and refused to make their music available on the service.

However, record labels and distributors count Spotify as one of their top revenue sources and the music service boasts that it has paid out more than 2 billion dollars in music royalties since launching internationally in 2008.

 

 

Tupak Shakur biopic to begin shooting in June

 

A long-delayed Tupac Shakur biopic will begin shooting in June.

The film's producer Randall Emmett confirmed that the script is ready and the production company has secured the rights to the musician's music catalogue.

The movie will touch on Shakur's upbringing and the people around him but its primary focus will be his rise to fame.

Although the producer didn't want to give too much of the story away, the producer said that the East Coast-West Coast rivalry would certainly be a part of the story but not the primary crux.

The biopic was originally set to move forward in February 2011 but was delayed by a lengthy legal battle between Morgan Creek and Afeni Shakur who fought for extensive creative control.