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

Coming up on the programme this evening:

New full-year stats show China's economy grew at its slowest pace last year in over 20-years, but within expectation.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is arriving in Davos to try to reassure this year's World Economic Forum that China's economy remains sound.

Massive demonstrations are taking place in Argentina following the death of a prosecutor looking into allegations against the country's President.

In business..... Chinese markets rebound somewhat today following Monday's major sell-off.

In sports... reports are suggesting Brazilian footballer Dario Conca could be poised for a return to the Chinese Super League.

In entertainment.... a Chinese-Korean joint production has taken over the top spot in the Chinese box office.

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

 

 

Weather

 

 

Beijing will be cloudy tonight, with a low of minus 2. It will be sunny tomorrow, with a high of 5 degrees.　

Meanwhile Shanghai will have light rain tonight, with a low of 7, tomorrow will be cloudy, with a high of 14.

Chongqing will be cloudy tonight, 7 degrees the lowest, tomorrow will be cloudy with a high of 16.

Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia

Islamabad will be sunny tomorrow with a high of 22.

Kabul, sleet, 4.

Over in Australia

Sydney, thunder showers, highs of 27.

Canberra, showers, 26.

Brisbane, thundershowers, 29.

Finally, Perth, partly cloudy with a high of 34.

 

 

Top News

 

 

China Growth Slows to Lowest in Two Decades

 

Anchor:

New figures show China's economic growth slowed to its weakest rate in over two decades, expanding 7.4 percent last year.

The slower growth is within market expectations, and comes amid the government's efforts to rebalance the economy.

CRI's Yin Xiuqi has more.

Reporter:

The official growth rate for last year has come in just below the official target of 7.5 percent growth.

However, it's the slowest rate of growth in China since 1990 when growth that year tumbled to just 3.8 percent.

Ma Jiantang, director of the National Bureau of Statistics, admits the Chinese economy faces headwinds.

"Generally speaking, China's economy has achieved stable progress with improved quality under the 'new normal' in 2014. However, we should also be aware that the domestic and international situations are still complicated and China's economic development is still faced with difficulties and challenges."

Growth in fixed asset investment, a key growth engine, eased to just under 16-percent on an annualized basis last year.

The property market - a major driver of demand across a range of domestic industries - also saw slower growth this past year.

Investment expansion in the property sector decreased by over 9 percentage points from 2013.

The Chinese government is pinning the overall slowdown as a function of the government's attempt to transform the economy, weaning itself off overreliance on investment and trade in favor of domestic consumption.

Retail sales gained 12-percent this past year.

The service sector managed to expand its overall market share, representing some 48-percent of China's GDP.

David Dollar, an economist with Washington-based Brookings Institution, says he expects China's economy to do well this year.

"Chinese economy is basically doing quite well. The growth rate is slowing down, which is natural at this stage of development. China has built up a lot of excess capacity in different sectors, so it makes sense for the investment to slow down, bringing down the growth rate. But China's exports are holding up well. Consumption is holding up well. So the overall growth rate is a little bit above seven. And I think that's quite good. For 2015, I would expect the growth to slow a little bit more but still could be around seven percent."

Alfred Schipke, a senior IMF official in China, is recommending the Chinese government take a balanced approach to the management of the economy this year.

"The risk is that the government is faced with three tasks at the same time. On the one hand, it is trying to reduce vulnerabilities in the economy. At the same time it tries to facilitate the adjustment that is going on. But the third point is very important that it tries to avoid a too sharp slowdown. So macro policies need to carefully calibrated."

The IMF has cut its forecast for the Chinese economic growth this year to 6.8 percent.

It's widely expected Chinese policy-makers are going to set their own growth targets for this year at around 7-percent.

Steps have been taken to ensure the Chinese economy doesn't head towards a so-called hard-landing.

The People's Bank of China is thought to be looking at another interest rate cut after cutting interest rates to 2.75 percent in November, the first time the central bank has moved on interest rates since 2012.

For CRI, I'm Yin Xiuqi.

For more on the Chinese economy, CRI's He Fei spoke with the director of the China Macroeconomic Research Center at Peking University, Lu Feng, to share his view on China's economy over the long run.

 

 

WEF: Chinese Premier's Speech Crucial for World's Understanding of China

 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is arriving at Davos, Switzerland, today for the annual World Economic Forum.

The Premier is there to try to deliver a clear message of confidence about the Chinese economy through an explanation of the so-called "new normal".

This is a term the Chinese government has been using to describe a slower rate of growth in China amid the reformation of the overall economy to a more consumer-driven model.

Richard Samans, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, says Li Keqiang's speech on Wednesday will be closely watched.

"Actually what is happening in the emerging markets and particularly China is crucial for understanding how things will evolve in the next few years. So his presence is highly significant and will be highly appreciated by the international community."

Li Keqiang will be among some 40 world leaders attending the 3-day Davos sessions.

 

 

EU says no let up in Russia sanctions over Ukraine

 

The European Union is ruling-out any easing of sanctions against Russia as the fighting continues in eastern Ukraine.

Federica Mogherini is EU's foreign policy chief.

"Our support of Ukraine and not only to Ukraine but also to all our eastern partners is there and is not going to change. Our pressure on Russia with the sanctions policy where as I have said several times, any decision will be based on first of all the non-recognition policy of the annexation of Crimea and on the full implementation of the Minsk agreement."

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has told EU officials its Kiev's belief Russian military forces and equipment are being moved into Ukraine.

Russia has not responded to the latest allegation, but has long-held that it is not involved in the fighting in eastern Ukraine.

NATO believes Russia does have tens-of-thousands of troops stationed along Russia's western border with Ukraine.

 

 

Australia raises level of threat to police officers to 'high'

 

Police in Australia are on high-alert for potential militant attacks.

This follows an intelligence review conducted across the country, which has determined the threat-level for first-responders is on the rise.

However, no specific threats have been made.

Australia's national alert level was raised to high in September, suggesting a terrorist attack is likely, but not imminent.

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart.

"In real terms what the security assessment is saying is that we must take cognizance of what's occurred overseas."

Australian Federal Police are basing their upgraded assessment on global terror threat levels in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.

 

 

Argentina Protest over Death of Prosecutor Probing 1994 Bombing

 

Thousands of protesters have gathered outside Argentina's government palace in Buenos Aires, demanding a full investigation into the death of a prosecutor who was looking into allegations against the country's President.

The protest follows the murder of special prosecutor Alberto Nisman.

"A process of investigation of a terrible crime for the country, has been interfered with. It was interfered with in such a way that everyone understands that it was not a suicide, but something provoked or a murder."

Prosecutors say the initial autopsy has found there was "no intervention" in Nisman's death.

But they say they're still holding out the possibility that Nisman was "induced" into killing himself, noting the gun was not his.

Nisman's death came just hours before he was to testify before the country's congress connected to a case involving Cristina Fernandez.

Nisman had been looking into accusations the Argentine President used her power to shield Iranian suspects wanted in connection with the 1994 bombing of an Israeli association in Buenos Aires which left 85 people dead.

Fernandez has been accused of shielding the suspects from an investigation to curry favor with Iran.

 

 

Former Hong Kong Chief Executive hopes the public make wise choices in 2015

 

Anchor:

A former Hong Kong leader is calling on lawmakers in the city to support the proposed constitutional reforms this year to allow for universal sufferage to become a reality.

CRI's Hong Kong correspondent Li Jing has more.

Report:

While hailing the policy address delivered by the current Hong Kong government as pragmatic, former Hong Kong chief Tung Chee-hwa concedes the city is at a crossroad.

"2015 will be a year of choices. I sincerely hope the public understands and supports Hong Kong's hard-won prosperity and stability and make the wise decision for the sake of Hong Kong, to support the government, support the constitutional reforms and make the first step with great courage."

Tung Chee-hwa makes the remarks at a press conference Tuesday afternoon in Hong Kong. He is also calling on Hong Kong lawmakers to support Beijing's plans for universal sufferage.

"Internal conflicts in Hong Kong in recent years have dragged down our development and weakened our competitiveness. If we are hesitant on the way forward, we will miss an opportunity. To realize democracy, we should take the incremental approach based on the current laws, rather than constantly challenging the decisions that have been made by the Central Government. We need to safeguard Hong Kong as part of China. The sovereignty of the country should never be challenged."

At the same time, Tung says he is going to use his political capital in Hong Kong to try to persuade lawmakers to get behind the political reforms.

Two-thirds of Hong Kong lawmakers have to approve the current plans for universal sufferage if Hong Kong is to have a one-person, one-vote to elect the next Chief Executive in 2017.

Tung Chee-Hwa is now the vice-chair of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. He is also the founder of "Our Hong Kong Foundation," which is designed to foster political awareness among the younger generation in Hong Kong.

For CRI, this is Li Jing in Hong Kong.

 

 

A flight 'blacklist' system under discussion in China: Aviation experts

 

Reporter:

Aviation industry insiders say discussions are now underway in China about the possible creation of a "blacklist" for people involved in illegal or disruptive behavior on flights.

The discussion comes on the heels of a series of incidents involving Chinese travellers.

CRI's Wang Mengzhen has details.

Reporter:

In one of the latest incidents, a man was arrested in Inner Mongolia's capital Hohhot last week after he tried to open the emergency door while on a fight from Hunan's capital Changsha to Hohhot.

Witnesses say the man appeared to be drunk.

This incident is the latest in a series of air-rage events involving Chinese travellers.

A few weeks ago, a flight from Bangkok to China had to return to the Thai capital after Chinese passengers became involved in a dispute with the air staff on the flight, leading to a flight attendant being scalded with hot water.

Incidents involving disruptive Chinese travellers appear to be growing.

Zhang Qihuai, an aviation expert with a Beijing-based law firm, says there are some factors that tend to lead to air-rage.

"On the one hand, the educational background and temperament of passengers can be quite different. They can act-out and break laws and regulations without even knowing it. But at the same time, the quality and temperament of flight crews, as well as customer service at the airports, can also lead to problems."

Numerous brawls among passengers and attacks on cabin crew are often filmed and posted online in China, creating a growing perception around the world that Chinese travellers are rude and hard to deal with.

As such, Diao Weimin, an associate professor with the civil aviation management institute of China, says steps can be taken to ensure rowdy passengers don't become a potential threat.

"Based on the rules laid-out by the International Civil Aviation Organization, airlines do have the right to prevent passengers who have disturbed a flight or failed to follow orders from the cabin crew from flying. This has become an international convention. However, the application of the rules is different among different domestic flight companies. I think we should set up a unified 'blacklist' system to root out problem passengers."

However, legal expert Zhang Qihuai says he's not sure a unified "blacklist" system is necessary.

"In my opinion, the existing laws and regulations are sufficient to limit illegal behavior among passengers. It is not right to set up a 'blacklist' for passengers with bad manners, since it is only supposed to be used to keep suspected terrorists or criminals off flights. It's also not right for individual airlines to start drafting rules covering the aviation system."

While there have been numerous incidents involving unruly and potentially-dangerous acts on airlines involving Chinese passengers, at this point, none have led to any mid-air catastrophes.

For CRI, I am Wang Mengzhen.

 

 

Biz Reports

 

 

PBOC Injects Cash to Two Commercial Lenders

 

China's central bank has extended its Medium-term Lending Facility to a pair of commercial banks.

The Medium-term Lending Facility is a three-month loan the central bank offers to commercial banks at a 3.5 percent interest rate to increase a bank's lending capacity.

The Shanghai Pudong Development Bank and the Fujian-based Industrial Bank have both been granted an additional 20-billion yuan each.

Both banks already had massive loans due to be repaid to the central bank today.

SPDB has had its 20-billion yuan loan extended, while Industrial Bank had 30-billion yuan due.

 

 

Bet on New Interest Cut Help Investors Shrug off Black Monday

 

Investment on China's A-share market has rebounded slightly following Monday's massive sell-off.

The rebound comes as investors bet on the possibility of an interest rate cut by China's central bank.

Market observers have been suggesting the People's Bank of China has been holding back on cutting interest rates because of the weakening of the renminbi against the US dollar over the past few months.

The Chinese currency has been regaining strength over the past few weeks.

It's now trading at 6.12 against the US dollar.

For more on today's market rebound and the possibility of an interest rate cut, we are joined on the line by Gao Shang, analyst with Beijing-based Guantong Futures.

 

 

IMF Cuts Global Economic Growth Forecast

 

The International Monetary Fund has lowered its projections for global economic growth in its latest World Economic Outlook.

The cut is the sharpest growth-forecast reduction since January 2012.

IMF Chief Economist Olivier Blanchard.

"Our forecast for global growth in 2015 is 3.5%, which is 0.2% more than the global growth in 2014, but 0.3% less than our forecast in October. For 2016, we forecast 3.7% growth, but again here we have revised down our forecast from the last World Economic Outlook in October."

On a national level, the United States is one of the stand-outs in an otherwise downward projection for the world's major economies.

US growth projections have been raised to 3.6 percent from 3.1 percent, largely due to more robust private domestic demand.

Projections for emerging economies have been widely cut back, with the estimates for oil exporters including Russia, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia being cut significantly.

The drop in world oil prices is a central issue in the new IMF forecast.

Blanchard says OPEC's isn't expected to make any quick moves on production in the near-future.

 

 

Didi Taxi Says Car Rental Fees Are Not Royalties

 

Chinese taxi hailing app Didi taxi is dismissing media reports it is charging royalties from its "Zhuanche" or high end private car service drivers.

Company CEO Zhu Pingdou says the fees it charges are car-rental fees, which he contends are different from the royalties paid by regular taxi drivers to their companies for using the license.

Media reports have been suggesting Didi has been charging drivers up to 6-thousand yuan, or nearly one thousand U.S. dollars, a month in royalty payments.

Industry observers notes Didi would be killing its own business if it starts to charge fees of this nature as it battles for market share.

 

 

Xiaomi Unveils House Safety Keep Devices

 

Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has unveiled a new device called the Smart Home Suite.

The devices will allow home-owners real-time monitoring of their homes by putting sensors on doors and windows.

The sensors are then remotely hooked up to an app on your phone which allows the home-owner to monitor the devices in real-time, including video.

It comes on the heels of Xiaomi releasing a new handset, the Xiaomi note, last week.

 

 

Alibaba invests in Israel startup for QR codes technology

 

Chinese online giant Alibaba is investing an unspecified amount of money in Israel-based tech startup called Visualead.

Visualead's technology focuses on developments in Quick Response codes, also known as QR codes.

The Israeli company is has been working with 500-thousand small and medium enterprises to develop QR codes embedded with specific images in them.

The investment comes as Alibaba moves to try to make it easier for users to access to its mobile platforms.

 

 

Headline News

 

 

China Growth Slows to Lowest in Two Decades

 

China's economic growth slowed to its weakest rate in over two decades, expanding 7.4 percent last year.

The official growth rate for last year has come in just below the official target of 7.5 percent growth.

It's the slowest rate of growth in China since 1990 when growth that year tumbled to just 3.8 percent.

The slower growth is within market expectations, and comes amid the government's efforts to rebalance the economy.

 

 

Explosion hits chemical plant in NE China

 

An explosion has ripped through a chemical plant in the northeastern Chinese province of Liaoning.

Its not known yet if there are any injuries.

It's also unclear what caused the blast at the plant in the city of Liaoyang.

Crews are still on the scene trying to douse the blaze.

 

 

UN Security Council Condemns Escalating Boko Haram Attacks

 

The UN Security Council is strongly condemning the recent escalation in attacks by the Boko Haram rebel group in northern Nigeria.

The Security Council is also suggesting some of the actions might amount to crimes against humanity.

The United Nations is also demanding "the immediate and unconditional release" of all those abducted by the group, including 276 schoolgirls kidnapped in northern Nigeria last April.

The Security Council says its also seriously concerned about the displacement of Nigerians, who have been swarming into neighboring Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

 

 

Abe Denounces IS Threat to Kill Japanese Hostage

 

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says his government is not going to bow demands being put forward by the Islamic State, which is threatening to kill two Japanese hostages.

A new video has surfaced showing a man claiming to be a member of the Islamic State standing next to a pair of Japanese men, similar to previous videos.

The suspect is demanding the Japanese government pay 200-million US dollars in ransom to have the men released.

If not, the militant is threatening to behead the men in 72-hours.

Its being reported the men being held include a freelance journalist and the manager of a private military contractor.

 

 

Afghan President Introduces Ministers to Parliament

 

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has presented his minister-nominees to the country's parliament for approval.

In introducing his cabinet line-up, Ghani has told lawmakers he wants to bring in reforms, good governance, job opportunities, alleviate poverty and stabilize peace and security in the country.

Lawmakers in Afghanistan's lower-house of parliament are tasked with approving the President's ministerial selections.

Its widely expected most of the cabinet appointees will be approved.

The creation of the Afghan cabinet is one of the last steps in establishing a working government following last year's disputed presidential election.

 

 

Newspaper Picks

 

 

SHANGHAI DAILY

Car-sharing scheme takes off

The country's first electric car-sharing program officially has got under way at Shanghai International Auto City, following a trial last year.

More than 3-thosuand people have already subscribed to the EVCARD system, which lets them rent electric cars from 50 outlets in Jiading District.

A smartcard and a smartphone app are used to make bookings and payments.

The scheme currently makes use of 350 Roewe E50 electric cars though the fleet is set to grow to 2-thosuand with the introduction of Zinoro 1E and Springo models from BMW Brilliance and Shanghai General Motors respectively.

The EVCARD program is designed to promote the car-sharing concept in Shanghai, which its organizers hope will help to ease traffic congestion in the city.

--

XINHUA

N. China polluted city improves air quality by hefty investment

Shijiazhuang, one of the major polluted cities in north China's Hebei Province, saw remarkable improvement of air quality after a hefty investment last year, according to the city's mayor.

The capital city of Hebei witnessed 114 days of excellent or good air quality in 2014, or 71 days more than in 2013. The number of seriously polluted days also fell by 51.

The city's density of PM2.5 and PM10, two key air pollution indicators, dropped by around 20 percent and 30 percent respectively.

Shijiazhuang was often listed as one of the country's worst polluted cities.

Last year, the city reduced 7 million tons of coal consumption, 1 million tons of iron and steel capacity and 18 million tons of cement production capacity.

Hebei, which neighbors Beijing, is struggling to cut its excessive capacities to handle air pollution.

--

GLOBAL TIMES

Russia opens mail delivery service to China by rail

The Russian Post has launched its mail delivery service to China by rail, the company announced on its website on Monday.

Before this, all mail sent from China to Russia had to be delivered by air or by road.

The opening of the new service is the result of a strategic cooperation agreement signed between authorities representing Russian Railways and Chinese Railways last year.

Packages will be gathered via connected lines inside China before being transported along the Trans-Siberian Railway, the longest railway line in the world.

Railway delivery service reduces excess operations in logistics and will lower transportation costs, the company said.

The Russian Post also runs a mail delivery service by rail between Moscow and Beijing, and it plans to expand railway delivery services to more Chinese cities after its new logistical hubs are put into operation.

--

CBS NEWS

Too much sitting raises risk of death, even if you exercise

A new study links sitting for prolonged periods of time to increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer and early death -- even in people who get regular exercise.

It found that the health hazards seem to be greatest for people who sit 8 or 9 hours a day. The impact was even more pronounced in people who did not exercise regularly.

The average person spends more than half their waking hours sedentary, doing such things as working at a computer, watching TV or sitting in traffic.

Doctors suggest standing up and taking a quick, 1- to 3-minute break every half hour or so throughout the day. Standing burns twice as many calories as sitting.

Some offices have taken this to heart and given workers standing desks to help boost their health and fitness levels while they work.

 

 

Special Reports

 

 

Jeju Governor: Chinese investment still welcomed in Jeju island 2'41

 

Anchor:

A number of questions are being raised following a decision by authorities on the South Korean island of Jeju to cancel a number of Chinese-funded projects.

Local authorities on the island have also taken steps to make it tougher for Chinese nationals to invest on the island.

For more on these moves, CRI's Luo Yu spoke with Won Hee-ryong, the provincial governor of Jeju.

1. In recent years, the fear that "Chinese capital is nibbling away at Korea" was frequently seen in the South Korean press. And you once claimed that that "no Chinese investors will be allowed to set foot on Hallasan". Why is this move?

'I think there are some misunderstandings. I would like to take a chance to express our sincere thanks and clarify the misunderstandings. Jeju island is listed as a United Nations world natural heritage site. Protecting the environment is the most important thing for us. As such, we've not only increased the threshold for Chinese investors, but South Korean investors as well. We need strong legislation to protect the natural environment. But I want to reiterate that we warmly welcome Chinese investors.'

2. You've mentioned that the environmental protection there in Jeju Island is one of the major concerns for the government. Of course local people worry about real estate price will be surging if there are so many investors who get their permanent residency. But at the same time, the investment is really boosting the economy there, and it also helps create a lot of job opportunities. What's your take on this?

'Jeju's environment helps create jobs and income for the local residents. This is something we pride ourselves in. However, the more money that rolls into Jeju, the higher home prices become. This is a basic fact of the market. We're currently dealing with an over-supply of homes, as well as too many casinos. As such, we feel the rapid increase in investments on the island are becoming detrimental to the local economy and environment, so we have to make adjustments. We need to have a balance between preserving the environment and allowing for growth in the economy. As we revise our policies, we're also trying to coordinate with investors. We want to develop Jeju island through prudent investment.'

3. Generally to Chinese business investors there, how would you assess their investments so far? And what is Jeju looking for from the Chinese investors?

'I would personally like to thank all Chinese investors in Jeju. They've increased the brand value of the Island. However, we have to deal with the long-term concerns of the island, including its environment, culture and the future of the industries, including wind power, electric vehicles and information technology. But at the same time, we want to create more cultural exchanges with the Chinese side.'

 

 

Sports

 

 

Asian Cup: Iraq to take on Palestine as Japan play Jordan

 

In Asian cup action:

Iraq took on Palestine and lead 1-0 for most of the game, before scoring again in the final minutes to make it a 2-0 win.

And it was Japan battling Jordan, also 2-0.

 

 

Chinese soccer club faces sudden death after promotion to Super League

 

Chinese soccer club Chongqing Lifan faces possible dismissal after the club's successful promotion to the Chinese Super League last year.

Chongqing Lifan, which finished atop the Chinese second tier league last season and will compete in the CSL next season, has been earlier this month sold to a new buyer, the Huaxia Guorui Soccer Club Corp.

However, the takeover was not recognized by the Chinese Football Association on Monday, citing the new buyer's poor qualifications.

Still, the takeover has been ratified by related governmental departments and the club has been formally renamed as Chongqing Changsheng soccer club.

It took Chongqing Lifan, a former CFA Cup winner, four seasons to climb back to the Chinese Super League.

 

 

Fluminense's Dario Conca in talks with Guangzhou Evergrande

 

And in other off pitch football news:

Fluminense's Dario Conca has received an irresistible offer from a club of the Chinese Super League and the former Guangzhou Evergrande player is close to returning to China again, Brazilian media reported earlier today.

Globo Esporte revealed that a Chinese team has made a proposal for Conca, but the name of the Chinese club was kept confidential.

Earlier, Guangzhou Evergrande were reportedly in for Conca again but now the team who has bid for the player is believed to be Shanghai Shanggang, coached by Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Conca, who came back to Brasileirao's Fluminense last year from Guangzhou, is said to be unhappy with the team due to a delay in the payment of image-rights after investment group Unimed parted ways with the club at the end of 2014.

 

 

Chinese real estate mogul plans to buy Atletico stake

 

And in off pitch football news:

Chinese real estate tycoon Wang Jianlin plans to buy a 20-percent stake in Spanish league champions Atletico Madrid.

Madrid Sports Daily said Wang, the head of real estate group Dalian Wanda, planned to pay 40 million euro, or about 46 million US Dollars, for the stake.

Atletico chairman Enrique Cerezo will apparently travel to Beijing this week to close the deal with Wang. They were expected to sign the deal tomorrow.

 

 

Tennis: Chinese player Zhang Jie loses to Kai Chen Chang in singles of Aussie Open

 

In tennis action, from the Australian open:

Chinese player Zheng Jie lost to Kai-Chen Chang from China's Taiwan Tuesday, on the second day of the ongoing Australian Open.

The 100th-ranked Zheng lost 6-1, 6-2 to 402nd-ranked Chang in less than 90 minutes.

Zheng, 32, who had an operation last year, was obviously not quite in shape.

At the press conference after the match, Zheng said she would focus more on her doubles in future.

Two other Chinese women players, Zhang Shuai and Zheng Saisai also failed to make it into their next round on Tuesday.

In other action:

Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka began the defense of his Australian Open title with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over Marsel Ilhan on Tuesday, taking less than 90 minutes to breeze through the first round.　

Wawrinka, seeded four this year, was barely tested against his 100th-ranked Turkish opponent, striking 34 winners and saving the only two break points he faced.

First seeded Novak Djokovic took out Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

9th seed David Federer took out Tomaz Bellucci of Brazil 6-2, 6-0, 6-3.

And in Women's Singles:

It was 4th Seed Petra Kvitova downing Richel Hogencamp of the Netherlands 6-1, 6-4.

 

 

NBA: Atlanta Hawks now one game shy of tying league record win streak with 93-82 win over Detroit

 

In NBA action:

The NBA's best defense has kept the Atlanta Hawks' winning streak intact.

The Hawks won their 13th straight game, one shy of tying the team record, as Mike Scott and Paul Millsap each scored 20 points Monday in a 93-82 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Atlanta is allowing 96.3 points per game, tops in the league. Strong defense helped the Hawks overcome poor shooting from some of their usual scoring leaders against Detroit.

Other scores now on the books:

Charlotte beat out Minnesota, 105-80.

Washington trounced Philadelphia, besting the 76ers 111-76.

The Clippers got the better of Boston, 102-93.

League-leading Golden State bested the Denver Nuggets 122-79.

Dallas took out Memphis 103-95.

Houston took out Indiana 110-98.

The New York Knicks bagged a rare win over New Orleans, 99-92, snapping a 16 game skid.

LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers beat out the Chicago Bulls 108-94.

Toronto beat out the Milwaukee Bucks 92-89.

The San Antonio Spurs took out the Los Angeles Lakers 115-100.

And it was the Portland Trail Blazers over the Los Angeles Kings 98-94.

 

 

Entertainment

 

 

Miss Granny takes top spot at the Chinese box office

 

Miss Granny, the China-Korea co-production about the antics of a time-traveling grandma has taken the top spot at the Chinese box office this week.

The film took just over 19 million dollars this week for a gross of 39 million in its first full week in theaters.

Directed by Chen Cheng-tao from Taiwan, the movie tells the antics of a 70 year old grandmother who is transformed into a 20 year old woman.

Behind Miss Granny at the box office was Seventh Son which took 16 million dollars in its opening three days with nearly 3 million admissions.

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb hung on to third place taking another 11 million dollars to bring its total to 42 million after 15 days in China.

And finally, epic film The Taking of Tiger Mountain took another 8 million to bring its gross to 135 million after 27 days on release here in China.

 

 

Wu Qilong marries Liu Shishi

 

Chinese actor and musician Wu Qilong and his Scarlet Heart co-star Liu Shishi have married.

Wu posted a photo on his microblog today showing the couple's marriage certificate and wedding ring.

Liu reposted the photo on her mircoblog with the message "We are very happy".

The couple met back in 2011 during the filming of the hit time-travel TV series Scarlet Heart.

Wu, a singer and actor from Taiwan, is a household name in the mainland since he became a member of the boy band, Xiao Hu Dui in 1988.

 

 

Average income for Korean singers increases by 72 percent

 

A report by South Korea's National Tax Service has revealed the average income for Korean singers has increased by some 70 percent in just under five years.

The report says that the income for Korean singers rose to 46 million won, or around 43,000 U.S. dollars.

Experts largely attribute the jump in overseas activities which has generated more international album sales and tours. 2014 saw the most K-pop concerts ever in the US.

Girls Generation took the top spot on Forbes Korea's 2014 Power Celebrity 40 list followed by BIGBANG.

For some people, the figures may still seem considerably low. This is because a large number of K-pop acts give a considerable chunk of their earnings to their managing agencies (some of whom house and feed the acts).

 

 

Boyhood adds to awards haul at London Critics Circle

 

Boyhood has added to its haul of film awards by winning the top prize from the London Critics Circle.

It was named film of the year, while Richard Linklater won best director and Patricia Arquette won best supporting actress.

The director who shot the film over 12 years called the film an experiment and a leap of faith.

Boyhood which won at the Golden Globes a week ago is tipped to win best picture at the Oscars in five weeks, chronicles the journey from childhood to adulthood of Mason Evans Junior, played by Ellar Coltrane.

Other winners at the awards included Timothy Spall who was named British actor of the year for his role as British painter JMW Turner in the film Mr Turner.

While Miranda Richardson picked up the Dilys Powell Award for excellence in Film, a lifetime achievement accolade.

 

 

Hugh Jackman to star in film on Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards

 

Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton are to star in a movie about Olympic skier Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards.

Egerton will star as Eddie Edwards and Jackman will play ski expert Chuck Berghorn who helps the skier prepare for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.

Eddie the Eagle shot to fame when he became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping. Finishing last in the 70m and 90m events he became an example of a plucky underdog.

Jamie Bell, George MacKay and Daniel Kaluuya were reportedly in line for the lead role before losing out to Taron Egerton.

Take That's Gary Barlow is reportedly writing a song for the film.

The film will be directed by Dexter Fletcher.