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

Coming up on the program this evening...

The Chinese presidents cautions against distractions that could negatively affect the Sino-US relationship...

Premier Li Keqiang has departed China for a four-nation visit in South America, aiming to boost ties and trade...

And the final Chinese medical team dispatched to fight Ebola in Liberia has returned home...

In our Science & Technology roundup, preparing for the launch of the Chang'e 5 lunar probe...

In Sport: Paris St. Germain secures a third consecutive title...

In Entertainment: the trailer for the animated Chinese film Tibetan Rock Dog has debuted at Cannes...

All of that coming up in just a moment, but first, just a reminder there are several ways to reach out to us here on the Beijing Hour.

You can follow us on our weibo account at weibo.com/beijinghour, or email us directly at [email protected]. You can also visit english.cri.cn for the latest news and information from China Radio International.

Top NewsChina, US ties should not be derailed by distractions says XiAnchor:

Chinese President Xi Jinping has told top US diplomat John Kerry that China is committed to enhancing dialog and trust with Washington, despite growing concerns over issues like the situation in the South China Sea.

CRI's Poornima Weerasekara reportsReporter:

Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed that China and the United States should properly handle and control their differences to protect their relationship and to make sure its progress is not derailed by distractions.

He met with the US Secretary of State in Beijing on Sunday.

The president's remarks come as Beijing makes another call to enhance dialogue between the two countries amid lingering tensions in the South China Sea.

President Xi reiterates the Pacific Ocean had enough space to accommodate the interests of both nations. He has urged both sides to work closely to enhance communication and trust, and deepen cooperation.

For his part, John Kerry stressed on the importance of US China relations, highlighting recent successes in pushing forward common interests.

This includes the recent Sino-US agreement on combating Climate Change, signed during President Obama's visit to Beijing last November, and progress made at the Iran nuclear talks.

Kerry also expected Beijing to play a key role in bringing North Korea back to nuclear disarmament talks.

The discussion also focused on laying the groundwork for President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to the US in September.

Xi Jinping said he was looks forward to a "candid and in-depth" exchange with US President Barack Obama.

Kerry also focused on the upcoming round of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, which will take place in Washington in June.

The two countries will also hold the sixth China-US High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange later this year.

In his talks with John Kerry, Xi Jinping said that China was committed to developing a "new model for the China US relations."This comes despite recent tensions between the countries. Washington has expressed concerns over China's declaration of an air defense identification zone in the East China Sea.

Earlier Kerry said that the United States was alarmed by the pace and the scope of China's reclamation operation in the South China Sea when he met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Saturday.

However, Wang Yi says that China's infrastructure improvements on the Nansha Islands are an internal affair connected to its own territorial sovereignty.

China has expressed concerns about a possible U.S. plan to send military aircraft and ships to the South China Sea in a so-called effort to assert freedom of navigation.

The Chinese Foreign Minister called on Washington to respect China's sovereignty and not take sides in maritime disputes.

Kerry has arrived in South Korea this afternoon to continue his Asia trip.

For CRI I'm Poornima WeerasekaraChinese premier leaves Beijing for official visits to Latin American nationsChinese Premier Li Keqiang has kicked off official visits to Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Chile.

The premier's trip is aimed to explore the possibility of diversifying trade with Latin American countries and importing more high value products.

Li Keqiang is due to have talks with the leaders from the four countries in areas including bilateral industrial and technology cooperation, infrastructure development, building of FTAs, human resources training, and financial support.

Modi's China Visit Gains Applause in IndiaAnchor:

Indian Prime Minister Narandra Modi has concluded his three-day visit to China.

Both Indian media and analysts say the trip will inject new momentum into Sino-Indian ties.

Our correspondent Sun Yang has more.

Reporter:

During the visit, Modi met with Chinese leaders and participated in a series of cultural and business events. A record number of 45 agreements were signed during the visit, including 24 inter-governmental agreements, and 21 business agreements worth 22 billion dollars.

Indian newspaper, the Hindustan Times, says Modi's China visit saw a visible warming of ties between the two Asian giants. The visit sees more declared resolve to consolidate ties between key sectors in both countries.

In an article on India's portal website, rediff.com, Chinese studies expert Srikanth Kondapalli says the climate deal between India and China is significant given the likely agreement and ratification of a globally binding climate accord in Paris this year.

He adds that the implementation of the 24 agreements will test the credibility ofn bilateral relations.

India' leading business newspaper, the Economic Times, quotes the statement by the Ministry of External Affairs as saying that the 22 billion dollars worth of MoUs show that Chinese companies have strong interest in the India.

The MoUs span a wide range of industries and are expected to enhance Chinese companies' commitment to Modi's 'Made in India' initiative.

Vishal Sikka is the chief executive officer of India's second-largest IT services provider, Infosys. The company launched its Shanghai campus during Modi's China visit.

Vishal says the PM's visit will create a new frontier in Indo-China relation. He believes that India and China are countries with great potential to be global players in the field of information technology.

Shiv Khemka, vice-chairman of India's investment company Sun Group, says the visit is a watershed moment, because the green light for investment from China has been switched on. He adds that the Sun Group has tied up with a Chinese solar company to set up a 5,000-MW project in five years.

For CRI. This is Sun Yang in New Delhi.

Indian Prime Minister visits MongoliaIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ulan Bator on Sunday and signed 14 agreements with Mongolia for cooperation in sectors ranging from cyber security to renewable energy.

"We will take our economic partnership to a new level. Today, I am pleased to announce that India will provide a Line of Credit of one billion U.S. dollars to support expansion of Mongolia's economic capacity and infrastructure."The total value of imports and exports between the two countries in 2014 was around $16 million.

Modi is the first Indian prime minister to visit Mongolia.

Earlier in the day, Modi met Buddhist monks at a monastery and offered prayers.

Modi arrived in Ulan Bator after a three-day visit to China. He will leave for South Korea, the last stop of his tour, on Monday.

Heavy rains causes flooding in south ChinaHeavy rains led to flooding in parts of south and southeast China, affecting traffic and the daily lives of locals.

The torrential downpour in Hezhou City led to the swelling of a pond near a railway station, allowing fish to escape.

Locals were seen at a nearby square collecting fish from the floodwater.

An unnamed local talks about the situation.

"The fish came from a pond. Some people brought a big box to catch them. There were a lot of people, grown-ups and kids."The floodwater caused headaches for passing drivers.

Local authorities started to pump the floodwater out of the square and it was cleared by Sunday.

Roads in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, were also flooded due to heavy rainfall.

A taxi driver witnessed several vehicles break down in the middle of the water.

"The water level reached one meter at its highest point. I waited there when it started to rain. I have waited for a long time, about two hours. The floodwater ebbed a lot, but vehicles were still unable to go through it. My car is flooded."According to local meteorologists, the rain began to decrease two hours later and moved south.

The local government has started to clear water in the city.

Japan to Send 3,000-strong Delegation to ChinaAnchor:

A senior official from Japan's ruling party is expected to lead a large delegation to visit China in a bid to improve bilateral ties.

The delegation is scheduled to kick off a three-day visit this coming Friday.

CRI's Luo Bin with more.

Reporter:

The 3000-member delegation will be headed by Toshihiro Nikai, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's General Council.

The delegation consists of tourism and local government officials, lawmakers and representatives from tourism and economic industries from all over Japan.

Toshihiro Nikai says the delegation aims to narrow gaps and enhance mutual trust through communication.

"It is very important to know the other country and be friends with the people there. We will try to visit more people and hope this visit will play a positive role in the development of Sino-Japanese relations."According to the schedule, the delegation will visit Beijing, and some other places like the Hebei and Liaoning provinces for exchange and research activities.

Nikai says he hopes the delegation can send positive signals and clear up the misunderstandings about China held by some Japanese.

"Those 3,000 members can be called 'people-to-people ambassadors'. When they return to Japan, they will tell the real situation to Japanese people, which will be conducive to the improvement of relations between the two countries."The 3000-man delegation is more than double the size of Nikai's delegation that went to South Korea earlier this year for similar purposes of mending ties.

It is the largest such exchange between Japan and China in recent years.

For CRI, I'm Luo Bin.

Chinese medical team returns after completing anti-Ebola taskThe final Chinese medical team dispatched to Liberia has returned home after concluding its two-month anti-Ebola mission.

The West African country has now declared the eradication of the epidemic.

The 42-member team arrived back in Beijing along with Chinese rescuers and relief workers.

A member of the medical team talks about the work in Liberia.

"In total, our team received 177 Ebola cases and we treated 110 patients. There were 10 confirmed cases, six of them were cured and discharged from hospital. So we can say that we have successfully fought the outbreak with zero infection, as President Xi commanded."China was one of the first countries to send aid to West Africa, with three batches of medical teams sent to combat the crisis following the worst-ever outbreak of Ebola.

Death Verdict on Morsi Draws Mixed Reax and FearsAnchor:

The death verdict against ousted Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi has drawn mixed response in the Middle East as well as fears over possible retaliatory attacks.

Zhao Jianfu has more.

Reporter:

The Cairo Criminal Court on Saturday handed down death sentences to Morsi and more than 100 other defendants in the "Wadi al-Natron jailbreak."Morsi is accused of escaping prison with the assistance of domestic and foreign militants during the Jan. 25 uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

The ruling is the first death sentence against an Egyptian leader in modern history.

It is welcome among some Cairo citizens. People want a speedy trial for other Muslim Brotherhood members and hope this will help calm the country's political situation.

"It's good, we want the country to calm down and go back to normal. Those criminals must die.""People need to calm down. And I wish the same to the rest of them, those who are spoiling things for the Egyptian people, we want every one of them to be tried in a speedy trial."But just two hours after the ruling, three judges were shot dead in the restive Sinai Pininsula.

No groups have claimed responsibility for the attack, but it has raised fears that judges will be the new targets for militants, after soldiers and policemen.

Meanwhile, the pro-Morsi National Coalition to Support Legitimacy has urged for "a revolutionary wave that lasts until July 3" - the day on which Morsi was overthrown.

Outside Egypt, the sentence also sparked condemnations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticised Egypt for returning to the "old Egypt" by rolling back democracy.

"Egypt is going back to old Egypt. You know what an old Egypt was like, right? You know it from history books, right? (Egypt is) going back there (to those times)."Erdogan also accused western nations of not speaking out against Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who ousted Morsi two years ago, or against death sentences to Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood group.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Hamas has condemned the sentence against Morsi.

"The movement considers this a regrettable, shocking and an invalid decision because it's based on wrong, untrue information, such as accusing some Palestinian martyrs who died before the Egyptian revolution (in 2011) and also accusing some Palestinian prisoners who are in occupation in (Israeli) jails."Hamas is the Palestinian chapter of the Brotherhood and its leaders enjoyed close relations with Morsi during his year in office.

The Jordanian branch of Muslim Brotherhood - The Islamic Action Front Party - criticised Egypt's leadership as "a dictatorship full of sickness.""This ruling tells us we should consider Egypt as living in a real crisis. This crisis is linked to this regime's chokehold on the country. This crisis is strangling the people living in Egypt. It is a bad situation for security, a bad situation for religion, and a bad situation for society."Saturday's verdict is the second against Morsi. He was sentenced last month by the same court to 20 years in jail over ordering the arrest and torture of protesters in 2012.

Morsi is also facing charges in an espionage case that led to death penalties against 16 Muslim Brotherhood leaders.

The death verdict has been referred to the nation's top Muslim theologian, or mufti, for a non-binding opinion.

The final verdict will be announced on June 2.

Morsi's lawyer is vowing to "exert every possible avenue for an appeal."For CRI, I'm Zhao Jianfu.

French PM calls for border controlFrance's prime minister says the arrival of record numbers of migrants requires a European system of border controls.

Manuel Valls is on a surprise visit to a small town near the Franco-Italian border.

Local officials say nearly 1,000 migrants have been stopped at the border in the last three days, with 100 arriving daily at the station in nearby Nice.

Valls visited the train station in Menton where he was briefed by local police and railway officials about border checks carried out on trains.

"There needs to be a European response, that's indispensable. Firstly we have to reinforce surveillance at the European Union's external borders. In April the European Council tripled Frontex operations in the Mediterranean, France is contributing fully to that dedicating ships and planes, but as you know we think and we're proposing that we should go further, and create a European system of border controls."Valls rejected the imposition of country-specific quotas on the number of migrants but agrees that asylum seekers need to be distributed more evenly among EU member states.

"I am against the establishment of migrant quotas. This has never corresponded with French proposals. But Europe must have an asylum policy and France has undertaken to reform its own system to make it more efficient and the bill is being debated at the moment in the Senate."This week, the European Commission proposed quotas based on criteria such as states' populations, to more fairly distribute the asylum seekers following a strong influx.

But Britain's newly re-elected Conservative leaders rejected any quota system imposed from Brussels.

Guatemala Protest against PresidentProtests have erupted in Guatemala against the government of President Otto Perez following a corruption scandal that led to the resignation of his vice president.

Roxana Baldetti resigned last week to face an investigation over allegations that she was involved in a customs corruption racket.

"For me it is something extraordinary that the people protest in such a way. I am a retired teacher and the truth is that I am amazed by how animated this is. The people today are saying 'no more corruption.'"Baldetti was elected in 2011. She has denied any wrongdoing.

The scandal has also cast a cloud on President Perez's Patriot Party in the presidential election due in September.

The Guatemalan Congress on Thursday voted in Alejandro Maldonado as the country's new vice president.

4 Killed in Afghan Airport AttackA suicide bombing near the airport in Afghanistan's capital has killed four people.

The bombing on Sunday took place after an attacker detonated explosives in a car, targeting a military convoy belonging to the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan.

Karim Ullah, an Afghan air force soldier, witnessed the bloody attack.

"I was on my way to work when suddenly an explosion happened. I rushed to the attack site and I saw some children wounded and lying on the ground and we have taken them into a car and have moved them to hospital."The EU group trains Afghan police forces.

A spokesperson for the EU mission says one member of that force was killed, as were two passers-by. The attacker died also.

Twenty other people were wounded including eight women and three children.

Opera on Climate Change Premiers in MilanAnchor:

An opera that features climate change at the heart of its theme has had its world premiere in the Italian city of Milan.

Focusing on the unrequited love between humanity and the Earth itself, the opera is thought to be the first of its kind to pay attention to the tricky topic.

CRI's Sophie Williams has the details.

Reporter:

At Milan's La Scala theatre, sopranos and baritones are belting out what's thought to be the first ever opera on climate change, called "Co2".

It tells the story of how greenhouse gases affect the planet's atmosphere.

Giorgio Battistelli, composer of the creative opera, says he created a story that concerns mankind around the world:

"CO2 is an opera - maybe the first one - that deals with the difficult relationship, maybe of love, of drama, of jealousy, of abuse, between mankind and nature, between mankind and its own environment. Naturally, this story doesn't just concern an Italian, a European, a Westerner, but rather, this is an issue and a love story, a thorny story that concerns mankind around the globe."With forty percussion instruments and two synthesizers on top of a standard orchestra, the opera is a grand production.

It also constantly uses pictures and video footage.

The story begins with fictional climatologist, Dr. David Adamson, giving a lecture on sustainability and threats to the environment.

His lecture is interrupted with scenes from the Bible, a supermarket, an airport and the 1997 Kyoto Conference.

Robert Carsen , the Director of the production, gives a brief introduction to the opera's construct:

"The construct of the opera is that Doctor David Adamson is giving a lecture about the problems of climate change. This lecture comes to life as he speaks in our show, and so we have…this happens very significantly through the use of video, because in his lecture he's looking, he's giving his lecture as people do nowadays from his little laptop computer, which he has open in front of him on a stand, and of course so, the conceit for our show is this computer actually becomes enormous and we are actually looking into it."Baritone Anthony Michaels-Moore, who plays Dr. Adamson, says he hopes the opera will have a positive impact:

"It's interesting artistically, I think it's very relevant to where we are in the world, nowadays, and I think if one person in the audience is affected in a positive way by what we present, then we will have succeeded."From the Biblical biting of the apple of the Garden of Eden taken out of the book of Genesis, to apple shelves inside a modern day supermarket, actors chant a flood of information on global warming.

But it's the ailing 'Mother Earth' - or 'Gaia' - that pulls the audience's heartstrings the most.

Opera singer, Jennifer Johnston who plays 'Gaia, talks about the significance of her role:

"My time on stage is quite short, but in that I tell the story of the Earth from prehistory, I mean, I sing about the dinosaurs, about the death of species, the mass extinction of species. So it encompasses most everything you can think of, and so I feel quite a responsibility to make sure that the audience hear the words properly."The opera runs till May 29.

For CRI, I'm Sophie Williams.

China-Nepal highway reopens after quake damageTraffic has resumed on a highway between China and Nepal after slide debris from the aftershock on Tuesday was finally cleared away.

Relief supplies for earthquake victims are already being transported on the re-opened route.

This is the second time the highway has been cleared of slide debris inside of a month.

About 500 members of China's armed traffic police force finished clearing the road on May 8th following the initial earthquake that struck on April 25th.

Last week's powerful aftershock buried sections of the road again.

The aftershock is blamed for nearly 140 deaths. The combined toll including the initial earthquake is over 8,400. More than a hundred thousand people have been injured.

Humanitarian Agency Raises Nepal Aid Appeal to $93 MlnThe Red Cross has raised its appeal for aid to quake-hit Nepal to 93 million US dollars.

The humanitarian agency revised its initial request for $35 million dollars after Tuesday's aftershock hit the Himalayan country.

Elhadj As Sy, secretary general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies called for a wider response.

"The reason is we had a second quake that exacerbated the situation that we found at the beginning, and areas which were not really affected became more affected. Some districts, where we are now registering with the second shake, up to 90 percent of all houses were destroyed."The strong quake that devastated Nepal on April 25 killed more than 8,000 people, while the second one that struck in the past week is blamed for nearly 140 more deaths.

So far over 1,000 Chinese military personnel and members of armed police forces are working in Nepal.

In some worst-hit villages, soldiers of the Chinese army have pitched tents, carried relief supplies, and provided medical services.

Chosang is one of the villagers in the quake-hit area, and expresses gratitude to the rescue teams for their efforts in reconstruction.

"We are most grateful to the road-repair team for their efforts. Now we can go to both Kathmandu and Zham."China's air force dispatched eight transport planes, three helicopters carrying relief supplies, and 190 pieces of heavy equipment.

Academics express support for Hong Kong's Basic LawProfessionals and scholars from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao have held a discussion on Hong Kong's Basic Law and constitutional development at a seminar to mark the 25th anniversary of the Basic Law.

Lau Siu Kai, vice chairman of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, says the central government has the final say on Hong Kong's constitutional development.

He adds that Hong Kong's democratic development should explore a path according to its own conditions.

"Hong Kong's democratic development can't only consider the appeals and needs of itself, but also the impact of democratization on the Chinese mainland and the whole country. So the central government and mainland compatriots are also the stakeholders in Hong Kong's democratic development."Meanwhile, a book named "Aspects of Hong Kong's Basic Law", compiled by 18 professionals from the mainland and Hong Kong, was also launched at the seminar.

WeatherBeijing will have thundershowers with a low of 16 overnight, while tomorrow has sunshine and a high of 30.

Shanghai, showers overnight and tomorrow with a low of 18, a high of 25.

Chongqing will also see showers with a low of 21, then cloudy with a high of 26.

Elsewhere in Asia,Kathmandu will see scattered showers with a high of 27,Islamabad, sunny, 46,Kabul, sunny, 28.

In Australia,Sydney will be overcast with a high of 21,Brisbane will see some showers, 23,Perth will have showers with a high of 20 degrees Celsius.

Headline NewsPresident Xi Meets with KerryChinese President Xi Jinping has met U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Beijing.

Kerry is on a two-day visit to China to advance U.S. priorities ahead of the Strategic and Economic dialogue in Washington later this year and President Xi's visit to Washington in September.

Yesterday, Kerry met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Premier Li urged the United States to handle and control disputes with China in a constructive manner.

Minister Wang Yi reasserted China's claims in the South China Sea after meeting with Kerry.

Chinese premier leaves Beijing for official visits to Latin American nationsChinese Premier Li Keqiang has kicked off official visits to Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Chile.

The premier's trip is aimed to explore the possibility of diversifying trade with Latin American countries and importing more high value products.

Li Keqiang is due to have talks with the leaders from the four countries in areas including bilateral industrial and technology cooperation, infrastructure development, building of FTAs, human resources training, and financial support.

China-Nepal highway reopens after quake damageTraffic has resumed on a highway between China and Nepal after slide debris from the aftershock on Tuesday was finally cleared away.

Relief supplies for earthquake victims are already being transported on the re-opened route.

This is the second time the highway has been cleared of slide debris inside of a month.

About 500 members of China's armed traffic police force finished clearing the road on May 8th following the initial earthquake that struck on April 25th.

Last week's powerful aftershock buried sections of the road again.

HK Customs seizes suspected cocaine at airportCustoms officers in Hong Kong have seized nearly two kilograms of a powder they believe to be cocaine.

The seizure at Hong Kong International Airport was announced today.

Officers say a lone suspect has been arrested, a man who arrived in Hong Kong from Bogota, Columbia after passing through Brazil and Singapore.

During customs clearance, officers found an empty laptop bag and two other empty bags in the man's suitcase, all of which seemed to be unusually heavy.

The 24 year old suspect is to be charged with drug trafficking and will make a court appearance on Monday.

Egypt hangs six Islamist militantsEgypt has executed six convicted Islamists militants.

The hanged Islamists were top leaders in the Beit al-Maqdis group.

They were convicted of killing soldiers and torching security premises on the Sinai Peninsula.

The group appeared after the ouster of Egypt's former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in June 2013.

It ran its terrorist operations against the army and police in restive Sinai.

The group has claimed responsibility for most of the anti-security attacks in Sinai and other cities in Egypt.

The executions today come a day after toppled Islamist president Morsi and top Brotherhood leaders were sentenced to death over a mass prison break in 2011.

Sci&TechAnchor:

It's time to check on what's happened in science and technology in the past week in our Weekly Sci-Tech feature.

China is now making preparations for the launch of the Chang'e-5 lunar probe. Researchers in the UK are warning that the ice-melt in the Antarctic is accelerating. And the world's first warm-blooded fish has been discovered.

Let's catch up with all that and more with our reporter Wenjie.

Reporter:

China will launch the Chang'e-5 lunar probe around 2017 from the southern province of Hainan, the final stage of the country's lunar exploration program.

Chang'e-5 is expected to return to earth with moon rocks.

Wu Weiren, chief designer of China's lunar exploration program, said a number of tests are underway.

"At present, the program of bringing samples from the moon is progressing well. The preparation work consists of three major parts. One is the construction of the launching site in Hainan which is proceeding well. The second is the development and tests of the large carrier rocket Long March-5. And the third is the development of the Chang'e-5 lunar probe."Wu said a series of large-scale tests are needed for the mission as it requires higher standards and capabilities from the carrier rocket and from the lunar probe.

"We have completed the test of separation of the Chang'e-5 probe and the carrier rocket. We also have a number of large-scale ground tests to be carried out. Besides, we have to carry out the compatibility test between the rocket and the launching base as well as the rocket and the probe."China successfully sent its first moon rover Yutu, or Jade Rabbit, to the moon in December two years ago.

The lunar exploration program began in 2007.

A group of Chinese scientists claim they have, for the first time, mapped out the migration routes of black-headed gulls, doing so with the aid of GPS trackers.

The gulls begin their northward journey from Kunming city in southwest China, flying through Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia.

The birds stop in Ningxia for more than two weeks before resuming their journey to the final destination in Siberia, Russia.

Experts used to rely on the recovery of bands from tagged birds to research the migration of black-headed gulls.

However, the information obtained through that method was very limited.

Last December, scientists put GPS trackers on 34 black-headed gulls.

Wu Heqi, a Ph.D with the Kunming Institute of Zoology, said they are now able to follow black-headed gulls more efficiently.

"The first is their migration route. Now we can see 17 to 19 routes northward. This is the first result. The second result is about their activities in Kunming, or their routine action while wintering here."May to July is the breeding season for black-headed gulls.

A team of medical experts in China and Australia have reported a breakthrough they say could lead to life-long immunity from the flu.

The experts have discovered what they call a flu-killing T-cell that memorizes strains of influenza and destroys them.

T-cells are regarded as the body's "army of hit men", which kill the cells infected by the virus.

The medical team began working together during the first outbreak of avian flu in China in 2013.

The breakthrough could lead to the development of a vaccine to fight all new influenza viruses.

It also could lead to a one-off universal flu-vaccine shot.

Researchers in the UK have found evidence that Antarctic ice is at risk from above and below, accelerating the possible break up of an ice sheet almost as big as Scotland.

The study, led by the British Antarctic Survey, was based on 15 years of satellite data and radar survey.

David Vaughan is the director of science at the British Antarctic Survey.

"The measurements that we've been making on Larsen C ice shelf have shown that the ice shelf itself is thinning. But we haven't known until now whether that thinning was occurring from the surface or from the (sea) bed - from the surface as a result of air-temperature changes, or underneath as a result of changes in the ocean circulation. The measurements that we've made have shown that both those effects are occurring - both the surface thinning and the base melting - this ice shelf is being attacked from two sides."Larsen C has lost an average of four metres of ice and had lowered by one metre at the surface.

Scientists are warning the melting of the iceberg would impose great risks to low-lying communities from the Pacific to Bangladesh.

Dr Paul Holland is the lead author with the British Antarctic Survey.

"If Larsen C ice shelf were to collapse, then we've got some 10 or 20 large glaciers that it's currently holding back. All of these glaciers would speed up, discharging ice from the land into the ocean, and this would draw down a huge amount of ice that's currently grounded, sitting on the Antarctic Peninsula, and turn it directly into sea-level rise."Meantime, scientists in Australia say that sea levels are rising faster than previously thought due to incorrect data taken from satellite readings.

Scientists compared the satellite readings with tide gauges that were placed in the sea.

The satellite readings showed that sea levels rose rapidly during the 1990s but slowed over the next decade, while the gauges tell a different story.

Experts said satellites overestimated the rate of sea level rise in the first six years of data collection, and that distorted the long-term projection.

The revised data predicts that sea level could rise as much as one metre in the next eight decades, putting more than 150-million lives at risk.

The world's largest hurricane simulator is now operational in the US State of Florida.

The 15 million US dollar wind and wave machine at the University of Miami resembles a giant aquarium, without the fish.

It's powered by a 17-hundred horsepower engine, which rolls the 38-thousand gallons of water it holds.

A fan attached to the machine then blows winds of 156-miles per hour to simulate a Category 5 Hurricane.

A model of a home is quickly drenched by crashing waves that resemble a real-life storm surge assaulting a coastal property.

Lead scientist Brian Haus says the tank's key purpose is to improve hurricane intensity forecasting.

"It's important to study and to measure what's happening, where the ocean and atmosphere meet in hurricanes, because we have no data from the field. It's really hard to get out there and make these measurements in nature. So we can measure in the laboratory, so that can help scientists to better understand what's happening."Researchers also hope to use the tank to explore how storms will damage homes and buildings along the US south coast.

Scientists have found the first warm-blooded fish in the world.

The fish, called Opah, or moonfish, generates heat by constantly flapping its wing-like fins.

Other fish like tuna can only warm certain regions of their body at key times to boost swimming speed.

The Opah weighs up to 90 kilograms and is about the size of a car tire.

Its oval body shape also helps prevent heat from being lost to the environment.

The Opah usually stays at depths of 50 to 400 meters, feeding on fish and squid.

Deep-water fish are usually relatively slow and sluggish.

However, the opah is more active, for the warm body gives the fish some distinct advantages, including faster swimming speeds and better eye and brain function.

And that brings us to the end of this week's science and technology report. Hope you will join us next week.

Thank you for your listening.

I'm Wen Jie.

SportsChina Wins Sixth Straight Sudirman CupIn badminton,China beat Japan 3-0 to win its sixth straight and 10th overall Sudirman Cup badminton title on Sunday.

Super star Lin Dan proved too strong for 25th-ranked Takuma Ueda, winning 21-15, 21-13 in men's singles.

London Olympics gold medalist Li Xuerui also got a win for China in women's singles, beating Akane Yamaguchi 23-21, 21-14.

In men's doubles, China's duo Zhang Nan and Fu Haifeng beat Hiroyuki Endo and Kenichi Hayakawa 21-17, 20-22, 21-17.

China took its first trophy in 1995.

In the past 20 years, South Korea is the only other nation with a cup win, coming in 2003.

Paris St Germain Clinch third French Title in A RowIn football,Paris St Germain clinched its third successive French title with a 2-1 win over Montpellier on Saturday.

PSG defender David Luiz says it's not easy to get this far.

"It is never easy. So we try to do our best in every match. Sometimes it is possible, sometimes it is not. But I'm very happy to be part of this club and our philosophy to play football and try to win every match so I am very happy with this."The win is the eighth in a row in the league for PSG this season.

Festivities following previous PSG victories have occasionally ended in violence, with serious clashes with riot police in 2013.

But the atmosphere on Saturday was relatively calm with police vans and officers deployed to keep the peace.

Steven Gerrard Says Farewell to Fans after Final Game at AnfieldIn other foobtall news,Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard bid farewell to the fans at Anfield after the 'Reds' were beaten 3-1 by Crystal Palace in his last home game for the club on Saturday.

Gerrard says he is thankful for a lot of people.

"I think first and foremost I'd like to thank everyone at the club who's helped me over the last 17 years from top to bottom. There's no order, there's too many people to name. I'd like to thank all my team-mates today in the squad, even the players that never got on, all the ex-players that I've played with over the years. They've made me the player that I am today."Gerrard has served Liverpool for 17 years in more than 700 matches.

The 34-year-old will make his final appearance for the club next Sunday playing against Stoke City.

After that, he will join the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer in the Summer.

NY Rangers Beat Tampa Bay 2-1 in Eastern Conference Final OpenerIn National Hockey League Playoff action,The New York Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final on Saturday.

With 2 minutes and 25 seconds left in regulation time, Dominic Moore scored the winner and his first goal of the postseason.

New York Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault says Moore means a lot to the team.

"Yeah I mean, Dom (Dominic Moore) has done a lot of good things for us throughout the season. To see him get that goal, benefit of that bounce, hard work pays off."The Rangers have won nine games this postseason and have seven victories by a 2-1 score.

Game 2 is Monday at Madison Square Garden.

England Cricket Team Weaker without PietersenIn cricket,Australia captain Michael Clarke says England will be a weaker side without batsman Kevin Pietersen.

Clarke was speaking before his departure for the Caribbean where Australia plays two Tests against the West Indies en route to England for the five-Test Ashes series.

"We go there soon to play against England so any team without Kevin Pietersen in it, I don't think is as strong, Like I say,　I think his statistics speak for themselves. He's been a wonderful player over a long period of time and he's obviously still in career best form."Pietersen was sacked by England last year following the 2013-14 trip to Australia during which he was accused of being disengaged from the team as the tourists crashed to a 5-0 defeat.

The 34-year-old has been England's most prolific batsman in all forms of the game.

But he was told last week he would not be part of the side for the Ashes this year.

The two test tour of the West Indies starts in Dominica on June 3rd.

Rory McIlroy Leads after Day ThreeIn golf,Britons James Morrison and David Howell share a two shot lead after the third round of the Spanish Open.

David Howell says he's had great fun this week.

"Yeah, very happy. Two weeks off, and that was a lot of fun, and so far this week's proved to be fun as well. So, delighted to be right in the mix again, if not in the (outright) lead, then within touching distance going into Sunday."Italy's Francesco Molinari is two strokes behind the joint leaders.

South African Darren Fichardt tied with Argentina's Emiliano Grillo in third place.

Elsewhere,Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy shot an 11-under-par round of 61 to take the third-round lead in the Wells Fargo Championship.

This was his lowest score as a professional.

Heading into the weekend, McIlroy is looking to become the first two-time winner of the event.

American Pharoah Wins the 140th Preakness StakesIn horse racing,American Pharoah moves closer to the Triple Crown title after comfortably winning the 140th Preakness Stakes on Saturday in Maryland.

Tale of Verve finished second and Divining Rod was third.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, American Pharoah followed up his victory in the Kentucky Derby with a win by more than five lengths in pouring rain.

The victory made him the 14th horse with a Triple Crown chance since Affirmed won it in 1978.

It also makes Victor Espinoza the first jockey in history with three opportunities to do it.

Espinoza says the win feels 'amazing.'

"Amazing because with all this rain that I had, I was freezing, I was just full of water - even my boots. It was like, I feel like I flooded in the water but it worked out well, you know I just changed it that I had to bounce out of there and, you know, take the lead because, you know, with all this rain that we have, everything, everything, all the plans changed but it worked out well."Espinoza rode California Chrome to victory in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness last year before losing the Belmont Stakes.

EntertainmentTrailer of Animated film "Tibetan Rock Dog" makes its debut on Cannes Film FestivalA two minutes long trailer of the Animated film "Tibetan Rock Dog" has made its debut at the 68th Annual Cannes Film Festival in France and its first international poster has been printed in "The Hollywood Reporter" magazine.

"Tibetan Rock Dog" is a 3D animated film adapted from the original comic book by Zheng Jun who is a famous rock star in China. The director of this film is a famous American animator, Ash Brannon, who also directed "Toy Story2".

The movie tells a story about a Tibetan mastiff called Polly, who becomes an orphan but grows up in a Buddhist temple in Tibet autonomous region. By chance, he is brought to Beijing by a pub owner. Polly becomes more and more interested in rock music. Then, he starts to pursue his dream of rock & roll, and endures many hardships along the way.

Audiences can also learn Chinese culture and history from this movie. It will have English and Chinese versions.

Documentary "Amy" Launched at the Cannes Film Festival"AMY", the biopic of the late singer Amy Winehouse by 'Senna' director Asif Kapadia held its world premiere on Saturday at the Cannes film festival.

The documentary shows the singer from an early age to her death in 2011 through home videos made by people around her.　"AMY" has faced some harsh criticism from Mitch Winehouse, Amy's father, who insisted he wanted to disconnect himself from the film.

The director talks about the idea and meaning behind his documentary.

"Really the film is about Amy. That was the idea. To show people who she was and what was going on in her life.　That was the intention.　It's kind of what we did.　She was honest, she was very straight, she was very frank and the film had to be honest to her and that's what we've tried to do.　The film has been well-received at the festival. 'AMY' is screening out of competition at the Cannes film festival.

'Pitch Perfect 2' eases past "Mad Max" for Massive $64 Mln debutWomen power is dominating the North American box office this weekend.

Elizabeth Bank's 'Pitch Perfect 2' grossed a stunning 28 million dollars on Friday, its opening day, putting the projection for this weekend at 64 million dollars.

The musical has easily beaten George Miller's "Mad Max: Fury Road", which opened to a weak 16 million dollars on Friday. The projection sits at 41 million dollars over the weekend.

The R level for Mad Max is blamed for its upset box office performance.

Considering Universal studio spent only 29 million dollars on Pitch Perfect 2, the sequel has proved to be a real bargain.

'Pitch Perfect 2' is also Bank's directorial debut, starring Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow and Rebel Wilson.

The new director says she will consider directing again if "fans embrace" the sequel.

First day of 2015 concert tour by Chinese Singer Zhou BichangFamous Chinese singer Zhou Bichang has started her 2015 concert tour in Guangzhou city.

The preparation of this concert has lasted for a year and Guangzhou city is the first stop of this concert tour.

She started the concert with the song "I Miss U Missing Me".

The big surprise for the fans at the show was the debut of her new song "About Us".

She also sang many well-known hits from her career including "Black Apple", "Blind Spot" and "Fish Can".

WeatherBeijing will have thundershowers with a low of 16 overnight, while tomorrow has sunshine and a high of 30.

Shanghai, showers overnight and tomorrow with a low of 18, a high of 25.

Chongqing will also see showers with a low of 21, then cloudy with a high of 26.

Elsewhere in Asia,Kathmandu will see scattered showers with a high of 27,Islamabad, sunny, 46,Kabul, sunny, 28.

In Australia,Sydney will be overcast with a high of 21,Brisbane will see some showers, 23,Perth will have showers with a high of 20 degrees Celsius.

That’s it for this weekend edition of the Beijing Hour.

A quick look at the headlines before we go...

The Chinese presidents cautions against distractions that could negatively affect the Sino-US relationship...

Premier Li Keqiang has departed China for a four-nation visit in South America, aiming to boost ties and trade...

And the final Chinese medical team dispatched to fight Ebola in Liberia has returned home...

In our Science & Technology roundup, preparing for the launch of the Chang'e 5 lunar probe...

On behalf of the Beijing Hour staffers, this is Shane Bigham in Beijing hoping you'll join us for the next edition of the Beijing Hour, and open a window to the world together.