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

Coming up on our program this morning...

Chinese premier Li Keqiang urges upgrading in the country's manufacturing sector to maintain the desired medium-high level of economic growth...

government leaders in Hong Kong are making last-ditch efforts to promote the passage of the city's constitutional reform package...

And Jeb Bush has formally announced his run for the US presidency...

In Business...massive gains in the last 12 months push Chinese stocks to a new all-time high in terms of combined value...

In Sports...updates on live scores from football's Women's World Cup, including China vs. New Zealand...

In entertainment...Chinese actress Li Bingbing promotes a new tourist attraction in Hong Kong...

Top NewsPremier Li urges high-level China manufacturingChinese Premier Li Keqiang has urged an upgrading of the manufacturing industry in order to ensure medium-high level economic growth in the country.

Premier Li made the remarks on Monday during an inspection visit to China Nuclear Power Engineering Co. and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Li Keqiang praised the Hualong One Technology, a domestically-developed third generation reactor design.

"You are making a treasure for the country. China is promoting its national plan 'Made in China 2025', which is aimed at accelerating China-made equipments' steps to go international and the development of clean energy. That will rely on our self-designed nuclear power station which will display our efforts to upgrade China's manufacturing industry."Li Keqiang says China must improve its manufacturing of high-tech equipment as well as that of ordinary consumer goods.

The premier also stressed that China needs to develop forms of green energy like nuclear energy.

Strengthening Energy Cooperation in One Belt One Road Regions: ExpertsAnchorThe Global Forum on Energy Security has opened in Beijing.

One of the hot topics is to enhance energy cooperation in the regions involved in China's "Silk Road" initiative.

CRI's Qian Shanming has more.

ReporterExperts at this year's forum highlight the role of regional energy infrastructure cooperation in building a more integrated and stable energy market.

Aiming to strengthen the energy cooperation in the countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt, they are calling for stronger effort for regional energy infrastructure interconnection.

Professor Cai Fang, from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, notes the China-proposed initiative is of great significance in enhancing energy security in China and the Asia-Pacific region.

"The One Belt One Road initiative is accordance with China's inland and maritime energy import passage, which will help strengthen the energy ties between China and the countries along the passage. It will also help promote regional integration and eliminate the development gap between nations, and the cradle for extremism and terrorism."Dr. Patrick Ho with the China Energy Fund Committee, believes the Silk Road initiative can bring more opportunities for cooperation in the field among Asian countries.

"By providing both technological and physical assistance to energy infrastructure development in Asian neighboring countries, the One Belt One Road strategy is expected to strengthen the capacity of less-developed countries in Asia to build up affordable access to more energy resources, and thus promote sustainable economic and social development."A report released by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences after the forum underscored the necessity of establishing regional energy markets in north-east Asia, central Asia and southeast Asia.

Liu Qiang, Secretary General of the forum, says that an energy trading hub in Caofeidian in north China can contribute to the formation of the northeast Asia market.

"We recommend the construction of northeast Asia's natural gas hub and related infrastructure. China's deep-water port Caofeidian has well-established energy infrastructure, and it is close to several oil fields. If the eastern section of China-Russia natural gas pipeline can be extended to Caofeidian, the port will be connected to the maritime energy channel."The report also calls for efforts to push forward with the construction of an energy pipeline between China and central Asia, and promotes grid and hydro power cooperation with members of the Association of South East Asian Nations.

For CRI, I'm Qian Shanming.

Uncertainty Looms over Hong Kong Electoral Reform VoteAnchorHong Kong's constitutional development plan will be put to a vote later this week at the Legislative Council.

A two-thirds majority is needed to approve the plan to allow Hong Kong's five million eligible voters to choose the region's Chief Executive by "one person, one vote" for the very first time in 2017.

Leading government officials of Hong Kong are making last-ditch efforts to appeal to opposition lawmakers to support the government's constitutional reform process.

More details from CRI's Qi Zhi.

Reporter:

The plan is due to be sent to the Legislative Council for review on Wednesday.

A vote will then follow, possibly on Thursday at the earliest.

Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam says a "no" vote will surely disappoint millions of Hong Kong citizens.

"If they reject this package, we will lose not only the chance to elect our chief executive through universal suffrage, but also the target of exploring how to elect all legislators through universal suffrage. I want to ask the opposition lawmakers: you have long been striving for a universal suffrage for both the chief executive and legislators. Now there is only one step away, will you give up it easily? Will you prefer to disappoint our millions of voters?"Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung says more Hong Kong people are supporting the government's reform package, citing a poll by the University of Hong Kong.

"People who support or believe they should support the constitutional reform package take up 50%, and those who are against it take up one third. This means, supporters are far more than the opponents. "The plan, submitted by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in April, requires two-thirds support or 47 out of 70 votes to pass.

Pro-government parties hold 43 seats to the opposition's 27.

Many Hong Kong citizens are hoping their voices can be heard.

"I believe the legislators have their own considerations based on their political attitudes. But they should also take a listen to our citizens and voters. ""If they do not pass this package, it looks like our Hong Kong citizens have only rice for each meal, without vegetables. But we want vegetables and we want soup."Many civil societies in Hong Kong, including the Federation of Industry and Commerce, have sent petitions to the SAR government, supporting the reform plan.

Opposition lawmakers had earlier tried to present their own reform plan, seeking to nominate the candidate for the Chief Executive by individuals or political parties.

But under Hong Kong's Basic Law, a candidate must be picked by a broadly representative nominating committee.

Hong Kong's Executive Council member Cheung Chi-kong believes opposition lawmakers are aware their plan is against the Basic Law and they are just venting their frustration through a veto.

"As a politician, one important thing is that you should have the right political judgment. The message here is very clear at this point. What you can do and can't do is right in front of your face. This is what you have to do. If you can't take that and make a decision that costs Hong Kong a great opportunity, the consequences are already clear for most people."Hong Kong has been dogged by protests and demonstrations over the electoral reform plan over the past year, undermining its rule of law and social harmony.

The government has been appealing for calm ahead of this week's vote on the plan.

A series of precautionary measures have also been put in place amid reports of possible massive protests during the legislative session.

For CRI, I'm Qi Zhi.

Hong Kong police arrest 9 suspects for making, storing explosives, gunsHong Kong police said on Monday they have arrested nine people, with some claiming relations with a local radical organization, and seized explosive materials and simulated guns.

The police seized explosive materials including primary high explosive TATP, computers, masks, leaflets and maps at different locations on Sunday.

The police displayed some of the seized items at a press conference on Monday and answered questions concerning the guns and their sales.

According to Hong Kong law, the highest punishment for people who are convicted of making or conspiring to make explosives is an imprisonment of 20 years.

Expert: Clearer Policies and Stronger Regulations Needed for Fujian Free Trade ZoneAnchorThe Fujian Free Trade Zone has topped the agenda at the 7th Straits Forum being held in the city of Xiaman in Fujian.

The Fujian FTZ is among the first batch of three zones launched this year following the opening of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone in 2013.

The new one mainly aims to strengthen the province's cooperation and economic ties with Taiwan and further open up its financial sector for foreign investment.

Experts suggest clearer polices and stronger regulations are needed for the FTZ in the future.

For more on this, Luo Yu caught up with with Dr. Guo Ye, professor and assistant dean of the school of Economics of Xiamen University.

Back anchorThat was Dr. Guo Ye, professor and assistant dean of the school of Economics of Xiamen University speaking with CRI's Luo Yu.

2015 China Food Safety Publicity Week Launched in BeijingAuthorities in China have launched a nationwide campaign to mark Food Safety Publicity Week.

The move is aimed at rebuilding public confidence in food safety, a sensitive issue for Chinese consumers, following a number of scandals in recent years.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang addressed the launch ceremony.

"China is a big country for food production and consumption. Violations of food safety law are still rampant in the current stage. The newly revised food safety law is the starting point of our actions. We should ensure the food safety of our people with the most rigorous standards, the most stringent regulations, the heaviest penalties for offenders, and the most serious accountability system. "Food Safety Publicity Week has been observed in China annually since 2011.

China's top legislature has adopted an amendment to the 2009 Food Safety Law with reportedly the heaviest penalties yet for offenders.

The new law is set to go into effect this October.

Supreme Court Published Model Cases to Further Protect Consumer RightAnchorChina's Supreme Court has published ten model cases on the protection of consumer rights, especially related to online shopping and prepaid cards.

CRI's Niu Honglin has more.

ReporterThe ten cases focus on products, such as food, health care goods, and cars; and services such as the installation of household appliances.

Sun Jungong, spokesman of the Supreme Court, says the newly amended consumer rights protection law has properly improved protecting consumers' legal rights.

"Since the new Consumer Rights Law took effect over one year ago, courts at different levels have cracked down on illegal acts such as selling fake and inferior products. They have also raised the cost of illegal operations. Actions like those are playing an important role in protecting consumers' rights."A typical case concentrates on a seller's false or misleading advertising. Leading Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi was sued last year by a consumer who accused the company of price gouging, saying he was charged 69 yuan for a mobile power supply even though it had been advertised at 49 on its website.

The court decided that Xiaomi deliberately attempted to deceive, and ordered the company to return the payment as well as pay punitive damages of 500 yuan.

Yang Linping, the president of the first civil court, adds that online consumers also have the right to "return the product in seven days without reasons".

"Online shopping is fast and efficient, but you cannot see the real entity. Therefore, consumers 'regret right' should be safeguarded."Yang Linping points out that consumers can now get compensation easier since the online shopping platform will now take greater responsibility.

"Online shopping platforms have the responsibility to provide consumers with the manufacture's address and contacts. If it refuses to do so, consumers can sue the platform and ask it to pay for their losses in advance."According to the new consumer rights law, e-shoppers can unconditionally return goods for refunds within seven days of transaction but requires them to pay logistics costs.

For CRI, I'm Niu Honglin.

MERS death toll in South Korea rises, but schools reopenAnchorTwo more people have died after contracting Middle East Respiratory Syndrome or MERS in South Korea, bringing the total to 16.

But a team of experts from the World Health Organization says the outbreak has already passed its peak and the number of new infections is gradually declining.

CRI's Poornima Weerasekara reports.

ReporterSouth Korean health officials confirmed that five more people had contracted the MERS virus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 150.

The South Korean outbreak is the largest outside of Saudi Arabia, with over 5,000 people still in quarantine.

Jeong Eun-kyeong, Head of South Korea's Center for Disease Control and Prevention says 17 of those infected are now in a critical condition.

"There are 150 confirmed patients. 120 are currently being treated, 14 have been discharged, and 16 have died. Compared to Sunday, there are five new cases, four discharged patients, and two deaths. 103 patients (86%) are in a stable condition, 17 are unstable."More than half of all these infections have been traced to one of the largest hospitals in the capital Seoul.

The Samsung Medical Center has come under fire after authorities discovered that more than 70 people had been infected due to lapses in emergency protocols at the hospital.

In one incident, an emergency ward orderly was allowed to work for days after developing symptoms and had possibly come into contact with more than 200 people.

The hospital was shut down on Sunday.

There are also concerns about the spread of the virus into the southern port city of Busan.

One of the latest victims to die from MERS related complications was a 62-year-old man from Busan, who returned home after being infected in Seoul.

Health authorities have dispatched a team of experts to Busan to monitor the mass quarantine efforts in the region.

Despite the increase in the number of infections, hundreds of schools across the country that had been closed for a week have reopened to students.

A parent says she is concerned about the safety about her child.

"I'm a little worried about classes resuming. But, I hope our children can enjoy school life again in a secure environment."A team of experts from the World Health Organization who have been evaluating South Korea's response to the deadly outbreak say there is no need for alarm. They say that nearly a month into the outbreak it is showing signs of slowing down.

The MERS virus is considered a deadlier but less infectious cousin of the severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS, which killed hundreds of people when it appeared in Asia in 2003.

The outbreak has stalled South Korea's economy and resulted in over 100,000 canceled tourist visits to the country. President Park Geun-hye has also seen her approval ratings plummet.

For CRI I'm Poornima Weerasekara.

Jeb Bush announces 2016 presidential bidAnchorFormer Florida governor Jeb Bush has officially joined the 2016 presidential race.

He announced his bid for the Republican Party nomination on Monday, vowing to "fix" Washington and bring economic growth and opportunity for everyone.

Our Washington chief correspondent Xiaohong has the story.

AnnTo the roar of supporters, Jeb Bush tossed his hat to the ring by announcing his 2016 bid.

"And I've decided I'm a candidate for president of the United States of America."The former Florida governor criticized President Obama, saying that "the presidency should not be passed on from one liberal to the next".

"We don't need another president who merely holds the top spot among the pampered elites of Washington. We need a president willing to challenge and disrupt the whole culture in our nation's capital. And I will be that President."The established governor cited his achievements in Florida to convince people that he can do it at Federal level.

"We made Florida number one in job creation and number one in small business creation: 1.3 million new jobs, 4.4% growth, higher family income, eight balanced budgets, and tax cuts eight years in a row that saved our people and businesses $19 billion."Strong support comes from the candidate's family. 90-year-old mom Barbara Bush was there to show her support.

Jeb currently stands second in the 11-men Republican team, just behind Marco Rubio, also from Florida.

Xiaohong, CRI, Washington DC.

Warring Parties of Yemeni Conflict Meet in GenevaUnited Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Yemen to allow life-saving assistance into the country and provide respite as the holy month of Ramadan begins on Thursday.

"I have emphasized the importance of having this, another humanitarian pause, at least, at least of two weeks. The Ramadan begins after two days, Ramadan, traditionally, is a period where people pray for peace, reflection and harmony, reconciliation. So people of Yemen should be able to enjoy this kind of peace."Different sides of the Yemeni conflict are now meeting in Geneva, the first consultations involving the warring parties since hostilities resumed.

Yemen's foreign minister Reyad Yassin rejects the truce unless the Iran-backed Houthi group agrees to withdraw from towns and cities they currently control.

"A ceasefire for what? If there are still occupying Yemen, if they are still killing innocent people, if they are still destroying everything, what kind of ceasefire? We give them a chance before couple of weeks, for six days, and they use it to exaggerate their offense, attacks against the civilians."Seif al Washli, a Houthi representative, insists that Saudi Arabia should first stop its air-strikes.

"The issue of the withdrawal is an internal Yemeni issue. It's between them and they can come to an understanding. But the issue of Saudi Arabia stopping the war or lifting the siege only if these conditions are met, as far as the Yemenis are concerned this is unacceptable."The Saudi-led alliance has been carrying out air strikes in Yemen for nearly three months, trying to restore exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and repel the Houthis.

The closed-door peace talks are expected to last two to three days but possibly longer.

Syrian and Iraqi Refugees Cross into TurkeyTurkish officials say around 18,000 Syrian and Iraqi refugees have crossed into Turkey in the past days, after Syrian Kurds took position in the suburbs of Tel Abyad, which is held by the Islamic State.

The town is on the border with Turkey, and has been a strategic asset for militants to smuggle oil and weapons.

Turkish government spokesperson Bulent Arinc indicates the ongoing fighting near the border is the main reason so many refugees are crossing into Turkey.

"If it is a matter of life, as you have seen today, Turkey opens its doors, we have taken 18 thousand people, although it is not a desirable. But this is not a sustainable situation. Turkey is the only country opening its doors to victims, sufferers. It should be seen that these people cause some negative changes in the society apart from its financial burden"The refugees crossing into Turkey also include Iraqis sheltering in Syria.

WeatherBeijing will see thundershowers with a high of 31 degrees Celsius.

Overnight temperatures should drop down to 22.

Shanghai will see heavy rain with a high of 24 and a low of 22.

In Chongqing, it will have moderate rain during the daytime with a high of 25 and lows of 23.

Elsewhere in the world, staying here in Asia,Kathmandu, slight rain, 29.

Islamabad will have slight rain with a high of 38.

Kabul will be cloudy with a high of 28.

Over to North America,New York will see slight rain with a high of 28 degrees.

Washington, overcast with a high of 31 degrees.

Honolulu, cloudy, 28.

Toronto will be overcast with a high of 18 degrees.

Finally, on to South America,Buenos Aires will be cloudy with a high of 16.

And Rio de Janeiro will see slight rain with a high of 21 degrees Celsius.

Headline newsChina rejects U.S. Charges on HackingChina has again rejected Washington's accusations that Chinese hackers stole sensitive US military information.

Earlier this month, databases containing standard personnel records of government employees were hacked.

Several U.S. senators have said the attack came from China.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman has stressed that such accusations are groundless.

The spokesman further noted that the US should clarify its own cyber issues before accusing other countries.

Hong Kong police arrest 9 suspects for making, storing explosives, gunsHong Kong police say they have arrested nine people, with some claiming relations with a local radical organization, and seized explosive materials and simulated guns.

The police seized explosive materials including primary high explosive TATP, computers, masks, leaflets and maps at different locations on Sunday.

The police displayed some of the seized items at a press conference on Monday and answered questions concerning the guns and their sales.

Under Hong Kong's law, people who are convicted of making or conspiring to make explosives can face up to 20 years in prision.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush announces 2016 presidential bidFormer Florida Governor Jeb Bush has announced his bid for the Republican nomination for the presidency of the United States.

Bush joins an already crowded field of contenders and has vowed to fix what he calls a "dysfunctional Washington" if he wins election in November of next year.

The former two-term governor of Florida is the brother of President George W. Bush and son of President George H. W. Bush.

He is already projected as a front-runner among Republicans but fares no better than Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, the undisputed front-runner among candidates in her party.

Sudan's al-Bashir returns to Khartoum after AU summit in S. AfricaSudanese President Omar al-Bashir has returned to Khartoum after attending the African Union summit in South Africa, defying a court order preventing him from leaving the country on an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.

Bashir is wanted for allegedly committing war crimes connected to the Darfur conflict.

At the summit, the African Union declared that the ICC's warrant violated related international laws.

African leaders were also deliberating a proposal which would urge the ICC to suspend all cases against sitting presidents.

Indonesian Authorities Warn High Level for Volcanic ActivityThousands of people in Indonesia have been evacuated from the area near one of the country's most active volcanoes.

Mount Sinabung had a strong eruption two days earlier and scientists say volcanic activity remains high.

Local authorities have rated Mount Sinabung at the highest level for volcanic activity.

No casualties were reported from the eruption as residents living around the area were all evacuated.

Biz reportsAnchorFirst, a quick check on the closing numbers across North America and Europe.

Our reporter Sophie Williams.

Reporter:

U.S. stocks continued to drop Monday as a breakdown in Greece bailout talks weighed on market sentiment.

The two-day talks in Brussels between representatives of the Greek government and its creditors over the prerequisites for the disbursement of further aid to Greece broke up after less than an hour on Sunday.

At Monday's closing bell.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.6 percent.

The S&P 500 lost half a percent.

The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 0.4 percent.

Dampening investor sentiment, U.S. industrial production came out negative.

The index, an indicator of mines, factories and utilities output, decreased 0.2 percent in May as the Federal Reserve reported on Monday.

Over in Europe, shares also suffered big losses after the news from Greece.

British benchmark FTSE 100 decreased 1.1 percent.

Germany's benchmark DAX index slumped by nearly 2 percent.

The French stock market benchmark index CAC 40 continued its losing streak in the previous trading day, decreasing 1.8 percent.

Back to you Shane.

Value of China's Stocks Rises above $10t, Margin Debt Reaches New RecordAnchorData compiled by Bloomberg shows the value of Chinese stocks has risen above 10 trillion U.S. dollars for the first time, an increase of 6.7 trillion U.S. dollars in 12 months.

The gain alone is more than the 5 trillion U.S. dollars over the size of Japan's entire stock market.

The US stock market is the largest in the world, valued at almost 25 trillion U.S. dollars.

Valuations are now the highest in five years and margin debt has climbed to a record, despite the economy being mired in its weakest expansion since 1990.

The Shanghai gauge has rallied 152 percent in the past 12 months and trades at about 26 times reported earnings.

The Shenzhen Composite Index, tracking stocks on the smaller of the Chinese mainland's two exchanges, trades at 77 times profits after surging 194 percent.

For more on the value of China's stocks market, we are joined on the line by Gao Shang, analyst with Guantong Futures.

Talking points:

Q1: What factors have contributed to the Chinese stock market's massive bullish rally in the past 12 months?

Q2: Do you think the bullish run is a bubble or it is likely to maintain sustainable growth in the long run?

Q3: Margin debt has climbed to a record, which means more and more individual investors are using borrowed funds to invest in the stock market. What potential risks does this pose to the economy generally?

==Back anchor==That is Gao Shang, analyst with Guantong Futures.

Chinese Investors Show Little Interest in Buying CDsChinese investors showed little interest in buying credit of deposit, or CD, on its first day of sale in China.

CD is a bank-issued financial product highlighting safety.

The staff at a branch of China City Bank in Beijing said that fewer people than what had been expected came to buy CD, and most only wanted to enquire rather than place an order.

Dou Ling is manager of the Jingcheng Tower Branch of China City Bank.

"So far we have sold three CDs. Today we have received applications from 10 clients,"The banks attributed the weak interest in CD to the currently bullish capital market, which is attracting investors seeking lucrative returns.

However, as CD is insured by banks and virtually risk-free, the financial product still attracted some attention, especially from elderly investors who value safety as a top priority.

"I just want to look and understand what the product is all about, and what are the differences between CDs and funds,""It is much safer to deposit money in a bank, and CD makes a few thousand yuan more than bank savings annually,"Nine major banks, including the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and the Bank of Communications, officially started to sell CDs on Monday.

Insiders say the move is a key step in China's market-oriented reform of interest rates.

China's Legend Holdings Corporation announces IPO in Hong KongLegend Holdings Corporation, parent company of the world's largest PC maker, Lenovo, has announced details of its global offering.

The company says it will raise nearly 2 billion U.S. dollars in an IPO scheduled for June 29 on the Hong Kong stock exchange.

Other than being the largest shareholder of PC and smartphone maker Lenovo, Legend Holdings has also invested in real estate, finance, agriculture and chemicals.

Based in Beijing, the company also runs venture capital fund Legend Capital and private equity firm Hony Capital.

China's largest crowdsourcer raises record fundsChina's largest crowdsourcing platform Zhubajie.com received a cash injection of 2.6 billion yuan, about 425 million US dollars, on Monday, the largest of its kind in China's service industry.

The fund is also considered the largest Internet-related investment in western China.

Zhubajie.com is a website which provides design and construction and has 13 million registered users and an accumulated turnover of 6.5 billion yuan.

Its founder and CEO Zhu Mingyue says the site will be worth more than 10 billion yuan.

It failed to be listed in Nasdaq in 2011, but Zhu says the massive injection of money will speed up its IPO process on a local bourse.

China's Ping An Leasing to buy 50 C919 aircraftState-run Ping An Leasing, a subsidiary of Ping An Insurance of China, announced it had signed an accord to purchase 50 Comac C919 aircraft to improve the aircraft leasing business.

The accord was signed during the first day of the 51st International Paris Air Show which began Monday.

Ping An said the purchase was important to promote their aircraft leasing business and realize its scale and brand operation.

As for Comac, the new order boosted confidence for China's home-grown aircraft.

Russian Central Bank lowers key interest rate to 11.5 pctThe Russian Central Bank on Monday lowered its key interest rate by one percentage point to 11.5 percent, the fourth cut this year.

The move is considered to be an easing cycle that came after it raised interest rates dramatically in December to 17 percent.

Considering the weakening inflation risk in a cooling economy, the bank said it would continue to lower key rates in the next few months.

However, the bank also warned that "the bottom of economic recession has not yet been passed," saying that annual economic growth will only resume around the middle of next year.

The Russian central bank set its 2015 GDP forecast to a decline of 3.2 percent from the 3.5 to 4 percent previously predicted.

SportsChina vs. New Zealand in WWCStarting things off with some live football action,China's women's national team is taking on New Zealand for the third group match at the Women's World Cup.

Coach Hao Wei says they will take a different approach to tackle this game.

"Our team is making obvious progress on a daily basis. In terms of strategy we will make some adjustments in terms of the line-up and I believe we will do an even better job."Hao's New Zealand counterpart Tony Readings says China is not to be underestimated.

"In some of the other groups you get teams that are a lot stronger and can maybe not perform as well and win, but in this game it's going to be who performs the best on the day will win and we've prepared as well as we can and we're hoping that's obviously going to be us."China is now ranked second in Group A with 3 points.

A win will guarantee China a place in the last 16.

SEA Games resultsMore football action,Defending champions Thailand took out Myanmar 3-0 to win at the SEA Games in Singapore.

More results from the Games,Thailand also clinched victory in the women's volleyball final.

The Philippines won the men's basketball gold against Indonesia,And Myanmar, Thailand are winners in the men's and women's sepak takraw doubles.

China AB teams victorious at Snooker World Cup openersThe Snooker World Cup is being held in the eastern Chinese city of Wuxi.

Defending champions and hosts China have four players and two teams in the tournament. Both teams emerged victorious in their first group game.

Ding Junhui/Xiao Guodong teamed up for China A and defeated India 3-2,Zhou Yuelong/Yan Bingtao made up China B and beat Ireland 4-1.

The 24 teams are divided into four groups, with each team playing five games. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the knock-out rounds.

He Chong to miss Kazan Swimming World ChampionshipsBeijing Olympic diving champion He Chong has been dropped from China's squad for the Kazan Swimming World Championships.

He missed the cut due to poor performances in the two qualification competitions.

But his brother He Chao will compete in the men's 3-meter springboard and the men's 1-meter springboard.

Two time women's 10-meter platform Olympic champion Chen Ruolin will only take part in the synchro 10-meter platform in Kazan as she also underperformed in the singles events in the two trials.

Tennis results from Halle, Aegon ChampionshipIn tennis,World number two Roger Federer toiled to beat Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 in the first round at the ATP Halle.

After winning a set each, Federer wasted two match points in the deciding set and narrowly escaped defeat.

Federer, who has seven titles at Halle, is just happy that he made it through.

"It was close. I am very pleased that I got through. First I thought I was very unlucky because I wasted two match points at 5-4, 15-40 then I saved a break point at five all so it has been really a roller-coaster at the end and my nerves are still going crazy. So I am just happy that I can go for the defence of the title again."Elsewhere,Rafael Nadal is preparing for the Aegon Championship in London.

With local favorite Andy Murray and the new French Open champion Stan Wawrinka also in the field, Nadal is expecting a tough time.

"Well, it's always been a very tough tournament here. It's obvious being a 500 event, it's crazy hard. So difficult, no one player is easy on the draw. Every player is very difficult and the first round for me will be tough against Dolgopolov. I need to be ready for everything."Nadal begins his campaign against Alexandr Dolgopolov on Tuesday.

Some results from the tournament,Kevin Anderson beat Lleyton Hewitt,Richard Gasquet overcame Simone Bolelli,And also through are Fernando Verdasco and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

Germany biggest winner on day four at European GamesGermany was the biggest winner on day four at the European Games in Azerbaijan.

They grabbed three gold medals, two silver and a bronze.

Germany beat the Netherlands 3-2 to win the women's team table tennis.

It was the first table tennis gold medal at the European Games.

Max Hoff and Sebastian Brendel won the men's Kayak Single 1000 meter and Canoe,Germany's two silvers came in women's Kayak-Four 500 meter and men's doubles event Kayak Two.

And they took bronze in the Canoe Double.

After four days, Russia is at the top of the medal tally with nine golds, two silvers and four bronzes.

EntertainmentLi Bingbing attends New Titanic Launch in Hong KongLi Bingbing was in Hong Kong on Monday to promote new tourist attraction called the 'New Titanic'.

The 'New Titanic', a replica of the Titanic which sank in the North Atlantic Ocean is being built in Sichuan province where tourists can experience the luxury it was known for. Guests will even be able to experience a simulation of what it may of felt like when the ship hit the iceberg.

Li was joined at the launch by actor Julian Cheung where the actress heaped praised on him and his wife Anita Yuen. She recalled their first collaboration together.

" I don't really remember the exact year. (Yuen) was already very very popular.　She was huge.　So, she decided to go to my school, the "Shanghai Theater Academy" to further her performance studies. She chose my teacher and my class. Me and a few other students were assigned to act in a scene with her. We were so excited"Presales of tickets for 'New Titanic' have already gone on sale however the ship doesn't open until August 2017.

Actor Depardieu intervened to get FIFA Film Screened at CannesIt's been revealed that actor Gerard Depardieu personally intervened to persuade the Cannes Film Festival to show the FIFA funded movie United Passions in 2014.

In an interview with Associated Press, Cannes director Thierry Fremaux said he initially rejected the movie thinking it unworthy of the famous film festival.

But Depardieu who plays World Cup creator Jules Rimet in the film, pressured the organizers to rethink. They agreed to let it be shown in the open air on a beach which meant marketers could attach the prestigious Cannes name to trailers and posters.

The movie bombed on its release this month in the US, taking only $900 in an opening weekend at 10 theaters. In France, it went straight to DVD and was released in only a handful of other countries.

FIFA largely bankrolled the $30 million movie about soccer's governing body, the growth of its World Cup tournament and Blatter's rise to power as FIFA president.

Extender trailer released for upcoming Terminator movieAn extended teaser trailer has been released for the upcoming Terminator Genisys movie.

The latest installment in the Terminator series sees John Connor continuing to lead the war against Skynet in 2029. Connor sends his loyal soldier Kyle back in time to 1984 to save his mother Sarah but the pair are forced to join forces with the Terminator to tackle a larger threat.

James Cameron, the co-writer and director of the first two Terminator films has given his endorsement to the film describing it as the true third film in the series.

Arnold Schwarzenegger reprises his role as the Terminator after skipping the 2009 installment.

Terminator Genysis is released in the US on July 1.

Forest Whitaker joins cast of Star Wars Anthology: Rogue OneForest Whitaker has joined the cast of Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One.

The film, which is a spin off of the main Star Wars trilogy follows a band of raiders as they try to hijack the Empire's Death Star base.

According to Variety, Whitaker has agreed to a role in the film however it's unclear what this role will be.

Felicity Jones is expected to play a rebel raider in the spinoff.

A screenplay for the project is currently being penned by Chris Weitz who was behind The Twilight Saga: New Moon.

Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One is due for release in December next year.

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

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

The premier urges upgrading in China's manufacturing sector to maintain the desired medium-high level of economic growth...

government leaders in Hong Kong are making last-ditch efforts to promote the passage of the city's constitutional reform package...

And Jeb Bush has formally announced his run for the US presidency...

In Business...massive gains in the last 12 months push Chinese stocks to a new all-time high in terms of combined value...

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