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

Coming up on the program this evening...

Japan's national security adviser arriving in Beijing....

Chinese Foreign Minister hoping Iranian deal opens up new prospects for cooperation between China and Iran...

And Japanese parliament's lower house approving a series of security bills...

In Business.... Hong Kong Securities Watchdog Requiring Hanergy Shares to Stay Frozen....

In Sports.... Senior Sports Official is Removed after Graft Probe....

And in Entertainment...Chinese music label bringing its music festival to Helsinki, Finland......

Top NewsJapan's national security adviser in BeijingChina's top diplomat, State Councilor Yang Jiechi has met the head of Japan's National Security Council Shotaro Yachi on Thursday in Beijing.

An earlier statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry says both sides will exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

Shotaro Yachi is in China from Thursday to Saturday for a high-level political dialogue.

Yang Bojiang, deputy director of the Institute of Japanese Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, has commented on the development of China-Japan relations upon the occasion of Shotaro Yachi's visit.

"Even if we cannot resolve all the specific issues in bilateral ties, it will still be a big progress if the two sides can agree to further negotiate on the related issues."Chinese vice president meets Japanese orphans raised by Chinese familiesAnchorChinese Vice President Li Yuanchao has met with a group of war-displaced Japanese orphans who were raised by Chinese families after the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

CRI's Niu Honglin has more.

Reporter :

Meeting with around 50 representatives of the group in Beijing, Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao first shares his personal experience, saying a teacher from his childhood was also a Japanese "left-behind orphan", and was raise by a Chinese worker.

Li says he believes this kind of story sets a good example for the two countries' future relationship.

I'm very happy that you're all working actively to promote friendship between China and Japan. Just now, I've recognized some old friends who I've seen many times and have built good friendship with.

Many among the group point out that peace and friendship between China and Japan should always be cherished and upheld.

Ikeda Sumie is the director general of a Tokyo support group for the Japanese returned from China. Her Chinese still has the obvious accent of Northeast China.

"Coming back when my parents were still alive made me feel happy and warm, like being back home. Now, my parents have both passed away, but the local government's kindness has also touched my heart and made me happy. We do still feel like this is home and we want to come back more."Abandoned by their birth parents during the hasty retreat at the end of World War II in 1945, the orphans were taken in and raised by the Chinese residents of those northeastern provinces.

Before visiting Beijing, the group reunited with their foster families in Harbin of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Many of them said Japan is the motherland, but China is the hometown.

Noting that China will mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression this year, Li Yuanchao says China is willing to push for the improvement of China-Japan relations.

For most of the past 2000 years, China and Japan have always lived in peace and learned from each other. But the war of aggression Japan launched has made both Chinese people and Japanese people suffer. For China, in dealing with relations between us, we've always insisted on separating the Japanese people and Japanese militarism.

By the end of WWII, more than 4,000 children were left behind by their fleeing parents. Most of them returned to Japan in search of their families after 1972, when diplomatic relations between China and Japan were restored.

For CRI, I'm Niu Honglin.

Chinese FM hopes Iranian nuke deal opens up new prospects for cooperation between China, IranChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has expressed hope that the implementation of the landmark Iran nuclear deal will open up new prospects for cooperation between China and Iran.

Speaking in Vienna, Wang Yi admitted that China-Iran ties have been affected by the Iranian nuclear issue.

But he adds the traditional friendship and highly complementary economic ties between the two countries are the basis of their cooperation.

He says Iran played a pivotal role in the historic Silk Road, and he hopes Iran will soon take part in the "Belt and Road" initiatives proposed by China.

"Both the Iranian leaders and communities speak highly of the 'One Belt, One Road' initiatives proposed by President Xi, and want to actively participate in the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt. We hope we can open up new prospects for cooperation between China and Iran through the implementation of the nuclear agreement."At the same time, the Chinese Foreign Minister says China will play an important role in the modification of Iran's Arak heavy water reactor, one of the core issues in the nuclear negotiation.

"We've decided that the six parties will set up a joint work group co-chaired by China and the United States. As China has put forward the idea of the modification of the Arak heavy water reactor, we would promote this process while enhancing communication with Iran."Wang Yi says the idea of the modification of the Arak facility was the unique role China played in resolving the Iranian nuclear issue.

Japan's Ruling Coalition Approves to Expand Military RoleAnchor:

Japan's ruling coalition has approved a series of controversial security bills in the lower house amid strong public opposition.

The move marks the most significant overturn of the nation's "purely defensive" defense posture.

CRI's XYee has more.

Reporter:

The bills are proposed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of which he is a member.

It allows the Japanese government to deploy Japan Self-Defense Forces, or SDF, abroad to engage in armed conflicts overseas and help defend others even if Japan is not attacked, or exercise the right to collective defense.

Teng Jianqun, a researcher with the China Institute of International Studies explains further.

"Under the bills, Japan can dispatch its Self-Defense Forces overseas to directly engage in armed conflicts without any time and space limits. Japan has changed its military's defensive nature. This violates Article 9 of the pacifist Constitution, which bans the Self-Defense Forces from combating abroad and using the collective defense right".

Jun Okumura, a political analyst with the Meiji Institute for Global Affairs, says the security bills go against Japan's constitution.

"Most of Japan's constitutional scholars strongly believe that the interpretations are unconstitutional and it has caused more general, broader fear among the Japanese public. It is not a constitutional interpretation in the whole. It is a complex of legislation and could somehow drive Japan into a war."Ruan Zongze, vice president of the China Institute of International Studies says that Abe's act could seriously harm Sino-Japanese relations.

"Earlier some media reported that Abe clearly stated that his proposal of the security bills is aimed at China. He takes the approval of security bills as a method to counter China. This move won't help improve the current Sino-Japanese relationship or strengthen bilateral cooperation."The bills will now be handed to the upper house for discussion.

The ruling camp enjoys two thirds of seats in the lower house.

This means that if the upper house vetoes the bills, they could also be enacted in a new poll in the lower house by securing over two thirds of support.

The forcible passage of the bills followed a protest of over 100,000 people around the Diet building after the bills were passed in a special committee at the lower house on Wednesday.

The latest poll released Tuesday showed that about 56 percent of the Japanese population opposed the bills, while only 26 percent showed their support.

For CRI, I'm XYee.

Most Japanese Think Security Bills UnconstitutionalHundreds of protestors have attended a rally in Tokyo on Thursday as Japan's lower house of parliament approved legislation that will allow an expanded role for the nation's military.

Katsuya Okada, leader of opposition Democratic Party of Japan, says the revisions violate Japan's pacifism.

"If we allow the security bills to be forced through without much debate, Japan will be taking a very big step towards becoming a country, as envisioned by the LDP (Liberal Democratic Party), that can easily use military power abroad."　Kokuta Keiji, a lower house member of the Japanese Communist Party who opposes the bills, says that Abe and members of the ruling party have ignored the questions they have posed about the constitutionality of the bills.

"They cannot directly answer my questions. If they were to answer my questions, the flaws in the bills would become apparent. The Liberal Democratic Party and government's approach has been to say something to change the subject or delay the discussion. These non-committal responses alarm people who reflect on what happened during the Second World War."Yoo Chang-ho with South Korea's Foreign Ministry also says they will not accept Japan's new security bills if they negatively affect their national interest.

"The South Korean government's position on Japan's defence policy is that Japan should adhere to the spirit of peaceful constitution and discuss the issue in a transparent way that contributes to maintaining peace and stability. Particularly, we are in a firm, consistent position that does not accept any policy terms (negatively) affecting our state interests."The legislation now moves to the upper chamber of parliament for further debate and a vote within 60 days.

China expresses concern after Japan's passage of security billsThe passing of the controversial security bill in Japan's lower house has prompted China's Foreign Ministry to release a new statement.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying has called on Japan to respect the major security concerns of its neighboring countries and not do anything that could damage China's security interests.

Hua also notes that people are justified to question whether Japan will give up its defense posture, or change from the peaceful development path it has followed since the end of World War II.

Hua urges Japan to draw lessons from history and stick to the path of peaceful development.

70 years since US tests world's first atomic bombToday marks the 70th anniversary of the world's first atomic bomb test by the US government.

The test was conducted over a remote stretch of desert in the state of New Mexico, on July 16, 1945. A flash of light and a thunderous shockwave followed as a mushroom cloud soared around 11.5 kilometres into the air. The blast could be seen from kilometers away, but the government released no information about the atomic test until the bomb was used on Japan, during World War II.

A previous study done by the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that exposure rates near the Trinity Site were thousands of times higher than allowed.

Tina Cordova, an Albuquerque resident who heads the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, a group dedicated to compiling data of community members diagnosed with cancer, says it's time for recognition and compensation.

She has been fighting for years to bring attention to what she says are the high cancer rates among residents in the counties surrounding the site, which she believes are linked to the test of the world's first atomic bomb.

"We were never given the opportunity to do anything to protect ourselves before or after. What we want as 'downwinders' is, number one, recognition by the US government that they did this to us, that they came here, that they performed this test and that they walked away and left us for 70 years to deal with it on our own."Troops sent to escaped Mexican drug lord's hometownMexican soldiers have been deployed in the municipality of Badiraguato, where drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was born, as part of efforts to re-capture him.

This comes after video footage was released showing Guzman acting normally in his cell before his escape.

Investigation showed that he used a motorcycle to further his escape along the mile-long tunnel which was connected to his cell.

National Security Commissioner Monte Alejandro Rubido says security forces are hard at work to find the drug kingpin.

"All the security forces of the state of Mexico work in a coordinated manner to try to achieve quickly the capture of Guzman Loera. In this sense, the government of the Republic reiterates its commitment to continue to inform the people promptly over the activities taking place for this objective."Meanwhile, dozens of prison workers have been questioned about the escape. Authorities have said some officials must have helped Guzman.

The escape of Guzman, Mexico's most notorious drug lord, is a major embarrassment for President Enrique Pena Nieto, and it's also the second time the drug kingpin has broken out of prison.

Greek Parliament Approves Bailout BillThe Greek Parliament has passed measures for a third bailout - despite protests and fierce opposition.

In a late night vote in Athens, MPs have pushed through further austerity in order to begin negotiations with creditors and release billions of euro of bailout funds.

Dan Whitehead reports from Athens.

Reporter:

For hours in the Greek Parliament, exchanges were heated.

MPs from all sides, keen to have their say on the austerity measures being voted on.

The speaker of the Parliament described what had been put upon Greece as a "crime against humanity" - a "social genocide".

While MPs voted, protesters gathered outside, unhappy at the cuts being voted through.

"I think that it is clearly a nearly memorandum, it is the harshest ever actually, unfortunately it is voted for by government, proposed by government, that voted for austerity to be kicked out. So apart from imposing new measures that will suppress our lives further it also creates disorientation among people and workers who have hope".

There were some violent scenes, with petrol bombs thrown at riot police, and tear gas fired in return.

But the majority of protestors were peaceful.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, 229 MPs voted YES to pushing through tough austerity measures, with 64 rejecting the plan.

Valdis Dombrovskis who is the European Commission Vice President for the Euro and Social Dialogue, says what is needed now is stability in Greece.

"As you know the Greek economy is back in recession, the banking system is on the verge of collapse and the Greek state is building up outstanding payments. THe economic problems in Greece are taking their toll with serious social consequences. What Greece needs now is stability and confidence. Once financial stability is restored the country can once again look towards economic recovery job opportunities, and a better future particularly for the most vulnerable.

The vote has seen Alexis Tsipras's Syriza Party split, with many of his MPs voting against the deal he secured with Europe.

The coming days will tell whether he and his party can survive.

For CRI, I'm Dan Whitehead in AthensSouth Africa VP Hopes to Learn China's Experience of IndustrializationAnchor:

South Africa is looking to China as a model in its process of re-industrialization.

The comment was made by the South African Deputy President in Beijing, before leaving for Qingdao, the second stop of his five-day trip to China.

CRI's reporter Wu You has more.

Reporter:

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa says the driving force behind frequent exchanges between the leaders of China and South Africa is economic growth. He recalled that when China started the industrialization process in the late 1970s, Chinese leaders like Deng Xiaoping had traveled to Japan and Europe to seek investment and technological exchanges. That's also what he hopes to get from China.

"We want as much investment as we possibly can get from businesses that originate from China, but we also want innovation. We want them to come and invest and as they invest, they bring new ways of doing things. We give them the market, and we give them profits."As an example, Deputy President Ramaphosa cites the expansion in South Africa by Hisense Co Ltd, a Chinese multinational white goods and electronics manufacturer.

In addition to cooperation in telecommunications and infrastructure, the Deputy President says South Africa is also keen to get China's cooperation in the energy sector, especially nuclear energy.

"Because you have developed nuclear energy, and you've built up nuclear energy power station, and you advance in a very admirable way. So we'll be wanting to draw quite a lot of experience and a lot of participation from your side."He adds this would be a big project and South Africa is looking at a number of countries including China to expand his country's energy mix.

Ramaphosa says his visit in Beijing has been a learning experience, and he is deeply impressed with the ways that China's state-owned enterprises are run. He says the SOEs have contributed enormously to the growth of China's economy, which is also what he'd like to see in the context of South Africa's mixed economy.

"Those that are owned by the public sector are areas that we want to focus on, to see how we can get them to play a more meaningful role in the development of our own economy, create more employment, reduce poverty and inequality as well."China has been South Africa's single largest trading partner for many years, and South Africa is China's largest trading partner in Africa. The deputy president believes with the financial cooperation in the context of the BRICS New Development Bank and the two countries' co-hosting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation later this year in South Africa, bilateral relations will be further cemented.

After Beijing, Deputy President Ramaphosa will visit the coastal city of Qingdao and will then conclude his trip on Friday in South China's Shenzhen city.

For CRI, this is Wu You.

Copyright Watchdog Bans Unlicensed Music StreamingAnchor:

China's copyright watchdog has announced new strict rules on music streaming. Domestic online streaming service providers have been given until the end of the month to remove unlicensed music. Those that do not follow the order will be punished severely.

Industry insiders believe that the ban will restore confidence in the copyright system and attract more talent back to the music industry.

CRI's Victor Ning reports.

Reporter:

The National Copyright Administration, or NCA, has released a new edict that bans domestic online music streaming services from providing unlicensed free music to users by the end of July.

Duan Yuping, an official with the NCA says copyright infringement is widespread in the country.

"We found that virtually all online streaming service providers have committed copyright infringement in various degrees. They infringed the rights of royalty holders, disturbed the order of the online music market, and also impacted the development of our music industry. Therefore, the NCA decided to set stricter management of music websites as a top priority of the anti-piracy campaign named Sword Net 2015."Yu Cike, head of the copyright management department with the NCA, warns that those who do not follow the order will be seriously punished"After the end of July, we will seriously punish those who do not remove unlicensed music. Websites and apps that commit copyright infringement will be fined. Runners of illegal websites and apps specializing in music piracy will be referred to judicial authorities if they violate the law. "Zang Yanbin, an industry insider says he believes that the new edict will help revive China's music industry.

"We believe that the new edict will restore confidence in the copyright system, attract more talents into the music industry to create more quality products. Medium-sized and small brands are more concerned about this edict, since large companies have established solid cooperation with domestic streaming services. Small brands and independent producers tend to be the main victims of music piracy. "A final payment plan for legal internet music downloads from music streaming sites is said to be in the pipeline in the coming months.

For CRI, I am Victor Ning.

China's "Peony Pavilion" Wows American AudienceAnchor:

After its successful debut at the Lincoln Center in New York, the National Ballet of China continues its US tour in Virginia, about half an hour's drive from Washington DC.

The original ballet "The Peony Pavilion" has continued to stun local audiences with its rich Chinese tastes.

CRI's reporter He Fei has more.

Reporter:

For the first time, the Ming dynasty play "The Peony Pavilion" has been introduced to American audiences through ballet. Thousands have crowded the Filene Center in Wolf Trap, Virginia to enjoy the ancient Chinese love story.

Feng Ying, the director of the National Ballet of China.

"This is an opportunity to show our artistic skills and the Chinese humanistic emotions to the world."The story depicts how the girl Du Liniang pursues her true love despite the constraints of secular norms and even beyond the boundaries between life and death.

The ballet adaptation is inspired and expanded from the Kunqu Opera. It is a combination of East and West.

Fei Bo is the choreographer of "The Peony Pavilion'. He says the show is one of the thousands ways to depict ballet in the Chinese eyes.

"Ballet, in the world of dance, is like the English language to the world. It is an official communication language. This is how can we translate an ancient Chinese story into English, in a way to let the world understand us, and it allows us to better interpret Chinese thoughts and humanistic sensations in English."The show ends in climax, when Du Liniang is revived by the power of love. The audience stands up, applauding and cheering.

"First time I've seen the National Ballet of China. I think I had high expectations and they've definitely met them. It's beautiful. They're so amazing. And the live orchestra is just…it's unbelievable that they're able to bring that. " (female 1 in English)"It's novel to me. This is my first time to watch a ballet that combines Kunqu opera elements."Ma Xiaodong, one of the principle dancers of the troupe, is happy but also humbled to see the cheering crowds.

"I think the American audience still knows little about Chinese culture. We, as dancers, have the responsibility to promote and show our culture to them. The Peony Pavilion, in this case, is a combination of the Chinese culture and the Western's. And that's why we brought it here."The troupe is heading to Purchase and Saratoga Springs in New York State and will wrap up their US tour next Wednesday.

For CRI, I'm He Fei in Washington.

Headline newsJapan's national security adviser in BeijingChina's top diplomat, State Councilor Yang Jiechi has met the head of Japan's National Security Council Shotaro Yachi on Thursday in Beijing.

An earlier statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry says both sides will exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

Shotaro Yachi is in China from Thursday to Saturday for a high-level political dialogue.

Japan's ruling bloc rams through controversial war bills in lower houseJapan's ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has approved a set of controversial security bills.

The bills have been passed in the lower house despite strong public opposition on Thursday.

They would allow the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to play a greater role by engaging in armed conflicts overseas if they are enacted.

The bills can also help defend others even if Japan is not attacked.

Abe has argued that Japan should better prepare for regional threats and do more to contribute to international peacekeeping efforts.

But a poll shows that over 50 percent of Japanese people are opposed to the bills.

Chinese cult leader faces criminal prosecutionThe founder of the "Huazang Zongmen" cult is facing criminal prosecution in southern China.

Police in Guangdong made the announcement on Wednesday, saying several other cult members will also answer to charges.

Prosecutors in the city of Zhuhai have launched cases against the leader, Wu Zeheng, and the other members on charges including sabotage of law enforcement, rape, fraud, and production and sale of harmful food.

Authorities say Wu began to propagate a pseudo religion in 2010 after being released from jail, where he had served most of an 11 year sentence for illegal fundraising and unlawful business practices.

The cult is described as being based on a lofty sect of Buddhism, with Wu allegedly claiming to be the successor of several eminent monks.

Fire engulfs petrochemical plant in E. ChinaA fire that engulfed a petrochemical plant in Shandong has now been brought under control.

The fire broke out on Thursday morning after tanks containing liquefied hydrocarbon leaked at the plant in the city of Rizhao.

More than 130 firefighters rushed to the scene.

No casualties have been reported yet.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire.

Meanwhile, environmental personnel monitoring air quality around the plant have found excessive content of harmful non-methane hydrocarbon in some places.

Sick man sentenced to death for injuring 20 in NE ChinaA man in Heilongjiang has received the death penalty for injuring 20 people with a knife.

Li Huaqiang attacked 14 diners at a KFC restaurant and injured six others at a Mcdonald's in the city of Daqing last September.

The knife attack left seven people seriously wounded.

Li suffers from Myasthenia Gravis a rapid fatigue of muscles.

A court said Li went on the rampage to take revenge on society, deeming that he was unfairly treated.

The court ruling also ordered him to pay one million yuan to the injured as compensation.

Biz ReportsStocksAnchor:

Turning now to business news.

First a look at the numbers from across the Asian markets to close out this Wednesday evening.

Here is Wang Mengzhen.

Reporter:

Chinese stocks have rebounded mildly today, after suffering a 3 percent loss yesterday.

Over 120 stocks climbed to their daily limit led by the aviation and agricultural sectors.

Despite the recent fluctuation in the Chinese stock market, global rating agency Moody's says it will not have a major spillover effect on China's real economy.

Meanwhile, global rating agency Fitch also says that the volatility in China's equity markets does not pose a systematic risk to the nation's real economy or financial system, since Chinese banks have relatively little direct exposure to stocks.

Latest stats from the Chinese authorities show China's economy has posted a 7-percent growth year on year in the second quarter of 2015.

At close,The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index edged up half a percent.

The Shenzhen Component Index jumped 1.9 percent.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, gained 1.4 percent.

Hong Kong stocks ended higher as well, with the benchmark Hang Seng index up 0.4 percent.

Elsewhere in Asia,Tokyo shares ended higher Thursday on the yen's retreat.

The benchmark Nikkei gained 2/3 of a percent.

South Korea's KOSPI also increased 0.7 percent.

Singapore stocks finished higher on the day, with the benchmark Straits Times Index ending up less than half a percent.

And finally, Australian stocks continued their bullish run with the benchmark ASX 200, adding 0.6 percent.

Back to you Sophie.

Hong Kong Securities Watchdog Requires Hanery Shares to Stay FrozenThe securities watchdog in Hong Kong has asked the city's exchange to suspend all dealings in the shares of Hanergy Thin Film Power Group immediately.

According to the announcement from Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) yesterday, Hanergy's stock cannot resume without its approval.

Hanergy, a solar-power technology manufacturer based in the mainland is being investigated by the SFC after a stock price crash on May 20 saw the company's value of $40 billion slashed in half after just 24 minutes of trading.

The SFC launched their investigation into the company on May 28.

Earlier this year, Hanergy's shares surged more than 310 percent, giving the company the biggest market capitalization among thin-film solar power companies worldwide.

For more on Hanergy's delisting in the Hong Kong exchanges, CRI's Zhao Yang earlier spoke with Einar Tangen, Former Chairman of the State of Wisconsin's International Trade Council.

That was Einar Tangen, Former Chairman of the State of Wisconsin's International Trade Council, talking with CRI's Zhao Yang.

China's Commerce Watchdog Expresses Discontent to U.S. Ruling against Chinese TiresChina's commerce watchdog has voiced strong discontent to a final U.S ruling against imported tires of passenger vehicles and trucks from China.

The MOC has also urged the U.S to strictly comply with international trade rules and prudently use trade remedy measures.

The U.S Department of Commerce said that its tire industry had been "materially injured" by imports from China.

It is expected to issue anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on August 3.

According to the MOC, the ruling has seriously affected the interests of involved Chinese enterprises.

EU Launches Anti-trust Investigations Into QualcommThe European Union antitrust authority has launched twin investigations into U.S based chip maker Qualcomm Inc. to investigate possible abuse of the bloc's antitrust rules.

The European Commission will examine Qualcomm's possible predatory pricing tactics and whether the tech giant has offered discounts to customers once they buy baseband chipsets exclusively from Qualcomm.

The announcement was made in a statement by EU's antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager.

This is the latest case of the EU's crackdown on a U.S. tech giant.

In April, the EU antitrust regulator has filed formal charges against Google Inc. Investigations on Apple and Amazon.com were also completed.

Without a legal deadline, the EU inquiries may last for years.

The world's largest baseband chipsets supplier could face fines worth 10% of its global annual revenues, if it is found in violation of the antitrust rules.

Mexico Opens up Oil Industry, 1st time in 8 decadesMexico has opened up its oil industry to global private investors for the first time.

It's auctioning off 14 exploration blocks in the Gulf of Mexico. However sales so far have not met the government's expectation with only two blocks currently sold.

Juan Carlos Zepeda, President Commissioner from Mexico's National Hydrocarbons Commission is still confident about the ongoing bids.

"We acknowledge, and it is necessary to do so, that this first step didn't have the desired momentum (meaning the auction didn't go as well as expected). I insist, we still have four more auctions on the horizon which we see as less risky. We have positive expectations, and we continue evaluating the results."A consortium led by the Mexican company Sierra Oil & Gas, US's Talos Energy and UK's Premier Oil has won both contracts.

The country's oil sector was controlled by the state and closed to private companies for nearly 80 years until last year's legislative overhaul.

SportsSenior Sports Official Removed after Graft ProbeThe State Council, China's Cabinet has announced it has removed a senior sports official after graft probe.

Xiao Tian has been removed from the post of deputy director of China's General Administration of Sport.

He has been under investigation over the past month for serious breaches of discipline and law.

In the meantime, the central government has said the probe won't affect Beijing's confidence in bidding for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Former Chinese World Table Tennis Champion Conferred with DoctorateFormer world table tennis champion Liu Wei has collected a PHD from Peking University.

46-year-old Liu Wei was conferred with her degree at a graduation ceremony on Wednesday.

The associate professor at the school received the degree after her dissertation and oral presentation were unanimously approved by the academic committee.

She studied at Peking University's law school as an undergraduate from 1999 to 2003, having declined an offer to be a top sports administrator in her home province Shandong.

Liu Wei won the world table tennis championships 7 times before retiring in 1996.

She also won 3 straight world mixed doubles titles with her partner, Wang Tao, head of the Chinese military table tennis team.

Mengke Bateer to hold a retirement ceremony next monthChinese professional basketball player Mengke Bateer is set to retire next month.

Media reports say that Bateer has decided to retire due to health issues after suffering from diabetes for a long time.

A retirement ceremony will be held at Beijing's Wukesong Basketball Gymnasium on August 11.

Many celebrities will attend the event, including the former Houston Rockets player Hakeem Olajuwon.

Bateer is referred to as one of the 'Walking Great Wall' together with two other famous basketball players, Wang Zhizhi and Yao Ming, who also play centers.

He's also the first Chinese basketball player to win an NBA championship back in 2003, while he was playing for San Antonio Spurs.

Adjustment made over Chinese divers' participation plan for Kazan WorldsThere's been some changes to the Chinese diving team's line up for the upcoming World Swimming Championships in the Russian city of Kazan.

Olympic champion Chen Ruolin will take part in both the mixed and women's 10 meter platform events while Si Yajie who was originally penned to compete in the mixed competition will compete in the women's individual instead.

This is due to Liu Huixia's shoulder injury. Liu had been previously planning to participate in both the individual and synchro however due to her injury she will only perform in the synchro platform.

Liu and Chen won the gold medal at the women's synchronized 10-meter platform competition at the Barcelona World Swimming Championships back in 2013.

This year's event will take place in Kazan next Friday. The Chinese diving team is set to leave for Kazan at the beginning of next week.

CONCACAF Gold Cup RecapIn football: at the CONCACAF Gold Cup:

Cuba has beaten Guatemala 1-0 in Group C to make the last eight.

This is Cuba's first goal of the tournament after being beaten by Mexico as well as Trinidad and Tobago in previous games.

Ariel Martinez shot the ball wide to the left allowing Alberto Gomez to break into the penalty area in the 73rd minute.

He picked out Maikel Reyes and a brave diving header had the ball in the net.

Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico have played to a 4-4 tie, marking the close of the group play.

Robinho joins Guangzhou EvergrandeIn Chinese Super League:

Famous Brazilian football player Robson de Souza Robinho has officially joined Guangzhou Evergrande.

He's set to replace Alan Douglas Borges de Carvalho, who will leave in six months' time.

Earlier last month, Robinho left Brazilian club Santos Futebol Clube.

Meanwhile, another Brazilian football midfielder Kleber Laude Pinheiro from FC Porto has officially joined Beijing Guo'an.

------There are two matches taking place tonight in the league.

Guizhou Renhe takes on Guangzhou R&F.

And Shanghai SIPG plays against Tianjin Teda.

Real Madrid tops Forbes' Most Valuable Sports Teams ListSpanish La Liga football club Real Madrid has ranked at the top of a Forbes list of the world's 50 most valuable sports teams.

The team has topped the list for 3 consecutive years.

The value of the club this year is 3.26 billion U.S. dollars.

Real Madrid beat the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys and Major League Baseball's New York Yankees, whose values are both tied at 3.2 billion U.S. dollars.

The most valuable basketball team on the list goes to the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, ranking in 6th place with a value of 2.6 billion U.S. dollars.

Andy Murray ready for David Cup quarter-finalMoving over to tennis:

British number one Andy Murray says he's ready to represent Great Britain in their Davis Cup quarter-final against France this weekend.

He was defeated by Roger Federer 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 in their Wimbledon semi-final last week.

Murray says he'd like to take break in order to recuperate.

"You know, I had to take days off after Wimbledon to have a chance to compete well here. Obviously, ideally I would have started practicing probably Monday and practicing hard from Monday but I needed a few days after the last few months."He adds that he needs to take the time to analyze what's gone right and wrong and what he could do to improve in the future.

Great Britain and France are set to face each other at London's Queens Club tomorrow.

Venezuela wins first gold medal in Pan Am GamesVenezuelan weightlifter Jesus Gonzalez has won the country's first gold medal at the ongoing Pan American Games in Toronto.

Gonzalez triumphed on Wednesday in the 105-kilogram weightlifting men's final, lifting 385 kilograms in total to climb to the top of the podium.

He lifted 210 kilograms in the clean and jerk category.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has expressed congratulations to Gonzalez on Twitter.

In the meantime, the hosts, Canada, currently top the medal list with a combined 83 medals including 33 gold medals.

This has already surpassed the country's gold medal total from the event 4 years ago.

EntertainmentModernsky Record to Bring Music Festival to HelsinkiChinese indie music label Modersky Records is bringing its iconic music festival to Helsinki, Finland.

The two-day Modern Sky Festival Helsinki will run from August 28th to 29th in the Finish capital.

Themed "New Asia Meets New Nordic", Modernsky is teaming up with Helsinki Festival and Live Music Association to feature lineups from both China and Europe.

It's the first time Modernsky Records are bringing a music festival to Europe.

Founded in 1997, the record company holds two major outdoor gigs annually – the Strawberry Music Festival and the Modernsky Music Festival.

NICONICO to Air Films on Japan's Aggression HistoryNICONICO, the largest video website in Japan, has announced it will stream a set of documentaries and movies related to Japan's aggression during the Second World War.

Chinese film "City of Life and Death", also known as "Nanjing, Nanjing" and documentary "The Memory of Nanjing in 1937" are among those to be aired starting from later this month.

"City of Life and Death" and "The Memory of Nanjing in 1937" focus on the "Nanking Massacre" and its aftermath during the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

All these films and documentaries failed to hit Japanese theaters previously.

NICONICO says the move is to meet the Japanese public's need to understand history.

First to be aired is documentary "Japan and Korea - the Ties That Bind".

It revolves around the comfort women issue and territorial disputes between Japan and South Korea.

Caitlyn Jenner Calls out for Transgender PeopleCaitlyn Jenner has been awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs.

She received a standing ovation from the sporting world's biggest stars after an emotional 10-minute speech urging acceptance for transgender people.

"This transition has been harder on me than anything I could imagine. And that's the case for so many others besides me. For that reason alone, trans people deserve something vital. They deserve your respect. And from that respect comes a more compassionate community."A 1976 Olympic decathlete, Jenner urged the crowd to use their power to influence the public, especially young people.

"My plea to you tonight is to join me in making this one of your issues as well."Jenner's acceptance speech was witnessed by members of her famous family, including step-daughters Kim and Khloe Kardashian.

She became emotional when thanking her family.

"I never wanted to hurt anyone else -- most of all my family and my kids. I am so, so grateful to have all of you in my life, thank you."The awards show also played a video before the speech, following Jenner's story and struggle.

She first came out as a trans woman in April during a television interview on US network ABC.

Johhny Depp's Wife Faces Jail, Fines for Smuggling Pet Dogs into AustraliaAmber Heard, wife of actor Johhny Depp, has been summoned in court over allegations that she smuggled the couple's pet dogs into Australia.

The actress faces charges for breaching the country's biosecurity laws which could bring a 10 year jail sentence or a 100-thousand Australian dollars fine.

In April, Amber Heard came under fire for failing to declare Yorkshire terriers Pistol and Boo to authorities on their arrival in Brisbane.

At the time, a minister said the dogs would be put down if they remained in the country.

The dogs left the country unharmed a few days later.

However Heard has been charged with two two counts of a biosecurity breach and has been ordered to face a Queensland court in September.

Australia has strict animal quarantine laws to prevent importing infections.

Depp is currently filming the latest installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise at Australia's Gold Coast.

BBC books "Doctor Who" for 10th seasonA report from the BBC shows the broadcaster has booked the 10th season of hit sci-fi drama "Doctor Who".

Showbiz site DigitalSpy reports that the conformation appeared in the BBC's Worldwide Annual Review where it briefly mentioned of investments in "The Musketeers season 3" and "Doctor Who season 10".

The show is rumoured to air sometime next year.

First aired in 1963, "Doctor Who" follows the adventures of the Doctor, a Time Lord who could travel between space and time.

The 9th season of the show will hit screens on September 19th on BBC One.

Disney Develops "Aladdin" Live-action PrequelAnimation studio Disney is developing a live-action prequel to its 1992 classic "Aladdin".

Titled "Genies", the prequel is set to explore the realm of Genies and how Aladdin's Genie got trapped in the lamp.

"Aladdin" is a centuries-old Arabic folk tale which tells the story of a street boy who accidentally releases a Genie who grants him three wishes.

The studio's "Aladdin" adaption had late Robin Williams as the voice of the Genie.

The project is still in its early stages.

The studio has recently announced its developing a live-action "Mulan" movie and a revisionist Prince Charming movie.

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

Japan's national security adviser arriving in Beijing....

Chinese vice president meeting Japanese orphans raised by Chinese families....

And Chinese Foreign Minister hoping Iranian deal opens up new prospects for cooperation between China and Iran...

In Business.... Hong Kong Securities Watchdog Requiring Hanergy Shares to Stay Frozen....

In Sports.... Senior Sports Official is Removed after Graft Probe....

And in Entertainment...Chinese music label bringing its music festival to Helsinki, Finland......

On behalf of the Beijing Hour staffers, I'm Sophie Williams in Beijing hoping you'll join us for our next edition of the Beijing Hour to open a window to the world together...