新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 20:00 2015/08/21（打印版）

The Beijing Hour (Monday-Friday)Evening EditionShane Bigham with you on this Friday, August 21st, 2015.

Hundreds of pieces of new military equipment will publicly debut during the military parade in Beijing on September 3rd...

a Thai official hints at progress in the investigation of Monday's bombing in Bangkok that killed several people, including Chinese tourists...

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

China's upcoming military parade on Sep 3 through Tian'anmen Square will feature hundreds of pieces of new military equipment. The event marking the 70th anniversary of China's victory over Japan and the end of WWII will also feature fifty formations.

These 50 formations will include 11 foot formations, two mounted formations of veterans, 27 armament formations, and 10 air echelons.

Qu Rui, deputy director of the Office of the Parade Leading Team, noted that the armament represent new developments, new achievements, and a new image for Chinese armed forces.

"About 84 percent of the armament, to be showcased in the Sept. 3 military parade, has never been presented to the public before. All of the armaments are Chinese-made. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Second Artillery Force and Armed Police will all debut new armament."Training for the parade is being highlighted as well, as much has been accomplished in a very short period of time, involving great numbers of people and equipment.

Major General Wang Shun says parade units have been equipped with the Beidou automatic time service system in order to support a scientific approach to the training regime.

"Beidou orientation and measurement technology, part of China's satellite positioning system, has been used in training for the upcoming parade. The application of the electronic parade sand model and emulation system has greatly improved the efficiency of the training."Veterans who fought in the war against Japanese aggression will also be reviewed at the military parade, as will the children of veterans.

The veterans, in two mounted formations, are from both the forces led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) and those lead by the Kuomintang (KMT) Party.

"Russia and Kazakhstan and other over ten countries will join the parade. Countries that will send formations and representative teams to the parade are from all the continents of Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania and America. Their participation in the parade is a clear indication of the attitude of commemorating the victory of the world anti-fascist war jointly, and a symbol of the pursuit and aspiration to the enduring world peace."The parade on September 3rd for the 70th anniversary of the war's end will be the first of its kind in China.

A photo exhibition on the 70th anniversary of China's victory in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression and World War II is underway in Poland's capital Warsaw.

The exhibition shows Japan's crimes in the Asia-Pacific region, how the Chinese people helped Jews escape the holocaust, and the lives of Jews who sheltered in China.

Chinese ambassador to Poland Xu Jian says though peace and development is the main trend of the world today, conflicts and violence never stop. It is significant to remember the war and prevent the revival of militarism.

"In terms of the history, we must remember it and cherish the memory of the martyrs. In terms of the reality, we must introspect the war and reach consensus. And in terms of the future, we must unite to maintain a peaceful world and usher in a brighter future."Zhao Yihua, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification in Poland, also the organizer of the exhibition, says the exhibition is aimed to tell the Poles and other Europeans about Imperial Japan's crimes in the Asia-Pacific region and the Chinese people's arduous resistance of Japanese aggression.

"This exhibition aims to call on people to cherish peace rather than create hatred. Women and children are the biggest victims of the Second World War. We can protect them only through the power of justice. So I hope that we can unite to strengthen the power of peace so as to prevent a repeat of the tragedy."Polish parliament member Wojciech Papis says no one should forget the tragedy of 70 years ago.

"China and Poland have a similar history. After WWII broke out, Poland was the first country that fought against fascism. And China also fought bravely against Japanese aggression. As we are now living in a peaceful era, we must cherish the peace, develop the economy, carry out cooperation and create favorable conditions for the future life."The exhibition will last until August 28.

Beijing putting up flower beds, street banners to welcome V-day commemorationBeijing is putting up decorations to prepare for the grand military parade marking the 70th anniversary of victory over Japan.

Lu Genxi, an official of the Capital Environmental Improvement Commission, says banners have already been put up on 2nd Ring Road and Chang'an Avenue. Work involving flower beds in 11 municipal parks was completed on Thursday. And flower decorations on Chang'an Avenue and Tian'anmen Square will be completed on Aug 25.

China demands Japan face history after Abe's wife visits Yasukuni ShrineChinese authorities have again demanded that Japan face and reflect on its aggressive past after the wife of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine.

Akie Abe wrote on her Facebook page on Tuesday that she visited the war shrine in Tokyo earlier in the day. The shrine honors 14 Class-A convicted war criminals.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying says Japan should make a clean break from militarism and do more that will promote trust and reconciliation with its neighbors.

Yasukuni Shrine is regarded as a symbol of Japan's past militarism. Visits to the infamous shrine by leaders and officials have sparked strong criticism from China and South Korea.

Tianjin blasts death toll rises to 116Two more deaths linked to the explosions in Tianjin last week have been confirmed. That brings the total to 116.

Thai Official: Bangkok Blast Investigation Makes ProgressWinthai Suvaree, spokesman for the Thai junta, or the National Council for Peace and Order, gave an update on Friday regarding the investigation into Monday's blast in Bangkok, but said he couldn't go into specifics.

'Regarding the investigation, the Royal Thai Police has reported that much progress has been made. However, the details cannot be disclosed at this time because they may affect the investigation."A Chinese tourist and his Thai guide who were earlier identified as possible accomplices in the Bangkok bombing have been cleared by Thai Police after questioning.

Thai government officials and police chiefs, along with hundreds of people, attended a religious ceremony on Friday commemorating the victims of the blast.

A former diplomat and leading Chinese international relations observer has delivered a new speech, attempting to outline the future of Sino-US ties ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's forthcoming US visit.

Ruan Zongze with the China Institute of International Studies says the timing of the Chinese President's visit to Washington comes at an important time.

"President Xi Jinping's trip comes as the US prepares for next year's election, while at the same time, reforms in China continue to progress. A successful visit will be significant for the development of both bilateral ties and peace in the Asia-Pacific and the world."September's trip will be Xi Jinping's first official state visit to the US after becoming Chinese president nearly 3-years ago.

Professor Ruan Zongze says cooperation still remains the main goal of bilateral ties, despite ups and downs between the two sides on variouis issues.

"China and the US have seen their cooperation deepen and expand into broader areas. As an example, the talks about Iran's nuclear programs went far beyond expectations."He says while divergence between the two sides are likely to continue for some time, there is a growing convergence of interests.

He's also suggesting it will be important for lawmakers in the US to take an objective view of China's expanded foreign policy platform.

"It's important for the US to observe China's increasingly active participation in world affairs in an objective manner. The media and academic circles in the two countries should also be working to increase communication and exchanges."Ruan Zongze, aside from being associated with the Chinese Institute of International Relations, also served as a Minister Councelor at the Chinese embassy in Washington from July 2007 to December 2011.

Former Deputy Police Chief Prosecuted for Graft in ChinaChina's former vice minister of Public Security Li Dongsheng has been prosecutedProsecutors in Tianjin filed the case with the city's No. 2 Intermediate People's Court.

Prosecutors believe Li took advantage of his posts to seek benefits for others, and extorted or accepted "a huge amount" of bribes. Li will now stand trial charged with accepting bribes.

Li was formerly a member of the 18th CPC Central Committee and was also the deputy head of a central leading group for cult prevention.

Reform to gear up China's taxi serviceChina's traditional taxi industry is likely to get rid of several longstanding issues as companies anticipate special regulations by the Ministry of Transport, or MOT.

An anonymous source says a guideline drafted by the MOT will unveil new rules regarding obtaining cab licenses and restricting their service life.

Stats show that the number of Beijing inhabitants has increased by 40 percent since 2003, while cabs increased only 1.5 percent.

The sluggish growth of the cab sector is blamed on the oligopoly of taxi companies, which have taken advantage of the government's control of taxi licenses.

Analysts say the monopoly helps the companies profiteer, often through backdoor channels, such as unofficially transferring cab licenses. But profits from such activities never benefit actual taxi drivers or local governments.

Taxi drivers in some cities complain about high contract fees, while passengers often find it difficult to hail taxis when they need them.

A major bridge project linking the mountainous regions of Sichuan with neighboring Tibet is to open soon, making access along the treacherous route much safer for drivers.

Any internet search of Tangmai will reveal a deluge of accidents. The greatest disaster was in the year 2000, when the Yigong Lake suddenly broke through the earthen dam and washed the old Tangmai Bridge and roads nearby away.

Walking along the Yi'ong Tsangpo River, we can see 3 bridges flying across the rapid flow. The first narrow bridge was just for pedestrians. Wang Zhonghai, the head of the construction company from Sichuan introduces the active one in the middle:

"It was built after the 2000 disaster, as a temporary connection of the two sides, only for one way a day, and the loading limit is 20 tons or less, sometimes the passengers have to get off the vehicle to walk through, which caused great traffic pressures."Every driver who has once drove the Sichuan-Tibet highway knows that it's common to wait for several days to pass through Tangmai Graveyard. If someone just waited for several hours, they are super lucky.

Here is some good news for Tibetan commuters: the Tangmai graveyard with the reputation for being a cause of accidents and traffic jams is no longer going to be a problem once the Tangmai Large Bridge and 4 tunnels nearby are complete. Nyima Chok, the technician in charge of the project, explains:

"After the projects are complete, the problem of the so-called throat of the highway will be solved thoroughly. When this large bridge is open, commuters are able to pass through the Tangmai part at any time of the day without traffic control at all."The dangerous road is a 17 kilometer section of the highway that links Bome and Bayi counties in Nyingchi city in the southeastern Tibet autonomous region.

Currently, after passing through the bridge heading to Lhasa, drivers have to use the narrow, high-elevation road that winds in several S-shape bends and hairpin bends on one side of a mountain prone to mudslides.

According to Huang Bingyong, a police officer who has been helping ease traffic jams along the road for the past 3 years, this section of Tangmai Graveyard saw numerous mishaps like vehicles plunging into the abyss, car pile-ups, mudslides and traffic jams.

"According to my knowledge from the project department, the 17 kilometer section will be completed and open before the end of this year, when the Tangmai Graveyard will turn out to be Tangmai thoroughfare."As the centerpiece of the project Huang mentioned, Tangmai Large Bridge stretches about 260 meters, which is expected to receive about 1600 vehicles a day and is designed to be operational for 100 years.

North Korea Prepares for Military Actions Against SouthAs tensions have intensified on the Korean Peninsula, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has put his country's troops on a fully armed state of war starting 5 pm on Friday.

The decision was made after Kim presided over an emergency meeting with North Korea's high ranking military officials on Thursday evening.

"General Staff of Korean People's Army on Thursday sent ultimatum to the South Korean Defence Ministry that the KPA would launch a strong military action unless South Korea stops broadcasting towards the North. It must also dismantle its psychological warfare system on the border within 48 hours."During the meeting, Kim Jong Un also declared a "quasi-state of war" in the border areas.

On Friday, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said the North is ready to fire short-range missiles. The agency cited a government official, who revealed that the joint military intelligence of South Korea and the US detected the moves by the North.

Meanwhile, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga says his country is very concerned over the latest developments.

"We, the government, have strong concerns over this matter and we think North Korea should refrain from taking such provocative action. We are closely coordinating with various countries - such as the US and South Korea - and we are taking all the necessary (steps) and full caution with a sense of urgency."Earlier this month, South Korea resumed blaring anti-north propaganda messages through loudspeakers near the border, after accusing Pyongyang of planting landmines that wounded two South Korean soldiers.

"I just thought I had a few weeks left, but I was surprisingly at ease"More than a week after the news first broke that Carter was dealing with cancer of the liver, the 90-year old has now revealed the cancer has spread into his brain.

"I'll get my first radiation treatment for the melanoma in my brain this afternoon. And then I understand I'll have four treatment schedule at three week intervals."The 39th President of the United States first fell ill in May during a trip to Guyana while on one of his many humanitarian missions abroad.

Despite the new diagnosis, Carter appears to be in high spirits, taking time to joke that he's now been getting calls from his Presidental successors, as well as other high-level dignitaries.

"First time they called me in a long time."Carter has even paused to recall the circumstances during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979 which preceeded his election loss to Ronald Reagan.

"I wish I had sent one more helicopter to get the hostages and we would have rescued them and I would've been re-elected. But that may have interfered with the foundation of the Carter Center. If I had to choose between four more years and the Carter Center I think I would choose the Carter Center. Could have been both."Since losing the election, Carter has become one of the United States' leading champions for social causes, and has still maintained a role in foreign diplomacy.

As part of his legacy, Carter and former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping officially signed the documents restoring diplomatic ties between China and the United States in 1979.

He is also credited with helping re-open lines of communication between the US and North Korea after current President Barack Obama took office.

Australia May Start Bombing IS in SyriaAustralian Prime Minister Tony Abbott confirmed on Friday that the US has asked his country to expand on its role in Iraq by joining airstrikes against the Islamic State group in Syria.

"Look, I can confirm that we have received a formal request from the Pentagon. Obviously, it's a very serious request. We'll take it very seriously, we're obviously not going to rush a decision, but we will make a decision in the next couple of weeks."He says it's important for Australia to play a role in destroying IS, as the group continues to lure young Australians to join them in fighting in the Middle East.

Australia is currently involved in airstrikes on IS targets in Iraq, but its role in the Syrian conflict has been limited.

Macedonia Declares State of Emergency Over Influxes of MigrantsAmid a growing influx of refugees, Macedonia declared a state of emergency on Thursday. Interior Ministry spokesman, Ivo Kotevski said his country would deploy the army to manage the crisis.

"The Macedonian government has decided to declare a state of emergency in crisis regions, on its southern and northern borders. So according to the law, the army can be deployed on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia."Thousands of migrants, many from Syria, are in a no-man's land between Macedonia and Greece.

Macedonia issued an appeal to neighbouring countries on Wednesday for them to send train carriages to address demand related to the transport of the migrants. But the United Nations refugee agency urged the government to do more, saying it should allocate a site to accommodate the migrants.　The only site currently being used is at the local police station, where a small shelter has reportedly been built.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande will meet on Monday in Berlin to discuss how the EU can address the worsening refugee crisis.　German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said on Thursday more must be done to address the issue.

"Whether it is in the Mediterranean, or in Greece, the dramas are being played out, the Balkan countries are very hard hit by all those who are trying to get to central Europe through those countries. In turning around what we have decided upon, too little has happened so far. "Britain and France also pledged to step up joint efforts to address the migrant crisis in the French town of Calais, where illegal Channel-crossings to Britain have become prevalent.

Pistorius was originally scheduled to be released from jail today after serving 10 months of his five-year term over the killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

The judicial department reversed its decision on grounds that Pistorius had not served one-sixth of the full term, the minimum required by South African law, when the parole board approved of his release in June.

"I'm not worried if it's a short delay. It's been set now, the precedent, for him to wait now until the time is right. You know, we struggle in this country with respect for women, and I think they have given justice now to Reeva. My daughter's life was taken. If she'd have lived longer, she could have done more, she would have definitely improved women's position in life. And that is what is important to me."Pistorius can still secure parole on a later date.

The Former Olympic and Paralympic athlete was convicted of culpable homicide last year. He shot and killed Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day in 2013, claiming he thought a burglar was in his house.

Sydney, slight rain, high of 23,Brisbane, rainy,22,Perth, rainy, 17,And finally Auckland, New Zealand will have slight rain with a high of 15 degrees Celsius.

Headline newsDeputy Chief Briefs Highlights of China's V-Day ParadeMore than ten foreign armies will march in China's memorial parade on Sept. 3 in Beijing to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of China's resistance against Japan and World War II.

Chinese-made armament will be another highlight of the parade, with more than 80 percent it never having been presented to the public before.

Prosecutors believe Li took advantage of his posts to seek benefits for others, and extorted or accepted "a huge amount" of bribes. Li will now stand trial charged with accepting bribes.

Li was formerly a member of the 18th CPC Central Committee and was also the deputy head of a central leading group for cult prevention.

Medics and witnesses say most of the dead are women and children. Up to 40 other people were wounded. A rescue operation has been launched in the hope of finding survivors in the rubble.

Five months of fighting between rebel forces that have overrun the country's capital and forces loyal to the government has affected more than 80 percent of the country's population, causing hunger and leaving millions in need of emergency aid.

EU welcomes France, UK coop over migration crisisSenior European Union officials have welcomed British and French authorities' cooperation over the migration situation in Calais and highlighted efforts in dealing with migration pressure in Europe.

European Commission First Vice President Frans Timmermans and Migration and Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos made the remarks in a joint statement.

It said the very operational measures announced in Calais by French and British ministers "will help speed up the processing of the asylum seekers and ensure the swift return of the irregular migrants."EU officials announced that they will visit Calais at the end of the month to discuss the next steps.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index tumbled 4.3 percent amid thinner turnover, putting the week's losses at nearly 12 percent.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng dropped 1.5 percent, following tumbles in the Chinese mainland and global markets.

Elsewhere in Asia,Tokyo stocks plunged nearly 3 percent, with the benchmark Nikkei falling to its lowest level in more than three months on concerns over the Chinese economy and on a stronger yen.

CSRC conferenceChina's top securities regulator has said it will suspend issuance of structured funds and related products because of the complicated structures of these products.

CSRC also says it is investigating major stakeholders in listed companies for illegally selling off their shares. It has handled 20 such cases to date.

Caixin flash China general manufacturing PMI hits 77-month low in AugustThe Caixin flash China general manufacturing PMI plunged to a 77-month low in August.

The survey shows new orders and new export orders continued to decline at a faster rate in August, and employment dropped at a faster pace than in July.

However, He Fan with Caixin Insight Group says systemic risk remains under control and the structure of the economy is still improving.

The estimate is based on approximately 85 to 90 percent of total PMI survey responses from over 420 manufacturing companies each month.

Chinese provincial regions see faster H1 GDP growthOfficial data shows almost all Chinese provincial-level regions posted faster economic growth in the first half of this year, compared to the first quarter.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), total GDP reached nearly 30 trillion yuan, or 4.7 trillion U.S. dollars, in the first half of this year. It marks a year-on-year increase of 7 percent.

Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality registered the fastest GDP growth at 11 percent in the first half, while the northeast province of Liaoning saw the slowest growth, at 2.6 percent.

China's logistics activity posts steady growth in Jan.-JulyLogistics activity in China has showed a steady but slow expansion in the seven months through July.

According to a report by China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing, goods delivered from logistics companies around China are worth over 120 trillion yuan, or over 19 trillion US dollars from January to July, up 5.8 percent from a year ago.

Such a growth rate is slightly above the 5.7 percent pace for the first half of the year, indicating a stronger demand for logistics.

The report estimates that logistics demand could increase further in the coming months on expectations of rising domestic consumption, export recovery, and acceleration of new projects.

Revamped investment plan of China's pension fund coming soonChina's revamped pension investment plan is expected to be unveiled by the end of the year.

The revamped plan will allow the money to be invested in government and corporate bonds, major construction projects, leading state-owned enterprises and the stock market.

Previously, the pension fund was only deposited in banks or invested in treasury bonds. An estimate from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said the fund depreciated by nearly 100 billion yuan, or nearly 16 billion U.S. dollars in the past 20 years.

The fund accounts for roughly 90 percent of the country's total social security fund pool. It had net assets of 3.5 trillion yuan by the end of last year.

This year has seen a sharp increase in Chinese investor demand for real estate in New York, with the cash put down this year already exceeding last year's totals.

Just a few blocks from New York's iconic Times Square, 7 Bryant Park's 30-story concave glass design cuts a distinct figure.

Costing the Bank of China in the region of $600 million- economics professor Ann Lee says they're not the only ones paying huge prices for prestigious properties.

Ann Lee, Author and Professor, New York University"The Chinese, because they don't know any better, are kind of paying top dollar for the name, the brand name, and the status of owning certain properties. Whether or not that makes any economic sense is besides the point for them right now."Spending billions of dollars on properties like the General Motors building and the Waldorf Astoria in recent years has literally put Chinese investors on the map.

And analytics director at Real Capital Analytics Yi Wang says poor real estate return rates in China, regulation easing and a desire to diversify portfolios are why many Chinese investors are sending their money overseas.

Yiqun Wang, Analytics Director, Real Capital Analytics"The fundamentals of the market are very strong. The occupancy is very high, vacancy is very low and there is very good rent growth prospect for investors."And while there's a range of Chinese investors, Wang says this current boom is being driven by insurance companies.

Yiqun Wang, Analytics Director, Real Capital Analytics"Those insurance companies are very well funded and are interesting in diversifying their portfolios so this why insurance companies are very popular for putting US as a destination."But with market volatility in China combined with a devaluating currency- question linger over whether this growth can be sustained.

But while analysts think this could hurt investment in the short-term, many argue the stability of the US dollar will keep New York as an attractive destination for the foreseeable future.

New home price averages at 27,981y/sq m in July, hitting five-year highNew home prices in first-tier Chinese cities averaged nearly 28,000 yuan per square meter in July.

The survey also reveals home sales in these first-tier cities surged 87 percent year on year. However, it dropped 5.1 percent month on month in July.

Australia's consumer watchdog approves Qantas-China Eastern allianceThe Australia Competition and Consumer Commission has approved an alliance between national airline Qantas and China Eastern Airlines.

Under the agreement, both airlines will be able to coordinate processes and flight schedules, allowing greater flexibility and offering shorter domestic and international connections for travelers heading in both directions.

Meanwhile, a number of conditions have been set on the alliance to prevent unfair prices as a result of the capacity sharing.

Back in March, the watchdog aired concerns that a potential alliance would result in the two airlines controlling more than 80 percent of the capacity on some routes.

SportsCSL previewTipping things off with some football action,Shanghai Shenxin hits the pitch against Guangzhou Evergrande in the only Chinese Super League game today.

Today's game was moved ahead of schedule to give Guangzhou Evergrande a longer layover ahead of its AFC Championships League game next week.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is sending out the best of what is left of his squad. He promises to go all out regardless of a packed schedule and weaker opponent.

The team will travel to meet Kashiwa Reysol in Japan next Tuesday for the first leg of the AFC Champions League quarterfinals.

Yao Charity Game held in ShanghaiIn basketball,This year's Yao Foundation Charity Game is underway in Shanghai between the NBA Elites and the CBA All Stars.

Former NBA star Yao Ming established the Yao Foundation to improve children's education and living conditions in poorer areas across China.

"Having been used to life in big cities, we usually overlook so many details. But when you are in a less developed place, in the rural areas, you will slow down to think about such things. I lived for a short while in one of these places to experience the children's lives, and felt basketball is of greater value here than in the cities."The revenue of the charity game will go to the Yao Foundation to fund the basketball projects at beneficiary schools.

Beijing to host Xinjiang in CBA season openerLi Gen won last season's CBA title with the Beijing Ducks but has now moved to Xinjiang Guanghui in a high-profile transfer.

IAAF chief Diack awarded Beijing honorary citizenOutgoing IAAF president Lamine Diack has been named an honorary citizen of Beijing.

"He is big enough and strong enough to cope with these allegations. And to face-up to these problems to show that wrong accusations are indeed wrong accusations. He loves this sport and he is very experienced and he will do his job. He will do a great job."Coe will formally take over the position on August 31st after this year's IAAF World Championships wrap up in Beijing.

"In a lot of the key moments of the year, a couple of matches that i should not have lost, this one is another one, its a little bit different to the others for sure, because the others i played bad, i didn't play with the right intensity, not the case today, so accept the loss, keep going, there is nothing more than i can say or do than keep going and believing with the work that things will get better."Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, and Richard Gasquet are all in the quarter-finals.

Kimi Raikkonen talks about new Ferrari contractTeams have arrived in the Belgian town of Spa for the Formula One Grand Prix this weekend.

Kimi Raikkonen, who just received a new contract from Ferrari, says he is happy to stay for another season and to continue the team's approach to victories.

"Obviously it is the same done every year. We want to do as far as we can go and hopefully challenge for the championship for next year and I am sure we can produce quite a bit better car than this year next year and obviously the team is working well together and we all feel very good and, obviously, I am happy to stay there and we have to try to do a good second part of the year and maximise what we have and then prepare for next year."2007 champion Raikkonen is the last driver to win the drivers' title in a Ferrari. He returned to the team last year but has been eclipsed by two teammates since.

Golf updateVery quickly in golf,Erik Compton and William McGirt are sharing the lead by one shot after the opening round of the Syndham Championship.

Over at the European tour,England's David Horsey has secured a one-shot lead with an 8-under 63 after the first round of the Made in Denmark tournament.

EntertainmentJiang Rong-Author of novel "Wolf Totem" wins award in MongoliaChinese writer Jiang Rong, author of the best-selling novel "Wolf Totem", has been awarded the Bichgiin Mergen Prize (Genius Writer Prize) by the World Mongol Authors Association in the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator.

He's announced to contribute of the prize money and all the copyright royalty from the Mongolian version of "Wolf Totem" to an environment protection foundation in Mongolia.

"Bride Wars" Leads Chinese Box Office on Qixi FestivalChina's box office on the just passed Qixi Festival, the so-called China's Valentine's Day, stands at 236 million yuan, or around 37 million US dollars.

Leading actress Bai Baihe's two other films "Monster Hunt" and "Cities in Love" have also made to the list of top ten highest grossing films on Qixi Festival.

The three movies have altogether nabbed 2.5 billion yuan or around 391 million US dollars at China's box office this summer.

"The Dawns Here are Quiet" Premiers in BeijingRussian Film "The Dawns Here are Quiet" or "Zhe Li De Li Ming Jing Qiao Qiao" has premiered here in Beijing.

Renat Davletyarov, director of the film, says the film is not a remake of the classic 1972 novel-turned movie of the same name, which had a great influence in China.

The movie is set to hit screens next Tuesday as part of the celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of the anti-fascist war victory.

Christian Bale to Star in 'Ferrari' BiopicIt's been reported that Hollywood star Christian Bale is in talks to star in Michael Mann's Ferrari project.

The untitled "Ferrari" biopic is about Italian car maker Enzo Ferrari and follows the rise of the Ferrari as a luxury vehicle in the 1950s.

Bale was most recently seen in "Exodus: Gods and Kings" and will appear next in Adam McKay's financial drama "The Big Short."Mann last directed the film "Blackhat," starring Chris Hemsworth.

US Movie theater chain begins check bagsUS movie theater chain Regal Entertainment Group has begun to check the bags of moviegoers .

On its website, the company says the procedure was "not without flaws" and would inconvenience guests but provide better security.

Meanwhile, National Amusements Inc.'s Showcase chain, which runs about 30 theaters in the northeastern U.S., says on its website that it has banned backpacks and packages and reserves the right to search purses and bags.

Some moviegoers worry the searches would lead to other crackdowns of theater policies - like not bringing food from outside into theaters.

Sydney, slight rain, high of 23,Brisbane, rainy,22,Perth, rainy, 17,And finally Auckland, New Zealand will have slight rain with a high of 15 degrees Celsius.

Hundreds of pieces of new military equipment will publicly debut during the military parade in Beijing on September 3rd...

a Thai official hints at progress in the investigation of Monday's bombing in Bangkok that killed several people, including Chinese tourists...

On behalf of the Beijing Hour staffers, I'm 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...

新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 20:00 2015/08/21（在线收听）