Bird flu funding conference aims at raising over $1.2 bil.
January 17, 2006An international conference kicked off in Beijing on Tuesday with the goal of mobilizing $1.2 billion-1.4 billion to help developing nations fight avian influenza and a potential flu pandemic. Gathered together at the two-day conference co-sponsored by China, the World Bank and the European Commission were representatives from over 100 countries and 20 international organizations, according to organizers.
U.S., China discussing Hu visit in early 2006
January 17, 2006Chinese and U.S. officials are discussing a date for President Hu Jintao to visit the United States in early 2006, a Chinese government spokesman said Tuesday. An agenda for Hu's visit, which U.S. President George W. Bush suggested when he came to China in November last year, is also being hammered out through diplomatic channels, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said.
Kim Jong Il believed to be in Beijing for talks with Hu
January 17, 2006North Korean leader Kim Jong Il appears likely to have arrived in Beijing for talks with Chinese leaders, after a motorcade believed to be carrying him was seen entering a state guesthouse on Tuesday and a pro-Beijing Hong Kong paper reported on his arrival in the capital. While continuing to refrain from confirming or denying Kim's visit, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Chinese President Hu Jintao had plans to meet with foreign leaders, further prompting speculation that he probably met with Kim on Tuesday.