China says visa policy changes to ensure safe Olympics

BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese Foreign Ministry official on Monday defended changes to the country's visa policy, saying they were aimed at ensuring security for the Olympic Games and in line with international practice.

Security of Beijing Olympic Games was vitally important for the entire international community, said Wei Wei, director of Foreign Ministry Consular Department.

The Chinese government had always made security the top priority in preparations for the Games and that meant keeping "hostile forces" outside the national boundaries, he said.

"Western countries have even tougher visa policies than China," he added.

The new procedures for visa applications, adopted in April, were in line with international practice and appropriate for the perceived security threats, while allowing regular personnel exchanges during the Games.

"After broad research on the visa policies during previous Olympics and other large international sporting events, we found that other host countries of the Olympics and other major events adopted stricter visa policies than usual," he said.

"Although there are some changes in visa application procedures, the new policy is not as strict as might be imagined. Those who apply to come to China for justifiable reasons will be given every convenience," Wei said.

According to Foreign Ministry statistics, China issued 6.51 million visas to foreigners in 2005, 7.4 million in 2006, and 8.13 million in 2007.

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"Naked Cowboy"


Robert John Burck, 37, plays guitar on the Times Square in New York City, the United States, June 18, 2008. Robert Burck, better known as the Naked Cowboy, whose routine consists of playing guitar wearing only cowboy boots, a hat, and a pair of briefs, has become a prominent but disputed fixture on the Times Square. He charges two dollars on every tourist who wants to take a picture with him.


Robert John Burck (C), 37, pose for a picture with tourists on the Times Square in New York City, the United States, June 18, 2008.

BEIJING, JUne 25 (Xinhuanet) -- Times Square's guitar-strumming "Naked Cowboy" can go ahead with his 100-million-U.S.-dollar lawsuit against the maker of M&Ms and its ad agency, a New York judge ruled Monday.

Robert Burck has become well-known in Times Square for playing the guitar dressed only in a white cowboy hat, white cowboy boots and white underpants while tourists pose with him for pictures and slip money into his boots.

Burck filed a lawsuit against candymaker Mars Inc. and Chute Gerdeman Inc., after they released a video billboard showing a guitar-playing blue M&M dressed in a white cowboy hat, cowboy boots and underpants. The company also ran print ads showing a similar yellow M&M.

Burck says in his lawsuit that he has registered trademarks to the Naked Cowboy name and likeness.

The lawsuit alleges the ads violate Burck's right to privacy and infringe on his trademark by "using his likeness, persona, and image for commercial purposes without his written permission and by falsely suggesting that he endorses M&M candy."

U.S. District Judge Denny Chin ruled Monday the trademark infringement claim can proceed.

Chin dismissed the privacy claim, however, saying New York law protects only the "name, portrait, or picture of a living person" and not a character "created or a role performed by a living person," according to a statement from the court.

Mars issued a statement saying, "we do not comment on matters of litigation. However, as a good corporate citizen, Mars will handle this matter accordingly."

Burck said he is looking forward to pursuing the matter.

"I have spent 10 years in every kind of weather and going through the legal, step by step [process of getting a trademark]," Burck said. "It is imperative that damages are pushed so ... an example will be set."

He is seeking up to 100 million in punitive damages, plus attorney's fees.


Robert John Burck (C), 37, pose for a picture with a tourist on the Times Square in New York City, the United States, June 18, 2008.
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Yao Ming almost recovers from foot surgery

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming said Thursday he has taken 80 per cent recovery from a foot surgery and would join the Chinese national team on Friday

By Sportswriter Shan Lei

BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Houston Rockets center Yao Ming said Thursday he has taken 80 per cent recovery from a foot surgery and would join the Chinese national team on Friday.

"I had the last examination on Monday in the United States. I was told I had recovered 80 per cent. Doctors suggested me not to take full-strength training until late July. I'll join the national team tomorrow and take some tactical training," Yao told a news conference one day after he returned to China.

At the conference, which was attended by over 300 journalists from domestic and foreign press, Yao set off a "Yao Foundation" to help re-construct schools damaged by a severe earthquake in the Sichuan Province last month.

At the conference, which was attended by over 300 journalists from domestic and foreign press, Yao set off a "Yao Foundation" to help re-construct schools damaged by a severe earthquake in the Sichuan Province last month.

Yao said he was not sure whether to play Olympic warm-ups in July when China faces Australia and other contenders of the Stankovic Continental Champions Cup.

China is grouped with the United States and world champion Spain along with African champion Angola in Group B in the Olympic Games. The other two berths of the group will be decided in an Olympic qualifying tournament in July.

"This is not going to be an easy group. Firstly, we must make the second round. Our team, our country have made the preparation for a long time. We won't let our fans down," he said.

Yao said he feels good with his body. "I've done everything I can at this moment, but I cannot say whether I'm in good shape for competitions. I won't know it until I play with my teammates and see what will happen," he added.

"The Olympics is the biggest chance in my life. I'll try to enjoy the whole process. Important competitions are born with tremendous pressure, and that is how a great match identifies. There is big pressure for the Olympics and there is also big glory. They are not separated."

China will play its Olympic opener against the United States on August 10.

Editor: Bi Mingxin
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