Premier: China to further deepen reform and opening-up
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the second Annual Meeting of the New Champions organized by the World Economic Forum at Tianjin Binhai Convention and Exhibition Center in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Sept. 27, 2008.(Xinhua/Ma Ping)
TIANJIN, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Premier Wen Jiabao said Saturday China would continue to further reform and opening-up "through the entire process of modernization drive."
Wen made the remark in a speech delivered at the opening ceremony of 2008 Summer Davos in north China's Tianjin Municipality. The two-day Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2008 organized by the World Economic Forum has drawn some 1,400 participants, including business executives, officials and scholars from nearly 90 countries and regions.
"The reform and opening-up brought a fundamental change to the closed, backward a nd ossified situation that existed in China for years," he said in his speech titled "Reform and Opening-up - the Eternal Driving Force for China's Development."
The country kicked off the reform and opening-up scheme exactly 30 years ago, when the country was in a "closed or semi-closed state" with the economy "on the brink of collapse."
The shift from a highly centralized planned economy to a socialist market economy has helped the country to achieve 30 years of continued fast growth. Statistics showed that China's GDP contributed to more than 5 percent of the world's total last year, up from a much smaller proportion of about 1 percent in 1978.
Wen said the country's changes over the past three decades would not have been possible without reform and opening-up.
But the economy and society still faced some problems that cannot be neglected, including development imbalances between urban and rural areas as well as regional differences, the extensive growth pattern of the economy and the pressure from population, resources and environment. "Corruption is also a serious problem," Wen said.
He said the solution to these issues depended on continued commitment to reform and opening-up.
The country would continue to deepen economic reform and promote political restructuring, and at the same time "deepen and broaden opening-up" to achieve the intended goals, the premier said.
The second Annual Meeting of the New Champions organized by the World Economic Forum is officially opened at Tianjin Binhai Convention and Exhibition Center in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Sept. 27, 2008.(Xinhua/Ma Ping)
At the current stage, it was particularly important to accelerate reform of the price-setting mechanism of resource products, and further deepen reform to build the shareholding system in state-owned enterprises, he said.
The government would also better public finance and transfer payments systems, push forward reform of value-added tax, improve compensation systems for use of resources and damage caused to the ecosystem, and carry forward reform of the resource tax system, he added.
Wen said the country would promote stable and sound development of the capital market. "We will improve the RMB exchange rate regime and gradually make the RMB convertible under capital accounts," he added.
There have been persistent calls from the country's trading partners to demand appreciation in the Chinese currency, as they said the "undervalued" currency had given Chinese exporters an advantage over others.
The premier also pledged to improve democracy and the legal system through reform endeavors in the political area, and to protect democratic rights of citizens and achieve social equity and justice.
"We will create conditions that allow people to criticize and supervise the work of the government more effectively," he said. "We must ensure that our education system can meet the needs of the people, and every child can afford to go to school and receive good education."
China would also further improve the social security system covering both urban and rural areas at a faster pace, he added.
The country would remain actively involved in economic globalization, and continue to play a constructive role in the international trade system, he said.
He also promised to strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights and provide a better environment for foreign businesses inside the country.
Russia to upgrade nuclear deterrent
MOSCOW, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Russia must upgrade its military defense system and nuclear deterrent by building more modern warships, nuclear-powered submarines and a system of airspace defense, President Dmitry Medvedev said here Friday.
"Construction of new types of warships is planned, primarily nuclear submarines armed with cruise missiles and multi-purpose submarines," Medvedev said after military exercises near Orenburg in southern Russia.
"A guaranteed nuclear deterrent system" will be created, including joint air and space defense, Medvedev said at the meeting with military chiefs from across Russia. He required the military modernization process to be completed by 2020 and asked military commanders to come up with a plan by this December.
"We must achieve supremacy in the air, in making high-precision strikes at land and sea targets, as well as in fast troops movement," he said.
Medvedev said the need for modernization was demonstrated by last month's military conflict with Georgia. Russia troops easily crushed Georgian army on Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia, but the brief war also revealed Russia's aging arsenal.
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"Construction of new types of warships is planned, primarily nuclear submarines armed with cruise missiles and multi-purpose submarines," Medvedev said after military exercises near Orenburg in southern Russia.
"A guaranteed nuclear deterrent system" will be created, including joint air and space defense, Medvedev said at the meeting with military chiefs from across Russia. He required the military modernization process to be completed by 2020 and asked military commanders to come up with a plan by this December.
"We must achieve supremacy in the air, in making high-precision strikes at land and sea targets, as well as in fast troops movement," he said.
Medvedev said the need for modernization was demonstrated by last month's military conflict with Georgia. Russia troops easily crushed Georgian army on Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia, but the brief war also revealed Russia's aging arsenal.
New York Times: New plan sees 9/11 memorial open by 2011
NEW YORK, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Officials here have said that they have developed a proposal to complete the Sept. 11 memorial at ground zero in time for the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attack.
Officials with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey ( PANYNJ), a bi-state port district that runs most of the regional transportation infrastructure, now say that the authority, which is overseeing the rebuilding effort, can have most elements of the memorial completed by August 2011, The New York Times reported Friday.
New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the memorial foundation have vigorously insisted in recent weeks that the 610 million dollars memorial must be open to the public by Sept. 11, 2011, a goal that the authority had until recently said was impossible, according to the paper.
The rebuilding of ground zero has been hampered by competing political agendas, long delays, swelling costs and calamities, like the 2007 blaze at the former Deutsche Bank tower in which two firefighters died. The building was severely damaged in the 2001 attack and is still being dismantle, the paper said.
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Officials with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey ( PANYNJ), a bi-state port district that runs most of the regional transportation infrastructure, now say that the authority, which is overseeing the rebuilding effort, can have most elements of the memorial completed by August 2011, The New York Times reported Friday.
New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the memorial foundation have vigorously insisted in recent weeks that the 610 million dollars memorial must be open to the public by Sept. 11, 2011, a goal that the authority had until recently said was impossible, according to the paper.
The rebuilding of ground zero has been hampered by competing political agendas, long delays, swelling costs and calamities, like the 2007 blaze at the former Deutsche Bank tower in which two firefighters died. The building was severely damaged in the 2001 attack and is still being dismantle, the paper said.
Obama, McCain focus on economy, foreign policy in first debate
U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain (L) and U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama meet as they walked onstage during the first U.S. presidential debate at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi, September 26, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama clashed over economy and foreign policy during their first presidential debate in Oxford, Mississippi, on Friday night.
Republican McCain said that another attack on the scale of the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackings was "much less likely" now than it was the day after the terrorist attacks.
"America is safer now than it was on 9/11," he said. "But we have a long way to go before we can declare America safe."
Obama, his Democratic rival for the White House, agreed that the United States was "safer in some ways" but said the country needed to focus more on issues such as nuclear nonproliferation and restoring America's image in the world.
McCain also said Iranian nuclear weapons would be an "existential threat to the state of Israel," and called for a new "league of democracies to stand firm against Iran."
"We cannot allow another Holocaust," he added.
Obama agreed that the United States "cannot tolerate a nuclear Iran," calling for tougher sanctions from a range of countries.
On Iraq, McCain said that the war had been badly managed at the beginning but that the United States was now winning thanks to a "great general and a strategy that succeeded."
Obama blasted McCain as having been wrong about the war at the start, saying McCain had failed to anticipate the uprising against U.S. forces and violence between rival religious groups in the country.
Before moving into foreign policy, the candidates focused on the economy.
McCain said he would consider a spending freeze on everything but defense, veterans affairs and entitlement programs in order to cut back on government spending.
Obama disagreed, saying, "the problem is you're using a hatchet where you need a scalpel."
He agreed that the government needed to cut spending in some areas, but he said other areas, such as early childhood education, needed more funding.
McCain and Obama also tangled over who would cut taxes more.
McCain said he would lower business taxes in order to encourage job growth in the United States, and Obama said he would cut taxes for 95 percent of American families.
Obama also said that the United States was facing its worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.
McCain said he was encouraged that Republicans and Democrats were working together to solve the crisis.
The first 30 minutes of the debate focused on the economy, even though the debate was supposed to be centered on foreign policy. The economy has dominated the campaign trail for the past two weeks.
According to CNN's average of national polls, Obama holds a five-percentage point lead over McCain, 48 percent to 43 percent.
The 9 percent of respondents who are undecided could swing the election either way.
Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain (L) and Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama participate in the first U.S. presidential debate at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi, September 26, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama takes part in the first U.S. presidential debate with U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain (not shown) in Oxford, Mississippi, September 26, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain (R-AZ) speaks during the first U.S. presidential debate in Oxford, Mississippi, September 26, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Climate change hot topic at UNGA debate
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Climate change was a hot topic at the general debate Friday during the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, with urgent calls for global efforts in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, especially from small island nations.
Prime Minister David Thompson of Barbados, which has just experienced the destruction and devastation of a hurricane season, said countries in the Caribbean are acutely aware of the urgency attached to action to mitigate the causes of climate change.
"Time is not on our side," Thompson said.
Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik echoed the concerns of small island states that climate change and the resulting sea level rise threatens their very existence.
Plassnik proposed developing the UN Environment Program into a fully-fledged World Environment Organization and creating a new International Renewable Energy Agency. He offered to host new agency in Vienna.
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham of Bahamas, where 80 percent of its landmass is within 1.5 meters of sea level, spoke of "dire prognosis" of climate change to all and most especially for Small Island Developing States.
Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi called for "selfless and concerted efforts" by all countries led by the major greenhouse gas emitters to fight global warming.
"The Bali Road Map in its four pillars of adaptation, mitigation, finance and technology should be supported both in word and in deed," he said.
Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said his country faces the melting of glaciers and shifting weather patterns.
"We need to protect our people from the rising vulnerabilities of climate change," he said. "The melting of glaciers and shifting weather patterns are threatening the life support systems, undermining the sustainability of agriculture and inducing extreme climate-induced disasters such as frequent floods and landslides."
Vanuatu President Kalkot Matas Kelekele, for his part, urged the international community for more concerted action in addressing climate change as a security issue.
"Unless the present trend of global warming is reversed through sincere and concerted international action through the UN framework, some of our Pacific nations will be submerged," he said.
"If such a tragedy does happen, then the UN and its members would have failed in their first and most basic duty to a member nation and its innocent people," Kelekele warned.
Fijian Prime Minister Commodore Josaia V. Bainimarama said climate change poses a serious risk to regional stability and security.
"While the rest of the world continues to endlessly debate the implications of climate change, in the very small islands and atolls in the Pacific, the problem is very much upon us; it is now a present and very real danger," he said.
"The observed and potential impacts on our people and ecosystems, due to climate change, are all too real and immediate," Bainimarama said.
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Prime Minister David Thompson of Barbados, which has just experienced the destruction and devastation of a hurricane season, said countries in the Caribbean are acutely aware of the urgency attached to action to mitigate the causes of climate change.
"Time is not on our side," Thompson said.
Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik echoed the concerns of small island states that climate change and the resulting sea level rise threatens their very existence.
Plassnik proposed developing the UN Environment Program into a fully-fledged World Environment Organization and creating a new International Renewable Energy Agency. He offered to host new agency in Vienna.
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham of Bahamas, where 80 percent of its landmass is within 1.5 meters of sea level, spoke of "dire prognosis" of climate change to all and most especially for Small Island Developing States.
Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi called for "selfless and concerted efforts" by all countries led by the major greenhouse gas emitters to fight global warming.
"The Bali Road Map in its four pillars of adaptation, mitigation, finance and technology should be supported both in word and in deed," he said.
Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said his country faces the melting of glaciers and shifting weather patterns.
"We need to protect our people from the rising vulnerabilities of climate change," he said. "The melting of glaciers and shifting weather patterns are threatening the life support systems, undermining the sustainability of agriculture and inducing extreme climate-induced disasters such as frequent floods and landslides."
Vanuatu President Kalkot Matas Kelekele, for his part, urged the international community for more concerted action in addressing climate change as a security issue.
"Unless the present trend of global warming is reversed through sincere and concerted international action through the UN framework, some of our Pacific nations will be submerged," he said.
"If such a tragedy does happen, then the UN and its members would have failed in their first and most basic duty to a member nation and its innocent people," Kelekele warned.
Fijian Prime Minister Commodore Josaia V. Bainimarama said climate change poses a serious risk to regional stability and security.
"While the rest of the world continues to endlessly debate the implications of climate change, in the very small islands and atolls in the Pacific, the problem is very much upon us; it is now a present and very real danger," he said.
"The observed and potential impacts on our people and ecosystems, due to climate change, are all too real and immediate," Bainimarama said.
U.S., British leaders discuss financial crisis
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush met with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at the White House on Friday, with the two sides focusing on thorny international issues, including worsening U.S. financial crisis.
Speaking to reporters after the talks, Bush said that he was confident that a huge rescue plan for domestic financial crisis will get the Congress' approval.
"I told him (Brown) the plan is big enough to make a difference, and I believe it is going to be passed," Bush said.
Brown said that Britain supports U.S. financial bailout plan. "Whatever the details, it is the right thing to do to take us through difficult circumstances," Brown said.
To rescue battered U.S. financial institutions, the Bush administration has put forward a 700-billion-U.S.-dollar bailout plan, the largest financial rescue operation to date since the Great Depression years.
Apart from the U.S. financial crisis, the two leaders as planned also discussed the global economy, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Georgia and other strategic issues of shared concern.
It has been noticed that the U.S.-British summit followed a diplomatic breakthrough involving both countries' efforts to pressure Tehran to drop its disputed nuclear program.
Representatives from the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany on Friday agreed to submit to UN Security Council a draft resolution reaffirming existing sanctions on Iran.
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Speaking to reporters after the talks, Bush said that he was confident that a huge rescue plan for domestic financial crisis will get the Congress' approval.
"I told him (Brown) the plan is big enough to make a difference, and I believe it is going to be passed," Bush said.
Brown said that Britain supports U.S. financial bailout plan. "Whatever the details, it is the right thing to do to take us through difficult circumstances," Brown said.
To rescue battered U.S. financial institutions, the Bush administration has put forward a 700-billion-U.S.-dollar bailout plan, the largest financial rescue operation to date since the Great Depression years.
Apart from the U.S. financial crisis, the two leaders as planned also discussed the global economy, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Georgia and other strategic issues of shared concern.
It has been noticed that the U.S.-British summit followed a diplomatic breakthrough involving both countries' efforts to pressure Tehran to drop its disputed nuclear program.
Representatives from the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany on Friday agreed to submit to UN Security Council a draft resolution reaffirming existing sanctions on Iran.
Petrobras announces discovering new oil field in Brazil
RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's state-owned oil and gas giant Petrobras announced on Friday the discovery of a light oil field in Santos Basin in southeast Brazil.
According to the company, the oil field is located in sandy reservoirs above the salt layer, and confirms that the good light oil reserves lie in the shallow water portion of the basin.
It was the second discovery of oil above the salt layer in this area, 9.3 kilometers away from the first one at Tiro announced last May.
The new reservoirs are of the sandy type, and are located at a depth of approximately 2,060 meters underground. The total capacity of the reservoir is to be verified.
Although still in preliminary assessment phase, based on the two wells on the fields and on the analysis of the seismic data, Petrobras estimates that the volume of recoverable oil in this area is approximately 150 million barrels of oil equivalent.
Brazil's current reserve is about 12 billion barrels of oil equivalent.
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According to the company, the oil field is located in sandy reservoirs above the salt layer, and confirms that the good light oil reserves lie in the shallow water portion of the basin.
It was the second discovery of oil above the salt layer in this area, 9.3 kilometers away from the first one at Tiro announced last May.
The new reservoirs are of the sandy type, and are located at a depth of approximately 2,060 meters underground. The total capacity of the reservoir is to be verified.
Although still in preliminary assessment phase, based on the two wells on the fields and on the analysis of the seismic data, Petrobras estimates that the volume of recoverable oil in this area is approximately 150 million barrels of oil equivalent.
Brazil's current reserve is about 12 billion barrels of oil equivalent.
Banking giant HSBC to cut 1,100 jobs worldwide
HONG KONG, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Banking giant HSBC has said it is to cut about 1,100 jobs worldwide due to adverse global financial environment, with about 100 to go from its Hong Kong operations.
HSBC, or the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, will cut the jobs from its global banking and market division, which includes investment banking, treasury and trading operations, a spokesperson told Xinhua.
The 100 employees to be dismissed from its Hong Kong operations are mainly members of the support and information technology staff, the spokesperson said.
A senior management member said the bank will decide whether to cut more jobs or not later, based on its performance and judgment of the external environment.
A few people were seen protesting outside HSBC regional headquarters in Hong Kong Friday against the decision to cut jobs at difficult times.
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HSBC, or the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, will cut the jobs from its global banking and market division, which includes investment banking, treasury and trading operations, a spokesperson told Xinhua.
The 100 employees to be dismissed from its Hong Kong operations are mainly members of the support and information technology staff, the spokesperson said.
A senior management member said the bank will decide whether to cut more jobs or not later, based on its performance and judgment of the external environment.
A few people were seen protesting outside HSBC regional headquarters in Hong Kong Friday against the decision to cut jobs at difficult times.
Business as usual after largest-ever bank collapse in U.S
A sign at a Washington Mutual Bank (WaMu) branch is shown in San Francisco, California September 26, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
LOS ANGLEES, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Depositors rushed to branches of Washington Mutual Bank here Friday to check on their accounts, only to find business as usual after the largest U.S. savings and loan bank were taken over by federal regulators and sold to its rival.
Hundreds of branches of Washington Mutual across California, where the bank has the biggest presence in the country, were still open and customers have full access to their accounts, witnesses said.
In the largest-ever bank failure in U.S. history, the government late Thursday seized the Seattle-based Washington Mutual's assets and sold them to JP Morgan Chase for 1.9 billion dollars in an auction, as political leaders were negotiating a 700-billion-dollar bailout plan for the country's battered financial industry.
The collapse of Washington Mutual, or WaMu, indicates that the current U.S. financial crisis is going beyond Wall Street, where major investment banks have gone bankruptcy or been acquired one by one due to their exposures to bad mortgage loans.
Washington Mutual, which had more than 180 billion dollars in deposits as of the end of June, became unsound after customers withdrew 16.7 billion dollars since last week, as its stock price kept plummeting. The stock closed at 15 cents Friday, down from about 35 dollars a share one year ago.
The 119-year-old bank has been struggling to turn itself around for the past year, after falling housing prices and the collapsed mortgage market had left it holding billions of dollars worth of bad loans.
Customers leave a bank branch at the Washington Mutual headquarters in downtown Seattle, Washington September 26, 2008, a day after federal regulators seized the company and sold its branches, deposits and loans to JPMorgan Chase in the largest bank failure in U.S. history. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Rob Dillon, a retired teacher, withdrew several thousands of dollars Friday afternoon from his checking account at a WaMu branch in Pasadena, northeast of downtown Los Angeles, and decided to leave the remaining amount in the account.
"In such a crisis time that even a trusted financial institution like WaMu could go bankruptcy, no banks are safe. America is in recession," Dillon told Xinhua.
"This is the big one that everybody was worried about," said Sheila Bair, chairwoman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., which provides a 100,000-dollar limit insurance for each deposit account and made Thursday's seizure of Washington Mutual operations.
New York-based JP Morgan Chase will take over WaMu's 2207 branches in 15 states across the country and the bank said the transfer will be smooth and have little impact on customers.
Chase Bank, JP Morgan Chase's retailing banking arm, currently has no branches in the Los Angeles area, and sees the acquisition of Washington Mutual as a gateway to the local market.
"One of the big attractions of this purchase was WaMu's California bank branches," said JP Morgan Chase spokesman Tom Kelly.
The purchase will also make JP Morgan the No. 1 U.S. bank by deposits, with more than 900 billion dollars, followed by Bank of America with 785 billion dollars.
Taikonaut Zhai's small step historical leap for China
The video grab taken on Sept. 27, 2008 in Beijing, China, shows Chinese taikonaut Zhai Zhigang is outside the orbital module. (Xinhua Photo)
The 42-year-old man ventured out of the earth-orbiting Shenzhou-7 spacecraft at about 4:43 p.m. Saturday, and became the first Chinese to leave a "footprint in the universe."
Millions of Chinese who watched his feat on television may not know Alexei Leonov, the first human to walk in space in 1965, or Neil Armstrong, the first person to set foot on the Moon in 1969, but they will remember the first Chinese "space rambler."
Another advancement in the space hall of fame for China -- it is now the third country in the world after the United States and Russia to be capable of spacewalk.
The success of the spacewalk is one step further towards China's longer-term goal to have a space lab and eventually a space station. It will enable the nation to take up more responsibility in mankind's peaceful use of space resources.
The video grab taken on Sept. 27, 2008 in Beijing, China, shows Chinese taikonaut Zhai Zhigang outside module after opening the door of the orbital module. (Xinhua Photo)
Symbolically, the mission adds an upbeat note to an eventful year that saw the January blizzard and the May earthquake. It is seen as another source of pride and joy for the people after the Olympics.
But the national also should clearly see the distance between China and the United States and Russia, which accomplished the tasks decades earlier. Compared with these countries, China is still late-comer and only taking its starting steps.
Since ancient times, the abysmal space has been source of inspiration for artistic creations such as poems and cave paintings in the oriental country. Legend has that the first astronaut may have been a Chinese Ming dynasty (1368-1644) government official Wan Hu, who strapped himself onto a primitive "space-voyager" made of a chair, two kites and 47 gunpowder fuses.
Such space dream came to be realized in a modern China. and it took off on the back of solid economic success.
China's first manned space program, Shuguang (Dawn) 1, was initiated in 1971, but was aborted five years later due to lack of funding and low levels of technology.
The project was rekindled in 1986 as part of the "Program 863",a state-sponsored initiative to support the development of advanced technologies in a wide range of fields. That was the eighth year of reform and opening up, when its domestic output exceeded one trillion yuan. The reforms have brought profound changes to China and continue to support its future space exploration goals.
The video grab taken on Sept. 27, 2008 in Beijing, China, shows Chinese taikonaut Zhai Zhigang waves after opening the door of the orbital module. (Xinhua Photo)
Different from the space race of the cold-war era, China's space pursuits are to explore and make peaceful use of the space without intentions at any rivalry.
It also has been thrift in developing the program by making big leaps rather than repeating missions that have already succeeded.
A 14-astronaut squad was set up in 1998. The first manned space flight was in 2003, in which Yang Liwei spent 21 hours in space. A second flight in 2005 put two men Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng on a five-day journey in space.
Looking back, the spacewalk was accomplished with a spirit of innovation. The Feitian space suit, worn by the spacewalker, was designed and made by Chinese scientists. The myriad of technologies that made the mission possible proved the nation's advancing technical prowess. The precision, creativity and dedication of those who worked for the mission will be a mark the Chinese are encouraged to look to.
About five decades ago, when Qian Xuesen, China's father of space technology, returned from the United States, hardly anyone had seen a rocket with their own eyes, let alone building one. Decades later, thousands of bright minds in aeronautics have been nurtured.
China has come a long way in its exploration into the space and it will go further in the future.
Chinese taikonaut greets nation, world in first spacewalk
BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese taikonaut Zhai Zhigang slipped out of the orbital module of Shenzhou-7 Saturday afternoon, starting China's first spacewalk or extravehicular activity (EVA) in the outer space.
"Shenzhou-7 is now outside the spacecraft. I feel well. I am here greeting the Chinese people and people of the whole world," the taikonaut reported to the ground control in Beijing, where Chinese President Hu Jintao watched the proceedings with country's top space scientists.
The video grab taken on Sept. 27, 2008 in Beijing, China, shows Chinese taikonaut Zhai Zhigang is outside the orbital module. (Xinhua Photo)
Donning a 4-million-U.S.dollar homemade Feitian space suit, Zhai waved to the camera mounted on the service module after pulling himself out of the capsule in a head-out-first position at4:43 p.m. (0843 GMT), video monitor at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) showed.
Zhai, who is having his 42th birthday next month, was an air force pilot before getting enrolled in the manned space program. He grew up in dirt-poor hardship with five siblings in the country's far northeast.
Minutes after Zhai was outside the capsule, teammate Liu Boming also emerged from the orbital module hatch and handed Zhai a Chinese national flag that Zhai waved in the outer space. Their third crew member, Jing Haipeng, monitored the ship from inside the re-entry module.
Video monitor at the ground control showed Zhai then slowly leaned towards a test sample of solid lubricant placed outside the orbital module. He took the sample and handed it over to Liu.
The video grab taken on Sept. 27, 2008 in Beijing, China, shows Chinese taikonaut Zhai Zhigang outside module after opening the door of the orbital module. (Xinhua Photo)
Solid lubricant is widely used in spacecraft. The test sample carried by Shenzhou-7 include 11 types of solid lubricants. Chinese scientists hoped to improve the property and lifetime of the materials by studying the samples.
After the handover, Zhai, who dreamed of flying into space when he was an impoverished teenager, started the core part of the space adventure, spacewalk.
The taikonaut, tethered to the spacecraft with two safety wires and a long electric cord providing oxygen and communications, moved slowly along a set of handrails around the orbital module.
Zhai "walked step by step" by shifting the wire hooks connecting him and the spacecraft, in an televised event watched by millions of Chinese and met with applauses and cheers by crowds before downtown outdoor screens and office television sets.
The video grab taken on Sept. 27, 2008 in Beijing, China, shows Chinese taikonaut Zhai Zhigang waves after opening the door of the orbital module. (Xinhua Photo)
Sixteen minutes after Zhai's spacewalk, the taikonaut returned to the orbital module in a foot-in-first position, marking a complete success of China's first attempt at space walk.
The historical moment was witnessed by tens of millions of Chinese with bated breath, including Chinese President Hu Jintao, who was present at the Beijing control center.
The success makes China the third to master the EVA technology following the United States and Russia.
Performing a successful spacewalk is a key step in mastering docking techniques, technology that is needed for the establishment of a space station.
After leak check by the ground control, Zhai and Liu turned off the depressurizing valve and started repressurizing the orbital module. They also adjusted their EVA spacesuits to the intra-capsule condition.
The Shenzhou-7 spacecraft took off from northwest China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 9:10 p.m. on Thursday, and is scheduled to land on the Inner Mongolia steppe on Sunday.
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"Shenzhou-7 is now outside the spacecraft. I feel well. I am here greeting the Chinese people and people of the whole world," the taikonaut reported to the ground control in Beijing, where Chinese President Hu Jintao watched the proceedings with country's top space scientists.
The video grab taken on Sept. 27, 2008 in Beijing, China, shows Chinese taikonaut Zhai Zhigang is outside the orbital module. (Xinhua Photo)
Donning a 4-million-U.S.dollar homemade Feitian space suit, Zhai waved to the camera mounted on the service module after pulling himself out of the capsule in a head-out-first position at4:43 p.m. (0843 GMT), video monitor at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) showed.
Zhai, who is having his 42th birthday next month, was an air force pilot before getting enrolled in the manned space program. He grew up in dirt-poor hardship with five siblings in the country's far northeast.
Minutes after Zhai was outside the capsule, teammate Liu Boming also emerged from the orbital module hatch and handed Zhai a Chinese national flag that Zhai waved in the outer space. Their third crew member, Jing Haipeng, monitored the ship from inside the re-entry module.
Video monitor at the ground control showed Zhai then slowly leaned towards a test sample of solid lubricant placed outside the orbital module. He took the sample and handed it over to Liu.
The video grab taken on Sept. 27, 2008 in Beijing, China, shows Chinese taikonaut Zhai Zhigang outside module after opening the door of the orbital module. (Xinhua Photo)
Solid lubricant is widely used in spacecraft. The test sample carried by Shenzhou-7 include 11 types of solid lubricants. Chinese scientists hoped to improve the property and lifetime of the materials by studying the samples.
After the handover, Zhai, who dreamed of flying into space when he was an impoverished teenager, started the core part of the space adventure, spacewalk.
The taikonaut, tethered to the spacecraft with two safety wires and a long electric cord providing oxygen and communications, moved slowly along a set of handrails around the orbital module.
Zhai "walked step by step" by shifting the wire hooks connecting him and the spacecraft, in an televised event watched by millions of Chinese and met with applauses and cheers by crowds before downtown outdoor screens and office television sets.
The video grab taken on Sept. 27, 2008 in Beijing, China, shows Chinese taikonaut Zhai Zhigang waves after opening the door of the orbital module. (Xinhua Photo)
Sixteen minutes after Zhai's spacewalk, the taikonaut returned to the orbital module in a foot-in-first position, marking a complete success of China's first attempt at space walk.
The historical moment was witnessed by tens of millions of Chinese with bated breath, including Chinese President Hu Jintao, who was present at the Beijing control center.
The success makes China the third to master the EVA technology following the United States and Russia.
Performing a successful spacewalk is a key step in mastering docking techniques, technology that is needed for the establishment of a space station.
After leak check by the ground control, Zhai and Liu turned off the depressurizing valve and started repressurizing the orbital module. They also adjusted their EVA spacesuits to the intra-capsule condition.
The Shenzhou-7 spacecraft took off from northwest China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 9:10 p.m. on Thursday, and is scheduled to land on the Inner Mongolia steppe on Sunday.
Chinese taikonauts prepare for spacewalk in orbital module
BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Two Chinese taikonauts have moved from re-entry module of Shenzhou-7 spacecraft to its orbital module, starting preparations for China's first space walk.
Mission leader Zhai Zhigang and member Liu Boming are testing the functions of the control panels and charging the EVA (extra-vehicular activities) space suit in the orbital module. One of them will stay in the re-entry module, and the other will move into the orbital module for the spacewalk, scheduled around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The two were allowed to start the preparation after a health check Saturday morning. Doctors at the Beijing control center said their blood pressure and temperatures were normal, and declared they were fit for the task.
The two space suits, one 4-million-U.S. dollar China-made Feitian EVA suit and one Russia-imported Orlan suit, were assembled and tested on Friday.
After re-entry module hatch to be closed behind them, the taikonauts will put on the suits. The orbital module will be depressurized before one taikonaut opened the hatch and enter the outer space.
Although Zhai has been widely slated as the spacewalker, doctors insisted that the taikonaut to carry out the task will not be finalized until the last minute.
"We are closely observing their physical conditions, because at this moment, anyone of them could suffer space motion sickness and thus is not able to perform the task," said Li Yongzhi, director of medical department of the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.
"Even when the spacewalker is confirmed, we still need him to do a brief inquiry and check before he opens the hatch and leaves the orbiter," she said.
The planned space walk is expected to last for 30 minutes, during which the spacewalker will move along a preset route and another taikonaut will stay in the orbital module for technical assistance.
Wang Zhaoyao, spokesperson with the manned space program, said the exact duration of the space walk, which will be live broadcasted, might be adjusted according to the physical condition of the taikonaut.
Once successful, China will become the third to master the EVA technology following the United States and Russia.
Besides spacewalking, the taikonaut will retrieve a test sample placed on the exterior surface of the orbital module, according to Wang.
The Shenzhou-7 spacecraft took off from Jiuquan at 9:10 p.m. on Thursday, and is scheduled to land on the Inner Mongolia steppe on Sunday.
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Mission leader Zhai Zhigang and member Liu Boming are testing the functions of the control panels and charging the EVA (extra-vehicular activities) space suit in the orbital module. One of them will stay in the re-entry module, and the other will move into the orbital module for the spacewalk, scheduled around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The two were allowed to start the preparation after a health check Saturday morning. Doctors at the Beijing control center said their blood pressure and temperatures were normal, and declared they were fit for the task.
The two space suits, one 4-million-U.S. dollar China-made Feitian EVA suit and one Russia-imported Orlan suit, were assembled and tested on Friday.
After re-entry module hatch to be closed behind them, the taikonauts will put on the suits. The orbital module will be depressurized before one taikonaut opened the hatch and enter the outer space.
Although Zhai has been widely slated as the spacewalker, doctors insisted that the taikonaut to carry out the task will not be finalized until the last minute.
"We are closely observing their physical conditions, because at this moment, anyone of them could suffer space motion sickness and thus is not able to perform the task," said Li Yongzhi, director of medical department of the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.
"Even when the spacewalker is confirmed, we still need him to do a brief inquiry and check before he opens the hatch and leaves the orbiter," she said.
The planned space walk is expected to last for 30 minutes, during which the spacewalker will move along a preset route and another taikonaut will stay in the orbital module for technical assistance.
Wang Zhaoyao, spokesperson with the manned space program, said the exact duration of the space walk, which will be live broadcasted, might be adjusted according to the physical condition of the taikonaut.
Once successful, China will become the third to master the EVA technology following the United States and Russia.
Besides spacewalking, the taikonaut will retrieve a test sample placed on the exterior surface of the orbital module, according to Wang.
The Shenzhou-7 spacecraft took off from Jiuquan at 9:10 p.m. on Thursday, and is scheduled to land on the Inner Mongolia steppe on Sunday.
Thailand Open tennis tournament
Robin Soderling of Sweden returns a shot to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their quarter-final match at the Thailand Open tennis tournament in Bangkok September 26, 2008.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia serves to Robin Soderling of Sweden during their quarter-final match at the Thailand Open tennis tournament in Bangkok September 26, 2008.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot to Robin Soderling of Sweden during their quarter final match at the Thailand Open tennis tournament in Bangkok September 26, 2008.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot to Robin Soderling of Sweden during their quarter-final match at the Thailand Open tennis tournament in Bangkok September 26, 2008.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his quarter-final win over Robin Soderling of Sweden at the Thailand Open tennis tournament in Bangkok September 26, 2008.
Source: China Daily
Roddick into semis; Zheng upsets Ivanovic
BEIJING - Andy Roddick overcame four double faults in the first set to beat Juan Carlos Ferrero 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Friday and reach the semifinals of the China Open.
Andy Roddick, of the United States, celebrates his quarter-final win over Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Friday, Sept. 26, 2008. Roddick won 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. [Agencies]
The second-seeded American, who tossed away another racket in anger in the second set, served 23 aces to beat the Spaniard.
Roddick will face unseeded German Bjorn Phau in the semifinals, with Dudi Sela of Israel playing Rainer Schuettler of Germany in the other.
Roddick fell behind early as Ferrero found a weak spot.
"He had a little bit of a different strategy than he normally does," Roddick said. "He came in and attacked my forehand."
Roddick grew so frustrated that he slammed his racket into the court after one missed shot, breaking the head in half.
Andy Roddick, of the United States, carries his broken racquet off the court after smashing it against the ground during his quarterfinal match against Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero, at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing Friday Sept. 26, 2008. [Agencies]
"That racket didn't want to be here anymore and I had to let it out," Roddick said.
Asked if losing his temper helped, Roddick shrugged.
"I can give you 20 examples of when it's helped, and I can give you 20 when it hasn't," he said. "Tonight I thought it was necessary. I was a little uneasy. And you know I'm not going to do it, just to do it. I was pretty upset, pretty fed up with the way I was playing."
In women's quarterfinal play, No. 2-seeded Ana Ivanovic was ousted by home favorite Zheng Jie 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-4. A semifinalist at Wimbledon, Zheng overcame the French Open champion and former No. 1-ranked Serb, whose serves and ground strokes were erratic.
In the three other quarterfinals, No. 1 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia beat Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 7-5, 6-1; No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia defeated Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 6-4 and Russian No. 5 Vera Zvonareva beat Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain 6-0, 6-1.
Former world number one Ana Ivanovic (R) and Zheng Jie are seen in this combo image after Zheng defeated Ivanovic at the China Open Friday. [Agencies]
In the semifinals, Zheng plays Kuznetsova and Zvonareva faces Jankovic.
Wimbledon semifinalist Zheng had noisy support from home fans at the Beijing Tennis Center. She is the only Chinese woman still playing in the tournament after four others lost in the first round. She also beat Ivanovic en route to the Wimbledon semifinals.
"This is a good win for me," she said. "It was in China and in front of my home crowd. There were lots of fans supporting me, which gave me even more motivation."
Ranked No. 30 by the WTA, Zheng is hoping the ranking points earned in China will push her past her previous career high of No. 27.
Ivanovic has battled hand and leg injuries since winning in Paris, which has limited her play and confidence. However, she described her match Friday as "one of the best" since the French Open.
"I haven't had many matches in the last three months," she said. "Since the Frencn Fernando Gonzalez of Chile 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
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Andy Roddick, of the United States, celebrates his quarter-final win over Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Friday, Sept. 26, 2008. Roddick won 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. [Agencies]
The second-seeded American, who tossed away another racket in anger in the second set, served 23 aces to beat the Spaniard.
Roddick will face unseeded German Bjorn Phau in the semifinals, with Dudi Sela of Israel playing Rainer Schuettler of Germany in the other.
Roddick fell behind early as Ferrero found a weak spot.
"He had a little bit of a different strategy than he normally does," Roddick said. "He came in and attacked my forehand."
Roddick grew so frustrated that he slammed his racket into the court after one missed shot, breaking the head in half.
Andy Roddick, of the United States, carries his broken racquet off the court after smashing it against the ground during his quarterfinal match against Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero, at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing Friday Sept. 26, 2008. [Agencies]
"That racket didn't want to be here anymore and I had to let it out," Roddick said.
Asked if losing his temper helped, Roddick shrugged.
"I can give you 20 examples of when it's helped, and I can give you 20 when it hasn't," he said. "Tonight I thought it was necessary. I was a little uneasy. And you know I'm not going to do it, just to do it. I was pretty upset, pretty fed up with the way I was playing."
In women's quarterfinal play, No. 2-seeded Ana Ivanovic was ousted by home favorite Zheng Jie 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-4. A semifinalist at Wimbledon, Zheng overcame the French Open champion and former No. 1-ranked Serb, whose serves and ground strokes were erratic.
In the three other quarterfinals, No. 1 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia beat Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 7-5, 6-1; No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia defeated Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 6-4 and Russian No. 5 Vera Zvonareva beat Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain 6-0, 6-1.
Former world number one Ana Ivanovic (R) and Zheng Jie are seen in this combo image after Zheng defeated Ivanovic at the China Open Friday. [Agencies]
In the semifinals, Zheng plays Kuznetsova and Zvonareva faces Jankovic.
Wimbledon semifinalist Zheng had noisy support from home fans at the Beijing Tennis Center. She is the only Chinese woman still playing in the tournament after four others lost in the first round. She also beat Ivanovic en route to the Wimbledon semifinals.
"This is a good win for me," she said. "It was in China and in front of my home crowd. There were lots of fans supporting me, which gave me even more motivation."
Ranked No. 30 by the WTA, Zheng is hoping the ranking points earned in China will push her past her previous career high of No. 27.
Ivanovic has battled hand and leg injuries since winning in Paris, which has limited her play and confidence. However, she described her match Friday as "one of the best" since the French Open.
"I haven't had many matches in the last three months," she said. "Since the Frencn Fernando Gonzalez of Chile 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
Qatar Stars League soccer match
Al-Rayyan's Aloisio Da Silva (L) of Brazil fights for the ball with Qatar's Talal El Karkouri (C) of Morocco as Recardo Leon Recardino looks on during their Qatar Stars League soccer match in Doha September 26, 2008.
Qatar's Ahmed Al-Dosari of Saudi Arabia controls the ball during their Qatar Stars League soccer match against Al-Rayyan in Doha September 26, 2008.
Qatar Sports Club coach Sebastiao Lazaroni (R) of Brazil hugs his compatriot, Al-Rayyan's Recardo Leon Recardino during their Qatar Stars League soccer match in Doha September 26, 2008.
Al-Rayyan's Mustafa Abdi (R) fights for the ball with Qatar's Sebastian Soria during the Qatar Stars League soccer match in Doha September 26, 2008.
Al-Rayyan's Salman Mousabeh (R) fights for the ball with Qatar's Sebastian Soria during their Qatar Stars League soccer match in Doha September 26, 2008.
Al-Rayyan's Recardo Leon Recardino (R) of Brazil fights for the ball with Qatar's Yousef Safri of Morocco during the Qatar Stars League soccer match in Doha September 26, 2008.
Champions Porto end poor run with a 2-0 win over Pacos
PORTO - Champions Porto won for the first time in three games in the Portuguese premier league with a 2-0 victory over Pacos Ferreira 2-0 on Friday.
The home win gave Porto, chasing a fourth consecutive title, a welcome morale boost before they visit Arsenal in the Champions League Group G game on Tuesday.
Porto, who drew their two previous games, are third with eight points from four matches.
Nacional Madeira, who host Estrela Amadora on Sunday, and Sporting, who meet travel to their rival Benfica on Saturday, top the standings with nine points and one game less.
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The home win gave Porto, chasing a fourth consecutive title, a welcome morale boost before they visit Arsenal in the Champions League Group G game on Tuesday.
Porto, who drew their two previous games, are third with eight points from four matches.
Nacional Madeira, who host Estrela Amadora on Sunday, and Sporting, who meet travel to their rival Benfica on Saturday, top the standings with nine points and one game less.
Clippers'Jason Williams retires after 10 seasons
LOS ANGELES -- Jason Williams announced his retirement Friday, ending his 10-year NBA career less than two months after signing with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Fifty days after signing a free-agent contract with the Clippers, point guard Jason Williams announced his retirement from the NBA. [Agencies]
Williams, who helped the Miami Heat to the NBA title in 2006, averaged 11.4 points, 6.3 assists and shot 39.6 percent from the floor in 679 games.
The point guard was drafted seventh overall pick in 1998 out of Florida by the Sacramento Kings and averaged 12.8 points and six assists as a rookie.
Williams joined the Memphis Grizzlies three years later, and in 2001-02 averaged 14.8 points and eight assists. In four seasons with the Grizzlies, Williams became the club's career assists leader.
He played for the Heat from 2005-2008, and started all 23 playoff games in Miami's title run. He signed with the Clippers on Aug. 7.
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Fifty days after signing a free-agent contract with the Clippers, point guard Jason Williams announced his retirement from the NBA. [Agencies]
Williams, who helped the Miami Heat to the NBA title in 2006, averaged 11.4 points, 6.3 assists and shot 39.6 percent from the floor in 679 games.
The point guard was drafted seventh overall pick in 1998 out of Florida by the Sacramento Kings and averaged 12.8 points and six assists as a rookie.
Williams joined the Memphis Grizzlies three years later, and in 2001-02 averaged 14.8 points and eight assists. In four seasons with the Grizzlies, Williams became the club's career assists leader.
He played for the Heat from 2005-2008, and started all 23 playoff games in Miami's title run. He signed with the Clippers on Aug. 7.
Kenyan Olympic champion pulls out of Rio de Janeiro
NAIROBI -- Olympic marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru has pulled out of next month's IAAF World Half Marathon Championship in Rio de Janeiro citing fatigue.
Kenya's Martin Lel (R) competes in the final mile with Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya (L) and Abderrahim Goumri of Morocco on his way to win the men's elite group at the 2008 London Marathon April 13, 2008. [Agencies]
The 21 year old was included in a 14 member team selected by Athletics Kenya to represent the country at the championships set for Rio de Janeiro on October 12.
But speaking late Thursday, Wanjiru said that he would not compete citing lack of adequate training time.
"The championships are less than a month away and I haven't even started training so it will not be possible for me to compete in Brazil," said Wanjiru.
Wanjiru who won the Porto Half marathon on Sunday in Portugal last Saturday said he is already focusing on next year.
"I am already making plans for next year's calendar because I have set personal goals which I intend to achieve," he said.
Other athletes selected in the team include Patrick Makau Musyoki, Francis Kibiwott, Joseph Nganga, Mekubo Mogusu, Elijah Keitany and Stephen Kibiwott.
Veteran Pamela Chepchumba leads the women's team which also has Philies Ongori, Peninah Arusei, Julia Mumbi, Lenah Jemutai Cheruiyot, Philomena Cheyech and Pauline Wangui.
Wanjiru, the fastest man in the world over the distant with a time of 59.33 minutes, had been named by Athletic Kenya in a team of seven men and seven women for the October 12 meeting.
"The Olympic champion said he is tired after running in Beijing and asked to be replaced. We understood his position as a federation and the most justifiable thing to do for him was to honour his wish," said Athletics Kenya public relations officer, Peter Angwenyi.
Wanjiru, the youngest Olympic marathon gold medallist ever, at 21, had stated upon his arrival from Beijing that his mission was to bring back home the world marathon record title.
"I have accomplished what I had planned for, to win an Olympic gold medal and that's done. But the job ahead is of much importance and I will aim at breaking the world record in Berlin next year," said Wanjiru.
Wanjiru has vowed to face the reigning world champion Haile Gebrselassie in the next year's Berlin Marathon in a bid to reduce the Ethiopian's 2.04.26 world record.
Turin marathon winner, Stephen Kibiwot, will now take Wanjiru's ticket to Rio. The Olympic champion has some unfinished business with the half marathon championships.
Having gone in as a heavy favourite in Udine last year, he suffered a knee injury limping home in 51st place and he will be keen to put that record straight.
Musyoki finished second behind Zersanny Tadessein last year's event will be hoping to go one better. Currently the fastest man in the over the half marathon following his World record of 58:33, Wanjiru was a favourite to win in Rio.
He became the first Kenyan to win an Olympic gold medal at the Beijing Olympics when he set a new Olympic record of 2:06.32 on his way to victory.
It capped an amazing debut year in marathon for the youngster who has now run three marathons all under 2:07. He made his debut in the 42 kilometre event in December 2007 wining Fukuoka marathon in 2:06.39.
He followed it up with a new personal best of 2:05.24 as he finished second in London marathon this year before his heroics in Beijing.
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Kenya's Martin Lel (R) competes in the final mile with Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya (L) and Abderrahim Goumri of Morocco on his way to win the men's elite group at the 2008 London Marathon April 13, 2008. [Agencies]
The 21 year old was included in a 14 member team selected by Athletics Kenya to represent the country at the championships set for Rio de Janeiro on October 12.
But speaking late Thursday, Wanjiru said that he would not compete citing lack of adequate training time.
"The championships are less than a month away and I haven't even started training so it will not be possible for me to compete in Brazil," said Wanjiru.
Wanjiru who won the Porto Half marathon on Sunday in Portugal last Saturday said he is already focusing on next year.
"I am already making plans for next year's calendar because I have set personal goals which I intend to achieve," he said.
Other athletes selected in the team include Patrick Makau Musyoki, Francis Kibiwott, Joseph Nganga, Mekubo Mogusu, Elijah Keitany and Stephen Kibiwott.
Veteran Pamela Chepchumba leads the women's team which also has Philies Ongori, Peninah Arusei, Julia Mumbi, Lenah Jemutai Cheruiyot, Philomena Cheyech and Pauline Wangui.
Wanjiru, the fastest man in the world over the distant with a time of 59.33 minutes, had been named by Athletic Kenya in a team of seven men and seven women for the October 12 meeting.
"The Olympic champion said he is tired after running in Beijing and asked to be replaced. We understood his position as a federation and the most justifiable thing to do for him was to honour his wish," said Athletics Kenya public relations officer, Peter Angwenyi.
Wanjiru, the youngest Olympic marathon gold medallist ever, at 21, had stated upon his arrival from Beijing that his mission was to bring back home the world marathon record title.
"I have accomplished what I had planned for, to win an Olympic gold medal and that's done. But the job ahead is of much importance and I will aim at breaking the world record in Berlin next year," said Wanjiru.
Wanjiru has vowed to face the reigning world champion Haile Gebrselassie in the next year's Berlin Marathon in a bid to reduce the Ethiopian's 2.04.26 world record.
Turin marathon winner, Stephen Kibiwot, will now take Wanjiru's ticket to Rio. The Olympic champion has some unfinished business with the half marathon championships.
Having gone in as a heavy favourite in Udine last year, he suffered a knee injury limping home in 51st place and he will be keen to put that record straight.
Musyoki finished second behind Zersanny Tadessein last year's event will be hoping to go one better. Currently the fastest man in the over the half marathon following his World record of 58:33, Wanjiru was a favourite to win in Rio.
He became the first Kenyan to win an Olympic gold medal at the Beijing Olympics when he set a new Olympic record of 2:06.32 on his way to victory.
It capped an amazing debut year in marathon for the youngster who has now run three marathons all under 2:07. He made his debut in the 42 kilometre event in December 2007 wining Fukuoka marathon in 2:06.39.
He followed it up with a new personal best of 2:05.24 as he finished second in London marathon this year before his heroics in Beijing.
American League baseball game
Kansas City Royals pitcher Kyle Davies follows through on a pitch to the MInnesota Twins in second inning of MLB American League baseball game action in Minneapolis, Minnesota September 26, 2008.
Kansas City Royals designated hitter Billy Butler hits two-run home run in the fifth inning of MLB American League baseball game against Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis, Minnesota September 26, 2008.
Minnesota Twins Delmon Young (L) is tagged out at home base by Kansas City Royals pitcher Kyle Davies in the fifth inning of MLB American League baseball game action in Minneapolis, Minnesota September 26, 2008.
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Francisco Liriano hands the ball to Twins manager Ron Gardenhire (L) in the fourth inning after Liriano gave up 11 hits against the Kansas City Royals during their MLB American League baseball game in Minneapolis, Minnesota September 26, 2008
Japanese Grand Prix
Honda MotoGP rider Nicky Hayden of the US rides at a free practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi, north of Tokyo September 26, 2008.
Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi of Italy shakes hands with fans after a free practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi, north of Tokyo September 27, 2008
Honda MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa of Spain makes his way from his pit during a free practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi, north of Tokyo September 26, 2008.
Aprilia 125cc rider Stefan Bradl of Germany takes a curve during a free practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi, north of Tokyo September 26, 2008
Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain shakes hands with fans after a free practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi, north of Tokyo September 26, 2008.
Cuban chess GM Dominguez to compete in China
HAVANA -- Cuban chess Great Master (GM) Leinier Dominguez is getting ready for the World Games of the Mind from October 3 to 18 in China and at the Olympics of Dresden, Germany from November 12 to 25.
In China, Dominguez, who is 25 of the world and has a Elo (method to calculate chess players skills level) of 2,708 points, will face Bulgarian Veselin Topalov, Chinese Bu Xiangzhi, Ni Hua and Wang Yue; and Russian former world champion Anatoly Karpov.
At internet matches, Dominguez has defeated current number two of the Chess International Federation (FIDE), Russian Alexander Morozevich, who has an Elo of 2,788.
"I have always chosen well the tournaments; I think it is right to play against the strongest, don't sacrifice the quality," Dominguez said as quoted on Friday by official daily "Granma".
Dominguez said that with chess, physical and mental exercises it is possible to reach tournaments of this range with the possibility of finishing among the first ones.
"Now I try to be at the best of the Wijk aan Zee or Linares tournaments and to train to make it fine when the moment arrives. I have been in Biel, Aerosvit and Memorial Karprov, which are also strong," Dominguez said.
About his Elo he said that he is satisfied with being the first Cuba on braking the barrier of the 2,700 and currently he is the only Latin American chess player who surpasses that level.
Dominguez said that "at the end of the day what makes the differences is to win or to have a good performance in a big tournament. At least, I want to try. I don't worry about the Elo."
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In China, Dominguez, who is 25 of the world and has a Elo (method to calculate chess players skills level) of 2,708 points, will face Bulgarian Veselin Topalov, Chinese Bu Xiangzhi, Ni Hua and Wang Yue; and Russian former world champion Anatoly Karpov.
At internet matches, Dominguez has defeated current number two of the Chess International Federation (FIDE), Russian Alexander Morozevich, who has an Elo of 2,788.
"I have always chosen well the tournaments; I think it is right to play against the strongest, don't sacrifice the quality," Dominguez said as quoted on Friday by official daily "Granma".
Dominguez said that with chess, physical and mental exercises it is possible to reach tournaments of this range with the possibility of finishing among the first ones.
"Now I try to be at the best of the Wijk aan Zee or Linares tournaments and to train to make it fine when the moment arrives. I have been in Biel, Aerosvit and Memorial Karprov, which are also strong," Dominguez said.
About his Elo he said that he is satisfied with being the first Cuba on braking the barrier of the 2,700 and currently he is the only Latin American chess player who surpasses that level.
Dominguez said that "at the end of the day what makes the differences is to win or to have a good performance in a big tournament. At least, I want to try. I don't worry about the Elo."
Armstrong's doping test results open to public
LAS VEGAS, Nevada: American Lance Armstrong, making a return to professional cycling three years after winning his seventh Tour de France, said on Thursday his doping test results would be open to the public.
Cyclist Lance Armstrong answers a question at a news conference during the Clinton Global Initiative, in New York, September 24, 2008. [Agencies]
The Texan, who won the race from 1999 to 2005, was speaking during a press conference at a cycling exhibition in Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, fellow American Greg Lemond, who won the Tour de France in 1986, 1989 and 1990, said Armstrong's return was not good for the sport.
"His return is not good news," Lemond told AFP in Las Vegas. "It's like a nightmare, that we have lived through all these years, returning."
Armstrong said he would be working with Don Catlin, the founder of the new Anti-Doping Research Institute in Los Angeles, in an attempt to be completely open about his tests.
He retired from professional racing the night he won his last Tour de France, but announced his return to the international cycling scene on Sept 9 this year.
While Armstrong was answering questions at the press conference, Lemond almost stole the show as he attempted to ask questions. However, Lemond was continually cut off and talked over by Armstrong when he tried to speak.
Armstrong, in an attempt to lessen doubts that his seven Tour victories were won without doping, said: "I want to have a level of transparence and I don't want to leave any hint of doubt. I will do what I am asked to do. It is his (Catlin's) work. He will do whatever he wants (concerning testing)."
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Cyclist Lance Armstrong answers a question at a news conference during the Clinton Global Initiative, in New York, September 24, 2008. [Agencies]
The Texan, who won the race from 1999 to 2005, was speaking during a press conference at a cycling exhibition in Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, fellow American Greg Lemond, who won the Tour de France in 1986, 1989 and 1990, said Armstrong's return was not good for the sport.
"His return is not good news," Lemond told AFP in Las Vegas. "It's like a nightmare, that we have lived through all these years, returning."
Armstrong said he would be working with Don Catlin, the founder of the new Anti-Doping Research Institute in Los Angeles, in an attempt to be completely open about his tests.
He retired from professional racing the night he won his last Tour de France, but announced his return to the international cycling scene on Sept 9 this year.
While Armstrong was answering questions at the press conference, Lemond almost stole the show as he attempted to ask questions. However, Lemond was continually cut off and talked over by Armstrong when he tried to speak.
Armstrong, in an attempt to lessen doubts that his seven Tour victories were won without doping, said: "I want to have a level of transparence and I don't want to leave any hint of doubt. I will do what I am asked to do. It is his (Catlin's) work. He will do whatever he wants (concerning testing)."
Roddick through but no such luck for Ferrer
BEIJING, Sept. 26 -- Andy Roddick overcame a Davis Cup hangover and jet lag to reach the quarterfinals of the China Open Thursday. Spain's David Ferrer wasn't as fortunate.
Andy Roddick of the United States returns a ball during the men's singles second round match against his compatriot Brendan Evans at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Roddick won 2-0.
Despite falling behind early, the second-seeded Roddick defeated fellow American Brendan Evans 6-4, 6-3.
Seeded No. 1, Ferrer was never in his second-round match, falling 6-3, 6-3 to Dudi Sela of Israel, who is No. 92 in the ATP rankings behind the Spaniard.
No. 3 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile escaped with a scare. The defending champion and Olympic silver medalist last month in Beijing rallied to beat Go Soeda of Japan 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1, while No. 4 Richard Gasquet of France had fewer problems in beating Lu Yen-hsun of Chinese Taipei 7-5, 6-1.
Chile's Fernando Gonzalez returns a ball during the men's singles second round match against Japan's Go Soeda at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Gonzalez won 2-1.
Both Roddick and Ferrer had byes in the first round and some extra days off following Spain's emotional Davis Cup semifinal victory last weekend over the United States in Madrid. But it was Roddick who was ready to rebound despite falling behind early against Evans.
"From 2-4 down in the first set I started feeling a little better," Roddick said. "It's a little tough going from clay last weekend in Spain to dealing with the jet lag and what not."
Roddick was mentored by Andre Agassi as a young player. After the match, he gave his younger compatriot a few tips.
"I told him (Evans) I thought he took his foot off the accelerator a little bit when he was up in the match," Roddick explained. "And maybe he stopped being as aggressive as he was to get in the lead, and that allowed me to get a rhythm."
Roddick also acknowledged the outdoor hard court in Beijing suits him better than the red clay in Spain.
"I'm able to do some more stuff on a quicker court, a hard court," he said. "Clay limits my game a little bit more."
Ferrer beat Roddick in a grueling five-set match in the Davis Cup. He didn't look for excuses yesterday, noting Sela had also played Davis Cup against Peru in Israel before traveling to China.
"I was maybe a little bit tired and didn't sleep well these last two nights," Ferrer said. "That's no excuse. He played better than me. It's not a good day for me."
Sela has never reached the semifinals of a top-line ATP event, and will get his chance against Tommy Robredo. The sixth-seeded Spaniard reached the quarterfinals by beating Ivo Minar of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-3. In another second-round match, No. 7 Rainer Schuettler beat Jean-Claude Scherrer 6-1, 6-4.
In two other men's second-round matches, Bjorn Phau of Germany beat Sam Querrey of the United States 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, and Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain defeated Fernando Verdasco 7-5, 6-4.
On the women's side, Zheng Jie of China gained a quarterfinal berth by beating Ai Sugiyama of Japan 6-1, 6-2. Zheng is the only Chinese woman remaining in the draw after four others lost in the first round.
China's Zheng Jie returns a ball during the women's singles second round match against Japan's Ai Sugiyama at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Zheng won 2-0.
No. 2 Ana Ivanovic also reached the quarterfinals, beating Alize Cornet 6-1, 7-6 (1). And No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova advanced by defeating Russian countrywoman Alla Kudryavtseva 6-2, 6-3.
Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova returns a ball during the women's singles second round match against her compatriot Alla Kudryavtseva at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Kuznetsova won 2-0.
In other women's second-round matches, Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia beat No. 8 Anna Chakvetadze of Russia 6-3, 6-2, and No. 5 Vera Zvonareva of Russia advanced by defeating Francesca Schiavone of Italy 7-6 (5), 6-2.
Defending champion Agnes Szavay of Hungary was ousted by Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain 6-2, 6-2.
The China Open is a combined ATP and WTA event, played together to make up for scheduling time lost during the Beijing Olympics.
China's Zheng Jie (R) and Yan Zi compete during the women's doubles first round match against Argentina's Gisela Dulko and Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Zheng and Yan won the match 2-0.
Andy Roddick of the United States returns a ball during the men's singles second round match against his compatriot Brendan Evans at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Roddick won 2-0.
Brendan Evans of the United States returns a ball during the men's singles second round match against his compatriot Andy Roddick at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Evans lost the match 0-2.
Andy Roddick of the United States reacts during the men's singles second round match against his compatriot Brendan Evans at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Roddick won 2-0.
Brendan Evans of the United States reacts during the men's singles second round match against his compatriot Andy Roddick at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Evans lost the match 0-2.
Brendan Evans of the United States wipes off the sweat during the men's singles second round match against his compatriot Andy Roddick at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Evans lost the match 0-2.
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Andy Roddick of the United States returns a ball during the men's singles second round match against his compatriot Brendan Evans at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Roddick won 2-0.
Despite falling behind early, the second-seeded Roddick defeated fellow American Brendan Evans 6-4, 6-3.
Seeded No. 1, Ferrer was never in his second-round match, falling 6-3, 6-3 to Dudi Sela of Israel, who is No. 92 in the ATP rankings behind the Spaniard.
No. 3 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile escaped with a scare. The defending champion and Olympic silver medalist last month in Beijing rallied to beat Go Soeda of Japan 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1, while No. 4 Richard Gasquet of France had fewer problems in beating Lu Yen-hsun of Chinese Taipei 7-5, 6-1.
Chile's Fernando Gonzalez returns a ball during the men's singles second round match against Japan's Go Soeda at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Gonzalez won 2-1.
Both Roddick and Ferrer had byes in the first round and some extra days off following Spain's emotional Davis Cup semifinal victory last weekend over the United States in Madrid. But it was Roddick who was ready to rebound despite falling behind early against Evans.
"From 2-4 down in the first set I started feeling a little better," Roddick said. "It's a little tough going from clay last weekend in Spain to dealing with the jet lag and what not."
Roddick was mentored by Andre Agassi as a young player. After the match, he gave his younger compatriot a few tips.
"I told him (Evans) I thought he took his foot off the accelerator a little bit when he was up in the match," Roddick explained. "And maybe he stopped being as aggressive as he was to get in the lead, and that allowed me to get a rhythm."
Roddick also acknowledged the outdoor hard court in Beijing suits him better than the red clay in Spain.
"I'm able to do some more stuff on a quicker court, a hard court," he said. "Clay limits my game a little bit more."
Ferrer beat Roddick in a grueling five-set match in the Davis Cup. He didn't look for excuses yesterday, noting Sela had also played Davis Cup against Peru in Israel before traveling to China.
"I was maybe a little bit tired and didn't sleep well these last two nights," Ferrer said. "That's no excuse. He played better than me. It's not a good day for me."
Sela has never reached the semifinals of a top-line ATP event, and will get his chance against Tommy Robredo. The sixth-seeded Spaniard reached the quarterfinals by beating Ivo Minar of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-3. In another second-round match, No. 7 Rainer Schuettler beat Jean-Claude Scherrer 6-1, 6-4.
In two other men's second-round matches, Bjorn Phau of Germany beat Sam Querrey of the United States 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, and Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain defeated Fernando Verdasco 7-5, 6-4.
On the women's side, Zheng Jie of China gained a quarterfinal berth by beating Ai Sugiyama of Japan 6-1, 6-2. Zheng is the only Chinese woman remaining in the draw after four others lost in the first round.
China's Zheng Jie returns a ball during the women's singles second round match against Japan's Ai Sugiyama at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Zheng won 2-0.
No. 2 Ana Ivanovic also reached the quarterfinals, beating Alize Cornet 6-1, 7-6 (1). And No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova advanced by defeating Russian countrywoman Alla Kudryavtseva 6-2, 6-3.
Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova returns a ball during the women's singles second round match against her compatriot Alla Kudryavtseva at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Kuznetsova won 2-0.
In other women's second-round matches, Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia beat No. 8 Anna Chakvetadze of Russia 6-3, 6-2, and No. 5 Vera Zvonareva of Russia advanced by defeating Francesca Schiavone of Italy 7-6 (5), 6-2.
Defending champion Agnes Szavay of Hungary was ousted by Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain 6-2, 6-2.
The China Open is a combined ATP and WTA event, played together to make up for scheduling time lost during the Beijing Olympics.
China's Zheng Jie (R) and Yan Zi compete during the women's doubles first round match against Argentina's Gisela Dulko and Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Zheng and Yan won the match 2-0.
Andy Roddick of the United States returns a ball during the men's singles second round match against his compatriot Brendan Evans at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Roddick won 2-0.
Brendan Evans of the United States returns a ball during the men's singles second round match against his compatriot Andy Roddick at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Evans lost the match 0-2.
Andy Roddick of the United States reacts during the men's singles second round match against his compatriot Brendan Evans at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Roddick won 2-0.
Brendan Evans of the United States reacts during the men's singles second round match against his compatriot Andy Roddick at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Evans lost the match 0-2.
Brendan Evans of the United States wipes off the sweat during the men's singles second round match against his compatriot Andy Roddick at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2008. Evans lost the match 0-2.
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