新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 20:00 2013/09/27

The Beijing Hour
 
Evening Edition
 
 
Paul James with you on this Friday, September 27, 2013.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this evening.
The permanent members of the UN security council have firmed up an agreement on dealing with Syria's chemical weapons.
UN Chief Ban Ki-moon has issued a new call for global nuclear weapon disarmament.
Search and Rescue is underway after the collapse of a 5-story building in the Indian city of Mumbai.
In Business.... the markets here in China have ended on a high-note ahead of the impending opening of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone this weekend.
In Sports, future Hall of Fame pitcher Mariano Rivera has thrown his last Major League Baseball pitch.
In Entertainment, Robert De Niro is set to take over for the late James Gandolfini in a new HBO series.
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be cloudy tonight with a low of 12 degrees Celsius.　Tomorrow overcast with a high temperature of 23.
Meanwhile Shanghai will have light rain tonight, with a low of 20, moderate rain tomorrow, with a high of 26.
Lhasa will be clear tonight, 6 degrees the low, cloudy tomorrow with a high of 19.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, thundershowers, with a high of 33.
Kabul, sunny, 30.
Over in Australia
Sydney, sunny, highs of 27.
Canberra, sunny, 17.
Brisbane, overcast, 28.
And finally, Perth will also be overcast with a high of 20.
 
 
Top News
 
 
Security Council passed draft resolution on Syria's chemical weapons stocks
 
The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council have reached an agreement on a resolution to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons arsenal.
Britain is now set to introduce the text to the 10 other members of the Security Council.
Although Russia and the U.S have been at odds on how to enforce the resolution, the two sides have confirmed the last hurdles to the agreement had been overcome.
Russian ambassador Vitaly Churkin.
"It is fully in line with the framework agreement which was reached in Geneva by Foreign Minister Lavrov and Secretary Kerry, so it took us only two weeks to bring that framework agreement to fruition."
U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power.
"This is very significant. This is the first time since the Syrian conflict began two-and-a-half years ago that the Security Council has imposed binding obligations on Syria - binding obligations of any kind."
The agreement comes a day after Russia's deputy foreign minister agreed that the resolution would include a reference to Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter.
Chapter 7 allows for military and non-military sanctions if a Security Council resolution is violated.
In Moscow, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has offered to provide troops to guard the facilities where Syria's chemical weapons will eventually be destroyed.
A possible full Security Council vote on the resolution is expected to take place later tonight.
 
 
Top UN officials urge greater efforts towards nuclear disarmament
 
Anchor:
The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is calling on all countries to make renewed steps to rid the world of nuclear weapons.
He's made the comments as part of the first-ever High-Level Meeting of the United Nations Gerneral Assembly on Nuclear Disbarment.
CRI's Marc Cavigli has more.
Reporter:
In his opening speech, Ban Ki-moon said the world would be much safer and more prosperous without nuclear arms.
"Some might complain that nuclear disarmament is little more than a dream. But that ignores the very tangible benefits disarmament would bring for all humankind. Its success would strengthen international peace and security. It would free up vast and much-needed resources for social and economic development."
The UN chief appealed to nuclear-weapon states, in particular, to intensify their efforts to cooperate with the international community and move towards disarmament.
"Today, I once again call upon the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to demonstrate its commitment towards verifiable denuclearization. I urge the Islamic Republic of Iran to fulfill its pledge to enhance the transparency of its nuclear programme. I urge those countries outside the NPT regime to accede to it without delay and without conditions."
Also at the meeting, the new Iranian president Hassan Rouhani made his call on Israel to join an international treaty banning the spread of nuclear weapons.
"Almost four decades of international effort to establish a nuclear weapon free zone in the Middle East has regrettably failed. Urgent practical steps towards the establishment of such a zone are necessary. Israel, the only non-party to the non-proliferation treaty in this region should join it too, without any further delay."
Israel is the only Mideast nation that has not signed the landmark 1979 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Iran has insisted that the country's nuclear use is peaceful.
For CRI, I am Marc Cavigli.
 
 
Analyst says shopping mall attack affects Kenyan economy
 
Anchor:
A growing number of observers and financial analysts are warning Kenya's economy is likely to suffer following the deadly assault this week at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi.
CRI's Hu Jia has more.
Report:
Public transport have returned to normal near the Westgate shopping mall, which went through deadly attack on Saturday.
Across the road from the mall are some antique shops, which are normally busy with tourists buying African handicrafts.
However business here has not been good since the attack that killed more than 60 civilians.
"There are no customers yet, we are idling around I didn't get money since the morning of the attack, it has affected us."
"No business at all we just open and then we close we have been affected."
It may not only be these small traders who are feeling the negative effects of the attack.
Aly-Khan Satchu, a prominent economic Analyst in Kenya says the attack will also have a big impact on foreign investment, a leading economy in East Africa.
"For foreign investors, as long as this is a one-time event, this is one of the risks of investing deep at the frontier; but if it represents a new and more uncertain normal, it will be problematic for all our market including the shilling and the stock market as well."
Some analysts say Kenya will now need to spend more on security to put investors at ease and to minimize the negative impact on its economic development.
For CRI, Iam Hu jia.
 
 
Senior army officer briefs media on attack by suspected separatists
 
The Indian military has provided an update on a series of militant attacks this week in Kashmir.
Indian soldiers have shot and killed at least 10 insurgents during a gun battle at the Line of Actual Control separating Indian-controlled Kashmir from Pakistan.
Gurmit Singh is with the Indian Army.
"Currently, on the ground, heavy fire fight is going on. My troops on the ground have reported that they have observed 10 to 12 dead bodies of the militants. The area of operation has been effectively cordoned, reinforcement have been moved to this area."
Suspected separatist rebels stormed into a police station in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Wednesday, killing at least 6.
The Indian side suspects the attacks have been launched to try to disrupt talks between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan at the United Nations.
India has accused Pakistan of arming Kashmiri separatists.
Pakistan's government has continually denied the accusation.
 
 
Rescue work underway after building collapse in Mumbai
 
Around 20 people have been pulled out from the rubble of a collapsed building in the Indian city of Mumbai this Friday.
Reports say at least 5 people have been killed.
It's feared as many as 30 others are feared trapped under the debris of the 5-story building.
Mumbai mayor Sunil Prabhu.
"It is believed that the building was 60 years old. Our prime focus is on the rescue operations. We are trying to save people who are still trapped. The civic body is being assisted by the residents in the rescue operations, which are in full swing."
The building is staff quarters for civic employees in Mumbai.
It's unclear what caused the building to collapse.
Building collapses in India are not uncommon, mainly because of poor construction.
74 people were killed in a building collapse in the suburbs of Mumbai in April.
5 others were killed in a building collapse in the same city in June.
 
 
TEPCO president testifies, company applies to restart a nuclear plant
 
The operator of the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant is asking for safety inspections to be carried out.
Tokyo Electric Power Company, or TEPCO, has also applied to restart the world's largest nuclear plant in Japan.
TEPCO president Naomi Hirose.
"The original plan was for the Kashiwazaki plant to begin operation this fiscal year, but we have just applied for its safety approval as of today. As such, we will of course have to redo our plans. In the larger plan and redone plan, we plan to include 1 trillion yen in that as well."
Hirose also says the situation at the Fukushima nuclear plant is "under control."
A group of protesters gathered outside the nuclear regulator's office during his time there.
The protesters are demanding TEPCO needs to deal with the ongoing Fukushima crisis before looking to restart other plants.
"They're not in a state where they could restart things, and so you have to wonder whether they can really properly apply to restart. In terms of Tepco, they're completely untrustworthy."
Tepco is already behind schedule on its restart plan.
The original plan had been to restart at least one of TEPCO's reactors by April.
 
 
China vows to cement bilateral partnership with Laos
 
Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting with his Laotian counterpart here in Beijing.
Xi Jinping has told Choummaly Saygnasone China and Laos constitute a community that share the same destiny and common interests.
"China is willing to see close high-level interactions. I believe the visit of secretary general Choummaly's visit is of great significance. It will definitely further promote mutual political trust as well as bilateral cooperation, and enrich and further develop the all-around strategic partnership between China and Laos."
For his part, Choummally Saygnasone says he and Xi Jinping have agreed to elevate their level of partnership.
"I am very glad to pay an official state visit to China. Our party, government and people regard China as a close and reliable friend."
The two leaders have also overseen the signing of a series of cooperative agreements.
 
 
12th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention closes
 
Anchor:
This year's World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention has come to a conclusion this week in Sichuan's capital of Chengdu.
CRI's Lucy Du has more.
Reporter:
For the more than 3-thousand entrepreneurs from 104 countries and regions, the 12th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention was more like a homecoming party.
The two-day event has seen the signing of 241 contracts worth over 130-billion yuan.
Tu Haiming is the vice president of the China Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs Association.
"Because I think western China will be the focus of future development. The first move is surely in Chengdu. It is the first stop in the western region. Then secondly, areas around Chengdu, like Dujiang Dam(Dujiangyan Irrigation System), all make excellent bases."
Gan Lin is the vice governor of Sichuan.
"Sichuan has become a hot destination and the first choice for investment of overseas Chinese entrepreneurs. This has become consensus and actions of overseas Chinese businessmen. "
The convention in Sichuan has been viewed as a platform for overseas Chinese entrepreneurs to actively participate in the development of western China.
The market potential and opportunities in western China is said to have dominated the discussions at the event.
For CRI, I'm Lucy Du.
 
 
China releases the first transport report
 
The Chinese Ministry of Transport has released a new report on both the road and waterway transport sectors.
The report says the network of roads in this country has reached over 4-million kilometers this past year.
The study has also determined there are some 30-thousand berths in outer and inner harbours.
The length of inland waterways is over 120-thousand kilometers.
Transport Ministry spokesperson Liang Xiao'an.
"Many of our indicators stand top in the world like the total distance of roads, harbour capacities, lengths of inland waterways, passengers and freight transport on roads and the volume of freight on water."
The study has also found some 200-million people use public transport on a daily basis.
 
 
Chinese tourists tastes are on the move
 
Anchor:
This coming national holiday next week is known here in China as a "Golden Week," where most of this country's population either goes home or goes traveling.
CRI's Primrose Riordan has more.
Zhang Congcong is 23 and a student at Sichuan University. She's just returned from a tour organized trip to lijiang in Sichuan and Sanya in Hainan.
"I liked Sanya, there's great seafood there. I could dive under the sea and see all the fishes around me."
According to China's National Tourism Administration, in the last few years there has been 10% year on year increase in domestic tourists. With bigger wallets and less restrictions, Chinese people are eager to see the rest of their vast nation.
Chinese tourists are also venturing abroad in droves - a staggering 83 million went abroad in 2012. As of last year China is now the biggest source of tourism dollars globally.
Internally, since the 1970's, Chinese tourists have been traveling to destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Hangzhou, Sanya, and Chengdu.
With more Chinese people traveling both in China and abroad, tastes are moving towards more independent travel and more authentic experiences. I went down to Dashilar, a historical area of Beijing. Resident Linlin tells me it's one of the more important areas of the city.
"I think it has relevance to contemporary china, this is one of the oldest part of the city we are on the south side of Tiananmen Square, so it represents the capital the most."
But authorities, worried about the safety and hygiene of older buildings, often renovate tourists spots in China by tearing down the old buildings and making replicas. Whats more, with the crowds come touts and souvenir shops. Linlin says this can make people feel like the experience is inauthentic.
"You have all these shops selling poor quality food and products and people come in and feel like they are a tourist and trapped. And, to be honest, this is a very misunderstood area because what it used to be was actually amazing and authentic. However, nowadays there are a lot of imitations of shops and the representations of what it used to be here which doesn't do the history justice."
But Linlin tells me things are changing. A government program to fund less intrusive renovations of existing hutongs has begun in the area and entrepreneurs are keen to get on board.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Stocks 
 
The markets here in Asia ended the week largely in positive territory.
Stocks in China rallied on the back of positive manufacturing data and in anticipation of the opening of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone this Sunday.
The Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.2 percent.
The Shenzhen Component Index rose by just under 0.4 percent.
Down in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng rose by just under 0.4 percent.
Elsewhere here in Asia,
Japan's Nikkei lost 0.3 percent as the government quashed rumors of a potential corporate tax cut.
South Korea's KOSPI gained just under 0.5%.
The Straits Times Index in Singapore gained half a percent
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose by just over 0.2 percent
 
 
FTZ Call In
 
The State Council has released further details about the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, which is set to open on Sunday.
As part of the plans Chinese banks in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone will be allowed to conduct offshore business, providing services to depositors who live in other countries.
Shanghai FTZ will also let foreign-funded financial institutions to set up banks.
Foreign banks will also be able to team up with Chinese private banks to establish joint-ventures.
Restrictions connected to the convertibility of the yuan will also be eased.
The government will also let the market determine its own interest rates.
For more on the impending opening of the FTZ, we're joined on the line by CRI's financial commentator Cao Can.
…
Back Anchor:
That was CRI's commentator Cao Can.
 
 
China Industrial manufacturing profits up by nearly a quarter
 
Major Chinese industrial firms have seen their combined profits rise over 24-percent year on year in August.
This is up from 11.6 percent in July.
Among the 41 industries surveyed, 25 have posted year-on-year profit growth during the January-August period.
Electricity, heat production and the supply industry have seen their collective profits jump over 70-percent in the first eight months.
Manufacturers of computers, telecommunication and electronics have seen their profits rise nearly 30-percent.
14 industries reported declines in their profits, including the railways, shipping and aerospace sectors.
Privately-owned enterprises have led the growth, with combined profits up over 16-percent year on year in the first eight months.
State-run enterprises saw earnings increase 8-percent during the same period.
 
 
China Merchants Bank raise 1 billion US dollars in Hong Kong
 
China Merchants Bank has raised almost 1-billion US dollars in a Hong Kong share issue.
The Shenzhen-based bank is planning to use the funding to plug a capital shortfall.
Merchants Bank's capital adequacy ratio has dropped to 10.7-percent through the first half of this year.
This makes the bank's capital adequacy ratio the second lowest among all the Hong Kong-listed mainland lenders.
China Merchants Bank is hoping to raise its capital adequacy ratio to 11.5-percent by the end of 2015.
 
 
Japanese car makers plead guilty to Price fixing
 
The US Justice Department has announced 9-Japanese auto parts makers are pleading guilty to charges of price fixing.
US Attorney General Eric Holder.
"Today, we are announcing that nine Japan-based companies and two executives have agreed to plead guilty - and to pay a total of more than 740 (m) million dollars in criminal fines for their roles in separate conspiracies to fix the prices of more than 30 different products sold to US car manufacturers and installed in cars sold in the United States and elsewhere."
The case is the largest criminal investigation the Justice Department has ever carried out.
The investigation has resulted in charges against 20 companies and 21 executives, carrying total fines of 1.6-billion US dollars.
The price fixing, which lasted for more than a decade, affected more than 5-billion US dollars worth of auto parts sold to US car manufacturers.
 
 
Japan Inflation hits five year high
 
Consumer inflation in Japan has hit a nearly 5-year high in August.
This is sparking suggestions Japan's economy may be on the cusp of emerging from decades of deflation.
The core consumer inflation calculation excludes fresh food, but includes oil products.
Consumer inflation is up 0.8-percent year on year in August.
This represents the third consecutive month of increases in consumer prices.
This is the fastest rise in Japanese consumer inflation since November 2008.
The price of durable electronic goods has also seen a rise for the first time in over two decades.
Observers are suggesting the inflation trend might be skewed, as a weaker yen has pushed up prices for oil imports.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
17 killed, over 34 injured in blast in Peshawar, NW Pakistan
 
At least 17 people are confirmed dead and over 34 others hurt after a blast hit a bus carrying government employees in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar.
It's believed the bomb was placed under the back seats of the bus.
Bomb experts say the device was set off by a timer.
The passengers are employees of Peshawar's civil service secretariat.
A number of the injured are said to be in critical condition.
So far no group has claimed responsibility.
Authorities in Pakistan are considering it an act of terrorism.
 
 
5 injured, 50 trapped in building collapse in Mumbai
 
It's believed around 30 people are trapped under a collapsed building in Mumbai.
The 5-story building came down around 6:30 in the morning.
So far 5-people have been confirmed killed.
Around 20 others have been pulled out alive from the rubble.
The building is staff quarters for civic employees in Mumbai.
It's unclear what caused the building to collapse.
Building collapses in India are not uncommon, mainly because of poor construction.
74 people were killed in a building collapse in the suburbs of Mumbai in April.
5 others were killed in a building collapse in the same city in June.
 
 
Japanese vessel capsizes after collision, 6 missing
 
6 Japanese sailors are missing, after their ship capsized after colliding with another ship off the coast of Japan.
The 500-tonne Japanese ship collided with a much larger cargo freighter and capsized in the early morning hours this Friday about 11-kilometers off the coast.
The Japanese Coast Guard is leading the search operations.
None of the 13 crew on the other freighter, which was flying a Sierra Leon flag, were injured in the collision.
There is one Chinese national aboard the larger ship.
 
 
Suspected food poisoning sickens 96 Chinese students
 
Close to a hundred middle-school students have been sickened in a suspected case of food poisoning in Hebei.
A total of 96 students began suffering from nausea and diarrhea after eating at their school canteen in the city of Qian'an, which is located about 100-kilometers east of Beijing.
All have been hospitalized.
None of their conditions are considered life-threatening.
The cause of the suspected food poisoning hasn't been determined.
 
 
China to ease restrictions on yuan, investment, trade in Shanghai FTZ
 
New plans published today will allow Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone will ease restrictions connected to the convertibility of the yuan, as well as investment, trade and business management.
The State Council says the free convertibility of the yuan will be tested.
The government will let the market determine its own interest rates.
The easing of the regulations will span 18 sectors from finance and shipping to culture.
The Shanghai Free Trade Zone is set to open this coming Sunday.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
Xinhua
"China lowers ticket prices at scenic spots"
China has moved to lower ticket prices at 1,400 scenic spots around the country during the coming week-long National Day holiday.
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said on Friday that it has urged local price authorities to push for price cuts averaging about 20 percent.
The NDRC said the move aims to create a sound market environment and lower costs for tourists.
Chinese people will enjoy a seven-day National Day holiday, often dubbed "Golden Week," from Oct. 1 to 7. The holiday is a prime opportunity for people in China to visit family or tourist attractions.
However, many scenic spots around the country have raised ticket prices to cash in on the holiday in past years, causing public discontent.
Shanghai Daily
"New branch of University of Elderly helps seniors learn technology"
Shanghai University of the Elderly opened a new branch campus today where senior citizens can learn how to use digital devices.
Classrooms are equipped with computers, tablet PCs, digital cameras, smart TVs and even game devices like X-Box to help older people adopt the digital life.
About 60 people between 50 and 80 years old began courses this month. One person said they attended the course so that she can better communicate with her son and daughter, who live far from her.
The courses at the new campus are currently free to attract more learners.
Shanghai has the highest proportion of older people among China's cities and one in four registered residents in Shanghai is over 60.
Many older people live apart from their children. Many said they felt the bond between family members grow weaker than before as people got busier at work and had less time to see each other.
The Telegraph
"One in three pilots wake to find their co-pilot also asleep"
New research reveals nearly one in three pilots say they have woken to find their co-pilot also asleep, and over half admit to falling asleep on the flight deck.
The survey of 500 commercial pilots found that 43 per cent felt their abilities have been compromised at least once a month in the last 6 months by tiredness. 84 per cent said it has been compromised during the past 6 months.
Just over half said they believed their airline Chief Executive would back them if they refused to fly because of tiredness, highlighting a further 31 per cent's belief that their airline does not have a culture that lends itself to reporting tiredness concerns.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
Christie's first auction in Chinese mainland
 
Anchor:
Christie's has held its first-ever stand-alone auction on the mainland, taking in some 25-million US dollars through the sale of 40 different lots last night in Shanghai..
CRI's Jordan Lee has more.
Reporter:
Christie's, which has long operated in Hong Kong, has been organizing its sales here on the mainland since 2005 by authorizing a Chinese auction firm to use its international trademark.
This is because of the strict regulations on setting up a solely foreign-invested auction house.
However, the auction house has now been granted a license to operate independently in China, making it the first international auction house to hold its own branded events on the mainland.
The auction at the Shangri-la Hotel, Jing'an district, Shanghai on Thursday night was its first.
Jonathan Stone is the chair and International Head of Asian Art at Christies.
"I think it is one of the most important steps that the company has taken in almost 250 years of history. It is as important as arriving in America in the 1970s."
The auction included works from both East and West, from Asian Contemporary to European Modern Masters and American Post-War and Contemporary.
Highlights included a contemplative 1963 still-life by Giorgio Morandi, a 1969 work titled "Homme Assis" by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol's "Diamond Dust Shoes" from 1980.
China has one of the world's largest and fastest-growing markets for art, with Chinese buyers now common at international auctions.
Rebecca Catching, Director of the OV Gallery in Shanghai, says it is a status symbol for Chinese people to buy art at auction.
"They can be basically anyone with money and he wants to show that they a have a bit of status by buying in Auction, they can say this work sold for ah you know two million at Auction, if their friends question their taste they can say, well it was sell for two millions at Auction"
The new license for Christies to hold auctions on its own does come with restrictions that Chinese auction houses don't have.
Christie's is not allowed to sell cultural relics that predate 1911, as the Chinese government considers them vital to this country's cultural heritage.
Fan Ganping is a spokesperson for the Shanghai Auction Industry Association.
"Now Chinese society is still undergoing development. Law and regulation is not perfect and people's awareness of following them is not strong. The government fears if the ban is lifted graves robbery and culture relics smuggling will become more. So the culture relics experts reserved and have concerns. These are very common"
Christie's has over 450 auctions every year around the world.
The auction house found itself in a bit of controversy back in 2009, when two bronze animal heads looted from Beijing's Old Summer Palace in 1860 were put up for auction in Paris.
The bronzes were eventually acquired by French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault.
They were returned to China in June of this year.
For CRI, I am Jordan Lee.
 
 
Sports
 
 
Mariano Rivera
 
In Major League Baseball,
Yankee's Mariano Rivera played his final home game in the Bronx, but unfortunately the pitcher wasn't able to leave his team on a win as New York lost to the Tampa Bay Rays 4-0.
"Well I mean it definitely wasn't magical for me. I wouldn't call it magical, I would call it blessed, you know because I mean I had the opportunity to play for nineteen years and give the best of my talents and my ability to this organisation and tonight was, paid off, you know I mean the fans were there and I definitely appreciate that."
The 43-year-old helped the Yankees onto five World Series titles. He broke down in tears after manager Joe Girardi sent longtime teammates Derek jeter and Andy Pettitte to pull him from the mound.
"You know I've been with Mo since 1996 and a lot of great times. He made my job fun, he made my job easy, but probably more important than that he made all our lives better and we'll miss him."
Andy Pettitte took a bow of his own as the pitcher will also retire at the end of the season.
The Texas Rangers beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-5 in the opener of a four-game home set.
It was a close game, with numerous lead changes. LA came from behind to tie it up at 5 at the top of the seventh.
But the Rangers won it at the bottom of the ninth, when Jurickson Profar sent the third pitch flying into the right field stands.
The Cleveland Indians tightened their grip on the AL's second wild-card spot, after defeating the Minnesota Twins 6-5 on the road.
 
 
Li Na qualifies for the 2013 WTA Championships
 
In tennis,
China's Li Na officially qualified for this year's WTA Championships, which will take place later next month in Istanbul.
31-year-old Li is the fifth player behind Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova and Agnieszka Radwanska to make it into the prestigious tournament.
Li became the first Chinese player to qualify for the championship back in 2011.
At the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo,
Venus Williams eliminated Canada's Eugenie Bouchard after three sets. Williams will next face Petra Kvitova in the semifinals.
The other semifinal clash will be between fourth-seed Caroline Wozniacki and fifth-seed Angelique Kerber.
And over at the Thailand Open,
Canada's young star Milos Raonic defeated Marinko Matosevic in the second round.
After a first-round bye, Raonic had to battle for 2 1/2 hour before breaking his Australian opponent.
Also through to the quarterfinals is Gilles Simon of France, the 2009 champion and last year's runner-up.
And the China Open officially kicked off today with opening matches this morning.
And right now Li Na and Novak Djokovic are dueling it out in a charity match, which is being billed as "the battle of the sexes".
 
 
The 49ers beat St. Louis 35-11
 
In the NFL,
The San Francisco 49ers snapped a two-game losing streak after defeating the St. Louis Rams 35-11.
Frank Gore more than doubled his output from the first three games with 153 yards on 20 carries. Anguan Boldin had five catches for 90 yards and a touchdown.
There's also some NFL action taking place across the ocean,
The Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers are in London ahead of this weekend's match at Wembley Stadium.
Since both teams are struggling with matching 0-3 losing records, a win is critical to keep playoff hopes alive.
Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier says he feels bad that his players can't get out more and enjoy the historic city, but they've got to focus on the game.
"We've talked about what our purpose is here and what we have to get done - the fact it's a regular season game and for us an extremely important game for us, we have to really be focused on what we're here to do, and that's to get a win. Our preparation is key to that and we have to be mature about how we go about things and make good decisions with our free time and our players understand that."
The game is part of the NFL's strategy to promote American football in the UK.
 
 
Mario Balotelli apologizes for his treatment of a referee
 
In football,
Milan's Mario Balotelli has sort of apologized for the referee-abuse that got him slapped with a three-game ban.
The star striker made the attempt at apology during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
He said, "I made a mistake when I was provoked. Mario got it wrong and Mario apologises, but I don't want to apologise to everyone because it's not as if I killed someone."
Another striker who's in even deeper trouble is Barcelona's Lionel Messi. The 26-year-old is in court today for his initial hearing over tax fraud allegations.
The four time world player of the year and his father are accused of failing to pay 4.2 million euros in tax.
They both deny the charges, claiming the deals were made by a former agent without their knowledge.
 
 
UCI's president Pat McQuaid seeks another term
 
In cycling,
The sport's governing body, the UCI, is gathering today to vote between current president Pat McQuaid and British challenger Brian Cookson.
McQuaid is seeking his third four-year term, but his chances may have been jeopardized by the Lance Armstrong doping scandal, which took place under his leadership.
Federations in McQuaid's native Ireland and Switzerland have withdrawn their support after the UCI was accused of covering up the Armstrong scandal.
The election will be conducted by secret ballot among 42 voters.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
New sit-com hits the small screen
 
First in the US, there is another new sit-com hitting the small screen this week.
Rebel Wilson plays the lead as a gifted but nerdy girl, who has managed to get on the fast track at a major law firm.
With her two best friends, she is living life to the fullest one Friday night at a time.
"It's kind of like we're baby chickens, We're breaking out of the egg and put out little chicken leg out there and going, 'Can we? Can we get out into the world and have fun and exciting lives? I think we can.' And then we just kind of go a little step, little step."
If you can't picture her Rebel Wilson played Brynn, Kristen Wiig's roommate with the infected tattoo, in the "Bridesmaids," as well as Fat Amy in the musical "Pitch Perfect".
And she is now fronting this show, which will go out in the coveted Wednesday night slot just after Modern Family on ABC.
So the Australian girl is doing well for herself. Certainly she's an original character.
 
 
De Niro takes over Gandolfini role on HBO
 
HBO has revealed the Robert De Niro is to star in its new mini series Criminal Justice.
He is replacing the late James Gandolfini who died aged 51 following a heart attack in Italy in June.
The Sopranos star played the part in the pilot and will remain an executive producer on the show posthumously.
The seven hour mini-series will feature De Niro as an ambulance chasing lawyer.
Based loosely on the 2008 BBC series by Peter Moffat, De Niro's character, Jack Stone will take on the case of a Pakistani in New York who is accused of murdering a girl on the upper West Side.
 
 
Ranbir Kapoor stars in Bollywood film 'Besharam'
 
Following smash hits like "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" and "Barfi" Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor, has fast become one of India's most sought after male leads.
In his latest outing "Besharam", he plays a car mechanic living in a Delhi orphanage who also supports the orphanage by stealing cars.
This film is a departure from Kapoor's previous roles…. While at times the character he plays is happy go lucky, he is also not your typical lovable comedy lead as Kapoor explains.
"It is a comedy, the character I play is a bit over the top, flamboyant, vulgar, repulsive, so it was fun playing it. I don't think I would really label it as a comedy, it's your quintessential Hindi entertaining film."
"Besharam" is out in the UK on October the second.
 
 
McCartney et al perform Shakespeare and Beatles at California charity event
 
That Shakespeare fellow is in the news again today, this time in California where Sir Paul McCartney hit the stage for a charity event with some other Noble Kinsmen.
The Beatle was joined by Tom Hanks, Val Kilmer and William Shatner, among others for a reading of the Bard's "The two Gentleman of Verona".
And after the reading as an encore, the entire cast got together to belt out a few beatles hits.
Tickets for the annual event "Simply Shakespeare" cost 1,500 US dollars, and the cash goes towards supporting arts education and employment programs for veterans and inner-city youth.
 
 
Halle Berry's anti-paparazzi bill becomes law in California
 
A new anti paparazzi law has come into effect in the California.
The legislation which has been championed by Halle Berry sets out to protect the children of those in the public eye.
The Academy award winning actress testified before the state assembly and has called the bill the "beginning of the end" for "aggressive paparazzi"
In April Halle Berry was seen in a dispute with photographers who were taking pictures of her and her family when they arrived at Los Angeles International Airport.
Berry, who is expecting another child, thanked fellow stars Jennifer Garner and Adele for helping to support bill 606.
It means the paparazzi in California will now face penalties for taking pictures the children without parental consent or in an aggressive manner.
 
 
That's it for this edition of the BJH
A quick recap of the headlines BEFORE WE GO...
The permanent members of the UN security council have firmed up an agreement on dealing with Syria's chemical weapons.
UN Chief Ban Ki-moon has issued a new call for global nuclear weapon disarmament.
Search and Rescue is underway after the collapse of a 5-story building in the Indian city of Mumbai.
In Business, the markets here in China have ended on a high-note ahead of the impending opening of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone this weekend.