Morning Edition

 

 

 

 

 

Rebecca Hume with you on this Wednesday, August 28th, 2013.

Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.

Coming up on our program this morning...

Chinese President Xi Jinping announces four-nation tour in Central Asia next week

UN inspectors postpone site visit in Syria for one day

California wildfire may threaten San Francisco's water supply

Business

China signs a global agreement on combating tax evasion

Sports

In tennis, former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki through to the second round at the U.S Open

Entertainments

The 70th Venice Film Festival set to feature a number of Chinese-movies including ‘Stray Dog’s’

Plus

Special reports takes a look at the growing popularity of White Collar boxing matches here in China

First, let's check on what's happening on the weather front...

 

 

Weather

 

 

Beijing will see slight rain today, with a high of 29 degree Celsius in the daytime, and it will be cloudy tonight with a low of 22.

In Shanghai, it will be cloudy today, 35 the high, and it will be cloudy tonight, the low of 28 degrees Celsius.

Lhasa will have showers in the daytime the temperature's at 24, and tonight will have showers with a low of 12 degree Celsius.

Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia

Islamabad, sunny, 34.

Kabul, sunny, with a high of 33.

And in North America

New York, overcast, with a high of 29 degrees.

Washington, overcast, highs of 32

Houston, thundershowers, 33.

Honolulu, sunny, 31.

Toronto, overcast, 28

Finally, on to South America,

Buenos Aires, sunny, 14.

And Rio de Janeiro will have moderate rain with highs of 24 degrees Celsius.

 

 

Top News

 

 

Xi Jinping will start four-nation tour in Central Asia next week

 

Anchor

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to start a four-nation tour in Central Asia next week.

It will also take him through St. Petersberg, Russia for this year's G20 Summit.

CRI's Su Yi has the details.

Reporter

Xi Jinping will start his trip to the four nations, Turkmenstan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on September 3rd.

It's widely expected that the President's first official tour of the region should help clairify the new administration's foregin policy in the region.

Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping.

"Xi Jinping's four-nation tour in the region will coincide with a head-of-states summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. It is expected the countries will sign many important cooperation treaties in the fields of energy, transportation, telecommunications and other investments."

Cheng adds aside from getting business deals done, the Chinese president will also deliver a speech at the University of Nazarbayev in Kazakhstan to outline the new Chinese leadership's foreign policy in Cenral Asia.

Following this, Xi Jinping will travel to Russia for the G20 Summit.

His time there is expected to outline China's expectations for the reform of the International Monetary Fund.

Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong.

"A key part of the president's deliberation at the summit will focus on the reform of the quota system of the IMF, whereby the emerging markets and developing countries can increase their representation and voting rights in the organization."

Aside from pushing for deeper reforms in the IMF, Xi Jinping is also expected to hammer-home China's resolve toward reducing trade protectionism at the summit.

The G20 summit will also give Xi Jinping an opportunity to meet seperately on bilateral issues with the G20 leaders.

Some have speculated the Chinese leader might have used the occasion to meet with his Japanese counterpart to ease frictions between the two countries.

However, Li Baodong says the Japanese government lacks the fundemental sincerity in maintaining good ties with China.

"Japan has disregarded historical facts, has refused to seriously engage in talks over the Diaoyu Islands. Leaders there have delibrately tried to escalate tension. Then how can we meeting on such basis?"

Li Baodong says the Chinese side will only meet with Japan's leaders when Japan starts taking subsitive steps toward trying to mend ties.

At issue is the dispute over the Diaoyu Islands, as well as recent trips to the controversial Yasakuni Shrine by members of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet.

For CRI, I am Su Yi.

 

 

Shanghai's free-trade zone puts Hong Kong's future in the spotlight

 

Anchor

The launch of the new Shanghai free-trade zone is being met with concerns in Hong Kong that the new zone could one day overshadow Hong Kong as an international financial hub.

However, some analysts suggest Hong Kong should not worry too much about it.

Report

The Shanghai free-trade zone, championed by Premier Li Keqiang, is part of a larger plan for more financial liberalization here on the mainland, and in Shanghai in particular.

As part of its 10 years blueprint, authorities are hoping the new free-trade zone will turn Shanghai into a major international trade center by 2020.

Although the exact details of the plan are yet available, Foreign exchange regulations in the Shanghai FTZ are expected to be relaxed from their current standards.

It's also expected the municipal government in Shanghai will loosen its capital account controls and promote the yuan as the currency-of-choice for most business transactions.

Zuo Xiaolei, chief economist at China Galaxy Securities, says Hong Kong doesn't need to be threatened by any of the moves underway in Shanghai.

"Shanghai will be at a competing position to Hong Kong only on conditions that the city has gained the status of fully convertible yuan. At present, it doesn't strike a threat to Hong Kong's offshore RMB trading business. Actually I think to have this topic of two rival cities now is a bit of 'worrying too much". Even if there are overlaps, they should be regarded as healthy competitions. And Hong Kong needs a promising follower to spur its innovation."

The latest data shows the daily trading volume of the yuan in Hong Kong has jumped to a record high since May.

May was the first time the trading volume of the Renminbi surpassed local Hong Kong Dollars.

One concern being raised in Hong Kong about the FTZ in Shanghai is the potential loss of business through transiant trade.

Many overseas firms looking to expand onto the mainland use Hong Kong as a 3rd party transit route.

Mei Xinyu, a trade researcher with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, says that business in Hong Kong is likely to face fierce competition from Shanghai as the harbor becomes fully active.

"Shanghai Free Trade Zone includes free tax zones such as the Waigaoqiao Port and the Yangshan Deep Water Port that provides the city some inheritance for developing the transit trade business."

It is being reported that customs procedures in the Shanghai FTZ will be greatly simplified to allow goods to move freely in and out of the city.

Other plans for the Shanghai FTZ are expected to include a variety of incentives, such as tax breaks and reduced regulatory requirements for foreign and domestic businesses.

For CRI, I'm Hu Jia.

 

 

UN inspectors postpone site visit in Syria for one day

 

Anchor

The UN Chemical Weapons Investigation Team has postponed its second day of on-site investigations in Syria over safety concerns.

The U.S says it is considering taking limited military strike on Syria, although the UN says the only solution for the Syrian crisis is through negotiating.

CRI's Cao Yuwei has more.

Reporter

A United Nations team of chemical weapons experts have halted their plans to gather evidence necessary to investigate last week's alleged gas attack in the suburbs of Damascus.

U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq says the decision has been made over safety concerns.

"Following yesterday's attack on a U.S. convoy a comprehensive assessment determined that their visit should be postponed by one day in order to improve preparedness and safety for the team."

The U.N. experts came under sniper fire on their way to a site visit on Monday.

Syrian government is blaming "terrorist groups" for shooting at UN inspectors.

UN special envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi believes that the only solution for the Syrian crisis is to sit around the negotiating table.

Brahimi is said to be in constant contact with America and Russia to urge the two parties to meet together.

The U.S is reportedly considering cruise missile strikes against Syrian targets in response to the alleged gas attack in Syria last week.

But White House spokesman Jay Carney says they have ruled out any military effort to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from power.

"The options that we are considering are not about regime change. They are about responding to a clear violation of an international standard that prohibits the use of chemical weapons."

The U.S is trying to garner support from it's allies Britan and France.

France's President Francois Hollande says France is ready to punish those responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

Meanwhile, Syria's foreign minister Walid al-Moallem has come out and said his country will defend itself using "all means available" in the case of a US strike.

"If they (the US) want to take aggressive action against Syria, using the pretext of chemical weapons is feeble and inaccurate. It is categorically inaccurate. And as I said, I challenge them to come forward with any evidence that they have."

The Russian government has issued a statement, saying military intervention in Syria could have "catastrophic consequences" for the region.

Media reports say some Russians evacuated from Syria have reached Moscow onboard an Emergencies ministry plane.

Previous reports also suggest unusual activity has been monitored at a British military base in Cyprus,

However, Cyprus says it does not expect British bases on its soil to play a key role in a possible military action.

Iran also says a U.S. attack on Syria over alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians seems "unlikely."

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said earlier that China supports the UN Secretariat in the investigation of reported use of chemical weapons in Syria.

Chinese side says it is firmly opposed to the use of chemical weapons by any party in Syria.

For CRI, I'm Cao Yuwei.

 

 

Fukushima nuclear plant water leak raises food safety concerns

 

Radioactive water leaking from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant have raised concerns about food safety in Japan.

Tokyo Electric Power Company admitted last week that over 300 tons of radioactive water has flown into the sea every day since the earthquake and tsunami on March 11th, 2011.

Worries about food safety have been mounting in Japan.

Many Japanese people are hesitant to buy products from Fukushima for fear of possible radiation.

Experts say the government needs to release more detailed information, to stop rumors which have been hurting Fukushima's agricultural industry.

The fish market has already suffered a slump over the rumors.

""I am a wholesaler at Tsukiji fish market. I am angry at the carelessness of the Tokyo Electric Power Company and lack of action by the government. Radiation or not, fear itself has caused severe damages."

Now the company is working hard to identify the location of the leaks and get them under control.

 

 

Japan cancels launch of rocket

 

Japanese authorities have cancelled the launch of a new rocket.

So far no reason has been given for the cancellation other than to say it suffered 'a problem'.

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency had been planning to fire-off the three-stage Epsilon rocket from a space centre in southern Japan Tuesday afternoon.

Before the launch, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said he hoped the rocket could pave the way for Japanese space exploration.

"This satellite has much possibility for expanding usage going forward. We believe this enables us to secure robustness and efficiency for space-related developments. The rocket's development is the result of the accumulation of the wisdom of all organizations that are involved, and we very much anticipate its successful launch of the Epsilon rocket."

The Epsilon, designed to be a cheaper and more efficient way of putting satellites into space, is the first new rocket design for Japan since the H2A was introduced in 2001.

Authorities say it is unclear when or if the launch will be rescheduled.

The cause of the malfunction is under investigation.

 

 

Wildfire may threaten San Francisco's water supply

 

Fightfighters in California's Yosemite National Park say the sprawling wildfire is now 20-percent contained around the park area.

However, the Rim Fire is spreading and now spans more than 647-square-kilometers.

Flames are raining ash into a reservoir that supplies water and hydro-electric power to the city of San Franscisco.

Local officials are concerned ash and debris will end up in the city's Reservoir.

They are working to move water to lower reservoirs.

California Governor Jerry Brown.

"Well the water concern is that as the months go on and the winter comes and the floods move all the ash and loose debris onto the water and the water gets contaminated, that's bad. So whatever the firefighters can do to prevent that, we're doing."

A new 4.6 billion US dollar gravity-operated pipeline, which aims to move water quickly to reservoirs closer to San Francisco, is currently being put into operation.

Officials say the ash is non-toxic at this point.

The city will begin filtering water for customers if problems are detected.

The fire is also threatening two groves of giant sequoias that are unique in the region.

 

 

Six-day airshow opens at site of Europe's longest runway

 

The MAKS 2013 International Aviation and Space Show has opened in the Russian city of Zhukovsky outside Moscow.

The six-day-event is being held at a Russian flight research institute.

It reportedly has the longest runway in Europe.

This year over a thousand companies from 44-countries are exhibiting their products.

"Buyers are showing interest and clients are showing a lot of demand to own one in their armoury."

More than a hundred aircraft are scheduled to show off their air capabilities.

The show is also set to feature performances from aerobatic groups such as the famous "Russ/ki/ye Vit/yazi" on the Sukhoi-27 jets.

"The aerobatic group is above all praise. Although it's the first demonstration of the (Sukhoi) T-50, I loved it."

French, Latvian, Chinese and Swiss aerobatic groups will also take part in the show.

 

 

Four-nation free trade zone launched in Latin America

 

Foreign Ministers in Latin America's free-market Pacific Alliance have agreed on the establishment of a regional free trade zone.

The new free-trade zone will remove tariffs among four emerging economies, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile.

Chilean foreign minister Alfredo Charme.

"What you have before you is an agreement we have just signed that will perfectly integrate the economy that all our countries in all products and services will finally have no barriers among them and will add to the capacity of these countries. We're talking about countries of about 200 million people which have the best growth, not just in the region, but in the majority of the world."

The four-nation grouping is hoping to promote free market policies to spur growth, attract more foreign investment and integrate their capital markets and energy networks.

The ministers attending the summit are downplaying suggestions the grouping is a rival for other blocs in the region.

The group's total gross domestic product accounts for more than one-third of Latin America's GDP.

 

 

Biz Reports

 

 

Anchor

First off, a check on the stock market of North America and Europe.

Join me on the desk, CRI's Cao Yuwei.

Reporter

U.S. stocks on Tuesday plummeted due to intensifying tensions over alleged chemical weapons use in Syria.

The blue-chip Dow and the broader S&P 500 fell to their lowest levels in two months, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq dropped to its lowest in more than one month.

On the economic front, U.S. home prices continued to increase in June but at a slower pace.

U.S. Home Price Indices posted monthly returns of 2.2 percent in June both for the 10- and 20-City Composites.

Moreover, U.S. consumer confidence index increased slightly in August. The Index stood at 81.5, up from 81.0 in July.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 1.1 percent.

The Standard & Poor's 500-stock Index shed 1.6 percent.

The Nasdaq lost 2.2 percent.

Meanwhile, Canada's S&P/TSX sank 1.3 percent.

In Europe, European stocks suffered their biggest daily drop in two months on Tuesday due to issues in Syria.

Investors were prompted to take profit on some of this summer's best performers and to buy insurance against future losses.

Germany's DAX plunged 2.3 percent.

France's CAC 40 was down 2.4 percent and Britain's FTSE 100 down 0.8 percent.

 

 

China joins global combat tax evasion efforts by signing Multilateral Tax Convention

 

Chinese authorities have stepped up their efforts to combat tax evasion by signing a multilateral convention to boost participation in global efforts to combat tax avoidance.

China becomes the 56th nation to sign the multilateral agreement.

The Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters was developed by the OECD and the Council of Europe in 1988.

At present, it is the most comprehensive multilateral instrument available for tax cooperation and exchange of information.

Over 60 countries, including all G20 members, have either signed or expressed interest in the convention.

Wang Jun, an administrator with China's tax adminsitration bureau, says the signing marks a step forward in the opening-up and reform in tax matters.

OECD chief Gurria is also hailing China's participation as both timely and important.

 

 

Live call-in Major Telecoms Operators May Cut Charges amid Anti-Monopoly Probe

 

Anchor

Media reports are suggesting the anti-monopoly investigation here in China will expand once again to telecommunications, oil, banking and other industries.

The National Development and Reform Commission, NDRC are set to work with Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to push forward with the probes.

On the telecom front, it will press ahead with a further reduction in service charges, reportedly to be carried out in the next four months.

China's three major telecoms operators are reportedly considering lowering their fees on mobile communication and broadband access.

Now for more on this, we're joined live now by Benjamin Cavender, Associate principal at China Market Research in Shanghai.

Questions

1 We have quite a selection of industries here, Telecoms, banking, oil - which industry do you expect will see imminent government intervention? And which industry here do you think needs tackling in terms of too much monopoly?

2 Now let's talk about the telecommunication industry, how likely are the three major telecom operators to reduce service fees to avoid any hefty fines by the NDRC?

--Can we say the slew of anti-monopoly moves is not a bluffing now as it gradually cut into core industries?

3 How much pressure are the 3 major players (China Telecom, Unicom and China Mobile) facing in terms of adjusting their service fees?

(Given that the big three reduced half of the international calling rates on average in the first quarter this year; in the second quarter, China Unicom and China Telecom separately slashed the broadband service fees, the cut averaging at 30 percent.)

--From the latest quarterly revenue report of the three major operators, what is the most lucrative income generator for the operators?

Back Anchor

Benjamin Cavender, Associate principal at China Market Research in Shanghai.

 

 

PICC net profits up 53.2 pct in H1

 

People's Insurance Company of China is reporting net profits are up 53.2 percent in the first half of 2013 year-on-year.

Total net profits hit 7.5 billion yuan during this time.

PICC attributes the increase to continuous growth in businesses and improved capacity to make profits.

Total assets of PICC stood at 728.8 billion yuan at the end of June, up 5.8 percent from the beginning of the year.

 

 

Dongfeng Honda recalls over 400-thousand SUVs

 

Japanese automakers Honda Motors are to recall over 400-thousand sports utility vehicles here in China.

Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co. is a 50-50 joint venture between China's Dongfeng Motor Corporation and Honda Motor.

China's head of quality control says the recall is due to piston rod defects.

The recall involves SUVs produced between March 2nd, 2010 and August 30th, 2012.

Over the past month, foreign carmakers including BMW, Suzuki Motor Corp and Tata Motors Ltd's Jaguar Land Rover have all made announcements to recall products in China.

 

 

Tiffany's strong China sales offset tepid Americas business

 

Tiffany & Co's is reporting strong sales in China, leading the U.S jeweler to raise its profit forecast for the year.

It's being suggested strong China sales and higher price tags have made up for some disappointing business in Tiffany's home market in the latest quarter.

The Jeweler reports sales at stores open for at least a year in Asia, except for Japan, rose 13-percent in the second quarter ended July 31.

The increase was boosted largely by China.

Sales in Asia outside Japan now account for about 22 percent of overall revenue, compared with 11 percent five years ago.

Same-store sales were unchanged in the Americas.

Previously, Prada SpA and Coach Inc also posted big gains in the world's fastest-growing market for luxury goods.

 

 

U.S. seeking $6 billion from JPMorgan to settle mortgage claims: source

 

U.S. government authorities are reportedly pressing JPMorgan Chase for at least 6- billion-US-dollars to settle lawsuits over bonds backed by subprime mortgages.

Sources say the company is arguing it should pay less to settle the claims by the U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency.

It is being reported the FHFA sued JPMorgan over some 33 billion US dollars in securities two years ago.

The U.S. housing authority also sued 16 other financial institutions.

JPMorgan has been trying to work through a raft of legal issues including its "London Whale" derivatives loss last year.

 

 

Headline News

 

 

Xi Jinping will start four-nation tour in Central Asia next week

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to start a four-nation tour in Central Asia next week, which are Turkmenstan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

It's widely expected that the President's first official tour of the region should help clairify the new administration's foregin policy in the region.

The trip will also take him through St. Petersberg, Russia for this year's G20 Summit.

His time there is expected to outline China's expectations for the reform of the International Monetary Fund.

 

 

Communist Party of China to hold key plenary meeting in November

 

It's been confirmed the Communist Party of China will hold a key plenary meeting in November.

It will be the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee.

The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee has issued a statement, saying the meeting will discuss "major issues concerning overall and deepened reforms".

 

 

China's lawmakers hold group reviews on consumer rights law

 

Chinese lawmakers are holding group reviews on draft amendments to the consumer rights law.

It calls for the support of consumer associations in protecting consumers' rights.

It also stipulates that government at all levels provide assistance to the associations.

The law regarding protection of consumer rights and interests took effect 20 years ago.

The draft amendment was now tabled for a second reading at the session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee this week.

 

 

First meeting of JCC on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor kicks off in Islamabad

 

The first meeting of the Joint Cooperation Committee on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is underway in Islamabad.

Pakistan says the economic corridor is key to improving bilateral economic relations.

On the Chinese side, head of the delegation Zhang Xiaoqiang said the project would promote common development, benefit people from both countries, facilitate regional integration, and bring stability to South Asia.

The two sides held in-depth discussions on key issues including infrastructure, energy and investment.

 

 

Pakistan says Taliban unwilling to talk to Afghan gov't

 

Pakistan's government has come out and said the Afghan Taliban is unwilling to talk to the Afghan government and peace negotiators.

It comes hours after Afghan President Hamid Karzai concluded a two-day visit to Pakistan.

A spokesman for the Afghan President says Karzai had pressed for Islamabad's help to bring Taliban leaders to the negotiating table.

Pakistan says the Taliban is not willing to talk to the Afghan government.

For its part, Pakistan say more efforts will be made to try and negotiate talks.

 

 

Newspaper Picks

 

 

Beijing Times

Headline: Three more senior oil executives investigated for discipline violations

Summary:

Another three senior executives with the State-owned China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) are being investigated for suspected "serious discipline violations".

It comes one day after Wang Yongchun, CNPC's deputy general manager was announced to be investigated.

Beijing News

Headline: "Smiling" work safety official to stand trial

Summary:

Former head of the Shaanxi provincial work safety administration will go on trial Friday.

Yang Dacai faces charges of taking bribes and owning property from unidentified sources.

Yang first stirred condemnations from netizens after he was photographed smiling broadly while surveying a traffic accident that left 36 people dead last summer.

Shanghai Daily

Headline: 9 brought to trial for financial scam

Summary:

Nine people have appeared in court for allegedly swindling 1,000 people of 530 million yuan ($86 million) with promises of high profits.

The chief culprit, Lu Lixin, lured investors to invest in his three financial projects and promised monthly interests between 3 to 6 percent.

The court has yet to reach a verdict.

China Daily

Headline: Cancer patient delivers healthy baby

Summary:

A woman with cervical cancer has given birth to a healthy baby thanks to a successful high-risk surgery when she was 18 weeks pregnant, carried out at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai.

Cervical cancer can be cured if detected in early stages. Regular screenings may help detect cancers early.

South China Metropolitan Daily

Headline: Boy's eyes gouged out

Summary:

A 6-year-old boy's eyes have been gouged out in Shanxi province, local police are offering a reward of 100,000 yuan ($16,340) for information in the case.

The boy says the assailant was a woman with a foreign accent.

A doctor suggests that the boy's corneas were possibly removed to sell.

Global Times

Headline: More uniform makers flunk quality tests

Summary:

Five schools in Shanghai have canceled orders after school uniforms sent by their manufacturers for quality checks were found to contain banned toxic dyes.

The companies were told to suspend the sales and production until they meet the national standard.

Guangzhou Daily

Headline: Putting money on full moon

Summary:

A new product, jointly rolled out by China's largest online marketplace Taobao and German insurer Allianz, will compensate policyholders if they are unable to enjoy full moon gazing.

Insurance packages, priced at 20 yuan ($3.27) or 99 yuan each, will be available until Sunday.

The final arbiter to rule on the moon's visibility will be the China Meteorological Administration.

 

 

Special Reports

 

 

White Collar Boxing Hits Beijing

 

ANCHOR

Competitive boxing is one of the world's most popular sports.

But if you thought it was just for experienced fighters, you'd be wrong.

In November, Beijing will host an event that allows amateurs to get into the ring and compete.

Training has already begun.

CRI's Dominic Swire has more.

REPORT

"Typically it's a 12 week training programme that business men or women with no boxing experience take part in with professional coaches."

Shane Benis is the man behind Beijing's upcoming White Collar Boxing event.

From a pool of 60 people with little to no fighting experience, up to 18 will be chosen to take part in a competitive fight.

Opponents are pitted against people of a similar weight.

But the process is not easy.

"Training sessions are a shock to the system. Most people that take part in the 12 week routine don't take part in any other sport and they like this form of training set up so they can give themselves goals within 12 weeks to actually achieve a decent level of fitness and challenge themselves to say that they've been able to get in the ring and fight."

This is actually the second time the sport's come to Beijing. Karl Long from Ireland is a Bar manager in the city.

He entered last year's competition and won his fight.

This year he's coming back for more. He says the first few weeks focus on fitness training...

"...and then after six weeks you'll start fighting. And a lot of people sign up for the fight at the start but some people, after they get punched in the face, they drop out. They just realise they don't like getting hit."

Despite the sport's violent image, Shane Benis insists it's safe.

"Touch wood, we've never had any serious injuries. The most we get is bleeding noses, sore ribs, or sore wrists, which is natural in a contact sport."

Back in the pub, I ask Karl why he wants to compete.

"Well, erm... it's fun, it's really fun. It can be painful but you're never really going to get seriously hurt because as long as you can take a punch in the face from a big rubber glove it's fine. I'm doing it because of fitness and the adrenaline of the fight night."

The Beijing event is held on November 16 at the Raffles Hotel.

Shanghai will also host a similar event in December.

Money raised will go to charity.

For CRI, I'm Dominic Swire.

 

 

Sports

 

 

Wozniacki, Ivanovic, Raonic, and Isner through to second round at the US Open

 

Let's go first to what's happening at the US Open.

First round action continues this morning in New York.

Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki advanced to the second round after beating Chinese player Duan Ying-ying in straight sets.

Seventh seed Petra Kvitova defeated Misaki Doi of Japan.

And Ana Ivanovic defeated Anna Tatishvili in straight sets, as she battles to regain her former world no. 1 ranking.

"It's my only goal I have at the moment.　I really want to get back to the top of the game.　You know, I believe I have qualities to do so.　You know, once you're in the top, you don't really feel satisfied with being, you know, in top 15. "

Over in the mens draw,

Tenth seed Milos Raonic didn't have any trouble getting past Thomas Fabbiano of Italy.

The rising Canadian star is confident he could win a Grand Slam at this point in his career.

"I think I can put myself in that position.　I just have to make the opportunities and convert them.　I think if I play well, I can get very close if not do it.　It's still a long ways to go, very long ways to go."

American John Isner won his opening match against Filippo Volandri.

The 6-foot-8 Isner dismantled Volandri with his powerful serve, dealing the Italian a total of 16 aces.

Young American player Collin Altamirano received a whipping from 22nd seed Philipp Kohlschreiber, in what was the 17-year old's ATP-level debut.

And a big day-2 upset came when Argentine qualifier Maximo Gonzalez defeated 14th seeded Jerzy Janowicz.

 

 

Rooney not going to transfer

 

Elsewhere it is now looking likely that Wayne Rooney will stay at Manchester United despite Chelsea's bid to snare the striker.

Following the goalless draw with Manchester United on Monday Chelsea Boss Jose Marinio praised Rooney, but said he now has to make up his mind, giving him 48 hours to put in a transfer request.

"I think that the person who starts the story has to finish the story. A club like us, a manager like me and the people that work in the club with me, we are not silly to try to get a player from a big club, a club that doesn't sell what they don't want to sell. We are not silly to try something if somebody didn't start. So I think it's time for the good of everyone, it's time to finish the story to one side or the other side"

But with that deadline now passed, it looks like Rooney is set to remain at Old Trafford.

Man U manager David Moyes said that after the way Rooney played for his side, it is clear where his heart is.

"Well I think at the moment his performance tonight said enough. I think the way he closed two or three people down in the corner and I think the crowd realised the work he had done. He was desperate to score and he has actually nearly scored with an overhead kick in the last... in injury time. So, I think his actions tonight showed what he thought."

 

 

Gareth Bale likely transfer

 

Meanwhile all eyes are on the transfer window which closes on Monday night in Europe or 6am Tuesday here in Beijing.

There are strong rumors that Totennaham Hotspur's star player Gareth Bale will be playing for Real Madrid in their next match….

Madrid have made a record 86-million-pound bid for the 24-year-old Welshman, but Spurs have been holding back on accepting the offer until they find a suitable replacement.

However, Bale's failure to show up for training on Tuesday has led to speculation that he could already be on his way to the Spanish capital.

 

 

Arsenal through to champions League

 

In the Champions League Arsenal qualified for the champions league following their two-nil win against Fenerbhce, taking them to five nil on aggregate against the Turkish side.

This is the 16th straight year Arsen Wenger's side have qualified for the competition, a feat not matched by any other active European manager.

 

 

World Gravy Wrestling Championships amuse crowds

 

And finally, another serious sporting event took place this week.

The 7th edition of the World Gravy Wrestling Championships drew crowds at the Rose 'n' Bowl pub in Lancashire, England.

Gravy wrestling is exactly what it sounds- two contestants ducking it out in a pool of Lancashire gravy, which is a special mixture of meat juices, chopped veggies, and corn flour.

During the two minute rounds, contestants can receive points for fighting, points for entertaining the crowd, and points for costume, all the while being supervised by referee Ken Caxon.

"A good gravy wrestler has got to have a sense of humour, got to be willing to make a full of themselves and got to be willing to throw themselves around and have a bit of stamina."

In the womens draw, local mother Lisa Stewart surprised herself by taking first place.

"I didn't even think I'd get through, I didn't even think I'd make it into the semi-finals."

And for the men, gravy wrestling debutant Michael Jarrett claimed the mens title.

"The gravy is warm, heavy and tastes like sausages. I think all sports should be done in gravy. Everything - boxing, football. Everything would be much more entertaining if it was done in gravy."

Both champions said they'll be back next year to defend their titles.

 

 

Entertainment

 

 

Venice Film Fest to Feature Heavy Chinese Influence

 

The Venice Film Festival is about to begin its 70th edition and will feature a strong number of Chinese-language films.

Director Tsai Ming-lian's film Jiaoyou (Stray Dogs) will be one of 20-titles competing for the coveted Golden Lion award, the highest prize a film can win at the festival.

The festival's artistic director has described the film as an experimental work which challenges viewers to seek 'the density of the world.

New films such as filmmaker Vivian Qu's Shuiyin Jie (Trap Street) will be shown as well as restored classics like Peter Ho-sun Chan's Tian Mimi from 1996, and Jiang Wen's Yangguang Canlan de Rizi.

Chinese filmmakers have been prominent at the festival in the past, with several winning Golden Lions including Ang Lee, Zhang Yimou, Jia Zhangke, and Hou Hsiao-hsien.

 

 

Los Angeles Suffering from Dried Up Film Industry

 

Los Angeles city mayor Eric Garcetti has announced the city is in a state of emergency following dwindling film and television production.

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To combat the problem, newly-elected Garcetti plans to elect a Hollywood Tsar.

California has been struggling to maintain its hold as the premiere spot for film production now that places like North Carolina and New Mexico have begun offering tax incentives.

Many high concept pictures such as the Avengers 2 and Star Wars Episode 7 are taking their production overseas to the UK.

Though California has its own incentives for film production, a project is only eligible if the final cost is under 75-million US dollars.

However, nowadays it's not uncommon for a big film to spend over 200-million dollars on production especially big budget blockbuster films.

 

 

X-Files to Get Another Sequel?

 

Chris Carter, creator of the hit TV show The X-Files, has revealed not only would he be willing to begin work on a third X-Files movie, but that he already has a story in mind.

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Last year, actor David Duchovny also expressed an interest in returning to the X-Files world by reprising his role as special FBI agent Fox Mulder.

Carter claims everyone including actress Gillian Anderson is on board for a new film, but the studio needs convincing after the last X-Files film underperformed.

For a new film, Carter claims he wants to return to X-Files mythology, picking up where the show and first film left off concerning an alien invasion of Earth and the conspiracy behind it.

Carter has also admitted he wants actor Simon Pegg to join the cast if a new film were to happen.

Pegg is most famous for his roles in Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and the new Star Trek films and is known to be a huge fan of the X-Files.

 

 

Band Arcade Fire Teases World with Mysterious Ads

 

Eclectic rock band Arcade Fire has been found to be behind a mysterious worldwide advertising campaign.

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Fans collected photos of the strange Reflektor advertisements spotted the world over and uploaded them to social media site Instagram.

The final advertisement appeared in New York, which featured the band's name and the date September 9th.

The group is expected to make an announcement, release new music, or appear for a performance on that date.

Arcade Fire recently announced their new album would be released at the end of October.

It will be a follow-up to their 2010 Grammy Award winning album The Suburbs.