News & Reports 2012-06-17

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In This EditionChina successfully launches Shenzhou-9 spacecraft with the country's first female astronaut aboard.
Egyptians go to the polls in the second round of presidential elections following the overthrow 2 of former president Hosni Mubarak.
Japanese government gives its final approval to bring the country's first nuclear reactors 3 back into operation since the Fukushima crisis.
And the 15th Shanghai International Film Festival kicks off with the premiere of director Wuershan's much anticipated film "Painted Skin: The Resurrection."Hot Issue ReportsChina Rocket UpdateChina successfully launched its Shenzhou-9 spacecraft into orbit on Saturday with the country's first female astronaut, Liu Yang aboard.
The spacecraft will complete an automated 5 docking procedure with the Tiangong-1 lab module 6 as part of a 13 day mission, which is a crucial step for the construction of a space station around 2020.
After the docking, the three astronauts will enter the space lab to carry out scientific experiments and technical tests.
Components 7 of the space station will be sent into space through a variety of docking procedures.
The launch marks China's fourth manned space mission since 2003, when astronaut Yang Liwei orbited Earth 14 times, becoming the country's first person in space.
Many people in China say they felt especially proud of Liu Yang, China's first female astronaut sent into space.
He Jing is a 29-year-old Beijing resident.
"China may be lagging behind in certain civilian 8 technologies, but it has been catching 9 up fast in some core industries. I feel proud as a Chinese citizen."Chinese scientists have spoken of the possibility of sending a man to the moon after 2020, the final step in a three-stage moon plan, which includes the deployment 10 of a moon rover in 2013 and the retrieval of lunar soil and stone samples around 2017.
China's First Female Astronaut Meets Media33-year-old Liu Yang has become China's first female astronaut entering space.
Speaking to the media prior to the launch, Liu said she was honored to fly in space on behalf of all the women in China.
"I am grateful to the motherland and the people. I feel honored to fly into space on behalf of hundreds of millions of female Chinese citizens. To become a qualified 11 astronaut, one has to obtain a lot of theoretical knowledge, go through very challenging training and pass operations skills examinations with no errors."Liu was a PLA Air Force pilot with more than 1,600 hours of flying experience, and deputy head of a military flight unit being recruited as an astronaut candidate in May 2010.
After two years of training, which shored up her astronautic skills and adaptability 13 to space environment, Liu excelled in testing and was selected in March this year as a candidate for the Shenzhou-9 manned space mission.
Shenzhou-9 Ushers 14 in Next Phase of China's Manned Space ProgramMeanwhile, space engineers say the mission of Shenzhou-9 is a milestone 15 for China's space program, which aims to build a space station by 2020.
CRI's Su Yi reports from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
Three astronauts, two men and one woman, onboard the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft are due to dock with and then work for two weeks inside the Tiangong-1 space lab that has been in orbit since late last year.
The mission comes nine years after China sent a man into space, and four years after the country conducted a space walk.
China is the third country that has sent a man into space independently.
Chen Shan'guang, commander-in-chief of the astronauts system, says the Shenzhou-9 mission is a milestone.
"The crew will stay in space for more than ten days, which is the longest so far of all the Shenzhou missions. The success of the Shenzhou-9 mission will not only show the progress we've made in manned docking techniques, but also proves that we are able to support a relatively 16 long space flight."The mission is also expected to help Chinese engineers perfect space life support systems, including psychological support, nutritional 17 needs and leisure activities.
Shenzhou-9 will send into space China's first female astronaut, a trained fighter jet pilot.
Chen says engineers have made several adjustments inside the space vehicle for the woman.
"She will sleep in a separate room, which also provides her with private space to change her clothes and for her hygiene 18 needs. We've also taken female physical functions into consideration when it comes to life support in space."Chen says the mission will also carry out several medical science experiments.
"We will examine cardiovascular systems, nervous systems, recognition abilities and some other life functions while in zero gravity. It is designed to enrich our knowledge of space medical science and medical support."Following Shenzhou-9, China is planning to carry out another similar space flight before the end of this year.
For CRI, I'm Su Yi reporting from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
Egyptians Face Stark 19 Choice at the Presidential ElectionEgyptians go to the polls on Saturday in the second round of presidential elections following the overthrow of former president Hosni Mubarak over a year ago.
Egyptians face a stark choice at the ballot 20 box between Mohamed Morsy of the Muslim Brotherhood 21 and Mubarak's last Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik.
Amr Moussa, who lost out in the first round of presidential elections called on Egyptians to come out and vote for their candidate. He said the most important thing in the process is democracy.
At a polling station in Cairo, one voter reacted with dismay at an election he said offered few options.
"I don't really want Morsy. I voted for the Brotherhood in the parliamentary elections, and also they called us thugs when we were protesting in Tahrir square. So I don't like the Brotherhood. But right now they are the only alternative to Shafik. If Shafik wins you'll find that Gamal Mubarak, Hosni Mubarak's son, will enter the next elections and it will be as if we didn't do anything."This is the first time in a history that ordinary Egyptians can choose their own leader.
Polling stations opened to 50 million eligible 22 voters for the first of two days of voting.
Greece Election PreviewGreeks will cast their ballots 23 on Sunday for the second time in six weeks, after May 6 elections left no party with enough seats in Parliament to form a government and coalition 24 talks collapsed 25.
Politicians have been frantically 26 touring the country, each hoping to convince voters that they offer the right course for the country's economy.
In the last published polls before a pre-election blackout, New Democracy Party leader Antonis Samaras and SYRIZA leftist leader Alexis Tsipras were neck and neck.
New Democracy won without a majority. Panhellenic Socialist 27 Movement fell to third place and the small SYRIZA party rocketed to second place.
The public anger at Greece's two main parties goes back further than the economic crisis, with people blaming them for decades of mismanagement and false promises.
Thanos Veremis is a political history professor.
"It's emotional I'd say, not even political. People were letting off steam in the May 6 elections. There was anger, a lot of anger, hopefully this has been spent. And hopefully these coming elections will be elections of the rationale, the rational faculty 28 of people rather than the emotional aspect."Veremis also said the strong support for SYRIZA, which opposes the 130 billion euro bailout, was also a result of the harsh austerity conditions imposed on Greece in return for the funding.
Meanwhile, most of the last published polls show Samaras winning around a quarter of the vote, and slightly edging SYRIZA for the all important prize of first place.
Foreign Ministers Comment on Iran Nuclear Programme and SyriaThe on-going humanitarian 29 crisis in Syria has become a focus of concern at a gathering 30 of foreign ministers in Turkey scheduled to address nuclear non-proliferation.
Foreign ministers are convening 31 in Istanbul for the fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative.
The group, known as NDPI, is a cross-regional group established to assist with implementing 32 the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which was first implemented 33 in 1970.
Australian Foreign Minister Robert John Carr stressed the need for bloodshed to end in Syria.
"We need a ceasefire, that means that both sides but primarily from the side that has the state power (to) stop the guns. And we need the weaponry, the heavy weaponry - the tanks, the artillery 34 - pulled out of populated areas."Foreign ministers from Turkey, Australia, Holland and Japan discussed Iran's nuclear programme which western states suspect is to be used for military as well as civilian purposes.
Uri Rosenthal is the Dutch foreign minister.
"I think that it is of upmost importance that Iran will just fully 1 cooperate with IAEA and line up to its international responsibilities and obligations. For that matter as long as that is not the case, the sanction packages which will be in full operation by 4th of July, we should stick to them."By that date the European Union is set to impose a full embargo 35 on Iranian oil imports.
Tehran insists world powers must recognise its right to enrich uranium and have called for Western oil and banking 36 sanctions to be lifted in exchange for concessions 37.
Protest has Taken over Copacabana BeachIn the middle of the Rio+20 summit, a protest has taken over Copacabana Beach as activists 38 called on Brazilian authorities to address issues of violence surrounding Rio's slums.
The NGO Rio de Paz set up shacks 39 on the beach resembling a slum, known in Brazil as "favelas".
Rio de Paz president Carlos Costa said the country's government needs to take stronger measures to help Brazil's poor.
"It is important for the authorities to decide on something. Because if they don't, this will mean the perpetuation 40 of the devastation 41 of our natural resources, of the nature and the death of more people in a social inequality context."Slum resident, Priscila de Paula Souza, joined the protest and said they were hoping for the basics.
"I hope that the government, during Rio+20, will look at us. We do not want a mansion 42, we do not have high expectations. We just want jobs and education. Because without education we will not be able to find jobs."The Rio+20 summit is billed as the most important environmental gathering in a generation, marking 20 years since the 1992 Rio "Earth Summit" which generated landmark 43 deals on climate.
The conference is expected to attract participants from governments, companies and environmental and lobby groups, in an attempt to set new goals across seven core themes including food security, water and energy.
Japan Restarts Two Nuclear ReactorsJapan's government gave its final approval on Saturday to bring the country's first nuclear reactors back into operation since last year's earthquake and tsunami 44 led to a shutdown of reactors nationwide.
Japanese Trade Minister Yukio Edano held a news conference following the decision.
"On behalf of the Japanese government, the prime minister and the three ministers concerned with this matter have decided 45 to restart reactors 3 and 4 of the Ohi nuclear power plant."However, the government policy to reduce Japan's dependence 46 on nuclear energy in the medium-to-long-term was unchanged.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's popularity ratings are sagging 47, since he had backed the restarts for some time.
Hundreds of anti-nuclear protesters marched outside the prime minister's residence.
"He doesn't listen to the voices of ordinary people like us. But we're going to keep pushing on - putting our views across at protests like this."The unpopular premier 4 tries to win backing from businesses worried about high electricity costs by restarting the two Ohi reactors before a potential summer power crunch 48.
Despite protests against the move and public safety concerns, the decision could now open the door to more restarts among Japan's 50 nuclear power reactors.
Nepalese Man Released after 15 Years Jail in JapanGovinda Prasad Mainali returned to Nepal on Saturday after being in a Japanese prison for 15 years, for what he claims was a crime he never committed.
Mainali was released earlier this month after a high court decision to reopen the case citing new evidence which suggested his innocence 49.
He accused Japanese prison authorities of mistreating him while he was imprisoned 50.
"In prison the jailers had very much ill-treated me. There was no facility for meeting my family members properly. The verbal abuse was cruel, the clothing was also of low quality and moreover the heart-rending abuses were intolerable."Dr Gopal Siwakoti, a member of the Advocacy group, said the problems with the Japanese legal system were deeply rooted and systemic.
"What a xenophobic attitude. So much is deeply entrenched 51 in Japanese society, particularly in the Japanese legal system."It's reported that Mainali was working as a migrant worker in Tokyo when he was given a life sentence for murder in 1997.
Daredevil Nik Wallenda Made a Historic Tightrope 52 Crossing over Niagara FallsDaredevil Nik Wallenda has made a historic tightrope crossing over Niagara Falls, stepping onto safe ground in Canada to wild cheers after completing his journey through wind and mist on a 2-inch cable.
Wallenda, a member of the famed "Flying Wallendas" family of aerialists, took a little more than 25 minutes to walk from the U.S. side in the dark of night over treacherous 53 waters and rocks.
Wallenda appeared fully in control through the stunt 54, taking small, steady steps on a slick cable through swirling 55 winds.
"I was very focused. The wind was something that you could definitely not train for it was coming from every which way. But you know what I made it through and the mist was powerful. You know the mist was in my eyes. There were a couple times where I had to blink so that I could see but again praise God here I am in one piece."One of the spectators said she was very glad Wallenda was successful in his attempt.
"I said, 'yes!' desperately 56, I want to come, I want to see it. It's very exciting to see it in person. I'm glad I made it over. I had my doubts. I really did. I didn't think he was going to make it over. But he did and I'm very happy for him."Meanwhile, Wallenda said he would prepare for a walk over the Grand Canyon 57 in Arizona, which would be the first attempted and three times longer than the walk over Niagara Falls.
Shanghai International Film Festival OpensThe 15th Shanghai International Film Festival has kicked off with the premiere of director Wuershan's much anticipated film "Painted Skin: The Resurrection."Before the screening Chinese and International Stars walked the red carpet at the opening ceremony.
Hollywood actress and festival jury member Heather Graham says she came to the Shanghai festival because of her love of film.
"I think anyone who get involves with film does so because they love film and I love International film and I love Chinese film. I love Chen Kaige… so many amazing Chinese directors that I would love to work with and it's wonderful to get to come to Shanghai."Oscar winning French Director Jean Jacques Annaud is president of the jury who will award the main competition prize for the festival - the Golden Goblet 58.
He says the jury will select the winner with honesty and sincerity 59.
"We are film makers 60, we are actors, we are part of this industry. We know how frightening it is when you are on the other side. Therefore the agenda is to have no agenda but just take the truth of our hearts. The majority will express itself and I hope the final list will just reflect what we felt."Seventeen Films from China and abroad will compete for the Golden Goblet Award.
The award will be handed out at the closing ceremony of the Shanghai International Film Festival next Sunday.
Xinhua: Tokyo should Curb 61 Provocations 63 over Diaoyu IslandsSince Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara announced his proposal to "purchase" the Diaoyu Islands, Japanese politicians have continued provocative 64 acts against China.
Despite the obvious damage to China-Japan relations, the Japanese government seems indifferent and has failed to take any action to curb such provocative words and deeds.
A commentary from Xinhua suggests that recent developments indicate the Japanese government has shifted its attitude concerning Ishihara from "silent approval" to open support.
Uichiro Niwa, the Japanese ambassador to China, was asked by Japan's Foreign Ministry 65 to apologize after he told media about his concerns over the ugly consequences of the "purchase plan."It does not take an expert eye to see that the intolerance of Niwa's candid 12 remarks by the Japanese government signals its increasing assertiveness 66 over the Diaoyu Islands.
The commentary goes on to say Tokyo recently allowed Japanese lawmakers to "fish" in the waters around the Diaoyu Islands, an obvious deviation 67 from its decades-long practice of limiting Japanese citizens' visits to the islands.
The escalation 68 of the provocations on the islands stems from the encouragement and even support of the Japanese government.
The article adds that such unilateral actions and escalation of provocation 62 by the Japanese will not only harm China-Japan relations, but also threaten the very foundation of their bilateral 69 ties.
However, one thing is sure: the farce 70 staged by the Japanese rightists over the Diaoyu Islands will by no means change the fact that China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands.
The Xinhua commentary concludes that it's high time the Japanese government to take concrete steps to put an end to the provocations so as to ensure the smooth development of China-Japan relations in the long run.
***************************China Daily: Talks Work Better than Sanctions on Iran's Nuke IssueUS Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that Washington would exempt 71 seven economies including India, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea and Turkey from an Iranian oil embargo. 18 economies have been granted such an "honor" as Washington moves to impose sanctions on importing Iranian oil later this month. China is noticeably not included in the US exemption 72 list.
A commentary in China Daily says the United States is putting its domestic law above international law and international relations, by saddling Iran with unilateral sanctions. Such a self-serving move will only add uncertainties 73 to solving the Iranian nuclear crisis, which is showing signs of abating 74.
The paper suggests the sanctions aim to throttle 75 Iran's alleged 76 nuclear program by cutting its funding from oil revenue.
The article adds that Beijing opposes the practice of unilateral sanctions. China believes that dialogue and negotiation 77 are the only way to achieve a proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue, and it is firmly against the use of force.
The editorial goes on to say that international efforts to break the Iranian nuclear impasse 78 have already shown initial results, with two rounds of talks between Iran and the P5+1 powers, which include the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Teheran has held talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency as well.
The article says concerned parties should do more to contribute to the peace process and refrain from taking reckless moves that escalate 79 tension and undermine diplomatic efforts.
The China Daily article concludes that Washington should consider new developments on the Iranian nuclear issue and stop pressing ahead with its unilateral sanctions.