新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 20:00 2015/07/31

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

Coming up on the program this evening...

Beijing has been tapped by the International Olympic Committee to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.

We'll take you through some of China's history when it comes to the competition in the Winter Games.

The Israeli Defense¹ Forces are on high alert after Jewish settlers set fire to a Palestinian home, killing² a small child.

In Business.... Chinese regulators promising³ to keep a closer eye on electronic trading.

In Sports.... an update on how China is doing at the FINA World Aquatics⁴ championships in Russia.

And in Entertainment... the nominations⁵ are out for this year's China Film Media Awards.

Top NewsBeijing wins the host right of the 2022 Winter Olympic GamesBeijing is going to be playing host to another Olympic Games.

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, announcing just over an hour ago that Beijing has won the bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

Beijing was chosen over Almaty, Kazakhstan at the IOC session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The vote was relatively⁶ tight, with the Chinese capital receiving 44 votes to Almaty's 40.

Beijing, which hosted the 2008 Olympics, is set to become the first city to stage both Summer and Winter Games.

Beijing's Bid Representatives have now signed the Host City Contract or HCC.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent out a letter of appreciation⁷ to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, expressing his thanks to IOC for its trust and support in selecting Beijing and Zhangjiakou as the hosts of the 2022 Games.

Ahead of Beijing's selection, Lausanne, Switzerland won the bid to host the 2020 Youth Winter Olympic Games.

Beijing's 2022 Winter Olympics Bid Committee Makes Final PresentationAnchor:

Ahead of the announcement, Beijing's bid committee put forward its final pitch to the IOC earlier this Friday.

CRI's Victor Ning has more.

Reporter:

A delegation⁸ from Beijing's 2022 winter Olympics bid committee laid out its case in a final presentation to the IOC in Kuala Lumpur. In a recorded video, Chinese president Xi Jinping said hosting the Winter Games in Beijing would bring the Chinese people to care for and participate in more winter sports. He introduced Chinese people's passion for Winter Games.

"The Chinese government highly appreciates the Olympic values and the IOC's initiative of reform. We will honour all of the commitments we have made and fully⁹ implement¹⁰ the Olympic Agenda 2020. The Chinese people are looking forward to this opportunity. Let me assure that if you choose Beijing, the Chinese people will present to the world fantastic, extraordinary and excellent Olympic Winter Games in Beijing."Beijing successfully hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008. Many of the venues¹¹ used in those Games are also planned to be used in 2022.

Liu Yandong, Vice¹³ Premier¹⁴ of the State Council, China's cabinet, and chief of the bid committee, also reiterated¹⁵ China's strong support for the bid on a logistics level.

"We pledge our full guarantees for the Games in the financial, legal, security, organizational and operational areas. Sport is a noble cause that has the power to change lives and transform the world. The Olympic movement embodies¹⁶ this."Beijing's plan for venues also includes the mountain areas of Yanqing in the northern suburb of the city and Zhangjiakou city in neighboring Hebei province.

The two places are 90km and 160km away from Beijing city proper respectively.

China's ability to provide enough snow in the most environmentally conscious manner was highlighted by Liu Peng, President of the Chinese Olympic Committee.

"Ski resorts have been operating in Zhangjiakou for twenty years. Consistent with previous Games, Beijing 2022 will build on our existing snow-making capabilities¹⁸ to supplement natural snowfall. Even in its peak operation our snow-making system will use less than 1 percent of the local water supply with minimal¹⁹ environmental impact."Echoing the same sentiment, Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun said the city had launched a series of measures in pursuit of sustainability.

"In 2013, Beijing launched a major plan to improve its air quality, with a total investment of 130 billion US dollars over five years. In the past two years, the use of coal in the city has been reduced by 30%, while more than 1 million cars with high emissions²⁰ have been taken off the road. Beijing is becoming a clean energy city."The presentation also featured well known Chinese athletes Yao Ming, Yang Yang and Li Nina.

For CRI, I am Victor Ning.

The Journey to 2022 – A look back on the Beijing bid for Winter OlympicsAnchor:

It's been over a year since Beijing was officially put into the running for the 2022 Winter Games.

CRI's Qian Shanming with more on what steps have been taken since July 7th of last year, when the IOC made Beijing an official candidate city.

Reporter:

The official site of the Beijing's bid campaign opened shortly after the city officially made into the IOC's short-list.

It's logo came shortly after, along with a campaign video, which was released in November.

On New Year's Eve, thousands of people gathered outside the Bird's Nest Stadium, despite the cold and windy weather, to put on a public campaign to have Beijing chosen to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.

"My new year's wishes are, Beijing wins the Winter Olympic bid, and I pass all the examinations."In March, the IOC Evaluation²¹ Commission came to Beijing to conduct its assessment²² of Beijing's candidacy.

Wang Hui with the Beijing Bid Committee making the announcement ahead of the Evaluation Commission's visit.

"As we all know, tomorrow is a big day for Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics bid, as the IOC is starting the onsite assessment."The IOC Evaluation Commission released its report in June. At the same time, a delegation for Beijing's Winter Olympics Bid, led by Vice Premier Liu Yandong, also submitted their bidding plans to the IOC in Lusanne, Switzerland.

And this week in Kular Lumpur, the Beijing delegates made their final pitch to the IOC committee, which is headed by chair Thomas Bach.

"Both candidate cities, we wish you all the best for tomorrow, and we thank you already now, for your great contribution to the Olympic movement and the implementation²³ of the Olympic agenda 2020."Now Beijing's winning to be the host for the 2022 Winter Olympics makes it the first city in the world to host both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

For CRI, I am Qian Shanming.

Milestones²⁴ of China's Tour at Winter OlympicsAnchor:

While traditionally a Summer Games powerhouse, Beijing's successful bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics has already begun generating more interest in winter sports here in China.

CRI's Shen Ting has more on China's history when it comes to participating in the Winter Olympics.

Reporter:

Since first debuting²⁵ in the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid²⁷, New York in 1980, China has since moved on to win a total of 53 medals over the past 10 Winter Olympics, including a dozen gold medals.

China's first Winter Olympic medal came in Alberville in 1992, when Ye Qiaobo earned silver in both the 500 and 1-thousand meter women's speed skating events.

Her medals in speed skating were the first of many for China in that event, including China's first gold at the Winter Games in Salt Lake City in 2002, when Yang Yang took gold in the women's 500 and 1-thousand short-track speed skating events.

"The day of the competition is the most difficult for me. I keep shouting on the ice and even after I leave the ice, I still can't stop shouting. That's the way I encourage myself."Yang Yang is now a member of the International Olympic Committee.

However, one of the most dominant²⁸ Chinese speed skater in recent memory is Wang Meng.

She took home the women's 500m, 1,000m and 3,000m relay short track speed skating titles in Vancouver 2010 to become the most decorated Winter Olympian in China.

"It's the spirit of sports that supports me. I was completely exhausted²⁹. My teammate Zhou Yang gave me the best support. The gold medal belongs to the whole team. Though I was tired, it was worth the effort."Traditionally, Chinese women have been more dominant than the men when it comes to Winter Olympic medals.

However, Chinese men have managed to find their way to gold.

Han Xiaopeng took the gold medal in the men's freestyle skiing event in Turin, Italy in 2006.

"I knew it was possible to rank among the top three if I could perform at my best. I also knew I had the possibility of winning gold. But at that time, I never even considered I would end up as the champion. I was afraid if I did, it would put even more pressure on me."His gold also represented China's first Winter Olympics medal on the snow, rather than on the ice.

And one of China's most internationally-recognizable contributions to winter sports has been its Women's curling team.

The team, skipped by Wang Bingyu, surprised the world in 2009 by winning the Curling World Championships, then managed to follow that up with a bronze medal in 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Now Beijing is chosen to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, as host, China will be allowed to field an athlete in every one of the events.

This will likely put a lot more emphasis on winter sports development in China over the coming 7-years.

For CRI, I'm Shen Ting.

First Chinese-born Player Drafted to NHL in training in the USAnchor:

Beijing-born Song Andong has begun working the New York Islanders hockey team as part of the National Hockey League club's summer workout sessions.

The young man made history late last month, becoming the first Chinese player to be drafted by an NHL team.

Our Patrice Howard has more from New York.

Reporter:

At an frigid³⁰ ice hockey rink just miles from New York City - the New York Islanders hockey team is running drills at a training session for new recruits; each player skating harder than the next to earn a spot on the squad³¹.

Months before winter hockey season heats up in America - players hit the ice to warm up. It's a chance for seasoned pros³² to get back in shape over the summer, and for newly drafted players to practice - for their national hockey league debut²⁶.

This year - one player in particular stands out: not because he's faster or more confident than the others, but because 18-year-old Song Andong of Beijing, China truly beat the odds³³ to get here.

"I think watching my first NHL game really inspired my passion for the game. I never thought that I'd be playing professionally, or that I'd come to the camp and be drafted, I just thought I'd keep playing and see where it takes me…"On June 27 - Song made history - becoming the first Chinese-born ice hockey player selected in the draft for America's National Hockey League.

Cheers from Song's family as he was picked in the sixth round by the The New York Islanders, owned by Shanghai-born businessman Charles Wang.

Song picked up his first hockey stick at age six, but found it hard to grow his skills in his home city of Beijing, where hockey was not a growing sport among youth.

So at age 10, he moved with his family to Toronto, Canada, with a dream.

"Within hockey you know there was still kind of a culture shock, you know the difference between Chinese Hockey and North American hockey, there is obviously a big difference, Chinese hockey was pretty far behind at the time, so I kinda had to relearn everything I was taught, I started with skating and then shooting, pretty much everything had to be relearned for North American hockey."Now after a decade spent sharpening his skills, Song is knocking helmets with professional players, and garnering³⁴ feedback.

His training will continue at preparatory school in the fall, with the goal of playing on a collegiate team before actually hitting the ice with the Islanders. Song will also continue to play for China's national team, which he has captained for the last two years.

"It could take you know 4 or 5 years for me to get ready for the NHL. But right now I am just looking forward to you know getting stronger, working on the things coaches pointed³⁵ out this week."Song says he may be the first Chinese player to make it to the National Hockey League, but that he doesn't want to be the last, and will cheer on any player shooting for a spot in the big leagues.

For CRI I'm Patrice Howard in New York.

Former military leader expelled from CPC for corruptionAnchor:

Another former leading member of the Chinese military has been kicked-out of the Communist Party of China for taking bribes³⁷.

The details from CRI's Qi Zhi.

Reporter:

73-year-old Guo Boxiong served as vice chairman of the Central Military Commission from 2002 to 2012.

According to a statement from the CPC Central Committee's Political Bureau, investigators³⁸ have found that Guo took advantage of his post to seek promotions³⁹ and benefits for others and accepted bribes personally or through his family.

The political bureau has decided⁴⁰ to transfer his case and relevant evidence to military prosecutors⁴¹ for handling.

The CPC Central Committee decided in early April to put Guo under investigation⁴².

His fall brings the number of military officers busted⁴³ by army discipline inspectors⁴⁴ in China's anti-corruption³⁶ campaign to 39.

Before Guo Boxiong, the most senior military official caught in the anti-graft drive was Xu Caihou, former vice chairman of the Central Military Commission.

Xu died of cancer in March while he was under investigation for allegedly accepting massive bribes.

Corruption within the 2.3-million-strong armed forces has raised alarm among authorities and the public, fueling concern that the military's combat power could be undermined and national defense development hindered.

In making Guo Boxiong's case public, the central authorities have also stressed that the Chinese army has always been trusted by the Party and the people.

The political bureau statement also says the punishment of Guo Boxiong demonstrates the firm determination of the CPC Central Committee, with Xi Jinping as general secretary, to strictly⁴⁵ govern the Party and armed forces in line with the law.

At the same time, it warns the whole Party and armed forces to be aware that the battle against corruption is still tough and complicated and should progress unwaveringly.

For CRI, I'm Qi Zhi.

Chinese defense concerned about U.S. moves in South China SeaThe Chinese Defense Ministry⁴⁶ is accusing the United States of attempting to "militarize" the South China Sea.

Ministry spokesperson Yang Yujun says the Chinese military is basing this on recent developments.

"For a long time, the U.S. has been sending ships and aircraft to the South China Sea to conduct reconnaissance missions close to China. And lately it has been reinforcing its regional military alliances and holding joint⁴⁸ exercises frequently in order to expand its influence here."The Chinese military is pointing to the recent fly-over by the head of the United States Pacific Command as another example, saying the move has stoked regional tensions and increased the risk of unexpected air and maritime⁴⁹ accidents.

At the same time, Yang Yujun says concerns about Chinese land reclamation⁵⁰ projects in the South China Sea are unwarranted.

"China has been conducting land reclamation activities in the South China Sea so that we can better fulfill⁵¹ our international responsibilities and obligations. The construction will also help maintain navigation security in the region and is strictly adherent⁵² to environmental standards and requirements."The comments from the Chinese Defense Ministry have been made at its monthly scheduled news conference.

Sino-US Relations: Prospect⁵³ for Cooperation not CompetitionAnchor:

Both Chinese and US observers are calling for both sides to engage in a more constructive⁵⁴ level of conversation ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's impending⁵⁵ visit to the United States in a few weeks.

CRI's Washington correspondent He Fei has more.

Reporter:

In about two months, the Chinese President will meet his counterpart, President Barack Obama, at the White House.

The meeting is considered by many as an important indicator⁵⁶ of future Sino-US relations, and has drawn⁵⁷ close attention from the media and academic circles from both sides.

Su Ge, President of the China Institute of International Study, says the two countries will continue cooperation no matter what.

"The new model of major country relationship has been a thing talked about by the two presidents. And what does that mean? I think there has been a consensus⁵⁸ that both countries would consider building up a relationship would contain non-confrontation which would be based on mutual⁵⁹ respect and strive for a win-win end."Dr. Su made the remarks at a Brookings event, focusing on US-China relations and the Chinese President's upcoming visit.

Many prestigious⁶⁰ experts on Chinese issues have joined the event, including Richard Bush, director of the Center for East Asia Policy Studies at Brookings Institution, a well-known US think-tank.

In his opinion, during Xi Jinping's visit, the two sides will address concerns ranging from cyber security to East-Asian security, the Asia Infrastructure⁶¹ Investment Bank and so on.

"I think that there may be opportunities in the cyber area where there can be agreement at the top on that certain aspects of the cyber realm are off-limits to the activities of the other side. So critical infrastructure seems to be one where there is a mutual interest that neither side will attack the other."For quite some time, China-US relations have been bumpy⁶². Issues about cyber attacks, an unsettled Bilateral⁶³ Investment Treaty, and the South China Sea have cast a shadow on Sino-US relations.

East Asian international policies specialist Jonathan Pollack warns both sides to be aware of the risks involved if the US and China switch from cooperation to competition.

"Do we see these controversies⁶⁴ as simply the growing pains of an evolving and much more complex relationship that need to be intelligently managed over time or are we at the gestational stages of a longer term competition that contains adversarial or quanta adversarial dimensions? The real question would be whether or not there is a sufficiently⁶⁵ shared awareness⁶⁶ of the risks posed by the latter that it receives the kind of careful attention that it deserves in both policy processes."In September, Chinese President Xi Jinping will make his first state visit to the US. In addition to New York and Washington, he will also go to Seattle, a port city on the US west coast with a close trade relationship with China.

For CRI, I'm He Fei in Washington.

Malaysian Officials Confirm Debris⁶⁷ Belonged to Boeing 777Malaysian officials have confirmed that the identification number from a piece of debris found near an island in the eastern Indian Ocean belongs to a Boeing 777.

However, it hasn't been confirmed that the debris belongs to missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Malaysian Deputy Transport Minister, Abdul Aziz Kaprawi, confirmed the news today.

A two-meter-long piece of debris was found on Wednesday by a work crew clearing trails along the coastline of Saint-Andre de la Reunion.

The piece of debris found in the Indian Ocean is thought to be a flaperon, a small, lightweight piece attached to the wing.

La Reunion is French territory; the piece of debris is being sent to Toulouse, France, to be inspected at the DGA facility, Europe's leading center for aircraft wreckage⁶⁸ analysis.

Attack in West Bank Kills Palestinian ChildJewish settlers have reportedly attacked a village in the West Bank, killing a toddler and injuring at least 3 others.

Reports suggest as many as four people fire-bombed homes near the city of Nablus early this Friday morning.

One of the attacks left a small child dead, and his brother and parents in hospital.

Palestinian group Hamas has called for a -quote- "day of fury" in revenge for the attack.

David Menachem with the Israeli Defense Forces says they've heightened alert, and continue looking for suspects.

" The (Israeli) security forces will do all that they can to catch the person who committed this attack, and we of course condemn⁶⁹ it and the civil administration is doing everything possible to evacuate⁷⁰ the families to a hospital in Israel so that they can receive the best possible medical treatment. We will not stop until we find the person who did this and bring them to justice."Four additional IDF battalions⁷¹ have been deployed⁷² to the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjaim Netanyahu, describing it as a 'terrorist attack,' is demanding a full investigation.

The area of the West Bank where the attack took place is under full Israeli control.

Cameron under fire for Irresponsible Remarks on RefugeeBritish Prime Minister David Cameron is coming under fire from a charity which deals with refugees, calling his recent comments about the situation in Calais, France, 'irresponsible."Cameron has gone on-record saying there is a 'swarm⁷³' of migrants attempting to cross into the UK from France.

Anna Musgrave with the Refugee Council says she believes his choice of language is degrading.

"I think it's extremely disappointing to hear the Prime Minister using such irresponsible and ultimately dehumanizing language. But I'd actually go further than that. I'd suggest that the Prime Minister is in fact misinformed."Cameron, in an interview about the situation in Calais, says its his belief some 200-thousand people are attempting to cross the Mediterranean⁷⁴ into European territory so they can travel to the UK.

It's estimated around 3-thousand migrants are camping out around the mouth of the Channel Tunnel in France, hoping to cross into UK territory by making it through the tunnel on the backs of trucks or on trains.

A number of people have been killed attempting to walk through the tunnel itself.

China pledges more reform on tourism developmentThe State Council, China's cabinet, is pointing to tourism as a way to help 'stabilize⁷⁵' the economy.

Under a new series of plans laid-out by the government, upgrades are going to be taking place on regional airports, roads and scenic⁷⁶ spots in parts of central and western China to encourage more tourism to those areas.

Wu Wenxue, deputy director of China's National Tourism Bureau, says tourism remains⁷⁷ a bright spot in the Chinese economy.

"Even with the current economic slowdown, tourism numbers are still hitting record highs. Investment in the sector⁷⁸ is also growing rapidly. Tourism has become a new stimulus⁷⁹ for the domestic economy."As part of the new plan, the State Council says it will also be looking for public-private-partnerships to finance its new plans.

Tourism spending through the first half of this year is estimated at 1.65 trillion yuan.

That's up 14.5-percent compared to the same period of last year.

Tourism sector investment has been calculated at some 300 billion yuan through the first 6-months, up 28-percent year-on-year.

Headline NewsBeijing pledges frugal⁸⁰ plan of hosting Winter Olympic GamesAnchor:

The head of the IOC, Thomas Bach, has gone on-record saying the 2022 Winter Olympics can be pulled off with an operational budget of some 1.8-billion US dollars.

Beijing's financial plan is a budget of slightly over 3 billion US dollars for both operational and infrastructure expenses.

Beijing's operational budget has been set below 1.5-billion US dollars.

For more on the costs associated with the Olympics, we're on the line with Andrew Zimbalist, Professor of Economics at Smith College in the US, as well as author of the book "Circus Maximus: the Economic gamble behind hosting the Olympics and World Cup."Andrew Zimbalist, author of "Circus Maximus: the Economic gamble behind hosting the Olympics and world cup".

Biz ReportsStocksAnchor:

Turning now to business news.

First a look at the numbers from across the Asian markets to close out this Friday evening.

Joining me on the desk is CRI's Wang Mengzhen.

Reporter:

Chinese shares extended losses this Friday, ending what has been a very gloomy month for investors⁸¹.

Shares in the military industry are among the biggest losers today.

The roller-coaster week on the market started with an over 8 percent plunge⁸² on Monday, the worst single day hit since 2007.

At close,The Shanghai Composite Index shed 1.1 percent.

Shenzhen Component⁸³ Index fell 0.2 percent.

The ChiNext Index for growth entreprises lost 0.8 percent.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong stocks also ended higher, with the Hang Seng gained 0.6 percent.

Elsewhere in Asia,Tokyo shares continued their bullish run.

The Nikkei was up 0.3 percent.

South Korea's KOSPI also up 0.6 percent.

Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index tumbled 1.5 percnet today.

Finally, Australia's ASX 200 surged half of a percent.

China securities regulator to better supervise program tradingThe China Securities Regulatory Commission says its going to be keeping a closer eye on programmed, electronic trading by institutional investment firms.

At the same time, the CSRC says the exchanges in Shanghai and Shenzhen have already restricted 24 accounts in connection with this.

Regulators say the accounts have been "disturbing share prices" or "misleading other investors" through frequent orders and cancellations.

Programmed trading involves setting a programmed sell our buy figure on a share or basket of shares.

Chinese regulators say the recent volatility⁸⁴ on the markets has led to these programmed trades making the markets even more erratic⁸⁵.

China seeks more private rail investmentChinese authorities are moving to try to attract more private investment into the railway sector.

Under a new set of guidelines, private investors are to be encouraged to bid for railway contracts and manage the projects through different investment channels.

At the same time, the government says its also looking for more private investment in the construction and operation of inter-city and intra-city rail links, as well as in mining projects.

Private investment is also being courted for overseas railway contracts.

Wang Jun, researcher with China Centre for Economic Exchanges, says getting more private investment will help economic growth.

"On the one hand, these measures push forward reforms in sectors⁸⁶ that have been highly monopolized⁸⁷ by the state. It helps to broaden market access in these industries. On the other hand, investment in infrastructure construction, especially the rail sector, can guarantee relatively good returns for investors facing economic pressure."China's government has put a priority on railway spending in recent years, spending billions to create a high-speed rail network across the country.

Changing the way its finances these projects is high on the government's agenda.

Chinese Coal Producers suffer heavy losses in H1New analysis shows Chinese coal producers have been taking a major profit hit through the first half of this year.

Over 70 percent of the country's medium and large-scale coal producers are reporting losses.

Among them, China Shenhua Energy is reporting a decline in profits of some 45-percent so far this year.

Major coal producers have generated around 20-billion yuan in profits in the first half.

However, this is just 10-percent of what they earned through the same period in 2012.

Excess capacity and lower prices for coal are being blamed.

Industry observers are suggesting the second half of the year isn't going to be much better for Chinese coal producers.

US economic growth picks up to 2.3% in Q2Anchor:

The US Commerce Department is reporting the US economy grew at an annualized pace of 2.3-percent in the 2nd quarter.

Increased consumer spending and cheaper fuel prices are being credited with the rise in the GDP growth.

The figures have come in below analyists expectations, with most predicting 2nd quarter growth of 2.6-percent.

But at the same time, revised figures for the first quarter in the US show the country's economy grew at 0.6-percent, erasing⁸⁸ the initial contraction⁸⁹ of 0.2-percent originally calculated.

For more on the state of the US economy, CRI's Tu Yun spoke⁴⁷ earlier with Terrill Frantz, Professor at Peking University's HSBC Business School.

Back Anchor:

Professor Terrill Frantz with Peking University speaking with CRI's Tu Yun.

SportsFINA World Championships UpdateAt the FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia:

China is dominating the women's three-meter springboard preliminary eliminators:

In first place with 376 points is Chinese diver He Zi.

Less then 10 points behind in second is her compatriot, Shi Tingmao, who notched⁹⁰ a score of 368.40.

Canada's Jennifer Abel is in third after the prelims, with a score of 348.70.

Later tonight, it's the semi's for the three-meter women's springboard.

And it's the finals for the men's three-meter springboard finals. China's Cao Yuan and He Chao maintained their respective first and second-place spots in the rankings at the end of the men's three-meter semis.

Also coming up later tonight:

It's the finals of the women's team free synchronized⁹¹ swimming free routine event. China came in second during the event's prelims, just two points behind the Russians, who in first with 97.6333 points.

In earlier action:

China's Huang Xuechen and Sun Wenyan have won the silver medal in the synchronized swimming duet technique event.

Olympic champions Natalia Ishchenko/Svetlana Romashina from Russia took gold in the competition.

In other action,Fourteen-year-old Ren Qian won China another silver medal in women's 10 meter platform, which was won by Kim Kuk-Hyang from North Korea.

Real Madrid Downs AC Milan 10-9 in ShootoutIn football action from last night:

Real Madrid has defeated AC Milan 10-9 on penalties to win the International Champions Cup in Shanghai.

AC Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic thinks it was a positive result regarding how the team worked under his instruction.

"I can accept the bad pass or poor finish. But they have to fully carry out my tactics. They did exactly what I've asked them to do in the past 180 minutes. We lost to Real Madrid on penalties. But penalty shoot out mostly depends on the luck. So I am very happy with every player's performance in the games in China."Regular play concluded with a goalless draw to force the teams into a penalty shoot-out.

It took 22 kicks to decide the final result.

Each team had a miss after 20 penalties to force a head-on challenge between the goalkeepers.

Fransisco Casilla scored for his side and saved the effort from Milan's 16-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to give Real the win.

Football: Zico Gets Brazil Backing for FIFA PresidencyIn football news:

Brazil great Zico has received the support of the country's football federation⁹² (CBF) in his bid to become president of world football governing body FIFA.

The 62-year-old, who has not always seen eye-to-eye with Brazil's top football officials, still needs the backing of four other countries to formalize his application.

The CBF announced its backing of Zico in a statement published on its official website on Thursday, accompanied by a photograph of the famous footballer shaking the hand of federation president Marco Polo Del Nero.

Zico said he would run for the position in June, just days after Sepp Blatter announced his decision to resign.

An election to decide Blatter's successor is due to be held on February 26.

Athletes Weary of Rio's Heavily Polluted Waters for Olympic GamesIn olympic news from Rio (for a change);Athletes and coaches participating in water sports in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro expressed their concerns on Thursday over the high level of pollution of Guanabara Bay.

The waters where Olympians will compete in swimming and boating events next summer in South America's first games are rife⁹³ with human sewage and dangerously high levels of viruses and bacteria.

The athletes aren't too thrilled at the news.

Spanish sailor, Blanca Manchon, says it is the worst venue¹² for her sport that she has ever seen:

"It is the worst place that I've ever seen that dirty, you know, is black, the water is black and when we go out the board is with oil and the lycras and the tops are like with oil and dirty, with a black thing, I don't know what is that, I don't want to know."Wil Van Bladel, coach of the Belgium 2016 Olympic sailing team, says that trainers are putting more importance on not capsizing in the hazardous⁹⁴ waters:

"What you tell them (the sailors) is don't capsize in this harbour because this Marina da Gloria may be the most polluted one, with the open sewage, but they (government) are working on it and I see it gets better."But Rio government spokesman, Leonardo Espindola, says that "there is no risk of contracting any illness as a result of contact with the water."Water pollution has long plagued Brazil's urban areas, where most sewage isn't collected, let alone treated.

Golf RecapIn golf,At the Women's British Open in Turnberry.

South Korea's Kim Hyo-joo led the pack by one shot at the end of round 1.

Kim finished a bogey-free round at seven-under with an eagle and five birdies.

On the European Tour:

Host and local favorite Paul Lawrie has made it into the last 32 at the Matchplay tournament in Scotland, which is named after him, beating Frenchman Romain Wattel in the opening round.

And it was a four-way tie at eight-under between Spaniards Nacho Elvira and Antonio Hortal, England's Sam Walker and Dutchman Daan Huizing after round 1 of the Madeira Island Open.

On the PGA Tour:

South African Retief Goosen and Japan's Ryo Ishikawa both opened with eight-under-par 63s on Thursday to seize the first round lead at the Quicken Loans National.

Retief Goosen was in the morning wave and recorded a bogey-free 63 to take the lead.

Ryo Ishikawa later matched Goosen with a clean card of eight-under 63 that featured an ace¹⁷ on the par-three, 210-yard fourth hole.

Tennis UpdateIn tennis action going on right now:

At the German Open in Hamburg--Frenchmen Lucas Pouille and Benoit Paire clashed: Pouille came out on top 6-3, 6-2.

Still to come, top-seeded Rafael Nadal will take on fifth-seeded Argentine Pablo Cuevas.

Nadal has been on a tear in Germany since crash-out at Wimbledon.

Meanwhile, Italians Andreas Seppi and Siomen Bolelli will also go racket-to-racket later tonight.

In women's action at the Baku Open:

Top-seeded Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is taking on Beglium's Kirsten FlipkensAnd second-seeded Karin Knapp took out Russian Alexandra Panova in straight sets.

EntertainmentChinese Film Media Awards Unveil NominationsThe nominations for the Chinese Film Media Awards have been unveiled.

Lou Ye's "Blind Massage⁹⁶" has been nominated in 6 different categories.

It will be up against award-winning film "Black Coal, Thin Ice" for best director and best film.

Zhao Wei and Chen Xiangqi are up for best actress.

Zhao Wei lost to Chen at this year's Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan in the same category.

Veteran actress Gong Li is also nominated for her role in the film "Coming Home."Best actor nominations include Huang Bo, Liao Fan, Qin Hao, Chang Chen and Lee Kang-sheng.

The Chinese Film Media Awards were established by the Guangzhou-based Southern Metropolis⁹⁷ Daily in 2000.

'The Dawns Here Are Quiet' Remake to Debut in China on August 25thA 3D remake of the Russian war epic⁹⁸ "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" is coming to Chinese theatres.

Its release on August 25th comes a week ahead of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The film is an adaptation of a Soviet⁹⁹-era novel of the same name.

"The Dawns Here Are Quiet" is the tale of a group of female Soviet soldiers battling Nazi¹⁰⁰ troops in a wooded area in 1942.

The original film, put out in 1972, was nominated for Best Foreign-language Film at the Oscars the following year.

'Carol' Moves Forward Release Date to Nov. 20thThe release date for the lesbian romance drama "Carol" has been moved forward by month to November 20th.

This will put it in theatres the weekend prior to Thanksgiving in the US.

The new date should also mean it won't have to contend with "Star Wars: The Force Awakens¹⁰¹" which premieres on December 18th.

"Carol," starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, is the story of a young clerk who ends up in a relationship with a married woman in New York in the 1950s.

The film premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Julia Robert's new film "Secret in Their Eyes" has also been moved to the same date.

Mariah Carey Is Directing a Christmas FilmThe Christmas song "All I Want for Christmas Is You" is adapted into a film.

Mariah Carey, who popularized the song, is planning to direct it.

It's going to be aired on the Hallmark Channel as a holiday-themed television movie.

Production of the "Mariah Carey's Christmas Project" is set to begin this fallShe also plans to play a role in the film.

This will be Mariah Carey's second shot at acting⁹⁵.

She played a supporting role in the film "The Butler" two years ago.

At Least Eight Seasons for 'Game of Thrones': HBOHBO has officially announced there will be at least 8 seasons of "Game of Thrones."HBO president Michael Lombardo has made the revelation.

But Lombardo has also been quoted saying he'd love to see the show last at least 10 seasons.

"Game of Thrones" drew an audience of 8.1-million viewers for its finale of Season 5, which is around a million viewers more than Season 4's finale.

The Season 5 finale ended with a death of character John Snow.

Answering questions about the show, Lombardo said simply "Dead is dead is dead," suggesting that Snow is indeed dead.

However, actor Kit¹⁰² Harrington, who plays Snow, has been repeatedly seen arriving at the shoots for the forthcoming season of "Game of Thrones."That’s it for this edition of the Beijing Hour...

Beijing has been tapped by the International Olympic Committee to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The Israeli Defense Forces are on high alert after Jewish settlers set fire to a Palestinian home, killing a small child.

In Business.... Chinese regulators promising to keep a closer eye on electronic trading.

On behalf of the Beijing Hour staffers, I'm Paul James in Beijing hoping you'll join us for our next edition of the Beijing Hour to open a window to the world together. 

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