Page1

Top News

GDP grows faster than expected
The economy grew stronger than expected in the first quarter but it was accompanied by still surging consumer prices, prompting the government to tighten credit.

Bank reserve ratio raised to 16%

CNN's failure to apologize rapped

Pakistan leaders join celebration

West is 'waging a new Cold War against China'

Vitamin supplements may cause early death

Foreign minister talks with Rice on phone

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Top News

Balancing act needed on inflation
While latest economic figures are pointing to a slowdown, growing "external uncertainties" have prompted the country's policymakers to take a more cautious approach in their battle against inflation, officials and analysts said yesterday.

Stock market drops amid fear of further tightening measures

IN BRIEF (Page 2)

Page3

Nation

Arable land reserves continue to decline
The country's arable land bank fell by 40,700 hectares last year, to 121.73 million hectares, still above the government's 120 million "critical" mark, the Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR) said yesterday.

Students foster ties with Japanese counterparts

China, Japan ties set for faster boost

Page4

Nation

Taiwan talks hinted at
Talks with Taipei could happen once the island's "leader-elect", Ma Ying-jeou, takes office next month, a spokesman for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office said yesterday.

No rest for relay's 'tourist' delegation

Olympic co-hosts express confidence

Security top priority at sailing center

Across China: Shanghai

Across China: Tibet

Across China: Beijing

Across China: Guangdong

Page5

China Scene

Volunteers take up call to hit the road running
The people are speaking - and they want to jog.

China Scene: Central

China Scene: East

China Scene: West

China Scene: South

China Scene: North

Page6

Nation

Tibetans hold top government posts
Born into a herding family in a remote village, 49-year-old Sori, now the vice-director of the Tibetan autonomous region seismological bureau, said he never could have imagined how much his life was about to change the day he was chosen to study at a local institute.

Police just doing their job, witness says

Countries need exchanges: Envoy

Don't make excuses for your boycotts, media tycoon says

Quotes from chairmen

Page7

Insight

Message to litigants: Court no trouble anymore
It is Thursday morning in the eastern wing of Shanghai Pudong New Area District People's Court. The crowd is swelling. The din it creates is rising. Such a scene has become common since late February when the court began offering legal counseling to litigants eager to settle disputes in the court.

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Comment

On second thoughts, talks not a good idea
Until recently, I would not argue with friends from abroad when they talked about the necessity for China to open a dialogue with the Dalai Lama. I know little about this monk, am no expert on Tibet, and these friends sounded convincing that dialogue is more constructive than antagonism.

Cartoon

An orderly slowdown

SOEs' green goals

Hot Words

A deadly mix for terror

Hidden in the 'middle path'

Beware fake models of democracy

Page9

Opinion

Horror past better forgotten
The rallying cry of the international lynch mob out to slander China at any cost has a familiar ring. They claim they are trying to bring "freedom and democracy" to Tibet.

'Lights Out' highlights green absurdity

Outside View

Yellow journalism at its worst

From our archives

Page11

International

Nigerian waters 'worst pirate hotspot'
Acts of ocean piracy rose 20 percent in the first quarter of this year, with waters off Nigeria emerging as the worst pirate hotspot, a watchdog said yesterday.

H5N1 scare closer to Seoul

Thaksin plans $5b equity fund

Bus plunges into canal, 47 dead, mostly children

Germany has new entry on export lists - its jobless

Across Asia: Japan

Across Asia: Palestine

Across Asia: India

Across Asia: New Zealand

Across Asia: Nepal

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International

Shanghai meeting on Iran reaches consensus
SHANGHAI: Senior officials from the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany yesterday reached a consensus on the major part of a plan to restart talks with Iran over its nuclear development, vowing to adopt "creative thinking" to address the long-lasting problem.

Bush to announce new climate change strategy

UN staff search for air crash victims

Around the World: United States

Around the World: Germany

Around the World: Libya

Page13

Business

Transfer payments set to rise
The government is poised to pump in more money and adopt more favorable taxation policies to narrow the income and wealth gaps among people in different regions, senior fiscal officials said yesterday.

Angang to raise prices

Rules announced for acquisitions by banks

Cisco draws up big plan for China

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Business China

State bank launches JV in Shanghai
SHANGHAI: Agricultural Bank of China (ABC), one of China's Big Four commercial banks, yesterday announced the launch of its fund management joint venture in Shanghai.

Taiwan eyes more mainland investment

Water expo opens

Special supplement: Global plastic, rubber exhibitors gather for Chinaplas 2008

IN BRIEF (Page 14)

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Business Roundup

Low risk winning out
Once unpopular wealth management products with a lower degree of investment risk are gaining popularity in the face of bearish domestic and global equity markets.

PICC shares lowest in a month

Biz scene

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Business International

Multimedia phones boost LG's earnings
LG Electronics Inc, the best performing stock among the world's major mobilephone makers, reported its second-highest profit in almost four years, driven by sales of its touch-screen Viewty and Voyager handsets.

Nokia stock drop reversal hangs on profit surprise

March inflation in Europe up 3.6%

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Business International

ArcelorMittal to boost steel prices
ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker, plans to boost prices on some contracted steel shipments in the US by $250 a ton to recoup surging costs for energy and iron ore.

Rio has drop in output of mining products

Rice jumps to record high on Philippines' lead

Carlyle bids for TheFaceShop

IN BRIEF (Page 17)

Page18

Life

On the same page
Should literature address more social issues, or should it get closer to the writer's own heart and focus on one's own experiences?

Chinese poets lament environmental degradation

What's new

Page19

Life Pulse

Grooming the captains
SHANGHAI: Many graduates find it tough to find a good job after completing university. But not Luo Jiali.

A humbling lesson by an itinerant vendor

Reviews

Page20

Life Travel

Bamboo, spice and all that's nice
Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, has long been seen as a haven for people looking for a relaxing retreat. Staying at the Shangri-La Hotel, Chengdu, which opened just last December, I had three days to find out just why.

Rise of Haikou not all hot air

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Sports

US athletes uninterested in politics, focus on competition
CHICAGO: Athletes and coaches from Team USA fielded questions about Tibet, Darfur and their opinions on other political matters during a three-day Olympic Summit in the "Windy City".

NBA playoffs will be key in deciding Olympic team

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Sports China

Hu Mu learning to be a better golfer
Every time Hu Mu stands on the golf course, he knows he is following in the steps of his idols, Zhang Lianwei and Liang Wenchong.

Gymnasts to be put to test at World Cup in Tianjin

Score board

IN BRIEF (Page 23)

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Sports

Hornets clinch 1st division title, Lakers earn top seed
NEW YORK: The New Orleans Hornets clinched the franchise's first division championship with a 114-92 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.

Nuggets star Anthony makes apology for arrest

Canadiens skate closer to series win

Federer begins clay-court season in winning style

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

S1-4

Volvo China Open

Brier looks to build on success
Marcus Brier laughs when asked if he is the Zhang Lianwei of Austria.

Developing a legacy in China golf

Shouldering the social responsibility

Star golfers slug it out in Beijing

Chinese challengers

Liang seeks a gold stroke

Casillero del Diablo: The Wine Legend Takes up Golf

Rolex: Golf's biggest player