08-28-07

中國執政的共產黨10月15日舉行全國代表大會 (China's Ruling Communist Party to Begin National Congress Oct. 15)

中國官方媒體報導說，中國共產黨將從10月15號開始舉行重大的代表大會。中共閉門舉行的黨代會每5年召開一次，制訂黨和國家的議事日程，通常包括某些高層領導的人事變更。

中國最高領導人胡錦濤的5年任期預計在17大上再次延長，不大可能遇到任何直接挑戰。相反，政治分析人士注意到，這次大會將是胡錦濤通過任命官員和推動新政策來鞏固自己權威的機會。

目前，17大召開正值中國處在國際舞臺的重要時刻。隨著2008年北京奧運會日益臨近，中國面臨越來越大的媒體關注。

Chinese state media are reporting that the Communist Party will begin holding a major congress on October 15th. The closed-door congress, which is held once every five years, sets the party's and the country's agenda, and typically includes the reshuffling of some top leaders.

It is not likely that there will be any direct challenge to Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is expected to see his five-year term renewed during the meeting. Instead, political analysts note that the meeting will be an opportunity for Mr. Hu to strengthen his authority by making appointments and pursuing new policies.

The meeting comes at an important time for China on the world stage, as it faces increased media attention in the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

默克爾會晤中國記者和研究人員 (German Chancellor Meets Chinese Journalists, Researchers)

德國總理默克爾與中國新聞記者和研究人員會面，推動北京更好地尊重人權。默克爾女士星期二在北京對一些研究人員說，在北京奧運會明年開幕之前，全球將比以往會更加密切地關注中國。她說，國際社會將尤其嚴格地審視中國的言論自由與新聞自由。

此前，默克爾同一組中國記者見面，包括因觸怒當局而被解除編輯職位的李大同。西方國家批評說，中國實行媒體新聞檢查、騷擾記者以及少數民族和宗教團體。

德國總理默克爾說，她星期一在與中國領導人會談時，也提出了對人權的關注。

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has met with Chinese journalists and researchers as she pushes for Beijing to better respect human rights. Ms. Merkel told a group of researchers in Beijing Tuesday the world will be watching China more intensely than ever before ahead of next year's Beijing Olympics. She said freedom of speech and the press in China will be particularly scrutinized.

Earlier, she met with a group of Chinese journalists, including Li Datong who was dismissed from his editing position after angering authorities. Western countries have criticized China for its media censorship and harassment of journalists and minority and religious groups.

The German chancellor says she also raised concerns about human rights in talks with China's leaders Monday.