China, Australia Ink Agreements on Cooperation

China and Australia have signed a series of agreements and documents designed to strengthen economic and trade relations and bilateral cooperation in other fields.

Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Australian Prime Minister John Howard, witnessed the inking of eight inter-governmental agreements and documents, including an agreement for cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy and an agreement on the transfer of nuclear energy. 

France's Controversial CPE Law Published

French controversial First Employment Contract has been published in the Official Journal although French President Jacques Chirac has said it is to be replaced by a modified version.

French trade unions and student organizations rejected a compromise offered by Chirac and called for another round of national strikes and demonstrations for Tuesday. 

Development Loans to Support Ethnic Minority Regions

The China Development Bank says it will provide 40 billion Yuan in policy-oriented loans in the next five years, a move seen as strongly supporting the development of ethnic minority regions.

Loans are earmarked to support the fields of infrastructure construction, social undertakings, and personnel training in the less-populated ethnic minority areas. 

China to Save Ancient Books by Taking Advantage of Egyptian Techniques

China will borrow Egyptian techniques used to preserve the murals in the pyramids to save China's ancient books.

China has a large number of ancient books and many are in very rough shape. About one third of them are in urgent need of repair. 

Screening Date Updates for Two Films

Polybona Film Publishing Company has revealed that this year's Silver Bear-winning film "Isabella" will open in cinemas across China starting on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong director Andrew Lau's Korean film "Daisy" has been delayed until April 30, eyeing a May Day Holiday opening.