2009-01-03 Let's Go Skiing Although the word of winter seems to covey anything but warmth, I believe the idea of going skiing is sure to kindle the passion within many people. Today we will talk about skiing. • Decision-making Mechanism Prior to Encouragement of Pursuit of Innovations • China to Step up Efforts to Improve Net Environment • China Highlights New Year Fiscal Emphasis • India handed over evidence of Mumbai attacks to Pakistan • EU delegation holds talks to push for a cease-fire in Gaza

The new list compiled by the International Association of Athletics Federations (the IAAF) ranks Liu Xiang at the top of his field with a total score of 1398.

He is followed by Daron Robles from Cuba and Allen Johnson from the USA.

Liu Xiang scored his first outdoor 110m hurdles title this year with a comfortable time of 13.14 seconds at the 2007 Osaka World Athletics Tour on May 5.

Another Chinese hurdler, Shi Dongpeng, rose to 19th place in the world rankings with a score of 1242, displacing Ladji Doucoure from France.

Liu Xiang became a huge sporting celebrity in China after winning gold at the Athens Olympics in 2004. His fame increased last summer after he set a new world record of 12.88 seconds in the 110m hurdles, smashing his previous personal best of 12.91 seconds, which he shared with top British hurdler Colin Jackson.