Broadcasting Time: 08:00 AM, GMT:+8:00, 2008-06-16

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China Honors Helicopter Regiment for Quake Relief

China`s President Hu Jintao has ordered the title "heroic quake-relief force" be given to a helicopter regiment working the front lines of the Sichuan earthquake disaster relief efforts.

The regiment of army aviation under the Chengdu Military Command dispatched over 1,800 helicopter flights for rescue and transport missions since May 12 delivering more than 600 tons of food, water and medicine.

One of the regiment's helicopters crashed during a rescue mission on May 31, killing all 18 aboard.

Hu Urges Welfare Institute to Contribute More to Quake Relief

President Hu Jintao is also calling on the China Welfare Institute to contribute more to relief work for Sichuan earthquake survivors.

In a congratulatory letter marking the institute's 70th anniversary, Hu Jintao says the organization has done great work over the years, and played a distinctive role in the country's development and reform.

He calls on the institute to bring the weight of its support into full play to provide more material support and psychological comfort to quake survivors.

Top Chinese Official Stresses Supervision in Reconstruction after Quake

A top Chinese inspection official has urged the local governments of quake-hit regions to ensure open and transparent use of relief materials and severe punishment for violations of law and discipline.

During his three-day visit to Sichuan Province, He Guoqiang says situation is still severe and more efforts should be made to carefully outline reconstruction work and restore production.

China Urges Public Participation in Saving Energy

China has kicked off its 18th annual energy saving week by seeking more public participation.

Various activities were launched across the country to get more people involved and raise public awareness about relevant laws and regulations and to promote energy-saving practices.

The central government will subsidize for the purchases of 150 million energy-saving bulbs which will save 29 billion kwh of electricity annually.

Chinese Vice Premier Leaves for U.S.to Attend Strategic Economic Dialogue

China`s Vice Premier Wang Qishan is on his way to the United States to attend high level Economic Dialogue talks.

He will attend as a special representative of Chinese President Hu Jintao, while U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will act as a special representative of U.S. President George W. Bush.

The two will co-chair the meeting to be held in Annapolis Maryland which will be the fourth round of China-U.S. Strategic Economic Dialogue talks.

Chinese FM Expresses Sympathy after U.S. Midwest Hit by Record Flooding

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has sent a message of sympathy to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, after the American Midwest was hit by record flooding.

Record flood waters have reportedly caused widespread damage and evacuations in Iowa and some other parts of the American Midwest.

China Finishes Harvest on 80 pct of Summer Grain Area

China has reported bumper summer crops for the fifth year in a row as the country maintains rising momentum in grain production.

The Ministry of Agriculture says 80 percent of the total planted area of the crop in China has been harvested.

Summer crops constitute 23 percent of the country's annual grain harvest. It has grown for four consecutive years to reach 500 million tonnes in 2007, almost equaling the country's annual consumption.