Woman Humanitarian

(CFP)

Liu Yan, a famous Chinese dancer, was chosen one of China's Top 10 Women Humanitarians for her contributions to public betterment on May 7, 2011.

Liu, 29, graduated from Beijing Dance Academy in 2003. After graduation, she was devoted to dancing and proved herself a talented one with many prizes. In 2008, Liu was chosen heroine of Silk Road, the only solo dance in the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Unfortunately, Liu fell off the stage during a rehearsal and was paralyzed due to the accident.

This disaster stopped Liu from dancing but opened a new world for her. With the guidance of the China Literature and Art Foundation, Liu set up the Liu Yan Arts Special Fund in March 2010, which is mainly designed for contributing to art education for students in poverty-stricken areas, orphan schools and schools for migrant workers' children. According to Liu, as an artist, she understands the significance of art education for children at an early age and she would try her best in this field and help as many children as possible.

Swimming Champion

(CFP)

Chinese swimming athlete Wu Peng won the 200-meter butterfly at the Charlotte UltraSwim long-course meeting on May 14, 2011, by defeating U.S. Olympic champion Michael Phelps, who reigned in the 200-meter butterfly for nearly a decade.

This is Wu's second victory over Phelps. On April 9, 2011, Wu's victory over Phelps at the Michigan Grand Prix marked the 14-time Olympic gold medallist's first defeat in the event since 2002.

Wu, 24, was born in east China's Zhejiang Province. He started swim training at the age of 5 and entered the provincial swimming team in 2000 and national swimming team in 2001. In the 2002 Busan Asian Games, Wu became champion of 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter backstroke and 400-meter medley relay and gained immediate international fame.

Sentenced Official

Xu Maiyong, former Deputy Mayor of Hangzhou, capital city of Zhejiang Province, was sentenced to death for corruption by the Intermediate People's Court of Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, on May 12, 2011.

Xu, 52, was convicted of bribery, embezzlement, and abuse of power by the court and was also deprived of his political rights for life. All of his personal property was confiscated.

The court found that between 1995 and 2009, Xu abused his official positions to interfere in project contracting and to help companies and people obtain land, promotions and privileged tax breaks. In exchange, he received over 145 million yuan ($22 million) in bribes. Xu also embezzled state-owned assets totaling more than 53 million yuan ($8 million).

"China will continue to provide convenience for investments from EU firms. We hope the EU takes active measures to expand exports of hi-tech products to China, recognize China's market economy status and create a relaxed policy environment for Chinese firms to invest in EU countries."

Chinese President Hu Jintao, during talks with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy in Beijing on May 16

"Over past decades, China has managed to provide the people with sufficient food, and we must make efforts to provide them with safe food."

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang, speaking at a nine-day seminar on food safety in Beijing on May 15

"China is willing to cooperate with Latin America in diversifying its exports to China and welcomes more exports with high added value from the continent."

Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming, in an interview with Xinhua News Agency on May 13 in Buenos Aires

"China's trade surplus is likely to decrease to $120 billion or even $100 billion by the end of the year, compared with 2010's trade surplus of $180 billion."

Li Daokui, a central bank advisor of China, at the Third International Business Development Forum in Beijing on May 14

"After a watershed general election, we have decided to leave the Cabinet and have a completely younger team of ministers to connect to and engage with this young generation in shaping the future of our Singapore."

Singapore's Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, in a joint statement on May 15