China's first overall reform plan of the universities' entrance exam system, compiled by the 21st Century Education Development Research Institute, an NGO, was unveiled on July 18. Yang Dongping, Director of the Beijing-based institute and also chief author of the plan, emphasized the necessity and significance of the reform at the launch.

"This year marks the 30th anniversary of the resumption of the national college entrance exam, and we need some tangible efforts to commemorate the event, instead of only taking a retrospective view," Yang said.

According to Yang, more efforts should be made on defending educational equality, as he believes scores achieved on tests cannot be the only criterion to assess the overall capability of students. He also advocates a more flexible testing and assessing system. Yang requested more power of discretion for colleges and universities when admitting students, and more options for students in a people-oriented enrollment mechanism designed to meet their various demands. To facilitate this, he suggests more interviews before applicants are admitted.

Yang, 58, a famed educator majored in higher education, modern pedagogy, history of contemporary education and theory on educational equality, is also a celebrated social activist involved in several nongovernmental organizations in pursuit of public welfare.

The proposal that Yang and his institute provided is a draft open to full discussions and evaluation among different interest groups. "We need a platform for discussion, and only through this can disputes be resolved and agreements reached to further promote the reform," Yang said.

The national university entrance exam is so important in China because it is the only chance for most high school graduates to gain access to higher education. However, the current exam has been slammed as "unscientific" due to its over-reliance on written tests with no evaluation of students' overall capability. Radical critics say, the exam, which has led to China's test-oriented education system and places enormous pressure on students, should be abolished.

"The [college entrance exam] reform will proceed in a gradual manner and cannot be completed overnight. One proposal is insufficient to solve all the problems."

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Education, calling for widespread discussion of Yang's proposal

"Poor people have a deep affection for the exam."

Dai Jiagan, Director of the National Educational Examination Authority, saying that the college entrance exam has been seen as a life-changing opportunity for most students despite the inherent faults

"I think it will be regarded as a very significant event."

Chief Executive of Barclays John Varley, predicting the London-based third-biggest British lender will gain "unprecedented" access to the Chinese market after it agreed on July 23 to sell new shares worth up to 9.8 billion euros to China Development Bank, which would make the state-owned Chinese policy bank its biggest shareholder

"When I closed the book I was overjoyed and

devastated-overjoyed at the story, and the way

it had played out, but devastated that the tale was complete."

Melissa Anelli, Webmaster of the Potter fan site at www.the-leaky-cauldron.org, saying she felt it was like saying farewell to a long-trusted friend after finishing the

759-page seventh and final volume in the Harry Potter series, which reached bookshelves on July 21 and is now the fastest-selling book in history

"It is a blatant move toward ‘Taiwan independence,' to split [Taiwan from China]."

Wang Guangya, China's UN Ambassador, commenting on Taiwan authorities' bid for UN membership under the name of Taiwan, which was rejected by the world body on July 23 in accordance with the one-China policy

"It's their mindset that has to change, not our

constitution."

Russian President Vladimir Putin, branding Britain's demand for Russia to amend its constitution to extradite a main suspect in the poisoning incident involving Alexander Litvinenko as "a vestige of colonial thinking" on July 24

"We do not want our efforts to be undermined by any ill-conceived action from any quarter that is inconsistent with the principles of international law."

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam, saying on July 23 that Pakistani security forces are responsible for antiterror operations and demanding the United States to refrain from any military action on its territory against suspected Al Qaeda members