吴伯雄率团访大陆

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More than 1,000 farmers protested outside the European Union headquarters in Brussels on Monday in response to a drop in milk prices.

The farmers say they have been forced to sell milk at below production cost because prices have fallen to around 50 percent over the past year.

Eddie Chinon is a French dairy farmer.

"We are gathered here today to demand a fair price for our milk, which covers at least our production costs and some profit margins. And we are here to say that we have to regulate milk production according to consumption levels so that there is neither excessive milk production nor too little but just right."

The EU said it was intervening with support measures as much as it could to boost the market.

EU farm ministers are expected to meet later to discuss ways to help dairy farmers.

France and Germany have promised to coordinate support action.

In France more than 80 dairy processing plants were closed by angry farmers.

Noah's Ark Opens to Public in Hong Kong

The world's first full sized replica of Noah's Ark has opened to the public in Hong Kong.

The 25-thousand-square-metre ark took three years to build and is part of a larger theme park-'Ma Wan Park'.

Moses Cheng is the Chairman of the Ma Wan Park Advisory Committee.

"It's a very exciting project and it's what Hong Kong needs and what Hong Kong can offer to a lot of people from all over the world, because I think what Noah's Ark stands for is love, care, peace, and family, together."

The ark was built following the description written in the Bible.

The original Noah's Ark featured in the Bible's book of Genesis. It is said that when God decided to kill all the world's sinners with a flood, he allowed Noah to save his own family and two of every animal on the ark, so they could later repopulate the Earth.

KMT Chairman Starts Eight-Day Mainland Visit

Wu Poh-hsiung, Chairman of Taiwan's ruling Kuomingtang Party, has arrived in Beijing for an eight-day visit to the mainland.

He says a prosperous cross-Straits tie is welcomed by the public.

"People feel a confidence and enthusiasm for the development of the relationship across the Straits, and they hope that the co-operation will develop steadily for a mutually beneficial relationship between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan."

Wu Poh-hsiung's itinerary includes southwestern city of Chongqing, and eastern cities of Hangzhou and Nanjing.

He will meet Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Communist Party of China, to review the developments of exchanges and interactions across the Straits.

They are expected to reach a common understanding on how to promote cross-Straits relations in the future.

Wu Poh-hsiung will also attend activities to remember Dr. Sun Yat-sen, founder of the Kuomintang.

Local Authorities Urged to Strengthen Self-discipline

A recent murder case in central China's Hubei province has caught nationwide attention.

An official was stabbed to death by a 21-year-old waitress as she was forced to provide sexual services.

The public has shown a high level of sympathy for the waitress after the case was widely reported in the media. She was even addressed as "a heroine against rapists".

The China Youth Daily published a commentary, urging authorities in the region address the consequent public indignation.

It says the official's rude conduct highlights the corrupt and oppressive image of some local authorities.

The article warns that corrupted officials have become a great threat to public interest and social justice instead of serving the interest of society.

The writer urges the authorities to strengthen self discipline and ensure the rights of the people at the lowest social and economic levels are protected.