| China's airlines in great pains
Air crash, a word never used before in Air China's history.
On April 15, an Air China plane carrying 166 people crashed into a mountain near South Korea's city of Pusan when it tried to land in dense fog. The crash, which killed 128 people, was the first in China's flagship airline.
In less than a month, a China Northern Airlines plane on a domestic flight from Beijing plunged into waters just short of its destination of Dalian. Altogether there were 112 people on board, most of whom were tourists traveling home after the week－long Labor Day holiday. Investigations showed that the tragedy was down to arson.
On May 25, a third disaster followed when an aging plane from Taiwan－based China Airlines suddenly disappeared from the radar and crashed into the Taiwan Straits, killing all 225 people on board.
China's economy is global beacon
While much of the world remains mired in an economic downturn, China's economy in 2002 has shown many encouraging changes and clear improvement in quality, efficiency and the speed of its growth.
China's economy has run increasingly higher with the growth rate registered at 7.6, 8.0 and 8.1 percent respectively for the first three quarters, growth of between 8.1 and 8.3 percent are predicted for the fourth quarter.
Trade and foreign investment have both hit new highs, continuing the rapid momentum. While the total volume of international investment has decreased, China's actual use of overseas funds has stayed at 40 billion US dollars each year.
2002 also marks the first year of China's WTO membership, which signals the transition and integration of China's economy into the world trade system, a re－defining of its antiquated standards, setting a new framework for the future.
China wins bid to host 2010 World Expo in Shanghai
 After fierce competition, China beat four other candidates and won the bid to host the 2010 World Exposition in Shanghai, China's economic engine.
On December 3, the landmark vote of the 132nd General Assembly of the Bureau of International Expositions made China the first developing country ever to host the event, which debuted 151 years ago.
Chinese people, particularly Shanghai citizens, could hardly contain their excitement and promised to present a successful, splendid and unforgettable exposition to the world in 2010.
The World Expo, or the Economic Olympics, is a great event for different economies to exchange economic, cultural and scientific achievements, and also helps enhance new technology and concepts.
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