Guangzhou Celebrates the One-Year Countdown to the 16th ASIAD
The ceremony marking the one-year countdown to the 16th Asian Games was held in the Guangzhou Gymnasium last night (November 12). With the government currently trying to save money, the show also served as the gala performance for the ongoing United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) World Council Meetings. Our journalist Luo Liting reports from the venue:
"As Guangdong CPC secretary, Wang Yang, and President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, jointly launched the ceremony, Guangzhou entered the one-year countdown to the Asian Games!"

Guangdong government Huang Huahua then delivered a speech in front of the guests, all friends of Guangzhou from across Asia. 
" Guangzhou is well on track to host such a major sporting event filled with distinctive Chinese, Cantonese and Guangzhou features. Let's wish the 16th Asian Games is a big success!"
The ceremony was formal and grandiose as we have become accustomed to each time China hosts an event. Starting at 8:00 pm, it was divided into three chapters - "Fervent Expectations", "Colorful Asia" and "Hospitable Invitation". The first part might not have been very original, but exciting performances in the 2nd part from singers and dancers from across Asia, took the audience on a charming voyage of colors and sounds. After such a climax, Sheikh Ahmad and Mr Liu then brought things back to earth, when presenting the invitation letters for the Guangzhou Asian Games to representatives from the 45 Asian National Olympic Committees. The ceremony ended around 9:30 with the performers and the audience (mostly volunteers and officials) singing the Asian Games song:"Together".
13 killed as bus falls into sea in E. China
Thirteen Guangdong tourists died Thursday after the tour bus they were on plunged into the sea in east China's Shandong Province. The rescue headquarters said a total of 22 people from Guangdong were aboard the bus when it veered off a bridge at 2:15 pm in Weihai City. The bodies of the victims have been recovered, but their identities have not yet been made available to the press. The nine survivors are being treated in hospital. Two of them are severely injured, whilst the other 7 are in a stable condition. Slippery road conditions are believed to be the cause of the accident. More than 200 people, including police officers and fishermen, participated in the rescue and search operations.

Liu Xiang seizes limelight with hat-trick at Asian championships
And it was another victory for Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang, who came in first place at 13.50 seconds in Guangzhou last night, during the 18th Asian Athletics Championships. He will return to the tracks in Guangzhou next year for the 16th Asian Games.