Welcome to Guangdong Today, I'm Edward Welsh. Last month saw the most competitive and important exams for Chinese high school graduates who are aspiring to gain a spot in universities. And of course, some lost some won. On this week's "Today's Focus", we will tell you the struggling experiences of two very special and outstanding high school graduates.
"I've been wearing a prosthetic leg for more than 3 years now.When I was in high school, I used to go up and down the stairs between floors. I think I should try to conquer this sort of difficultiy because after all it is myself who has to walk through the rest of my life."

Before we hear the stories of our high school graduates, let's first take a look at what's happened around Guangdong this week.

Foreign Journalists Eyes on GD's Economic Performance Amid Crisis
41 reporters from 19 famous overseas media including Associated Press, Routers and AFP, concluded a 5-day visit to Guangdong's 4 cities of Shenzhen, Huizhou, Dongguan and Guangzhou this week. The 4 chosen cities are playing different roles in the province, with Shenzhen being one of the country's special economic zones, Huizhou being home to China's largest joint venture-- the CNOOC and Shell Petrochemicals Co., Dongguan being the centre of export-oriented manufacturing companies, and Guangzhou being the capital city and an economic hub. Our journalist Zhengyun reports

This is the largest overseas reporting team to Guangdong in the history. So why Guangdong is attracting international attention? Dr. Wieland Wagner from the Germany-based weekly Der Spiegel told us his opinions, which is shared by most of the journalists: 
" I think Guangdong is very important especially during the time of global financial crisis. How will the so-called world factory will solve all sorts of problems."

To find out the answers, journalists were arranged to visit factories and new projects in the province and met with top provincial and municipal officials, including the province's party chief Mr. Wang Yang. This joint report is expected to give the international society an insight into Guangdong 's economic and social situation amid the global economic downturn and the implementation of Guangdong's new strategy: the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta.

photo from people.com.cn

Strategic-economic dialogue to facilitate China-U.S. cooperation Held
The China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) was held on July 27th and 28th, with the two countries having extensive discussions to deepen understanding, enhance mutual trust and promote cooperation. China and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the bilateral cooperation of energy, climate change and environment after the two-day meeting. The two sides also pledging to enhance cooperation on regional and international issues as well as expand economic and financial cooperation amid the world's worst economic recession in decades.

GD and Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council to Deepen Cooperation
Secretary of Guangdong' CPC Committee Wang Yang met in Guangzhou with Victor Fung, president of the Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council of Hong Kong Wednesday (July 29). Wang indicated that Guangdong will further cooperation with the business council to promote economic trade between the two areas. Founded in 2004, the Hongkong Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council's main function is to suggest to its chief executive potential policies needed to facilitate economic cooperation between the two areas.