January
15 The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) opens its permanent secretariat in Beijing. The establishment of the secretariat was decided at the Moscow Summit in May 2003 by the heads of state of the SCO members. Designated by the SCO summit meeting and held in turn by member states in Russian alphabetic order, every secretary general can serve only one term of three years. Zhang Deguang, former Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, was appointed the first secretary general of the SCO Secretariat.

February
8 Xinhua News Agency is authorized to publish the Proposals of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Several Policies for Promoting Growth of Farmers' Income. The document elaborates the economic situation in rural China, stresses the significance and urgency of raising farmers' income and prescribes a number of major measures.

17 The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) publishes the Regulations of the CPC on Internal Supervision (Trial Implementation) and the Regulations of the CPC on Disciplinary Penalties.

20 The Conferring Ceremony of the 2003 State Preeminent Science and Technology Award is held in Beijing, co-sponsored by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council. Liu Dongsheng, a geologist with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Wang Yongzhi, a space scientist with the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chief designer of China's first manned spacecraft, won the country's top science award. A special prize of the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award was conferred to China's manned space flight project. The project of Chengjiang Biota and the Cambrian Explosion won the first prize of the National Natural Science Award, while 18 other findings were given the second prize of the award.

25-28 China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Japan and Russia conduct the second round of their multilateral talks on Korean nuclear issue in Beijing and adopted a Chairman's Statement. The talks successfully boosted the discussion on substantive issues, reaffirmed taking coordinated steps to solve issues, issued the first statement since the launch of the peace talk process, defined the timing and place for the third round of talks and agreed to set up a working group to mechanize the talks.

March
1 The Information Office of the State Council issues the Human Rights Record of the United States in 2003, in response to the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003 issued by the U.S. Department of State on February 25 that distorted and censured the human rights situation in other countries and regions across the world, including China. It was the fifth consecutive year that the Information Office of the State Council had issued the human rights record of the United States.

6 Chinese women's team beat their Hong Kong counterparts 3-0 at the World Table Tennis Championships in Doha, Qatar, taking their sixth straight and 15th overall team title. The following day, Chinese men's team handed out a 3-0 triumph over Germany in defense of its championship. It is the 14th team title collected by the Chinese players since 1961.

16 Nanning in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Lhasa in Tibet Autonomous Region announce to be removed from the list of outbreaks of deadly high pathogenic avian influenza (HAPI). As a result, China lifted quarantine of all 49 HAPI-infected areas across the country.

20 The Taiwan Work Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council issue a statement on the referendum held by the Taiwan authorities. The statement said, "On March 20, the Taiwan authorities willfully held the so-called 'peace referendum' in a provocative attempt to undermine cross-strait relations and split the motherland. The referendum turned out to be invalid. Facts have proven that this illegal act goes against the will of the people."

25 Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo summons Chikahito Harada, Charge d'Affaires of the Japanese Embassy to China, to lodge a solemn representation once again over Japan's illegal detention of Chinese citizens who landed on the Diaoyudao in the East China Sea. On the afternoon of the same day, the Chinese citizens involved in the Diaoyudao landing returned to Leqing City in east China's Zhejiang Province after a 61-hour voyage aboard a Chinese fishing vessel. Those people, 16 in total, departed from Leqing for Diaoyudao on February 23. Seven of them landed on the disputed islands at 6:26 a.m. of February 24, who were later detained by the Japanese Coast Guard.

April
11 The People's Bank of China announces to raise commercial banks' reserve requirement at the central bank to 7.5 percent from 7 percent as of April 25, in a bid to clamp down on excessively fast growth of bank loans and maintain stable, rapid and sound growth of the national economy.

14 With approval of the State Council, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture and the State Administration of Taxation decide to reduce the agricultural tax rate and implement agricultural tax exemption reform in selected key grain production areas on a trial basis.

15 China once again foils an anti-China attempt brewed by the United States when a "no-action" motion it tabled was passed in Geneva at the 60th Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. This constituted China's 11th victory over the U.S.-led anti-China bid since 1990.

24-25 The 2004 Annual Conference of Boao Forum for Asia is held in south China's island province of Hainan. President Hu Jintao delivered a keynote speech, entitled "China's Development Is an Opportunity for Asia," at the opening ceremony. The two-day meeting, themed "A Win-Win Asia: Asia That Opens Up to the World," rew more than 1,000 political leaders, business people and scholars from 35 countries and regions.

26 The Ninth Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress adopts a decision on methods for selecting Hong Kong's chief executive in 2007 and forming the Legislative Council in 2008. The method of universal suffrage shall not apply to the election of the third chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in 2007, nor to the election of all members of the Fourth Legislative Council of the HKSAR in 2008, according to the decision. It also said that the half by half ratio for members of the Legislative Council from functional groups and from constituency election, as well as the procedures for voting on bills and motions in the council, shall remain unchanged.

May
9 Xinhua News Agency is authorized to issue the Circular of the State Council on Strengthening AIDS Prevention and Control Work, which declared the State Council Working Committee for AIDS Prevention and Control would annually organize nationwide inspection of the work. Those officials, who have failed to exercise strong leadership and implement proper measures, covered up epidemic outbreaks or neglected their duties, will be severely punished, according to the circular.

17 The Taiwan Work Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council issue a statement on cross-strait relations, warning that "Taiwan independence" does not lead to peace, nor does national dismemberment bring stability. If Taiwan leaders should move recklessly to provoke major incidents of "Taiwan independence," the statement said, the Chinese people will crush their schemes firmly and thoroughly at any cost.

26 The Global Conference on Scaling Up Poverty Reduction, co-sponsored by the Chinese Government and the World Bank, opens in Shanghai. Premier Wen Jiabao delivered a speech at the opening ceremony and gave a five-point proposal on worldwide poverty alleviation efforts. The proposal is: First, it is imperative to strive to create an international and domestic environment of peace and stability; second, it is necessary to establish a new international political and economic order that is fair and rational; third, the developed countries have a duty and responsibility to provide the developing countries with greater aid; fourth, the developing countries should base themselves on self-reliance in achieving development; and fifth, the international organizations should play an enhanced role in global poverty reduction.

28 The Nuclear Suppliers Group decides to admit China into the group at its annual conference in Stockholm, Sweden. China's accession is seen an important contribution to the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, which not only adds to coverage and effectiveness of the international nuclear nonproliferation mechanism, but also facilitates buildup and improvement of the related system.

June
8-18 President Hu Jintao pays a state visit to Poland, Hungary, Romania and Uzbekistan and attends the Tashkent Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. During the trip, Hu met with leaders of the four countries, exchanging with them views on regional and international issues of common concern and reaching consensus. They also signed a series of cooperative agreements.

21 The draft Corporate Bankruptcy Law of the People's Republic of China is submitted to the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress for deliberation at its 10th meeting. This draft contains provisions on submission and acceptance of bankruptcy petitions, debtor's assets, declaration of creditors' rights, creditors meetings, reorganization, settlement, liquidation and legal liability.

26 The third round of the six-party talks on Korean nuclear issue is held in Beijing. According to Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also head of the Chinese delegation, the talks obtained five achievements--all the parties put forward their respective solutions and suggestions; they reached consensus on the first steps toward nuclear abandonment; they agreed to seek a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue in a step-by-step manner according to the principle of "words for words" and "action for action;" they reviewed and adopted the Concept Paper of the Working Group and defined its functions, responsibilities and means of operation; and, the parties basically set the schedule of the fourth round of talks and issued the second Chairman's Statement, which symbolizes that the six-party talks will continue.

28-July 7 The 28th Session of the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is held in Suzhou, a famous city of historical and cultural interests in south China's Jiangsu Province.

July
13 The emblem for the 2008 Beijing Paralympics is unveiled in Beijing. Featuring the harmony among the sky, the earth and the mankind, the emblem incorporates Chinese character, traditional calligraphy and the Paralympic spirit. It embodies both the traditional Chinese culture and the modern Olympic spirit, conveying the Paralympic motto of "Mind, Body, Spirit," as well as the core philosophy of Chinese culture.

August
12 Typhoon Rananim, the 14th tropical storm in 2004, lands in Shitang Town of Wenling City, Zhejiang Province. It was the worst hurricane that had pounded the province since 1997, affecting 639 towns (townships) in 50 counties (cities) and 8.59 million people. Direct economic losses from the disaster totaled 15 billion yuan ($1.81 billion).

20 The Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly promulgate the Regulations on Examination and Approval of Permanent Residence of Aliens in China, formally launching the country's "Green Card" system. According to the regulations, certificate of permanent residence is valid identity card for aliens with the status in China by itself.

22 A grand gathering is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to mark the birth centenary of late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, known as chief architect of the China's reform and opening-up drive.

29 The 28th Olympiad closes in Athens, Greece. China won 32 gold, 17 silver and 14 bronze medals, achieving a historical breakthrough to come second on the gold medal tally behind the United States. Chinese athletes also set six world records and 17 Olympic marks.

29 Incumbent Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region Edmund Ho Hau Wah wins a second term in a ballot by a 300-strong Election Committee, with 296 votes in favor. Premier Wen Jiabao singed a decree on September 1, confirming Ho's appointment.

September
3-5 The Third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) starts in Beijing. The conference, with the theme of "Exchanges, Cooperation and Development," had representatives from over 80 political parties or organizations of 34 Asian countries. Initiated in 2000, the first two ICAPP conferences were held in the Philippines' Manila and Thailand's Bangkok in September 2000 and November 2002, respectively.

10 The Seventh China Art Festival, the country's largest art carnival, opens in Hangzhou of eastern Zhejiang Province, with the aim to promote advanced culture and inspire national spirit.

13 The 60 members elected to Hong Kong's Third Legislative Council are announced. The biggest difference between the second and the third legislative councils is that the number of members returned by geographical constituencies through direct elections rose from 24 to 30, accounting for half of the council's total members. The election is a landmark in Hong Kong's constitutional development and is believed the most democratic one in the region's history.

16-19 The 16th Central Committee of the CPC holds its Fourth Plenum in Beijing. The meeting adopted the Decision on Strengthening the Building of Governing Capacity of the Party and approved Hu Jintao to succeed Jiang Zemin as chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission.

17-28 The 12th Summer Paralympic Games is held in Athens, Greece. China topped the games' overall medal tally, with 63 gold, 46 silver and 32 bronze medals. It represented the biggest success of China in its participation in the event.

October
8-13 French President Jacques Chirac makes a state visit to China, further consolidating the Sino-French all-round strategic partnership. During his stay in Beijing, Chirac also attended the October 9 opening of the "French Culture Year in China" program, which is under the theme of "Romance, Innovation and People First."

9-13 UN Secretary General Kofi Annan visits China. President Hu Jintao met with Annan, reiterating that China will support, as always, the strengthening of the international multilateral mechanism with the United Nations at the core, the reform of the United Nations as well as the important role played by the United Nations and its secretary general in international affairs.

14-16 Russian President Vladimir Putin pays a state visit to China. When meeting the press after their talks on October 14, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Putin announced that China and Russia had signed the Supplementary Agreement on the Eastern Section of China-Russia Boundary Line, which, the two presidents said, meant that "following efforts by China and Russia for more than 40 years, the two countries have completed their border delimitation."

19 China launches its first professional geostationary orbit meteorological satellite, Fengyun 2C, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan.

28 The People's Bank of China announces to raise the benchmark lending and deposit interest rates, lift the ceiling of RMB loan interest rates and allow a downward movement of RMB deposit interest rates as of October 29. The interest rate hike is the first in a decade since October 1994.

November
3-6 The First China-ASEAN Expo is held in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The event represents a concrete move of the Chinese Government to deepen the strategic partnership for peace and prosperity between China and ASEAN and speed up bilateral negotiations and actions to establish a free trade area.

5 The Information Office of the State Council announces that China's new rural cooperative medical service has benefited more than 95 million people, including 68.99 million farmers, since it was implemented. The coverage of the system reached 72.6 percent.

10 The People's Bank of China issues the Provisions on Foreign Exchange Deposit Reserve of Financial Institutions. The provisions unify the foreign exchange deposit reserve ratio for overseas and domestic financial institutions at 3 percent, effective as of January 15, 2005.

11-23 President Hu Jintao pays a state visit to Brazil, Argentine, Chile and Cuba. He also attended the 12th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Santiago on November 20-21.

18 China sends its Shiyan 2 experimental satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province, aboard a Long March 2C carrier rocket. Experts hailed the launch marks the new progress China has made in research of mini-satellites.

28-30 Premier Wen Jiabao makes an official visit to Laos and attends the Eighth Summit of the ASEAN Plus China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (10+3), the Eighth China-ASEAN Summit and the Sixth Summit of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea held in Vientiane. The China-ASEAN Summit adopted the China-ASEAN Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity. ASEAN declared recognition of China as a full market economy.

December
1 The Provisional Regulations on Foreign Exchange Sales for Overseas Transfer of Personal Property, promulgated by the People's Bank of China, takes effect. Chinese mainland citizens moving overseas are allowed to convert their legal personal property into foreign currency and transfer them out of the mainland, according to the regulations.

25 The draft laws on anti-secession, civil servants, notary and renewable energy are submitted to the 13th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress for deliberation.

27 The Information Office of the State Council publishes China's National Defense in 2004 white paper, illustrating China's national defense policies and the progress made in national defense and army building over the past two years. It is the fifth white paper of its kind since 1995.