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President Hu Attends Ceremony Marking Quake Anniversary in Sichuan

Chinese President Hu Jintao, has thanked the international community, for their contributions, after the devastating earthquake which hit southwestern China last May.

"On behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, I once again express our most sincere appreciation to the leaders, governments and parties of many countries, their embassies in China and social communities, related departments of the United Nations and some global organizations, foreign-funded enterprises and foreign friends."

On the first anniversary of the natural disaster, Hu Jintao also expressed his condolences, to victims of the May 12th Sichuan earthquake, and to those who sacrificed their lives, during quake relief.

Speaking at the commemorative ceremony, at the epicenter, in Yingxiu township, he stressed the importance of post-disaster reconstruction.

"We should continue the reconstruction in the disaster-hit regions earnestly, as it greatly concerns the basic interests of the survivors and the long-term development of the area. We should stick to the plans and try to rebuild the quake-ravaged areas within two years."

He says priority would be given, to the construction of public service facilities, pledging to move quake survivors, into permanant houses as soon as possible.

Official figures, show last year's magnitude-8 earthquake, left more than 87,000 people dead or missing.

The Film Earth-Shaking Represent Earthquake Relief Work of 5.12 Quake

China will soon release a film, marking the first anniversary, of the Sichuan earthquake.
Wang Jia, is the director of the film, "Earth-Shaking".

"We used specific descriptions to illuminate Earthquake Relief spirit. We hope Chinese people can be encouraged by watching this film."

The film praises Chinese bravery, in quake relief work.

The film, is an August First, Film Studio production.

Experts: China has Indisputable Sovereign Rights over South China Sea and Diaoyu Island

China has submitted "initial information on the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles" to the United Nations Secretary General and will "delimitate maritime boundary through peaceful negotiations".

However, ahead of the May 13th deadline set by the United Nations for countries to submit claims over extended continental shelves, China's sovereignty claim over the South China Sea has been challenged subsequently by its neighbors, like Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia. In the East China Sea, China's claim over the Diaoyu Island has been challenged by Japan. Chinese experts have reasserted the validity of China's sovereignty claims over its sea territory.

Our reporter Wang Ling has more.

Expert on international relations, Meng Xiangqing from China's University of National Defense explained why the recent months were marked with frequent moves challenging China's maritime sovereignty.

"South China sea and Diaoyu Island are believed to contain significant deposits of oil and gas. Plus, for coastal states that became parties to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea before May 13, 1999 like Vietnam, the deadline for the submission of national reports is fixed for May 13, 2009."

Professor Zhang Xuegang from China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations said it also involved political interest for those countries to raise spats with China.

"Those countries have been long coveting for the Xisha and Nansha Islands over which China has indisputable sovereignty. Given the worsening economic situations, an outlet is needed in those countries to ease the depression back home. That also accounts for the aggressive stance they take on the issues of South China Sea."

Immediately after Vietnam and Malaysia submitted the joint report to the UN Commission, the Chinese Permanent Mission presented a note to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and urged the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf not to consider the submission in line with related UN conventions. Professor Zhang Xuegang explained.

"According to the UN convention, in cases where a land or maritime dispute exists, the commission shall not consider and qualify a submission made by any of the states concerned in the dispute until an agreement is reached by related parties."

The Professor noted peaceful development is the best way to solve the disputes.

"China has insisted on negotiation and appealed for joint exploration of resources in the involved waters. It is important for related countries to coordinate, rather than confront, to solve the disputes."