Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...
Beijing plays diplomatic card with top delegate
Defence Minister Liang Guanglie will for the first time join hundreds of military officials, diplomats, spies and arms dealers at the informal Shangri-la Dialogue on security issues this weekend in Singapore. The People's Liberation Army has traditionally sent a relatively low-level delegation to the annual event. Liang's appearance is a further sign of intensifying military diplomacy by Beijing after a tough year in the region.
Environmental ministry meets the press
China's vice-minister of environmental protection is to hold a press conference today. The ministry vowed to stop approval of environmental assessment studies in any city with major pollution problems. But how effective the measure will be remains uncertain. The ministry recently ordered a rail service halted between Qingdao and Jinan due to lack of environmental approval, but trains are still running.
Curtain rises on Chinese Opera Festival
The second Chinese Opera Festival opens in Hong Kong today and will bring to the city some of the most respected opera troupes from around China. Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the festival opens at the Cultural Centre's Grand Theatre, and runs until July 24 at various venues.