Tibetan authorities claim success in their battle against pro-independence followers of the exiled Dalai Lama saying they've indoctrinated 35,000 monks and nuns since 1996. China's parliament votes overwhelmingly to ax 15 government ministries and millions of communist bureaucrats, casting aside relics of a centrally-planned economy. China's ranks of Internet surfers swell to 620,000 from less than 20,000 five years ago. China's National People's Congress embarrasses Li Peng when more than 10 percent of delegates either vote against him becoming chairman of the legislature or abstain. Hu Jintao is elected vice president, giving new importance to what was once a figurehead job and positioning him as a possible successor to Jiang as China's top leader.
Chinese authorities plan to launch a series of chain stores specializing in contraceptives.
China collects three of five titles at the All England Badminton championships, the sport's showcase. A Hong Kong Chinese-language newspaper says it will stop publishing because of falling advertisement revenues. The Express News daily blames its woes on Asia's economic crisis. Zhu Rongji is elevated to prime minister by parliament to replace the conservative Li Peng. Leading Chinese dissident Wei Jingsheng blasts the United States and the European Union for not sponsoring an anti-China resolution at this year's United Nations Human Rights Commission.