Hello and welcome to this edition of "CRI Roundup" on Saturday, March 8,. I'm Wenjie in Beijing.
　
Let's take a look at some of the major events that have happened in China and around the globe during the past week...

The solo exhibition of Jan Peter Van Opheusden's paintings is being held in Beijing Today Art Museum from April 21 to May 5. • Hillary Wins Crucial Primary in Pennsylvania • China Sticks to Sustainable Energy Development • Zhou Xun Appointed as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador • Human Rights Forum Opened in Beijing • Plastic Bag Ban Tested for Effectiveness

China's top legislature and top advisory body open their annual sessions in Beijing.

The United Nations Security Council adopts a resolution imposing stronger sanctions against Iran. But things are open for negotiations.

Dmitry Medvedev wins the presidential election in a landslide victory.

Please stay with us.

China's top advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and China's top legislature, the National People's Congress opened their annual sessions in Beijing this week.

In his government work report delivered at the opening session of the NPC on Wednesday, Premier Wen Jiabao said the government has set the economic growth speed at 8 percent this year. The premier stressed more attention should be paid to quality to achieve sustainable and healthy economic development.

"We must give priority to the quality rather than the speed of development and accelerate opening up and attach great importance to promoting institutional improvements and innovation. We must put people first and accelerate social development with the focus on improving people's lives."

He also promised to take powerful measures to curb price surges.

China's CPI rose 4.8 percent last year. Premier Wen said the government will try to keep it at that level this year.

The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution imposing stronger sanctions to press Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities.

For the first time, the resolution would ban goods that have both civilian and military uses. It also authorises inspections of shipments to and from Iran by sea and air that are suspected of carrying banned items.

John Sawers is the British ambassador to the United Nations.

"We remaind ready to negotiate future arrangements, methodologies and timing in this respect once the conditions for the negotiations have been established. This will require further diplomatic efforts and innovative approaches."

Iran has blamed the resolution, describing the decision as "unjust and irrational."

Dmitry Medvedev scored a crushing victory in Russia's presidential elections early this week.

Shortly thereafter, Medvedev held his first press conference as president, saying that Russian people showed great interest in the election.

"Around 66 to 67 percent of registered voters took part in the election. This is an unprecedented number of participants."

Medvedev said outgoing President Vladimir V. Putin will not wield ultimate power in his new role as prime minister, as has been widely speculated.

Medvedev is expected to formally take over as president in May, when Putin shifts into position as prime minister.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad paid a two-day landmark visit to Iraq this week. It was the first for an Iranian president since Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani gave Ahmadinejad a red-carpet welcome.

During a joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the Iranian president said the Iraqi people should hold their own interests.

"The interests of the Iraqi people are determined by the Iraqi people and we think that the Iraqi government along with the Iraqi people are aware of their own best interests at the regional level.''

Al-Maliki emphasised that the Iranian leader's visit was an expression of the strong desire to enhance the relations and develop mutual interests after the past tensions.

Ahmadinejad's visit came as the U.S. was accusing Iran of backing Iraqi Shiite insurgents to create instability.
Iran has denied the allegation.

To improve the planet, invest in women.

That is the message from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his address marking International Women's Day, which is observed on March 8th.

Speaking at the UN on Thursday, Mr. Ban said investing in women is not just the right thing to do, it's also a smart move.

And that concludes this edition of "CRI Roundup". If you have any comments or suggestions, or would like to listen to any of our programs online, you can visit our website at: www.crienglish.com. I'm Wenjie in Beijing. Thanks for listening. Stay tuned for more on China Radio International.