Obama urges healthcare reform

US President Barack Obama urged Congress to enact sweeping healthcare reforms in a nationally televised address this week. Many Republicans, however, remain opposed to the president’s proposal, and one even heckled him during the speech.

Wu Bangguo meets with Obama

President Obama also found time this week to meet with Wu Bangguo. Wu is the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and in the United States for a goodwill visit. He urged Obama to avoid protectionism and emphasized the importance of the Sino-United States bilateral relationship.

Taiwan’s “premier” resigns over Morokat

Taiwan’s “premier”, Liu Chaoxuan, offered his resignation this week over the island’s perceived slow response to typhoon Morokat. Liu also said the rest of the island’s cabinet was prepared to resign as well.

Li Na reaches the quarterfinals of the US Open

Chinese tennis star Li Na lost to a resurgent Kim Clijsters in the quarterfinals of the US open on Tuesday, but she made history as the first Chinese woman to get that far in the tournament.

A/H1N1 virus continues to spread

The A/H1N1 virus continues to spread across China, and 5,592 people have been infected in the country so far.

The Chinese government, however, plans to offer a vaccine for the virus, making it the first country in the world to do so.

Lucky 999 spurs marriages

On a happier note, however, tens of thousands of Chinese couples rushed to get married on September 9th, 2009- that is, the ninth day of the ninth month of the ninth year of this decade, a date they hope will bring them good fortune, and eternal love.

Summer Davos begins

Finally, we leave you now with a brief look at the World Economic Forum’s summer session, which began this week in Dalian.

The world economic forum is holding its “summer Davos” session in Dalian this week. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao spoke at its opening ceremony.

Wen Jiabao:

“This is a critical juncture, and it is highly significant for political leaders, entrepreneurs, experts, and scholars of various countries to gather together here and discuss how to re-launch growth of the world economy.”

Participants include over 1,300 top political and business leaders from 86 countries around the world.

The conference will last for three days, and end on September 12th. It was first held in 2007 in Dalian, then moved to Tianjin, and has returned to Dalian again this year. Chinese leaders hope the annual forum, which does not yet have a permanent location, will be held in China every year.

（英语点津 Helen 编辑）

About the broadcaster:

Dan Chinoy is a reporter and editor for the China Daily's website. A graduate of Columbia University, he grew up in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Dan has experience in Hillary Clinton's Senate Office in Washington, and Fortune Magazine in Beijing, the U.S. Consulate in Shenyang. Dan speaks Chinese, but not as well as he should.