3-5 The Third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) starts in Beijing. The conference, with the theme of "Exchanges, Cooperation and Development," had representatives from over 80 political parties or organizations of 34 Asian countries. Initiated in 2000, the first two ICAPP conferences were held in the Philippines' Manila and Thailand's Bangkok in September 2000 and November 2002, respectively.

10 The Seventh China Art Festival, the country's largest art carnival, opens in Hangzhou of eastern Zhejiang Province, with the aim to promote advanced culture and inspire national spirit.

13 The 60 members elected to Hong Kong's Third Legislative Council are announced. The biggest difference between the second and the third legislative councils is that the number of members returned by geographical constituencies through direct elections rose from 24 to 30, accounting for half of the council's total members. The election is a landmark in Hong Kong's constitutional development and is believed the most democratic one in the region's history.

16-19 The 16th Central Committee of the CPC holds its Fourth Plenum in Beijing. The meeting adopted the Decision on Strengthening the Building of Governing Capacity of the Party and approved Hu Jintao to succeed Jiang Zemin as chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission.

17-28 The 12th Summer Paralympic Games is held in Athens, Greece. China topped the games' overall medal tally, with 63 gold, 46 silver and 32 bronze medals. It represented the biggest success of China in its participation in the event.