Banks expand ATM networks

 ------ A host of foreign banks are preparing to establish or expand their automatic teller machine (ATM) networks to tap into the huge opportunities offered by the opening of China's banking sector.

Law experts call for action over abusive trademarks

------ Chinese law experts have called for more public awareness and self-discipline over the craze for usurping the names of celebrities to register trademarks.

Baidu set to enter Japanese market

the most used search engine in China, is going to enter the Japanese market next year as a major step to expand overseas and increase its international influence.

China turns from net steel importer to net exporter

China has become a net steel exporter for the first time with exports up 92 percent year on year to 33 million tons in the first ten months of this year.

Chinese, foreign trade union leaders discuss co-op

------ Nearly 40 Chinese and foreign trade union leaders attended a forum here Monday, vowing to strengthen cooperation in the face of economic globalization.

Special investment organ proposed for forex reserves

------- China should set up a special investment institution to manage its mounting foreign exchange reserves, an official with the Development Research Center of the State Council (DRC) has suggested.

Survey: Price wars lead to car defects

  BEIJING, Nov. 20 -- Price wars have taken a toll on the quality of domestically-made cars with defects reported in 77 percent during the first six months of use, according to the latest market survey.

Home-grown brands shine at Beijing auto show

------ The 2006 Beijing automotive exhibition opening at the weekend has seen an unprecedented presence of China's home-grown brands, a reflection of their growing strength in one of the world's fastest expanding auto markets.

China to open RMB business

------ China will allow foreign-funded banks to conduct Renminbi business for Chinese citizens before Dec. 11 in accordance with its commitment to the World Trade Organization, announced Song Dahan, deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Office of China's State Council, here Thursday.

China encourages foreign banks to set up Chinese subsidiaries

------ The Chinese government is encouraging foreign banks to incorporate locally and set up subsidiaries to minimize risks for Chinese customers, a senior official said here Thursday.

Assets of foreign-funded banks in China exceed 100 bln USD

------The total assets of foreign-funded banks in China exceeded 100 billion U.S. dollars in September, the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) announced on Thursday.

CBRC: Foreign banks to issue credit card in RMB

------ Foreign banks can issue credit cards in RMB after they become locally incorporated banks, said Wang Zhaoxing, assistant chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC).

Chinese banks urged to widen offerings

------ China's commercial banks are urged to widen financial product offerings, while increasing lending risk control, in order to compete with a new wave of competition from foreign banks.

Oil wholesale market to open to foreign investors

------ The oil product wholesale market will be open to domestic and foreign investors from next year, the Ministry of Commerce announced Wednesday.The opening will start on Jan. 1, 2007.

Investment firms eager to buy NPLs

------ Foreign investors are eager to make multiple and sizable purchases of non-performing loans (NPLs) in China over the next three years, due partly to growing interest in investments in real estate and hotels, a report from Pricewater houseCoopers (PwC) said Wednesday.

Report: China plans to launch RMB option market

------ The Chinese government plans to launch an option market for its currency, the Renminbi (RMB), to help its banks avoid risks incurred by the partial flotation of exchange rates.