A number of Chinese cities raised water prices during the first half of this year, and others are holding public hearings about following suit. Page 2
UBS Securities economist Wang Tao said in a report he believes China's growth can be sustained. She projects that macro policy will be adjusted to avoid a major boom-bust cycle. Page 2
China is turning to the sea to solve the growing problem of water shortages afflicting the country and to cut utility costs, too. Page 3
The pace of wind energy's development in China has surpassed even the most optimistic projections. Page 3
China's new lending in July fell to less than a quarter of June's level, as banks sought to limit credit risks and the flow of money into stocks and property. Page 4
The majority of mobile phone subscribers in China use entry-level cellphones for making calls and sending text messages. But the country's smartphone market is expected to take off in the next six months. Page 5
China's mobile phone market has long been dominated by foreign brands. But Beijing Tianyu Communication Equipment Co is betting on the country's 3G cell phone market for a domestic breakthrough. Page 5
The lights are staying on at Minneapolis-based Cummins Power Generation, thanks to the government's stimulus package - the Chinese government's, that is. Page 6
The local government
of Huanghua, a city about 250 km (155 miles) away from Beijing in Hebei province, built a small airport six years ago to curb a locust infestation. No one expected the airport would attract the attention of an aircraft manufacturer in the United States. Page 7Tianjin Lishen Joint Stock Co, a battery supplier of the all-electric sedan "Coda" that is due to launch in the US in the fall of 2010, plans to spend 5 billion yuan over the next three years to boost its lithium ion auto battery business. Page 7
The first successful
overseas acquisition by a privately owned Chinese sewing machine operator is expected to expand the product lines and reach of New Jack Sewing Machine Co Ltd, analysts said. Page 10Larger knitting firms in China have seen a double-digit increase in orders, even as smaller firms are suffering in the economic downturn, according to industry insiders from Dalang, China's leading wool-producing town. Page 10
Executives at Chinese steel companies are the next target, analysts said, as prosecutors continued investigating the case involving the world's second largest mining group, Rio Tinto, and its Chinese negotiators.
Vice-Minister of Commerce Fu Ziying pledged that the case will be fair and in accordance with Chinese law.
(China Daily 08/17/2009 page1)