IN BRIEF (Page 10)

Private banking

Standard Chartered China has received approval to offer full-scale local private banking services in Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Guangzhou.

With these additions, the British lender's private banking network spans across six cities in China, making it the largest among foreign banks in the country.

Gas pipeline

PetroChina, the nation's largest oil company, plans to increase the west-east gas pipeline's annual capacity by 42 percent next year to tap rising domestic demand.

The link will be able to deliver 17 billion cu m of clean fuel to the eastern regions from gas fields in the west, its parent company CNPC said in a statement.

Sales contracts

China Organic Agriculture Inc announced on Friday it has secured two new sales contracts worth a combined $5 million, relating to the shipment of 8,000 tons of green rice by March 2009.

The contract with Beijing Jingu Hengfa Trading Co Ltd calls for 3,500 tons of green rice at roughly $2million, maintaining distribution channels near Beijing and China's northernmost provinces.

Ford launches Focus

US carmaker Ford Motor Co's joint venture with Chang'an Motor Corp recently launched a modified Focus, its biggest seller in China.

The compact model has two engine options - 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter. The car retails at between 118,900 and 151,900 yuan.

Agencies-China Daily

(China Daily 10/11/2008 page10)