Nation calling for higher industrial standards

There is a growing consensus among the media and government that China needs compulsory national standards in a variety of industries, according to reports released on the Consumer Day, which is marked each year on March 15.

IN BRIEF (Page 18)

Subsidies for green cars not bringing expected results

Despite unprecedented efforts by the government to promote green vehicles, growth in this market has failed to meet expectations.

New arrival

Two high-performance Audi sports cars, the imported S6 and the S7 Sportback, went on sale on March 27 in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, as part of the brand's ongoing efforts to increase the range of sports cars it has on offer in China. Dominique Boesch, general manager of the Audi sales division at FAW Volkswagen, said Audi will introduce two high-performance sports cars to China each year from 2013 to 2015 according to its RS high-performance sports car strategy.

Canon unveils new line for change

Canon hopes to appeal to China's ever-growing legions of smartphone fans by releasing a series of lighter cameras with greater Web connectivity this March.

Spring lineup has better connectivity via wi-fi

With a Chinese ad slogan that translates to "Keep on shooting. Keep happy. Brilliant photo quality, even at night", Canon, a leader in digital imaging solutions, added three new members to its PowerShot and EOS series on March 21.

Electronics firm powers down for Earth Hour

In conjunction with the global Earth Hour campaign, all Canon operations as well as the company's advertising signs turned off their lighting from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm on March 23.

Scenic Guilin has grand plans for growth

"East or west, Guilin scenery is best." Virtually all Chinese people know the old saying that has been passed down for the last 800 years.

BRICS gateway to Africa

South Africa, its government, people and businesses are extending a very warm welcome to leaders and delegations of the BRICS economies as they gather in Durban for their 5th annual summit on March 25-27 to discuss "BRICS and Africa-Partnerships for integration and industrialization."

A road map for South Africa's future

During 2012, the South African government adopted the National Infrastructure Plan as part of the government's continued efforts to transform the economy by laying the foundation for growth, skills development and job creation.

State-owned enterprises drive new infrastructure funding

South Africa's state-owned companies are playing a core role in the new growth plan. The Department of Public Enterprises, which supervises these companies, is working hard to create an efficient, competitive and responsive economic infrastructure network in line with its service delivery agreement signed in October 2010.

Regions need investors to boost growth

South Africa's far-reaching growth and development plans are being rolled out across all nine provinces with the regional governments fully on board.