Quotes of the day

Local govt vehicles' bond sales at 3-yr low

Local government financing vehicles are selling bonds at the slowest pace in three years, throwing the burden on Premier Li Keqiang to follow monetary easing with fiscal stimulus.

M&S to focus on Beijing, Shanghai

British retailer Marks & Spencer plans to open new stores in Beijing and Guangzhou beginning from 2015 and 2016, with a focus on developing in first-tier cities after its seven-year struggle mostly in second- and third-tier cities.

BYD plays pivotal role in Brazil's transport future

BYD Auto Co Ltd, the Shenzhen-based electric vehicle and solar panel manufacturer, expects to open its first factory in Brazil later this year, allowing it to play a key role in the modernization of the giant Latin American country's urban transport network.

Healthy appetite for imports

China has long taken a cautious approach to controlling its staple grain import quota each year to ensure food security, but when it comes to other foodstuffs, overseas agricultural products are being warmly welcomed by the nation's fast growing middle class.

Europe may send hot money to China

Dramatic monetary policies in Europe have lots of potential to create a new surge of hot money inflow into China, says Simon Derrick, chief currency strategist at the Bank of New York Mellon.

Expats joining e-commerce frenzy in China

Expats living in China are no strangers to the recent boom of the e-commerce industry in the country, with an increasing number joining the Chinese online shopping fever.

Lifeline made of iron in remote region

The train is coming. That's all anyone is talking about on the southern outskirts of Xinjin county in Sichuan province. From the hole-in-the-wall eatery she has run for 20 years, it takes Li Xi a few minutes to walk over to where the brand new railway station stands silent and waiting. The 50-year-old local has watched the high-speed line between Chengdu, the provincial capital, and Mianyang stretch inch by inch, slowly cutting through fields of crops and clusters of crumbling farmers' homes.

Chinese tea takes on global market

A new beer made with Chinese tea in Syracuse, New York, points to new opportunities for Chinese high-end teas as interest grows abroad despite disappointing 2014 export figures.

Shanghai to monitor producers

As more global fast food chains rush to China for expansion, they also have to face the costly headaches in a fast-changing food supply environment plagued by repeated safety scandals.

Grazing on good fortunes

A peaceful and harmonious ram has arrived and it could bring something of a hidden fortune, say feng shui masters.

A baa...d year ahead by any other name?

Will investors get sheared in the financial markets? That was the compelling question as the ram ushered in the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, on Feb 19.