IN BRIEF (Page 18)

FTA talks reach across the Gulf

China is to accelerate the negotiation of a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council next year, and launch FTA talks with Israel.

Glass always full for Chinese firm in global market

An expensive business school would probably call it the SIP principle, those letters standing for sincerity, integrity and persistence. But gimmicky, management-speak labels are not for Cao Dewang, chairman of Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co Ltd, and the Chinese business pioneer is happy to let his actions speak for themselves.

Liquidity levels crimp PE activity

The nation's private equity activity is likely to remain subdued until there are structural changes that will improve liquidity, according to Cao Heping, an economist at Peking University.

Forbes ranks investment firms

Chauncey Shey, managing director at SB China Venture Capital, was ranked first on the Forbes list of China top venture capitalists in 2014, the magazine reported on Monday.

What's news

Daqing Oilfield to reduce output starting next year

Value of information sector hits record high

China's information sector was worth a record high this year, and will continue to play an increasingly important role in the country's overall economy over the coming 12 months.

'Just spend', Alipay tells shoppers

Alipay, the e-payment division of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, is launching a consumer financing service that allows shoppers to pay for online purchases the month after delivery.

European brands flock to Tmall Global

More than 100 overseas brands, including some of Europe's leading supermarkets, are waiting in the wings to set up stores on Tmall Global, the online retail site owned by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

Merger of energy firms will help clear Beijing's skies

The government said on Monday that it had merged Beijing Energy Investment Holding Co and Jingmei Group into a new 200 billion yuan ($32 billion) business in line with its policy to improve efficiency in the energy industry and reduce pollution.

Slower growth, but significant progress

During a year that will see China record its slowest growth rate since 1990, the government has still been working flat-out to maintain what it considers a healthy level of growth while at the same time pushing ahead with economic reforms set out at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee in November last year.

Tablet sales set to hit the buffers

Global tablet computer sales are expected to slow for the first time in history this year, overtaken by sales of ever-more versatile smartphones, according to a slew of figures being released.