IN BRIEF (Page 18)

SOE reform to open door to foreign capital

Mixed ownership will provide an opportunity for overseas enterprises to enter key industries blocked to private investors China has been pressing ahead with plans to expand mixed ownership of State-owned enterprises to boost economic efficiency. This is expected to produce unprecedented opportunities for foreign companies.

State bank shake-up to help increase private ownership

China's large State-owned banks aim to improve their corporate governance by diversifying ownership. The move, experts said, could have greater significance than the reforms and stock market listings of State-owned lenders at the beginning of the century.

Obama cancels stay at Waldorf

US president switches from Chinese-owned hotel for upcoming UN General Assembly

Delta to take 3.55% stake in China Eastern

Delta Air Lines Inc said on Monday it is acquiring a 3.55 percent stake in China Eastern Airlines Co Ltd for $450 million, as part of the efforts by the two carriers to further consolidate their relationship.

Firm spends on Australian office blocks for stability

Sovereign fund China Investment Corp plans to buy Australia's biggest office block portfolio from Morgan Stanley for $1.82 billion, highlighting Beijing's appetite for stable assets offshore as the mainland economy sputters.

Luxury consumer price index falls for 1st time in 8 yrs

The Hurun Luxury Consumer Price Index, an annual study that gauges levels of top-end individual spending in China, has contracted for the first time in eight years.

Tmall signs duty-free deals for travelers

Tmall Global, the cross-border e-commerce site of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, has launched a new service to allow Chinese tourists to prepay for their duty-free purchases online before going on vacation.

Hanergy taken off connect list

Hanergy Thin Film Power Group Ltd has been removed from Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect pending an investigation by the Hong Kong regulators.

Steel mills expect gains from output suspension

Beijing will adopt a specific air quality control plan to temporarily close factories for the military parade celebrating the 70th anniversary of victory in World War II, which will have a positive effect on steel prices, mysteel.com said.

19,470 firms sign up for three new FTZs

Nearly 19,500 companies have been attracted to China's three new pilot free trade zones, many involved in the country's fast-growing services and financial sectors.

Parallel import of cars gaining momentum

China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone's pilot program on parallel imports of cars, which allows dealers to purchase cars directly from abroad, has evoked good response and is likely to be extended to more areas, officials said on Monday.