MasterCard sponsors business training for Sichuan villagers

Five hours' drive out of Chengdu, capital of Sichuan, roads wind up into the mountains in the province's southwest. One road leads to a village, which is also the home of pig farmer Wei Chunfu.

IN BRIEF (Page 18)

The affluent cross seas for health

People seeking advanced treatments and diagnostic checks abroad are projected to spend billions of dollars next year

Asia medical tours pack in peace, fun for families seeking treatments

Asian countries, particularly Japan and Thailand, have become popular destinations for medical tourism for their cost-effectiveness and well-matched tourism as well as medical resources, said market experts.

Pros and cons of tapping specialists abroad

Last year, in a desperate move, Gu (not his real name) and his wife sent their 5-year-old daughter to Germany after she was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a highly aggressive and malignant form of cancer.

Schneider casting eye on SMEs

Move to help company gain more quality technologies from selected Chinese enterprises

E-industrial park links Poland to China's wares

It takes a freight train more than 10 days to bring Chinese products like phones and personal computers from southwestern China's Sichuan province to the city of Lodz in Poland.

Chinese investors see opportunities at US summit

For Liu Shoutian, chairman of Beiyang Financial Leasing (Tianjin) Co Ltd, investing in the United States now looks so much easier than it did before.

Parkson to shift its focus

Parkson Retail Group, the retail division of the Malaysian Lion Group, will transform department stores into broader commercial complexes and will expand to lower-tier cities, said William Cheng, executive chairman of Lion Group.

Dutch giant bullish on dairy in China

Dutch global dairy giant Royal FrieslandCampina is bullish on the long-term growth of dairy market in China and plans to expand its business in third- to six-tier cities and rural areas.

Alibaba affiliate Ant Financial plans to buy stake in Ascend Money

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's financial affiliate is planning to purchase a 20% stake in Thailand's Ascend Money in a bid to become a key financial services player in Southeast Asia.

Chinese money helps Hollywood produce for global audience

China's investments and acquisitions help Hollywood continue to globalize its products as well as connect with the Chinese market, said senior executives from US movie producers.