Business International

Crude oil edges close to $120 mark

Crude oil rose to a record, trading near $120 a barrel in New York, after BP Plc shut a North Sea pipeline and gunmen attacked police guarding Nigeria's largest oil and gas terminal.

Refinery strike drains gas pumps

Tony Walden squeezes his green mobile crane on to the forecourt of a Shell gasoline station on the outskirts of Edinburgh and waits. It's the fourth set of pumps he's tried, and all are out of diesel.

Major firms' profits set to climb

Exxon Mobil Corp and Royal Dutch Shell Plc may report record first-quarter profit and BP Plc the highest earnings in two years after oil rose above $100 a barrel and natural gas prices climbed.

Tycoon takes a stake in Ford

Kirk Kerkorian, the billionaire investor who tried to overhaul General Motors Corp three years ago, said he has bought a 4.7 percent stake in Ford Motor Co and plans to buy more.

IN BRIEF (Page 17)

Special Supplement

Self-developed car brand winning wider recognition

Market research shows that China's self-developed automobile brands are gaining wider recognition due to their competitive prices and improved products and services.

Tianjin FAW reaches overseas through Mexico joint venture

Building on their strength in the rapidly growing domestic market, China's self-developed auto brands are now increasing the pace of their international expansion.

China-South Africa Friendship

Leaders hail 10th anniversary

On January 1, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao and his South African counterpart Thabo Mbeki exchanged messages to mark the 10th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Ambassador: Bilateral relations are vibrant and fruitful

Over the 10 years since formal ties between China and South Africa were established, bilateral relations have witnessed all-round and in-depth development that has brought both countries fruitful cooperation in bilateral and international affairs, South African ambassador to China Ndumiso Ndima Ntshinga tells China Daily.