IN BRIEF (Page 6)

Huarong launches first online exchange for trading bad debt

China Huarong Asset Management Co Ltd, one of China's largest State-owned asset managers, has set up an online platform for bad debt transactions, as part of its efforts to broaden channels for disposal of distressed debt and increase efficiency of transactions.

Alibaba buys stake in Ant Financial

Country's e-commerce behemoth, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, announced to have purchased 33 percent stake in its payment arm, Ant Financial Services Group, which is reportedly a move aiming at clearing the way for an initial public offering.

Apple enjoys revenue growth despite iPhone sales slump

Apple reported on Friday that the company achieved "very satisfying" double-digit growth in revenue in China during the past fiscal quarter, despite an overall dip of iPhone sales globally.

Trax bets on AI to gain edge in China market

Trax, a company that provides digital connection between consumer goods companies and retailers by applying AI image recognition to retail management, has announced its entrance into the Chinese market.

HK returning officer upheld election rules

About a dozen radical supporters of Hong Kong separatism forced their way into the conference room where the Eastern District Council was to meet on Tuesday afternoon, causing the meeting to be canceled. It seems the mob's real target was Anne Teng Yu-yan, the returning officer who disqualified Agnes Chow as a candidate in the Legislative Council by-election to be held in March, because she rightly deemed her nomination to be invalid as Chow's party advocates "democratic self-determination with independence as an option".

Muji's map mistake need not impede thaw in ties

Immediately after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe indicated his eagerness to improve his country's relations with China, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono made a visit to Beijing that was widely interpreted as a sign of a long overdue thaw in ties.

Crackdown on criminal gangs will be tonic for healthy business environment

THE SUPREME PEOPLE'S COURT and the Supreme People's Procuratorate have issued a notice instructing the judicial authorities to strike heavy blows in the fight against Mafia-like gangs, and take resolute actions to dig up the soil in which their criminal activities take root and rip up the umbrellas protecting them. Beijing News comments:

Sorting garbage can help remove toxic plastic

THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND REFORM COMMISSION, China's top economic planning body, is soliciting public opinions on how to better prevent and control the pollution caused by plastic waste. Beijing News commented on Thursday:

Subsidy offers encouragement to tie the knot

A WEDDING consumption subsidy system has been launched on a trial basis in Shanxi and Anhui provinces in order to encourage couples to tie the knot and promote rational spending on weddings. Beijing News comments:

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China's rise proves naysayers wrong

China's recently released 2017 data on gross domestic product confirm it: the country's dramatic rise, with the concomitant increase in its global economic relevance, is not slowing down.