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A Chinese antitrust regulator said on July 29 it was investigating whether Microsoft's Windows operating system and Office business suite are a monopoly. The unexpected probe comes amid an investigation of chipmaker Qualcomm's monopoly status.

Analysts said the measures targeting the US tech giants underline China's concern over technological dependency on the United States.

The State Administration for Industry and Commerce said in a statement that Microsoft's two iconic products were reported by other companies for compatibility and file verification failures because Microsoft did not disclose enough product information, the SAIC said, which added it also planned to launch an investigation into tie-in sales.

Nearly 100 SAIC inspectors visited Microsoft's offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu, taking internal documents and two computers.

Microsoft said it will cooperate with the government on the investigation.

Economic reform remains priority

The country's top decision-making body has said that reform remains its key priority after it met to discuss the progress of the economy.

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee held closed-door talks to review performance in the first half of 2014 and map out macroeconomic strategies for the remainder of the year.

"We continue to regard reform as the key item on our agenda," said a statement issued by the panel of top-ranking officials after the meeting.

"Focusing on growth, structural adjustment, improved livelihoods and risk prevention, we will push forward reform and stimulate the dynamics of the market."

The statement said the continuity and stability of the current macroeconomic policy will be maintained. More importance will be attached to "targeted control and adjustment", and measures will be rolled out that are conducive to both short-term growth and long-term benefits, it added.

Measures will include strengthening protection of intellectual property rights and deepening the reform of the investment regime.

Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr holiday

Muslims in Beijing, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Gansu province, Qinghai province and other parts of the country celebrated Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim festival that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The emphasis is on family reunions, meeting friends, enjoying meals and wearing new clothes.

Ma Hongtian, 77, and five members of his family flew from Harbin in Heilongjiang province, where he lives, to Yinchuan, the capital of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region.

He celebrated the festival on July 29 with fellow Muslims who are members of the Hui ethnic group. More than 14,000 worshippers gathered at the city's 8,000-square-meter Nanguan Mosque, one of the best-known Islamic shrines in the northwest.

"Back in Harbin, there are only a few Hui ethnic people, so we cannot fully enjoy the festival atmosphere," said Ma. "In Yinchuan, people began to gather at the big mosque very early in the morning to say prayers and greet each other."

Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan, which ended on July 28.

Eid al-Fitr means "The Festival of Breaking the Fast", and is one of Islam's most important holidays. It has particular significance for the Hui ethnic group.

Travelers find ways around flight delays

Chinese military and civil air traffic control authorities worked to ease the pressure on thousands of passengers after days of flight delays and cancellations due to bad weather.

Many travelers were forced to find alternative means of transportation, including high-speed trains.

The authorities said they also optimized plans for airspace controls to boost the capacity of East China's airports during military drills, according to an announcement by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

A red alert for air traffic delays was issued on July 28, advising that eight airports in East China would not be able to receive arriving flights between 2 pm and 6 pm, and that the two major airports in Shanghai Hongqiao and Pudong would see handling capability cut by 75 percent.

Extreme weather is the most frequent reason for flight delays in China during July and August.

Developers placing bets on overseas casinos

Chinese real estate companies are trying to participate in overseas casino projects as the sluggish property market at home leads to a drop in profits.

Jeju Island in South Korea and Queensland in northeast Australia became the most popular destinations for Chinese developers in the first half of 2014, according to a report released by Morning Whistle Group, a Shanghai-based Internet platform that helps conduct Chinese cross-border investment and overseas mergers and acquisitions.

Earlier this month, the Shanghai-based developer Greenland Holding Group announced it was forming a consortium with Australia's Crown Resorts to bid on a large-scale, mixed-property complex that includes a casino in Brisbane's central business district.

The State-owned developer has been trying to diversify its overseas business to maintain its growth. The company said it aims to double its overseas sales to 40 billion yuan ($6.4 billion) next year.

Aquis Casino Acquisitions, a company controlled by billionaire Hong Kong developer Tony Fung, planned to make acquisitions of $270 million, including Reef Casino Trust and Casino Canberra.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 08/01/2014 page2)