Emerging sectors to see more investment

Outbound investment from China will become more diverse in both target markets and fields in the coming year, according to a report released by global consulting firm Ernst & Young on Oct 15.

The man who likes to cut a fine figure

When Scottish native Austin Lally, president of Global Braun and Appliances GmbH, a German electronic shaver producer, makes his annual visit to China, he likes to check out local department stores, starting with the skin care section.

It is meat and drink for them

Donna Wang is one of the many shoppers buying ham at a busy supermarket in downtown Shanghai. Unlike most of her peers who are scouring the shelves for reputed foreign brands, Wang prefers to buy ham made by the Chinese pork producer Shuanghui.

Setting the standard

China can learn from the UK's experience in helping small and medium-sized businesses implement food safety standards, says Jenny Morris, principal policy officer of the London-based charity Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

Minnow carves its credentials in wood

The setting and story are almost of fairy tale proportions - the tiny hamlet, by Chinese standards, of Yunhe, deep in the mountain forests of Zhejiang province, produces half the world's wooden toys.

More than perfect educated guess

In 2002, Ye Changhua gave up his job as a public servant in Yunhe and started his own business manufacturing wooden toys.

Quotable

"If you look at successful foreign companies in the Chinese market, few have a short history. Bosch, Siemens they have all been here for more than 100 years. What do we expect from Chinese companies launched maybe 15 years ago and started going abroad five years ago?"

IN BRIEF (Page 18)

Toy story animated by success

"In a hidden part of the forest, there's an ancient tribe called the Mumu. Among them stands a huge, ancient tree inside which lives another tribe - of mysterious small bugs."

Through the smog an opportunity

It should be the season of clear air in most cities in North China, but things seem to be changing: dreadful smog that once blanketed the skies predominantly in winter is now appearing in autumn.

Disney aims for new heights

At first glance, it has the look of a cutting-edge, high-tech exhibition. There's a digital showroom that positions viewers into a 3D experience, an electronic wristband that can be used as your admission pass, and a talking robot that looks like a fortune-teller.

Chinese rounding on Square Mile

China's rapidly maturing financial services industry has brought the country increasingly closer to the City of London, the Square Mile's lord mayor Roger Gifford says.