Pay-to-play content gains acceptance

In China, as pay-to-watch is becoming popular online, the days of free online entertainment supported by advertising may be numbered.

38,000 jobs created by rail project

China Roads and Bridge Corp, the builder of the 472 kilometer Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, has signed deals worth $500 million with local contractors, creating more than 38,000 jobs in the process, according to a 2015 social responsibility report released by the company in Nairobi late last month.

Skoda to rev up China sales

SAIC Volkswagen will spend about 2 billion euros ($2.27 billion) over the next five years to boost Skoda's offerings in China, the biggest single investment the Czech brand has received since its entry into the Chinese market in 2007.

Big banks diversify as profits slow

China's three largest commercial banks are stepping up business transformation as their profit growth hit a record low last year amid the economic slowdown and interest rate liberalization.

Skills app helping to bridge cultural divide

Sophie Su feels like a bridge connecting two very different worlds. Born in Australia, the young entrepreneur has always considered she belonged to two communities because of her Chinese heritage.

Sino-Turkish e-commerce site open

Small and medium-sized enterprises from China and Turkey can now log onto an e-commerce site to trade with each other as part of the Belt and Road Initiative mandate to promote online business.

Tianjin e-hub planned for imported goods

A government-backed e-commerce association is planning to build a wholesale center for imported goods in Tianjin with potential collaboration from a subsidiary of advertising and public relations conglomerate Wire and Plastic Products Plc of London, according to officials.

Royal Caribbean, eastward ho!

Unlike many Harvard law degree holders who spend most of their time in the courts, Adam Goldstein chose to lead a maritime life 27 years ago. Now, he is navigating Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd into the promising China market.

Quotable

Selecting Chongqing as a free trade zone would result in upgraded development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, where growing shipping activities offer a diversified business platform for 11 provinces and municipalities."

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

GE boosts China renewables business

General Electric Co, the US-based, globally diversified technology, services and manufacturing conglomerate, will further fuel its renewable energy business in China through consistent investment as the country is pushing hard for more share of renewables in its overall energy mix.

Home Credit invests $928m in China

Home Credit Group, an international consumer finance provider based in the Czech Republic, will invest 6 billion yuan ($928 million; 820 million euros) in China to double its business by the end of 2017, the company's chief executive officer said on March 28.