China Wants 500 “Top Innovative Firms” by 2008
China is aiming to have 500 “top innovative firms” in key sectors, such as natural resources, IT, biotechnology and environmental protection and agriculture, by the end of 2008, state media reports. Li Xueyong, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, said that China has taken steps to shift its development base from resource and labour to technology and innovation, China Daily reports. Under an ongoing trial programme, 184 companies were added last week to boost China's Technology Innovation Guidance Plan.
Air China Launches New Thailand Flight
Air China has launched a second daily air service between Beijing and
Bangkok to meet growing market demand. The flight will leave Beijing at
1.30pm and arrive in Bangkok at 5.20pm. Return flights depart at 6.20pm
and arrive in Beijing at 11.30pm. Latest travel statistics influenced
the launch, as more than 843,000 Chinese visited Thailand last year (an
increase of 18.6 per cent year on year). Analysts believe the total
will hit one million by 2009.
Frestech Seeks Foreign Partners
China's largest refrigerator producer Frestech is in talks with foreign
firms to develop strategic partnerships, according to company Chairman,
Zhang Donggui. State media quoted Zhang as saying: “Foreign companies
are keen on our 12 per cent market share, and we will depend on them to
upgrade Frestech's image.” Zhang did not say which foreign companies
Frestech is talking with, though Frestech will most likely offer a
foreign player a minority share, in return for access to technology.
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