CHENGDU, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd. (Tengzhong), a private Chinese firm who has struck a preliminary deal with General Motors Corp. (GM) for the premium SUV brand Hummer, said Wednesday it has no plan to manufacture Hummer in a Chinese plant. "Rather than setting up a plant in China, Tengzhong will use the current facilities including their employees in the United States," said Zhao Xiaolu, spokesman for the ongoing transaction for Tengzhong, a leading manufacturer of road, construction and energy industry equipment based in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Zhao works for the Brunswick Group, which is handling the public relations matters for the Tengzhong deal. Tengzhong's managers were not available for comment on the transaction, which was disclosed Tuesday, a day after GM filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. File photo taken on March 11, 2009 shows Hummer CEO James Taylor (R) presenting a Hummer model to a local official in Deyang, southwest China's Sichuan Province. U.S. automaker General Motors Corp., a day after filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy, has a tentative deal to sell its Hummer brand to Chinese-based Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd., the automaker said on June 2. According to an overall restructuring plan, the U.S. based automaker GM will shed off its none-core assets including Hummer, Saturn, Saab and Pontiac. The preliminary deal allows Tengzhong to keep the management and operational team along with the Hummer brand, and secure more than 3,000 jobs in the United States. The Chinese buyer will also assume existing dealer agreements relating to Hummer's dealership network. Tengzhong CEO Yang Yi said in a statement Tuesday that the company will "allow Hummer to innovate under the leadership and continuity of its current management team". James Taylor, Hummer chief executive officer, went to Chengdu City and Deyang City, Tengzhong's current base and new base under construction, to discuss project cooperation with local officials in March. "This transaction, if successful," said Taylor in a statement Tuesday," will allow us to embark on a more aggressive global expansion, ensuring a successful future with our new partners." According to Zhao, Tengzhong will use internal fund and bank loan to make the transaction, which will be a "strategic move for the company to expand into the premium off-road vehicle segment". Formed in 2005 through a series of mergers, Tengzhong currently has more than 4,800 employees. "It is probably more attractive for Chinese enterprise like Tengzhong to learn from the foreign brand's past successful experience in research, design, marketing and service," said Guo Guoqing, a professor with the School of Business, Renmin University of China. Xu Zhaohui, head of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Commerce, said the officials will "strive to serve the transaction", which is expected to close in the third quarter of this year and is subjected to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. In recent years, there have been several headline purchases of foreign auto brands by Chinese enterprises. A Hummer is on sale at a dealer in Flint, Michigan, the United States, May 30, 2009. General Motors Corp (GM) announced on June 2 that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a buyer for HUMMER, its premium off-road brand, a day after it filed for bankruptcy protectionIn 2004, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation Group (SAIC)purchased 48.9 percent equity of Ssangyong Motor, the fourth largest automaker in the Republic of Korea (ROK). In 2005, Nanjing Automotive bought collapsed British brand MG. And this March, China's largest independent carmaker Geely Automobile acquired Drivetrain Systems International, the world's second largest auto transmission supplier. "Acquisition of overseas brands by Chinese enterprises could help these brands go over operational dead end, and expand in the vast Chinese market," said Guo. All the world's main auto markets are in decline except form China. In the first quarter, almost 2.68 million vehicles were sold in China, which marked a 3.88 percent increase year on year. However, not all foreign auto brands revived under Chinese management. In February, a Seoul court granted Ssangyong Motor bankruptcy protection. SAIC was deprived of management control despite its 51 percent ownership. "Declining asset prices amid the financial crisis do not always mean a good bargain for the buyer," said Zhang Zhiyong, the chief adviser on auto market with Mingyuan Consultancy in Beijing, "a Chinese automaker should choose a foreign brand with conforming strategy and similar culture for possible acquisition." The fuel-hungry brawny Hummer also pose new challenges for Tengzhong to control cost and boost competitiveness after takeover. Statistics from local vehicle management section showed that Hummer vehicles are only owned by about 10 people in Sichuan's capital Chengdu currently. "We will be investing in the Hummer brand and its research and development capabilities," said Yang Yi in a Tuesday statement, " which will allow Hummer to better meet demand for new products such as more fuel-efficient vehicles." (Xinhua reporters Yan Sanjun, Guo Xin, Cheng Xie and Chen Kai also contributed to this story)
WASHINGTON, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming has called for stronger economic ties between China and the United States. "Economic links have always been an important basis for the China-U.S. relationship, and the growth in trade between the two countries has been robust since the establishment of normal diplomatic relations," Chen wrote in an article published in The Wall Street Journal on Monday. Currently, China and the U.S. are each other's second-largest trading partner with the volume of the two-way trade in goods exceeding 300 billion U.S. dollars. But the commercial ties between the two nations have been affected by the global financial crisis. Chinese statistics show bilateral trade dropped 6.8 percent, and U.S. investment in China slumped 19.4 percent, on a year-on-year basis in the fourth quarter of last year and the first quarter of this year, Chen wrote. He was scheduled to meet with his U.S. counterpart on Monday to discuss bilateral trade and investment measures. "History tells us that the more serious a crisis becomes, the more committed we must be to openness and cooperation," Chen wrote. "Regrettably, however, trade measures by the U.S. against China are on the rise." Recently, American industries have petitioned the U.S. government for antidumping investigations, and for investigations under the World Trade Organization's "special safeguard provision," which could restrict imports of Chinese products, he said. "This will seriously test China-U.S. economic and trade relations," he added. The Chinese commerce minister noted that the need to foster positive Sino-U.S. ties has never been greater. He also called on both sides to step up cooperation in trade and investment issues, and explore and establish new possibilities for cooperation in such areas as agriculture, new and high technology, finance, energy and the environment. "Dialogue and communication also need to be intensified concerning multilateral and regional trade and economic affairs," he said. To that end, Chen put forth four proposals: -- To seize the opportunity for cooperation, and work together to tackle the crisis; -- To mutually open markets to expand trade and investment; -- To strengthen bilateral dialogue and resolve differences properly; -- To safeguard the environment for trade and advance the Doha Round. Chen also said now it's no time for protectionism. The U.S. and China, as the largest and the third-largest trading countries in the world respectively, should take the lead in following up the consensus reached at the G20 Summit in London and refrain from formulating any new trade protection policies before the end of 2010, he wrote. "A positive, cooperative and comprehensive Sino-American relationship will surely bring new prosperity and development to both economies," he added. In his article, he also expressed hope and confidence that bilateral trade would rise to a new high and exceed 500 billion U.S. dollars in the next five years, growing in a more balanced way.
BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) -- China and Portugal agreed here Wednesday to enhance friendly exchanges and cooperation. Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo and top Chinese political advisor Jia Qinglin met with Portuguese parliament speaker Jaime Gama on Wednesday. Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, spoke highly of China-Portugal relations and noted that China always conducted its ties with Portugal from a strategic, long-term perspective and is ready to advance their comprehensive strategic partnership. Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, meets with Jaime Gama, speaker of Portugal's Assembly of the Republic (Parliament), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 6, 2009 He called on the two countries to maintain the momentum of high-level contacts, forge stronger economic and trade ties, intensify personnel exchanges and strengthen consultation and coordination in international organizations. Gama, who is visiting China from May 5 to May 9 at the invitation of Wu, said that Portugal highly appreciated China's responsible attitude and effective policies adopted in tackling the world financial crisis and expressed the hope of furthering Portugal-China cooperation. Earlier Wednesday, Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top advisory body, also met with Gama. Jia said the CPPCC hoped to enhance friendly relations with the Portuguese parliament and play an active role in promoting the development of bilateral relations. Gama said Portugal is willing to strengthen Portugal-China cooperation and exchanges in the fields of politics, economy, culture and science and technology.Jia Qinglin (R Front), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with Jaime Gama (L Front), speaker of Portugal's Assembly of the Republic (Parliament), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 6, 2009.
BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- China's ethnic culture is an important component of the Chinese culture, has made enormous contribution to the formation and development of the Chinese Nationality, and has been a valuable spiritual treasure shared by the Chinese Nationality. This was remarked by Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, at a national work conference on ethnic culture, which opened here Friday. Li Changchun (L, front), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with the delegates of a national work conference on ethnic culture, in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2009.In a meeting with the delegates prior to the opening of the conference, Li called for deepening the study and practice of a scientific view of development, as well as efforts to open up a new situation for the undertakings of the country's ethnic culture. The official hailed the enormous achievements China has made in the undertaking of ethnic culture since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and particularly since the country took to the Reform and Opening-up Policy in 1978. The undertakings of China's ethnic culture is now at a new historic starting point, he said. The country will step up the building of infrastructure for public cultural facilities in minority areas, by well implementing a series of cultural projects funded by central finance. He pledged to send the voices of the Party Central Committee and the State Council to millions of homes of the minority people, so as to enrich the spiritual and cultural life of ethnic groups. Great efforts will be made to promote international exchanges of the ethnic culture, so as to increase the competitiveness and impacts of the Chinese culture, Li said. He called for further strengthening and improving the Party leadership on the work of ethnic culture and making efforts to build up a massive and high-quality group of ethnic cultural workers. Also present at the meeting were three members of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, including Vice Premier Hui Liangyu, CPC Central Committee Secretariat Member Liu Yunshan, and State Councilor Liu Yandong. The conference, the first of its kind in the country, was attended by provincial officials from across the country in charge of the matter, as well as officials from some central departments concerning ethnic affairs, culture, media and cultural heritage.
BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- China said Wednesday that boosting regional trade and investment was a crucial task for countries in east Asia. Premier Wen Jiabao also called on countries in east Asia to "deepen financial cooperation and infrastructure construction to increase the ability to confront economic risks." During talks with his Thai counterpart, Abhisit Vejjajiva, Wen said China would always support the leading role the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) played in east Asia. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (1st L) holds a welcoming ceremony for Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (2nd L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2009. On the Sino-Thai relationship, Wen said it had met the test, and substantial cooperation had developed, since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 34 years ago. "China will work with Thailand to cement the traditional friendship and strategic cooperation to push forward bilateral ties," Wen said. He proposed that the two sides maintain coordination on bilateral relations and major international issues, implement the agreement on economic and trade cooperation, and take effective measures to maintain steady trade development. China encouraged its entrepreneurs to invest in Thailand, Wen said, adding that both countries should ensure a proposed highway from Kunming, China to Bangkok be completed at an early date and promote trade and logistics in the Mekong River area. Abhisit said Thailand and China had enjoyed a long-term friendship and the relationship and cooperation in all areas had improved. He noted that amid the financial crisis, Thailand would expand trade, agricultural, tourism and education cooperation with China. He said Thailand adhered to the one-China principle and would like to push forward cooperation between China and ASEAN. Before the talks, Wen held a ceremony to welcome Abhisit, who arrived in Beijing Wednesday for a four-day tour.
BEIJING, June 16 (Xinhua) -- China's political advisors were urged to brainstorm on economic development and offer suggestions as the nation copes with the impact of the global downturn. Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a political advisory body, made the call as the standing committee of the 11thCPPCC National Committee kicked off its sixth meeting Tuesday. Jia said maintaining steady, relatively fast economic development and safeguarding social stability and harmony were the foremost tasks facing the government. He called on the participants to focus their four-day discussions on these themes and make valuable suggestions. The sixth meeting of the Standing Committee of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opens in Beijing, capital of China, on March 16, 2009. Vice Premier Li Keqiang briefed the meeting on the economic situation and China's economic and social development. He said with the central authority's decisive coping policies and the concerted efforts nationwide, China's economy was turning for the better. He nevertheless warned of a "complicated and zigzag" recovery process and difficulties ahead, citing the unpredictable world economy. Li also called for full implementation of the central authority's deployment in the next step of the economic work, and laid out directions including boosting domestic demand, accelerating industrial restructuring, developing new energy sources, furthering reform and opening up and raising living standards.
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BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping met here on Friday with Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister Zacarias Albano da Costa. Xi said China and Timor-Leste had maintained smooth relations since they forged diplomatic ties in 2002. China would support Timor-Leste's development by all means, he said. He expressed gratitude to Timor-Leste for its adherence to the one-China policy, and its support on issues concerning China's core interest. Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister Zacarias Albano da Costa in Beijing, China, June 5, 2009 As developing countries, both China and Timor-Leste were facing the tasks of speeding up economic growth and improving people's living standards, Xi said, pledging to expand cooperation and relations between China and Timor-Leste. Da Costa said his country valued relations with China and would push forward cooperation in political, trade, human resource development and other areas. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with his Timor-Leste counterpart on Friday morning.
BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- A senior official of China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Wednesday that China might organize another procurement delegation to Europe, and France might also be one possible stop on the delegation's tour. Wu Xilin, head of the outward investment and economic cooperation department of the MOC, told reporters Wednesday that the exact time and countries to visit were under discussion. Chen Deming, China's Commerce Minister, led a Chinese buying team to visit Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Britain this February. Procurement agreements worth more than 13 billion U.S. dollars were signed during the trip.
BEIJING, May 11 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council Monday published a guideline to maintain current agricultural development and promote income for farmers. The guideline was issued on the Chinese central government's official Web portal www.gov.cn. It consists of 22 items in eight parts, calling for more efforts to expand domestic demand, promote exports and stabilize grains' prices. The guideline calls for more support for spring sowing, including pest control, guarding against natural disasters and science and technology services. It also stresses the importance of granting subsidies to farmers and setting grain prices.
BEIJING, July 8 (Xinhua)-- China's gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the second quarter this year is forecast to accelerate close to 7.8 percent, Goldman Sachs Asia and the Beijing-based Gaohua Securities Company said in a report Wednesday. "The figure is above our previous forecast of 7.0 percent year on year," said Song Yu, one author of the report and Goldman Sachs Asia's economist on China's macro-economy. According to the report, economic performance of China in June will show robust improvements, with the industrial output expected to rise about 10 percent in June from 8.9 percent in May. Fixed asset investment in June is forecast to grow 42 percent year on year, up from 38.7 percent in May. Exports is expected to decline 22 percent in June from a year earlier, smaller from a 26.4 percent dip in May, while imports may post a eased drop at 18.0 percent from a 25.2 percent fall in May. The consumer price index is expected to fall 1.5 percent in June from a year ago, compared with a 1.4 percent drop in May. Producer price index would decline 7.6 percent year on year, compared with a slide of 7.2 percent in May. Zhou Xiaochun, governor of the country's central bank, said in late June that the second quarter is expected to be better than the first, when the gross domestic product grew 6.1 percent. The National Bureau of Statistics said in June that China's GDP will grow close to eight percent in the second quarter. China is due to release its second-quarter GDP data in mid-July.