CHINA

Stronger-than-expected Chinese growth data spurred concern on Thursday about tighter monetary policy, prompting a sell-off in equities led by emerging markets.

Japanese Economics Minister said on Thursday China probably has sailed past Japan to emerge as the second biggest economy in the world after the United States, according to a Reuters report.

Chinese green groups on Thursday accused iPhone maker Apple of failing to properly oversee its Chinese suppliers, leading to poor environmental and safety standards, and dozens of poisoned factory workers.

China finished 2010 with a bang, its growth soaring past expectations while inflation slowed less than expected, numbers that could prod the government to ratchet up its easy-does-it approach to policy tightening.

Global aircraft manufacturers, Boeing received final approval on Wednesday from the Chinese Government confirming a $19 billion aircraft agreement.

Cracks deepened in Asian equities on Thursday, with markets set to post their worst daily performance in more than five months, while the euro took a breather from its recent rally as it neared key resistance levels.

The United States and China on Wednesday agreed on $45 billion in U.S. export deals and to give U.S. companies greater access to China's $88 billion-plus government contracts market at the start of Chinese President Hu Jintao's four-day state visit.

Asian stocks retreated from two-month peaks on Thursday due to disappointing earnings from Wall Street majors, while the euro gave in to some profit taking after extending its rally overnight to a eight-week high.

China's PICC Group, the country's top non-life insurer, plans to list within five years and double the group's revenue in that period with total assets exceeding 1.5 trillion yuan, a newspaper reported on Thursday.

China's benchmark short-term money market rate spiked 194 basis points on Thursday, heading for its biggest single-day rise in history, hit by cash calls for the payment to meet the official increase in bank reserve requirement ratios (RRR) and the coming Lunar New Year.

Major state automaker China Changan Automobile Group aims to sell 2.4 million vehicles this year, up slightly from a record 2.38 million units in 2010, the China Securities Journal reported on Thursday.

China finished 2010 with a bang, its growth soaring past expectations while inflation slowed just a touch, numbers that could prod the government to ratchet up its easy-does-it approach to tightening.

China will auction eight shale gas exploration blocks in the first quarter of this year, an expanded plan for China's first such auction, which was originally expected in November, a ministry official said on Thursday.

General Electric Co chief executive Jeffrey Immelt said on Wednesday he wants the United States and China to open their borders for truly free trade between the world's top two economies, rather than hiding behind protectionist walls.

President Barack Obama urged Chinese President Hu Jintao to let the value of China's yuan currency rise and delivered a strong message on U.S. concerns over Beijing's human rights record at a summit on Wednesday.

The United States and China on Wednesday agreed on $45 billion in U.S. export deals and to give U.S. companies greater access to China's $88 billion-plus government contracts market at the start of Chinese President Hu Jintao's four-day state visit.

President Barack Obama pressed Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday to let the value of China's currency rise and delivered a stern message on U.S. concerns over Beijing's human rights record.

Chinese President Hu Jintao, asked a second time about human rights at a Washington news conference, said a lot still needs to be done in China on rights while insisting enormous progress has been made.

Harsh winter weather across parts of China could disrupt transport and strain energy supplies. Here is a summary of major weather developments and their impact.

China is extending its so-called panda diplomacy agreement with the United States, letting giant pandas stay at the Washington national zoo for another five years, a Chinese conservation official said on Wednesday.

Gold rose for a third straight day on Wednesday on a weaker dollar and strong Asian physical demand, while platinum and palladium hit multi-year highs on an improving global economic outlook.