La belle France served on a platter

2012-07-27 12:15

The late French president Charles de Gaulle is said to have once asked about his nation: "How can you possibly govern a country that has 246 kinds of cheese?"

Lofty goals and ambitions

2012-07-27 12:15

For sports agents the world over in the past few months, Hui Ka-yan has become a name they cannot ignore since the Chinese property tycoon signed the World Cup winning soccer coach Marcello Lippi and his entourage for a reported 10 million euros ($12 million) a year in May.

Fullback billionaires up the ante in player signing

2012-07-27 12:15

When Roman Abramovich bought the Chelsea football club in 2003 for $233 million (192 million euros, it made history as the highest price ever paid for an English club.

Management drama takes place offstage

2012-07-27 12:15

In a rehearsal hall of China's National Centre for the Performing Arts, 15 people are busy working on the set of La Boheme, measuring, drawing, moving props, checking marks and sightlines.

Chockablock with sweet success

2012-07-27 12:15

For chocoholics it was no doubt a dream come true: a landmark department store throwing open the doors of a swish new cafe laden with displays of the finest Belgian chocolate, pastries and drinks - including thick, decadent chocolate, of course - to wash it all down.

Nailed to the mast

2012-07-27 12:15

For cynics, it may seem like nothing more than half a dozen outrageously expensive boats owned by a group of immensely rich people sailing their way across the Seven Seas in a mad dash to see who can thump their chests the hardest.

Homeward bound? Firms mull return

2012-07-27 12:15

It has taken 25 years to evolve from the brick-like dageda (big brother's handset) to the slim iPhone currently in vogue.

Changing the game

2012-07-20 12:21

Internet-based companies in China are diving headlong into the smartphone industry, but will they reap success or sink into failure?

Another hit for Lei Jun

2012-07-20 12:21

Boxes upon boxes of toy racing cars are piled against a wall in Lei Jun's office. His face full of excitement, he controls a red car through an app on a Xiaomi smartphone as it runs circles on his carpet.

Quotable

2012-07-20 12:21

IN BRIEF (Page 14)

2012-07-20 12:21

Nokia's bid for a new dialogue

2012-07-20 12:21

Once a household name for mobile phones, the struggling company is looking to China for revival.

Going with the flow

2012-07-20 12:21

Huludao swimsuit makers cobble up industry alliance to fuel innovation and promote brand in overseas markets.

Different strokes

2012-07-20 12:21

Even though it is the off-season for swimsuit makers in Huludao, the production lines have not stopped humming at Huludao Stava. Rather they have been running at peak capacity to churn out even more products for the export markets.

A cool breeze keeps sales ticking over

2012-07-20 12:21

On a pleasant summer afternoon, dozens of middle-aged women sit in a sewing workshop toiling away through lunch break. Thousands of fluorescence orange, pink and other candy-colored swimsuits piled on white workbenches are almost finished.

A beautiful craft that refuses to die

2012-07-20 12:21

At dusk on a summer's day 12 years ago, Zhong Liansheng was cycling in Beijing with his young daughter straddled on the back of his bike. When they passed Longtan Lake in Dongcheng district, Zhong was mesmerized by the scene. The leaves and lotus flowers bathed in a twilight glow gave off a warm romantic air, perfected by a couple of wild ducks paddling gently by.

Nutrition is the new buzz

2012-07-20 12:21

Holland & Barrett, the biggest health food supplements retailer in the UK, has entered the Chinese market with the opening of two franchise stores in Shanghai.

France's fat man wants to expand

2012-07-20 12:21

The French tire maker Michelin Group hopes to turn China into its biggest market by expanding its manufacturing capacity in the country and supplying tires for Chinese-made aircraft.

For pioneer, it has been a stroll

2012-07-20 12:21

Luckily Song Zhenghuan loves kids.

Nation rides a new passion

2012-07-13 12:33

Though the equestrian industry in China is growing, riding centers need more professional services.