In Europe, they stand united

2012-06-29 12:49

An alliance of Chinese private-sector companies is setting up representative offices in Europe, championing a new model of group expansion aimed at easing the burden on those wanting to operate in a new environment.

Making a room with a view successful

2012-06-29 12:49

Sunny Bay is not on the itinerary for many visitors to Sanya, Hainan province - the country's top beach destination. It is secluded and away from all the fuss and buzz at other bays. Yet it is ideal for Mark Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer of Hyatt Hotels Corp.

Mixed factors in formula for success

2012-06-22 16:55

The baby boom in the Year of the Dragon, the most auspicious animal of the Chinese zodiac, has quietly but forcefully fueled competition among foreign and domestic infant nutrition brands. While parents concerned about food safety are switching to buying infant formula at specialty stores, foreign brands are expanding their distribution channels in the Chinese market.

Filling in the milk void

2012-06-22 16:55

The 2008 melamine scandal served as both a wakeup call for China and a vacuum for Chinese milk producers. Four years later, more and more consumers are drinking products from overseas brands, which has created business opportunities for more foreign companies.

IN BRIEF (Page 14)

2012-06-22 16:55

Quotable

2012-06-22 16:55

Multinational finds that with milk, a local touch is best

2012-06-22 16:55

Unlike other milk powder brands that say they use imported dairy products, Nestle SA boasts that the infant nutrition series it sells in China has purely Asian origins. By building a totally domestic milk source base, Nestle is trying to convince Chinese of its credentials.

Flash forward to the future

2012-06-22 16:55

For Zhao Hongzhuan it was a dream come true in April when consumer electronics major Samsung Electronics Co decided to make its biggest-ever overseas investment of around $7 billion (5.52 billion euros) in Xi'an. A mixed feeling of anxiety, pressure and excitement had gripped Zhao in the days preceding, as he was unsure whether the largest foreign investment by value in western China would bypass Xi'an for other locations such as Chongqing. But what he was sure about were the benefits that the project would bring to the capital of Shaanxi province. "Samsung has come, and so will other large multinationals," says Zhao, a senior official of the Xi'an government and the director of the administrative committee of Xi'an High-tech Industries Development Zone.

Turning the tide

2012-06-22 16:55

Li Ning, head of Honeywell Life Safety's Xi'an operations, has been on a fast track for most of his career. The middle-aged professional has spent most of his recent years in Xi'an and held several job titles in Honeywell Life Safety like deputy manager of the Xi'an operations in 1994, and the general manager of China operations in 2006 before being elevated as the vice-president of Asia-Pacific operations based in Xi'an last year.

German know-how on tap in Qingdao

2012-06-22 16:55

There is more to Qingdao than its superb maritime backdrop with its yachts and ships. The city in Shandong province that looks out on to the Yellow Sea is also renowned for its strong German influence, embodied in every glass of Tsingtao, the beer named after the city.

Dash of tea that tamed them all

2012-06-22 16:55

Its smooth and honeyed taste has captured the imagination of China's new rich, for whom holding it in a cut-crystal glass symbolizes the exuberance of modern life.

Allen Edmonds gains footing in China

2012-06-22 16:55

Former US presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton are all familiar with Allen Edmonds, or more particularly, its black-toecapped leather shoes. The high-end shoe manufacturer, based in the state of Wisconsin, is now hoping the rest of China can look similarly stately.

Fast-food frenzy

2012-06-15 12:43

In the fast-food industry, speed is obviously one of the key ingredients. Nevertheless, Tomaz Hladnik is amazed at how rapidly foreign fast-food producers have developed in China over the past decade.

Chinese chains rise to challenge

2012-06-15 12:43

It was the ultimate challenge: find a way to adapt a traditional Chinese dish that takes ages to prepare for those who need their food in a flash - customers of fast-food restaurants.

IN BRIEF (Page 14)

2012-06-15 12:43

Quotable

2012-06-15 12:43

Going Regional

2012-06-15 12:43

European businesses are being urged to explore opportunities in China's regional cities, as competition in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou becomes more intense. A recent report by the China-Britain Business Council and United Kingdom Trade & Investment highlights key sectors where British firms might find opportunities in China's second- and third-tier cities.

Big brands lead charge

2012-06-15 12:43

Major brands from across Europe are looking toward China's second- and third-tier cities as the country's domestic market continues to grow outside of Beijing and Shanghai.

Basking in the sun

2012-06-15 12:43

Location, location, location. Rizhao, in the southeastern of Shandong province, has it in spades.

Double the marks

2012-06-15 12:43

Given a challenging economic environment and sluggish sales in its home market, British retailer Marks and Spencer Group PLC is moving faster to expand its presence on the Chinese mainland.