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Kempinski Announces New Shanghai Hotel For 2009
Beijing Key International Hotels Management Co Ltd, Kempinski's joint
venture in China, has signed a deal with Shanghai Xintai Real Estate
Development Company to build a Kempinski hotel in the city that will
open in 2009. Xintai will fund the project while Kempinski will provide
management, as well as branding and marketing services. Xintai estimated
the hotel will cost US$246.9 million. The German hotel group said it
previously negotiated with several other real estate developers in Shanghai,
but failed for various reasons. Located along the Huangpu River, the
180,000-square-meter hotel will have a view of future Expo exhibition
halls on both banks of the river. The project also features a 44-story
office building to attract companies to the area. With most of its projects
conducted in northern China, Kempinski is focusing on the Yangtze River
Delta for future expansion in the country. The hotel group has hotels
in Beijing, Dalian, Shenyang and Chengdu. With 11 others under construction,
Kempinski plans to build up to 25 five-star hotels in the next five
years.
United States
And China To Collaborate On Sustainable Development Projects
Business leaders from the United States and China will collaborate on
important economic, social and environmental projects under an agreement
signed this month by the United States and China Business Councils for
Sustainable Development. The agreement calls for the two councils to
establish a joint communication center in Beijing to develop projects
that provide economic, environmental, and societal benefits and to disseminate
information on project results. They will begin by focusing on three
areas of ongoing concern for the councils: expanding the use of clean-burning
bio-fuels, creating a more sustainable strategy for the cement industry,
of which China is the world's largest producer, and implementing by-product
synergy, a system that allows companies from one industry to reuse by-products
as feedstocks for another. The Sino-US sustainable development communication
center will also allow the two councils to trade expertise and technologies.
They will pursue funding from both the U.S. and Chinese governments
and other funding organizations to assure mutual support for the center.
Signing the agreement for the U.S. Business Council were Andrew Mangan,
executive director, and Terry Welch, who in addition to serving as vice-chairman
of the council directs the Global Environmental Technology Center for
the Dow Chemical Company.
Lenovo Signs
Agreement To Resell Mobile Email Systems
China Mobility Solutions has entered into a sales and distribution agreement
with Lenovo (LNVGY.PK) to sell CHMS's mobile email systems through Lenovo's
distribution channels in China, under the Lenovo brand name. Following
the landmark acquisition of IBM's personal computer division in May
2005, Lenovo became the world's third largest PC manufacturer. Lenovo
employs more than 19,000 people, with executive headquarters in Purchase,
N.Y., principal operations in Beijing, China and Raleigh, N.C., and
a global enterprise sales organization. Lenovo has annual revenues of
approximately $13 billion, and sells PC products and value-added professional
services to customers around the globe. China Mobility Solutions completed
a successful road show demonstrating its mobile e-mail systems earlier
this year and has discussed incorporating its mobile e-mail systems
into bundle services with several other leading PC and mobile phone
manufacturers in China and the United States.
Henkel
Acquires Huawei Electronics
Henkel Group has acquired Huawei Electronics Company, a manufacturer
of epoxy molding compounds for semiconductors with 560 employees and
sales of approximately US$21 million in 2004. "This joint venture
provides us with an excellent platform for expanding our electronics-related
business in China," says Jochen Krautter, executive vice president
at Henkel Group. "Our future partner has modern facilities, very
good market expertise and a highly experienced management team."
According to Krautter, the acquisition will allow Henkel to both extend
its global presence and broaden its product portfolio. Huawei Electronics'
growing domestic customer base provides a good counterpart for Henkel's
internationally established brand. "With our domestic expertise
and market position, we are an ideal partner for Henkel," agrees
Jianglong Han, chairman of Huawei Electronics. "With our combined
epoxy molding compound product lines and Henkel's strong presence in
underfill, die attach, liquid encapsulant, and thermal interface materials,
we anticipate this joint venture to provide a competitive advantage
not only in the domestic market, but in the global market place as well."
New Disneyland
Union Says Management Ignores Workers
Hong Kong's Standard newspaper reports that a newly formed Hong Kong
Disneyland staff union is airing grievances about staff treatment at
the theme park. The new union, which started recruiting members Tuesday,
says that Disneyland management are not giving the union full recognition.
The staff said the Hong Kong management does not have the same level
of industrial relations awareness and conflict resolution skills as
their US counterparts. Organized by the Confederation of Trade Unions
following a series of complaints from workers, the union was officially
approved Tuesday by the Hong Kong Labour Department. Disney's human
resources services director Greg Morley said management had held 12
meetings in the past two weeks for the staff to freely express their
views and that the 5,000 cast members could share their experience through
various channels. Morley also said Disney worked closely with health
experts and the Labour Department to ensure the staff enjoyed a safe
working environment.
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Hilton
Beijing Plans 125 New Suites After Renovation
The Hilton Beijing is totally remodeling itself over the coming
months to provide guests with a fresh, modern new space. An
additional 125 executive suites, one additional ballroom and
several meeting rooms incorporating extra executive facilities
and full services will be added to Hilton Beijing in an adjoining
Executive Tower. To be completed in the middle of 2007 at a
cost of US$30 million, the project will expand Hilton Beijing?
capacity to 500 guest rooms. The first phase of the renovation,
which saw the existing 375 guest rooms receive a huge facelift,
cost more than US$8 million. State-of-the-art conveniences include
high-speed Internet access and plasma screen TVs in all guest
rooms, as well as Bose sound systems, individual espresso machines,
personal home office systems and LCD TV screens in the bathrooms
of executive floor rooms and suites. Wood paneling, spacious
glass-topped desks and designer lighting also make the rooms
a warm, yet stylish environment to relax and work. The ultra-modern
bathrooms feature oversized vanity basins, separate bathtub,
a glass encased shower and floor-to-ceiling mirrors. Traditional
flourishes including elegant vases, enchanting paintings, oriental
paneling and local literature in all rooms celebrate Beijing?
rich artistic history.
Dairy
Queen Plans More China Stores
Dairy Queen says it will expand in China by opening at least
30 new stores by the end of next year. It expects China to become
its largest market in five years. The Minnesota-based ice cream
treat firm yesterday officially announced the opening of its
first eight stores in Shanghai, where it operated on trial for
half a year. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who is on a trade
mission along with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
this week, visited the company's store in Beijing on Tuesday
but could not do so in Shanghai yesterday due to a tight schedule.
DQ, whose US$3 billion global business is operated 99% via franchising,
has signed a franchise deal with Shanghai-based RCS Group Co
Ltd and Guangdong Foison to open 14 Dairy Queen locations in
China. DQ is seeking new partners in central China and plans
to open at least 50 stores annually after next year.
Beijing
Company Hopes To Get Convenience From 7-Eleven
China Daily reports that the Beijing Wangfujing Department Store
Co Ltd (Group) wants to buy a 25% stake in Seven-Eleven Beijing
Co Ltd, a Chinese joint venture with Seven-Eleven Japan Co Ltd.
The retailer is willing to spend millions of dollars because
it wants to tap into the convenience store market. In a statement
to the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Wangfujing Department Store
said it would pay US$8.75 million for the stake, currently held
by the Beijing Shoulian Commercial Group Co Ltd, a State-owned
company engaged in logistics and department store operations.
Seven-Eleven Japan Co Ltd owns a 65% stake in the joint venture
company, while the Beijing Shoulian Commercial Group Co Ltd
and the China National Sugar & Alcohol Group Corp hold 25%
and 10%, respectively. The deal is still waiting for approval
from the Ministry of Commerce and agreement from US Seven-Eleven
Inc and Seven-Eleven Japan; they have first refusal on the stake,
according to an anonymous marketing official at the Wangfujing
Department Store. The same official declined to reveal any detailed
plans.
China
IPv6 Network To Use Juniper Technology
The China Next Generation Internet project, formed to promote
IPv6 throughout China, will be using Juniper Networks' M- and
T-series routing platforms. Juniper Networks platforms will
be deployed in the China Next Generation Internet's (CNGI) participating
networks, including the China Education and Research Network
(CERNET2), China Mobile, China Netcom, China Railcom, China
Telecom and China Unicom. The CNGI project was launched in 2003
by China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC),
and its charter is to create a next-generation national IPv6
backbone covering 20 cities and 39 massive network points of
presence (GigaPOPs) to provide pervasive advanced IP services.
IPv6 is the next generation Internet Protocol, and improves
on the current version by greatly multiplying the number of
IP addresses to accommodate the growing number of networked
devices, users and applications with built-in security mechanisms.
Once deployed, the Juniper Networks platforms will provide a
test bed for Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) and enable
the service providers to offer a wide variety of advanced IPv6-based
services in the near future.
Best
Western Signs Four New Hotels
Best Western says it has signed agreements with four hotels
in mainland China this past October. This is the largest number
that it has ever achieved in a single month. The four new members
are Best Western Pudong Hanyang Hotel, Best Western Huangshang,
Best Western Zhangjiajie, and Best Western Guangzhou Grand Harbor
Hotel. Huangshan and Zhangjiajie are famous scenic spots in
China. With the entry of Best Western, tourists can expect to
enjoy the top international level service during their stay
there. Best Western has 22 member hotels in China. Shanghai
Best Western will open in May next year.
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Netease.com
Founder Back As CEO
Netease.com announced that its board of directors has appointed the
company's founder William Lei Ding as the company's Chief Executive
Officer, effective immediately. Ding is also the company's majority
shareholder, and had previously served, among other positions, as Chief
Architect since March 2001. Ding has also served on Netease's board
of directors since July 1999. Denny Lee, Chief Financial Officer, and
Michael Tong, Chief Operating Officer, had temporarily assumed the responsibilities
of Chief Executive Officer after the Company's previous CEO, Ted Sun,
passed away in September 2005. Lei's original departure from the company's
CEO position came in 2001, amid the company's fears of delisting and
many other top executives' departures.
Companies
Bid For Beijing Airport Hotel Complex
Xinhua reports that Beijing Capital International Airport has invited
domestic and foreign investors to bid for a RMB600 million hotel complex
near the airport. This is the first time that a state-owned giant has
asked private investors to get involved in such a project, the report
said. The complex will be made up of a four-star hotel, an economy hotel
and a business building for domestic and foreign carriers, according
to Liu Guixian, general manager of Beijing Capital Airport Tourism Co.
Ltd. The hotel complex, due to be completed within 20 months, is part
of a RMB30 billion renovation program for China's top international
airport in terms of history and handling capacity. The complex will
be situated next to Terminal No. 3, which is under construction and
expected to be completed by 2007. A new expressway and a metro line
linking the new terminal and the city center are also due to be finished
at the same time. The bid period is scheduled to end by December, Liu
said.
Airbus Part
Of China's Largest Domestic Airline Deal
China's private airline company East Star Airlines has signed a purchase
agreement to buy ten Airbus A320 planes and to rent another ten from
GE Commercial Aviation Service. The total cost will reach RMB12 billion.
This is the largest deal ever made by a domestic Chinese airline company.
It also marks an end to Chinese private aviation companies' dependence
on renting planes. East Star Air is the first private aviation company
in middle China. It is headquartered in Wuhan with a register capital
of RMB870 million. It plans to run business on a trial basis starting
May 2006. By that time, it will open routes from Wuhan to 10 cities,
including Shenzhen, Nanjing, XI'an, Haikou and Hangzhou. The first three
planes are expected to be delivered for use in the second quarter of
next year.
Shanda Adopts
Additional Online Gaming Revenue Model
Trying to muster more strength in its online gaming properties, Shanda
(SNDA) has announced that in addition to the existing subscription based
pay-to-play revenue model, it has adopted a free-to-play and pay-for
in-game
value-added services revenue model for two of its MMORPGs - The Legend
of Mir II and Magical Land. Most of Mir II's existing server groups
were scheduled to switch to the new revenue model yesterday, while certain
number of server groups will remain as pure pay-to-play model. Magical
Land has already adopted the new model on all of its server groups starting
from November 24, 2005. Shanda will gradually adopt this new model for
its other existing MMORPGs, including The World of Legend. This new
revenue model was introduced as Chinese gamers' consumption patterns
and market conditions of China's online game industry have changed significantly
since Shanda first standardized the pay-to-play revenue model for MMORPGs
more than four years ago.
Greenpeace
Calls On Chinese Government To Protect Environment Around Harbin
Greenpeace has called on the Chinese government to adopt every prompt
and effective measure to protect the health of the local people and
the environment from the pollution caused by the explosion at a chemical
factory in the Jilin Province. The explosion released into the Songhua
River about 100 tonnes of highly toxic benzene which is highly toxic
and carcinogenic. Benzene in water can result in exposure by inhalation,
by skin absorption and through ingestion. Once in the body it passes
rapidly to the blood stream and can accumulate temporarily in the fat
and bone marrow. Long term exposure to benzene in the air is known to
cause leukemia and there are concerns that the same effects could result
from long-term low level or short term high level exposure in water
or food. "We regret to see such a large scale of chemical pollution.
The State Environmental Protection Administration has rightly intervened
into the case and has also taken the lead in tackling the pollution
problems. We urge the Chinese authorities to make even greater efforts
in protecting the local people and the environment. It should for example
conduct a comprehensive environmental impact assessment of the pollution
and, on that basis, draw up and implement an effective clean-up plan,"
says Kevin May, the Toxics Campaign Manager of Greenpeace China. In
this incident, 30 people were injured and 10,000 residents had to be
evacuated. Residents of Harbin also had to rely on bottled water until
Sunday night. Besides, if any benzene has seeped into groundwater, it
will cause long-term impact on the environment.
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Salaries
Continue To Rise In Asia Pacific
Asia's markets have demonstrated further growth in the last
year, which has impacted salaries throughout the region. Many
employers are reporting pay increases in 2005 and this trend
looks likely to continue in 2006. In addition, fewer companies
are implementing pay freezes, according to the annual Asia-Pacific
Salary Increase Survey conducted by Hewitt Associates, a global
human resources services firm. This year, India once again reported
the highest average salary increase at 13.9%, and employees
in the Indian IT-enabled industry received the highest increase
across all five groups surveyed at 17.9%. The Philippines recorded
an impressive average overall salary increase of 8.2%, which
was closely followed by China at 8.1%. As Thailand's economy
continues to strengthen, employees enjoyed average salary increases
of 6.3%. Meanwhile, Malaysia's salary increase budget ranged
from 5.4% to 6.1%, and Singapore saw increases ranging from
3.4% to 4.3%. Salaries also rose in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong
and Taiwan. Asia looks set for slow but steady economic growth
in 2006, and many employers are demonstrating their faith in
the region by projecting similar salary increases next year.
Tranzcom
To Increase Security In China's Coal Mines
Tranzcom has been awarded a trial contract to install a Digital
Coal Mine Safety Monitoring System in Jincheng City, Shanxi
Province. Similar to the project in Linfen City, Jincheng is
a major coal producing city in the province which has in excess
of 500 coal mines. Pursuant to the terms of the trial contract
in Jincheng, BTT installed 10 explosion proof underground cameras
and 14 above ground cameras linked and controlled at a central
monitoring centre. BTT's proprietary system is comprised of
gas level detection, location sensing, live video surveillance
and Digital Video Recording for all operating areas. The BTT
solution included the complete system design, procurement, installation
and testing. The value of the trial system contract was 787,736
RMB or $114,041.46 CDN, for all aforementioned services. The
trial installation in Jincheng City has been thoroughly tested,
inspected and approved. Subsequently, on November 16, 2005,
BTT was awarded contracts for two more mines.
China
Mobile Says WAP Services Must Remove Advertising
China Mobile has implemented a new measure to regulate the wireless
value-added service provider market. China Mobile's new circular
to the providers requires them to stop service promotions and
advertising on all WAP websites other than on China Mobile's
portal website Monternet before the end of November. The new
rules followes one it initiated at the beginning of the month
which imposed five different levels of punishments for providers
who were found to have violated relevant rules. China Mobile
says it will conduct a complete check over the service providers
starting December 1. At that time, those who are found to be
violating the rule will be severely punished in accordance with
relevant credit management measures. Statistics shows that there
are over 9000 free WAP websites in China. Most of them adopt
free business patterns similar to that of Web-based sites, but
some others have chosen to cooperate with service providers
in the hope of sharing profit, which has harmed China Mobile's
own profit-making interests.
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