China

Shanghai shares follow global surge with 2.8-per-cent rise

China's main stock marketBeijing - China's main stock market index leapt by 2.78 p

Taiwan celebrates rare diplomatic victory

World Health OrganizationTaipei - Taiwan Wednesday celebrated its first victory in its fight to rejoin international organizations after it was allowed to re-join the World Health Organization (WHO) as an observer. The breakthrough is regarded as the result of improved Taipei-Beijing ties and pressure from the United States, Japan, the European Union and Taiwan's 23 diplomatic allies and may pave the way for Taiwan's return to other international organizations.

WHO Secretary-General Margaret Chan invited Taiwan's health minister Yeh Chin-chuan to attend the 62nd World Health Assembly (WHA), opening in Geneva on May 18.

Japanese prime minister arrives in China for talks

Japanese prime minister arrives in China for talks Beijing  - Japanese Prime Minister  arrived in China Wednesday for two days of talks that were expected to focus on issues including the global financial crisis and North Korea.

Aso was scheduled to meet Chinese leaders including President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said before the visit.

China, Peru sign free trade agreement

China, Peru sign free trade agreement Beijing - China and Peru on Tuesday signed a free trade agreement (FTA) that the Chinese government hailed as an "important signal" of closer international cooperation amid the global financial crisis. "With the global financial crisis looming, the China-Peru deal sends a positive message of deepening cooperation and tiding over difficulties," state media quoted Chinese Commerce Ministry official Zhu Hong as saying.

China protests Vietnam's 'illegal' governor of disputed islands

China protests Vietnam's 'illegal' governor of disputed islands Beijing - China on Tuesday protested Vietnam's "illegal" appointment of a governor for the disputed Xisha islands in the South China Sea. "China has indisputable sovereignty over the Xisha islands and their adjacent waters," foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said in a statement.

Vietnam's April 25 appointment of a chairman of a People's Committee for the islands - also known internationally as the Paracels, and in Vietnam as the Huyen dao Hoang Sa - was "illegal and invalid," Jiang said.

Allianz, American Express sell shares in Chinese bank

Allianz, American Express sell shares in Chinese bank Beijing  - Germany's Allianz Group and US-based American Express have sold shares valued at up to 2 billion dollars in China's biggest commercial bank, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the companies said on Tuesday.

Allianz said it had sold 3.216 billion shares, or half of its stake in ICBC, to "a select group of investors through a private sale."

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