Beijing - China's central bank on Tuesday said it supports moves towards a global currency reserve to replace the existing reliance on the US dollar to settle international payments.

Zhou Xiaochuan, the governor of the People's Bank of China, advocated a "gradual process" of reform of international currency reserves under the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Bangkok - China's Chery Automobile is mulling a production base in Thailand for right-hand-drive vehicles for the domestic and export markets, media reports said Tuesday.

"Thailand is an important market for us and a very viable location for a production site, due to the infrastructure and skilled labour," Chery Vice President Zhou Biren told The Nation newspaper.

Chery currently sells cars in Thailand through local partner Thai Chery Yarnyon.

Johannesburg  - The furore over South Africa's refusal to grant the Dalai Lama a visa to attend a peace conference in Johannesburg later this week grew with former president and Nobel laureate FW de Klerk announcing Monday he was boycotting the meeting.

"Mr De Klerk will reluctantly not participate in the peace conference on March 27 and its associated activities if a visa is not granted to enable the Dalai Lama to attend the conference as well," the FW de Klerk foundation said in a statement Monday.

Beijing - Uruguayan Presid

Beijing - Chinese officials on Monday said they were willing to back any issue of bonds by the International Monetary Fund and urged the "G20" group of major economies to give a greater say to developing nations.

"China supports the IMF's innovative financing attempts, and a more efficient and timely financing mode can effectively ease the IMF's cash shortage," Hu Xiaolin, vice governor of China's central bank, told reporters.

"If the IMF finances itself by issuing bonds, China will actively consider buying (them)," Hu said.

New Delhi, Mar 23 : A large number of well-wishers turned up at the Beijing Zoo to say good-bye to eight panda cubs who wrapped up their Olympic mission and returned home.

The pandas had been sent to Beijing Zoo from Sichuan province, southwest China, to bring extra cheer to visitors during the Beijing 2008 Olympics. The adorable cubs remained playful and naughty despite it being their last day in the capital.