Beijing, Feb 8 - That's a scratch that will cost her dear, and she feared much more. But a woman in China is "relieved" she would have to pay only 188,000 yuan ($29,800) for a tiny-winy scratch her car caused to a Rolls-Royce.

The woman surnamed Zhu hit the luxury sedan with her Honda Accord in Zhejiang province Jan 31, the Shanghai Daily reported citing a media report.

Beijing, Jan 30 : China's largest electric vehicle (EV) charging and battery swapping station has been put into operation in Beijing, Xinhua reported quoting sources in the city's power supply authorities.

Located in the eastern Beijing's Chaoyang district, the Gaoantun charging station can charge up to eight vehicles simultaneously and it takes only four to six minutes to swap a battery of an EV.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook has written an email to the company employees addressing the recent media reports claiming difficult working conditions for workers working in factories in China, where the new Apple devices are produced in thousands.

Cook addressed the reports that claimed the workers in factories contracted by Apple face long hours and occasionally unsafe conditions.

Beijing, Jan 23 - China's crude steel output increased 8.9 percent year-on-year to 683.27 million tonnes last year, 0.4 percentage points slower than the growth rate of 2010, according to the latest data provided by the country's top economic planner.

Last year's steel output helped China secure its title as the world's largest steel producer.

Wu Hailong, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister has held talks with Ali Baqeri, deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council on the nuclear issues, according to a report in the Chinese media.

The talks indicate that Chine might be exerting pressure on the Islamic republic to resume negotiations with western countries over its nuclear programme. Iran is suspected of covertly developing nuclear weapons, a charge it denies and maintains that it has the right to harness civilian nuclear energy for generating power.

According to reports, the latest version of Apple's tablet computer, the iPad 3 is already under production in factories in China.

Sources from Apple's supply chain have said that the company's partner started production at the beginning of this month. They said that factories are running non stop in the country and churning out thousands of units.

Beijing, Jan 13 : Volkswagen China said Friday that its auto sales rose 17.7 percent year-on-year to hit 2.26 million units in 2011.

The figure was 3.4 percentage points higher than the global sales growth of the Germany-based Volkswagen Group, making China the company's largest overseas market for the third straight year.

The growth was bolstered by strong performances by the company's two Chinese joint ventures -- Shanghai Volkswagen and FAW-Volkswagen, reported Xinhua.

Government controlled People's Daily in China has said in a report that India's planned Agni-V missile, which is scheduled to be unveiled in February 2012, shows the country's "intention of seeking regional balance of power".

The report cited Indian defense establishment experts describing Agni-V missile as against a certain country without naming the country, a clear reference to China. It also said that India is unwilling to tolerate internal and external security environment constraints that are against its growing military clout.

According to a new study, China has emerged as the largest market for smartphone devices in the world by overtaking the United Sates in the third quarter.

The study conducted by research firm Strategy Analytics showed that the shipments of smartphones to operators and retailers in China grew 58% to 24 million units in the third quarter, compared to 23 million units delivered to the U. S. market, recording a fall of 7% from the previous quarter.

The central government is keen on increasing export of pharmaceutical products to neighboring China as the country appears to be ready to allow Indian generics makers to enter the country.

The government has constituted a sub- committee headed by the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Mr. J. S. Deepak to put forth plans to boost export of pharmaceutical products to China, according to Dr P V Appaji, executive director of the Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil).

Investors looking at the Hong Kong market appear more cautious of the bonds of yuan-denominated bonds, which are referred to as ‘dim-sum’ bonds as the rise of the Chinese currency is not certain in the coming months.

German business software maker, SAP AG is planning to increase headcounts in emerging Asian giants, India and China, according to a senior company official.

Stephen Watts, president of SAP Asia-Pacific and Japan was speaking at the Reuters China Investment Summit when he also said that the company is open to new acquisitions in the region.

Even as the company has seen only a little impact of economic woes in the US and European markets, it is expected more revenue to be generated in Asia in the coming quarters.

A hacker linked with LulzSec hacking group, who calls himself "Sabu" claims to have a bunch of emails belonging to Sun Microsystems, stored on a Chinese server along with other data form other hacking attacks.

The hacker has already said that the emails will not be revealed yet. Sabu also claimed that hackers have already breached security systems of banks including HSBC and "a few others" but are yet to gain access to some sensational information.

Haikou (China), Sep 27 - There are hardly any Indians in this booming capital of the southern Chinese island province, known for its sandy beaches, exotic sea food and spanking new high-rises. But Bollywood is never far behind - if you are 'Yindu' (Chinese for India and Indians), they expect you to sing "Awara Hoon".

The Raj Kapoor-starrer was a roaring success in the newly-Communist China of the 1950s and continues to strike a chord with the Chinese, especially the older generation, as it kindles a yearning for freedom and a carefree life.

Beijing, Sep 27 - Chinese social networking company Renren Inc. announced Tuesday that it will buy 56. com, an online video-sharing site in China, for $80 million.

The takeover of 56. com, a website where users can upload, view and share videos, marked the first major acquisition by Renren since it went public on the New York Stock Exchange in May, reported Xinhua.

The deal is expected to completed in the fourth quarter, Renren said in a statement.

Renren is one of China's largest social-networking websites.

Beijing, Sep 26 - India Monday lauded China for transforming its economy and said New Delhi can learn many lessons from Beijing's progress.

"China's economic reforms began a decade and more before those of India. Your achievements in transforming your economy are well recognised all over the world," Deputy Chairman of India's Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia said here during the first India-China strategic economic dialogue.

It appears that US technology giant, Apple, which was following an aggressive expansion policy, has now slowed down the opening of its large stores in greater China region.

The company has finally opened its trademark store in Hong Kong and a third in Shanghai, which is the biggest in the region. The reason for the slowing in the rate of opening lademark full-service Apple Stores in China is believed to the number of fake Apple stores that were identified recently.

New Delhi, Sep 23 : The first ''Strategic Economic Dialogue'' between India and China will take place in Beijing on September 26 and 27.

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman M. S. Ahluwalia will lead the Indian side, while National Development and Reform Commission Chairman Zhang Ping will lead the Chinese side.

Retailer, Morrisons is facing criticism after it was discovered that it is offering apples imported from China in a outlet which is situated under a mile from the lush Kent orchards that produces English varieties of Apples.

The company's Herne Bay store is selling Fuji apples from China, instead of those from local apple suppliers in the area, commonly referred to as the garden of England. The retailer's decision to stock Chinese grown apples in apple season in Britain angered local buyers as well as apple growers.

Beijing, Sept 14 : Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has said that China today is a fully open market economy.

Xinhua quoted Jiabao, as saying that the nation is pursuing a `win-win strategy' of opening-up to increase the openness of the country''s economy.

He further said that since joining the World Trade Organization in 2001, China has speeded up its efforts to change the pattern of conducting foreign trade.