Aug 22

Since the support of high definition, the capacity will have to keep up, you ever noticed that the network 720p, 1080p video frequently several, a dozen GB, MP4 alone, self-limited memory is clearly not enough. Owen V11 built-in 4GB capacity, also provides support TF memory card, if you still feel not enough, it can use its USB-OTG function to read the external U disk, mobile hard disk audio and video files, MP4 own limited capacity of the problems have been ingeniously solved.

One popular reason: to support 1280p high-definition playback smoother

In the bus on the phone often see people staring at the screen to read the novel, in fact, this vision is very bad, why not try the big screen, Owen V11 then? It supports PDF and TXT format, compatible with the network 80% of the e-book resources, in 4.3-inch, 800 × 480 resolution screen to watch high-definition, of course, than the phone’s small screen much more cool!

Owen V11 unprecedented support for 1280p (1920 × 1280p) ultra-high definition standards for full HD playback to provide sufficient redundancy performance, fluency improved significantly compared to previous products. It uses 4.3-inch high-quality Toppoly screen resolution up to 800 × 480, the HD picture superiority demonstrated fullest out of the viewing angle up to 170 degrees, from any point of view in the picture quality as good.

Popular second reason: the appearance of simple elegant design of the new human Favorites

Uncontested top dog in the HD side, the appearance Owen V11 also impeccable. It is front and back of a "black and white with" design, mediocre compared to similar products appear more fashionable colors. 114 × 78 × 11.5mm measurements for portable and strong, 4.3-inch screen, wide vision, the young family to his side and so is not a fashionable jewelry it?

For high-definition MP4 users, music functionality is actually very high frequency, so the time of purchase, must not only pay attention to its video performance at the expense of quality performance. Owen V11 support the common MP3, WMA, OGG, AAC music format, supports lossless FLAC, APE format, from the roots to ensure the sound quality pristine. It also integrates a loud speaker horn, easy to be with friends and enjoy the wonderful music.

Support for 1280p decoding Owen V11, 1080p model performance than the more powerful market

Popular third reason: USB-OTG function allows capacity is no longer a problem

OTG function, volume and body to solve the HD capacity of the contradiction between

For wholesale mp4 player , MP3 player , 8GB MP4 Players , MP4 Player Watches and cell phone about tamom.com and registration for a wholesale buyer account, visit http://www.tamom.com/MP4-players/

As we all know, most high-definition video coding using variable-rate mode, the playback time, the hardware resource utilization is always changing. Therefore, the market known to support 1080p, MP4, most just barely able to play it, the face of numerous and full high-definition network resources, the actual application can not prevent jams, blocks of color phenomena, which are not smooth.

Popular because of the four: Lossless Music + PDF eBook additional feature is the color

Fashion design, so Owen V11 win the favor of many young people

Shucu war intensified, MP4 rapid growth of the market volume, while the sudden emergence in recent years, the Owen Digital is particularly eye-catching, new V11 has just launched on the advantages of cost-effective by virtue of many consumers, so many times a shortage of . So, what reason is it selling so well? Let us work together to reveal the mystery of Owen V11 so popular.

Jan 7

As 2008 is just around the corner, we look ahead to next year’s property market. Will the market cool? What are the government’s major concerns? How will developers deal with increasing land costs? How to better prevent speculation?

After speaking to industry experts and analysts, we outline several potential trends:

Property prices are likely to continue growing, but at a slower pace

According to a study by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Chinese property prices will continue rising as the fundamentals fueling growth will remain unchanged next year.

“Massive demand is exceeding limited supply,” says Randall Hall, CEO of Savills Greater China. “But the recent rapid rise is unsustainable. I believe the market will now stabilize.”

Li Wenjie, general manager of Centaline China (North China region), says factors that may influence the future trends of the property market include interest rate hikes and increased land supplies.

“The relationship between supply and demand remains the determining factor for the 2008 property market,” Li says. “The slowdown in rising prices largely depends on the supply of new land.”

Ensuring housing for low- and middle-income families will remain one of the government’s priorities

In the just-concluded Central Economic Work Conference, government leaders urged more rapid construction of low-cost housing for urban families.

Premier Wen Jiabao said earlier this month that the construction of low-income housing would be an important indicator in evaluating local government performance.

The Central government issued circular No 24 on August 13, aiming to make homes available at low rents or provide equivalent subsidies. The plan is scheduled to meet minimum living standards in all large- and medium-sized cities by the end of this year, and then cover all low-income families in the country by 2010.

Second-tier cities remain the key focus for domestic and foreign property investors

“Though property prices in China’s second-tier cities registered a big jump this year, I believe there’s still plenty of growth potential, fueled by strong economic fundamentals,” says Chris Brooke, president & CEO of CB Richard Ellis.

Some second-tier cities, such as Tianjin, Hangzhou and Chengdu, have been well covered, while others like Shenyang and Wuhan are becoming more popular with investors, Brooke says.

“But if property prices in those key second-tier cities grow too fast next year, real estate firms may turn to the others in the second-tier and even the third-tier,” he adds.

More public listings of real estate firms are expected

As land becomes more expensive and funding from banks and foreign investors further tightens, an increasing number of Chinese property developers are considering listing plans.

Guangzhou-based Evergrande Real Estate Group, Star River, Excellence Group and Beijing-based Sunshine 100 Real Estate are all reported to be preparing for listings on the Hong Kong exchange. The group is expected to be larger next year.

Henan-based Xinyuan (China) Real Estate recently submitted an application to the New York Stock Exchange for listing. In mid-August, E-house (China) Holdings Ltd made a successful debut on New York Stock Exchange, with its shares surging 41 percent on the first day of trading, The company is the first Chinese real estate broker to list overseas.

“There may be more property firms seeking listings in other overseas stock exchanges, but the majority will still choose Hong Kong, the most convenient capital market,” says Chris Brooke, president & CEO of CB Richard.

Property tax implementation will be accelerated

Sources from the State Administration of Taxation said the framework for property taxes is almost finished. The ministry, together with the Ministry of Finance, recently approved another four provinces to run pilot property tax projects, bringing the total number to 10 cities.

The inception of property taxes, experts say, will result in lower demand and falling prices.

“A tax levied on the ownership of property helps to reduce speculation,” says Zhu Zhongyi, vice-chairman of China Real Estate Association.

Jan 5

Pakistan on Wednesday said it would closely engage with the United States in understanding the full import of its new strategy on Afghanistan and to ensure that there would be no adverse fallout on Pakistan.

“There is certainly a need for clarity and coordination on all aspects of the implementation of this strategy,” the Foreign Office of Pakistan said in a statement issued here.

The statement said Pakistan and the United States need to closely coordinate their efforts to achieve shared objectives. The Foreign Office said that Pakistan has taken careful note of the important announcement by U.S. President Barack Obama of the U.S.-Afghanistan strategy.

“Pakistan is committed to uprooting terrorism from our region and in advancing the cause of peace and stability in Afghanistan,” it said.

Foreign Office said President Obama correctly mentioned that the struggle against violent extremism extends well beyond the region.

“We welcome President Obama’s reaffirmation of partnership between the two countries built on a foundation of mutual interest, mutual respect and mutual trust and also the United States’ strong support for Pakistan’s security and prosperity,” it said.

After months of review, the Obama administration on Tuesday renewed its strategy for Afghanistan by sending 30,000 additional troops to the country in a decisive war against the al-Qaeda network and extremists.

WEST POINT, the United States, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) — After months of review, the Obama administration on Tuesday renewed its strategy for Afghanistan by sending 30,000 additional troops to the country in a decisive war against the al-Qaida network and extremists.

“As Commander-in-Chief, I have determined that it is in our vital national interest to send additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan. After 18 months, our troops will begin to come home,” said President Barack Obama, who told his people “Afghanistan is not lost.” Full story

LONDON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced on Monday that Britain will deploy extra 500 troops to Afghanistan in a statement to the House of Commons.

Last month, Brown agreed “in principle” to increase British troops in Afghanistan to 9,500 so long as troops are fully equipped for their tasks; the Afghan government is in place, ready to provide more troops for training and all coalition partners bear their fair share of burden. Full story

PARIS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) — French President Nicolas Sarkozy voiced his “full support” on Wednesday for U.S. President Barack Obama’s new decision on Afghanistan but stopped short of committing more French troops.

The Elysee Palace said Obama’s “courageous, determined and lucid discourse” can “give a new impetus to the international undertaking and open a new perspective.” Full story

TOKYO, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) — Japan’s Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Wednesday welcomed a U.S. pledge to provide additional troops to the country but said that his nation will not provide extra aid to Afghanistan.

Hatoyama claimed that the long-term goal of the U.S. president is to help stabilize Afghanistan through international aid, and not through military interventions. “I believe that this is one of the president’s aims,” he said. Full story

KABUL, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) — Taliban militants fighting Afghan government and NATO-led troops based in Afghanistan in a sharp reaction downplayed the new strategy announced by President Obama for Afghanistan on Wednesday.

“The Mujahidin (holy warriors) of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (name of ousted Taliban regime) would continue resistance against U.S. and its national and international allies,” the outfit said in a statement released to media from undisclosed location.

Jan 5

Afghan acting Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta said Wednesday that 18 month timeline will be a good opportunity for Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to assume greater responsibility over the security of their country and pave the way for international troops to withdraw the post-Taliban country.

“Eighteen month is a great opportunity; Afghans must step up efforts to assume greater responsibility over the security of their country,” Spanta told reporters here after signing with U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry an agreement in which Afghan government will provide land for U.S. to have consulate in northern Balkh province.

The Afghan minister also demanded international community to help Afghans to boost the number of ANSF and provide them with training and equipment.

After months of review, U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday unveiled his long waited strategy for Afghanistan by sending 30,000 additional troops to the country to curb Taliban-led insurgency.

“It will be clear to the Afghan government, and more importantly, to the Afghan people, that they will be responsible for their own country,” Obama said in a speech at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point.

“After 18 month, our troops will begin to come home,” said Obama who told his people “Afghanistan is not lost.”

“U.S. troops will begin withdrawal from Afghanistan in July of 2011,” he added.

“The decision to increase troops, the commitment of troops by U.S. here are, in order to reverse Taliban’s momentum, to help train ANSF, and to give more safety time for progress and development of Afghan government,” said U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl W. Eikenberry.

The top U.S. diplomat in Afghanistan also said that his country has long commitment for the government and people of Afghanistan.

“We must strengthen the capacity of ANSF and government, so that they can take lead responsibility for Afghanistan future,” he said.

WEST POINT, the United States, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) — After months of review, the Obama administration on Tuesday renewed its strategy for Afghanistan by sending 30,000 additional troops to the country in a decisive war against the al-Qaida network and extremists.

“As Commander-in-Chief, I have determined that it is in our vital national interest to send additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan. After 18 months, our troops will begin to come home,” said President Barack Obama, who told his people “Afghanistan is not lost.” Full story

LONDON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced on Monday that Britain will deploy extra 500 troops to Afghanistan in a statement to the House of Commons.

Last month, Brown agreed “in principle” to increase British troops in Afghanistan to 9,500 so long as troops are fully equipped for their tasks; the Afghan government is in place, ready to provide more troops for training and all coalition partners bear their fair share of burden. Full story

PARIS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) — French President Nicolas Sarkozy voiced his “full support” on Wednesday for U.S. President Barack Obama’s new decision on Afghanistan but stopped short of committing more French troops.

The Elysee Palace said Obama’s “courageous, determined and lucid discourse” can “give a new impetus to the international undertaking and open a new perspective.” Full story

TOKYO, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) — Japan’s Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Wednesday welcomed a U.S. pledge to provide additional troops to the country but said that his nation will not provide extra aid to Afghanistan.

Hatoyama claimed that the long-term goal of the U.S. president is to help stabilize Afghanistan through international aid, and not through military interventions. “I believe that this is one of the president’s aims,” he said. Full story

KABUL, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) — Taliban militants fighting Afghan government and NATO-led troops based in Afghanistan in a sharp reaction downplayed the new strategy announced by President Obama for Afghanistan on Wednesday.

“The Mujahidin (holy warriors) of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (name of ousted Taliban regime) would continue resistance against U.S. and its national and international allies,” the outfit said in a statement released to media from undisclosed location.

Dec 30

INDUSTRIAL and consumer stocks lifted the Shanghai index today on speculation these companies will be most resistant to government plans to rein in economic growth and asset prices.

The Shanghai Composite Index, which tracks yuan-denominated A shares and hard-currency B shares, inched up 0.62 percent, or 32.17 points, to 5,233.35 at 3pm today.

Winners in the Shanghai market outnumbered losers 664 to 93 and 89 were unchanged.

The Shenzhen Composite Index, which covers the smaller mainland stock market, gained 1.65 percent, or 23.25 points, to 1,433.06.

Datang Power, China’s second-biggest electricity producer by market value, led the gain among industrial stocks today.

Datang Power surged 8.55 percent, or 1.48 yuan (20 US cents), to 18.79 yuan, extending a six-day, 12 percent gain. Huaneng Power International Inc, the listed unit of China’s largest power group, added 0.16 percent, or 1.1 yuan, to 15.01 yuan.

Consumer companies also rose today as investors switched stocks expected to be hurt by the government’s tightening measures.

Suning Appliance Co, China’s second-biggest home appliance retailer, gained 4.10 percent, or 2.85 yuan, to 72.30 yuan. Kweichow Moutai Co, the maker of Moutai, the fiery liquor used at official banquets, rose 2.55 percent, or 5.51 yuan, to 222.01 yuan.

Banks and real-estate firms remained gloomy today.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd, the nation’s biggest listed lender, fell 1.61 percent, or 0.13 yuan, to 7.95 yuan. Gemdale Corp, a Chinese developer allied with ING Groep NV, dropped 1.79 percent, or 0.69 yuan, to 37.89 yuan.

The central bank has asked commercial lenders to set aside more reserves on 10 occasions this year, to curb loan growth. The bank raised companies’ borrowing costs to a nine-year high last week, the sixth such attempt this year to cool lending and inflation.

Airlines suffered a broad sell-off today on concerns rising crude oil prices will erode future earnings.

Air China, the world’s biggest airline by market value, recovered a little from morning losses and ended down 0.67 percent, or 0.18 yuan, to 26.52 yuan. China Southern shed 1.80 percent, or 0.49 yuan, to 26.69 yuan.

Crude oil rose as much as 0.7 percent to US$94.80 a barrel in after-hours trading in New York on speculation that a US Energy Department report will show inventories in the world’s largest energy user fell for a sixth week.

Dec 29

The Emergency Management Office of the State Council issued a circular Monday, calling for local governments and relevant central government departments to be alert on low-temperature and heavy snowfalls across the country.

Since January 12, most part of the country has experienced the severe temperature drop this winter and heavy snowfalls which caused traffic stoppages and heavy financial losses in some areas, according to the circular.

On January 25-27, a strong cool weather, featuring heavy rainfalls or snowfalls, are expected to move from west to east, gradually, to hit the eastern part of northwest China, southern part of north China, the Huanghe-Huaihe area, the Changjiang-Huaihe area, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the eastern part of southwest China, the southern part of Jiangsu Province, and south China, the circular says.

It urges local authorities to give top priority to the strong cool weather and heavy snowfalls in a period of time when the traditional Spring Festival is approaching.

Premier Wen Jiabao has made special instructions urging localities to pay great attention to the negative impacts of the current rainy and snowy weathers on production, transportation and people’s life. He called for substantial efforts to resolve difficulties and problems local people have met while trying to prevent major accidents, according to the circular.

It demands local authorities to make great efforts to ensure safe and smooth communications and transportation; ensure a normal order for production and people’s life in both urban and rural areas; do a good job in disaster relief, especially in farming and herding areas; and further strengthen the work of weather monitoring and forecasting.

Governments, departments concerned, and emergency management departments at all levels must have people on duty round-the-clock, to closely, monitor climatic changes and report the occurrence of disasters to local or central authorities, according to the circular.

Dec 26

Macao will host a forum which focuses on water, energy and sustainable development from April 23 to 25, said a press statement released on Thursday by the government of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

The 2008 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (MIECF), to be held at the Convention and Exhibition Center of The Venetian Macao resort. is aimed to support sustainable economic and social development in the region through promotion of green enterprises and to establish Macao as abridge connecting the Chinese mainland and other countries for technology exchange and co-operation in environmental protection, said the statement.

With the slogan, “Thinking Green, Going Clean and Living Cool” ,the event will cover sectors such as alternative energy, air quality management, water supply and waste water, climate change, energy efficient vehicles, fuel cell, green building products, energy efficiency, pollution prevention, waste management and recycling, sustainable construction and urban environmental management.

The three-day event will be attended by government leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, financial institutions, investors and representatives of non-government organizations from countries across the Asia-Pacific region.

With rapid social and economic development, the PPRD regions and Asia Pacific regions are in high demands of environmental technologies. The MIECF will provide an opportunity for Governments and enterprises in the regions to exchange ideas and forge co-operation with their counterparts all over the world.

Meanwhile, an exhibition is planned in conjunction with the MIECF to showcase advanced environmental technology, techniques and methodologies from the PPRD region and abroad, matching up suppliers and end users to forge business ventures and co-operation.

Dec 24

Paramount Pictures’ film vault is opening up in the virtual world.

Thousands of video clips from Paramount’s movie library ?X ranging from “Footloose” to “Clueless” ?X will be available inside the virtual 3-D online worlds of There.com and vMTV, Paramount Digital Entertainment and Makena Technologies Inc. announced Wednesday.

“Consumers today are not interested in a passive experience online,” Paramount senior vice president of entertainment Derek Broes told The Associated Press. “Even when they are just watching a piece of entertainment, they’re commenting on it or looking at it with a friend. They’re very actively involved.”

There.com and vMTV members will be able to express themselves with seconds-long video clips of movie one liners ?X say, Danny Zucko’s “Be cool, huh?” from “Grease” ?X with the service called VooZoo. The application from Los Angeles-based developer FanRocket was introduced on social-networking site Facebook last month and on mobile devices Tuesday.

The PG-13-or-tamer snippets will cost There.com and vMTV members about $1 and will play in a small window above avatars’ heads inside the online realms. In addition to archive footage, Paramount hopes to use the application to virally market upcoming releases, such as “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.”

The partnership between Paramount, MTV Networks ?X both units of Viacom Inc. ?X and Makena Technologies, the San Mateo, Calif.-based company behind There.com, marks the first time a movie studio has allowed movie footage to be used inside There.com.

MTV Networks has previously enlisted Makena’s There.com technology to create virtual worlds based on MTV shows under the vMTV umbrella, such as “Virtual Hills” and “Virtual Real World Sydney.” MTV Networks will begin providing video content for the VooZoo application within the next few months.

Broes wouldn’t release numbers on how many people have used VooZoo since the application launched on Facebook last month, but he said there are plans to bring the VooZoo service to Windows Live Messenger.

Dec 23

European and American fashion designers feeling the pinch from the credit crisis can look to the growing ranks of China’s nouveau riche to boost sales.

China’s millionaires’ club is expanding rapidly and many new members are women who don’t even blink when asked to pay a cool $10,000 for a cocktail dress from a top international designer.

“The Chinese are the newcomers to the global market,” said Sebastian Suhl, Asia-Pacific chief executive of Italian fashion house Prada, which has nine stores in China.

“They’re very hungry to learn about fashion. Fashion represents obviously status, but luxury is also a kind of bridge to the modern world for them.”

As the Chinese economy surged more than 10 percent annually over the past five years, the country boasted 345,000 U.S. dollar millionaires by the end of 2006, a third of whom were women, according to a report by Merrill Lynch and consultancy Capgemini.

Some 5,000 mainland Chinese had assets exceeding $30 million, accounting for a third of Asia-Pacific’s super-rich.

Even affluent Chinese women, without millions in the bank, are willing to spend their savings on designer fashions, seen as the ultimate status symbol in a country that is increasingly becoming preoccupied with the trappings of wealth.

Elegantly dressed Chinese manager Zhang Ning, 30, has never been to France but she likes to wear Hermes which she says is the epitome of style.

“I like its simplicity, it makes me feel elegant,” said Zhang, who works as a manager at an electric power company in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.

“France for me is elegance: good fashion and wines.”

While luxury goods makers such as Louis Vuitton have benefited from booming demand from Chinese keen to show off their newfound wealth by wearing clothes and accessories emblazoned with prestigious logos, Western couture houses such Hermes are now tapping into the more discreet tastes of the super-rich.

“The Chinese mainland market is still very accessories oriented but we believe that will change,” said Alex Bolen, chief executive of New York-based couture house Oscar de la Renta, whose sleek cocktail dresses retail for up to $10,000, while its evening gowns approach double that.

“There’s definitely a market for the cocktail dress. But what has surprised us, pleasantly, is how rapidly the customer has also adopted our daywear.”

Leading the charge is upmarket Hong Kong department store Lane Crawford which is bringing designers to China who are seen as being on the cutting edge in the West but are not well-known in China.

The opening of Lane Crawford’s first store in Beijing last October has expanded the China presence of British designers such as Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney and heralded the arrival of more niche designers including Dries Van Noten, Hussein Chalayan and Rick Owens.

Buyers from Lane Crawford now take prized front-row seats at fashion shows in Paris and Milan, alongside buyers from high-end U.S. retailers Saks and Nieman Marcus.

Meanwhile, Chinese fashion editors, headed by Vogue China, have become an influential presence on the European fashion scene.

Their purchasing power and the growing sophistication of a more established wealthy clientele is creating a very diverse market for fashion, says Angelica Cheung, editor of Vogue China. The magazine was launched in 2005 and it has 320,000 readers.

“It’s very different from the West, there are a lot of entrepreneurial opportunities and there are wealthy people emerging all the time,” said Cheung.

“A young woman who might now be on a monthly salary of 5,000 yuan (US$716) could next year be running her own business. So it’s a very aspirational market. Her first luxury product might be a Louis Vuitton bag but within a few years she might move on to something more niche such as Marni.”

Chanel is the most preferred high-end fashion brand for affluent Chinese followed by Giorgio Armani, according to a report by MasterCard.

Oscar de la Renta says China is central to a strategy for Asia which it hopes will account for 20 percent of its sales within five years, up from 5 percent at present, helped by its burgeoning accessories’ business.

Luxury brands can easily sell their perfume and cosmetics in local department stores. But when it comes to ready-to-wear fashion, they are all competing for space and customers in a handful of luxury malls such as Plaza 66 in Shanghai and Lane Crawford in Beijing where rents are sky high.

“They’re overpaying (on rent) but they’re looking at China as an investment,” said Marcel Braun, Hong Kong-based executive vice-president of Swiss company DKSH, which advises luxury firms on market expansion.

“Fifteen years ago brands came and left. Now they can’t do that anymore, China’s too important.”

China’s luxury market is still in its infancy and luxury retailers are experimenting to find the right model and get the sales strategy right, analysts say.

Lane Crawford has pieces of modern art on display in its spacious Beijing store, aiming to offer a new concept in shopping. It sells more than 600 high-end fashion brands, but visitors to the store say shoppers are often scarce.

Lane Crawford says its Beijing store is the first stage in a long-term plan for China and other stores will be rolled out in the future.

Retail analysts say that having a flagship store rather than being among dozens of brands carried in a high-class department store is the best way to achieve brand recognition and exclusivity in China.

However, it is difficult and expensive to find good sites for boutiques in China due to exorbitant rentals in high-end areas.

Reaching out beyond Beijing and Shanghai is the next step. The southern boom city of Shenzhen replaced Chengdu in 2007 as the city with the highest average spending on luxury goods, according to Credit Suisse, while the size of the luxury markets in Shenzhen and Wuhan doubled.

Braun says fast-growing northeastern cities such as Dalian offer better opportunities for expansion than southern cities.

Zhang Ning from Guangzhou heads to Hong Kong to shop at Hermes because there is no sales tax and luxury items are 30 percent cheaper than on the mainland.

A long-established market for luxury goods, Hong Kong also offers a much wider choice of designers.

Neighbouring Macau is also becoming a shopping hub for affluent mainland Chinese following the arrival of U.S. casino operators in the past few years.

Prada’s edgier offshoot Miu Miu earlier this year staged its first fashion show in Asia in Macau, flying in the Crazy Horse cabaret revue from Paris to perform in front of local glitterati at the ritzy Wynn Macau casino resort, which houses Prada and Chanel boutiques in its ground-floor lobby.

“I believe Macau will be comparable to Hong Kong in terms of sales in the next few years,” said Prada’s Suhl.

Miu Miu, which sells at Lane Crawford in Beijing, plans to open its first independent mainland China store in Shenzhen this year. Meanwhile, Hermes is preparing for the opening of a 500-square-metre store in Beijing before the Olympic Games in August.

China sales will help offset a long-term decline in business in Japan, aggravated by its rapidly aging population, it says.

Dec 20

German Economy Minister Michael Glos and visiting U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson on Tuesday expressed hopes for a breakthrough in the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) talks in Geneva in order to ease food and oil prices.

Paulson said he was “quite hopeful” for the stalled talks to be restarted at the Geneva meeting this month, and to reach an agreement that would help ease the soaring food prices.

The current high oil prices are the results of supply and demand, and instead of short-term measures, long-term measures are needed to solve the problem, he said, calling for more investment in this area and the pumping of more crude.

Glos said reaching an agreement in Geneva would give a positive signal for the global economy and that improving energy efficiency is the best way to cool down the prices of oil and natural gas.

At the Geneva meeting set to open on July 21, ministers from the 30 main trading nations will try to make a breakthrough for the Doha Round talks, which began in 2001 and have become bogged down primarily over the agricultural subsidies provided by the United States and the European Union to farmers.

« Previous Entries