Massive Layoff in Chengdu
Corporation, page 25
A well-known Chinese spirit brand Jian Nan Chun's production line has terminated a total of 498 workers, mostly migrant farmers. The company has justified the move as a consequence from automation upgrade in its production line, but with the mass termination coming at a sensitive time with the new Labor Contact Law poised to take effect in two months, the move is being equated to a counter measure against the law.
Original article: [Chinese]

Siemens Global Restructuring Impacted Chinese Base
Corporation, page 31
German industrial conglomerate Siemens' operations in China will be adjusted as its global businesses are undergoing a vigorous restructuring to reform its energy, industry, and health care segments. The company, which has been engulfed by a bribery scandal in China recently, is expected to focus on energy conservation businesses in China in the future. China Siemens CEO Richard Hausmann has revealed that the company's mid-term investments included a five billion yuan allocation for developing new technologies related to energy conservation.
Original article: [Chinese]

Rising Rental Rate for Beijing Property
Property, page 39
Beijing property's rental rate has gone up by 15% in the third quarter of 2007, the highest increment in six years. The soaring prices mainly affected property in the medium and low cost range, causing grievances among average wage earners, whose spending on rentals could well surpass one third of their earnings with the recent skyrocketing property prices.
Original article: [Chinese]

Firm Stand Needed in Curbing Inflation
Observer, page 41
Economic affairs commentator Zhou Qiren argues that the government must send a strong and firm signal in defining and fighting inflation. He has snubbed the authorities' denial syndrome in using terms like "structural inflation" to belittle the threat posed by a rising Consumer Price Index. Zhou argues that such mentality would only lead to ineffective and superficial policy responses.
Original article: [Chinese]