China seeks stake in Aussie gas project
The biggest mainland energy producer, China National Petroleum Corporation, is said to have offered to buy a minority stake in a liquefied natural gas project in Australia. The state-controlled company will face competition from rivals from Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. China is buying energy assets abroad to acquire technology needed to explore resources at home.
Wen: China has stake in helping Europe
China has a stake in helping the eurozone countries get through their debt crisis, Premier Wen Jiabao said in comments published on Sunday, pointing to Europe's importance as an export market and as a source of technology. "Now Europe is facing a debt crisis and we must consider relations with Europe strategically to protect our national interests," Mr Wen said while visiting Guangdong province, Xinhua news agency reported. "On the one hand, our biggest export market is Europe," said Mr Wen. "On the other hand, Europe is our biggest source for importing technology. From this perspective, helping to stabilise European markets in fact amounts to helping ourselves. We must make all quarters of society understand this point." During German Chancellor Angela Merkel's recent visit to China, Mr Wen said Beijing was considering increasing its participation in rescue funds to address the European debt crisis.
Sony seeking Olympus stake: report
Japanese electronics giant Sony is reported to be in talks to take a stake of up to 30 percent in Olympus as the camera firm looks to shore up its finances after a US$ 1.7 billion cover-up scandal. The Nikkei business daily says the electronics giant has proposed a capital and business tie-up with the camera and medical equipment maker, offering to take a maximum stake of about 20 to 30 percent. Several Japanese and foreign companies have been mentioned in the media as possible business partners for Olympus in the wake of the scandal.