The Ministry of Commerce predicts China will become the world's largest luxury goods market by 2014.  China's luxury goods market was worth US$8 billion last year and accounted for 18% of global sales.

Marbridge Consulting reported a rumor that Focus Media will acquire online viral marketer 1024 Forum.

The online video industry recorded RMB900 million in revenue last year, placing it third behind online music and instant messaging in terms of online revenues.
 
Sales of home appliances in China grew 28.24% to fetch a record RMB595.3 billion last year. Going forward, appliance makers are upbeat on growth in China, expecting particularly strong growth in rural areas.

Chinese automakers are expected to produce 10 million cars in 2008 and VW is set to retake the crown from GM as the #1 overseas automaker in China.
 
China Briefing has an excellent history of the Bank of China.
 
In telecoms news, the first 10 days of China's TD-SCDMA 3G rollout resulted in 1800 handsets being sold, of which domestic manufacturers accounted for 60%
 
Finally, China Economic Review carries a short but to-the-point interview with Jean Salata, the CEO of Baring Private Equity Asia. The private equity fund has made 25 investments in China since 1998, including three in the last three months.