- The city of Beijing recorded a lower economic growth than the national average during the first three quarters of 2008, a report of the Municipal Statistics Bureau revealed. The city's total output stood at RMB758.63 bn, up 9.1 per cent. The national average was up 9.9 per cent. - Geologists have discovered 1,202 mineral fields since 2006. These fields could "greatly reduce the country's dependence on imported minerals", the Ministry of Land and Resources said in a statement. - The number of visits to China dropped in September year-on-year, state media reports. New figures from the China National Tourism Administration shows that the number of inbound travels decreased 5.94 per cent to 10.56 million. Reasons singled out for the decline: Higher hotel prices, fewer visas granted and the global financial crisis. - Revenue from inbound tourism from January to September decreased 3.26 ...

China Recalls Ginseng Injections Three people died in a hospital after receiving herbal injections, state media reports. The drug, made from Siberian gingseng, was recalled by the Health Ministry. Food and drug officials are investigating Wandashan Pharmaceutical, which has been making the drug for more than 30 years.

Seven Chinese banks have bond holdings with collapsed investment bank Lehman Brothers, state media reports. The total holdings are USD721m, which is more than double the amount reported last week.

Health inspectors have found melamine-contaminated fresh- and long-life milk from three major dairy producers, state media reports.

Air China Records Sharp Passenger Drop
Air China recorded the biggest monthly fall in passenger numbers since 2003, state media reports. In August, the carrier served 2.77 million passengers, 16.6 per cent less year-on-year. It is the sharpest decline since the outbreak of SARS in 2003. The load factor for August…

Several Chinese drinks makers have reportedly lobbied the government for it to block Coca-Cola's takeover of Huiyuan Juice Group, state media reports.

Air China Faces Passenger Drop Air China recorded the biggest monthly fall in passenger numbers since 2003, state media reports. In August, the carrier served 2.77 million passengers, 16.6 per cent less year-on-year, latest statistics show. It is the biggest decline since the outbreak of SARS in 2003. The load factor for August fell 13...

An as yet unknown number of infants have been sickened by a milk powder produced by Chinese dairy company Sanlu Group, state media reports. In one case, a child died of kidney stones said to have been caused by drinking the milk product, which was contaminated with melamine, a chemical...