China 3C Group has signed agreements with two of China's largest electronic chains, Guomei Appliance and Suning Appliance, to open collectively 203 independent retail stores in each chain's respective electronic supermarkets in eastern China.

Worksoft Creative Software Technology has closed a US$30 million Series B venture capital financing round led by Sequoia Capital US and Sequoia Capital China.

China's Public Information Network Security and Inspection Department of the Ministry of Public Security of China are planning a joint month-long security investigation on viruses, zombies, and computer worms.

Hong Kong media report that Haier is considering acquiring South Korea's Trigem.

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMI) says that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Tianjin) Corporation, has entered into a US$300 million 5-year loan facility with a group of Chinese banks.

A new joint venture Best Buy Five Star has been set up between global electronics retailer Best Buy and China's Five Star Appliance.

Dell (DELL) yesterday formally opened its new manufacturing operation in Xiamen.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has signed a decree announcing that the Information Network Transmission Rights Protection Rule will be implemented on July 1, 2006.

China's Ministry of Commerce, China Customs, General Administration of Industry and Commerce, National Copyright Administration of China, State Intellectual Property Office of China and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade have together set up a special team to better enhance the protection of intellectual property rights at conferences and exhibitions.

Shenzhen Domain Network, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Huawei Technologies have announced the formation of a strategic collaboration to work together to support an online gaming network, brand communications, marketing and promotions.

Enea announced that ZTE Corporation has selected Enea's real-time operating system OSE for use with its W-CDMA mobile phone chip-set.

China' National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) says that it will hasten the adoption of preferential telecom cost policies for rural regions.

Up to 100 shopkeepers who use Taobao.com in Chongqing have signed a petition against Zhao Cai Jin Bao, a new service launched by Taobao.com earlier this month.

Liu Guoxiong, director of China Audio and Video Association, said at the China International Audio and Video Summit Forum 2006 that with the constant regulation of markets and promotion of new technology, the digital music market in China will undergo rapid growth in the next five years and the market value will reach CNY12.7 billion [...]

China Satcom announced that the construction of its satellite broadband IPSTAR at Beijing gateway has been completed and it is now able to provide broadband service in 10 provinces in northern China.