Guangdong Launches Direct Sea Route to Taiwan 
Guangdong formally launched direct cargo ships to Taiwan yesterday (January 18) with a container ship leaving Shantou harbor for Kaohsiung. Previously, cargo ships traveling across the straits had to bypass through a 3rd place such as Hong Kong. This historic change has greatly cut-down the travel time and cost between Chinese mainland and Taiwan.

GD's Foreign Trade Slows Down But Structure Improved
A government conference was held today (January 19) to review Guangdong's foreign trade performances and draft out the plan for the New Year. Guangdong's trade growth rate in 2008 slowed to 7.8% year-on-year due to the global financial crisis. Luckily, statistics from the Guangdong Foreign Economic and the Trade Department indicate that China's export structure has been improved, with more self-developed products entering onto the market. In addition, exports to new markets such as Africa, South America and Southeast Asian Nations have seen a dramatic increase of 20%.  

Hotel Prices for Chinese New Year Holidays Rise Substatially
Hotel reservations for the upcoming Chinese New Year holidays in cities such as Sanya, Guilin and Xiamen are heating up. Hotel prices have been constantly rising in the past days, especially in Sanya, where prices in 5-star hotels' have risen on average to around 2700 Yuan, indicating an over 100% increase compared to prices before the New Year holiday.