China Begins Construction of HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge
China yesterday (December 15) began construction of the world's longest cross-sea bridge, linking its southern economic hub Guangdong province to Hong Kong and Macao. The project is widely expected to lead to closer economic ties.
Attending the inauguration ceremony in Zhuhai, Guangdong governor Hang Huahua stressed the importance of the project:'The construction of  Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge will further improve the traffic and transportation network between the 3 regions, enhance the investment environment on the western bank of the Zhujiang delta and increase the overall competitiveness of PRD.'

The Y-shaped Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will total almost 50 km, with about 35 km built over the sea, making it the longest cross-sea bridge in the world. It will be built according to the six-lane expressway standard with a maximum speed for vehicles limited at 100 km per hour.

China gets tough on credit card-related crimes
China has announced detailed punishment standards against credit card related crimes in a bid to fight "increasingly rampant" frauds. The Supreme People's Court (SPC) and the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) announced yesterday (December 15) a judicial interpretation that clarifies several Criminal Law articles concerning credit card fraud. According to the legal document which became effective today, offenders could face from 10 years in jail to life imprisonment, as well as a fine as high as 500,000 yuan ($73,200), if a case involves more than 25 fake credit cards. Card users could also be charged if he or she intentionally delays the payment by over three months after the second notice is issued by the card provider.

Australian tourist visa to rise
Beginning January 1st, the price of a visa for Australia will increase from 540 yuan to 680 yuan. The rise will apply both to tour groups and individual travelers. In addition to the rise in the fuel surcharge, tours to Australia over the upcoming Chinese New Year will rise by about 500 yuan.

A/H1N1 cases pass first outbreak peak
According to figures released by the Guangdong Health Department yesterday (December 15), the ratio of A/H1N1 flu cases amongst emergency case has declined this week, the first time since October. Experts said that this indicates that the first peak of the epidemic has passed, but that precautionary measures should not be relaxed. According to the health department, last week, 655 flu cases were reported in the province, with 128 patients in critical condition and 7 deaths.

On-line purchasing and credit card business booming
More and more people in Guangzhou choose to buy products on-line. Statistics released by the Guangzhou economic and trade bureau show that on-line purchases account for 1/4 of the total retail volume. The bureau also announced that the use of credit cards is becoming more and more popular with the volume of transactions made with credit cards in Guangzhou accounting for about 1/3 of Guangdong¡¯s total credit card payments.

China to levy low tariffs on 600+ commodities in 2010
The Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced yesterday (December 15) that China is to impose temporarily low import tariffs on more than 600 commodities next year. The targeted commodities comprise resource commodities, including coal, granite, and phosphate ore; key components for optic communications; medical products, including plasma and vaccines; and some advanced production machines. It did not specify the duration or the tariff rates. The statement said the government would also lower import tariffs on six commodities starting on January 1st, including fresh strawberries. This is the move to honor the commitments to cut tariffs China made when joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001.