Second-hand Property Sales Excceds that of First-hand
A recent report from the 21st Century China Realty Research Center indicates that the sales of second-hand properties are now greater than that of new homes. Last month in Shenzhen 3.5 times more second-hand homes were sold compared with new build. A similar rend is being followed in Shanghai and Beijing.  

Greeting Parties for Chinese Leaders Visiting Abroad Simplified
Greeting parties for Chinese leaders traveling abroad are to be simplified, vice minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cui Tiankai, said yesterday. He is currently part of the entourage for President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States. Yesterday, President Hu was only greeted by staff from the Chinese Embassy, as well some US government officials. From this visit on, embassies will no longer arrange for overseas Chinese and students to greet leaders at the airport. This new approach is seen as an attempt to show a more practical and people-oriented concept of the government.

Ticket Prices to Shanghai Soar
The Shanghai Expo, as well as the May "Golden Week" Holiday, has prompted tickets to Shanghai to rise to their original full price. Information from several airline companies shows that no discounts on tickets from Guangzhou to Shanghai will be available between the 28th of this month and May 3rd. From May 1st to 3rd, some flights to Shanghai are fully booked with some airline companies.