I had listened podcast:"China's Geely buys Volvo for $1.8bn"

The Chinese car maker Geely has signed a deal to buy Volvo from US car giant Ford for $1.8bn (£1.2bn).The agreement, which was first announced in December, is the biggest overseas purchase by a Chinese car manufacturer. "Today represents a milestone for Geely," the company's chairman Li Shufu said. Loss-making Volvo has been on the market since 2008, when Ford put it and several other brands up for sale. Jaguar and Land Rover in the UK have already been sold to India's Tata Motors. Ford hopes that the sale of Volvo will help it pay off its debts and focus on its core brands, following a dire period for the global car industry. The deal represents a loss for Ford, however, having bought Volvo in 1999 for $6.5bn. However, significant manufacturing is expected to take place in China, making Volvos for Chinese consumers. Analysts view the deal as a good one for Volvo, which has struggled to grow sales and has not made a profit since 2005.

I had listened podcast:"World of corruption in China"

Bribery and other forms of corruption are problems often encountered by foreign businesses operating in China.This can result in companies providing clients with expensive trips abroad, lavish meals and red envelopes stuffed with money. But not all businesses get drawn into this murky world; some say they abide by the same high standards they observe elsewhere. And one foreign business advisor said firms that supply good products and services will always do well - even if they refuse to be corrupt. The use of bribery in the business world in China has come into sharp focus because of the trial involving four executives working for the Anglo-Australian mining firm Rio Tinto. The four were sentenced in Shanghai to between seven and 14 years in prison for taking bribes and stealing commercial secrets.

I had listened podcast:"Ericsson announces $1.8bn China deals"

Swedish telecoms equipment group Ericsson has announced deals with China Mobile and China Unicom worth a combined $1.8bn (£1.2bn).Ericsson will provide China Mobile, the world's biggest mobile operator, with equipment to boost the capacity of its mobile network. It will supply its rival, China Unicom, with a faster 3G network. China is the world's biggest mobile phone market with more than 700 million mobile users. "The signing of the significant frame agreements is a manifestation of our continued strong co-operation with our Chinese customers," said Mats Olsson, head of Ericsson in China. Earlier this year, Ericsson reported a 92% fall in quarterly profits as the company continued major restructuring work. Net profit for October to December was 314m kronor ($43m; £29m), compared with 3.89bn kronor for the same quarter in 2008.

I had listened podcast:"Protests in Taipei over possible trade deal with China"

Officials from China and Taiwan are meeting near Taipei for two days of talks on a controversial trade liberalisation agreement.The agreement could have a big impact on Taiwan. Taiwanese society remains divided on whether free trade with China would be good or bad for the island, which Beijing wants one day to take back. But despite objections from certain sectors, Taiwan's government hopes to sign the deal by June. Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in central Taiwan's Taichung City to protest against the proposed agreement during the visit of a top Chinese negotiator in December. On Wednesday, only about 150 people protested, some clashing with police outside the meeting venue near Taipei. Those who oppose it say the agreement would hurt Taiwan's workers - as cheaper Chinese products flood the market after tariffs are cut. Worse, they fear the deal will make the island economically dependent on China, and harm its independence and sovereignty. But the government insists Taiwan cannot afford not to reach a free-trade deal with China - its biggest trade partner, especially as Beijing signs similar deals with other countries.The government says the agreement would allow the island to enjoy tariff-free trade with China, gain greater access to China's market, increase economic growth and create jobs. With the 2012 presidential election not far away, Taiwan's president has vowed not to sell out Taiwan and to keep Taiwan's interest as top priority. China is also unwilling to see Taiwan's anti-China opposition party win the next presidential race. That is why, analysts say, Beijing will probably give in to Taiwan's demands in the talks.

I had listened podcast:"Is China exporting its unemployment?"

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The US Treasury Saturday delayed a currency report, due later this month, that could accuse China of currency manipulation.Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner announced the delay in a statement, saying there were better venues to advance US interests"There are a series of very important high-level meetings over the next three months that will be critical to bringing about policies that will help create a stronger, more sustainable, and more balanced global economy," he said.The United States has long-accused Beijing of manipulating the yuan's rate against the dollar, to boost Chinese exports.Some experts believe the Chinese currency is undervalued against the dollar by up to 40 percent. The United States and China's other trading partners claim that it gives the Asian giant an unfair trade advantage by making Chinese exports cheaper.Irate US lawmakers have demanded the Treasury label China a "currency manipulator."But Democratic Congressman Sandy Levin said the delay will give the administration time "to see if, in the next few months, the international community will address the causes of major global imbalances, including China's substantial undervaluing of its currency, which hurts American jobs and businesses."If the multilateral effort does not result in China's making significant changes, the administration and Congress will have no choice but to take appropriate action," he said.Speculation had been swirling that Treasury would delay the report to avoid embarrassing President Hu Jintao ahead of his visit to Washington later this month.