Beijing Restricts Outdoor Advertising
The Beijing Municipal Administrative Management Committee recently passed a new regulation requiring the removal of oversized billboards--numbering nearly 200,000--in an attempt to prepare for the 2008 Olympics and "to preserve the architectural ambience of the city." Some of the billboards targeted include the 40-foot-high A&W restaurant billboard situated between the Hilton and Sheraton hotels in downtown Beijing--and 30 McDonald's restaurant signature golden arches.

China to Get Faster Computers
US technology firms may now sell server and other computers with processor speeds of up to 195,000 millions of theoretical operations per second to China without seeking authorization from the US government. The original 1979 Cold War-era ban on the export of high-speed computers was designed to curb the export to potential enemies of technologies with dual commercial-military applications.

China's First WTO Complaint: Steel
The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation filed China's first World Trade Organization complaint against the United States in response to US tariffs on steel imports. The recent US announcement that it would impose a 30 percent tariff on certain steel imports received worldwide criticism. Australia has already negotiated a deal with the United States that will allow 85 percent of the country's steel exports to remain unaffected by the tariff.

Public Bidding for Olympic Venues
Beijing's Mayor, Liu Qi, recently opened for public--including foreign company--bidding the 19 Olympic venues to be constructed and 13 venues slated for renovation over the next six years. Beijing also announced a design competition for the two major Olympic centers.

English in Guangdong Schools
Over the next two years, 200 schools in Guangdong will turn to English as their main teaching medium. China's youth will need to be able to communicate in English to participate in the global economy, according to local officials.