Chinese nationals accounted for the largest share of luxury goods sales in overseas markets during the month of January, with total sales of approximately $7.2 billion USD recently. The amount sees the a nearly 30 percent increase from the same period last year, when Chinese on vacation spent $5.6 billion USD on luxury items. more ›

• We've seen a lot of hotties selling cars - but never have they been male, until now. In Guangzhou. [WSJ]
• Charles Darwin is popular in China! Though he never set foot in the country, his theory has deeply influenced China's social and natural sciences, political thoughts and life philosophy. [Beijing Review]
• Everyone wants the Chinese to buy more, but despite fistfuls of initiatives to boost consumer spending... nothing. Why? [New Yorker]

Well gee, we guess this city is prohibitively expensive. Shanghai college students looking for romance can't catch a break - not from snooping Anti-PDA patrols and definitely not from their meager moneybags. According to Enovate, most college students get some allowance from their parents every month, but it's a pittance if you actually want to get romantic... more ›

• After 15 years, China Soccer Ceases Publishing [China Sports Review] "To adapt a new economic climate, we are to restructure our product. During the restructuring, China Soccer will temporarily cease publishing from March 10. Thank you, our readers, for your support all these years and being along with us."
• NBA May Benefit as China Boosts Sports Arena Plans [Bloomberg] "China’s 4 trillion yuan ($585 billion) of extra spending, announced in November, includes boosts for cultural and sports- related infrastructure. That’s prompting local governments to sound out the NBA about managing future stadiums, said Tim Chen, NBA China’s chief executive officer."
• China to Overcome Global Recession First, Rogers Says [Bloomberg] "China’s reserves allow the government to spend on projects that will make the nation more efficient and competitive as the global economy recovers, said Rogers, the author of 'A Bull in China: Investing Profitably in the World’s Greatest Market.' Signs China is taking steps to liberalize its currency will also benefit the country, he added."