Ever since the State Council revealed plans to transform Shanghai into a global financial and shipping center by 2020, rumors have been swirling of a competition for supremacy between it and Greater China's current economic center, Hong Kong. Not that the official stance should surprise anyone, but Shanghai's most senior Communist Party member has now come out to say any "rivalry" is completely imagined. Yu Zhengsheng told Hong Kong media that the two cities would "always be complementary to each other and the growth of the two cities brings them mutual benefits." This marks the first time the government has said anything... which almost makes you wonder. If they felt the need to assure people of its nonexistance, maybe there's some truth to the rivalry after all? Source: SCMP more ›

A Shanghai Evening News article, called “New Heroes Rush Into the Shanghai Bund, No Restrictions on Their Place of Origin, They are All Elites,” has drawn protest amongst Shanghai residents. One retired national leader even called the city's party secretary, Yu Zhengsheng, to complain. more ›

Shanghai mayor, Han Zheng (韩正) looks set to keep his job despite earlier suggestions that he would only be a seat-warmer after his predecessor Chen Liangyu (陈良宇) was exposed in a massive pension scandal and was sacked from his job. Apparently, rumours have been rife in Hong Kong media that Han would be replaced soon. Reuters (via the Straits Times) tells us more:

Beijing believes that Han is 'a good comrade' and 'can continue to do a good job in Shanghai', one of the sources paraphrased new Shanghai Party chief Yu Zhengsheng as telling a recent meeting of senior city officials. more ›

PLUS LEE KUAN YEW AND HIS ROLE IN SINO-SINGAPORE RELATIONS The last week has seen top leaders zipping between China and Singapore to cement ties and sign new deals. Let's take you through the high-profile visits one by one before diving deeper into more detail (Warning: Long article!): Goh Chok Tong visits new Shanghai party chief and the Singapore-Suzhou Industrial Park Last week, Singapore's Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong swung by Shanghai to visit her... more ›

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is bringing a clear message to China: Israel will not allow Iran to get the atom bomb. Israel is concerned that China and Russia, which are permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, have opposed calls by the United States for tougher sanctions on Iran. more ›