While the world economy is heading to the toilet and Chinese manufacturers are preparing to feel the pinch because their overseas buyers will have no cash, Alibaba.com is hoping a new round of international advertising will maintain its growth with helping connect Chinese suppliers with foreign customers.

Chi Mei Group, the Taiwan-based LCD panel manufacturer, has jointly announced with Suning in Shanghai that the two companies will cooperate to explore Chinese mainland's flat-panel TV market.

Amtran Technology, a Taiwan-based display OEM/ODM company, is discussing with the South Korea panel giant LG Display Company to form a joint venture in Suzhou.

E-commerce company Alibaba.com has opened its fourth functional office outside mainland China in Taipei, Taiwan.

UPS says it is moving its intra-Asia air hub from the Philippines to Shenzhen to improve customer service by reducing transit times across Asia.

Zhang Zhengkui, special consultant to Terry Kuo, president of Taiwan based Foxconn, has donated RMB60 million to Sichuan earthquake victims on behalf of Terry Kuo, Foxconn Group and the company's employees. This is the largest sum of donation that Sichuan has received from a Taiwanese company.

Corning will spend US$453 million to further expand its liquid crystal display glass substrate manufacturing facility in Taichung, Taiwan.

FedEx Express announced the expansion of its customer portfolio of services with the launch of FedEx International Economy service in ten Asia Pacific markets.

The next triennial Interwood Taipei event will be held on July 4, 2008, proving a venue for machines and tools including sawing, molding, boring, drilling, turning, sanding, joining, forming, gluing and coating machines, portable tools, cutters, parts & accessories, raw materials, and other related items.

Chinese online e-commerce operator Alibaba has formally launched its Japanese edition, ushering in a new era for sourcing between buyers and sellers in Asia.