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.

China RuiTai International a producer and distributor of cellulose ether products in China has announced that its production has increased to normal levels following the lifting of energy usage restrictions imposed by the Chinese government to avoid power outages during the second quarter of 2008.

3Com has appointed Robert Mao as its new global CEO, and he will continue to serve on the company's board of directors.

Policy Matters Ohio, a non-profit organization from the United States, published a report at the end of March which it says that General Electric's joint venture company in Xiamen has violated China's Labor Law by not offering necessary safety measures for employees.

In the United States, the United Steelworkers union joined with a group of manufacturers in applauding U.S. Department of Commerce decisions to impose anti-dumping duties on certain types of nails imported from China and the United Arab Emirates.

On Dec.10, 2007, the U.S. Department of Commerce made its preliminary countervailing determination on off-the-road tires from China, which determined that the Chinese enterprises involved enjoy many subsidies and a temporary countervailing duty shall be imposed upon them. The Chinese side has expressed strong dissatisfaction over and firm opposition to such a decision.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has opened a new agricultural trade office in Chengdu, China's fifth most populated city in a region of nearly 200 million people.