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West China Expo to be held in Sept...Hyundai Set to Expand Venture...China's Insurance Grows Well in First Half...Beckham and Real get green-light for Hong Kong appearance 
 
The West China Expo, an international exposition for promoting economic development and international interest in southwest China's Sichuan Province is due to be held in the provincial capital, Chengdu, in late September.

This being the fourth event of its kind, aims to promote local industries and tourism, as well as trade and economic exchanges with other parts of the country and foreign nations.

So far, more than 1,000 officials and business people from over 20 foreign countries and regions have applied to participate in the gathering, and over 30 of the world's Top 500 companies are expected to send their delegations.******

South Korean car maker Hyundai Motors plans to build its joint venture in Beijing into its biggest overseas manufacturing base.

Chairman Chung Mong-koo predicts the joint venture's annual production capacity will increase to 200 thousand units by 2006 and to 550 thousand units by 2010.

The joint venture's sales target for this year is 50 thousand units worth one billion US dollars.

It will introduce Hyundai's Elantra small cars later this year.

The joint venture started operations at the end of last year and sold 21 thousand Sonata sedans during the first half of this year.******

China's insurance industry grew steadily in the first half this year.

China's Insurance Regulatory Committee President Wu Dingfu 吴定富 says during the first six months the total premium revenue increased by 32 percent over the same period last year.

By the end of June, the total assets of insurance companies nationwide had reached 780 billion yuan, or about 95 billion US dollars.

Wu Dingfu pledges that the insurance industry will continue its reforms and the development of new products, contributing to the overall building of a well-off society in the country.******

Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid and newly-signed superstar Beckham have been allowed to make their appearance in Hong Kong.

The Spanish champions will face off against the Chinese national squad at Hong Kong's stadium on August 8 as part of the territory's package of events to help kick start its ailing tourism industry.