Topic 1: United States regulators on Feb 12 approved the $15.1 billion takeover of Canadian oil and gas company Nexen Inc by China National Offshore Oil Corp, removing the final obstacle to the Asian country's largest-ever foreign takeover. The deal to buy Nexen, based in Calgary, Alberta, had already passed regulatory muster in Canada and Europe. But approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States was also needed because Nexen has US interests. Nexen said on Feb 12 that the US committee had given the green light and that it expects the deal to close in the week of Feb 25, seven months after China's top offshore oil and gas producer made its bid of $27.50 a share.

Hero: The political breakthrough behind the deal is worth celebrating.

Yuncilang: Shale gas is the future. CNOOC has acquired a backward asset. An oil leak accident could lead to a huge fine from the US government.

Zhuimengkaike: Finally CNOOC has realized its goal.

It is much easier to get US approval than previously thought.

Taishen: The message is the price of oil will drop.

Topic 2: Chinese tourists spent $85 billion overseas in 2012, twice the 2011 annual profit of MobilOil Corp, the largest company in the world by revenue, The Washington Post reported.

It is a skyrocketing increase from $72.6 billion in 2011 and $54.9 billion the year before. In 2012, the Chinese ranked third among highest-spending tourists, behind Germany and the United States, according to the paper.

According to China National Tourism Administration, 80 million Chinese traveled abroad in 2012, up 15 percent from 2011.

Happy huangyeye: Making money in China then spending it overseas has become popular among wealthy Chinese. It is worth thinking about why rich Chinese people prefer to buy overseas and how to improve the attractiveness of the Chinese market.

Tangdabao: When Chinese see the world, will they come home with more resentment about their own country and want to leave?

101economics: China's consumers have played a positive role in pulling up the world's economy and promoting employment. It is natural for overseas businesses to try their best to attract Chinese tourists.

BuzhiBZ: We contribute a pollution-free industry to the world and keep polluting industries for ourselves.

The information is from Sina Weibo

(China Daily 02/18/2013 page14)