Leading group formed to establish property register

China officially launched a special leading group on Wednesday to accelerate the establishment of a national real estate registration system, according to the Ministry of Land and Resources website. At a meeting of the group in Beijing, Hu Cunzhi, vice-minister and the group's leader, urged the formation of a top-quality system.

Equities gain on speculation property curbs will be eased

China's stocks rose on Wednesday, sending the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index to its highest level in a week, as developers rallied on speculation the government will relax housing curbs. The index gained 0.6 percent to 2,058.99 points. It has fallen 2.9 percent this year on concerns the nation's economic expansion will falter without stimulus. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index slipped 0.7 percent on Wednesday, while the CSI 300 Index rose 0.8 percent.

Hubei starts trading of carbon emissions permits

Hubei province began trading permits on the nation's second-largest emission exchange at some of the country's lowest prices. The province sold 510,000 metric tons of carbon allowances at 21 yuan ($3.40) each on the first day of trading on the China Hubei Emission Exchange, according to an e-mailed statement on Wednesday. At least 22 companies participated in 19 trades, it said.

Shipping groups sign deal for container terminal projects

Danish oil and shipping group A.P. Moller-Maersk signed a cooperation deal with China Shipping Group on new container terminal projects, the European company said on Wednesday. China Shipping operates China Shipping Terminal and China Container Shipping Lines, and it's seeking to expand its European port network. Maersk unit APM Terminals said the discussions on new projects could lead to a collaboration as joint venture partners.

Buyers of electric cars could get new purchase incentives

The government may exempt electric-car buyers from purchase taxes under new incentives. Previous measures failed to spur demand, Vice-Premier Ma Kai said. The government may cut or waive the 10 percent auto-purchase tax for new-energy vehicles and slow the reduction of government subsidies beyond 2015, according to comments from Ma posted on the Chinaev.org website.

(China Daily USA 04/03/2014 page14)