A private technology security firm on Tuesday described in extraordinary detail efforts it blamed on a Chinese military unit to hack into 141 businesses, mostly inside the U.S., and steal commercial secrets. China denies the claim. Here's a look at the company, Mandiant, and why its report is significant.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in China declined in January, official data showed Wednesday, extending a downward trend after falling on an annual basis in 2012 for the first time in three years.

Chinese portal Sina Corp.'s quarterly profit tumbled 75 percent on relatively small revenue for its microblog service. Sina said Wednesday it earned US$2.4 million in the three months ending Dec. 31, compared with US$9.3 million a year earlier. Revenue rose 4 percent to US$139.1 million.

China has a new status its government doesn't want — world's biggest trader. Trade data from both governments indicate China passed the United States last year in total imports and exports by a margin of US$3.866 trillion to US$3.822 trillion. That is about US$44 billion, or just over 1 percent of China's total.

Online money transfers soared over the Lunar New Year holiday, as growing numbers chose to send their festive gifts online. More than 1.64 million cash transfers were made through Alipay, the payment arm of the e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, during the seven-day holiday, a 77 percent increase compared with the same period in 2012, Alipay.com Co Ltd announced on Monday.

As the world's biggest market for automobiles, China has been the most important contributor to automakers' global success.

China's acquisition of a strategic port in Pakistan is the latest addition to its drive to secure energy and maritime routes and gives it a potential naval base in the Arabian Sea, unsettling India.

The Chinese subsidiary of ConocoPhillips can resume operations at an oil field off the coast of northeastern China that was closed in 2011 after two oil spills, a regulator said.

Placing bets on green-felt baccarat tables in a new casino bar on China's southern Hainan island, punters seem oblivious to a huge wager quietly being placed around them, one that could potentially siphon business from the world's largest gaming hub in Macau an hour's flight away.

China on Saturday said retail sales jumped nearly 15 percent on-year during the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, as consumers splurged on jewelry, clothes and food.