President Barack Obama gave China a pointed, unexpected nudge to stop censoring the Internet access of its own people, offering an animated defense of the tool that helped him win the White House — and telling his tightly controlled hosts not to be wary of a little criticism.

China's top bank regulator said Sunday the weakening U.S. dollar and low interest rates are spurring speculation in stocks and property, distorting global asset prices and threatening the global economic recovery.

Rolls-Royce Plc, the world's second- largest maker of aircraft engines, won orders worth almost US$2 billion from Air China Ltd. and Ethiopian Airlines as it benefits from deliveries and demand for larger planes.

Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-hsiang met his Chinese counterpart behind closed doors in Singapore Sunday to work out an agenda for bilateral talks on a proposed bilateral economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA).

Las Vegas Sands Corp., the casino company controlled by billionaire Sheldon Adelson, will open most of its stalled resort in Macau by December 2011 after raising enough finds to restart construction, Chief Operating Officer Michael Leven said today.

China's number two negotiator with Taiwan arrived Sunday for a weeklong visit, primarily to promote cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.

A cross-Taiwan Strait conference on electric cars is set to usher in closer cooperation between Taiwan and China in the research and development of environmentally friendly electric vehicles, Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) officials said Sunday.

The United States and China sparred over exchange rates at a meeting of Asia Pacific leaders on Sunday, pointing to tricky talks ahead for President Barack Obama when he flies to China to address economic tensions.

Chinese officials are being told to dump their mistresses, avoid hostess bars, and shun extravagances as part of the Communist party's efforts to clamp down on the corruption that is threatening its rule and sullying its reputation.

The conviction was clear but the message befuddling: China's Foreign Ministry spokesman was equating serfdom in Tibet to slavery in the U.S. — just ahead of President Barack Obama's first trip to China.