China defensive about role in African arms trade;

PLA welcomes easing of cross-Strait tensions

Cross-Strait rapprochement extends to financial sector;

Beijing's appetite for U.S. T-bills may cool in 2009

First direct cross-Strait flights between China and Taiwan;

Moscow and Beijing in bid to reaffirm military partnership

"

Serious operational glitches"

in Chinese satellite bound for Caracas;

Jobless factory workers return home, find corruption and abuse

"

Floating population"

of Chinese workers hit hard by crisis;

Chinese navy to join hunt for Somali pirates