Projects approved

    THE Central Government approved more than US$100 billion worth of infrastructure projects in late October and early November, domestic media said Saturday, in a bid to bolster slowing growth in the world’s second largest economy.

    China’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), approved 21 infrastructure investment projects between Oct. 16 and Nov. 5 with a total investment value of 693.3 billion yuan (US$113.24 billion), Xinhua News Agency said Saturday, citing State radio.

    The projects included 16 railways and five airports, with the aim of propping up a decline in real estate investment, Xinhua said.

    HK home prices up

    HONG KONG’S home prices rose for the sixth straight month to reach a new high in September, according to the latest government data.

    Home prices rose 1.8 percent in September from the previous month. Smaller-sized flats saw a faster pace of growth of 2 percent, while prices of units of more than 1,000 square feet rose 1 percent.

    For the first nine months, overall prices rose 8.4 percent year on year. Rent also hit a record high in September with a monthly rise of 1 percent.

    16 jets ordered

    CHINA’S Express Airlines has placed a firm order for 16 CRJ900 NextGen regional jets from Bombardier Inc., the Canadian firm said in a statement late Sunday.

    China Express Airlines has also taken an option for another 8 CRJ900 NextGen regional jets, it added. The agreement was signed in Beijing on the sidelines of a meeting of Asia-Pacific leaders and chief executives.

    Bombardier currently has about 35 CRJ and CRJ NextGen regional jets in service in the Greater China area. China Express Airlines is a private regional airline based in Guizhou Province.