Despite such challenges as global economic slowdown and turbulence in global capital markets since the beginning of this year, China still excels in attracting foreign direct investment and optimizing structure. In the first half of 2008, manufacturing accounted for 51.3% of the total foreign investment actually utilized in China, remaining the country’s main sector in which foreign investors love to invest.

Sports brands Nike and Adidas have both eyed the lucrative Chinese market. Statistics from Harvard Business School show that Nike and Adidas have occupied a market share of 21% and 20%, respectively in China. Adidas hopes it can surpass its strongest rival Nike in 2008. As the official sponsor of the Beijing Olympic Games, Adidas tailored a full line of products for the Games, in a move to enhance its reputation during the event. Nike, on the contrary, eyed internationally renowned sports stars to promote for it. According to an executive at Nike, the company’s annual sales in China has reached USD1 billion. Nike is expected to continue its leading position in the Chinese market after the Olympic Games.