China to invest $10B in Argentina's railways (AP)

Argentina and China signed a deal for Beijing to invest $10 billion in the South American nation's railways during a visit by the Argentine president but there was no sign of progress in a dispute over soy imports.

Russia’s decision to give China a share of prized Arctic exploration licenses as part of a “breakthrough” deal signals how the world’s largest oil and gas producer and the biggest energy consumer are redrawing the global energy map.

Ukraine will take a first major step away from dependency on Russian gas supplies on Thursday when it seals a $10 billion shale gas deal with Royal Dutch Shell. Due to be signed at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the production sharing agreement will mark the biggest contract yet to tap shale gas in Europe and the largest single foreign investment in the former Soviet republic.

China and Argentina on Tuesday agreed contracts for an array of projects in the rail sector totalling 10 billion dollars, Argentine Transport Minister Juan Pablo Schiavi told AFP.The news came during a visit to Beijing by Argentine President Cristina Kirchner, who was to meet Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao later Tuesday.A total of 10 projects -- ranging from two to five years -- were agreed, including the purchase of Chinese railway technology and investments in electrification of Argentina's rail lines, Schiavi said.

Dr. Stephen Leeb submits:Speculation continues to run high on the issue of whether China is experiencing a bubble that threatens investors. Chinese real estate looks hugely overpriced and manufacturing capacity (according to some) has run far in excess of potential demand.On the political front, an argument has erupted between the Chinese government and Google (GOOG).

BEIJING (AP) -- China plans to invest $22 billion to build more railways in the coal-rich northern province of Shanxi as part of a bid to ease chronic congestion and promote domestic growth in the face of the global economic slowdown, state media reported Sunday....

BEIJING (Reuters) - China is set to speed up spending on roads, railways and utilities to boost economic growth, the official China Securities Journal said on Monday, citing government economists. The increased fiscal spending on infrastructure, which has already started, will fall within Beijing's framework of policy "fine-tuning" instead of another massive stimulus like the one Beijing launched at the end of 2008. ...

This weekend Secretary Bryson will be in Chengdu, China for the 22nd Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT), the annual bilateral trade negotiations between the U.S. and China. Before going to Chengdu, the Secretary stopped in Beijing to meet with American business community and Chinese investors. He participated in a meeting with the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) and the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC), and met with members of the Chinese business community to discuss bilateral trade and investment issues. Even though he was surrounded by wonderful local cuisine, Bryson stopped off at a local U.S. franchise – Subway – to highlight the success of American brands in China, and joined U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to tour Wisconsin-made airport vehicles at the Beijing Airport.During the meeting with the American business community, Bryson shared his commitment to opening markets and leveling the playing field for U.S. companies in China and he pledged to take their issues to the JCCT meeting in Chengdu. The discussion focused on intellectual property protection, bilateral investment and China’s indigenous innovation practices.Bryson also met with Chinese business leaders to encourage them to invest - by establishing factories, facilities, operations and offices - in the United States and to help them better understand the opportunities and ease of investing in the U.S. China's foreign direct investment in America increased nearly twelve-fold (from $0.5 billion to $5.8 billion) between 2008 and 2010. The Obama administration recently announced Select USA - the first coordinated federal effort to aggressively pursue and win new business investment in the United States while cutting red tape and removing barriers.