IN BRIEF (Page 19)

New Australian consulate to open

Australia will soon open a consulate in Chengdu, its fourth in China, Xinhua News Agency reported on April 16, quoting Australian Ambassador to China Frances Adamson. The capital of Sichuan province will be the only non-coastal city in China to have an Australian consulate. The others are in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. "The consulate-general in Chengdu will provide a direct link to a diverse province," Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said.

Investment touted as private firms gather