忍者ブログ

ニュースリリースのリリースコンテナ第一倉庫

ニュースサイトなど宛てに広く配信された、ニュースリリース(プレスリリース)、 開示情報、IPO企業情報の備忘録。 大手サイトが順次削除するリリースバックナンバーも、蓄積・無料公開していきます。 ※リリース文中の固有名詞は、発表社等の商標、登録商標です。 ※リリース文はニュースサイト等マスコミ向けに広く公開されたものですが、著作権は発表社に帰属しています。

2025'03.15.Sat
×

[PR]上記の広告は3ヶ月以上新規記事投稿のないブログに表示されています。新しい記事を書く事で広告が消えます。

2007'02.01.Thu
The9 Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2005 Unaudited Financial Results
February 23, 2006

    SHANGHAI, China, Feb. 23 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The9
Limited (Nasdaq: NCTY), a leading online game operator in
China, today announced its unaudited financial results for
the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31,
2005.

    Fourth Quarter 2005 Financial Highlights:

    - Net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2005 grew by
15% quarter-over-
      quarter and 2,407% year-over-year to RMB212.2 million
(US$26.3 million). 

    - Net revenues attributable to the operation of World
of Warcraft(R) 
      ("WoW"), including game playing time,
merchandise sales and other 
      related revenues, were RMB211.2 million (US$26.2
million) in the fourth 
      quarter of 2005, a 15% increase from RMB183.5 million
(US$22.7 million) 
      in the third quarter of 2005.*

    - Net income for the fourth quarter of 2005 was RMB68.3
million (US$8.5 
      million), an 81% increase from RMB37.7 million
(US$4.7 million) in the 
      third quarter of 2005.

    - Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was RMB108.9 million
(US$13.5 million) in the 
      fourth quarter, compared with adjusted EBITDA
(non-GAAP) of RMB58.1 
      million (US$7.2 million) in the third quarter of
2005.

    - Fully diluted earnings per share (one American
Depositary Share "ADS" 
      represents one ordinary share) were RMB2.82 (US$0.35)
for the fourth 
      quarter of 2005 compared with RMB1.54 (US$0.19) for
the third quarter of 
      2005.  Fully diluted adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) per
share were RMB4.50 
      (US$0.56) for the fourth quarter of 2005 compared
with RMB2.38 (US$0.29) 
      for the third quarter of 2005. 

    Fiscal Year 2005 Financial Highlights:

    - Net revenues for the fiscal year 2005 grew by 1,239%
year-over-year to 
      RMB465.0 million (US$57.6 million). 

    - Net income for the fiscal year 2005 was RMB72.5
million (US$9.0 million), 
      a 196% increase year-over-year from RMB24.5 million
(US$3.0 million) in 
      fiscal year 2004.

    - Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was RMB151.7 million
(US$18.8 million) for 
      the fiscal year 2005, compared with adjusted EBITDA
(non-GAAP) of 
      RMB33.1 million (US$4.1 million) for the fiscal year
2004.

    - Fully diluted earnings per share were RMB2.92
(US$0.36) for the fiscal 
      year 2005 and adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) per share
were RMB6.12 (US$0.76) 
      for the fiscal year 2005, compared with fully diluted
earnings per share 
      RMB0.87 (US$0.11) and fully diluted adjusted EBITDA
(non-GAAP) per share 
      RMB2.28 (US$0.28) for the fiscal year 2004.

    * We sell prepaid WoW playing time and recognize
revenues from such sales 
      based upon the actual usage of WoW playing time by
end users.  We are 
      provided with data on end users' actual usage of WoW
playing time by the 
      licensor of WoW and do not otherwise have direct
access to such 
      information pursuant to the license agreement with
the licensor.

    Management Comments:

    Commenting on the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2005
results, Jun Zhu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
The9 Limited, said, "The fourth quarter of 2005 was
once again a good quarter for our operation of Blizzard
Entertainment's WoW in China.  In the fourth quarter, we
attained peak and average concurrent WoW users of
approximately 530,000 and 270,000, respectively.  As of
December 31, 2005, approximately 3.3 million paid accounts
have been activated.  In addition, to further diversify and
expand our game portfolio, in December 2005, we successfully
obtained the exclusive license to operate Soul of The
Ultimate Nation(R) ("SUN"), a highly anticipated
Korean 3D massively multiplayer online role playing game
("MMORPG"), in China.  We believe that SUN is a
great addition to The9's impressive game portfolio of WoW
and Granado Espada, which collectively will continue to
bring fantastic entertainment experience to online game
players throughout China."

    Hannah Lee, Chief Financial Officer, commented,
"We're very pleased to see WoW continue to show great
revenue and earnings potential in the fourth quarter of
2005, growing 15% sequentially from the previous quarter. 
In 2005, we demonstrated our strong operational capability
and have set a solid foundation for our long term growth. 
We are happy that the joint venture of which we have a 30%
interest commercially launched the WoW game in other parts
of Greater China in early November.  We will continue to
leverage the high popularity of WoW among Chinese game
players while diversifying and expanding our game portfolio
in order to deliver long-term sustainable shareholder
value."

    Discussion of The9's Unaudited Fourth Quarter and
Fiscal Year 2005 Results

    Revenues

    For the fourth quarter of 2005, The9 reported net
revenues of RMB212.2 million (US$26.3 million), a 15%
increase from the third quarter of 2005.  For the fiscal
year 2005, net revenues increased by 1,239% to RMB465.0
million (US$57.6 million) from RMB 34.7 million (US$4.3
million) in the fiscal year 2004.  

    The significant revenue increase was mainly due to
The9's commercial operation of WoW in China which commenced
in June 2005 and continued to grow in the third and fourth
quarter of 2005.  For the fourth quarter and fiscal year
2005, net revenues attributable to the operation of WoW,
including game playing time, merchandise sales and other
related revenues, were RMB211.2 million (US$26.2 million)
and RMB455.3 million (US$56.4 million), respectively.

    For the fourth quarter of 2005, online game services
gross revenues were RMB220.7 million (US$27.3 million), an
increase of 16% from the third quarter of 2005.  For the
fiscal year of 2005, these revenues were RMB466.6 million
(US$57.8 million), compared with RMB0.4 million (US$0.04
million) in the fiscal year of 2004. 

    For the fourth quarter of 2005, gross revenues from
game operating support, website solutions and
advertisement, which principally relate to the operation of
MU by 9Webzen, were RMB0.9 million (US$0.1 million), largely
unchanged from the third quarter.  For the fiscal year of
2005, these revenues were RMB6.1 million (US$0.7 million),
a decrease of 76% from RMB24.7 million (US$3.1 million) in
the fiscal year of 2004.  The decrease in such revenues was
mainly due to the decline in MU revenues.

    Other revenues mainly included sales of game-related
accessories and merchandises related to WoW.  For the
fourth quarter of 2005, other revenues decreased to RMB1.6
million (US$0.2 million) from RMB3.1 million (US$0.4
million) in the third quarter of 2005.  Sales of WoW
licensed merchandise were higher in the third quarter of
2005 immediately following the commercial launch of WoW as
compared to the fourth quarter.

    For the fiscal year of 2005, other revenues increased
by 2,713% to RMB13.2 million (US$1.6 million) from RMB0.5
million (US$0.06 million) in the fiscal year of 2004. The
increase was primarily due to the sales of WoW related
merchandise and packages with WoW's commercial launch in
June 2005. 

    Gross Profit

    Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2005 increased
by 5% to RMB97.3 million (US$12.1 million) from RMB92.6
million (US$11.5 million) in the third quarter of 2005
mainly due to increased revenues. Gross profit margin
declined to 46% for the fourth quarter of 2005 from 50% in
the third quarter of 2005.  This was primarily because we
recorded three months of intangibles assets amortization
related to The9's acquisition of the remaining 31.1%
interest in the entity that operates WoW in China and full
quarter depreciation relating to the fifth server site
which was added in the third quarter, compared to only one
month of the above mentioned amortization and depreciation
in the third quarter of 2005.

    For fiscal year 2005, gross profit improved 778% to
RMB224.6 million (US$27.8 million) from RMB25.6 million
(US$3.2 million) in the fiscal year of 2004.  The
year-over-year increase of gross profit was primarily due
to revenues from our commercial operation of WoW in China,
which commenced in June 2005.

    Operating Expenses

    For the fourth quarter of 2005, operating expenses
increased by 6% to RMB44.7 million (US$5.5 million) from
RMB42.2 million (US$5.2 million) in the third quarter of
2005.  This was a combined result of increased product
development expenses relating to the continuous development
of our first self-developed game, Joyful Journey West and a
new 3D MMORPG; increased general and administrative
expenses due to expenses related to relocation to new
office space, depreciation of fixed assets of new office
and public company related professional fees.  The increase
in product development and general and administrative
expenses is offset, to a large extent by reduction of sales
and marketing expenses compared to the third quarter of 2005
when we conducted more marketing activities in the summer,
particularly with the co-marketing campaign with Coca-Cola.


    For the fiscal year 2005, operating expenses totaled
RMB164.9 million (US$20.4 million), a 366% increase from
RMB35.3 million (US$4.4 million) for the fiscal year of
2004.  This was primarily due to the launch and operation
of WoW in China in 2005.

    Income from Operations

    For the fourth quarter of 2005, profit from operations
increased by 4% to RMB52.6 million (US$6.5 million),
compared with RMB50.4 million (US$6.2 million) in the third
quarter of 2005.

    For the fiscal year of 2005, we recorded profit from
operations of RMB59.7 million (US$7.4 million), compared to
a loss from operations of RMB9.8 million (US$1.2 million) in
the fiscal year of 2004. This was primarily due to the
operation of WoW in China in 2005.

    Other Income (Expenses)

    Other income for the fourth quarter of 2005 was RMB12.2
million (US$1.5 million) compared to other expenses of
RMB2.8 million (US$0.3 million) in the third quarter of
2005.  This improvement was primarily due to financial
subsidy of RMB13.4 million (US$1.7 million) from the local
government received in the fourth quarter. 

    For the fiscal year of 2005, other income slightly
decreased by 8% to RMB14.5 million (US$1.8 million) from
RMB15.8 million (US$2.0 million) in the fiscal year of
2004.  This was primarily due to decreased income from
sales of Pass9, our proprietary integrated membership
management and payment system, and foreign exchange loss
due to the appreciation of the Chinese Renminbi as
explained in our third quarter's earnings release,
partially offset by the financial subsidy received as
mentioned above.

    Gain from Disposal of Certain Equity Interest

    For the fourth quarter of 2005, we sold 21% of our
equity interest in 9Webzen, a joint venture between The9
and Webzen that currently operates a 2.5D MMORPG, MU, to
Webzen, thus reducing our equity interest in 9Webzen from
51% to 30%.  We recognized approximately RMB6.7 million
(US$0.8 million) of gain from this transaction. 

    Equity in Profit (Loss) of Affiliated Companies

    For the fourth quarter of 2005, equity in loss from
affiliated companies, net of taxes, amounted to RMB4.6
million (US$0.6 million), which was sequentially flat
compared to a loss of RMB4.6 million (US$0.6 million) for
the third quarter of 2005. 

    For the fiscal year of 2005, we recorded RMB13.7
million (US$1.7 million) of equity in losses from
affiliated companies, net of taxes, compared to an income
of RMB16.6 million (US$2.0 million) for the fiscal year of
2004.  This was primarily due to declined revenues in MU
which resulted in a loss for 9Webzen in 2005, and also
other companies of which we have equity interests are still
in the development or early game commercialization stages.

    Net Income

    For the fourth quarter of 2005, net income was RMB68.3
million (US$8.5 million), improved 81% sequentially from
RMB37.7 million (US$4.7 million) in the third quarter of
2005.  This was a result of the cumulative effect of the
foregoing factors, as well as the decrease in income
allocated to minority interest relating to the 31.1% equity
interest of China The9 Interactive Limited
("C9I"), due to the acquisition of the equity
interest in C9I in late August 2005.  Minority interest of
approximately RMB9.3 million (US$1.2 million) was recorded
in the third quarter, compared with no comparable minority
interest in the fourth quarter.  Fully diluted earnings per
share and per ADS for the fourth quarter of 2005 was RMB2.82
(US$0.35), compared to RMB1.54 (US0.19) in the third quarter
of 2005.

    For the fiscal year 2005, net income totaled RMB72.5
million (US$9.0 million), a 196% improvement from RMB24.5
million (US$3.0 million) for the fiscal year 2004.  Apart
from the cumulative foregoing factors, this improvement was
also because our effective income tax rate is approximately
nil in fiscal year 2005 compared to approximately 83% for
the fiscal year 2004 mainly due to the utilization of the
deferred tax assets amounted to RMB 4.5 million (US$0.6
million) in fiscal year 2004.  Fully diluted earnings per
share and per ADS for the fiscal year 2005 was RMB2.92
(US$0.36), compared to RMB0.87 (US0.11) in the fiscal year
2004.

    Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) is defined as earnings or
loss, respectively, before depreciation of fixed assets,
impairment and amortization of intangibles, income tax
expenses/benefits and share-based compensation expenses
relating to stock options granted to directors, employees
and consultants, as applicable.  For the fourth quarter of
2005, adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was RMB108.9 million
(US$13.5 million) compared to adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) of
RMB58.1 million (US$7.2 million) for the previous quarter. 
For fiscal year 2005, adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) totaled
RMB151.7 million (US$18.8 million) compared to adjusted
EBITDA (non-GAAP) of RMB33.1 million (US$4.1 million) for
the fiscal year 2004. 

    For the fourth quarter of 2005, fully diluted adjusted
EBITDA (non-GAAP) per share was RMB4.50 (US$0.56) compared
with RMB2.38 (US$0.29) for the third quarter of 2005.  For
the fiscal year 2005, fully diluted adjusted EBITDA
(non-GAAP) per share was RMB6.12 (US$0.76) compared with
adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) of RMB2.28 (US$0.28).

    As of December 31, 2005, the Company's total cash and
cash equivalents balance was RMB488.2 million (US$60.5
million).  The decrease in cash and cash equivalents from
RMB793.4 million (US$98.3 million) as at December 31, 2004
was mainly due to the combined result of purchases of
servers and prepaid royalty payments to licensor relating
to WoW's China operations, and partial payments relating to
the purchase of the remaining 31.1% interest in the entity
that operates WoW in China, offset in part by receipts of
prepaid card proceeds, repayments received against loan
receivable and financial subsidy.

    The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into U.S. dollars
(US$) in this press release is based on the noon buying
rate in The City of New York for cable transfers in
Renminbi per U.S. dollar as certified for customs purposes
by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of December 30,
2005 (the last business day of fourth quarter and fiscal
year 2005), which was RMB8.0702 to US$1.00.  The
percentages stated in this press release are calculated
based on the RMB amounts.

    Recent Developments

    In December 2005, The9 announced that it has entered
into an agreement with Webzen, Inc, a leading game
developer and operator in Korea, for a three-year exclusive
license (from commercialization) to operate the Soul of The
Ultimate Nation(TM) ("SUN") game, a 3D MMORPG in
China.  SUN is currently in the pre-open beta testing stage
in Korea, and according to Webzen, SUN registered peak
concurrent user level reached approximately 53,000 during
this stage. 

    Non-GAAP Measures

    To supplement the consolidated financial statements
presented in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States ("US
GAAP"), The9 uses non-GAAP measures of adjusted
EBITDA, which are adjusted from the most directly
comparable financial measures calculated and presented in
accordance with GAAP to exclude certain expenses.  These
non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance
investors' overall understanding of the company's financial
performance.

    Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) is defined as earnings and
loss, respectively, before depreciation of fixed assets,
amortization of intangibles, income tax expenses/benefits
and share-based compensation expenses relating to stock
options granted to employees, directors and consultants, as
applicable.  The company believes its adjusted EBITDA
provides useful information to both management and
investors as it excludes certain expenses that are not
expected to result in future cash payments.  This non-GAAP
measure should be considered in addition to results
prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be
considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. 
For more information on this non-GAAP financial measure,
please see the tables captioned "Reconciliation of
non-GAAP to GAAP results" set forth at the end of this
release. 

    Conference call / Webcast information

    The9's management team will host a conference call on
Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at 9:30 PM, US Eastern Time,
corresponding with Thursday, February 23, 2006 at 10:30 AM
Beijing Time, to present an overview of The9's financial
performance and business operations.

    Investors, analysts and other interested parties will
be able to access the live conference by calling
+1-617-786-2903, password "81178862."  In the
U.S., members of the financial community may also
participate in the call by dialing toll-free
+1-800-299-9086, password "81178862".  A replay
of the call will be available through March 2, 2006.  The
dial-in details for the replay: U.S. toll free number
+1-888-286-8010, International dial-in number 
+1-617-801-6888; Password "17398479".

    The9 will also provide a live webcast of the earnings
call.  Participants in the webcast should log onto the
company's web site http://www.corp.the9.com 15 minutes
prior to the call, then click on the icon for "Fourth
Quarter and Fiscal Year 2005 THE9 LTD Earnings Conference
Call" and follow the instructions.

    About The9 Limited

    The9 Limited is a leading online game operator in
China. The9's business is primarily focused on operating
and developing MMORPGs for the Chinese online game players
market.  The9 directly or through affiliates operates
licensed MMORPGs, consisting of WoW, MU and Mystina Online,
in China.  It has also obtained exclusive licenses to
operate additional MMORPGs in China, including Granado
Espada and Soul of The Ultimate Nation(TM).  In addition,
The9 has developed its first proprietary MMORPG titled
"Joyful Journey West", which entered all-access
public open beta testing in August 2005.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements. 
These statements are made under the "safe harbor"
provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements can be
identified by terminology such as "will,"
"expects," "anticipates,"
"future," "intends," "plans,"
"believes," "estimates" and similar
statements.  Among other things, the business outlook and
quotations from management in this press release contain
forward-looking statements.  The9 may also make written or
oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 20-F
and 6-K, etc., in its annual report to shareholders, in
press releases and other written materials and in oral
statements made by its officers, directors or employees to
third parties.  Statements that are not historical facts,
including statements about The9's beliefs and expectations,
are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements
involve inherent risks and uncertainties.  A number of
important factors could cause actual results to differ
materially from those contained in any forward-looking
statement.  Potential risks and uncertainties include, but
are not limited to, The9's limited operating history as an
online game operator, political and economic policies of
the Chinese government, the laws and regulations governing
the online game industry and information disseminated over
the Internet in China, intensified government regulation of
Internet cafes, The9's ability to retain existing players
and attract new players, license, develop or acquire
additional online games that are appealing to users,
anticipate and adapt to changing consumer preferences and
respond to competitive market conditions, and other risks
and uncertainties outlined in The9's filings with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission, including its
registration statement on Form F-1, as amended, and annual
report on Form 20-F.  The9 does not undertake any
obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except
as required under applicable law.


THE9 LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Expressed in Renminbi - RMB and US Dollars - US$, except
share data)
 
                                              Quarter
Ended
                              December     September   
December      December
                              31, 2004     30, 2005     31,
2005      31, 2005
                                RMB          RMB         
RMB           US$
                             (unaudited)  (unaudited) 
(unaudited)  (unaudited)
     Revenues:
       Online game       
        services               57,017    190,369,969  
220,717,384  27,349,680
       Game operating    
        support, website
        solutions and    
        advertisement       6,033,581        886,274      
887,822     110,012
       Short message     
        services            2,700,123        116,256      
162,674      20,157
       Other revenues         150,089      3,134,976    
1,632,734     202,316
                            8,940,810    194,507,475  
223,400,614  27,682,165
    
     Sales Taxes             (476,111)    (9,668,918) 
(11,164,248) (1,383,392)
    
     Net Revenues           8,464,699    184,838,557  
212,236,366  26,298,773
    
     Cost of Services      (2,310,151)   (92,269,316)
(114,950,079)(14,243,771)
    
     Gross Profit           6,154,548     92,569,241   
97,286,287  12,055,002
    
     Operating Expenses:
       Product           
        development        (2,571,993)    (2,943,205)  
(7,825,264)   (969,649)
       Sales and         
        marketing          (5,317,885)   (21,732,114) 
(14,172,398) (1,756,140)
       General and       
        administrative     (7,218,648)   (17,498,567) 
(22,666,412) (2,808,655)
    
     Total operating     
      expenses:           (15,108,526)   (42,173,886) 
(44,664,074) (5,534,444)
    
     Profit (Loss) from  
      operations           (8,953,978)    50,395,355   
52,622,213   6,520,558
     Interest income, net     251,968      2,576,425      
642,082      79,562
     Other income        
      (expenses), net      15,029,705     (2,791,569)  
12,208,696   1,512,812
    
     Income before income
      tax benefit (expense), 
      gain on investment         
      disposal, minority  
      interest and equity
      in profit (loss) 
      of affiliated 
      companies             6,327,695     50,180,211   
65,472,991   8,112,932
     Income tax benefit  
      (expense)            (2,621,566)     1,421,498      
733,186      90,851
     Minority interests     3,107,782     (9,309,731)      
    --          --
     Income before gain  
      on investment      
      disposal and equity
      in profit (loss)
      of affiliated      
      companies             6,813,911     42,291,978   
66,206,177   8,203,783
     Gain on investment  
      disposal                     --             --    
6,715,917     832,187
     Equity in profit    
      (loss) of affiliated  
      companies, net of  
      taxes                 1,005,285     (4,628,782)  
(4,601,416)   (570,174)
    
     Net Income             7,819,196     37,663,196   
68,320,678   8,465,796
    
     Accretion to Series 
      A Preference Shares    (783,500)            --       
    --          --
     Amounts allocated to
      Series A
          
      Preference Shares    (2,780,975)            --       
    --          --
     Net income          
      attributable to 
      common shareholders   4,254,721     37,663,196   
68,320,678   8,465,796
    
     Other comprehensive 
      income (loss):
      Translation        
      adjustments              (1,245)    (1,049,913)   
1,115,748     138,255
     Comprehensive Income   7,817,951     36,613,283   
69,436,426   8,604,051
    
     Earnings per share
       - Basic                   0.37           1.56       
  2.82        0.35
       - Diluted                 0.27           1.54       
  2.82        0.35
    
     Weighted average    
      shares outstanding
       - Basic             11,489,940     24,189,655   
24,206,154  24,206,154
       - Diluted           15,741,973     24,404,593   
24,218,551  24,218,551


THE9 LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Expressed in Renminbi - RMB and US Dollars - US$, except
share data)

                                                   Year
ended
                                      December      
December        December
                                      31, 2004       31,
2005        31, 2005
                                         RMB            RMB
            US$
                                      (audited)    
(unaudited)     (unaudited)
    
     Revenues:
       Online game services            357,085    
466,554,760      57,812,044
       Game operating support,        
        website solutions and    
        advertisement               24,699,918      
6,050,065        749,680
       Short message services       11,110,703      
3,429,315        424,936
       Other revenues                  467,690     
13,156,712      1,630,283
                                    36,635,396    
489,190,852     60,616,943
    
     Sales Taxes                    (1,912,870)   
(24,164,182)    (2,994,248)
    
     Net Revenues                   34,722,526    
465,026,670     57,622,695
    
     Cost of Services               (9,138,206)  
(240,415,737)   (29,790,555)
    
     Gross Profit                   25,584,320    
224,610,933     27,832,140
    
     Operating Expenses:
       Product development          (9,027,559)   
(40,642,275)    (5,036,093)
       Sales and marketing          (9,226,786)   
(61,805,046)    (7,658,428)
       General and administrative  (17,092,563)   
(62,450,984)    (7,738,468)
    
     Total operating expenses:     (35,346,908)  
(164,898,305)   (20,432,989)
    
     Profit (Loss) from operations  (9,762,588)    
59,712,628      7,399,151
     Interest income, net               81,244     
10,021,605      1,241,804
     Other income (expenses), net   15,791,647     
14,467,150      1,792,663
    
     Income before income tax
      benefit (expense), gain on      
      investment disposal, minority    
      interest and equity in
      profit (loss) of affiliated  
      companies                      6,110,303     
84,201,383     10,433,618
     Income tax benefit (expense)   (5,073,475)      
(168,255)       (20,849)
     Minority interests              6,871,215     
(4,540,568)      (562,634)
     Income before gain on investment 
      disposal and equity in profit   
      (loss) of affiliated 
      companies                      7,908,043     
79,492,560      9,850,135
     Gain on investment disposal            --      
6,715,917        832,187
     Equity in profit (loss) of       
      affiliated companies, net 
      of taxes                      16,571,293    
(13,736,790)    (1,702,162)
    
     Net Income                     24,479,336     
72,471,687      8,980,160
    
     Accretion to Series A Preference 
      Shares                        (3,327,633)            
--             --
     Amounts allocated to Series A
      Preference Shares             (9,104,948)            
--             --
     Net income attributable to 
      common shareholders           12,046,755     
72,471,687      8,980,160
    
     Other comprehensive income       
      (loss):
     Translation adjustments           124,370         
73,963          9,165
     Comprehensive Income           24,603,706     
72,545,650      8,989,325
    
     Earnings per share
       - Basic                            1.17           
3.00           0.37
       - Diluted                          0.87           
2.92           0.36
    
     Weighted average shares          
      outstanding
       - Basic                      10,276,070     
24,187,576     24,187,576
       - Diluted                    14,528,103     
24,800,537     24,800,537



THE9 LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Expressed in Renminbi - RMB and US Dollars - US$)

                                                    As at
                                         December     
December      December  
                                         31, 2004      31,
2005      31, 2005
                                            RMB          
RMB           US$ 
                                         (audited)   
(unaudited)  (unaudited) 
     
    Assets                                  
    Current Assets                          
      Cash and cash equivalents       793,405,288   
488,244,667    60,499,699  
      Accounts receivable              16,686,079    
10,593,866     1,312,714  
      Due from related parties          4,883,135    
12,395,125     1,535,913  
      Advances to suppliers            15,591,310     
4,289,443       531,516  
      Deferred costs                           --    
24,075,214     2,983,224  
      Prepayments and other current 
       assets                          16,022,357    
28,395,864     3,518,607  
      Prepaid royalties                        --    
42,995,946     5,327,742  
      Dividend receivable               8,442,030          
  --            --  
    Total current assets              855,030,199   
610,990,125    75,709,415  
    Investments in affiliated 
     companies                         88,338,021    
46,835,993     5,803,573  
    Property, equipment and software    8,082,280   
231,436,683    28,677,936  
    Goodwill                                   --    
30,199,751     3,742,132  
    Intangible assets                  33,293,989   
289,035,226    35,815,126  
    Long-term deposits                    314,466     
3,132,338       388,136  
    Loan receivable from a related 
     party                             38,386,260          
  --            --  
    Deferred tax assets, non-current    3,150,000     
2,104,464       260,770  
    Total Assets                    1,026,595,215 
1,213,734,580   150,397,088  
     
    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity    
    Current Liabilities                     
      Accounts payable                  2,272,194    
15,948,674     1,976,243  
      Due to related parties          124,251,127     
3,181,004       394,167  
      Income tax payable                  607,560          
  --            --  
      Other taxes payable               1,299,680     
8,123,356     1,006,587  
      Advances from customers           1,488,478    
61,651,267     7,639,373  
      Deferred revenue                  2,222,284    
76,514,940     9,481,170  
      Other payables and accruals      15,640,310    
26,793,070     3,320,000  
      Deferred tax liability, current    1,483,291         
  --             -  
      Acquisition related liability             --   
79,537,653     9,855,723  
    Total current liabilities          149,264,924  
271,749,964    33,673,263  
    Minority interests                  12,165,055         
  --             -  
    Commitments and contingencies               --         
  --             -  
     
    Shareholders' Equity                    
    Common shares (US$0.01 par value; 
     24,186,250 and 24,214,130 shares 
     issued and outstanding as of 
     December 31, 2004 and 2005)         2,001,781    
2,004,033       248,325  
    Deferred compensation cost                  --     
(145,864)     (18,074) 
    Additional paid-in capital         855,797,000  
860,214,342   106,591,452  
    Statutory reserves                      54,172       
54,172         6,712  
    Accumulated other comprehensive 
     income (loss)                         (14,617)      
59,346         7,354  
    Retained earnings                    7,326,900   
79,798,587     9,888,056  
    Total shareholders' equity         865,165,236  
941,984,616   116,723,825  
    Total liabilities and shareholders' 
     equity                          1,026,595,215
1,213,734,580   150,397,088 


THE9 LIMITED
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP TO GAAP RESULTS
(Expressed in Renminbi - RMB and US Dollars - US$, except
share data)

                                                 Quarter
Ended
                                December     September   
December    December
                                31, 2004     30, 2005    
31, 2005    31, 2005
                                  RMB          RMB         
RMB         US$
                              (unaudited)  (unaudited) 
(unaudited) (unaudited)
    
    GAAP net income            7,819,196   37,663,196  
68,320,678   8,465,796
    Depreciation of fixed    
     assets                    1,278,594   12,653,810  
16,065,956   1,990,775
    Amortization of          
     intangibles                 168,794    9,232,897  
25,248,349   3,128,590
    Share-based compensation          --       18,646      
18,646       2,310
    Income tax expense       
     (benefit)                 2,621,566   (1,421,498)   
(733,186)    (90,851)
    Adjusted EBITDA (Non-    
     GAAP)                    11,888,150   58,147,051 
108,920,443  13,496,620
                                                           
                --
    GAAP earnings per share                                
                --
       - Basic                      0.37         1.56      
  2.82        0.35
       - Diluted                    0.27         1.54      
  2.82        0.35
                                                           
                --
    Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA 
     per share                                             
                --
       - Basic                      1.03         2.40      
  4.50        0.56
       - Diluted                    0.76         2.38      
  4.50        0.56
    
    Weighted average shares  
     outstanding
       - Basic                11,489,940   24,189,655  
24,206,154  24,206,154
       - Diluted              15,741,973   24,404,593  
24,218,551  24,218,551


THE9 LIMITED
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP TO GAAP RESULTS
(Expressed in Renminbi - RMB and US Dollars - US$, except
share data)

                                           December    
December     December
                                           31, 2004     31,
2005     31, 2005
                                              RMB         
RMB          US$
                                          (unaudited) 
(unaudited)  (unaudited)
    
    GAAP net income                       24,479,336  
72,471,687    8,980,160
    Depreciation of fixed assets           3,358,376  
39,463,381    4,890,013
    Amortization of intangibles              168,794  
39,521,407    4,897,203
    Share-based compensation                       -      
69,110        8,564
    Income tax expense (benefit)           5,073,475     
168,255       20,849
    Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)            33,079,981 
151,693,840   18,796,789
                                                           
                --
    GAAP earnings per share                                
                --
       - Basic                                  1.17       
 3.00         0.37
       - Diluted                                0.87       
 2.92         0.36
                                                           
                --
    Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA per share                     
                --
       - Basic                                  3.22       
 6.27         0.78
       - Diluted                                2.28       
 6.12         0.76
                                                           
                --
    Weighted average shares outstanding                    
                --
       - Basic                            10,276,070  
24,187,576   24,187,576
       - Diluted                          14,528,103  
24,800,537   24,800,537



    For further information about The9, please contact:

     Ms. Dahlia Wei
     Investor Relations - Senior Manager
     The9 Limited
     Tel:   +86-21-5172-9990
     Email: IR@corp.the9.com
     Web:   http://www.corp.the9.com

SOURCE  The9 Limited
PR
2007'02.01.Thu
Realty Information Systems, Inc. dba Help-U-Sell(R) Real Estate Appoints Executive Leadership Team
February 23, 2006

    CASTLE ROCK, Colo., Feb. 23 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Steve Ozonian, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer, and the Board of Directors of Realty Information
Systems, Inc. dba Help-U-Sell (R) Real Estate are pleased
to announce the appointment of Bryan Drakulich as Executive
Vice President, Chief Operating Officer; Laura D. Buser as
Senior Vice President Marketing and Communications; and
Michael A. Agee as Senior Vice President Technology of
Realty Information Systems, Inc. dba Help-U-Sell(R) Real
Estate, the premier fee-for-service provider of real estate
services, and the nation's fastest-growing real estate
franchise. 

    "We are pleased to have Bryan, Laura and Michael
join the Help-U-Sell Executive Leadership Team. Their
individual and combined talents, and strategic vision for
the future of the business, along with their experience and
successes in the industry, will play a key strategic and
leadership role in the growth and development of
Help-U-Sell," said Steve Ozonian, Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer.   

    As Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer,
Bryan Drakulich will be responsible for network growth, as
well as the development and implementation of corporate
strategies for global expansion, orchestrating the
execution of sales strategies and plans in both
company-owned regions and independently owned and operated
regions. He will be directly responsible for the growth of
company-owned regions, and coordinate growth strategies
with Regional Directors of independently owned and operated
regions.  Bryan will oversee and facilitate relationships
with the Regional Directors to develop and implement their
individual regional strategic business plans, maximizing
the growth of their regions. Additionally, he will be
responsible for the development and implementation of all
support and training programs for the global network,
including Help-U-Sell University, and all regional, broker
and associate training for the company, with direct
responsibility for corporate-owned regions and facilitation
for individually owned and operated regions.  Bryan will
coordinate regional and franchise support programs with
Regional Directors and broker owners in independently owned
and operated regions.  He will also assume responsibility
for the administration of contracts, including UFOC,
franchise, regional and broker contracts. 

    Bryan Drakulich joins the Help-U-Sell leadership team
with extensive experience in residential sales, commercial
sales and leasing, having achieved outstanding successes
during a 23-year career within the Help-U-Sell network. 
Brian is the Regional Director for Help-U-Sell Nevada and
Orange County, California Regions, and has owned and
operated the top producing Help-U-Sell franchise for the
past nine years.  He has been a licensed real estate broker
for twenty-four years, and has made significant leadership
contributions to the company.

    Laura D. Buser joins Help-U-Sell as Senior Vice
President Marketing and Communications.  As the Senior
Executive responsible for the Help-U-Sell Marketing and
Communications Group, Laura will direct the development,
implementation, and maintenance of all marketing and
communications programs, including marketing, advertising,
public relations, brand management, strategic planning,
events, and promotions.  Additionally, she will be
responsible for the management of all external advertising,
marketing and public relations vendors.

    Ms. Buser has extensive experience in the development
and implementation of corporate marketing and
communications programs.  In a career that spanned ten
years at Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services,
Laura was Chief of Staff and Director of Marketing.  She
was a member of the company's senior management team
responsible for all aspects of marketing communications,
advertising, public relations, events, proposals, surveys
and budgeting. She managed the national advertising fund,
and was a leader towards expanding the brand and its image.
 At Prudential, Laura also served as Chief of Staff and
Director of Communications and Events, and Director of
Public Relations.  Prior to that, she worked at The White
House, in The Office of Presidential Advance.  Immediately
prior to joining Help-U-Sell, Laura was Director of
Corporate Communications at Triad Financial Corporation.

    Michael A. Agee has been appointed Senior Vice
President Technology.  As the Senior Technology Executive
with responsibility for Help-U-Sell's Information
Technology Group, Agee will be responsible for the
development and implementation of all e-commerce and
technology-related activities for the company, including
the development and management of the technology
infrastructure for the corporation, regions, brokers and
consumers, as well as the development of joint ventures and
web partnerships to produce more leads for the network, and
greater revenue leveraging Help-U-Sell's web environment.

    Michael Agee has more than fifteen years of experience
in the development and sales of Internet-based solutions. 
Prior to joining Help-U-Sell, Michael served as Managing
Director of American Pacific Capital Partners, Technology
Division.  Before American Pacific, Michael directed
Corporate Development for Fidelity National Financial's
technology subsidiary, MicroGeneral, which later became
Fidelity National Information Solutions.  While at
MicroGeneral, Michael led the company's initiative to
create and acquire transaction and process automation tools
for the real estate and banking industry.  Michael has also
held senior positions at Ernst and Young, Hall Kinoin,
escrow.com, and Digital Entertainment Group.  He is a
licensed real estate broker in California. 

    Bryan Drakulich, Laura Buser and Michael Agee all
report directly to Steve Ozonian, Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer, and are members of the Help-U-Sell
Executive Leadership Committee.  

    Help-U-Sell Real Estate is the premier fee-for-service
provider of real estate services empowering consumers with
information and choice, and offers a set-fee alternative to
paying the traditional commission. Help-U-Sell differs from
traditional brokers, not in the level of services provided
by its licensed brokers throughout the country, but in the
dollar amount that the consumer pays for those services.

    With approximately 1,000 offices throughout the United
States, Entrepreneur Magazine ranked Help-U-Sell Real
Estate as the fastest-growing real estate franchise for
2005.  For the sixth consecutive year, the company was
ranked in the Top 50 across all industries in the
magazine's 26th Annual Franchise 500.

    Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the
listed expert(s), click appropriate link.  

    Steve zonian

   
http://profnet.prnewswire.com/ud_public.jsp?userid=10014098

    For more information, please contact:

     Nicole Gross,
     Idea Lab
     Tel:   +1-856-642-0007
     Email: nicole@idealabmarketing.com

SOURCE  Help-U-Sell Real Estate

2007'02.01.Thu
Piper Jaffray to Host Third Annual China Internet and Technology Conference in Beijing
February 23, 2006

    BEIJING, Feb. 23 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Piper Jaffray
& Co. is pleased to announce it is holding its third
annual China Internet and Technology Conference February 28
- March 2 in Beijing.  The conference will focus on
opportunities and challenges in the China Internet and
technology industry in 2006 and beyond. 

    Growth for Chinese Internet companies has brought both
opportunities and challenges in the past year.  In
particular, these companies are seeing the increasing cost
of success, including declining margins as expenses
increase due to competition.  At the same time, core market
demands remain healthy.  These topics will be addressed in
presentations and panels of management teams of public and
private Internet, semiconductor and hardware companies
operating in China, as well as presentations from
economists, regional and international private equity
funds, industry experts and officials from regulatory
agencies.
  
    Among focus areas to be discussed are the following key
themes: increasing broadband penetration in China and its
impact for media consumption; the impact of China's economy
moving from a manufacturing economy toward a consumer-based
one; the expanding value chain of semiconductor
manufacturing; wireless value-added services potentially
reaching an inflection point and the growth trajectory; the
timing of network upgrades to 3G services and impact to
wireless handset and infrastructure suppliers; and the
potential for search in China. 

    "We look forward to hosting our third annual China
Internet and Technology Conference in Beijing this
year," said Safa Rashtchy, senior Internet and media
marketing analyst at Piper Jaffray & Co.  "This is
a great forum for technology investors who want exposure in
China.  Given our focus on the entire Internet and
technology supply chain, investors will have the
opportunity to explore multiple areas.  This year, we will
also introduce new and developing areas of interest, such
as music and entertainment, 3G wireless, consumer devices,
alternative energy and security technology."

    Companies scheduled to present include: 51job, Inc.,
6688.com, Actions Semiconductor Co., Ltd., Advanced
Analogic Technologies Incorporated, Allyes AdNetwork,
Analogix Semiconductor Inc., Analysys, ASAT Holdings
Limited, Baidu.com, Inc., BaiHe Limited, C2 Capital
Corporation, China Interactive, China Techfaith Wireless
Communication Technology Limited, China Unistone
Acquisition Corp., ChipMOS Technologies Ltd., Cirrus Logic,
Inc., Comtech Group, Inc, CSMC Technologies Corporation,
Ctrip.com International Inc., DangDang.com, eBay Eachnet,
eLong, Inc., Ericsson, Focus Media Holding Limited, Grace
Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation, GSR Ventures,
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Hurray! Holding Co. Ltd.,
Intel Capital, KongZhong Corporation, Linktone Ltd.,
MagnaChip Semiconductor, Mobile Internet Partners Limited,
Motorola, Inc., NetEase.com, Inc., Nokia Corporation,
O2Micro International Limited, Pacific Epoch, R2G,
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation,
Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited, SHENZHEN POWERCOM
Co. Ltd., SiliconCore Technology, SinoMOS Semiconductor
(Nigbo), Inc., SmartPay, Softbank Asia Infrastructure Fund
(SAIF), Sohu.com Inc., Spreadtrum Communications Inc.,
STATS ChipPAC Ltd., Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.,
Supreme Industries, Inc., The9 Limited, TOM Online Inc.,
Vimicro International Corporation, Walden International,
YeePay.com, Yingli Solar, Yucheng Technologies Company and
Zhaopin Ltd.  Additional companies have also been invited
to present. 

    Company and investor participation in the Piper Jaffray
China Internet and Technology Conference is by invitation
only.  Clients interested in attending should contact their
Piper Jaffray representative.  Members of the media who
would like to attend should contact Susan Beatty at 612
303-5680 or susan.l.beatty@pjc.com . 

    Piper Jaffray & Co. is the chief operating
subsidiary of Piper Jaffray Companies (NYSE: PJC), a
focused securities firm dedicated to delivering superior
financial advice, investment products and transaction
execution within selected sectors of the financial services
marketplace.  The company operates through two primary
revenue-generating segments: Capital Markets and Private
Client Services.  Piper Jaffray & Co. has served
corporations, government and non-profit entities,
institutional investors and the financial advisory needs of
private individuals since 1895.  With headquarters in
Minneapolis, Piper Jaffray has approximately 2,900
employees in 107 offices in 23 states across the country
and in London.  For more information about Piper Jaffray,
visit us online at http://www.piperjaffray.com .

    Since 1895. Member SIPC and NYSE.

    For more information, please contact:

     Susan Beatty, Media Relations,
     Piper Jaffray
     Tel: +1-612-303-5680

SOURCE  Piper Jaffray & Co.


2007'02.01.Thu
Confederation of Meningitis Organisations Launches Web Site
February 22, 2006

-- COMOonline.org Offers Global Information, Resources
    GLOUCESTERSHIRE, England, Feb. 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
The Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (COMO), a
network of meningitis and children's health organisations
throughout the world, today announced the launch of its Web
site, http://www.COMOonline.org .  The site provides
information on COMO and its local member groups and support
services, as well as resources for those interested in
founding their own local organisations to fight against
meningitis.

    "The Confederation of Meningitis Organisations was
founded for the sharing of best practices, information and
research across borders," said Philip Kirby, Chief
Executive of the Meningitis Trust and President of COMO. 
"The launch of our Web site will not only strengthen
our existing COMO network, but expand and inspire
additional efforts to combat meningitis both locally and
globally."

    COMOonline.org features a snapshot of the
"Establishing a Meningitis Organisation Tool
Kit," a product of the COMO member organisations'
shared experiences that will help facilitate the
establishment of new organisations to help raise the global
profile of meningitis.  The complete Tool Kit provides case
studies illustrating how different local organisations have
been developed and poses important questions to consider
when establishing a local group.  The Web site also
consists of:  COMO member organisation profiles;
information on upcoming events, activities and programmes;
and personal stories from people around the world who have
been impacted by meningitis.

    Established organisations or individuals who are
committed to the elimination of meningitis and/or provide
support to those affected by the disease are encouraged to
apply for COMO membership through the site and request
access to the complete Tool Kit, which is available in
English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German and
Mandarin.  
  
    COMO was established at the first World Conference of
Meningitis Organisations (WCMO) in September 2004 and
currently is comprised of 14 organisations from 13
countries around the world.  For more information, visit
http://www.COMOonline.org .

    Initial support for the COMO Web site has been provided
by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

    Note to Editors:

    COMO

    The Confederation of Meningitis Organisations' mission
is to assist member organisations to be sustainable,
identifiable and influential sources for information and
support services for those people affected by meningitis in
their regions and united in their endeavors globally through
their membership of COMO, which is committed to the
elimination of meningitis and septicaemia.  The founding
members include leaders from meningitis and children's
health organisations from around the world, including
Association Audrey (France), Fundacion Illyria Velasco
Carranza (Mexico), GAVI - PneumoADIP (USA), Meningitis
Centre (Australia), Meningitis Foundation of America (USA),
Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada (Canada),
Meningitis Research Foundation (UK and Ireland), Meningitis
Trust (Ireland), Meningitis Trust (New Zealand), Meningitis
Trust (UK), Moige (Italy), Philippine Foundation for
Vaccination (Philippines), Pneumo-Mening (Brazil) and
Pneumo-Mening Centre (Taiwan).

    Meningitis and septicaemia

    Meningitis can be caused by bacteria (e.g., Haemophilus
influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria
meningitidis), as well as viruses.  Some bacteria that
cause meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain)
can also cause septicaemia (blood poisoning).  Many people
who have a meningococcal or a pneumococcal infection have
both meningitis and septicaemia, although some have
meningitis or septicaemia alone.

    The early symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia
include fever, vomiting, headache, cold hands and feet,
rapid breathing, drowsiness, and stomach, joint or muscle
pain.  These symptoms may not all appear at once and may be
accompanied by other symptoms such as a stiff neck and
dislike of bright lights.

    Patients suffering from meningococcal septicaemia often
develop a non-blanching rash, called a haemorrhagic rash. 
Septicaemia can develop quickly and in severe cases, the
rash may spread as you watch it.  It is important to
realise that a rash may not always occur, especially with
pneumococcal septicaemia.

    Both septicaemia and meningitis have high fatality
rates.

    Bacterial meningitis can be treated with a number of
effective antibiotics, although some bacteria are
developing resistance to these antibiotics.  There also are
several effective vaccines available to help protect
infants, young children and adults against some causes of
meningitis, such as S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis and
Haemophilus influenzae.

    For further information please contact:
info@COMOonline.org for general questions and those related
to membership 

    For more information, please contact:

     Philip Kirby
     Meningitis Trust, United Kingdom, President
     Tel: +44-14-5376-9011

     Bruce Langoulant
     Meningitis Centre, Australia, Vice President    
     Tel: +61-08-9489-7791
 
SOURCE  Confederation of Meningitis Organisations
2007'02.01.Thu
China Partners with International Expertise to Improve Road Safety `China Seatbelt Intervention Project'
February 22, 2006

    BEIJING, Feb. 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- National and
International members of the China seatbelt intervention
Steering Committee will meet today in Beijing to discuss
the progress of a leading project in the province of
Guangzhou, which addresses the low usage of seatbelt
wearing rates among drivers and front seat passengers in
China. 

    The China Seatbelt Intervention Project is a
co-operation between the Chinese government, international
organizations and industry. 

    The implementation of this project is guided by the
members of the Steering Committee which includes the
Traffic Administration Bureau of the Ministry of Public
Security of China, officials from the Ministry of Health,
officials from the Public Security and Traffic Departments
of Guangzhou Municipal Government, officials and
specialists from the WHO, representative of sponsoring
company (BP) and technical leaders, The George Institute
for International Health.

    Recognising the potential of this intervention to
significantly reduce deaths and injuries on China's roads,
the Chinese government has embraced international best
practice in line with existing government policy and
highlights the intent of the new road safety law.  

    World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in
China, Dr Henk Bekedam, spoke out in support of the
project, encouraging individuals to take up safer driving
practices for the sake of themselves and their families.

    "Today, China accounts for around 15% of the
world's total number of deaths from traffic accidents every
year, and the number has been increasing by 10%
annually," Dr Bekedam said.  "Almost 10,000 road
traffic crashes took place in Guangzhou during 2004,
resulting in 1,800 deaths and almost 12,000 people injured.
 Throughout China, this death toll exceeds 100,000 people
each year". 

    The high rate of road injury is not surprising
considering that motor vehicle production has tripled since
the early 1990s.  Due to the rapid growth of large urban
centres such as Guangzhou there is an urgent need to
implement proven road safety interventions".  

    The China Seatbelt Intervention Project', communicates
a very clear and simple message for motor vehicle drivers
and passengers -- `Seatbelts save lives," added Dr
Bekedam.

    It is internationally recognised that the use of
seatbelts is a key measure in reducing the number of deaths
in traffic crashes.  Research indicates up to 70% of deaths
from car crashes could be prevented if the occupants wore
seatbelts.  However, despite the availability of seatbelts
in almost all passenger cars in China, along with laws
stipulating the use of seatbelts, their use is low. 

    The George Institute for International Health
officially launched the `China Seatbelt Intervention
Project' in Guangzhou in mid-2005.  Adopting practices
found successful around the world, senior police and
traffic officers attended seatbelt law enforcement training
and commenced intensive enforcement program in October 2005,
in which almost 3000 vehicles were inspected and 1000
drivers or passengers not wearing their seatbelt were
penalized or educated.  This scientific approach will
assist policy makers to best identify how to carry out this
type of intervention and demonstrate how to gain the most
impact and benefits to Chinese citizens.  

    To complement the intervention, an intensive social
marketing campaign is underway, focusing on raising
awareness of road traffic safety laws, according to the
Traffic Command and Control Center of Guangzhou Municipal
Bureau of Public Security.  It is being rolled out in
collaboration with training managers of taxi companies and
members of traffic safety committees.  The center reports:
"Guangzhou police have indicated that since the launch
of the China Seatbelt Intervention, a series of activities
including social marketing campaigns, taxi companies'
management and enhanced seatbelt enforcement, aimed to
increase seatbelt use awareness and compliance, have been
implemented. 

    According to the WHO, road traffic injuries are the
ninth cause of human death globally.  In 2020, this ranking
is expected to move to third, overtaking diseases like
HIV/AIDS and malaria.  In China, road traffic injuries are
predicted to increase by a further 92% by 2020 in the
absence of urgent prevention measures.

    Director of the Injury Prevention and Trauma Care
Division at The George Institute, Professor Mark Stevenson,
said: "Seatbelts are one of the simplest ways to avoid
death and injury in a road crash.  It takes just a few
seconds to fasten a seatbelt and these few seconds could
save your life." 

    The 24-month intervention project is due for completion
in October 2006. The project will have implemented best
practice in relation to strategies to increase the use of
seatbelts and it is anticipated that the project will see
an increase in seatbelt restraint use of at least 20%.

    For more information, please contact:

     World Health Organization (WHO)
     Ms Aphaluck Bhatiasevi
     WHO China Communications Officer 				
     Tel:    +86-10-6532-5687 						 
     Mobile: +86-136-1117-4072
     Email:  bhatiasevia@chn.wpro.who.int 				

     Mr James Yu
     Project Manager, Beijing Office
     The George Institute for International Health
     Tel:    +86-10-8280-2646
     Mobile: +86-133-6648-3369
     Email:  yuxq@bjmu.edu.cn

     Ms Emma Eyles
     Public Affairs Officer
     The George Institute for International Health
     Tel:    +61-2-9993-4592
     Mobile: +61-410-411-983
     Email:  eeyles@thegeorgeinstitute.org


SOURCE  World Health Organization; The George Institute for
International Health

2007'02.01.Thu
Zibo CATV Network Deploys the Alloptic Passive Optical Access Equipment in Shandong
February 22, 2006

    LIVERMORE, Calif., Feb. 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Alloptic, Inc., a pioneer in the development and deployment
of Gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (ePONs), the
ultimate communications network for today and tomorrow,
announced that Zibo CATV Network has successfully deployed
the Alloptic passive optical access equipment in new
multi-dwelling units (MDU) in Shandong China. 

    "Alloptic's GEPON solution brings us a very
reliable multi play platform," said Mr. Liu Guang Pin,
GM of Zibo CATV.  "Alloptic's GEPON solution allowed us
to bring together what were two separate networks into a
single platform."  Alloptic's access network gives us
the best of both of these architectures with the bandwidth
required to provide additional services solution of IPTV,
HDTV, and other added values services platform in the
future."

    Alloptic is an industry leader in the development and
deployment of IEEE Gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Network
(GEPON) technology.  Alloptic's access network solution has
been deployed around the world and offers the only GEPON
solution with several years of field proven, operational
history.  Alloptic's Passive Optical Network (PON)
technology offers a gigabit of bandwidth more than a single
fiber and it can support up to 32 Optical Network Units
(ONUs) at a distance up to 20km.  

    "We are very pleased that Zibo CATV Network will
be using our products in their network," said George
S. Chow, Managing Director - Asia Pacific for Alloptic. 
"Our access solution is ideal for cable operators. 
With the Alloptic access solution, users benefit from the
efficient use of fiber and a gigabit of bandwidth means
that there is plenty of bandwidth for supporting today's
data services and tomorrow's IP HDTV and beyond."

About Alloptic, Inc.

Alloptic delivers proven and standard-based passive optical
access equipment for fiber-to-the-home, business, and
multi-dwelling unit that simplifies fiber-to-the-premise
(FTTP) deployment.  Enabling ultra fast Internet,
state-of-the-art cable TV and worry-free telephone service
connected at the speed of light, being cost-saving, safe
and efficient.  Alloptic's unique, flexible technology
enables service providers to deploy true triple-play
services, including voice (TDM and IP), video (RF and IP)
and data.  Alloptic's network access equipment serves
communities, telecommunications companies and cable service
providers in the U.S. and even around the world. 

    Founded in 1999, Alloptic is privately held and based
in Livermore, California. For more information, please
visit http://www.alloptic.com .

    For more information, please contact:

     Cathy Cunha 
     Alloptic, Incorporated
     Tel:   +1-925-245-7655
     Email: Cathy.Cunha@alloptic.com

SOURCE  Alloptic, Inc.
2007'02.01.Thu
AAR Selected by Shanghai Airlines for 767 Landing Gear MRO
February 22, 2006

    SINGAPORE, Feb. 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- AAR (NYSE:
AIR) announced today at Asian Aerospace 2006 that it has
been selected to perform maintenance, repair and overhaul
of landing gear for Shanghai Airlines' fleet of 767-300
aircraft.  The maintenance will be performed at AAR Landing
Gear Services' FAA, EASA, CAAP and ISO 9001 certified
facility in Miami, Florida.  

    AAR will provide Shanghai Airlines with maintenance,
overhaul and exchange services, as well as provide access
to AAR's inventory of rotable landing gear and landing gear
components.  AAR Landing Gear Services is a self-contained,
full-service aircraft landing gear overhaul facility that
provides maintenance, repair, overhaul and exchange
services on virtually every type of major commercial,
regional and military aircraft in use today.  
"This new agreement with Shanghai Airlines is a fine
example of how we are extending our reach to more customers
in the Asia Pacific region," said Rahul Shah, Managing
Director, Asia Pacific Operations for AAR.  "Customers
in the Asia Pacific region and around the world are focused
on controlling expenses and AAR is helping them reduce
costs while maintaining the highest standards for quality,
safety and airworthiness." 

    In other news, AAR Landing Gear Services Sdn. Bhd., a
joint venture between AAR International, Inc. and Malaysian
aircraft maintenance provider, AIROD Sdn. Bhd., recently
received certification from the Malaysian Department of
Civil Aviation (DCA) and passed its Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) certification audit. Achieving these
regulatory milestones enables the business to commence
operations and begin serving customers in the Asia Pacific
region from the new Malaysian-based landing gear MRO
facility.

    About AAR

    AAR is a leading provider of products and value-added
services to the worldwide aviation/aerospace industry. 
With facilities and sales locations around the world, AAR
uses its close-to-the-customer business model to serve
airline and defense customers through four operating
segments: Aviation Supply Chain; Maintenance, Repair and
Overhaul; Structures and Systems and Aircraft Sales and
Leasing. More information can be found at
http://www.aarcorp.com .

    About AAR Landing Gear Services

    AAR Landing Gear Services, an operating unit of AAR,
specializes in the maintenance, repair, overhaul and
exchange of landing gear for commercial and regional
aircraft. AAR's workmanship is backed by engineering and
airworthiness teams that carry out stringent quality
inspections on procedures that include disassembly,
assembly, painting, plating, machining and nondestructive
testing.

    About Shanghai Airlines

    Shanghai Airlines Co., Ltd. (SAL) is a commercial
airline company based in Shanghai, the People's Republic of
China. SAL operates a fleet of 38 aircraft and offers
domestic flight services to over 100 destinations
throughout the country and international flight services to
Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea and Russia.

    This press release contains certain statements relating
to future results, which are forward-looking statements as
that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements are
based on beliefs of Company management, as well as
assumptions and estimates based on information currently
available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from historical results or those anticipated,
including those factors discussed under Item 7, entitled
"Factors Which May Affect Future Results",
included in the Company's May 31, 2005 Form 10-K. Should
one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize
adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates
prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from
those described.  These events and uncertainties are
difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are
beyond the Company's control.  The Company assumes no
obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions
that may be made to any forward-looking statements to
reflect events or circumstances after the date of such
statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or
unanticipated events. For additional information, see the
comments included in AAR's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
 
    For more information, please contact:

     Chris Mason
     Director of Corporate Communications of AAR
     Tel:   +1-630-227-2062
     Email: chris.mason@aarcorp.com 

SOURCE  AAR
2007'02.01.Thu
Jblend(TM) Platform Deployed in BenQ-Siemens' S88
February 22, 2006

    TOKYO, Feb. 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Aplix Corporation
(TSE: 3727) announced today that its JBlend platform is
included in BenQ-Siemens' S88, one of the first mobile
phones introduced under the dual brand.

    After the purchase of Siemens' handset division in
2005, BenQ has been working with Aplix to develop a series
of phone models under the new BenQ-Siemens brand.  The
first such phone model, the S88, uses the JBlend platform
and complies with Java Technology for the Wireless Industry
JTWI(TM) 1.0 (JSR-185).  JBlend will also be deployed in
several other phone models that are currently under
development.  

    "We have a successful history of supporting BenQ
on diverse mobile phone projects," said Wesley Kuo,
President and CSO of Aplix.  "Our goal is to continue
to utilize the industry leading features of JBlend to
benefit BenQ." 

    As the first-to-market enabler, Aplix has been trusted
by global operators and handset manufacturers to fulfill
their desired Java specifications.  The JBlend platform has
already been deployed on over 150 million mobile devices
around the world.  Aplix continues its innovative efforts
to contribute to the development of consumer products that
are even more appealing and easier to use than those we
have today.

    About Aplix Corporation

    Aplix Corporation is the global leader in deploying
Java technology in mobile phones.  Aplix was first
established in 1986 and has been a Sun Java licensee since
1996.  Aplix was publicly listed on the Tokyo Stock
Exchange (Mothers) in 2003.  On August 24, 2004 Aplix and
the Taiwan based company iaSolution finalized the
integration of the corporations. 

    Headquarters: Tokyo

    Regional offices: San Francisco, Munich, Taipei,
Shanghai, Beijing, and Korea (in progress)

    For more information, please visit:
http://www.aplixcorp.com and http://www.iasolution.net .

    About the JBlend Platform

    The JBlend platform is the de facto solution for
running Java applications and services in consumer
electronics devices, including mobile phones.  The platform
has been licensed by over 50 companies as of December 2005.

    JBlend technology:

     -- Sets the pace by maintaining market leadership
through innovation. 

     -- Has proven results, enabling first-to-market
deliveries for our 
        customers. 

     -- Over 150 million mobile phones and consumer
electronics devices have 
        been shipped with JBlend as of September 2005.
  
     * JBlend and all related trademarks thereto are
trademarks or registered 
       trademarks of Aplix Corporation in Japan and other
countries.

     * Java and all other Java-based marks are trademarks
or registered 
       trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United
States and other 
       countries.

     * All other product or service names are the property
of their 
       respective owners.

    For more information, please contact:

     Akiko Sharp Doi,
     Aplix Corporation
     Email: pr@aplixcorp.com
     Phone: +1-415-558-8800
     Web:   http://www.aplixcorp.com

SOURCE  Aplix Corporation

2007'02.01.Thu
Jinshan to Build Internationally Recognized Chemical City; District Hopes to Realize Five Dreams
February 22, 2006

    SHANGHAI, China, Feb. 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Shanghai Jinshan District Government announces that during
their "11th Five-year Planning" period the
district hopes to realize key goals, and ultimately, double
their income every three years.

    Jinshan has made solid progress over recent years, as
it becomes more readily recognized for its advantages,
namely its location, culture, land, waterways, and its
progress in the chemical industry.  With each of these five
advantages comes an even bigger goal that Jinshan is trying
to address.  Li Yuyi, secretary of the Jinshan District
Committee, described these as five dreams.  These dreams
are built around the desire to turn Jinshan into an
internationally recognised part of the world, by using the
experiences of cities that have already achieved such a
status; Houston, Texas, is well-known for its chemical
industry, while also been commended for their environmental
protection programs; Miami, Florida, is known for its
beautiful man-made beaches; and New Jersey for its shopping
and residential projects.  By taking the experiences of such
cities, along with others like San Francisco, Jinshan hopes
that it will be known for its beaches, shopping,
residential complexes and its chemical achievements all at
the same time.  Then by integrating these North American
features with the thousand-year history and ancient beauty
of towns like Fenjing (one of the nine towns in Jinshan
district), the district hopes to achieve its dreams.

    In 2006, construction of the International Chemical
City will begin.  Hao Tiechuan, Chief Executive of the
Jinshan District Government, stated that Jinshan would also
begin to fulfil three major goals simultaneously.  First,
the district plans on becoming an advanced manufacturing
and modern services center, which is led by the
petrochemical and extended industries, as well as,
integrated machinery and equipment, e-information and new
light textiles. Second, is to turn Jinshan into an
eco-friendly and efficient modern agricultural base that
will be geared to both the economy and entertainment.  
Finally, plans are to make Jinshan a modern seaside city,
incorporating the unique culture of Jinshan with the
protection of the eco-environment, showcasing a beautiful
residential environment capable of providing high-grade
recreation and entertainment.

    About Jinshan District

    Jinshan, one of the 19 districts (counties) of
Shanghai, is located in the southwest of the city, north of
the Hangzhou Bay and west of Zhejiang Province.  It is
situated at the hub of the economic region linking
Shanghai, Hangzhou and Ningbo, and is inside the geographic
ring of the Yangtze River Delta that is only a two hours
drive away.  

    Jinshan District has a total land area of 586 square
kilometers (about 226 square miles), equivalent to that of
Singapore, and a population of 550,000.  It has rich
natural and cultural heritages, including beautiful beach
lines, famous traditional peasant paintings, black ceramic
arts and crafts, and a world-renowned petrochemical base.

    For more information, please contact:

     Wang Ren of Shanghai Jinshan District Government
     Tel:   +86-21-5792-1325
     Fax:   +86-21-5792-1100
     Email: jsqzhk@sohu.com

SOURCE  General Office of the People's Government of
Jinshan
2007'02.01.Thu
Freestar Technology Expands Contract With Transaction Network Services, Adding Ten European Countries
February 21, 2006

    SHANGHAI, China, Feb. 21, /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
FreeStar Technology Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: FSRT), an
international card payments processor and technology
company, announced in mid-February that it has expanded its
contract with Transaction Network Services (NYSE: TNS) to
manage the cross border data communications of its wholly
owned subsidiary Rahaxi Processing Oy to include names of
countries.

    Providing merchants, terminal providers and banks with
electronic payment processing services, Rahaxi Processing
captures transactions and routes them to financial
institutions, including some of the leading Finnish banks.


    As an extension to the original contract signed in
2004, TNS will support Rahaxi Processing's European
expansion initiative, launched this month with a presence
in Spain.  Rahaxi Processing plans to move into ten
European markets, including Portugal, Denmark and Turkey,
building on its established presence in Finland and
Sweden.

    TNS's global network will deliver high-speed debit,
credit, smart card and wireless transactions from terminals
to Rahaxi Processing's payment processing engine in Helsinki
and leading acquirers and issuers. 

    Now with more than 1,700 merchants across Sweden and
Finland, an increase of 700 in the last year alone, Rahaxi
Processing hopes to add 3,000 merchants in the program's
first year. 

    Paul Egan, chief executive officer of FreeStar
Technology Corp., said, "The contract satisfies the
company's long-term objective in these new markets and
supports Rahaxi Processing's investment in technology to
provide fast and secure data transfers for its customers in
the increasingly competitive retail market." 

    Angel Pacheco, chief technology officer, FreeStar
Technology, said, "TNS's worldwide presence and
flexibility is paramount during this exciting transition. 
Outsourcing to TNS saves us time and money, removing the
need to construct and maintain our own system, and allowing
us to concentrate on developing relationships in these new
markets."

    The contract is Rahaxi Processing's largest single
project.  After replacing a dedicated leased line solution
over a year ago, TNS will continue to handle transactions
via GPRS, internet protocol based and dial up terminals for
the company with 24 hour customer service 365 days a year. 

    Anders Wannberg, managing director for TNS Nordics,
said: "The expansion of our contract with Rahaxi
Processing highlights its confidence in TNS and our ability
to provide a framework for its expansion into ten additional
European countries." 

    "Moving to TNS has speeded up Rahaxi Processing's
end-to-end electronic payment processing services for its
customers," he added.  "The result is a stronger
acquiring environment and better service for customers.  We
are looking forward to supporting Rahaxi Processing in
achieving its expansion plans further into Europe." 

    About FreeStar Technology Corp.

    FreeStar Technology Corp. is a payment processing
company.  Its wholly owned subsidiary Rahaxi Processing
Oy., based in Helsinki, has a robust Northern European
BASE24 credit card processing platform.  Rahaxi currently
processes in excess of 1.3 million card payments per month
for such companies as Finnair, Ikea and Stockman.  The
company, based in Dublin, Ireland, maintains satellite
offices in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Helsinki and
Geneva. For more information, please visit
http://www.freestartech.com

    About Transaction Network Services 

    Transaction Network Services is one of the leading
providers of business-critical, cost-effective data
communications services for transaction-oriented
applications.  TNS provides rapid, reliable and secure
transaction delivery platforms to enable transaction
authorisation and processing across several vertical
markets and trading communities. 

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: 

    Certain statements in this news release may contain
forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175
under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the
safe harbor created by those rules.  When used in this
press release, the words "expects,"
"anticipates," "believes,"
"plans," "will" and similar expressions
are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  These
are statements that relate to future periods and include,
but are not limited to, statements regarding our adequacy
of cash, expectations regarding net losses and cash flow,
statements regarding our growth, our need for future
financing, our dependence on personnel, and our operating
expenses.  All statements, other than statements of fact,
included in this release, including, without limitation,
statements regarding potential future plans and objectives
of the companies, are forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking
statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those projected.  These risks and uncertainties include,
but are not limited to, those discussed above as well as
risks set forth above under "Factors That May Affect
Our Results."  These forward-looking statements speak
only as of the date hereof.  There can be no assurance that
such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results
and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements.  Technical complications
that may arise could prevent the prompt implementation of
any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above.  The
companies caution that these forward-looking statements are
further qualified by other factors including, but not
limited to, those set forth in FreeStar's Form 10-KSB
filing and other filings with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (available at http://www.sec.gov ). 
FreeStar undertakes no obligation to publicly update or
revise any statements in this release, whether as a result
of new information, future events, or otherwise.

    For more information, please contact: 

     Paul Egan 
     FreeStar Technology Corporation 
     Tel:  +1-809-368-2001

     Bryan Earl Kerola 
     Tel:  +358-0-9-4789-0430

     Arun Chakraborty
     Stern & Co.
     Tel:  +1-212-888-0044

SOURCE  FreeStar Technology Corp.
     

2007'02.01.Thu
Embraer Announces Two More Legacy 600 Sales in Asia
February 21, 2006

New Operators Based in Indonesia
    SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil, Feb. 21 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/
-- Embraer (NYSE: ERJ) today disclosed two new Legacy 600
business aircraft sales to Asia, expanding to eight the
Legacy 600 fleet in the region. The two new jets will be
delivered in 2006. One will be operated by Jakarta-based PT
Ekspres Transportasi Antarbenua (Premiair) and the other by
an undisclosed company in the region.

    Asia is seeing a strong resurgence in business aircraft
demand, and this is due to the recovery of the "Tiger
Economies" after the downturn of the 1990s.
Individuals and corporations are increasingly reliant on
high-quality charter aircraft to gain access to developing
markets throughout the Indonesian archipelago and the
greater Asian region.

    Premiair maintains a fleet of aircraft suited and
configured for the diverse requirements of the Asian
market. The acquisition of the Legacy 600 will provide its
customers new levels of performance and comfort, and enough
range to reach out to destinations in China, the Middle East
and Australia.

    "With our Southeast Asian customers expanding
their business into the Middle East and China, the Legacy
600 gives Premiair the cabin and the range to support these
longer missions, while still maintaining a price point
acceptable to a nascent corporate aircraft market,"
said Fritz E. Simandjuntak, Managing Director of PT Ekspres
Transportasi Antarbenua (Premiair).

    The sale of two Legacy 600s to Indonesia continues the
expansion of the fleet in Asia. Currently, five of these
jets are making the transport of Indian government
authorities and one is being operated by a tourism sector
entrepreneur with headquarters in Macao.

    For more information, please visit
http://www.embraerexecutivejets.com .

    The Legacy 600

    The Legacy 600 provides premium comfort and privacy for
up to 16 passengers in three distinct seating areas.
Interior standard features include first-class leather
seats, a plush divan, an elegant credenza and spacious
tables for dining or meetings. The aircraft also has a
full-size galley for hot and cold meals, a full-breadth aft
lavatory, wardrobe and storage cabinet, and an entertainment
system with DVD players and satellite telecommunications.
High Speed Data (HSD) and Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi),
optional capabilities, allow customers to browse the
Internet, access e-mail and transfer files at all moments
of the flight. The baggage compartment with 240 cu ft (6.8
cu m) is one of the largest in the industry and is easily
accessible during flights for greater passenger
convenience.

    Priced at US$ 23.6 million (January 2006 economic
conditions), the Legacy 600 cruises at a speed of up to
Mach 0.80 and offers a range of 3,250 nm (6,019 km) with
eight passengers and NBAA IFR reserves. This range,
bolstered by superior passenger and luggage capacity,
enables our customers to fly nonstop from London to Dubai,
Jakarta to Melbourne, Singapore to Beijing or to Port
Moresby at lower operating costs than competitive aircraft
with similar cabin size.

    Also available in Shuttle and Shuttle HC
configurations, the Legacy is designed to provide comfort
and functionality. The Legacy Shuttle accommodates between
16 and 19 passengers in business-class comfort. The Shuttle
HC version enhances owner productivity and comfortably seats
as many as 37 passengers in a superior airline-quality
interior. Prices for the Shuttle versions range from US$
17.80 million to US$ 18.52 million (January 2006 economic
conditions).

    For the very specific purpose of government authority
transportation, the Legacy offers affordability, size,
speed, economy and the safety of a platform that has flown
over 30 million passengers in the world.

    Embraer Image Gallery

    Visit the Embraer Image Gallery at
http://www.embraer.com .

    About Embraer

    Embraer (Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.) (NYSE:
ERJ) (Bovespa: EMBR3 EMBR4) is the world's leading
manufacturer of commercial jets up to 110 seats with 36
years of experience in designing, developing,
manufacturing, selling and providing after-sales support to
aircraft for the global airline, defense and business jet
markets. With headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, state of
Sao Paulo, the Company has offices and customer service
bases in the United States, France, Portugal, China and
Singapore.  Embraer is among Brazil's leading exporting
companies. As of December 31, 2005, Embraer had a total
workforce of 16,953 people, and its firm order backlog
totaled US$ 10.4 billion.

    This document may contain projections, statements and
estimates regarding circumstances or events yet to take
place. Those projections and estimates are based largely on
current expectations, forecasts on future events and
financial tendencies that affect the Company's businesses.
Those estimates are subject to risks, uncertainties and
suppositions that include, among others: general economic,
political and trade conditions in Brazil and in those
markets where the Company does business; expectations on
industry trends; the Company's investment plans; its
capacity to develop and deliver products on the dates
previously agreed upon, and existing and future
governmental regulations. The words "believe,"
"may," "is able," "will be
able," "intend," "continue,"
"anticipate," "expect" and other
similar terms are supposed to identify potentialities. The
Company does not feel compelled to publish updates nor to
revise any estimates due to new information, future events
or any other facts. In view of the inherent isks and
uncertainties, such estimates, events and circumstances may
not take place. The actual results can, therefore, differ
substantially from those previously published as Company
expectations.

    For more information, please contact:

    Brazil
     Rosana Dias,
     Embraer
     Tel:   +011-55-12-3927-1311
     Cell:  +011-55-12-9724-4929
     Fax:   +011-55-12-3927-2411
     Email: rosana.dias@embraer.com.br

    North America
     Betsy Talton,
     Embraer
     Tel:   +1-954-359-3432
     Cell:  +1-954-609-8560
     Fax:   +1-954-359-4755
     Email: btalton@embraer.com

    Europe, Middle East and Africa

     Stephane Guilbaud,
     Embraer
     Tel:   +011-33-1-4938-4455
     Cell:  +011-33-6-7522-8519
     Fax:   +011-33-1-4938-4456
     Email: sguilbaud@embraer.fr

     Catherine Fracchia,
     Embraer
     Tel:   +011-33-1-4938-4530
     Cell:  +011-33-6-7523-6903
     Fax:   +011-33-1-4938-4456
     Email: cfracchia@embraer.fr 

SOURCE  Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.
2007'02.01.Thu
Embraer Shares Market Outlook at Asian Aerospace
February 21, 2006

Senior Vice-President for Executive Aviation Sees a Flourishing Market in Asia
    SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil, Feb. 21 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/
-- Embraer (NYSE: ERJ) announced today that Luis Carlos
Affonso, the Company's Senior Vice-President for Executive
Aviation, will present its market outlook for Asia during a
press conference at the Asian Aerospace 2006, being held
Feb. 21-26 at the Changi Exhibition Centre, in Singapore. 

    "We see great potential for the business jet
market in China, Asia Pacific and the Indian subcontinent
in light of the relatively small fleet in the region
compared to its GDP," said Affonso.  "We expect
the region to account for deliveries of 250 business jets
over the next decade at an average growth rate of 9.1
percent per year, totaling US$ 3.8 billion by 2015." 

    Affonso attributes the Company's positive outlook for
this market to factors such as export-driven economies,
Japan's recovery, China's exports and investment-led
economy, as well as India's service and manufacturing
sectors' boom. 

    "Over the last 18 months, we delivered six Legacy
600 to the region, which will be joined by two more this
year, representing 10 percent of our global fleet,"
said Affonso.

    In order to meet increasing market demand, Embraer has
established sales offices in Beijing and Singapore.

    In China, Guan Dongyuan is the Director of Executive
Jets Sales.  Appointed Managing Director for China in 2000,
Dongyuan as in charge of establishing the Embraer Beijing
Representative Office, leading all the activities related
to civil aviation, including strategic planning, product
promotion, customer and government relation management, as
well as customer service. 

    "We believe the operating environment is improving
and enabling the expansion of business aviation in China. 
Embraer is strongly committed to providing the best service
to the Chinese customer through its established support
facilities and its expanding portfolio of executive
jets," said Dongyuan.

    Based out of our Singapore office, Capt. Manfred
Baudzus is the Regional Sales Director, covering India and
Asia Pacific.  With 35 years and over 11,000 hours of
flying experience, mostly in corporate jets, Capt. Baudzus
is very familiar with Asian culture and was instrumental in
bringing the first larger cabin business jets to Asia as far
back as 1992.

   "From my operational experience in this region, I
believe the Legacy 600 is very well suited for the typical
Asian mission profile.  Furthermore, the generous cabin is
just what Asian companies are looking for.  I am very
excited to be involved in this program and see a great
future for the Embraer Legacy 600 and the new Phenom family
of jets in our region," said Capt. Baudzus.

    For more information, please visit
http://www.embraerexecutivejets.com .

    This document may contain projections, statements and
estimates regarding circumstances or events yet to take
place. Those projections and estimates are based largely on
current expectations, forecasts on future events and
financial tendencies that affect the Company's businesses. 
Those estimates are subject to risks, uncertainties and
suppositions that include, among others: general economic,
political and trade conditions in Brazil and in those
markets where the Company does business; expectations on
industry trends; the Company's investment plans; its
capacity to develop and deliver products on the dates
previously agreed upon, and existing and future
governmental regulations. The words "believe,"
"may," "is able," "will be
able," "intend," "continue,"
"anticipate," "expect" and other
similar terms are supposed to identify potentialities.  The
Company does not feel compelled to publish updates nor to
revise any estimates due to new information, future events
or any other facts. In view of the inherent risks and
uncertainties, such estimates, events and circumstances may
not take place.  The actual results can, therefore, differ
substantially from those previously published as Company
expectations.

    For more information, please contact:

    In Brazil
     Rosana Dias of Embraer
     Tel:    +011-55-12-3927-1311
     Mobile: +011-55-12-9724-4929
     Fax:    +011-55-12-3927-2411
     Email:  rosana.dias@embraer.com.br

    North America
     Betsy Talton of Embraer
     Tel:    +1-954-359-3432
     Mobile: +1-954-609-8560
     Fax:    +1-954-359-4755
     Email:  btalton@embraer.com
 
    Europe, Middle East and Africa
     Stephane Guilbaud of Embraer
     Tel:    +011-33-1-4938-4455
     Mobile: +011-33-6-7522-8519
     Fax:    +011-33-1-4938-4456
     Email:  sguilbaud@embraer.fr

     Catherine Fracchia of Embraer
     Tel:    +011-33-1-4938-4530
     Mobile: +011-33-6-7523-6903
     Fax:    +011-33-1-4938-4456
     Email:  cfracchia@embraer.fr

SOURCE  Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. 
2007'02.01.Thu
Embraer Discloses Detailed 20-Year Airline Market Forecast at Asian Aerospace 2006 in Singapore
February 21, 2006

For Three Consecutive Years, Embraer Has Offered Global and Regional Information Related to Commercial Air Transport and Delivery Projections by Geographical Region and Aircraft Capacity
    SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil, Feb. 21 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/
-- Embraer (NYSE: ERJ) will distribute a detailed version of
its 2006-2025 Market Outlook at a press conference to be
held on the opening day of Asian Aerospace 2006.  The show
is in Singapore, in the Asia Pacific region, which,
together with China, will represent one-third of world air
traffic demand by 2025.

    The 20-year forecast, focused on the increasingly
important segment of commercial jet aircraft from 30 to 120
seats, details the new aircraft deliveries required to
sustain projected air travel demand growth and to replace
ageing fleets. It addresses the capacity shift between
business models as a result of regional airlines' natural
growth, right-sizing requirements from network airlines and
low-cost carriers' expansion to mid-sized markets.

    According to the forecast, increased air travel demand
will be supported by a positive economic scenario,
continued globalization and liberalization of world
economies associated with continuous reductions in average
ticket prices.  The world economy, as measured by Gross
Domestic Product, will grow on average 3 percent per year
in the 2006-2025 period, and air travel demand will grow
faster, averaging 5.1 percent. Asia Pacific's passenger
demand, supported by liberalization, and China's, by strong
economic growth, will grow above world rates, averaging 6-7
percent per year.

    Embraer foresees global demand for 7,950 jets in the 30
to 120-seat capacity segment over the next 20 years. This
market is valued at approximately US$ 180 billion.  Asia
Pacific and China will represent 13 percent of projected
world deliveries in this segment, accounting for 1,000
aircraft.


    Market Segment (Seats) 2006-2025 -- Projected Aircraft
Deliveries

                          Asia Pacific     China      
Total
    30-60                       40          180         
220
    61-90                      185          210         
395
    91-120                     185          200         
385
    Total                      410          590       
1,000


    The Embraer Market Outlook 2006-2025 report is
available online at http://www.embraer.com/outlook .

    Embraer Image Gallery
    Visit the Embraer Image Gallery at
http://www.embraer.com .

    About Embraer

    Embraer (Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.) (NYSE:
ERJ) (Bovespa: EMBR3 EMBR4) is the world's leading
manufacturer of commercial jets up to 110 seats with 36
years of experience in designing, developing,
manufacturing, selling and providing after-sales support to
aircraft for the global airline, defense and business jet
markets.  With headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, state
of Sao Paulo, the Company has offices and customer service
bases in the United States, France, Portugal, China and
Singapore. Embraer is among Brazil's leading exporting
companies.  As of December 31, 2005, Embraer had a total
workforce of 16,953 people, and its firm order backlog
totaled US$ 10.4 billion.

    This document may contain projections, statements and
estimates regarding circumstances or events yet to take
place. Those projections and estimates are based largely on
current expectations, forecasts on future events and
financial tendencies that affect the Company's businesses. 
Those estimates are subject to risks, uncertainties and
suppositions that include, among others: general economic,
political and trade conditions in Brazil and in those
markets where the Company does business; expectations on
industry trends; the Company's investment plans; its
capacity to develop and deliver products on the dates
previously agreed upon, and existing and future
governmental regulations. The words "believe,"
"may," "is able," "will be
able," "intend," "continue,"
"anticipate," "expect" and other
similar terms are supposed to identify potentialities.  The
Company does not feel compelled to publish updates nor to
revise any estimates due to new information, future events
or any other facts. In view of the inherent risks and
uncertainties, such estimates, events and circumstances may
not take place. The actual results can, therefore, differ
substantially from those previously published as Company
expectations.

    For more information, please contact:

    In Brazil
     Rosana Dias of Embraer
     Tel:    +011-55-12-3927-1311
     Mobile: +011-55-12-9724-4929
     Fax:    +011-55-12-3927-2411
     Email:  rosana.dias@embraer.com.br

    North America
     Betsy Talton of Embraer
     Tel:    +1-954-359-3432
     Mobile: +1-954-609-8560
     Fax:    +1-954-359-4755
     Email:  btalton@embraer.com
 
    Europe, Middle East and Africa
     Stephane Guilbaud of Embraer
     Tel:    +011-33-1-4938-4455
     Mobile: +011-33-6-7522-8519
     Fax:    +011-33-1-4938-4456
     Email:  sguilbaud@embraer.fr

     Catherine Fracchia of Embraer
     Tel:    +011-33-1-4938-4530
     Mobile: +011-33-6-7523-6903
     Fax:    +011-33-1-4938-4456
     Email:  cfracchia@embraer.fr

SOURCE  Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. 
2007'02.01.Thu
Reeltime Infotainment Ltd Selects SecureMedia's DRM Solution to Protect Hollywood VOD
February 21, 2006

Australia's First National IPTV Operator to Securely Offer Premier Movies From Sony Pictures, Fox, MGM, UA, Columbia and Other Major Studios
    NATICK, Mass., Feb. 21 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
SecureMedia ( http://www.securemedia.com ), the technology
leader in conditional access and digital rights management
(CA/DRM) software solutions for secure video content
delivery over IP networks, announced today that Reeltime
Infotainment Ltd has licensed SecureMedia's Encryptonite
System(R) to protect its new IPTV VOD service in Australia.
 Based on the use of the Encryptonite System, Reeltime has
secured distribution agreements for movies from Twentieth
Century Fox, Sony Pictures Entertainment, MGM, United
Artists, Columbia Pictures and other studios. 
  
    Reeltime will launch its VOD service to the public
shortly, on Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) set-top boxes and
download to PCs, via its various ISP partners.  The service
is operated by Reeltime as a "white label" on
behalf of ISPs, who market and bundle the service in
conjunction with their traditional voice and data packages.
 Reeltime's VOD transmission rights include the use of
MPEG-4/H.264 over HFC (Cable), DSL, fiber optic and twisted
pair.

    SecureMedia's Encryptonite System provides proven
persistent cryptographic protection of broadcast television
and video-on-demand (VOD) content in distribution over
broadband Internet Protocol (IP) networks.  The
Encryptonite System also provides persistent protection of
content in nPVR and PVR storage.  This scalable system
operates on a variety of hardware and operating system
platforms and features an ultra-light and
processor-efficient client for low cost integration in
resource-constrained set-top boxes and other embedded
devices.  The Encryptonite System is also "quad-play
ready" as it supports secure content distribution over
wireless networks to portable devices and mobile handsets. 


    "Reeltime aims to offer the premier VOD service in
Australia featuring the latest Hollywood blockbusters and
classic films which required us to implement a DRM system
approved by the major studios," said John Karantzis,
Managing Director of Reeltime Infotainment.  "We
evaluated every DRM system on the market and found the
Encryptonite System to offer the best combination of robust
security, operational flexibility, and efficient, low cost
operation."
    "SecureMedia is proud to be selected as the
digital content security partner for Reeltime, and we look
forward to protecting the extensive video library they have
licensed," said Fred Ellis, CEO of SecureMedia. 
"Australia is one of the fastest growing broadband
markets in the world, and we anticipate Reeltime's VOD
service will become wildly popular in short order."

    About Reeltime Infotainment Ltd 

    Further information on Reeltime can be found at
http://www.asx.com.au under stock code: FLO.  Sydney-based
Reeltime is Australia's first national IPTV operator, with
agreements secured with major Hollywood and niche studios
for distribution of commercial content over secure DSL
broadband networks.  Reeltime is a wholesale operator of
content on behalf of third party ISPs, Telcos and retail
partners.  Reeltime has secured access agreements with
Telstra Corporation Ltd for its national network, including
the consumer DSL network, and will offer its services to the
public via a digital IP based TV Set Top Box, as well as
offering alternative PC download and stream services.  

    About SecureMedia, Inc.

    SecureMedia, http://www.securemedia.com , is a leading
provider of open platform conditional access and digital
rights management (CA/DRM) software for the delivery of
video-on-demand, IPTV and other digital content over
broadband IP networks.  The Company provides a range of
content security solutions from the comprehensive
Encryptonite System(R) to software toolkits, hardware cores
and plugins for third party media delivery systems. 
SecureMedia's customers represent industry leaders and
include Cavalier Telephone, TV Sierre, Sony, NTT, BB Cable
Corp., China Data Broadcasting, Eona and RealNetworks. 
SecureMedia has offices in Boston, San Francisco and
Auckland, New Zealand with representatives in Beijing,
Seoul and Tokyo. 

    SecureMedia is a registered trademark and Encryptonite
is a trademark of SecureMedia, Inc.  All other company and
product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective owners.

    For more information, please contact:

     Michael Krems 
     Krems Public Relations
     Tel:   +1-650-759-7133
     Email: krems@kremspr.com

SOURCE  SecureMedia
2007'02.01.Thu
AAR Landing Gear Services Sdn. Bhd. Completes Certification Milestones
February 21, 2006

    SINGAPORE, Feb. 21 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- AAR (NYSE:
AIR) announced today at Asian Aerospace 2006 that AAR
Landing Gear Services Sdn. Bhd., a joint venture between
AAR International, Inc. and Malaysian aircraft maintenance
provider, AIROD Sdn. Bhd., received certification from the
Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and passed its
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification audit. 
Achieving these regulatory milestones enables the business
to commence operations and begin serving customers in the
Asia Pacific region from the new landing gear MRO facility
based in Malaysia.

    "Earning the DCA certification and passing the FAA
certification audit are important regulatory milestones that
serve as a testament to the hard work and collaboration of
the AAR and AIROD team," said Mickey Cohen, Vice
President of Operations and Engineering for AAR. 
"These milestones underscore AAR's commitment to
regulatory compliance, operational excellence and
airworthiness for our customers in the Asia Pacific
region."

    It is at Kuala Lumpur's Subang Airport that the new
landing gear joint venture will maintain and overhaul
commercial landing gear assemblies.  AAR currently operates
13 certified repair stations around the world, including a
landing gear facility based in Miami, Florida, U.S. that
performs maintenance, repairs, overhauls and exchanges for
Boeing, Airbus and a variety of other commercial and
regional aircraft. 

    AAR maintains an excellent 54-year safety record and
views these accomplishments as important parts of the
Company's overall managed quality system.  With these
regulatory milestones complete, AAR Landing Gear Services
Sdn. Bhd. is now focusing on obtaining its European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification and attracting
new aviation customers in the fast-growing Asian
marketplace.

    About AAR

    AAR is a leading provider of products and value-added
services to the worldwide aviation/aerospace industry. 
With facilities and sales locations around the world, AAR
uses its close-to-the-customer business model to serve
airline and defense customers through four operating
segments: Aviation Supply Chain; Maintenance, Repair and
Overhaul; Structures and Systems and Aircraft Sales and
Leasing. More information can be found at
http://www.aarcorp.com .

    About AIROD

    AIROD Sdn. Bhd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of National
Aerospace & Defense Industries (NADI), performs
aircraft maintenance and overhauls for military and
commercial aviation fleet operators.  Airod also operates a
landing gear repair facility in Malaysia that services the
Royal Malaysian Air Force.

    This press release contains certain statements relating
to future results, which are forward-looking statements as
that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements are
based on beliefs of Company management, as well as
assumptions and estimates based on information currently
available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from historical results or those anticipated,
including those factors discussed under Item 7, entitled
"Factors Which May Affect Future Results",
included in the Company's May 31, 2005 Form 10-K.  Should
one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize
adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates
prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from
those described. These events and uncertainties are
difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are
beyond the Company's control.  The Company assumes no
obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions
that may be made to any forward-looking statements to
reflect events or circumstances after the date of such
statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or
unanticipated events.  For additional information, see the
comments included in AAR's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. 

    For more information, please contact:

     Chris Mason
     Director of Corporate Communications, of AAR
     Tel:   +1-630-227-2062
     Email: chris.mason@aarcorp.com

SOURCE  AAR
2007'02.01.Thu
CNH Provides Additional Outlook
February 21, 2006

    LAKE FOREST, Ill., Feb. 21 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- CNH
Global N.V. (NYSE: CNH) today reaffirmed the outlook for
2006 provided in its press release dated January 25, 2006,
and stated that it is comfortable with the average of the
analysts' estimates on First Call of approximately $1.20
for its 2006 full-year diluted earnings per share before
restructuring.

    CNH Case New Holland is a world leader in the
agricultural and construction equipment businesses.
Supported by 11,400 dealers in 160 countries, CNH brings
together the knowledge and heritage of its Case and New
Holland brand families with the strength and resources of
its worldwide commercial, industrial, product support and
finance organizations.  More information about CNH and its
Case and New Holland products can be found online at
http://www.cnh.com .

    Forward-looking statements. This press release includes
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All
statements other than statements of historical fact
contained in this press release, including statements
regarding our competitive strengths, business strategy,
future financial position, budgets, projected costs and
plans and objectives of management, are forward-looking
statements.  These statements may include terminology such
as "may," "will," "expect,",
"could", "should," "intend,"
"estimate," "anticipate,"
"believe," "outlook,"
"continue," "remain," "on
track," "comfortable with,"
"design," "target,"
"objective," "goal," or similar
terminology.

    Our outlook is predominantly based on our
interpretation of what we consider key economic assumptions
and involves risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ.  Crop production and commodity prices are
strongly affected by weather and can fluctuate
significantly.  Housing starts and other construction
activity are sensitive to interest rates and government
spending.  Some of the other significant factors for us
include general economic and capital market conditions, the
cyclical nature of our business, customer buying patterns
and preferences, foreign currency exchange rate movements,
our hedging practices, our and our customers' access to
credit, actions by rating agencies concerning the ratings
on our debt and asset backed securities and the ratings of
Fiat S.p.A., risks related to our relationship with Fiat
S.p.A., political uncertainty and civil unrest or war in
various areas of the world, pricing, product initiatives
and other actions taken by competitors, disruptions in
production capacity, excess inventory levels, the effect of
changes in laws and regulations (including government
subsidies and international trade regulations),
technological difficulties, results of our research and
development activities, changes in environmental laws,
employee and labor relations, pension and health care
costs, relations with and the strength of our dealers, the
cost and availability of supplies from our suppliers, raw
material costs and availability, energy prices, real estate
values, animal diseases, crop pests, harvest yields,
government farm programs and consumer confidence, housing
starts and construction activity, concerns related to
modified organisms and fertilizer costs.  Additionally, our
achievement of the anticipated benefits of our profit
improvement initiatives depends upon, among other things,
industry volumes as well as our ability to effectively
rationalize our operations and to execute our dual brand
strategy.  Further information concerning factors that
could significantly affect expected results is included in
our Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2004.

    We can give no assurance that the expectations
reflected in our forward-looking statements will prove to
be correct. Our actual results could differ materially from
those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.  All
written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to
us are expressly qualified in their entirety by the factors
we disclose that could cause our actual results to differ
materially from our expectations.  We undertake no
obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking
statements.

    For more information, please contact:

     Thomas Witom
     News and Information
     Tel: +1-847-955-3939

     Albert Trefts, Jr. 
     Investor Relations
     Tel: +1-847-955-3821

SOURCE  CNH Global N.V.
2007'02.01.Thu
Avian Influenza: Significance of Mutations in the H5N1 Virus
February 21, 2006

 

    GENEVA, Feb. 21 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Several recent
media reports have included speculations about the
significance of mutations in H5N1 avian influenza viruses. 
Some reports have suggested that the likelihood of another
pandemic may have increased as a result of changes in the
virus.

    (Logo: 
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040610/CNTH001LOGO )

    Since 1997, when the first human infections with the
H5N1 avian influenza virus were documented, the virus has
undergone a number of changes.

    These changes have affected patterns of virus
transmission and spread among domestic and wild birds. 
They have not, however, had any discernible impact on the
disease in humans, including its modes of transmission. 
Human infections remain a rare event.  The virus does not
spread easily from birds to humans or readily from person
to person.

    Influenza viruses are inherently unstable.  As these
viruses lack a genetic proof-reading mechanism, small
errors that occur when the virus copies itself go
undetected and uncorrected.  Specific mutations and
evolution in influenza viruses cannot be predicted, making
it difficult if not impossible to know if or when a virus
such as H5N1 might acquire the properties needed to spread
easily and sustainably among humans.  This difficulty is
increased by the present lack of understanding concerning
which specific mutations would lead to increased
transmissibility of the virus among humans.
 
    Animal viruses

    Virtually all the known subtypes of influenza A viruses
circulate in some wild birds, most notably wild waterfowl. 
In these birds, different viruses constantly mingle with
each other and frequently exchange genetic material,
resulting in a huge pool of constantly changing viruses. 
Mutations and reassortment events are commonly observed in
the affected bird populations.

    In animals, some recent evolutionary changes in the
H5N1 virus appear to have made control efforts more
difficult and further international spread of the virus in
birds more likely.  Such changes are fully understandable,
particularly in view of the exceptionally large number of
birds that have been infected with the H5N1 virus and the
frequent interactions between infected free-ranging poultry
and wild waterfowl.

    Studies have shown that H5N1 viruses from the current
outbreaks, when compared with viruses from 1997 and 2003,
have become progressively more lethal in experimentally
infected chickens and mice, and are also hardier, surviving
several days longer in the environment.  Other studies have
shown that the virus is not yet fully adapted to poultry
and is continuing to evolve.

    Domestic ducks have acquired an ability to resist the
disease caused by some strains, and are now capable of
excreting large quantities of highly pathogenic virus
without showing the warning signs of illness.  In endemic
countries, this altered role of domestic ducks is now
thought to contribute to perpetuation of the transmission
cycle.  Research conducted in South-east Asia has recently
shown that multiple distinct lineages of H5N1 virus have
become established in poultry in different geographical
regions, indicating the long-term endemicity of the virus
in parts of Asia.  That research also detected highly
pathogenic H5N1 virus in apparently healthy migratory
birds.  

    In birds, one important recent finding has been the
remarkable similarity of viruses from recent outbreaks to
those isolated from migratory birds that began dying at the
Qinghai Lake nature reserve in central China in late April
2005.  Evidence is mounting that this event, which resulted
in the deaths of more than 6,000 wild birds, signalled an
important change in the way the virus interacts with its
natural reservoir host.

    Unlike the case with mutations of human viruses (some
of which have been transient), it appears that some changes
have become fixed in viruses circulating in at least some
species of wild birds.

    Prior to the Qinghai Lake event, the highly pathogenic
H5N1 virus was known to cause occasional sporadic deaths in
migratory waterfowl, but not to kill them in large numbers
or be carried by them over long distances.

    Viruses from Qinghai Lake showed a distinctive mutation
at one site experimentally associated with greater lethality
in birds and mice.  Viruses from the most recent outbreaks,
in Nigeria, Iraq, and Turkey, as well as from earlier
outbreaks in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia, are
virtually identical to Qinghai Lake viruses.

    It is considered unusual for an avian influenza virus
causing outbreaks in birds to remain this genetically
stable over so many months.  This finding raises the
possibility that the virus -- in its highly pathogenic form
-- has now adapted to at least some species of migratory
waterfowl and is co-existing with these birds in
evolutionary equilibrium, causing no apparent harm, and
travelling with these birds along their migratory routes.

    If further research verifies this hypothesis,
re-introduction of the virus or spread to new geographical
areas can be anticipated when migratory birds begin
returning to their breeding areas.

    The recent appearance of the virus in birds in a
rapidly growing number of countries is of public health
concern, as it expands opportunities for human exposures
and infections to occur.  These opportunities increase when
the virus spreads from wild to domestic birds, especially
when these birds are kept as backyard flocks in close
proximity to humans.

    To date, no human cases have been linked to exposure to
wild birds. Close contact with infected poultry and other
domestic birds remains the most important source of human
infections.

    Human viruses

    Some mutations have been detected in human viruses
isolated in 2005 and, most recently, in one virus isolated
from a fatal case in the January 2006 outbreak in Turkey. 
Although these mutations were found at the receptor-binding
site and involved the substitution of more mammalian-like
amino acids, the effect of these changes on
transmissibility of the virus, either from birds to humans
or from one person to another, is not fully understood.
Moreover, recent studies show that these mutations were
transient and did not become fixed in the circulating
viruses.

    Scientists do not presently know which specific
mutations are needed to make the H5N1 virus easily and
sustainably transmissible among humans.  For example, it is
not known whether the absence of a specific receptor in
humans for this purely avian virus is responsible for the
present lack of efficient human-to-human transmission.  For
this reason, virological evidence of mutational changes must
be assessed together with epidemiological information about
transmission patterns actually occurring in human
populations.  This necessity further underscores the
importance of close surveillance and thorough investigation
during every outbreak involving human cases.

    Assessments of the outbreak in Turkey, conducted by WHO
investigative teams, have produced no convincing evidence
that mutations have altered the epidemiology of the disease
in humans, which was similar to the pattern consistently
seen in affected parts of Asia.  There is no evidence, at
present, from any outbreak site that the virus has
increased its ability to spread easily from one person to
another. 

    http://www.who.int/csr/2006_02_20/en/print.html
 
 
    Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian
    Influenza A/(H5N1) Reported to WHO
 
    20 February 2006

     Country      2003         2004         2005       
2006         Total 
              cases deaths cases deaths cases deaths cases
deaths cases deaths 

     Cambodia   0     0      0     0      4     4      0   
 0      4     4 
     China      0     0      0     0      8     5      4   
 3     12     8 
     Indonesia  0     0      0     0     17    11      9   
 8     26    19 
     Iraq       0     0      0     0      0     0      1   
 1      1     1 
     Thailand   0     0     17    12      5     2      0   
 0     22    14 
     Turkey     0     0      0     0      0     0     12   
 4     12     4 
     Viet Nam   3     3     29    20     61    19      0   
 0     93    42 
     Total      3     3     46    32     95    41     26   
16    170    92 
 
     Total number of cases includes number of deaths.
     WHO reports only laboratory-confirmed cases.
    
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/cases_table_2006_02_20/en/print.html

    For more information, please contact:

     Aphaluck Bhatiasevi
     Communications Officer
     World Health Organization (China)
     Mobile: +86-1361-117-4072 
     Tel:    +86-10-6532-5687 
     Fax:    +86-10-6532-2359 
     Email:  bhatiasevia@chn.wpro.who.int 

SOURCE  World Health Organization
2007'02.01.Thu
Arrow Asia Pac FAEs Receive Design Win Awards from Freescale
February 20, 2006

    HONG KONG, Feb. 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Arrow Asia
Pac's FAE team received a number of Design Win awards from
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (Freescale) for its
outstanding performance in demand creation at a recent
Freescale Distributors' Conference.

    "Finding and growing business opportunities in
mass markets is critical to success in today's business
environment," said Andy Lim, Freescale Distribution
Director for Asia Pacific.  "Arrow is certainly moving
in the right direction working closely with customers to
address their requirements.  Arrow and Freescale are
winning joint business through their strong
partnership." 
 
    Mike Ilcesin from Arrow Australia and Bertier Tse from
Arrow Hong Kong each won an LCD TV in the design contest. 
Nathan Choi from Arrow Korea, Victor Zhang from Arrow
China, YC Chou and Waygen Hsu from Arrow Taiwan were each
awarded "One Million Club" certificates from
Freescale for outstanding demand creation results.

    "We are excited about receiving these awards. 
They recognize our strong technical capability and focus on
demand creation.  We appreciate the tremendous support from
Freescale and look forward to continuing our strong and
valuable relationship," said David Shen, Vice
President, Technical Marketing, Arrow Asia Pac Ltd.

    About Freescale Semiconductor

    Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE: FSL; FSL.B) is a
global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded
semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial,
networking and wireless markets.  Freescale became a
publicly traded company in July 2004 after more than 50
years as part of Motorola, Inc.  The company is based in
Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development,
manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30
countries.  Freescale, a member of the S&P 500(r), is
one of the world's largest semiconductor companies with
2005 sales of $5.8 billion (USD). http://www.freescale.com
.

    About Arrow Asia Pac

    A subsidiary of Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: ARW),
Arrow Asia Pac is one of Asia Pacific's leading electronic
component distributors.  In addition to its regional
headquarters in Hong Kong, Arrow Asia Pac operates 41 sales
offices, three primary distribution centers and ten local
warehousing facilities in eleven countries/territories
across Asia.

    Providing a full range of semiconductors, passive,
electromechanical and connectors products from over 60
leading international suppliers, Arrow Asia Pac serves more
than 10,000 original equipment and contract manufacturers
and commercial customers in Asia Pacific.  Visit us at
http://www.arrowasia.com .

    For more information, please contact:		

     Ray Leung
     Marketing Communications Director 
     Arrow Asia Pac Ltd.
     Tel:   +852-2484-2683		
     Email: ray.leung@arrowasia.com

     Grace Kung
     Marketing Communications Manager
     Tel:   +852-2484-2682
     Email: grace.kung@arrowasia.com

SOURCE  Arrow Asia Pac Ltd.
2007'02.01.Thu
Commercial Real Estate in China -- A Hot Topic for this Year's CoreNet Global Asia Summit
February 20, 2006

Property Experts will Highlight and Explore Emerging Trends and Developments Affecting China's Commercial Real Estate Market
    HONG KONG, Feb. 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The status of
China's corporate real estate market, including emerging
trends and opportunities, will come under the spotlight
this year at the 4th annual CoreNet Global Asia Summit
scheduled to take place at the Grand Hyatt Beijing on March
28-30, 2006.

    In response to continued upward real estate trends and
growth opportunities in China, the CoreNet Global summit
will feature a leading panel of top corporate practitioners
who will share knowledge and insight on how to successfully
navigate China's lucrative commercial property market.

    Topics on the agenda will include discussions on key
issues, as well as real-time examples of commercial real
estate deals and structuring considerations relevant to
China.  The forum will also update participants with an
overview of the Chinese corporate property market, the
challenges and opportunities, plus recent government
initiatives and actions. 

    A highlight of the programme will feature Ms. Lois
Dougan Tretiak, Vice President and Director, China for the
Economist Corporate Network and a widely regarded authority
on productive business activity in a complex and
ever-changing China, who will present a special keynote on
"Risks and Rewards in a More Open China."

    The China theme will continue with the presentation of
two specialist educational tracks, that entitled,
"Beijing and Beyond: The Risks and Rewards of
Alternative Location Strategies", and "Green
Buildings in China: Creating New Standards for
Sustainability", are designed to provide knowledge to
help corporations make more informed real estate
decisions.

    Commenting on this year's Summit Mr. Meng-chew Ching,
Chair of the China Chapter for CoreNet Global stated that
he welcomed the staging of the event in Beijing,
particularly at a time when good quality buildings in the
eastern part of Beijing were continuing to draw the
attention of foreign and renowned domestic companies.

    In a recent report published by Colliers International,
in terms of the en-bloc sales market, 2005 was a strong year
for Beijing.  Overseas property funds and investors acquired
office buildings for long-term investment, whilst domestic
corporations purchased buildings for own occupation.

    Due to this active sales market and strong leasing
market, the Collier's report comments that total net
absorption in 2005 reached 540,000 square metres. 

    The average asking rental in Beijing for Q4, 2005 was
US$ 28.37 per square metre per month (inclusive of property
management fees) 6% higher than the same period in the
previous year.  This was in part attributed to the
appreciation of the Renminbi.

    According to Mr. Ching, the portfolio of seasoned
industry experts who will speak at this year's CoreNet
Global Asia Summit will include: Ms. Marilyn H. Tam M.S,
Chief Executive, Change-Agent and Author; Mr. Paul Hoffert,
Technology Visionary; and Ms. Katherine Tsang, China CEO,
Standard Chartered.

    In terms of sponsorship, Mr. Ching also noted that CB
Richard Ellis, Colliers International, Ascendas, Divyasree
Developers, DTZ Debenham Tie Leung, Haworth, Hewlett
Packard, Hongkong Land, HOK, Jones Lang LaSalle, K. Raheja
Corp, Motorola, Nokia, ReGenesis Project, RMZ Corp, Johnson
Controls, ISG Asia, Steelcase, Sienna Commercial Quingdao,
SOS, Taipei 101 and NAI Global had all committed their
support.

    The CoreNet Global Asia Summit will be held at the
Grand Hyatt Beijing on March 28-30, 2006.  Interested
parties can register for the summit by contacting Ms.
Eleanor Estacio on (1) 404 589 3217 /
eestacio@corenetglobal.org , or Ms. Jennifer Gao on (8621)
6122 1251 / jgao@corenetglobal.org .  Alternatively, please
visit http://www.corenetglobal.org for details.

    Notes

    Arrangements for the appearance of Ms. Marilyn Tam are
made through BigSpeak Inc., Santa Barbara CA,
http://www.BigSpeak.com .

    About CoreNet Global

    CoreNet Global is the world's premier association for
corporate real estate and related professionals. 
Headquartered in Atlanta, USA, the global learning
organization is the industry thought and opinion leader,
plus the only professional real estate group that convenes
the entire industry.

    Today, CoreNet Global's members manage US $1.2 trillion
in worldwide corporate assets totaling 700 billion square
feet of owned and leased office, industrial and other
space.  With 7,500 members representing large organizations
around the world, CoreNet Global operates in five global
regions: Asia/Japan, Australia, Europe, Latin American and
North America including Canada. 

    For more information, please visit the CoreNet Global
website at http://www.corenetglobal.org .

    For more information, please contact:
  
    RFP							
     Janet Middlemiss				             
     Tel:   +852-2857-3832 / +852-9195-7829
     Fax:   +852-2840-1284 	 
     Email: jm@rfpmagazine.com  

    CoreNet Global			
     Jennifer Gao
     Tel:   +86-21-6122-1251				                         
     Fax:   +86-21-6122-1481           
     Email: jgao@corenetglobal.org

SOURCE  CoreNet Global
2007'02.01.Thu
Magma Presents the Latest Mobile Game Named "Explorer"
February 20, 2006

    SHANGHAI, China, Feb. 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Magma
Digital Technology Co., Ltd. announces that a new mobile
game named "Explorer," which is integrated with
"Super Girl" Zhang Liangying, is coming to the
market this week.  It is the first time for a member of
China's "Super Girls" to appear in a mobile game.
 
    "Explorer" is co-published by Hurray!, the
leading digital entertainment company in china, and Magma,
the leading mobile games publisher.  It is a typical action
game, which relies on strong team cooperation.  

    The game tells an interesting story of how the
beautiful and long-suffering archaeologist named Liangying
and her assistant succeed in stopping theft and crime
occurring in the Qing mausoleum.  They exert their
capabilities and cooperate closely with each other using
diversified tools to help them reach the finale. 

    The vice president of Hurray!, Xu Xunguang, expressed
that the combination of a "Super Girl" and the
mobile games environment would deliver courage and positive
elements to users.  He also believes that the elements'
combination will bring more pleasantly surprising and
better gaming experiences to the customers.

    As a leading wireless Java games explorer and
publisher, Magma has a team with impressive wireless game
developing experience.  They have developed about 260 kinds
of original games, including `YY-Cat,' `PQ-Piggy' and other
popular games.  Customers can log onto the webpage
http://www.monternet.com to download the Mobile game
"Explorer."

    Brief Introduction of Hurray!

    Hurray! provides wireless value-added services such as
ringtones, picture downloads, community and entertainment
services to mobile phone users in China.  They are one of
the market leaders, in terms of revenue, in providing these
services using wireless application protocol, commonly
referred to as WAP, in China.  WAP services are offered
through the advanced second generation, or 2.5G, mobile
networks in China.  We also offer these services to mobile
phone users through second-generation, or 2G, mobile
networks in China. 

    Brief Introduction of Magma

    Magma is a leading wireless entertainment application
publisher of Java-based mobile games in China.  Since its
inception in 2001, Magma has not only successfully
developed approximately 260 original in-house games
including its signature branded series, `YY-Cat' and
`PQ-Piggy' but also created many popular games of which
`Han Dynasty' and `108 Heroes' are its flagship products. 
Magma has established close strategic partnerships
world-wide with a lot of well-known companies.  Beyond
this, Magma is continuously striving to expand in
international markets such as Asia-Pacific, Europe and
North America.  Magma aims to provide unlimited mobile
entertainment through high-quality games for all global
users! 

    For more information, please contact: 

     Liao Jiannian
     Magma Digital Technology Co., Ltd.
     Tel:     +86-21-5228-0720 x803
     Mobile:  +86-130-3215-9855
     Email:   billshanghai@hotmail.com
     Website: http://www.magma-land.com

SOURCE  Magma Digital Technology Co., Ltd.

2007'02.01.Thu
Shanghai Jinshan District Publishes `A Collection of Baijiao's Calligraphy and Painting'
February 20, 2006

    SHANGHAI, China, Feb. 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Shanghai Jinshan District Government announces that "A
Collection of Baijiao's Calligraphy and Painting" was
recently published.  The book was compiled by Shanghai
Jinshan District Museum, and published by the Shanghai
Calligraphy and Painting Publishing House, and contained
inscriptions written by Chen Bianjun, director of Shanghai
Museum.  

    Mr Baijiao is a celebrity born in Jinshan and is one of
the key members of the South House.  Born in Zhangyan,
Jinshan in 1907, he kept on improving himself in his
lifetime and made a great many achievements in the field of
calligraphy and painting.  He is a Shanghai styled
calligrapher and painting artist of modern times.  Shanghai
Museum have collected more than 100 pieces of Baijiao's
calligraphy and painting works in the past five years
through various channels, which fully exhibits Mr Baijiao's
artistic style in different creation periods.  On the 100th
anniversary of Baijiao's birthday, this collection is
compiled to express fellow villagers' respect and
commemoration of this calligraphy and painting master, and
provide abundant exhibits for the "South House
Memorial Hall" that is under construction.

    About Jinshan District

    Jinshan, one of the 19 districts (counties) of
Shanghai, is located in the southwest of the city, north of
the Hangzhou Bay and west of Zhejiang Province.  It is
situated at the hub of the economic region linking
Shanghai, Hangzhou and Ningbo, and is inside the geographic
ring of the Yangtze River Delta that is only a two hours
drive away.  

    Jinshan District has a total land area of 586 square
kilometers (about 226 square miles), equivalent to that of
Singapore, and a population of 550,000.  It has rich
natural and cultural heritages, including beautiful beach
lines, famous traditional peasant paintings, black ceramic
arts and crafts, and a world-renowned petrochemical base.

    For more information, please contact:

     Wang Ren of Shanghai Jinshan District Government
     Tel:   +86-21-5792-1325
     Fax:   +86-21-5792-1100
     Email: jsqzhk@sohu.com

SOURCE  General Office of the People's Government of
Jinshan

2007'02.01.Thu
Columbia Business School Dean Glenn Hubbard to Speak at Executive Education Seminar on Real Estate and Securitization in Asia
February 17, 2006

Event Co-hosted by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
    NEW YORK, Feb. 17 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Columbia
Business School today announced it will present a special
Executive Education seminar on Real Estate and
Securitization in Asia on Monday, March 6, 2006, 2:30 -
7:30 PM at the JW Marriott Hotel in Hong Kong.  The seminar
is co-hosted by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
(HKGCC). 

    R. Glenn Hubbard, Dean of Columbia Business School and
the Russell L. Carson Professor of Finance and Economics,
will open the one-day presentation with an overview of the
global economic outlook including a perspective on interest
rates and the real estate market.

    "Real estate has played an integral role in
shaping the U.S. and global economies, and it will continue
to do so in the emerging markets throughout Asia," says
Dean Hubbard. "Columbia Business School is dedicated to
leading a worldwide information exchange among business
leaders, linking academic thought leadership and the
marketplace. This real estate seminar is another example of
the global breadth of our executive education programs and
commitment to sharing our expertise with the international
business community." 

    Chris Mayer, the Paul Milstein Professor of Real Estate
and Director of the Milstein Center for Real Estate,
Columbia Business School, will speak on REITs (Real Estate
Investment Trusts) focusing on lessons learned in the U.S.
REIT markets and what can be applied to Asian markets as
they expand REITs and real estate debt securitization.

    Professor Mayer will also lead a panel discussion on
real estate markets in Hong Kong, China and Singapore,
looking at market trends and the outlook for REITs in Asia.


    Participants on the panel include: 

    * Mr. Pua Seck Guan, CEO, CapitaMall Trust Management
Ltd.

    * Mr. Victor So, CEO, The Link REIT 

    * Mr. Zain Fancy, Executive Director, Morgan Stanley
Real Estate, Asia 
      Pacific

    "Sophisticated investment instruments such as
REITs and securitized debt, commonplace around the world,
are having an increasing influence on real estate practices
and the marketplace," says Professor Mayer, a
recognized expert in real estate. "Our panelists will
provide insight into the rapidly developing Asian real
estate market, including REITs, and discuss what can be
learned from the growth of public real estate markets in
the U.S."

    Dr. Eden Woon, CEO of the Hong Kong General Chamber of
Commerce notes, "We are proud to join with Columbia
Business School in presenting this forum to our membership
and other interested individuals. With real estate an
integral part of the Hong Kong and Asian economies, this
seminar presents a remarkable opportunity for anyone
interested in real estate in Asia."

    To attend the Seminar, please contact Sandy So of the
HKGCC by fax: (852) 2527-9843, telephone: (852) 2823-1262
or email: sandy@chamber.org.hk .
 
    About REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts)

    A REIT is a company that invests in real estate
directly, either through properties or mortgaged
securities. REIT shares are traded on the major exchanges
and often feature high dividend payouts. Equity REITS
invest in and own properties (thus responsible for the
equity or value of their real estate assets). Their
revenues come principally from their properties' rents.
Mortgage REITs deal in investment and ownership of property
mortgages. These REITs loan money for mortgages to owners of
real estate, or invest in (purchase) existing mortgages or
mortgage backed securities. Their revenues are generated
primarily by the interest that they earn on the mortgage
loans. Individuals can either invest in REITs by purchasing
their shares directly or by investing in a mutual fund that
specializes in public real estate.

    About Columbia Business School Executive Education

    Consistently top-ranked in executive education,
Columbia Business School Executive Education offers
programs that deliver a global perspective on the latest
theories and trends driving business around the world.
Among the executive education offerings are open enrollment
programs for individuals and customized programs to meet
specific corporate goals.  Columbia Executive Education is
located on the Columbia University campus in New York
City.

    To cover the Seminar, for more information, or to speak
with Dean Hubbard or Professor Mayer, please contact Davia
Temin or Jane Trombley of Temin and Company at 212-588-8788
or news@teminandco.com .

    For more information, please contact:

     Davia Temin or Jane Trombley 
     Temin and Company 
     Tel:    +1-212-588-8788
     Email:  news@teminandco.com

SOURCE  Columbia Business School

2007'02.01.Thu
Shanghai Jinshan "Fengjing Peasants' Paintings Village" to Open on May 1
February 17, 2006

    SHANGHAI, China, Feb. 17 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Shanghai Jinshan District Government announces that after a
period of construction, one of the key tourism projects of
Jinshan district -- "Fengjing Peasants' Paintings
Village" phase I -- has taken form.

    By taking into account the needs of "village
tours" from various perspectives and through
integrating supply, exhibitions, sightseeing and shopping,
the village has been constructed.  Sightseeing, having
meals with the locals, and enjoying the hospitality of
local families leaves a sense of enormous satisfaction on
the visitors.  The whole project of the "Fengjing
Peasants' Paintings Village" is composed of five
families and covers an area of 40 mu (about 2.7 hectares). 
The project is scheduled to formally open on May 1st this
year.

    The main focal point of the "Fengjing Peasants'
Paintings Village" consists of 8 buildings.  As
tourists enter the gatehouse they will come across the
reception center, and by following the path they will then
enter a quadrangle, which mimics famous architecture of the
region, with black bricks, long windows and wooden doors. 
Covering an area of several hundred square meters, the
quadrangle will be used as the exhibition hall for the
peasant's paintings, showcasing the prize-winning works of
the Jinshan peasants.  North of the exhibition hall there
are five newly built homes, including guest rooms, a
cooking stove, and a small yard in the middle.  The
architecture will make tourists feel like that they have
returned to the 1930's and are enjoying life south of the
Yangtze River.

    About Jinshan District

    Jinshan, one of the 19 districts (counties) of
Shanghai, is located in the southwest of the city, north of
the Hangzhou Bay and west of Zhejiang Province.  It is
situated at the hub of the economic region linking
Shanghai, Hangzhou and Ningbo, and is inside the geographic
ring of the Yangtze River Delta that is only a two hours
drive away.  

    Jinshan District has a total land area of 586 square
kilometers (about 226 square miles), equivalent to that of
Singapore, and a population of 550,000.  It has rich
natural and cultural heritages, including beautiful beach
lines, famous traditional peasant paintings, black ceramic
arts and crafts, and a world-renowned petrochemical base.

    For more information, please contact:

     Wang Ren of Shanghai Jinshan District Government
     Tel:   +86-21-5792-1325
     Fax:   +86-21-5792-1100
     Email: jsqzhk@sohu.com

SOURCE  General Office of the People's Government of
Jinshan

2007'02.01.Thu
Avnet Electronics Marketing Selects Data I/O FlashCORE(TM) Automated Programming Solutions for Worldwide Services
February 16, 2006

    REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 16 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Data
I/O(R) (Nasdaq: DAIO), the leading provider of manual and
automated programming systems announced today that Avnet
Electronics Marketing has recently installed multiple Data
I/O automated systems in their Value Added Programming
centers in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

    The increased consumption of programmable high-density
Flash memory and microcontrollers has driven the need for
significantly advanced programming and socketing technology
as well as higher speed automated handling systems.

    "This significant investment by Avnet in Data
I/O's FlashCORE technology represents a fundamental change
in Avnet's ability to support the latest device
technologies and packages," said Bruce Rodgers, Data
I/O Vice President of Sales & Marketing Americas /
Asia.  "The PS family that Avnet has installed also
provides important flexibility in system configurations
allowing Avnet to respond more efficiently to the wide mix
of devices supported by their programming services."

    "Avnet has utilized Data I/O's automated systems
for some time, but this investment in these multiple
systems is due to a careful trade study from which we
determined Data I/O's systems represent the best match with
our current and future requirements in both programming
technology and capacity. Continuing to utilize these
capabilities will undoubtedly prove to be a 
huge advantage for our customers when servicing their
needs," noted Jim Mooney, Director of Operations for
Avnet Electronics Marketing.  "It is also important
for us to optimize Avnet's ability to support customers on
a worldwide basis. Leveraging Data I/O's strong
relationships with leading semiconductor companies on an
international level will help us achieve that goal."

    The FlashCORE high-speed programming architecture
provides a common platform for all systems in the PS family
including the PS288FC, PS300, and PS588 high-speed automated
systems.  Based on a modular concept, all systems share the
same user interface, programmers, consumables, algorithms
and job creation and management software systems.  This
modularity enhances productivity and significantly reduces
the cost of changeovers in a high mix environment.  Modular
feeder options for tray, tape and tube are also available,
increasing compatibility and useability, and protecting the
customer investment.

    About Avnet Programming Centers

    A large percentage of components purchased by Avnet
Electronics Marketing customers require customization.
Avnet performs a wide range of services within their
Logistic Centers, including IC programming, connector and
cable assembly, tape & reel, customized packaging,
integration, and light manufacturing and assembly.

    Avnet Programming Centers operate in all global
regions, and support programmable technologies such as
PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, PLD, FPGA and microcontrollers.
Avnet's programming centers provide a range of services
including first article and prototype builds, volume device
programming, application of customer laser or label
identification, tape and reel, and lead inspection. State
of the art automated pick and place systems are designed
for a variety of packaging types, including DIP, PLCC, LCC
QFP, TQFP, SOIC, TSOP, QFN, MLF and BGA.

    About Data I/O 

    With more than 32 years of innovative leadership in the
device programming industry, Data I/O Corporation(R)
(Nasdaq: DAIO) provides manual and automated device
programming systems that specifically address the
requirements of engineering and manufacturing operations.
FlashCORE(TM) is the architecture behind a family of Flash
programmers that deliver the highest throughput and lowest
cost per programmed device. For other than Flash devices,
the MultiSyte and UniSite families provide universal
support and versatility to address a wide variety of
programming needs. Data I/O Corporation is headquartered in
Redmond, Washington, and has sales and service offices
worldwide. For more information, see http://www.dataio.com
or call 800-426-1045.

    Forward-Looking Statements 

    All company and product names mentioned may be
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders and are used for identification purposes only. The
matters discussed in this news release include
forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary
significantly. These risks include market and competitive
factors, and other risks described in the Company's most
recent annual report and/or in any of its other filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company
assumes no obligation to update the information in this
release. Reference to the Company's website above does not
constitute incorporation of any of the information thereon
into this press release. 

    For more information, please contact:

    Bruce Rodgers 
    Data I/O Corporation
    Tel:   +1-425-867-6893                                 
     
    Email: rodgerb@data-io.com  

    Dennis McFarland 
    Goldstein Group Communications 
    Tel:   +1-216-573-2300
    Email: dmcfarland@ggcomm.com

    Mary Kerimi 
    Avnet Programming Services
    Tel:   +1-530-470-8848
    Email: Mary.Kerimi@avnet.com                           
                                                            
                                                            
       
SOURCE  Data I/O Corporation
2007'02.01.Thu
Tut Systems Expands Sales Channels Into China
February 16, 2006

Partners With IPTV-CETC to Develop High-Growth Chinese IPTV Market
    LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., Feb. 16 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Tut
Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: TUTS), an industry leader enabling
the delivery of next-generation data and video services
over broadband networks, today announced that it has
expanded its distribution relationships in the Chinese
telecommunications market through a relationship with the
CETC-IPTV.

    CETC-IPTV, a part of CETC (China Electronic Technology
Group Corporation), has a long history of providing
high-technology solutions to telecommunications and cable
operators throughout mainland China and has more than
50,000 employees.  CETC-IPTV will use its vast sales
network and system integration capabilities throughout
China to deliver IPTV solutions powered by Tut Systems
Astria(R) content processor (CP).  CETC-IPTV is responsible
for researching, consulting, integrating, and selling
solutions for the rapidly expanding Chinese IPTV market. 
In November 2005, Light Reading predicted that China will
account for more than 25% of the world's IPTV subscribers
by 2010.

    "In identifying a solutions partner for our IPTV
business, we looked for a market leader with advanced
technology and a strong history of successful, real-world
deployments," said John Wu, Vice Chief Engineer of
CETC-IPTV.  "With an unparalleled, global IPTV
customer base dating from 1999, Tut Systems is uniquely
qualified, and we are pleased to be working together with
them in the fast-growing IPTV market in China."

    "CETC-IPTV is a welcome addition to the network of
distributors that we have built over the last decade in
China," said Bob Noonan, Vice President of Worldwide
Sales and Service for Tut Systems. "The explosion of
interest in IPTV in China is a great opportunity for both
Tut Systems and CETC-IPTV and we look forward to a long and
successful partnership."

    The Industry's Leading IPTV Platform for Telcos

    More than 160 service providers across five continents
deliver IPTV powered by Tut Systems digital headends.  The
Astria family of video processing platforms, which serves
as the core of the company's digital headend solution,
processes both analog and digital video streams from
multiple satellite and local sources in a variety of
formats.  The Astria CP supports MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC
video compression, local ad insertion, forward error
correction and provides real-time conditioning for
distribution of video and audio over any ATM, IP, or RF
broadband network.  The Astria VSP provides the highest
density, carrier class, single chassis product for the
delivery of IP video over RF broadband access networks,
including coax and FTTP (Fiber to the Premises).

    About Tut Systems, Inc.

    Tut Systems, Inc. delivers advanced content processing
and distribution products as well as comprehensive system
integration services for deploying next-generation data and
video services over broadband networks.  Service providers,
content providers and government agencies worldwide use Tut
Systems solutions to deliver broadcast-quality video over
broadband networks.  

    Tut Systems is headquartered in Lake Oswego, OR with
regional offices across North America, Europe and Asia. 
For more information visit http://www.tutsys.com or call
971-217-0400.

    NOTE:  Astria is a registered trademark of Tut Systems,
Inc. 

    For more information, please contact:

     Hilary Goetz of Tut Systems, Inc.
     Tel:   +1-971-217-0441
     Email: hgoetz@tutsys.com

SOURCE  Tut Systems, Inc.

[1055] [1056] [1057] [1058] [1059] [1060] [1061] [1062] [1063] [1064] [1065
«  BackHOME : Next »
広告
ブログ内検索
カウンター

忍者ブログ[PR]