China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited

Most Asian markets ended lower yesterday on fears of a possible downgrade of Greek debt. Japan's Nikkei lost 1.0 per cent while a rising yen weighed on exporters. Taiwan market fell 1.4 per cent and South Korean's Kospi declined 1.6 per cent. But China's Shanghai Composite rose 1.3 per cent, as investors were expecting an annual parliament session in March may reaffirm China's relatively loose monetary policy.

All the key markets in Asia were hurt by the debt problem of Dubai today. Japan's key Nikkei stock index opened nearly 2 percent lower Friday while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined about 3 per cent at opening with banks which are exposed to overseas assets tumbled massively.

China Eastern Airlines (HKG:0670), a leading carrier in China, has formed a strategic alliance with Alibaba Group's (HKG:1688) Alipay and Taobao subsidiaries to expand China Eastern's capability to serve more customers through e-commerce. Under the alliance, Alipay will provide online payment support for ticket sales on the China Eastern website (www.ceair.com). China Eastern will also launch a flagship store on Taobao's Taobao Mall to sell tickets directly to customers for all domestic flight routes.

China Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd (SHA:600016)(CMBC) has launched the JCB branded "CMBC - CEA Credit Card" in cooperation with China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited (HKG:0670).

Most Asian markets declined on Monday. Japan's Nikkei average tumbled 1.2% to a 26-year low, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index slumped 4.8%, the sharpest fall in the major indexes in Asia. China's Shanghai Composite was down 3.4%. But South Korea's Kospi ended 1.6% higher lifted by technology and shipbuilding sectors.

Asian markets ended mixed Tuesday as and financial stocks gained but property developers lost ground on a weak outlook for prices.