Suning, the nation's second-largest electronics chain after Gome, will open four or five branches in Hong Kong in the second half of this year, company chairman Zhang Jindong said.

"Currently, Suning is surveying the locations," Zhang was quoted by Monday's Beijing News as saying. He added that Hong Kong is expected to see no less than 10 stores overall.

Zhang also said Suning plans to open 200 stores in the mainland market this year.

Gome, Suning's biggest rival, currently has 14 stores in Hong Kong.

(China Daily March 9, 2009)