China's business press carried the following stories on Wednesday. China.org.cn has not checked the stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

Airline eyes direct ticket sales--China Business News

China Eastern Airlines, the country's third biggest carrier, yesterday signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the leading Chinese internet company, Alibaba Group that will enable the airline to bypass ticket agents that now handle about 70 percent of its bookings.

According to the agreement, Alipay, an online payment service owned by Alibaba, will support direct ticket sales from the airline's official website. In addition, China Eastern will open a ticket outlet on the internet auction site Taobao, which is also owned by Alibaba, to encourage travelers to switch to online booking.

Price surges on rising demand for imported coal—Guangzhou Daily

Statistics from Guangzhou customs show that coal imports passing through ports in Guangdong Province totaled 22.89 million tons in the first ten months of 2009, an 85.8 percent year on year.

An expert at the Guangdong Coal Transportation Society said that as imported coal prices continue to rise, coal-fired power plants will scale down coal imports and domestic coal prices will rise in tandem.

Watsons plans rapid expansion—21st Business Herald

Luo Jingren, general manager of the mainland division of Watsons, announced that the Hong Kong-based health and beauty retailer will open 500 stores on the mainland over the next two years, doubling its current number of outlets.

Watsons' mainland expansion has been gathering pace recently. In the first three quarters of this year, Watsons opened more than 150 new stores, and its sales rose by more than 25 percent, higher than its average growth rate in the Asia-Pacific area. China has become Watson's fastest growing area in terms of revenue.

Top shipbuilder aims for Shanghai listing—National Business Daily

China Shipping Industry Corporation (CSIC), China's top shipbuilding company, is seeking to sell up to 1,995 million shares in an initial public offering on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

According to its prospectus, the company will use the proceeds to expand its business and finance new projects.

The company's net asset value per share was 1.17 yuan (US$0.17) at the end of June.