This thinking could be put to the test again with the pending launch of a weekly financial magazine for the city.

The Hong Kong Economic Times' chairman Lawrence Fung Siu-bor and his team are busy working on a publication to capture the growing appetite for mainland investment.

Few details are known as people involved are coy about the project. (Interestingly, the HKET public relations executive actually preferred to ask more questions than give answers.)

However, Lai See gathers that as it appears to be modelled on Caijing in the mainland, the magazine will aim to provide macro insights on the mainland.

In the words of its creators, the soon-to-be-launched publication will focus more on industry and economic analysis rather than merely stock quotes.

It will serve to complement the existing Money Times weekly.

We hear that the venture will be a long-term commitment, even if it means it may not break-even for a few years.

It will start with a team of about a dozen editorial staff.

The HKET has a track record of producing some quality publications, such as travellers' guide U Magazine and community paper Take Me Home.

We'll be on the lookout to see if Mr Fung can make this one work as well.

Unlikely soul mates

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

That perhaps explains why the mainland's No2 mobile operator China Unicom was registered as the name for a men's condom and a women's cervical cap.

According to the national trademark's office, a Shenzhen health company submitted registration for the brand of 'Unicom' back in 2004. Its application was accepted in March this year after more than two years of due diligence.

Mobiles and condoms are similar in many ways, such as being portable, but Lai See doubts the wisdom of naming any condom after 'Unicom' because the main reason for using contraceptives is to avoid making connection.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em

Lunar New Year has come early for Sinopec's new general manager Su Shulin. Three weeks after taking up his new position, Mr Su led his management team to visit the offices of PetroChina chairman Jiang Jiemin and Sinopec chairman Fu Chenyu.

According to the Sinopec website, the oil giants indicated they wished to work closer together; earlier this year, reports had it that Sinopec and PetroChina tried to undercut each other at petrol stations.

Also, Sinopec has signed a co-operation agreement with CNOOC.

Now the price wars could be over.

First-hand experience

The rising property prices in Beijing seem to be a burning issue for citizens after the capital saw a 10 per cent jump in home prices in the first five months.

Little wonder Ministry of Land and Resources chief Xu Shaoshi was asked a tricky question in his first working media conference as to how he could afford to live in Beijing and in which area he would choose to live.

To this, Mr Xu replied: 'I already have a flat, and I have no plans to buy another at the moment - I doubt if I could afford the second one.'

We have reason to believe Mr Xu will try to stabilise housing prices - by hook or by crook.

Bond happy with new shares

One person who has benefited from Shanghai's property boom is former HSBC Holdings group chairman Sir John Bond.

Sir John, in his role as Shui On Land director, was granted half a million of the Shanghai developer's shares, along with four other members, including Leung Chun-ying and Edgar Cheng Wai-kin.

Shui On Land hit a new high yesterday, closing at HK$7.96. Each of the five directors is sitting on almost HK$4 million worth of shares.