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In Brief

Robert Gates to make three-day visit to China next month

US Defence Secretary Dr Robert Gates would visit China from January 9-12, the Chinese defence ministry said yesterday. Although Gates' visit had long been under discussion, it was the first time Beijing had confirmed the date of his trip, Xinhua said. Gates would meet Chinese leaders and 'thoroughly exchange views with his Chinese counterparts on the international and regional security situation, Sino-US bilateral and military ties, and issues of common concern', the ministry statement said. The White House had announced earlier that President Hu Jintao would visit the United States. Staff Reporter

Huge increase in maximum fine for crime involving fake invoices

Regulations on fake invoices have been revised and the maximum fine raised to 500,000 yuan (HK$587,000) from 50,000 yuan. Last month, the Ministry of Public Security said police across the country had uncovered 12,900 cases of crime involving fake invoices, and confiscated 780 million fake invoices in their efforts to contain the spread of economic crime since 2008. Invoice-related crimes had seen a 20 per cent increase year on year since 2003 on the mainland and continued to undermine the country's taxation system as well as threatening state security, the ministry said. Staff Reporter

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