Hello and welcome to this edition of 
Biz China on China Radio International. I'm your host, Chris Gelken.
Toyota overtook General Motors to become the world's largest automaker in 2008. But recently, frequent and large-scale recalls of defective cars have tarnished the Japanese carmaker's reputation for safety and reliability. In today's program, we will discuss a possible crisis of trust that Japanese cars are facing.
For this story and more, do stay with us. We'll be right back after this short break.
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Some estimate that the actual number of Toyota vehicles subject to recall could be even higher than the carmaker's global sales of 7 million units in 2009. Toyota is likely to face a worldwide crisis of trust. So how bad will the situation be for Toyota? Will global consumers change their opinion of "made in Japan" products? Our reporter Chen Xin talked to William M. Russo, president of the Beijing-based auto consultancy Synergistics, to get his view on this.
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China has pledged to increase the credit supply to the country's vast rural areas, where development has been burdened by chronic capital shortages. He Fei has more.
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The government of southern China's Hainan province has revealed a work plan for this year that it wants to build the tropical island into a paradise travel destination for both domestic and overseas tourists, as well as a happy homestead for local people. But soaring housing prices in Hainan are hampering efforts to reach that goal. Ying Ying has the details.
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This year Valentine's Day occurs on the same day as the Chinese New Year, bringing more challenges for merchants. Many of them are racking their brains looking for ways to win more customers. Liu Min reports.
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Before we go, a quick look at major business stories from around China.
And with that, we have come to the end of another edition of Biz China. If you have anything to say about the show, please feel free to contact us at bizchina@cri.com.cn. Reach us by post at English Service, China Radio International, Beijing, China. The postal code is 100040. You can also log onto our Web site, crienglish.com, to listen to this or any of our previous shows online. With program producer Chen Xin, I'm Chris Gelken in Beijing. Till next week, goodbye.
