Zhao says he has no plans to list Shangpin, in which he is the largest shareholder (see box) , in the next two years.

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Zhao says he developed his vocal style in the shower.

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Army doctor Zhao Hongxing said he is confident Liu will survive his ordeal.

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For Zhao a crucial turning point came in 1997, when he met the late jazz vocal legend Betty Carter at an international jazz festival in Shanghai.

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So far Zhao says that Shanghai and Guangzhou are not as bad as he had heard from friends.

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He says there are qualities to The Orphan of Zhao which have appealed to adaptors and directors outside China.

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Confident he could appease Changhong's new chairman, Ji called Zhao from his hotel room on Oct. 22 and set plans to meet him on the 24th.

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He tried his hand at opera, but it wasn't for Zhao.

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That is not what matters most, Mr Zhao counters: Chinese firms have a very strong culture and little experience working with outsiders, which he thinks gives Hony a decisive edge.

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