ChinaForum Launches to Bring Practical Advice to Financial Professionals Doing Business in China

Knowledge sharing forum leverages treasury and finance expertise of AFP and gtnews

BETHESDA, MD - June 27, 2006 - The Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) today announced the launch of ChinaForum, an internet-based community for financial professionals transacting business in the People's Republic of China. With the rapid emergence of China in global business, ChinaForum creates an online community to share experiences and best practices and to discuss the opportunities and the challenges of doing business in China.

ChinaForum is produced jointly by AFP and gtnews, bringing together the editorial and technological resources of two major content producers in treasury and finance. Members will benefit from the commitment to innovation and service for which AFP and gtnews are known.

The online service combines a moderated discussion forum with timely online content. Current discussion topics include issues such as foreign exchange, trade finance, cross-border funding, the use of global versus local banks and anti-corruption initiatives. By communicating with colleagues in peer-to-peer discussions, ChinaForum.com participants have the opportunity to learn about best practices and effective strategies for overcoming business hurdles in China. Members may post questions to the community and other select specialists and receive answers to these inquiries. They also may participate in periodic teleconferences that allow voice interaction with subject experts.

Additional content will include a variety of reports, analysis and news briefs on practical subjects important to financial professionals. To provide information relevant to the diverse companies doing business in China, the site will cover broad financial topics ranging from financial accounting to risk management, foreign exchange control, banking and investment management. It also will delve into tax and legal issues, trade and intellectual property rights as well as challenges related to staff recruitment and organizational structure.

"In China, the concept of doing business through value-added relationships is known as 'guanxi,' and that's really what ChinaForum is all about - leveraging the collective knowledge and experience of financial professionals doing business in China," said Jim Kaitz, president and CEO of the Association for Financial Professionals. "And in the spirit of guanxi, we are honored to be working with gtnews to launch this peer community."

"With China's importance as both a market and financial center expected to grow, understanding best practices and risks will be critical to companies doing business there," said Mark Taylor, CEO of gtnews. "We believe these strategies are best shared by those already doing business in China."

ChinaForum's advisory board includes corporate treasurers and CFOs of companies on the forefront of expansion into the China market, including Manulife Financial Corporation, as well as academics and consultants.

gtnews is an on-line resource for the treasury and finance community. Its 2,500 plus articles, special reports, surveys and guides are used by over 40,000 finance professionals worldwide to stay up to date and research all matters of banking and finance including developments in technology and regulations.

Membership is available on a subscription basis to senior corporate practitioners doing business in China. Other financial professionals may be eligible for associate membership. For more information visit www.chinaforum.com.

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The Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, supports more than 15,000 individual members from a wide range of industries throughout all stages of their careers in various aspects of treasury and financial management. AFP is the preferred resource for financial professionals for continuing education, financial tools and publications, career development, certifications, research, representation to legislators and regulators, and the development of industry standards. For more information about AFP visit www.AFPonline.org

See also: ChinaForum and the Idea of Great Groups