Our daily round-up of the best China stories from the 21st Century Business Herald.

Strike at FAW-GM factory in Yunnan

Thousands of workers at a Yunnan-based auto factory run by FAW-GM Hongta Yunnan Automobile, a joint venture between state-owned carmaker FAW Group, General Motors and tobacco producer Yunnan Hongta, refused to work, demanding housing rights, details of payment distribution and the investigation and removal of two senior executives. Yong Yongxian, general manager of FAW Group, has led a special group to Yunnan to resolve the dispute.

Southwest hydropower projects approved

Xiluodu power station is still implementing an old subsidy standard, spurring great dissatisfaction among local residents.

Banks’ foreign exchange purchases down 60.5 bln yuan in April

The decline was the first negative growth this year, due to sluggish exports and an outflow of capital.

PetroChina to develop Canadian LNG

PetroChina Co Ltd, the listed arm of China's largest gas producer, announced on Wednesday that it would jointly develop a proposed liquefied natural gas export facility in Canada with Shell Canada Ltd, Korea Gas Corp and Mitsubishi Corp. The introduction of the new source will lower the cost of China’s LNG imports.

Investigation into metals added to cosmetic products

A number of domestic brands add illegal substances and heavy metals such as mercury to their cheap but effective skin care products, as they struggle to compete in a market dominated by foreign brands.

Local governments facing financial pressures

China’s banking regulator launches consumer finance protection bureau  

Market price of Chateau Lafite Rothschild down 35pc in China