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Wal-Mart Makes Inroads Into Chinese Retail Sector: Marking its foray into China’s thriving retail market, the Bentonville, Ark.-based company said it is in a venture to open a shopping center in the special economic zone of Shenzhen. A Wal-Mart Stores Inc. subsidiary, Wal-Mart Ek Chor Co., signed a contract valued at $2 million with Hong Kong Pearl River Investment Corp. and Shenzhen International Trust & Investment Corp., according to a Shenzhen International official. Wal-Mart Ek Chor is said to have taken an 80% stake in the new venture, which will be called Wal-Mart Super Center.