The Nation is reporting that Chia Tai, the Chinese arm of Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Group, will manage a US$4 billion project to set up 13 industrial pig, poultry and shrimp farming projects in several Chinese provinces. Chia Tai will hold 15% of each project, with the remaining shares held by a mix of government, companies and banks. "Production from these modern farms can directly supply the group's retail business in China, Lotus Supercenter," The Nation article says. Foreign and domestic companies like CP, COFCO, New Hope and Cargill are cashing in on China's promotion of factory farming, but the implications are disastrous for Chinese rural communities and for people the world over. The consequences of this shift are discussed here. See also one Thai farmer's view of his community's experience of the expansion of the CP model.