Galloping into China

Hog-tied in the U.S. by a shrinking market and a powerful antismoking lobby, the Marlboro Man is setting his sights on roomier pasturesChina. TIME has learned that Philip Morris is set to begin making the world's best-selling cigarette in the largest tobacco market anywhere. China's more than 300 million smokers bought 1.75 trillion cigarettes last year, but due to government restrictions, foreign sales accounted for only around 5% of the total.

The yet-to-be-announced joint venture with the Longyan Cigarette Factory in southeastern Fujian province will make Marlboros for the domestic market. Production, slated to begin by year's...

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