"We're seeing tremendous opportunities in China, which should move up regardless of U.S. market gyrations," says Richard Schmidt. In Stellar Stock Alert, he offers his current favorite China plays.

In addition, Jim Trippon, editor of The China Stock Alert, discusses the latest addition to his model portfolio, China's largest life insurance company -- and one with large exposure to Chinese equities.

And finally, fund expert Jim Lowell -- editor of Fidelity Investor -- says, "Investors should be buying Chinese stocks, Hong Kong real estate and Taiwanese technology." He offers some favorite funds for China region exposure.

This post is part of a featured report on stocks in the Chinese online gaming sector.

"One lesson we learned long ago is that it often pays to recognize stocks showing unusual strength -- one such stock is NetEase (NASDAQ: NTES)," says Mike Cintolo in The Cabot Market Letter.

"In terms of stocks, NetEase is showing unusual strength. The stock started moving ahead in a powerful manner as soon as (actually a bit before) the market bottomed in March.

"In fact, NTES recently notched nine straight up weeks, all on above-average volume, breaking out of a three-year base in the process!

This post is part of a featured report on stocks in the Chinese online gaming sector.

John Reese assesses stocks based on the criteria of a select group of well-known investors with very strong track records of long-term success.

In his Validea advisory, he looks at Chinese gaming stock, Netease (NASDAQ: NTES) based on the investment strategy of Martin Zweig, a long established growth investor. Here's his review.

"Netease operates an interactive online community in China, and is a provider of Chinese language content and services through its online games, Internet portal and wireless value-added services businesses.

One month ago, we featured a special report featuring the favorite China-based stocks among financial newsletter advisors. Since then, the 14 stocks covered in the report have risen an average of more than 15%.

The performance of these stocks -- along with the overall China market -- has far exceeded the 3% gain in the S&P 500 index over the same time period. That report can be viewed here.

Despite these gains, many of the leading advisors remain bullish on China; in particular, several have recently focused on the online gaming sector in Asia. Indeed, Timothy Lutts notes that while the video game market in the U.S. is slowing, the video game market in China is expected to show 20%+ annual growth in coming year.

Those surprised by the market's strength in recent weeks should be even more impressed with the rebound in China, where both their market and economy have proven among the most resilient in the world.

Global specialist Nicholas Vardy adds, "While the US markets are rising, Asian stocks are on fire." ETF expert Paul Tracy adds, "China funds have screamed to the top of the performance charts."

In large part, this strength is due to the country's stimulus program. Tracy points out, "To combat the sagging global economy, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao orchestrated a massive 4 trillion yuan ($586 billion) stimulus package.

SINA Corp (NASDAQ: SINA), a Chinese online media company, is scheduled to report Q2 EPS on August 6. SINA August option implied volatility is at 78; September is at 55. SINA average option implied volatility over the last 26-weeks is 58 according to Track Data, suggesting larger August price movement.

The9 (NASDAQ: NCTY), an online game operator headquartered in Shanghai, closed at $22.73. NCTY is scheduled to report Q2 EPS on August 7. NCTY August option implied volatility is at 101, September at 81; above its 26-week average of 69, suggesting larger price movement.

NetEase (NASDAQ: NTES), an interactive online community in China, is scheduled to report Q2 EPS after the market close on August 13. NTES August option implied volatility of 70 is above its 26-week average of 45, suggesting larger price fluctuations.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

NetEase (NASDAQ: NTES), an interactive online community in China is scheduled to report Q1 EPS after market close on May 21.

NTES June option implied volatility of 58 is above its 26-week average of 45 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price fluctuations.

Focus Media (NASDAQ: FMCN), a digital media company in China utilizing live motion displays, is scheduled to report Q1 EPS on June 5.

FMCN June option implied volatility of 68 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price risks.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

The9 (NASDAQ: NCTY) implied volatility elevated into 8/29 EPS.

NCTY, an online game operator headquartered in Shanghai, is recently down $0.10 to $38.65. NCTY is expected to report EPS on 8/29/07. NCTY has a market cap of $996 million. NCTY September option implied volatility of 79 is above its 26-week average of 59 according to Track Data, suggesting larger risk.

Shanda Interactive (NASDAQ: SNDA) September implied volatility elevated into EPS.

SNDA, an interactive entertainment media company and operator of on line games in China, is recently up $1.56 to $30.68. SNDA has a market cap of $2.2 billion. SNDA is expected to report second quarter EPS on 8/28. SNDA September option implied volatility of 70 is above its 26-week average of 46 according to Track Data, suggesting larger risk.

NetEase (NASDAQ: NTES) implied volatility of 43 above 26-week average of 36.

NTES, an interactive online community in China, is recently down .10 to $16.33. NTES over all option implied volatility of 43 is above its 26-week average of 36 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price fluctuations.

Daily options Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Lowe's (LOW), Cooper Tire & Rubber (CTB), Campbell Soup (CPB), Reuters Group (RTRSY) and Netease.com (NTES) were today's noteworthy upgrades:

• JP Morgan upgraded Lowe's (NYSE: LOW) to Overweight from Neutral based on improved risk/return and conservative near-term estimates. UBS upgraded Lowe's to Buy from sell on valuation.

• Cooper Tire & Rubber (NYSE: CTB) was upgraded to Buy from Sell, as the firm thinks Copper is benefiting from surging demand for tires in Asia and considers the recent weakness a buying opportunity.

• UBS upgraded shares of Campbell Soup (NYSE: CPB) to Buy from Neutral, citing expected growth acceleration, productivity savings, and attractive valuation.

• Deutsche Bank is positive on the Thomson (TOC)-Reuters combination and expected synergies, upgrading Reuters Group (NASDAQ: RTRSY) to Buy from Hold.

• Netease.com (NASDAQ: NTES) was upgraded to Positive from Neutral at Susquehanna based on valuation and checks that indicate better than expected performance of Westward Journey Online III...

OTHER UPGRADES:

• Georgia Gulf (NYSE: GGC) was raised to Neutral from Sell.

• US Airways (NYSE: LCC) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral.

• Banc of America upgraded Glu Mobile (NASDAQ: GLUU) to Buy from Neutral.

• Think Equity upgraded Jazz Technologies (AMEX: JAZ) to Buy from Source of Funds.

Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

MOST NOTEWORTHY: EMC Corp (EMC), NetEase.com, Inc (NTES), Wireless Ronin Technologies (RNIN), Activision (ATVI) and GameStop Corp (GME) were today's noteworthy initiations:

• BMO Capital expects upside to EMC Corp's (NYSE: EMC) June quarter estimates, but only sees limited share upside from current levels. The firm started shares with a Market Perform rating and $21 target.

• Pali Research believes NetEase.com (NASDAQ: NTES) must address the discontinuity in its growth and started shares off with a Neutral rating.

• Barrington expects Wireless Ronin (NASDAQ: RNIN) to benefit from growth towards broadcasting to the outdoor component of out-of-home and views the company as an emerging growth opportunity that is starting with a strong technological base and management team. The firm started shares with an Outperform rating.

• First Albany initiated shares of GameStop (NYSE: GME) with a Buy rating, citing upside potential to 2008 estimates.

• Activision (NASDAQ: ATVI) was also initiated at First Albany, with a Buy rating, as the firm is expecting strong results and guidance...

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• Jefferies initiated Polycom (NASDAQ: PLCM) with a Buy rating.

• Deutsche Bank started Zoran (NASDAQ: ZRAN) with a Buy rating.

• Stanford initiated Urban Outfitters (NASDAQ: URBN) with a Buy rating.

• Banc of America initiated Garmin (NASDAQ: GRMN) with a Neutral rating.

Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

"There are still many years of spectacular growth ahead for China, which should culminate with the Olympics," notes Charles Payne, editor of the top-tier Wall Street Strategies newsletter. Payne is also well known from his weekly appearances on FOX TV's Bulls & Bears and FOX and Friends.

And while he cautions, "You definitely want to be out of that market when the trumpet begins playing the Olympic theme," he currently highlights select opportunities, such as his latest recommendation, NetEase.com (NASDAQ: NTES).

The company -- headquartered in Beijin -- was founded in 1997. Payne notes, "Netease operates an interactive online and wireless community in China, providing Chinese language content and services through its online games, wireless value-added services, and Internet portals."

The firm's online games business, he notes, focuses on massively multiplayer online role-playing games. In order to participate in these online games, users purchase prepaid point cards which he notes are are sold in China through wholesalers, Internet cafes, software stores, supermarkets, bookstores, newspaper stands, and convenience stores.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: General Electric Co (GE), Brocade Communications Systems Inc (BRCD) and Netease.com Inc ADS (NTES) rounded out today's more notable upgrades:

• UBS upgraded General Electric Co (NYSE: GE) to Buy from Neutral with a $14 target based on valuation and expectations for strong earnings in its gas turbine business.

• Brocade Communications Systems Inc (NASDAQ: BRCD) was upgraded by Goldman Sachs to Buy from Neutral with an $11 target to reflect the cost savings associated with the McData acquisition. Bear Stearns also upgraded Brocade to Outperform from Peer Perform following its Q1 report and $200 buyback; Raymond James upgraded shares to Outperform from Market Perform.

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Netease.com Inc ADS (NASDAQ: NTES) to Hold from Sell with a $23 target following the company's Q4 report.

OTHER UPGRADES:

• Credit Suisse upgraded Reuters Group ADS (NASDAQ: RTRSY) to Outperform from Neutral citing the company's favorable outlook.

• Citigroup upgraded Moody's Corp (NYSE: MCO) to Buy from Hold with a $77 target as they believe weakness surrounding the company's quarter has created a buying opportunity.

• William Blair upgraded Career Education Corp (NASDAQ: CECO) to Market Perform from Underperform.

• BWS Financial upgraded shares of CuraGen Corp (NASDAQ: CRGN) to Strong Buy from Buy with an $8 target following its recent sell-off. The firm believes the concerns that CuraGen will not be able to sell its 454 Life Science stake are baseless.

• Caris upgraded Marvell Technology Group (NASDAQ: MRVL) to Above Average from Average following its solid quarter as they believe Marvell has worked through the excess inventory in storage and wireless LAN. Needham also upgraded Marvell Tech to Buy from Hold with a $26 target following its Q4 results.

Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).