Viva China Close to Controlling British Shoemaker Clarks

What’s new: Viva China Holdings, a Chinese sports talent agency founded by gymnast-entrepreneur Li Ning, moved a step closer to taking control of British shoe brand Clarks.

Hong Kong-traded Viva China, which owns Li’s namesake sports apparel brand, said Wednesday that shareholders approved the plan to acquire Clarks. The deal will help Viva China to further expand its global business presence, the company said.