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Hong Kong refuses
to bank
on Alibaba's
next treasure trove
Alibaba's multi-billion dollar initial public offering looks set to go to New York rather than Hong Kong. With it goes share dealing not just in China's biggest e-commerce outfit, but also what is set to be the country's future top private financial group. - Gabriele Battaglia
(Oct 2, '13)
Xi builds up power in Central Asia
Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent sweep through Central Asia, involving billions of dollars in trade and other contracts, was treated lightly by Russia. A photograph of the region's leaders in Kyrgyzstan last month suggests a different story.
(Oct 2, '13)
China exports mask domestic weakness
Recent optimism over Chinese export numbers, and claims that the slowdown in China's economy may be bottoming out, may be optimism too soon. The fall in import growth serves as a worrisome signal of the core economic problem: declining internal demand. - Tom Velk and Olivia Gong
(Oct 1, '13)
Free-trade Shanghai keeps on Internet gag
The Shanghai free-trade zone, a move to match the city with Hong Kong and London, opened on Sunday, but its bid for global status as a financial and trade center will have to manage without Internet freedom. - Wen Jian and Gao Shan
(Sep 30, '13)
MICHAEL PETTIS
After the party runs dry
A truly clever economist never makes a verifiable prediction, but two years after suggesting that once the current liquidity-driven boom subsides the BRICS nations and rest of the developing world will be hit hard, the prediction is looking unpleasantly close to reality.
(Sep 26, '13)
Shanghai to top Hong Kong
Shanghai's efforts to reclaim its 1920s' role as East Asia's center of trade and finance are moving forward fast, and the days of Hong Kong being the primary venue in China for financial transactions could be numbered. - Dan Steinbock
(Sep 20, '13)
MICHAEL PETTIS
The ABC of China's dead-slow growth
Growth forecasts for China's economy in the medium-term are falling, but a forecast that claims 3-4% annual growth rates will soon to be the country's upper limit? And that might be the good news.
(Sep 9, '13)
Hong Kong eyes with fear
world's largest nuke plant
Hong Kong residents are eyeing with concern completion of a nuclear power plant in neighboring Guangdong province that is to hold a reactor with the biggest capacity in the world. Chinese mainland residents may be less fearful, as they can access no information on the plant.
- Lin Jing
(Sep 5, '13)
China output curbs doomed to failure
The Chinese government's latest actions to close industrial companies to curb overproduction, however laudable, have a familiar ring to them, and the efforts will be as ineffective as previously. - Michael Lelyveld
(Aug 27, '13)
MICHAEL PETTIS
China's 'urbanization' is a growth fallacy
The latest argument supporting higher levels of growth in China is based on Beijing's plan for another major urbanization push, but too many fallacies undermine the idea that ever-more cities and infrastructure make for economic expansion.
(Aug 23, '13)
Qihoo 360 takes on challenge of Baidu
Qihoo 360 Technology, China's top anti-computer-virus company, has climbed to a position where it can consider rivaling Baidu as the country's top Internet search outfit, its share price surging alongside. Now it is looking to expand in the wider world. - Sherman So
(Aug 22, '13)
China coal-price fall risks wider crisis
A prolonged plunge in China's coal prices may indicate that the country's economic growth is less than officially reported. It has also created wider risks, with rising losses for coal companies and large-scale debts going unpaid or abandoned.
- Michael Lelyveld (Aug 20, '13)
Tibetans hurt in anti-mining protest
Several hundred security forces have violently dispersed Tibetan protesters blocking mining activity by Chinese workers in a Tibetan-populated area of China's Qinghai province, injuring dozens in the process.
(Aug 19, '13)
'Premium' players are new Macau bet
"Premium mass-market" players have taken the spotlight in Macau since key high rollers from mainland China have shied away. But identifying this customer segment is as challenging as beating the house. - Muhammad Cohen
(Aug 15, '13)
Cross-strait trade deal
raises concerns in Taiwan
A broad coalition of Taiwanese labor and other organizations is seeking to block ratification of a Cross-Strait Services Trade Agreement recently signed by representatives of Taiwan and mainland China. Concerns include reduced press freedom and mainland control of beauty parlors. - Dennis Engbarth
(Aug 7, '13)
China bets big on new global links
China and its companies are betting on geopolitical corridors to expand their international clout and business opportunities. Though it is grappling with a creeping economic slowdown, the government in Beijing seems to be keen to fund a string of new, innovative transport arteries around the world. - Emanuele Scimia
(Aug 7, '13)
China's GDP growth may be optimistic
China's energy sector has been showing signs of slower growth, suggesting that real growth of the economy could be considerably lower than figures have been below the official 7.6% annual pace. - Michael Lelyveld
(Aug 6, '13)
Jobs riddle at heart
of changing China
China's fast economic growth rate, previously seen as vital to maintain social stability, is falling, accompanied by the government no longer demanding 8% annual expansion. A declining labor force may be a key factor - but accurate job numbers are not available. - Michael Lelyveld(Jul 31, '13)
China lifts gas price
China has increased the price of natural gas for industrial users, a step toward boosting gas use while promoting efficiency and reduced use of coal. Yet the price rise may have the reverse impact. - Michael Lelyveld
(Jul 25, '13)
MICHAEL PETTIS
Germany's 'success' poses threat to China
Germany is running the world's largest trade surplus, and is hoping to foist its imbalances onto the rest of the world now that the rest of Europe is too sick to absorb them. European trade policies are going to put additional pressure on China's own economic rebalancing, even as Beijing appears more determined to pursue it.
(Jul 16, '13)
UN hails China on poverty cuts
The United Nations, trumpeting progress under its Millennium Development Goals project, puts China ahead of the pack when it comes to reducing poverty. Yet even that single bright spot of progress has little to do with UN targets, claim some analysts. - Thalif Deen
(Jul 2, '13)
Macau doubles down on mega-resorts bet
The world's casino capital faces stagnant arrivals and slowing growth in mainland China, its main market for customers. That is not stopping casino owners from spending US$15 billion on six new resorts. - Muhammad Cohen
(Jun 27, '13)
China pledges pollution cut
China is promising major steps to improve air quality, with a package of 10 anti-pollution measures to ease the emissions crisis. The bad news is that the same six dirtiest industries were targeted six years ago, with little progress. Michael Lelyveld
(Jun 27, '13)
Japan-Taiwan pact will not contain China
The recently concluded fisheries agreement between Japan and Taiwan has been seen as aimed by Tokyo at driving a wedge between Taipei and Beijing. That overlooks the comparable Sino-Japanese pact of 2000 and that the latest deal leaves open the door to further dialogue on the development of a new order in the East China Sea. - Madoka Fukuda
(Jun 20, '13)
MICHAEL PETTIS
The real challenge facing China's growth
Whether China has overinvested is contested by some analysts, who claim that with much less capital stock per capita than advanced countries it has a long way to go before hitting the productive limits of investment. But Beijing's real challenge is not about maintaining high growth rates, rather to raise China's levels of social capital.
(Jun 19, '13)
Taiwan homes in free-trade pacts
President Ma Ying-jeou's progress in securing free-trade agreements for Taiwan with Singapore and New Zealand indicates some loosening of diplomatic isolation imposed by mainland China and a decline in domestic protectionist trends. - Jens Kastner
(Jun 5, '13)
Uyghur villagers battle land grab
Chinese authorities are blatantly grabbing farm land in a northern ethnic Uyghur village in China's volatile Xinjiang region after the farmers refused to accept monetary compensation of less than one-tenth the market value of the properties, village residents say. - Shohret Hoshur
(Jun 4, '13)
Tibetans battle mining effort
As many as 5,000 Tibetans have protested against Chinese mining operations at a mountain in Driru county considered sacred by local residents, drawing a large security force to the area and prompting fears of clashes.
(May 29, '13)
MICHAEL PETTIS
German savings, crisis in Europe, and China
Confusion between national and household savings can make even trained economists struggle to understand the imbalances and role of German savings at the heart of the current European crisis. China's "monumental savings" are subject to similar miscomprehension.
(May 24, '13)
Time Taiwan joined global air safety body
Around 50 domestic and foreign airlines fly from Taiwan to more than 100 international destinations, while some 1 million flights pass through its "flight identification region". Yet the island is excluded from the safety standard-setting International Civil Aviation Organization. It is time that changed, for the safety of all. - David Brown
(May 22, '13)
Alibaba stocks up on
mobile deals before share sale
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group is going shopping for mobile-Internet related companies to match a transition of customers away from computers to smart-phones and tablets and in advance of a possible share sale that may raise more than US$70 billion. - Sherman So
(May 21, '13)
China's influence spreads to Atlantic
A billion-dollar loan from a Chinese firm to Portugal and a free-trade deal between Beijing and Iceland's government have one thing in common - both potentially open the door to increased Chinese influence over the European countries' strategic holdings in the Atlantic Ocean.- Emanuele Scimia
(May 20, '13)
Manganese play may bring BHP to earth
Russian and Ukrainian success in building up manganese stocks and refining capacity could reshape global supply of the irreplaceable steel-hardening alloy. Add a potential yuan-pricing deal with China, that could have potentially damaging consequences for miners such as BHP Billiton. - John Helmer
(May 16, '13)
Sino-Mongolian oil deal
undercuts Russian role
A deal to exchange crude Mongolian oil for refined products processed in China's Inner Mongolia will undercut Russia's dominance in the Mongolian market while improving the quality of fuel available to Mongolians. It also increases China's already significant role in its smaller neighbor's oil sector. - Alicia J Campi
(May 15, '13)
MICHAEL PETTIS
China growth to halve
China's economic growth, down to 7.7% in the first quarter, will decline to an average in the long term of around 3-4% annually, as rebalancing of the economy sees household consumption rise to around 50% of GDP, forecasts noted China-based economist Michael Pettis. The key is whether it is possible to maintain current levels of consumption growth once investment growth is sharply reduced.
(May 14, '13)
Hong Kong licks port-strike wounds
Dockworkers at Hong Kong port operations run by Li Ka-shing ended their 40-day strike with a pay deal worth less than half their initial claim, the port having lost business to rival terminals, and the reputation of Li, once looked up to as exemplifying the city's rags-to-riches story dream, having taken a knock. - Kent Ewing
(May 13, '13)
China's ideas gap necessitates theft
The relative absence of industrial innovation in China makes it dependent on copying (and stealing) the best from the West's trove of new ideas. That will continue until genuine freedoms and a safe environment that harbors open exchange and creativity are allowed by Beijing. - Brett Daniel Shehadey
(May 8, '13)
Mongolia puts veg on national menu
Mongolians' reliance on livestock for food needs and continued attachment by many to a herder lifestyle means a dearth of knowledge and use of vegetables and other agricultural products in their diet. That is changing, along with use of the vast empty steppes. - Michelle Tolson
(May 7, '13)
China sets out
'green'
guidelines
for energy firms
Beijing's new environmental guidelines for Chinese companies involved in big overseas energy projects may improve their approach to such issues but are not supported by any compliance mechanism. Community and human-rights obligations are also notably absent. - Peter Bosshard
(May 1, '13)
China coal output sets energy riddle
China's coal production has posted a rare decline, raising new questions about the strength of the economy. At the same time, China's coal and others statistics are notoriously unreliable, while the structure of the economy may be shifting to less energy-intensive activities. - Michael Lelyveld
(Apr 30, '13)
Chinese tourists lead world
Chinese tourists spent more on overseas visits last year than travelers from any other country, boosted by expansion in the spending power of its growing middle class. More will head overseas following changes in the annual leave system, specifically designed to encourage tourism. - Thalif Deen
(Apr 24, '13)
Pacific region faces
seabed mining challenge
Deep seabed discoveries by Japanese interests and Papua New Guinea's granting of a pioneering offshore mining license have drawn renewed interest in seabed mineral deposits in the Pacific. Collaboration by states involved may minimize a repeat of mistakes made by onshore mining and maximize returns to governments. - Cristelle Maurin
(Apr 18, '13)
China property tax creates sales chaos
The Chinese government's decision last month to introduce a new property tax left details of the plan up to individual cities without specifying when the higher tax should be imposed. The result is near-chaos in the real estate sector and a surge in divorce rates. - Michael Lelyveld
(Apr 17, '13)
China sows its own corruption
Foreigners frequently invest in China believing it to be a low-pay economy, failing to account that it has little concept of ''full salary'' and misleadingly branding pay ''top-ups'' in the form of gifts and dinners as ''corruption''. Government payment of full salaries would work better than anti-corruption tirades. - Thorsten Pattberg
(Apr 12, '13)
Governor Brown unbalanced in China
Californian Governor Jerry Brown visited Beijing this week with a simplistic grasp of etiquette and little understanding of how to prise wealth from Chinese coffers into his debt-burdened state. He set himself up for failure, when a strategy and some book balancing could have benefited both parties.
- Bill Mundell
(Apr 11, '13)
China fiddles with fuel price subsidies
The Chinese government is trying to deal with complaints about fuel prices by easing, but not abandoning, state price controls. The rule change, shortening the time retail prices reflect global oil costs, may reduce hoarding by distributors but leaves fears of unrest when prices do rise.
(Apr 10, '13)
Shale can drive wedge
between Russia and China
China's potential for producing shale gas points to huge national security and economic benefits to strategic cooperation between the US and the growing Asian superpower. That is not in the interests of conventional oil and gas producer Russia. - Robert Blohm
(Apr 9, '13)
Taiwan tries its luck with free-trade zones
Taiwan will soon establish six free-trade zones, a prelude to numerous others, in a bid to boost investment from overseas and compete more effectively with rival South Korea. The move is backed by a raft of reforms that perhaps most crucially will permit mainland Chinese involvement. - Jens Kastner
(Apr 5, '13)
Georgians wary of China building project
A multi-million real estate and tourism project to be built by China's Hualing Group in Tbilisi will help Georgia host a major sporting event while revamping the city's Soviet-era housing stock. Wary locals fear it will also bring in large numbers of Chinese and do little to cut high local unemployment rates. - Molly Corso
(Apr 4, '13) |
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