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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)
China eyes post-Chavez oil axis
Fears that China plans to "lock down" oil reserves before the advent of peak oil appear overstated, but there's little doubt that demand for oil to feed China's quest for global economic dominance will create geopolitical clashes. Keen interest Beijing has shown in Venezuela since Hugo Chavez's passing suggests the struggle could start in the US's backyard. - Brendan P O'Reilly
(Mar 12, '13)
Mongolia takes long view of resources
The Mongolian government appears to recognize the importance of extensive consultations, not least with its own public and local business interests, before pressing through proposed revisions to its mining regulations. It's willingness to look overseas to the likes of Australia means Mongolia may yet avoid both resource nationalism as well as the resource curse.
- Jargalsaikhany Mendee
(Mar 7, '13)
CITIC mining canary sings
CITIC Group's deal with the Venezuelan government to map the South American country's mining resources is under fire amid concerns that it will leave knowledge of mineral wealth exposed for the Chinese state-owned company to take advantage. - Humberto Marquez
(Mar 1, '13)
Shale gas key to US Asia pivot
China, estimated to hold more shale gas than the US and Canada combined, is hungry to learn the secret to their success. That is just the carrot of diplomacy that makes the Asian "pivot" juggernaut more for US energy companies than the US Navy. - Elliot Brennan
(Mar 1, '13)
Wynn ousts Okada in latest
round ofbillionaires' brawl
Japan's pachinko king Kazuo Okada was ousted from the Wynn Resorts board of the directors on Friday, the latest blow in his year-long battle with casino mogul Steve Wynn. Both billionaires, with casino aspirations from Seoul to Philadelphia, have a lot to lose in this fight. - Muhammad Cohen
(Feb 25, '13)
China at risk with Venezuela
oil bet
China's state-owned energy companies supposedly invest in politically high-risk
countries to help meet domestic Chinese demand. Disparities in Venezuelan oil
export and Chinese import data suggest otherwise. - Matt Ferchen
(Feb 6, '13)
The new Grand Bargain
The economic trajectory of the world economy over the next decade could be
transformed by unlocking the $3.5 trillion of reserves at China's disposal. Key
to fulfilling this potential is to find a way to unravel the economic stalemate
between China and the US and create capital flows free of political
constraints. - Bill Mundell (Feb 1, '13)
Australia lifts role in
Mongolia
A more nationally assertive Mongolian government has cast a cloud over overseas
interest in the Asian country's vast resources, but that has not prevented
Australia's investors and government from stepping up their involvement in the
economy and its human development. - Alicia J Campi
(Jan 29, '13)
COMMENT
Hong Kong mistaken
in
backing dollar peg
Hong Kong's insistence that it maintain the local currency's peg against the US
dollar will make folk who bet the other way rich. Hong Kong now trades more
with China than with the US, making the peg irrational. The HK Monetary
Authority is only throwing good money after bad by fighting the trend. - Henry C
K Liu (Jan 16, '13)
REUVEN BRENNER
China faces a neurotic
future
China's one-child policy is having and will have unexpected consequences.
History points to the growth of neurotic generations, loners with a keen eye
for entrepreneurial opportunities and hundreds of millions falling through the
cracks. Interesting times indeed. (Jan 16, '13)
Why Africa is turning to
China
Governments in Africa come and go, but whoever is in power their relations with
China continue to deepen. Warnings of neo-colonialism overlook the Chinese role
in building needed infrastructure, a sector largely shunned by Western
investors, and China's goal of seeking "common prosperity". - Kwei Quartey
(Dec 21, '12)
China's creative disillusionment
in the Middle East
China backs international calls for a resumption of peace talks between
Israelis and Palestinians but faces geopolitical trauma in balancing
concomitant Israeli and Arab interests, at a time when the Sino-Israeli
dialogue is on the rise. Much though it tries, Beijing is not yet changing the
game in the Middle East. - Emanuele Scimia (Dec
21, '12)
Beijing change clouds
Macau
Beijing's change of leadership and its shift from an export-driven economy are
being felt on the casino floors of Macau. High rollers are laying low as
authorities move against corruption. - Muhammad Cohen
(Dec 12, '12)
US should rethink China
views
The United States should reconsider its commercial attitude to China. Many US
claims against the Asian power are hypocritical, others suggest crude
xenophobia. It would gain by opening up to more Chinese investment, and good
relations with your fastest growing (and soon biggest) export market make
sense. - Ruoweng Liu (Dec 7, '12)
Mining saps Gobi lifeline
Mongolia's mining boom, and the accompanying demand for limited water supplies
in the Gobi desert, means that projects such as the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine
could exhaust local water supplies within a decade, threatening the lives and
livelihoods of the local population. - Michelle Tolson
(Dec 5, '12)
South African wines miss
Chinese market
South Africa's wine makers are lamenting that the country's political alliance
with China via the BRICS forum has so far failed to help them profit from the
Asian superpower's increasing taste for good wines, with their government
effectively shunning the sector's marketing expertise. - John Fraser
(Dec 5, '12)
Next Media sale 'threat
to Taiwan democracy'
Jimmy Lai, whose Apple Daily newspaper shook up Taiwan's press sector a decade
ago, plans to sell his Next Media (Taiwan) operations to mainland Chinese
interests. The deal threatens the island's news freedom and the survival of its
democratic political system, say critics. - Dennis Engbarth
(Dec 3, '12)
Mongolia's pays price for
Russian fuel supply
Mongolia is feeling the downside of its booming economy - higher prices for
gasoline, for which it is almost totally dependent on Russia. Ulaanbaatar is
seeking to find alternative suppliers but for now the country remains
vulnerable to Rosneft's monopolistic power. - Mendee Jargalsaikhany
(Nov 28, '12)
Chinese tastes push lethal
abalone trade
China's business interests in Africa notoriously extend to poached rhino horn
and elephant tusks. Abalone, a humble mollusc and much in demand by Chinese
restaurants, is also on the must-have menu. The pay-off in South Africa is a
roaring trade in crystal methamphetamine, imported from China, India and
Pakistan, and supplied in slums by warring gangs in the form of a local drug
known as "tik". - Gavin du Venage (Nov 9,
'12)
Obama win sets challenge to
China
With United States politics facing continued gridlock, President Obama can
maintain the status quo with China provided Beijing does not present him with
the need to speak out. That leaves the onus on new Chinese leaders to show they
can inch towards greater openness and reforms. - Benjamin A Shobert
(Nov 9, '12)
China, Brunei: ties that
bind
Brunei's energy resources and China's demand for them creates a natural
affinity between the two countries that builds on mutual ties dating back 2,000
years. That relationship could be stretched if the United States becomes
further embroiled in South China Sea territorial claims. - Prashanth
Parameswaran (Nov 8, '12)
China, Qatar forge tricky
partnership
Deepening ties between China and Qatar do not stop the Gulf state taking an
opposing stance to Beijing on important issues to further its own objectives.
That will present China with an interesting set of dilemmas should their mutual
interests deteriorate down the line. - Chris Zambelis
(Oct 24, '12)
 SUN
WUKONG
Chinese economy
down and looking up
Growth in the Chinese economy slowed in the third-quarter to its lowest rate
since early 2009, yet if spending during a recent week-long holiday and subtle
changes in Premier Wen Jiabao's comments on the economy are any guide, the
future is looking brighter. - Wu Zhong (Oct
22, '12)
Mugabe looks east at a
questionable cost
Zimbabwe's increasingly acrimonious relationship with the West has encouraged
President Robert Mugabe to look towards China for economic sustenance. It is
not always clear who benefits from this policy, and at what cost. - Gavin du
Venage (Oct 16, '12)
Taiwan seeks u-turn
in cross-strait flow of factories
The Taiwanese government reckons an increase in foreign workers, particularly
in tough or dirty jobs, will encourage companies with factories in mainland
China to return home and so boost the faltering economy. - Jens Kastner
(Oct 15, '12)
COMMENT
Clean-tech trade war gets
down and dirty
A toxic mix in the United States of impoverished politics and compromised
national policy is again revealed with the Barack Obama administration's order
to Chinese-owned Ralls Corporation to divest its ownership of a wind farm
located near a US Navy training facility. - Benjamin A Shobert
(Oct 11, '12)
Mass movement sweeps Macau
Slowing economic growth in the mainland is cutting Macau's dominant high-roller
trade. That has opened space for the mass market and mega-resorts, including
the new Sands Cotai Central, which are poised to profit from the trend. - Muhammad
Cohen (Oct 10, '12)
CNOOC's Nexen deal
brings
out China bashers
China National Offshore Oil Corp's US$15 billion acquisition of Canadian oil
sands company Nexen makes business and diplomatic sense. Political logic is
another matter, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper's decision on whether to join
his country's China bashers may hinge on Barack Obama's re-election prospects.
- Peter Lee (Oct 5, '12)
Beijing requires retail
revolution
The Chinese government's policy of promoting exports through low wages has left
the country dependent on large foreign wholesale buyers such as Walmart.
Beijing must now create domestic retail giants with appropriate infrastructure
to boost the local consumer market. - Henry C K Liu
(Oct 4, '12)
Outsource sinners on vote
trail
President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney each claims he would do better
than the other in standing up for United States workers against unfair trade
with China. However, when it comes to outsourcing both have sins to repent.
- Peter Morici (Sep 27, '12)
China deepens Central Asia
role
Recent Chinese involvement in Central Asia will help its partners diversify
export routes to world markets - at the expense of becoming a strategic
rearguard as Beijing acts seeks global leadership. - Zabikhulla S Saipov
(Sep 24, '12)
Chinese go nuclear at home
and abroad
As the global nuclear power industry tries to recover from the 2011 Fukushima
nuclear disaster, Chinese companies are notably becoming more active at home
and abroad. One key test case will be the promised "nuclear renaissance" in the
United Kingdom, with speculation that Chinese investors are keen to be
involved. Antony Froggatt and Joy Tuffield
(Sep 21, '12)
PLA link a plus for stocks
War between China and Japan over small disputed islands could severely damage
both economies. The mere prospect of conflict is bad enough - except for stock
market watchers with a keen eye for companies linked to the People's Liberation
Army that produce the likes of steel for tanks and clutches for lorries. - Jens
Kastner (Sep 20, '12)
SPEAKING FREELY
China, Europe export
gangsters to Africa
Recent police shootings of striking miners in South Africa who had been seeking
better pay have underscored the role of European firms in the exploitation of
workers. At the same time, there is little to differentiate Chinese and
European organized crime in Africa. - Emanuele Scimia
(Sep 6, '12)
China set to take controls
at Gwadar
A decision by Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) and its partners to quit
Pakistan's stalled Gwadar Port project won't necessarily end a land dispute
that is blighting the project, but by transferring the concession to a
state-owned company, it gives China a hand back in, and a tantalizing chance to
control a strategically located potential hub for trade and pipelines. - Syed
Fazl-e-Haider (Sep 4, '12)
Wanxiang purchase upsets US
legislators
The purchase of US-based battery maker A123 Systems by China's Wanxiang would
normally pass unnoticed, but this is election year in Washington and A123's
earlier receipt of taxpayers' cash makes the deal an easy target for Republican
politicians. - Benjamin A Shobert (Aug 31,
'12)
Who's afraid of China Inc?
Concerns by Canadians over an increased Chinese corporate presence in their
country is best addressed through domestic regulations that apply to all
companies rather than by discriminating against state-owned enterprises.
- Yuen Pau Woo (Aug 31, '12)
China's cash: Take it or
lose it
China's foreign direct investment in North America and Europe is unrelenting
even as the United States maintains roadblocks against this trend. Washington
cites national security concerns, but it and its Western allies must take
advantage of the economic opportunities China's interest presents. - Ting Xu
Ghostly aura shrouds
Taiwanese economy
Taiwan's consumers tend to be cautious spenders during "Ghost Month", when
acknowledging ancestors' spirits takes precedence over the purchase of fancy
goods. The government appears to be showing similar reluctance to boost the
struggling economy.
- Jens Kastner (Aug 28, '12)
COMMENT
China's challenge:
Balancing
state and market
A People's Bank of China move for greater interest rate flexibility is a
welcome sign that Beijing may be moving away from the financial repression that
has penalized savers while rewarding banks. Further institutional and market
reforms are required - but Western pressure is not the way forward. - James A
Dorn (Aug 24, '12)
China pushes for Chalco's
purchase of Ovoot Tolgoi
China's top national security adviser, Dai Bingguo, is in Mongolia this week to
discuss general areas of cooperation. His priority, however, will be to ease a
crisis in mining investment ties, particularly to ensure the go-ahead for
Aluminum Corp of China's bid to control the Ovoot Tolgoi coal mine. - Alicia
Campi (Aug 21, '12)
SPEAKING FREELY
Europe's Chinese riddle
The European Union is China's largest trading partner - and a rich partner is
needed more than ever to help the EU's failed economies. But for what does
China need Europe? Governments and business acting in tandem for one; certainly
not hot air on human-rights issues. - Richard Zalski
(Aug 20, '12)
Taiwan businesses get
arbitration pact
Taiwanese businesspeople operating in mainland China will have greater
protection under a new pact that allows for international arbitration of
commercial disputes. Critics say the loopholes are so big the agreement is void
of meaning, - Jens Kastner (Aug 13, '12)
Congress hits anti-China
drum
As it becomes more popularly accepted in the United States that China is to
blame for America's economic problems, politicians will come to see the value
of adding to these anxieties. They should instead focus on how their own
economy requires changing. - Benjamin A Shobert
(Aug 10, '12)
Mercosur senses dangers
of
free trade with China
South America's Mercosur trade bloc, while welcoming improved commercial ties
with China, are not at all keen on establishing a free-trade agreement with the
Asian giant, as urged this summer by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. - Marcela
Valente (Aug 9, '12)
China, Africa show lessons
learnt with $20 bn pledge
China shows no indication of retreat from pouring money into African nations in
the face of claims it represents a form of neo-imperialism. Even so, the latest
US$20 billion loans pledge does come with signs of learning by both sides. - Gavin
du Venage (Aug 8, '12)
Taiwan rice farmers set for
export boom
Taiwanese rice is poised for an export boom, with Japanese demand rising after
last year's tsunami-induced nuclear disaster and mainland Chinese sales also
being promoted. The island's aging farmers will have to enjoy the harvest while
they can. - Jens Kastner (Aug 6, '12)
AN ATOL SPECIAL REPORT
China addicted to Hong
Kong's 'opium'
Mainland China has learned much from the ways of Hong Kong to help transform
its own economy over the past three decades. The use of land sales to generate
government income was among them, and that was a mistake. - Wu Zhong
(Aug 3, '12)
This concludes a three-part report.
Part 1:
The myth of a free Hong Kong economy
Part 2:
The rulers of the game
AN ATOL SPECIAL REPORT
The rulers of the game
In Hong Kong, financial muscle rules, gobbling the best locations - near mass
transit systems or by the spectacular waterfront. That is great for folk
belonging to the city's elite. Behind the facade of all those glitzy malls
though, life is very hard. - Eddie Leung and Pepe Escobar
(Aug 2, '12)
This is the second article in a three-part report
Labor rights a sore in
US-China relations
A common United States perception is that China's rise has been helped by
multinationals allowing Asian suppliers to bend Western-standard labor rules.
Politicians in Washington have limited scope to halt such violations, helping
to sour the mood towards China. - Benjamin A Shobert
(Aug 2, '12)
AN ATOL SPECIAL REPORT
The myth of a free Hong
Kong economy
Hong Kong has been hailed as the world's freest economy for more than two
decades. Yet the main sectors of the economy are dominated by a few families,
with limited land availability at the heart of their vast wealth. - Eddie Leung
and Pepe Escobar (Aug 1, '12)
This is the first article in a three-part report
Ukraine turns to Chinese
cash
China's agreement to lend more than US$7 billion to Ukraine, on top of a $2
billion-plus currency swap deal, will help Ukraine compensate for its worsening
relations with the International Monetary Fund and secure additional leverage
in its gas dispute with Russia. - Oleg Varfolomeyev
(Jul 31, '12)
Mexican nudge for HSBC
Mexico's US$28 million fine of HSBC's local unit over facilitation of money
laundering is another nudge for the London-based bank that it must revamp its
compliance regime across the board or face the consequences from global banking
regulators. - Avi Jorisch (Jul 26, '12)
Tech sale to China may
hurt Bombardier's workers
Canada's Bombardier has tapped into a fast-growing urban market with the sale
of technology for its latest trams to China South Locomotive. Shareholders of
the Canadian company could well benefit; its workers may have less to cheer
about. - Benjamin A Shobert (Jul 26, '12)
CNOOC gets hand on Brent
pricing levers
CNOOC's US$15 billion purchase of Calgary-based oil company Nexen, if given
Canadian government approval, comes at a high price but secures access to
benchmark pricing of Brent oil from the North Sea - where fellow Chinese outfit
Sinopec is also dipping its toes. - Robert M Cutler
(Jul 26, '12)
Macau misses 'wow' factor
The coincidence of China's economic slowdown and a blip in Macau's gaming
revenue growth suggests the two are directly related. What must not be
overlooked is the"wow" factor - or lack of it - brought by new venues; and the
importance of mainland politics. - Muhammad Cohen
(Jul 25, '12)
Yuan role expands its Africa
presence
China's increasing presence in Africa is persuading local traders and
governments to turn to the yuan for settling accounts. The dominant role of the
US dollar is yet to be challenged for commodities where it serves as the
benchmark price unit, but even that will change. - Gavin du Venage
(Jul 24, '12)
Taiwan jobless rate masks frail
economy
A better-than-expected improvement in Taiwan's unemployment rate offered a rare
bright spot among the island's latest economic data, with most figures, led by
export orders, pointing to continued unfavorable headwinds. - Robert M Cutler
(Jul 24, '12)
SPEAKING FREELY
China pivots
to Latin America
As the United States makes clear its determination to become more involved in
the Asia Pacific, Beijing is also looking east - to the US backyard of Latin
America. Yet the increased trade China brings to the region is not receiving an
unalloyed welcome. - Emanuele Scimia (Jul 17,
'12)
Kyrgyzstan looks to China
President Almaz Atambayev's recent visit to China led to agreements that
illustrate his interest in securing Chinese investments. However, the Kremlin's
insistence that Kyrgyzstan join Russia's Customs Union project may limit
China's economic involvement in the Central Asian country. - Myles G Smith
(Jul 16, '12)
Slowing China growth
lifts
stimulus prospect
The Chinese government may be looking to further stimulate its economy after
quarterly growth slowed to its lowest in three years. Yet history teaches the
world to have reservations about Beijing's official data, and a second-half may
see growth above the target 7.5%. - Robert M Cutler
(Jul 16, '12)
Bribe report reveals China's
Macau envy
A newspaper report gives the first public hint of sticky fingers from mainland
China reaching into the Macau gaming market - the world's largest - fuelled by
billions of dollars flowing south annually. More links undoubtedly lurk.
- Muhammad Cohen (Jul 13, '12)
History against 'green'
Gansu
China's largely arid Gansu province is at the center of a remarkable blossoming
of "green" wind and solar energy development, yet the country's long and often
destructive history of harnessing the environment to its own ends warns against
optimism for a clean, post-coal, dawn. - Robert Marks
(Jul 12, '12)
China's reformers battle
property inflation addicts
China's partial success in cooling its real estate sector leaves a fierce
struggle between reformers who see unfinished work concerning China's very
economic survival and constituencies who would be well-served by restarting the
property gravy train. - Peter Lee (Jul 12,
'12)
'Naked officials' lay bare
China's graft
Tales of vast wealth stashed away by Chinese officials are becoming
sufficiently common as to undermine the future of the Communist Party. Yet with Luo
guan, or "naked official", not yet a censored phrase, discussions
abound of the best methods to deal with the problem. Perhaps the new generation
of leaders is getting the message. - Brendan O'Reilly
(Jul 11, '12)
Tuniu a winning package
Tuniu has found a lucrative niche in China's Internet travel sector, dominated
by eLong and Ctrip. Strong demand for package and group tours at home and
overseas helped it treble revenue last year, with the prospect of a further
doubling in 2012. - Sherman So (Jul 11, '12)
BOOK REVIEW
China's take-off riddle
China Airborne by James Fallows
Fallows' work, nominally about China's ambitious commercial aviation sector,
opens far broader issues vital to future international relations, such as how
far Western partisanship and passivity contributed to China's momentum over the
past 30 years when it should have provoked action and investment. - Benjamin
Shobert (Jul 5, '12)
China isn't helping itself
Revisions to China's regulations on compulsory licensing of drug patents are
perfectly legal, but they are worrying international pharmaceutical companies
since the reforms threaten the considerable protection big pharma has enjoyed
over the past three decades. - Benjamin A Shobert
(Jul 2, '12)
Chinese makes case for rare
earth curbs
A Chinese "White Paper" on rare earths intends to defend China against an
assault upon its export limitations and other alleged barriers to trade. Yet
those curbs have led to new finds that may ease supply fears long before a
World Trade Organization ruling is made. - Robert M Cutler
(Jul 2, '12)
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