background preloader

China

Facebook Twitter

China and Taiwan begin direct talks - Asia-Pacific. Taiwan split from mainland China at the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949 Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory, and says it will use force to reclaim it if Taipei ever declares independence Taiwan has been a multi-party democracy since 1996 Taiwan's defence ministry says China now has nearly 1,000 missiles aimed at the island The US is the major arms supplier to Taiwan and has warned China that any attack on the island would be viewed with "grave concern"

China's new role in the making of Europe. China's new role in the making of Europe By David Gosset The redistribution of global power modifies relations between great powers and invites them to reconsider their diplomatic priorities. While in the aftermath of World War II the future of Europe was proactively shaped by the United States, or more precisely, by a group of American "Wise Men", China is now in a position to have an unprecedented impact on the European integration. As Beijing fully develops its immense potential and becomes the world's biggest economy in the coming decade, its capacity to influence will certainly grow. In this rapidly changing context, the leaders of the European Union and China should rethink the significance of trans-Eurasian links and open a new chapter in the relations between two of the world's most ancient civilizations.

Whether the degree as well as The Chinese renaissance should be seen by Europe as a source of synergies. (Copyright 2012 Asia Times Online (Holdings) Ltd. Integral element of energy security|Comment. Updated: 2013-09-20 15:35 By David Gosset and Temir Porras Ponceleon (China Daily) Maduro visit adds new zing to China's Venezuelan ties and relationship with broader region By choosing Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and Mexico as destinations for his second foreign trip, President Xi Jinping illustrated the strategic importance of the relations between Beijing and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, a bloc of 33 countries representing 600 million people. Though the economic exchanges between the US and Latin America are still much larger than China-Latin America trade, the speed of change that has characterized Sino-Latam ties is striking. Bilateral trade between China and what was often referred to as the US backyard has risen from negligible levels to more than $250 billion now.

Within the China-CELAC dynamics, Sino-Brazilian, Sino-Mexican and Sino-Argentinean relations constitute intra-G20 interactions. China also shares technology with Venezuela. A consuming passion for quality eats away at the nation's heart|Business. Updated: 2013-10-14 06:32 By Lyu Chang in Beijing and Qiu Bo in London (China Daily) Chinese companies eye more overseas mergers and acquisitions to offset rising safety concerns at home Donna Wang is one of the several shoppers buying ham at a busy supermarket in downtown Shanghai.

Unlike most of her peers who are scouring the shelves for reputable foreign brands, Wang prefers to buy ham made by the Chinese pork producer Shuanghui Group. "My actions may seem rather strange," Wang says. As an old customer of Shuanghui, Wang feels that the brand does have the vital ingredients - trust factor and quality - needed to build confidence with customers. "The Chinese company has moved further up the quality ladder with its recent $7.1 billion purchase of US pork producer Smithfield Foods Inc. "I believe that the association with the US company, which has a reputation for high quality, will automatically make the Chinese company conform to international standards.

Cecily Liu contributed to the story. Wen signals something new. SINOGRAPHWen signals something newFrancesco Sisci After years of delay, crackdowns, and failures, the time finally seems to have arrived for political reform in China, and this coincides with a major demotion in the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), as on the 15th controversial Chongqing party chief Bo Xilai was replaced by Jiang Dejiang. In his last press conference as prime minister, Wen Jiabao announced on March 14 to Chinese and foreign journalists - and to the billion Chinese who followed his remarks on TV - that without political reform, the economy could face serious problems. Thus he ideologically reversed the previous order of things, which called for economic reforms first and then, later or never, political changes.

Moreover, he hinted that without political changes even the present economic welfare, buttressing the CCP's hold on power, could be shaken. This last issue is crucial for the next phase of China's development. (Copyright 2011 Francesco Sisci.) China News, China Business News, Taiwan and Hong Kong News and Business. Currency clash has two sides By Kieran Osborne We are constantly being bombarded with rhetoric out of Washington: "China isn't allowing its currency to appreciate fast enough"; "China's exchange rate policies are stealing jobs from America"; "We're playing fair, why can't China? " More often than not, the more vociferous proponents come from politicians who, in our opinion, are simply posturing for votes, attempting to provide catchy sound bites they believe will resonate with their constituents without fully grasping the underlying fundamentals at play. The situation itself is truly paradoxical - akin to a major corporation thanking its largest creditor by insulting them.

The currency debate, just as every coin, has two sides. Let's address each of the above concerns in turn, and what it means for you as an investor: China isn't allowing its currency to appreciate fast enough It would be a shock to the global system. We have already seen a similar dynamic play out in the spring of 2008. Analysis: Are the good times over for the Chinese economy? China’s growth has been astonishing in the past two decades, averaging over 10 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) every year between 1992 and 2007, with the only exception being the few years after the Asian financial crisis. Those who have predicted the country’s downfall have always been proven wrong: so far, the People’s Republic of China has been no paper tiger.

The financial crisis of 2007, which hit the US badly and triggered the excruciating European debt crisis, left China relatively unscathed. In 2007 the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth hit 14.2 per cent and in 2010, after a brief slump, it was back at 10.4 per cent. Before the crisis, some thought that the reliance on exports of many Asian countries would hit producers, but when China kept marching on despite plunging US and European demand, the theory of “decoupling” spread.

The idea was that emerging economies could follow their own development path, regardless of what goes on in developed countries. China angles for Arctic power as ice melts - Features. Ice is melting away at a record-breaking rate in the Arctic, exposing valuable natural resources and opening up new shipping routes. Measurements taken last August found levels of Arctic sea ice were at their lowest levels since satellites began measuring the ice in 1979. China doesn't own any Arctic territory - in fact, its northernmost point is more than 1,400km south of the Arctic Circle.

But it's nevertheless taking a strong interest in the region, building a physical presence there and using diplomacy and trade ties to gain a foothold. China’s actions in the region have paid off as it, along with five other non-Arctic states, have been granted permanent observer status to the Arctic Council, an intergovernmental forum of eight countries with Arctic territory. Gaining observer status does not allow China any voting rights on the Arctic Council.

But it does give it sway in an increasingly important region. 'Profound impact' “In 30 to 40 years, there will not be any summer ice ... Health tourism can be a dose of good medicine|Industries. Updated: 2012-09-24 08:02 By Yang Wanli and Liu Zhihua (China Daily) Modern care and a bit of shopping is just what the doctor ordered, Yang Wanli and Liu Zhihua report. An increasing number of wealthy Chinese are flying overseas, but not to shop for luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada. These people are looking for something not found on department store shelves. They are seeking beautiful faces, stronger hearts, clearer eyes or just a better understanding of their health. Liu Yuan, a 31-year-old sales manager at an advertising company in Beijing, had laser eye surgery earlier this year. She was impressed with the care and the skill of surgeons at the private clinic she attended in Singapore. "The long waiting time at public hospitals in China is so embarrassing and you can't choose the surgeon you want.

The return flight cost her 5,000 yuan ($793) and she also had the opportunity to shop in Singapore. The results were beyond Shao's expectations. Sheep serum therapy. China to promote cleaner growth|Politics. Updated: 2013-05-22 03:21 By Zhao Shengnan (China Daily) China aims to promote cooperation among Asian political parties for sustainable development as Asia has become an engine of global economy but faces environmental challenges, an official of the Communist Party of China said on Tuesday. Shen Beili, director of Bureau I under the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks ahead of the opening of the 2013 International Conference of Asian Political Parties Special Conference, which will be held in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, from May 30 to 31.

The meeting, themed "Promote Green Development and Build a Beautiful Asia Together", has received a positive response from various political parties, that want to share experiences and practices regarding green development, Shen said. Asia is gearing up for stronger growth in 2013 amid global recession, with the latest forecasts from the International Monetary Fund in April at 5.7 percent. China tops APEC CEOs' picks for investment: survey|Economy. Updated: 2013-10-05 13:47 (Xinhua) BEIJING -- Despite signs of an economic slowdown and capital outflows, a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) study of chief executive officers (CEOs) in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) countries found 68 percent are planning to increase investments.

Over the next year, executives believe rapid urbanization, the expanding middle-class and a burgeoning demand for infrastructure will continue to generate new growth, PwC said Saturday. China tops CEOs' picks for investments in the next three to five years, followed by Indonesia and the United States, according to the survey of 500 business leaders. "China has been recognized by global CEOs as a key destination for business investment in the future thanks to its competitive production costs and growing technological skills," said David Wu, PwC Beijing senior partner.

"China understands the need for urbanization and greater investment in infrastructure. A tale of two Asian nations |World. Brazil and China, Oiling the Wheels of Business. Brazil and China, Oiling the Wheels of Business By Fabiana Frayssinet RIO DE JANEIRO - China's demand for energy has prompted it to embrace Brazil as a major oil partner, fueling the dramatic expansion of Chinese companies in the South American country.

While some see this as a boost to the Brazilian economy, others fear that it poses a risk to this country's future self-sufficiency. China has been Brazil's principal oil investor in the past three years, through China Petrochemical Corp (Sinopec) and Sinochem Corp (Sinochem), energy expert Adriano Pires told Inter Press Service. China, which is now Brazil's main trading partner, has invested some US$15 billion, especially in purchases of assets in companies already operating in Brazil in offshore oil exploration and production. "China's strategy is to secure oil reserves to guarantee its supply," said Pires, the director of the Brazilian Center for Infrastructure (CBIE).

"There is no risk [in doing business with China]. China Focus: China to enter "cruise era"|Popular destinations. Xiamen, Fujian -- China' s cruise tourism business is booming. There is a growing number of tourists; harbor infrastructure is much improved and the government is lending its not inconsiderable support. More or less everyone at the 17th China International Fair for Investment and Trade, running right now at China' s southeast coast resort of Xiamen, agrees that the industry is on the up. Since Xiamen, Taiwan and Hong Kong set up the "straits cruise ring", the era of Chinese cruising has finally come, said Wang Chi, chairman of the cruise division of China Ports & Harbors Association. From October, Xiamen will be the home port of four cruise tours, with destinations including Keelung, Kaohsiung and Taichung in Taiwan; Hong Kong; and, in the Philippines, Boracay Island and Manila.

It was only two years ago that Xiamen became a cruise destination for the first time. Cruises have become more and more popular among middle-class Chinese tourists in recent years. Geopolitics of energy and Korea’s choice (19) By Chae Hee-bong There are several forthcoming important changes in geopolitics of world energy and climate change issues that require attention. First, China’s presence in the global energy market will be evident in the next three decades.

China is already ranked first in the world in terms of total energy consumption. It is forecast for China to account for around 40 percent in the increase of world oil consumption over the next three decades. Prominently increasing China’s presence in the world energy market will certainly bring some significant changes to world energy geopolitics. It is already scrambling for oil and gas in Africa and the Middle East to satisfy its explosive oil demand. China will also try to increase its political and military capability to improve energy security because it’s relatively vulnerable to sudden interruptions in the supply of oil, especially in terms of sea lane transportation. Outward policy Energy and climate change If military clashes between the U.S. Winds of change in China's smog. Winds of change in China's smogBy Brendan O'Reilly Air pollution in Beijing has reached truly apocalyptic proportions. Last week saw the highest smog measurements for north Chinese skies since the implementation of modern monitoring methods.

Vulnerable residents of the Chinese capital were advised to stay indoors, as facemasks and air filtration systems were sold in record numbers. On Monday, kindergartens and primary schools in Beijing suspended outdoor physical education classes to protect vulnerable young bodies from the noxious haze. The toxic air that stagnates around Beijing could be blown away by a serious rearranging of national priorities. Important indication of change is the fact that China's state-run media has extensively covered the ongoing "Airpocalypse". On January 12, readings in Beijing for PM 2.5 particles (the most dangerous particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less) reached 993 micrograms per cubic meter.

Notes: 1. China's luxury consumption shift to quality|Society. China's growth benefits Australian miners|Industries. China-Central Asia ties facilitate regional development |Politics |chinadaily.com.cn. Fears dog China's rising middle class. Secure future for life insurance|Markets. Japanese nationalists land on disputed island, tensions with China intensify. Japanese nationalists land on disputed island, tensions with China intensify. Shale-gas deal sweetens Harper's Beijing trip. Envisioning a new future|Companies. China’s staggering environmental challenges. A political maelstrom in the South China Sea. Asia needs both US and China involved in trade deals | The A-List. Thirst for energy driving China's foreign policy. Does China have a strategy? Going private in healthcare 'is the future'|Economy. Will Asia save global capitalism? - Opinion. South-East Asia and China: All change at ASEAN.

Housing: Will the roof blow off?|In Depth. United in our pursuit of peace and security|Politics. China counts cost of one child policy. China's boom leaves farmers behind - Asia-Pacific. Western groups wary of Chinese buyers. Public-private cooperation gets a boost in St. Petersburg | BUSINESS. China vows to tackle social divide - Asia-Pacific. China pledges $20bn in credit for Africa - Asia-Pacific. The impact of changing demographics|Op-Ed Contributors. China urges more cooperation between ASEAN|Economy.

Middle-income group vital|Opinion. We have pandas, but no trade deal with China. Transforming India's huge potential into growth. Outbound investment continues|Business. Big shifts ahead in Chinese energy consumption. Asia needs both US and China involved in trade deals | The A-List.