China to Raise Minimum Wage Levels

Photo: Jurvetson/FlickrBEIJING, Jan. 29 – Local governments will raise minimum wage levels as soon as next month from 10 to 12 percent given the recovering economy and rising inflation.

Beginning next month, Jiangsu Province will increase minimum wage levels  from RMB850 to RMB960, the same level Shanghai and Hangzhou. Beijing will soon follow suit with a 10 percent increase in minimum wages to RMB880 per month by April 1 reports The Global Times. Read the rest of this entry »



New China Briefing Books Out Now

Jan. 22 – China Briefing just released two new titles on doing business in the country; expanding the Asia Briefing roster of invaluable resources for both the new and experienced foreign investor.

Human Resources in China

Due to the rapidly changing nature of the labor market and the laws that govern it in China, it can be very difficult for foreign investors and managers to understand how to manage human resources on the mainland. Produced in association with the human resource professionals at Direct HR, a specialist China recruitment firm, this technical guide is designed to cover the most important issues related to managing a Chinese workforce and details HR issues that both local managers in China and investors looking to establishing an office on the mainland should be aware about.

For more information on our guide to Human Resources in China, including a list of the topics covered, click here. Read the rest of this entry »



Developers Required to Register Idle Land by March 22

SHANGHAI, Jan. 21 – The Shanghai Urban Planning, Land and Resources Administration Bureau is requiring real estate developers to register all idle land by March 22.

Delayed construction projects or land left idle a year after purchase must be registered as well as approved development projects still pending construction. Real estate companies that do not register will be meted a fine equivalent to 20 percent of the land price if the land is left barren for more than one year but less than two years after purchase. Moreover, land left idle for more than two years will be reclaimed by the government. Read the rest of this entry »



Latest China Census to Include Expats

SHANGHAI, Jan. 18 – For the first time ever, foreigners including those from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan will be accounted for by China’s national population census beginning November 1 in Shanghai.

Census workers will scour the city and collect information on the age, nationality, level of education, profession and population migration of foreign residents. For Chinese citizens, marriage, housing, income and social security information will be asked as well. Read the rest of this entry »



FedEx Launches First Direct Boeing Cargo Service from Shanghai to United States

SHANGHAI, Jan. 15 – Shipping giant FedEx will launch its first Boeing 777 cargo service from Shanghai to its hub in Memphis, Tennessee.

The new service will give clients in Shanghai, Suzhou and Kunshan a two-hour improvement in cut-off times easing international shipping reports The Associated Press. Read the rest of this entry »



Shanghai Expo 2010: The Swedish Pavilion

The 2010 World Exposition in Shanghai will be the first registered one in a developing country. Officially known as “Expo Shanghai 2010,” it will last 184 days and provide China an opportunity to show off its remarkable economic growth. The expo will also give foreign nations and companies a chance to further develop business partnerships with China and Chinese companies. This is the tenth in an ongoing series that will look at the upcoming expo, from country pavilions to trade development. In this article, we take a look at the Swedish Pavilion. Read the rest of this entry »



Shanghai Expo 2010: The Norwegian Pavilion

Photo: norwayexpo.cnThe 2010 World Exposition in Shanghai will be the first registered one in a developing country. Officially known as “Expo Shanghai 2010,” it will last 184 days and provide China an opportunity to show off its remarkable economic growth. The expo will also give foreign nations and companies a chance to further develop business partnerships with China and Chinese companies. This is the ninth in an ongoing series that will look at the upcoming expo, from country pavilions to trade development. In this article, we take a look at the Norwegian Pavilion. Read the rest of this entry »



Digital TV Switch to Increase Cable Bills

SHANGHAI, Dec. 18 – Cable television service bills will start to increase next year as Shanghai and other provinces eventually switch from analog to digital broadcasting by 2015.

By 2011, monthly cable TV service bills for Shanghai residents will have increased by 77 percent according to the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission. Read the rest of this entry »



First Interbank Clearing House Set in Shanghai

Photo:micah sittig/FlckerSHANGHAI, Nov. 30 – The country’s first interbank clearing house was launched in Shanghai on Saturday cementing government goals to make the city an international financial hub.

The interbank market with a registered capital of RMB300 million will comprise of banks, securities firms, and asset management companies which trade currency derivatives, bonds and commercial bills and other financial instruments says Shanghai Daily. Read the rest of this entry »



Shanghai Apartment Sale Breaks Record at RMB96 Million

SHANGHAI, Nov. 18 – A luxury apartment broke price records when it was sold for RMB96.09 million (US$14.07 million) to an unidentified buyer reports Shanghai Daily.

The Tomson Riviera luxury complex apartment was priced at RMB160,848 per square meter and located on the 28th floor of Block A. The 597 square meter apartment in Lujiazui offers breathtaking views of the Huangpu River.

The luxury complex has so far sold 42 apartments since it was offered for sale four years ago by the Hong Kong-based developer Tomson Group Limited. Read the rest of this entry »