Other Briefings
China Foreign Investment Climbs by 60 Percent
May 13 – The amount of foreign direct investment pouring into China increased by up to 59.32 percent to US$35.02 billion for the first four months of the year, reports the Ministry of Commerce. On the other hand, the number of approved foreign-funded companies decreased by 23.15 percent to 9,490 compared to the same […]
Beijing to Implement Subway Security Checks
BEIJING, May 9 – Beijing’s subway system will soon implement security checks by the end of June. According to sources, passengers carrying unidentified beverages will be asked to consume them before entering. Passengers will be subject to security checks by machines, dogs or police officers at all subway stations. Subway entries have been equipped by […]
Agricultural Trade Deficit Hits US$3.66 Billion
May 9 – China’s Ministry of Agriculture reported that first quarter trade of agricultural products incurred a deficit of US$3.66 billion in contrast to last year’s surplus of US$460 million for the same period. No explanation was provided by the ministry although sources speculate it could stem from a decrease in grain exports and increasing […]
China Pledges Relief as Myanmar Faces Pressure to Allow International Aid In
May 8 – As Myanmar struggles to respond to a disaster of epic proportions, the ruling military junta is coming under increasingly strident calls by the world community to open the nation’s doors to international aid organizations. This has put the reclusive government in a position it extremely dislikes, having to ask the outside world […]
Olympic Torch Reaches Top of Mt. Everest
May 8 – The Olympic Flame has reached the world’s tallest mountain. Chinese climbers reached the summit of Mt. Everest this morning, hoisting the flame at 9:18 am Beijing time. After a turbulent world relay in which protests dogged the torch, and strict measures by both China and neighboring Nepal to bar access to Mt. […]
Think Tank: Inflation Rates to Ease in Q2
May 7 – China’s policy group, the State Information Center, predicts that inflation rates could ease to 7.5 percent from 8 percent come the second quarter of the year. It cautions that inflationary pressures will remain due to high grain prices and continued investment. “Seasonal changes and government measures to boost agricultural supplies may cause […]
China Trade with Southeast Asia Jumps 26 Percent in First Quarter
May 5 – China’s trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations increased to US$54.4 billion in the first quarter of 2008, a 26 percent increase over the same period last year, sources with the Ministry of Commerce reported on Friday. According to Xinhua, bilateral trade reached US$202.5 billion last year, representing a year-on-year increase […]
May China Briefing out now
May 1 – The May issue of China Briefing magazine is out now and available for download (please click on the picture at the right). In this issue, we examine the complexities of managing a joint venture partner in China, including handling due diligence and risk issues. Specifically, we look at regulatory risks, political risks, […]
