Other Briefings
FDI in China more than doubles in January
Feb. 20 – China used US$11.2 billion in foreign direct investment in January, a growth of 109.78 percent over the same period of last year, the Ministry of Commerce said Tuesday. This is a result of strong investor confidence in China’s economic growth. In the coming months, FDI in China is expected to remain large […]
China, India, Vietnam foreign direct investment discussions – Singapore
Complimentary meetings to discuss FDI available February 27-29 Chris Devonshire-Ellis, the Senior Partner of Dezan Shira & Associates, and publisher of China Briefing, India Briefing, 2point6billion.com and the brand new Vietnam Briefing title is in Singapore next week speaking at the Asia Business Forum “China Mergers & Acquisitions” conference, and will be available following this, […]
CPI predicted to rise 7.5 percent in January
Jan. 18 – The Bank of China forecast a minimum 7.5 percent rise in the January Consumer Price Index (CPI), mainly fuelled by rising food prices and the worst winter weather in decades. The bank said in a report issued Friday that the CPI would rise between 5 to 7 percent in the first half […]
Politicizing the Beijing Olympics a flawed concept
Political protests in such forums also a denial of free speech By Chris Devonshire-Ellis Feb. 15 – With Steven Spielberg’s decision to resign as advisor to the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony over the civil war in Darfur, coming on top of the British Athletics Federation bungling over the IOC’s clause 51 and the comments by […]
Chinese New Year retail sales up 16 percent
Consumer spending up despite poor weather conditions Feb 14 – China’s retail sales, the country’s key gauge of consumer spending, surged 16 percent during the weeklong Spring Festival holiday despite the worst winter storms in 50 year buffeting the country. Consumers spent RMB255 billion (US$34.9 billion) over the holiday, up from RMB219.8 billion in the […]
Common misperceptions about China
By Chris Devonshire-Ellis Feb. 13 – During the build up to the Olympics, China will come under increasing scrutiny from the world press and tourists. Many of them may not be familiar with China and some will have misperceptions about the country based on old stories or misunderstandings. In this occasional series we will highlight […]
Beijing Olympics becoming politicized, UK Olympic Association backs down after stand-off with athletes
Section 51 of Olympic Charter likely to be a key issue of interpretation Feb. 13 – In the second potentially embarrassing event to hit the Olympics this week it has emerged that the British Olympic Association has had to back down from proposed clauses it had wanted to insert into athletes contracts to prevent them […]
China’s commodity ration coupons
China began issuing commodity ration coupons (known as liang piao) in the 1950s, with specific coupons issued for foodstuffs, fuel, even bicycles. Without them you were not permitted to purchase the goods. The system, which was only finally abolished in 1995, ensured that under the collective system, everyone got their fair share. Pictured are food […]
