Monthly Archives: January 2008

Snow Storm

The worst snow storms in half a century have shown up the fragility of the country’s infrastructure, particularly for transport and power generation. In 14 provinces in east, southern and central China, roads and railways have been overwhelmed, unable to … Continue reading

1 Comment

Filed under Economy, Environment, Politics & Society

Shrinking The Surplus

Cheng Siwei, vice-chairman of the National People’s Congress and thus an economist who carries more political clout than most, forecasts that China’s surplus will shrink this year as the yuan is allowed to appreciate against the U.S. dollar and continue … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under China-U.S., Economy, Markets

Bear Country

With this latest sell-off, the Shanghai stock market index has now fallen 20% this year. That is the classic definition of a bear market. Only question is, has all the froth been blown off or is there still more to … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Economy, Markets

CIC Welcome

While the electioneering U.S. takes China’s and other sovereign wealth fund’s capital but frets about foreigners buying America, the U.K. is courting it. British prime minister Gordon Brown, now visiting Beijing, told his counterpart Wen Jiabao that he would like … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under China-E.U., China-U.S., Economy, Markets

All That Glitters

China is now the world’s biggest gold miner. South Africa had boasted that title since 1905. But no longer. China mined 4 tonnes more in 2007 (276 tonnes vs 272 tonnes), says London precious metals consultancy GFMS, enough to vault … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Economy, Environment, Politics & Society, Product Safety

Slam Dunk

More Chinese capital is backing a household American name. But this isn’t troubled Citigroup or Merrill Lynch. Its the prospering National Basketball Association. And the money is going to set up NBA China, which is hoping to launch a basketball … Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under Politics & Society

Employers Paradise

There are 200 million migrant workers in China’s cities, with a potential backup pool of 100 million more waiting in the countryside. They see themselves treated as second class citizens at best, according to a survey by Shanghai’s Fudan University, … Continue reading

3 Comments

Filed under Economy, Politics & Society

Hewers Of Death

Three thousand seven hundred and eighty six were killed in coal mining accidents in China in 2007, Xinhua reports. Even after two years of 20% falls in fatalities and the closing of 11,115 small operations, China’s coal mines are still … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Trade Worries

Today’s monthly trade figures out of Washington will do little to calm the protectionist spirits in the U.S. America’s trade deficit in November hit its highest level in 14 months, the AP reports, a larger than expected 9.3% increase to … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under China-U.S., Economy, Politics & Society

Control Failure

It has been two decades since China started to scrap price controls on food and consumer goods, a process given a sharp shove forward in 2001 by China joining the World Trade Organization. Now the State Council has reimposed some … Continue reading

1 Comment

Filed under Economy, Politics & Society, Uncategorized