Monthly Archives: July 2010

Dalian Oil Spill Bigger Than Said, But Big Enough For A Minamata Moment?

The pipeline explosion at a PetroChina oil terminal outside Dalian two weeks ago that sent crude oil gushing  in to the Yellow Sea is reckoned to be China’s worst known oil spill. The worst by quite how much is now … Continue reading

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Filed under energy, Environment, Politics & Society

China’s Ambivalent Relationship With Corruption In Business

In an emerging economy like China where who you know matters so greatly to business relationships, the line between connections and corruption is simultaneously a broad and a fine one. The latest annual report by the anti-corruption group Transparency International … Continue reading

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China’s Downpours Continue, Flood Levels Critical

The death toll from this year’s rainstorms and floods has now passed 800 with 333 deaths occurring since July 14, Xinhua reports. The human toll is thankfully not as devastating as in the great floods of 1998, when more than … Continue reading

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China’s Ancient Embrace Of Africa

More than 600 years ago, Chinese merchant marines sailed the seas, extending the Ming dynasty’s influence through trade for three decades before the country shut itself off from the world. Admiral Zheng He led a massive and well armed fleet … Continue reading

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Filed under China-Africa

China Open For Business, But That Business Is Changing

There is a turning point in the development of emerging economies at which the supply of surplus rural labor available to low-cost export manufacturers dries up and real wages start to rise. At that point industrial production becomes more capital … Continue reading

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

Three Gorges Dam Water Level Rising To Critical Height

The death toll from the flooding that has swept across southern and central China this year has passed 750 with at least a further 367 people missing. Xinhua reported 742 deaths as of Friday morning and another 34 over the … Continue reading

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Death Toll From China’s Deadly Rains Passes 700

The death toll from the torrential rains that have inundated many of the southern and central provinces has now passed 700 for the year to date, Xinhua reports. Another 347 people are  reported still missing in what are the worst … Continue reading

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China’s Growing Sway Over World Energy Markets

A decade ago China consumed half as much energy as the U.S. Now, as the International Energy Agency reported earlier this week, China has become the world’s largest energy consumer having passed the U.S. last year (on raw volume if … Continue reading

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Filed under energy, Markets

China’s Bid For 2026 FIFA World Cup

China has indicated that it is considering a bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Problem is that four Asian countries — Australia, Japan, Qatar and South Korea — are bidding for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. If one is … Continue reading

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Map Of Flooding in Eastern And Southern China

The International Red Cross has published a map of the provinces most affected by the flooding caused by the rains of the past few weeks. Just about every one in the south and east. The thumbnail below clicks through to … Continue reading

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Filed under Environment