David Webb, who has supported transparent financial markets and open government in Hong Kong for a decade and a half, spoke to the crowds in Hong Kong yesterday. His vision is good for Hong Kong and good for China. And he indicates a way out of the confrontation. The speech is below and on Webb-site.com …
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Category:China
China’s NPC opens with some interesting indicators
China’s National People’s Congress opened today with a speech by Premier Wen Jiabao. While these presentations are usually quite unrevealing and perhaps a bit propagandist, some interesting things were said. There will be a continued push to stimulate the economy including a € 0.5 trillion investment package. But part of the bdget includes an increase …
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One country – two systems, again?
It is encouraging to see the relationship between China and Taiwan improving. Practical aspects like increased flights and trade will benefit both countries. Maybe China is willing to engage because they envision another “one country – two systems” arrangement evolving which would allow both China and Taiwan to save face while continuing on their current …
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Get the right perspective.
So, the media leads with the headline that China’s economy slowed during the olympics because businesses were closed to help clear the atmosphere. But its important to get the detail. The rate of growth remains high. Far beyond what western economies are experiencing. industrial output growth of 12.8% in August retail sales up at an …
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Natural power!
More than 55,000 people are known to have died in the earthquake that struck south-west China on 12 May, according to the vice-governor of Sichuan province. The earth quake in China has displaced more people (over 5 million) than the population of Ireland (where I live) and created new land features. These satellite pictures from …
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China now has more internet users than the US
China has jumped past the U.S. in terms of total Internet users. In March 2008, China had more than 230 million people online according to the Beijing based research firm BDA China; that’s only 17% of the population and its growing at about 50% a year. The U.S. by comparison had 216 million users at …
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The world likes China
Link to original article here. How the World Sees China by Andrew Kohut, President, Pew Research Center December 11, 2007 The rise of anti-Americanism in recent years has given China a decided image advantage over the United States. Considerably more people around the world have an unfavorable view of the America than think poorly of …
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Emperor Qian Long to King George III
This link came across my desk and I share it because of my ties to Hong Kong and fondness for China. It is the text of a famous letter from Emperor Qian Long sent to King George III at the height of Chinese civilisation in the 18th century. China entered into a 200-year period of …
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China seeking stakes in more global investment businesses
The FT reports that China’s $61.5 billion social security fund has held talks to acquire ownership stakes in Carlyle Group, KKR and TPG. It’s unclear how far along any of these discussions are, but China has already acquired positions in both The Blackstone Group and Bear Stearns. This further supports the view that China (and …
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China to invest in Africa’s biggest bank
China’s largest bank, the state-run Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, announced plans to acquire a 20% stake in Africa’s biggest bank, Standard Bank, for US$5.5 billion. If approved by South African regulators and ICBC shareholders, the deal would lead to the creation of a US$1 billion private equity fund that will be established by …
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