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• Currency Reform and Inflation Highlighted at 2012 National Peoples’ Congress Meeting - Editor, 14 March 2012

In a news conference following an annual parliament session today, Premier Wen Jiabao said that China will increase efforts to reform its currency program, in order to allow the yuan to float more freely. Noting that in the Hong Kong market non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) had begun to fluctuate both ways, Wen said that this is an indication that the yuan may be near a balanced level. He went on to offer his assurance that authorities will step-up exchange rate reforms.

• China and Taiwan Continue to Strengthen Trading Ties - Editor, 18 January 2012

Having won the country's elections with 51.5 percent of votes cast, Taiwan's president Ma Ying-jeou will continue to push for the strengthening of ties between his country and mainland China. It was under Ma Ying-jeou's leadership that the two parties agreed in 2008 to end the ban on air, sea and postal links that had been put in place when Taiwan broke away from the People's Republic of China. The response to the lifting of these travel bans was very positive, with an estimated 1.3 million Chinese tourists flocking to Taiwan in 2010. Currently up to 550 flights travel between China's mainland and Taiwan each week, and bilateral trade has reached US$150 billion.

• New China Opium War and Peace - Editor, 17 March 2008

History cannot repeat itself entirely in this case. It is about 200 years since European traders first landed in China. Missionaries followed soon after. Foreigners were as amazed then as they are now by the culture of China. There was the inevitable financial angle as well. Silk, spices, and tea were amongst the most wanted commodities from China. The dynasty then was as assertive as the Beijing government of today. Opium from other parts of Asia was introduced to China. It became an instrument of oppression. Decadence culminated in humiliating defeat. A once proud China had to open its ports to foreign trade. The latter was unbalanced, leaving little gain for China.

• Which Hotel to Choose for a First Visit to China - Editor, 10 March 2008

A hotel can make or break your trip to China. Vacation or business, your schedule needs a good night’s rest. Laundry, a filling breakfast, and reasonably priced telephone calls home, are other touches to keep you comfortable. Then there are emergencies. You want to be sure that the staff can get you out in case of fire. A competent doctor has to arrive quickly if you develop unbearable pain. There are loads of essential services you wish will never be needed.

• China Business Contributions to the Business Management Profession (Part 1) - Editor, 12 January 2008

China business has important distinguishing features. It is not the same as running a company in the western world, or in countries that are content to use US and European templates for their commerce and industries. Human resources of enterprises and organizations have subtle but pervasive influences on functioning and outcomes. That is why culture, social norms, and language, have such large roles in transnational operations. Formal business management is a largely Anglo-Saxon phenomenon. It has taken substantial shape only in the second half of the 20th century.

• China Business Contributions to the Business Management Profession (Part 2) - Editor, 12 January 2008

China Business Contributions to the Business Management Profession (Part 1)

China Business Stamps

What are the defining characteristics of China business There are three dimensions to this issue that foreigners may like to bear in mind for their joint venture proposals related to China business: these relate to governance, accountability, and language. Each of these three axes is directly opposed to the norms of western capitalism. Anyone who has ideological problems in accepting them should prefer outright sale and purchase arrangements with China business rather than joint ventures.

• Is China Business Alone in Quality Complaints? (Part 1) - Editor, 7 January 2008

It cannot be that people care more about toys than the medicines they take to safeguard health. Yet, the media coverage for lead in toys manufactured on outsourcing bases through China business entities is way more than vital slips in US drug manufacture! Consider the vaccine line of Merck: the company found contamination in its Pennsylvania plant and had to recall an entire batch. China business had nothing to do with this, though the country had an inventory of over 100 thousand doses before the recall procedure was put in motion. US regulators, who lose no opportunity to harangue China business for quality lapses, have not publicized this serious issue in their own backyard!

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