Fareed Zakaria of CNN's GPS recently interviewed Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. It's a great interview, and I am glad to learn that CNN agreed to not make commentary on what Premier Wen said. In exchange, CNN was given permission to ask whatever they wanted. Zakaria acknowledged "it was one of the most open and frank discussion he has ever seen with a Chinese leader." Here … [Read more...] about Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao interview by CNN’s Fareed Zakaria ignored by English ‘China’ blogs
economy
China, Japan, and U.S., a case of “paper, rock, and scissors”
Many Americans think the politics of East Asia is dominated by China on one side and U.S.-Japan on the other. While that may be true on the surface, the dynamics are actually very complicated, and in fact makes that dichotomy false. The pillar of the Japan-U.S. alliance was born out of the Cold War in fear of the former Soviet Union, which no longer exists today in case you … [Read more...] about China, Japan, and U.S., a case of “paper, rock, and scissors”
The Politicization of the Yuan
The U.S. Congress is running scared. With a mid-term election coming up and a populace that is unhappy about the economy, they have resorted to be mad about something, and that something appears to be China - specifically China's valuation of the Yuan (RMB). The argument goes: China is keeping the yuan artificially low. In keeping the Yuan low, China is stealing job from … [Read more...] about The Politicization of the Yuan
Beijing University Professor Fan Gang: Rising labor cost in China not a worry
It's Labor Day in the U.S.! There has been a lot of sensationalism in the West regarding rising labor costs in China (i.e. Foxconn, Honda, etc.). Just to keep things in perspective, we are talking about instances of factory workers making something like $100 a month to making $150 a month in the richer coastal cities. While it is a whopping 50% jump, that $50/month is easily … [Read more...] about Beijing University Professor Fan Gang: Rising labor cost in China not a worry
Orville Schell on China Daily, “Challenges investors face in US, EU”
I thought this was a very accurate characterization by Orville Schell via an op-ed on China Daily of the "dysfunctional" investment relationship between China and the U.S. at the moment. My interpretation? On one hand, China welcomes investment with open arms; think Intel, GM, Caterpillar, and even Google investing in China. That creates tons of jobs in China. American … [Read more...] about Orville Schell on China Daily, “Challenges investors face in US, EU”