By now, the Cyprus government is still haggling with EU (and its banks) over how to save Cyprus economy, without anyone paying for it. But just a few days ago, they almost managed to get away with a "deal" to pay for it by "taxing" 10% of all bank accounts in Cyprus. This didn't have much of a shock value in the West, except for perhaps in Cyprus, where the populous … [Read more...] about Losing The Last Accountability in the “Do-Over” Democracies, The Buck Doesn’t Stop.
economy
Ann Lee vs Peter Navarro and CNBC on China Real-estate ‘Bubble’
Allen and I had a chance to chat with Professor Ann Lee a little over a year ago, and we continue to see her moderating the warped perspectives in the Anglophone press. In this short CNBC video, she debunks Professor Peter Navarro of UC Irvine. Actually, she's mostly debunking CNBC's narrative. China's urbanization rate is still only about 52%. When China's … [Read more...] about Ann Lee vs Peter Navarro and CNBC on China Real-estate ‘Bubble’
Another Look at the Great Leap Forward
The Founding of the New Republic Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, two events are so controversial that they almost cannot be discussed rationally or void of politics. One of them is the Great Leap Forward of 1958, and the other being the Cultural Revolution of 1966. A reference to history cannot be avoided for any event, more so an event as significant as … [Read more...] about Another Look at the Great Leap Forward
Chinese Energy Strategy in the Next Five Years
I recently had to write an essay about energy trends affecting China, so I thought I'd share here as well, with a few details modified: While China has actively expanded its use of renewable energy and fostered innovation in the clean-tech space, planning on the renewables development and deployment front has been suboptimal in the face of present realities. To advance … [Read more...] about Chinese Energy Strategy in the Next Five Years
My impressions of China so far
I have now been living in China for almost 4 month and I'd like to write a little about my impressions so far from personal experience and in talking to the people. As you all know by now, my views on things like the rule of law, human rights and democracy may be quite different from some of yours (see the posts and comments here, here, here, here, here and here for example). … [Read more...] about My impressions of China so far