(On January 5, 2012, I sat down with Shaun Rein, founder and Managing Director of the China Market Research Group, to talk about China. He gave us his insights into major events of 2011. In this hour-long interview, we touched on many topics: pollution, CNN and Christian Bale's recent run-in with Chinese police, food safety, Weibo, and so on.) YinYang:2011 was another … [Read more...] about A conversation with Shaun Rein on China
trade
America feeling missing out in Asia
With Obama meeting other East Asian countries in Hawaii these few days, the "American re-engagement with Asia" story is all of a sudden in vogue again. This new way of thinking actually started with President Obama's promise couple of years ago to double America's exports in the not too distant future. The goal itself is worthy and is an excellent way to channel America's … [Read more...] about America feeling missing out in Asia
Kunming-Singapore High Speed Railway construction starts
By 2020, China's FTA with ASEAN nations will get another big boost; a 3,900km high-speed railway system linking China's Kunming through Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia down to Singapore becomes operational and construction has already started. See my hand-drawing in the regional map below to get a sense of scope of this project. China's trade with the ASEAN countries has … [Read more...] about Kunming-Singapore High Speed Railway construction starts
Chinese Shoppers Spend New Year’s In America
Times certainly are changing. As hundreds of millions Chinese travel for family reunion, increasing number are taking the time to go abroad and indulge themselves. Chinese tourists have gone on shopping sprees to Japan and then Taiwan in recent years, since US visa is notoriously difficult to obtain (Chinese applicants are denial-based.) Now, it seems US is relaxing tourist … [Read more...] about Chinese Shoppers Spend New Year’s In America
China invests $601billion in water conservation
Should China levy environmental tax on exports? Before offering my thoughts on that question, I'd like to share some news first. China has announced spending 4 trillion yuan ($601 billion) over the next decade in water projects, mainly to tackle over-exploitation, usage efficiency, and pollution. The country plans to cap water consumption at 670 billion cubic meters, and … [Read more...] about China invests $601billion in water conservation