croland

Chinese Censors Slow the Internet and US Businesses

Published on April 3, 2013 Author croland

Because of the infrastructure of China’s Internet censorship and surveillance system, most online traffic runs at a limping pace, whether accessed directly or through a virtual private network (VPN), software designed to allow users to circumvent the Great Firewall and access websites currently blocked in the country. The wide-ranging list of blocked sites include Businessweek.com,… Continue reading Chinese Censors Slow the Internet and US Businesses →

Beijing Puts Brakes on Military Car Perks

Published on April 1, 2013 Author croland

In its latest effort to decrease signs of official corruption, China’s new leadership is focusing on high profile, military officials’ perks–their rides.

China’s Stock Markets Fall

Published on March 27, 2013 Author croland

Hopes that China’s stock markets have finally shed their multi-year losing streak may have been dashed again. Since February 6, just before China’s New Year holiday the Shanghai Composite Index has slumped 5.6 percent. This followed an encouraging 20% rise in the couple months since the market reached a dismal four-year-low last December.

Chinese-Israeli Venture Launches Premium Car

Published on March 7, 2013 Author croland

Chery is China’s ninth largest automaker by sales according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, a semiofficial auto-industry group. Within a crowded market where margins are relatively thin, China’s car sales rose 4.3% in 2012, below 8% industrial officials were expecting. In Hessler’s Country Driving, we all read about Chery cars, but what is… Continue reading Chinese-Israeli Venture Launches Premium Car →

China Invests in U.K. Property & Infrastructure

Published on February 26, 2013 Author croland

China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) is responsible for investing $3.31 trillion worth of foreign-exchange reserves. According to an article by the WSJ, SAFE is showing a new willingness to take significant direct ownership stakes. In the past, the foreign-exchange reserves have relied on ultralow-yield assets such as U.S. government bonds. So why is… Continue reading China Invests in U.K. Property & Infrastructure →

China’s Unsafe Water is Nestlé’s Opportunity

Published on January 26, 2013 Author croland

In China, 70% of lakes and rivers have been polluted by power plants and chemical, paper, and textile factories. As a result of these industrial and agricultural expansions, Chinese consumers are concerned about water quality. They’re turning to bottled water as a safer alternative and that’s boosting Nestlé’s bottled-water sales in China. Sales of bottled… Continue reading China’s Unsafe Water is Nestlé’s Opportunity →

Beijing Shuttle-Bus Accident Kills Seven

Published on January 17, 2013 Author croland

In Country Driving: A Journey Through China From Farm to Factory, Hessler describes a society that is learning to drive and the idiosyncrasies of the country’s new drivers. He relates that the Chinese rarely use turn signals, windshield wipers, seat belts, or headlights; they tailgate and honk at anything that moves. In a word, the… Continue reading Beijing Shuttle-Bus Accident Kills Seven →