China's Modern Economy 中国现代经济 meets TuTh 11:45-1:15 Huntley 230
While watching the movie in class today I found several points interesting. The topic of interest which struck me most was the lack of concern for the physical health of the mine employees. The orator of the movie failed to comment on employer concern for employees exposure to respiratory coal dust which can cause pulmonary… Continue reading Mine Safety
Issues concerning the EU and Chinas relationship in the solar industry have have increased economic tensions to a point that many fear an oncoming trade war. Since Chinese solar panels cost nearly 45 percent less than solar panels made in the EU, the EU has a market which sales are a continual battle against sales… Continue reading Potential Tariff War between China and EU
Two recent articles written by cbsnews and Bloomberg discuss KFC’s intentions of launching a campaign to rebuild its brand in China. The campaign follows December allegations that a former chicken supplier was found to supply meat with high levels of antibiotics to Chinese chains. YUM Brands Inc., which owns the company, has promised to enforce… Continue reading KFC Launches Campaign to Rebuild Image in China
Cybersecurity company Mandiant Corp. this week published a report on a series of cyberattacks on U.S. companies back to Shanghai. But these reports have been hacked as
A team of economists at Shanghai University recently published an assessment of the merit-based promotion system for Party and government officials. The group looked at the effect of organization management on incentives for cadres to invest in transportation infrastructure (GDP boosting) or environmental improvements. As pollution levels remain high, from air to water, what are… Continue reading Government Promotion and Economic Investment: Green vs. Infrastructure
Peter Hessler has a story in the latest National Geographic, revisiting a town in which he lived in 1996. He therein provides a sense of how rural areas have evolved over the past 15-odd years. For Country Driving, see here and here and herelinks for Sancha including photos of the Wei family. If you visit… Continue reading Sancha and Lishui
Could North Korea’s nuclear test last week be the final straw before the international community takes more serious action against the rogue regime? Chinese resistance to tougher sanctions has weakened past efforts to dissuade Pyongyang from testing nuclear capabilities, but Beijing may be shying away from their longtime ally. In the weeks preceeding the test,… Continue reading N. Korea thumbs nose at China
Chinese and Japanese navies have engaged in yet another case of saber-rattling over the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands. Although it is unlikely that the issue will escalate further in the near future, the ambiguous political climate and lack of resolve to truly resolve the dispute has led to a further straining of relationships between the two nations. In the face… Continue reading Diaoyu/Senkaku
I will examine the Chinese textile industry, and how China became one of the world leaders in textile exports. Of particular interest is how Chinese production affected manufacturing in the American south, as well as Mexico and Central America. I will study the effects of the Multi-Fiber Agreement, the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, and… Continue reading Term Paper Topic
Recently a former Buddhist monk became the 100th person to self-immolate since 2009 for the purpose of publicizing Chinese abuse of Tibet. Self-Immolation is hardly a new concept of civil disobedience. However, the increasing amount of Tibetans lighting themselves on fire has gotten the attention of the Chinese government. It is a problem that brings up nature… Continue reading Tibetan Self-Immolations and China’s Growing Problem
A few weeks ago, two of China’s largest telecom equipment manufacturers, posted very different forecasts for their profitability. Huawei Technologies, the world’s second largest manufacturer behind Ericson, geared up for a net profit of 15.4 billion yuan (approx. $2.48 billion), a 33% increase of FY2011. ZTE Corp., by contrast, warned of a larger loss, something… Continue reading Telecom Manufacturers: Alike in Function, Dissimilar in Profitability
China’s aviation industry is experiencing high levels of growth, at rates higher than GDP growth. This is a relatively young industry in the country compared to more developed nations. With the removal of regulations in 1997, airlines have become more competitive, servicing more airports and routes than before. There are four major state run airlines: Air… Continue reading China’s Aviation Industry
Foreign Affairs‘s January-February 2013 issue has an interesting piece by Huang Yasheng, “Democratize or Die: Why China’s Communists Face Reform or Revolution.” (There’s a companion piece, “The Life of the Party: The Post-Democratic Future Begins in China” by Eric X. Li.) We don’t have time to pursue questions of the interactions of economic performance and… Continue reading Reform or Revolution?
My term paper will center on the relationship between China and Africa, specifically with the investment by China in African countries. First and foremost, I must distinguish between investment by the country of China itself and businesses from China. Some tend to think of actions by Chinese businesses as the carried out orders sent down… Continue reading Term Paper Idea
It is my intention to explore predatory trade policy, specifically between China and the U.S. I will define predatory trade policies, and explain several misconceptions relating to them. Often times the definition of predatory trade policy is controversial as the formal definition was developed by lawyers and may not be accepted by economists. The main… Continue reading Andrews Term Paper Idea