The China-led Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) caused much controversy, even before it took off. Such a bank can improve the governance of projects, writes financial analyst Sara Hsu in the Diplomat, although there is no guarantee that will happen.Read More →

Both the US and the UK retain their top positions as a destination for study, reveals the Hurun Chinese Luxury Consumer Survey. They are followed by Australia and Canada. Surprising newcomer is New Zealand at not five, Hurun founder Rupert Hoogewerf tells in the PieNews.Read More →

Prada is still drawing large queues at outlets in Asia and Europe, those queues are one third smaller than they used to be. Branding expert Shaun Rein sees Prada has more problems with Chinese customers than the ongoing anti-corruption campaign, he tells in CNBC.Read More →

Europe talks already about a triple-dip, a third financial crisis, as China´s premier Li Keqiang visited the continent with a global anti-recession business trip, offering deals to Germany, Italy and Russia. Financial analyst Sara Hsu. “Bolstering growth is needed in those countries… It won´t be Li´s last tour.”Read More →

Premier Li Keqiang will visit Germany this week with the largest business delegation ever. Business analyst Shaun Rein explains why China has a rather weak economy, and needs Europe for support. With some advise on German business how to treat Chinese competitors.Read More →

Walking El Camino, the famous pilgrimage road to Santiago de Compostela, is an old European tradition, but rapidly becoming popular today too. Author Zhang Lijia started yesterday her El Camino, and will keep us updated on her weblog.Read More →

Representatives of the China Speakers Bureau will be traveling to Southern Europe in the second half of April. Stop-overs are scheduled for #Switzerland (Geneva, Lausanne and Zurich), France (#Lyon) and Italy (#Milan). If you are interested to meet one of our people in person, do drop us a line.Read More →

Paris and Europe in general are losing track as hot spots for buying luxury goods, as the crisis hits China’s middle class, and consumers move from luxury goods to lifestyle, tells business analyst Shaun Rein in WSJ. “Why buying expensive goods, if you cannot have clean water and air?”Read More →

Low wages in the world’s factory floor China have been for decades a deflationary force in the global economy. But as labor costs rise in China, developed countries can no longer count on getting cheap products, tells business analyst Shaun Rein in Global Sources. “China will focus on high value-added products.Read More →