Latest Posts
Does Taiwan need tanks? – Wendell Minnick
Taiwan can take over cheap US main battle tanks, left over from the war in Iraq, but that has sparked off an old debate. Does Taiwan need tanks for its defense? Military analyst Wendell Minnick reports in Defense News. Read More →
In China, dark is ugly – Zhang Lijia
Getting a sun taint is traditionally not done in China, especially for women. The Asia Society collected stories on a dark color and celebrity author Zhang Lijia tells how a darker skin was met with scorn in her youth.Read More →
McDonald’s healthy profile in China – Shaun Rein
Obese Americans struggling with their health might find this odd, but McDonald’s is preferred by many Chinese consumers, because its fast food is perceived to be healthy, explains Shaun Rein in NPR. Healthy according to Chinese standards, that is. Read More →
Africans should set terms for China deals – Howard French
China is getting a relative benevolent judgement on the deals its closes in Africa, but too often China sets the terms. African countries should do their home work better, before signing a deal, argues Howard French, a former correspondent in Africa and China, in The Asian Investor.Read More →
US-Taiwan ties strained despite F-16 upgrade deal – Wendell Minnick
Taiwan and the US Air Force closed a US$ 3.7bn deal on upgrading the island’s F-16 fleet after two years of negotiations. But the deal did not really improve the US-Taiwan relationship, writes Wendell Minnick in Defense News.Read More →
Apple sales are going to be strong – Shaun Rein
No chaotic scenes today in China as Apple offered their latest iPad for sale, but business analyst Shaun Rein, and author of “The End of Cheap China” expects strong sales for the US company, he tells at CNBC.Read More →
Chinese investors expect high risks, high returns – Rupert Hoogewerf
The economic boom in China of the past 30 years has Chinese investors made used to getting high returns on their investments, tells China Rich list founder Rupert Hoogewerf to the BBC.Read More →
Why Australia appeals to the Chinese tourist – Paul French
Australia is one of the favorite destinations for 40 percent of the Chinese tourists, even beating France and the US. Retail analyst Paul French of Access Asia explains in InsideRetailing why.Read More →
More losers than winners in fashion brands – Shaun Rein
H&M and Zara might be winners in the competitive fashion market in China, tells author Shaun Rein of “The End of Cheap China” to the BBC. But brands like Gap, Marks & Spencer, American Apparel, Abercrombie & Fitch and Banana Republic belong to the majority of the losers.Read More →
My meeting with Chen Guangcheng in NY – Zhang Lijia
The author Zhang Lijia was one of the first journalists who introduced the blind lawyer Chen Guangcheng to Western media, now 12 years ago. After his daring escape, they found now time to meet at NYU in New York, Zhang Lijia tells on her weblog.Read More →
Electricity usage, not longer a good measurement for growth – Shaun Rein
A severe drop in the usage of electricity has been used to point at a drop in economic growth. But business analyst Shaun Rein, and author of “The End of Cheap China” explains to the BBC why electricity is no longer a good measurement, and China’s growth is still well at track.Read More →
Suzhou “still no Silicon Valley” – William Bao Bean
China has put innovation high on its political agenda and the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) has drawn thousands of start-ups. But that makes it not yet a Silicon Valley, warns venture capitalist William Bao Bean with Singtel Innov8 in Marketplace.Read More →