China Ministry of Commerce report shows anemic increase in inward foreign direct investment (FDI) flows in 2018 year-over-year (YOY), though strong growth in manufacturing inward FDI (IFDI) in 2018 YOY. Foreign automaker optimism about the China market increases due to the calming of the United States (US)-China trade war. JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s 2019 global M&A outlook report predicts Chinese companies will continue to look for overseas mergers and acquisitions (M&As), partly because of readily-available capital. Paitron Services and the China Overseas Development Association report Chinese outward FDI (OFDI) now riskier because of growing tensions with the US and threats posed by terrorist groups. During a recent visit to Israel, US Deputy Secretary warned Jerusalem bilateral intelligence sharing could be at risk if the latter did not implement tougher screening of Chinese investments. Hitachi Ltd. board decision to suspend plans to build two nuclear reactors in the United Kingdom (UK) flow from financial issues not the political turmoil flowing from Brexit. South Korea will pursue closer ties with United Arab Emirates in the energy sector. Seoul High Court upholds ruling ordering Japanese machinery maker Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp. to pay compensation to Korean forced laborers.
