Taiwan

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) drafting rules that would subject more foreign direct investments (FDI) to its national security review process. Diverse United States (US) airlines move to comply with China’s order regarding the treatment of Taiwan on their websites and in maps. Chinese mergers and acquisitions activity in the US in the first half of 2018 has plummeted versus the comparable period last year due to political and other factors. Chinese investors kicking out their European soccer club investments due to Beijing’s crackdown on “irrational” overseas FDI. Rosneft, a Russian state-owned firm, files USD $1.4 billion lawsuit against Japanese and other stakeholders in Sakhalin oil and gas project. Just days after Japan passes controversial law allowing development of three new casino resorts, Genting Singapore forms five new subsidiaries in Japan. Laos to investigate possible construction flaws after dam collapse that was built by joint venture involving South Korean, Thai and Lao companies. Korea’s financial regulator helping Korean financial firms expand into overseas markets due to saturated domestic market.

China National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) official says Code of Conduct and Blacklist governing outward foreign direct investment (FDI) by private firms on the horizon. China’s outward FDI (OFDI) Code of Conduct calls for no bribery, environmental impact assessments, and respect for Chinese and host-country rules. Britain’s nuclear regulator approves Hitachi’s plans for advanced boiling water nuclear reactor. Financially troubled, state-backed Japan Display looking to attract over USD $1.8 billion in Chinese investment. Lotte Group shifting investment from China to Indonesia as part of Southern Eastern Policy after domestic Chinese conditions continue to cause company financial difficulties. South Korean and Chinese ministers reach agreement to lift retaliatory measures against Korean battery makers operating in China.

The China Insurance Regulatory Commission states China is moving to increase foreign involvement in the insurance sector. In conjunction with the latest BRICs meeting, State Grid of China touts its contribution to and presence in Brazil. Kawasaki Heavy Industries competing for USD $3.2 billion contract to build subway cars from New York’s state-run Metropolitan Transpiration Authority. Foxconn joins bidding process for Japanese chipmaker Toshiba’s USD $19.5 billion NAND memory technology. North Korea’s missile launch explodes USD $1.5 billion South Korea’s shipbuilding industry deal with foreign firm. Beijing Hyundai resumes operation at stalled Changzhou (China) facility, but the firm still faces many other challenges. Freeport McMoran to retain control over operations of Grasberg mine, with USD $750 million investment to be made next year. Indonesia urges APEC to boost cross-border investment by supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises. Thailand's small and medium-sized enterprises urged to invest in Mandalay, Myanmar because of favorable economic and political environments. Tien Phong Industrial Zone JSC and Russia’s Seaport of Azov sign memorandum of understanding to jointly build Vietnam-Russia Industrial Complex. South Korean investment in Vietnam continues to soar as tariffs reductions from the ASEAN-Korea free trade agreement slowly come into effect.

China announces draft rule that would require certain firms to obtain permission to transfer data out of China. Apple promotes the adoption by yet more of its China suppliers of renewable energy. A Chinese think tank and corporate collaborator release a report showing that Chinese firms have been substantially boosting their investment in the manufacturing sector. Potential seen for greater Chinese involvement in ambitious American infrastructure programs. China and Myanmar agree to open oil pipeline linking Myanmar’s Kyaukpyu port to Yunnan, China. Likely opposition from Japanese and US government may drive Toshiba to reject highest bid from Taiwan’s China-connected Hon Hai. Korean companies participate in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 project and, accordingly, will get special support from the Saudi government. Foreign firms pour money into South Korea’s IT, fashion, and entertainment startups to profit from Korea’s cultural power. News reports reveal Malaysia Korea Partners funneled money to the leadership in Pyongyang for decades, violating UN sanctions. China’s Alibaba Group and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) jointly establish Digital Free Trade Zone. Cheaper labor, less stringent legal structure, and better intellectual property right protections spur Italian corporate pivot from China into Vietnam. Local officials in Can Tho court French investment in various sectors including agriculture.

At the 8th Strategic and Economic Dialogue talks, the US will press China to improve its business and investment climate. China say it will propose a global investment code at the upcoming G20 summit in Hangzhou. Tsinghua Unigroup’s leadership is unconcerned about the possibilities the new Taiwan leadership may review two of its investments in Taiwanese testing and packaging chip companies. Chinese bidding consortium goes to Malaysia to tout its advantages for the Singapore-Malaysia high-speed rail project. Indian Finance Minister plans to pursue vigorous implementation of a Japan high-speed rail project linking Ahmedabad and Mumbai when he visits Japan at the end of this month. Japanese firms want the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union. South Korean cooperation with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait leads to accelerate of SK Gas Ltd.’s liquid petroleum gas-based gas chemistry business. Frustrated with a stalled legal case, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) has decided to pull out of a major Nigerian oil exploration and development project. Indonesia is working hard to finalize all the regulations (new and revised) in its 12 economic policy packages. Global rating agencies seem to like Indonesia’s investment quality. Thailand is pushing Food Innopolis, a food cluster designed to enhance the value of the country’s crops. Vietnam’s inward FDI for the first five months of 2016 grows strongly over the comparable period in 2015. Foreign investors can enter the theater industry in Vietnam.