China

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard's picture

Loco about Localization: The Obvious is Not for Chinese Companies

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard
Posted: Aug 24, 2015

It is de rigueur today that Chinese companies need to become more localized. At a minimum, they need to become more aware of local laws, regulations, and customs and abandon the idea they can do things like they do them at home. At the maximum, they need to hire more local workers and managers, source more goods locally, transfer technology, and become better corporate citizens, adopting meaningful corporate social responsibility programs.

MNCs in the News-2015-08-21

China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) revives “dead” banking sector technology rules. Chinese labor law on dispatch workers encourages firms to turn to contract manufacturing. High-tech firms turn to Hong Kong as new host destination. National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and CBRC issue guidelines designed to prod banks to support major overseas and domestic projects. China injects massive amount of capital into China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China to bolster resources for outward investment and overseas projects. Sri Lanka stresses it still welcomes Chinese investment. Korean coal-fired power plant project in Kazakhstan may be going up in smoke. Korea’s LG Group and its affiliates look to deepen their involvement in Western China on the back of good government relations and favorable Chinese government policies. Indonesia optimistic about inward FDI in manufacturing and will offer special policies to attract more. Vietnam will give private investors greater stakes in select state energy companies. Vietnam courts foreign public and private involvement in its tuna and seafood industries

MNCs in the News-2015-08-14

Inward FDI into China in July shows decent growth. China’s State Council works on the distribution of a draft automobile sector antitrust policy. Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment lauds contribution of foreign firms to Shanghai’s innovation. Qualcomm partnership with Semiconductor Manufacturing Industrial chips away at competitors. Tsinghua Unigroup is on the move to bolster China’s domestic telecommunication chip capabilities. Chinese outward foreign direct investment soars in first six months of the year versus the prior year. Chinese firms pour money into Germany. Mitsubishi Materials works to settle restitution cases with Chinese laborers. South Korean companies very willing to work in North Korea. Japanese and Chinese battle to win high-speed rail opportunity in Indonesia. Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) one-stop service wins new rights to permits for the oil and gas sector and minerals and coal mining sector.

Dr. Amitendu Palit's picture

India as the New Destination for East Asian Assembling and Its Implications

Dr. Amitendu Palit
Posted: Aug 21, 2015

Chinese smartphone producer Xiaomi has tied up with Taiwanese electronics contract manufacturer Foxconn to manufacture mobile phones in India. The first batch of Xiaomi phones (Redmi 2 Prime) assembled by Foxconn in India’s southern state of Andhra Pradesh was launched recently. Greater low-cost phone production by Xiaomi in collaboration with Foxconn will be enthusiastically welcomed by Indian consumers given their voracious appetite for mobile phones:

MNCs in the News-2015-08-07

Foreign car companies launch recalls for cars imported into and produced in China. GlaxoSmithKline rehires employee who may have revealed its bribery activities in China. China public security organs will establish network security offices in leading Internet firms. Facing soaring costs at home, Chinese textile firms invest in the US to take advantage of lower production costs. Chinese firms increasingly planting agricultural investment in places like Australia. Mitsubishi Materials arrives at a settlement with conscripted Chinese workers. Japan will send high-level minister to Iran to explore investment and trade opportunities. Korean Economic Research Institute calls for government to reduce restrictions and provide better services to improve Korea’s inward FDI performance. Australian court overturns massive Adani group (India) mine, rail, and port project in Australia. Indonesia to issue new tax holiday policy. Vietnam touts growing M&A and policies to support greater foreign investment in Vietnam. Vietnam recognizes contribution of foreign firms to promoting the sale of Vietnamese goods.

MNCs in the News-2015-07-24

China’s utilized foreign direct investment (FDI) in first six months of 2015 increases significantly over the same period in 2014. Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) expects solid FDI inflow results for 2015. China’s move to create incentives for traditional gas-powered hybrids may open opportunities for foreign car companies in China. Chinese outward FDI is on a path to exceed inward FDI. Tsinghua Unicom’s pursuit of Micron raises all kinds of anxieties. Chinese FDI dominates Myanmar investment scene. U.S. Federal Reserve Bank requires China Construction Bank to shape up it anti-money laundering rules. China’s Industrial and Commercial Bank of China promises to help Kenya realize new gains. Japan’s Mitsubishi Materials apologizes for use of slave laborers during Second World War and reports suggest it may offer compensation. Japan Tobacco International faces opposition in Taiwan to massive plan investment proposal. Indonesia remains Southeast Asia’s premier FDI destination, but faces challenges in reaching 2015 targets. Thailand attracts more investment projects in July, but value of investment falls

Dr. Manochehr Dorraj's picture

The Return of the Middle East to its Asian Home? The Expanding Middle East-Asia Nexus and its Ramifications, part I

Dr. Manochehr Dorraj
Posted: Jul 20, 2015

“The Asianization” of the Middle East, fostered by expanding trade, energy, immigration, military and political ties between Asia—most notably, China, Japan, South Korea, India and the region—foretells a political realignment in which the Asian powers are filling the vacuum created by diminishing US and European influence. The most significant indicator of this trend is China’s expanding energy-related trade and investment links with the region, complemented by substantial increases in bilateral trade, military and political ties.

MNCs in the News-2015-07-17

Food labeling scam smears name of German grocery chain in China. Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd. to bite at US chipmaker Micron Technology. China pursues investment in European Fund for Strategic Investments. Chinese solar firms invest overseas to jump trade barrier walls and diversify. Huawei connects to EU 5G Public Private Partnership. Malaysian Investment Development Authority touts the country’s jump in a Foreign Policy magazine ranking of foreign investment destinations. Malaysian officials encourage Chinese investment in non-construction sector and in building up Malaysia’s internal transportation network. Vietnam holds forum to solicit expect views on foreign investment in the agricultural sector. Vietnamese software firm gains coveted license to run wholly owned telecommunications service operation in Myanmar. Google adjusts name of disputed South China Sea reef in response to Filipino protests.

MNCs in the News-2015-07-10

China tells foreign businesses to stop whining. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) reports that China’s three new free trade zones (FTZs) have attracted significant foreign direct investment (FDI). China’s draft cybersecurity law raises new concerns among foreign technology firms and foreign companies operating in China. China’s heavy outward FDI to and presence around Angola raise concerns among Angolans. Tokyo hosts “Mekong Five” leaders summit to promote export, investment, and infrastructure opportunities for Japanese firms. Japan looks to beat China to build the first deep-water port in Bangladesh. Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chano-Cha courts greatest Japanese investment in Thailand’s special economic zones. Indonesia’s state energy firm Pertamina asserts ownership over the Mahakam block. Indonesia to revoked thousands of unused investment permits issued between 2000 and 2006. Freeport-McMoRan moves to divest mining shares pursuant to Indonesia government regulations. Vietnam moves to build investment and business cooperation in ICT with Japan and South Korea. Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary promises administrative reforms on tax and customs procedures to create a better investment climate for foreign businesses.

MNCs in the News-2015-07-03

China passes National Security Law that alarms Foreign Businesses. Food scandal makes mincemeat out of OSI (China) Holding Co.’s bottom line. Li Keqiang calls on the European Union (EU) and China to make progress on an investment treaty. By 2020, China will be world’s largest cross-border investor including foreign direct investor (FDI). China and Brazil agree to set up $20 billion fund to support “bilateral capacity cooperation.” Chinese private firms are leading candidates to takeover rescued Portuguese bank. Vietnam undertakes dramatic changes to open its economy to foreign investors in a bid to boost economic growth. Vietnam moves to unify state supervision of all investment activities including FDI. Coca-Cola finds one of its local business joint venture associations in Myanmar is not so sweet.

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