China

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) expects stable inward foreign direct investment (FDI) flows. Qualcomm taking steps to address National Development Reform Commission (NDRC) concerns, but still at risk of serious NDRC actions against it. Subway gets bitten over reports of doctored food expiration dates at a Beijing franchise. Chinese car dealer complaints to government force foreign auto companies to put on the brakes in sending cars to dealers. Facebook adjustments to user content raise questions about the company’s dealings with China. Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area connects with LinkedIn Corp. to attract talent. Japan and Thailand explore railway infrastructure cooperation. Foreign pharmaceutical firms in Korea are trying to get workers to swallow a bitter bill as they seek to downsize. Hyundai Motor wins approval from Chongqing and Changzhou to build two new car factories. Malaysia eases restrictions on Indonesian banks to further regional financial integration. Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment launches new national foreign investment information system.

Foreign luxury carmakers take steps to deal with a less luxurious Chinese market. Premier Li Keqiang suggests Qualcomm antitrust case may witness a win-win outcome. China hints at plans for its own cyberspace realm. China uses big hammer to deal with small nails. China Railway Construction Corporation wins massive Nigeria railway construction contract. Indian government choses Japanese trading house, Sojitz, to install power-equipment for the Delhi-Mumbai cargo railway system. Money laundering case results in Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ US $315 million fine and employee sanctions. Hitachi offers to buy railway and rail signaling sectors of Italian Industrial conglomerate Finmeccanica. Mitsubishi Corp. and Jalux partner with Myanmar’s Yoma Strategic Holdings Ltd to operate Myanmar’s second-largest airport. IKEA berated in Korea before beginning operations there. Indonesian President Jokowi assures the country about FDI’s impact. Queensland Premier Campbell Newman invites Singaporean companies to participate in infrastructure projects in Queensland

FAW-Volkswagen stalls on massive recall issues while accelerating auto parts presence in China. Foreign companies face a taxing environment. China’s National Development and Reform Commission proposes changes to open up China wider to foreign investors. Qualcomm under siege in China and profits suffer. Chinese Minister-Counselor in the UK voices concern about British visa restrictions on Chinese workers while touting Chinese firm contributions to the UK. Huawei tunes into Namibian ICT workers for training at its Shenzhen HQ. Transparency International bites at Chinese company disclosures. Foreign countries look to Japan for defense technology cooperation. Japanese utilities partner with Singaporean and Indian firms to reduce the cost of LNG imports. Brazil, Mitsui, and the Japanese government cooperate on Brazilian subway project. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration pushes Honda for information regarding the Japanese auto parts maker Takata’s defective air bags recall. Australia and Fiji look to reinvigorate trade and investment links. Hyundai-Kia pays US massive fine for overstating car fuel efficiency. Iran reaches out to Indonesia to express interest in investments in Indonesia’s oil and gas sectors.

Hewlett-Packard networks to sell all or part of its H3C unit. China’s State Council opens, in principle, the domestic market to foreign clearing operations. Chinese industry association promulgates corporate social responsibility guidelines for Chinese outward mining investment. Xiaomi looks to start Indian data center to deal with worries about the security of user data. Lenovo-Google deal for Motorola Mobility concludes unexpectedly quickly. Japan and Turkey move to bulk up business and cultural cooperation. Japan rush to get gas from Louisiana shale oil plant in which Japanese firms invested. Japan expects new Indonesian trade minister’s multifaceted ties with Japan to boost economic links. South Korean court orders Japanese firm to pay compensation to World War II era slave laborers. Singapore moving to exploit multinational corporations growing interests in Southeast Asia. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports the situation of small- and medium-enterprises in China is troubled.