Microsoft

Chinese government agencies stress to foreign businesses that they will do more to create a supportive investment environment. China investigates Schindler for possible bribery. Non-governmental organization calls attention to alleged mistreatment of workers at Apple supplier. China’s Ministry of Commerce fines Bombardier and CSR Nanjing Puzhen, for creating a joint venture prior to obtaining necessary approvals. MOFCOM hits Microsoft and its Xbox game console partner Shanghai Oriental Pearl Media for minor violation of antitrust rules. Private and high-tech Chinese firms achieve a newfound high profile in the business delegation accompanying Chinese President Xi Jinping on his state visit to the US. Unisplendor takes 15 percent stake in Western Digital. Indonesia leaning towards China for Jakarta-Bandung medium-speed rail, but keeps the door open for Japan. Foreign investment in Indonesia’s commodity sectors like mining stagnates. At the 13th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention, Indonesia calls for Chinese investment in value added manufacturing, infrastructure, and downstream activities. The European Association for Business and Commerce says European firms still see Thailand remains an attractive destination for investment. Singapore’s state-linked infrastructure firm Sembcorp will join with Bangladesh to build a power plant. Vietnamese industrial parks prove successful in drawing in foreign investment. Vietnam becomes a leading investor in Cambodia.

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.

HP faces worker protests at telecommunications equipment subsidiary in China. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) proposes numerous important legal changes pertaining to foreign direct investment (FDI). China to legalize Variable Interest Entities, though longer-term consequences remain unclear. China plans to vet foreign Information Technology (IT). China’s Cyberspace Administration accused of hacking Microsoft Outlook, a charge it strongly refutes. China plans to build massive hundred billion dollar high-speed railway connecting Beijing and Moscow. Sri Lanka shifts from threatening cancellation of Chinese Colombo port deal to seeking renegotiation. Japanese FDI in China plummets in 2014 due to diverse political and other factors. The Korean Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) slaps penalties on Volvo and J Commerce for false advertising. Indonesian Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel courts Japanese investors during visit to Japan. Taiwanese Economic and Trade Office in Indonesia representatives pursue closer investment relationship with Indonesia.

Intel to chip in billions in two Chinese mobile chipmakers. FT analysis of Chinese anti-trust actions fails does not conclusively reveal any anti-foreign bias. Microsoft and China work to coordinate a trustworthy antitrust investigation. Let the Microsoft Xbox games begin as Xbox One launches in China. iPhone 6 and 6 Plus get connected in China. Chinese clothing contract manufacturers and end buyers tighten their belts. Long running China-European Union telecommunications dispute set to get hung up. Sino-German investment cooperation grows with billions of dollars in deals. Japanese banks set up fund in partnership with Middle East investors that will support agricultural investment and Japanese agricultural exports to the Middle East. Three Japanese mega financial institutions bank on new opportunities in Myanmar after receiving licenses. Japanese banks expand in South America to support Japanese firms investing and building infrastructure in the region. Japan moves to export its police station system to South American in order to improve the security environment for Japanese firms. Chinese investment flows into Korea raise dependency concerns. Indonesia touts attractiveness of Indonesia investment environment under President-elect Jokowi. Taiwan moves to boost overseas investment by domestic insurance companies. Taiwan Business Alliance conference in Taipei yields record amount of investment pledges by foreign firms.