seaports

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard, Founding Executive Director of the Mr. & Mrs. S.H. Wong Center for the Study of Multinational Corporations, delivers keynote speech at 18th Annual China Goes Global Conference

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard, Founding Executive Director of the Mr. & Mrs. S.H. Wong Center for the Study of Multinational Corporations (Wong MNC Center), served as a keynote speaker at the 18th Annual China Goes Global Conference held at EM-Lyon Business School (Paris, France). At this gathering, attracting researchers and practitioners from around the world, Dr.

U.S. Air War College Hosts Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard, Founding Executive Director of the Mr. & Mrs. S.H. Wong Center for the Study of Multinational Corporations, for Speech on China’s Belt and Road Initiative in early November 2024

On November 5, 2024, Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard, Founding Executive Director of the Mr. & Mrs. S.H. Wong Center for the Study of Multinational Corporations, gave a speech entitled “High, Low, and No Speed along the BRI” for the “Great Power Studies” course at the United States (US) Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama. In his speech, Dr. Blanchard offered some basics about China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), BRI aims, and shortcomings in the study of the BRI.

Mr. & Mrs. S.H. Wong Center for the Study of Multinational Corporations Orchestrates Successful Workshop on Chinese Overseas Ports in Africa and the Middle East

In early July 2024, the Mr. & Mrs. S.H. Wong Center for the Study of Multinational Corporations (Wong MNC Center) orchestrated a 1-1/2 day workshop on Chinese overseas ports in Africa and the Middle East.

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The BRI is Dead? Long Live the BRI? Part IV-Bad Flail at the Rail(way) or How Not to Confront the BRI

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has generated so much commentary that it is conceivable that if one printed out all the relevant pages and laid them end-to-end the length might approach that of all the railway track laid under the aegis of the BRI![i] Further commentary seems even m

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The BRI is Dead? Long Live the BRI? Part I: Present at the Creation

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which consists of two main components, the sea-focused Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRI) and the land-focused Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB), came into being in 2013.[1] Since Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the MSRI and the SREB, there has been considerable positive and negative froth about the BRI. Enthusiasts have lauded the BRI as a foundation for building a community of common interests, solving infrastructure gaps in the developing world, helping countries industrialize, expanding people-to-people exchanges, and pluralizing international relations.

MNCs in the News-2022-January

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) touts that China will act to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) despite a challenging environment. In the wake of a backlash following its removal of Xinjiang products from its shelves, Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation fines Sam’s Club for deceptive consumer practices on its app. Beijing municipal government fines 7-Eleven China for the latter’s website maps that have problematic presentations of Taiwan and other territory. China’s work and the presence of dredgers at Cambodia’s Ream naval base concern the United States and others that China’s seeks to station military assets there. Indian tax authority probe causes it to demand Xiaomi India pay unpaid customs duties. Sri Lanka asks China for debt relief on loans used to pay for Belt and Road Initiative projects. Ruling parties from Japan and Taiwan agree to pursue cooperation on semiconductors to alleviate semiconductor shortages and address the China high-tech challenge. Japanese companies remain committed to Myanmar despite the latter’s serious political, economic, and other problems. The chair of Korea’s Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) promises to continue to improve the KFTC’s regulation while supporting innovation. Apple submits plan to Korea Communications Commission that allows alternative in-app payment systems and reduces payment fees.

Mr. & Mrs. S.H. Wong Center for the Study of Multinational Corporations orchestrates successful workshop on Chinese seaports in Europe and the Americas

In mid-December, the Mr. & Mrs. S.H. Wong Center for the Study of Multinational Corporations (Wong MNC Center) hosted a workshop entitled Chinese Seaports in Europe and the Americas: Cutting through the Waves in the San Francisco Bay Area (California, USA).

MNCs in the News-2021-October

China Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) releases 5-Year Plan and notes China will keep opening up select sectors and make it easier for high-quality investors to enter them. MOFCOM expects China will remain a top global recipient of inward foreign direct investment (FDI) even as the country works to improve the quality of inward FDI (IFDI). China’s Ministry of Finance promises that China will provide a level playing field in government procurement to foreign goods and services providers are concerned. Indonesia now has to allocate government moneys to accelerate its Belt and Road Initiative high-speed railway project which is overbudget and behind schedule. China’s Cosco stake in the Piraeus Port Authority (Greece) surges to 67 percent with some questioning the merits of Cosco getting a higher stake. FDI from mainland China and Hong Kong in Japanese real estate, some with forests and access to water resources, raises concerns due to a lack of good data and legal structures to regulate what is done with natural assets. TSMC will build a semiconductor plant in Japan that Tokyo will support with financial assistance in an effort to boost its economic security. Korea Fair Trade Commission will not yet tough regulation of big tech companies, but it watching careful to limit unfair business practices. Korea companies are becoming increasing players in overseas mergers and acquisitions with their attention shifting to the United States and Europe as well as high-tech sectors.

MNCs in the News-2021-September

China Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) looking at negative list for cross-border services trade in the country’s free trade zones (FTZs). China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology publishes draft regulations relating to the classification of data and data export restrictions. American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai indicates members doing well in China, optimistic about their revenue prospects, and have little intention to move outside of China. High-level Chinese official says Pakistan needs to provide high-level security assurances for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into India severely constrained by bilateral tensions, though some Chinese mobile apps have found new ways to resume operations. COSCO Shipping Ports, to acquire a 35 percent stake in container terminal at the Port of Hamburg. To settle a Japan Fair Trade Commission investigation, Apple modifies the payment policies for some App Store apps. Japan protests South Korean court order forcing Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI) to sell assets to provide compensation for wartime forced labor. Samsung calls upon United States (US) to increase tax incentives for its semiconductor FDI in the US. European Commission representative travels to Korea to encourage Korean semiconductor markets to establish operations in the European Union. US Department of Commerce demands confidential business information from Korean chipmakers because of concerns about automobile sector chip shortages. China’s measures to limit online gaming time for young gamers have potentially big longer-term implications for Korean gaming companies.

MNCs in the News-2020 November

Foreign direct investment (FDI) into China continues to surge despite Covid-19 and other challenges. China’s Ministry of Commerce says China will take further measures to liberalize ownership restrictions for foreign firms in the service sector. Shanghai shows strength in attracting inward FDI (IFDI) and adds to its regional headquarters and research and development center totals. India moves to ban an additional 43 Chinese phone apps including Aliexpress due to concerns about consumer privacy and national security. China states it will continue to support the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Malaysian state government of Melaka terminates $10.5 billion Melaka Gateway project. Nissan moves to sell only electric vehicle (EV) or hybrid cars in China to meet Beijing’s goal of all new vehicles being eco-friendly. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is expected to have notable impacts on Japanese FDI as well as supply chains given its provisions relating to tariffs, rules of origins, and intellectual property. Brexit may lead the European Union (EU) to slap tariffs and other requirements on EVs which have significant adverse effects on Japanese EV production in the United Kingdom. Tokyo Gas and Marubeni will construct a liquefied natural gas fired power plant in Vietnam. Korea’s Fair Trade Commission reportedly has come to the conclusion that Google abused its market position to prevent modified Android operating systems. The labor union at IKEA Korea strikes for similar wage treatment to workers at IKEA workers elsewhere. Some Korean steelmakers return back home due to government subsidy program. Korean consortium wins engineering, construction, and operations contract for $1 billion bridge project in Bangladesh.