State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission

MNCs in the News-2020 October

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) says that inward foreign direct investment (FDI) increased 5.2 percent for the first nine months of 2020 when compared to the same period the prior year. China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee approves revised export control law. Germany says reciprocity needed if there is to be a European Union-China investment agreement and notes barriers facing European companies in China remain too high. State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council points out Central State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) contribution to China and the realization of is 13rd Five-Year Plan. Sweden bans Huawei and ZTE from its core 5G mobile networks. Italy prevents Fastweb, the Italian unit of Swisscom, from using Huawei equipment in its core network. Japan will not participate in US initiative to block Chinese companies from participating in its telecommunications systems. Japan’s NEC Corp. will support United Kingdom government in its effort to develop a next generation 5G wireless network. Consortium led by Japan’s Sumitomo Corp. will develop massive $4.29 billion smart-city project in Hanoi. Mitsubishi Motors will work with Thailand agency to develop system that would allow electric vehicle batteries to power homes. Korean Fair Trade Commission to set up plan to investigate Google for potential abuses of its mobile operating system. Seoul to require Korea Resources Corp. to sell off certain assets to improve its financial condition. Samsung Fire & Marine and Samsung Life face criticisms for support of coal projects and investments through project financing, bonds, and insurance underwriting. Korea’s Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction signs $2.2 billion contract with Vietnam’s VAPCO for massive coal power plant.

MNCs in the News-2018-11-09

The head of China’s State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission recently announced China welcomes foreign direct investment (FDI) in China’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs). At World Internet Conference, China restates its familiar call for “cyberspace sovereignty,” but most focused on absences of key Chinese political leaders and high-level business representatives. Lego scores another victory in China in its efforts to protect its intellectual property rights (IPR). Australia blocks Hong Kong CK Group’s USD $9.4 billion bid for APA Group gas pipeline operator due to national security concerns. In the wake of Australia’s recent rejection of CK’s acquisition APA group, its foreign minister went to Beijing to reaffirm Australian’s receptivity toward Chinese inward FDI (IFDI). Brexit and United Kingdom (UK) FDI review reforms have raised Chinese anxieties about potentially adverse implications for its FDI in UK leading UK to state it intends to continue welcoming Chinese IFDI. Despite growing criticism over its passivity regarding the Rohingya issue, Japan continues to support Myanmar infrastructure development, fearing isolation will only drive Naypyidaw towards Beijing. Japan bolsters its investment and infrastructure corporation with the Philippines while elevating strategic partnership. Korea has denied Tokyo’s World Trade Organization filing that it breached international trade rules by providing subsidies to Korean shipbuilders.

MNCs in the News-2018-02-23

China to use mechanism of internationalization including inward foreign direct investment (FDI) in mixed ownership reform to enhance ability of state-owned enterprises. For 2018, Guizhou aims for $150 billion in investment money from outside the province including small and medium-sized enterprises from foreign countries. Chinese outward FDI in January 2018 jumps over same period a year earlier. Chinese government constraints on outward FDI become even tighter. Japanese airbag manufacturer Takata receives US court approval for its bankruptcy exit plan. Japanese steelmaker JFE Holdings concerned Trump's protectionist rhetoric could impede own investment plans to build US based plant. Korea Expressway Corporation signs MoU for Indian highway construction following agreement between Korean and Indian government to support USD $10 billion in Indian infrastructure. GM proposes investing USD $2.8 billion in its Korean operations, but calls for government assistance to maintain its remaining plants. Russian diversified energy holding company Inter Rao seeking to develop Indonesia's Bandar Kayangan Global Hub. Finance Minister says Indonesia to revise tax incentives to attract more investment. Thailand's government approaches Japanese robotics maker and other engineering manufacturers to build facilities along its EEC. Manila Water Company acquires 18.72 percent stake in Thailand's Eastern Water to enter Thailand's EEC. Thailand's Superblock Pcl plans to invest USD $1.76 billion to build wind farms in Vietnam in sync with Hanoi's renewables policy.

MNCs in the News-2016-12-09

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) have reduced the number of sectors on its foreign investment catalog restricted and prohibited lists by more than 30 percent. China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) has denied there are restrictions on foreign firms' crossborder profit transfers. The NDRC has imposed a more than $17 million fine on Medtronic for violating China’s anti-monopoly laws. China’s national cybersecurity standards body, The Technical Committee 260, ignores foreign company pleas about its technical standards for operating systems, microprocessors, and office software. China’s concerns about capital flight and money laundering led it to strengthen its review of overseas deals exceeding USD $10 billion and in an overseas entity unrelated to the investor’s core business. China launches $22 billion fund to support overseas investments by Chinese companies. Chinese investment in Europe soars over 2015 totals. Softbank owner Masayoshi Son promises Donald Trump he will make a massive investment in the US. South Korea’s largest steel pipe producer buys two oil country tubular goods (OCTG) related facilitates in the US to escape possible US trade barriers. Indonesia’s Ambassador to Singapore encourages greater investment from Singapore, Indonesia’s largest foreign investor. Chinese investment in Indonesia soars, helping with infrastructure development, but raising some concerns. Chinese delegation from Zhejiang province to travel to Indonesia to assess the political risk environment in the country. Foreign companies in Thailand ask Prime Minister to update its laws pertaining to foreign workers. Official Thai delegation to China hopes to attract more investment, reinforce the relationship, and increase cooperation on China’s One Belt, One Road initiative. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak rejected the notion he was trading the country’s sovereignty for foreign investment. Vietnam’s FDI inflows reach record highs and Vietnam promises steps to attract more investment.

Dr. Amitendu Palit's picture

Europe Resists China’s Economic Inroads

Dr. Amitendu Palit
Posted: Jun 25, 2016

Political resistance is hardening to China’s commercial presence in Europe. Two recent events make this evident. The latest of these is a review by the European Union (EU) Commission of the proposed merger between France’s EGF and China General Nuclear Power (CGN), a state-owned enterprise (SOE).

MNCs in the News-2015-03-20

China National People’s Congress (NPC) senior official says China’s counter-terrorism law on hold. Foreign information technology (IT) companies face severe challenges due to the implementation of China Banking and Regulatory Commission (CBRC) and Ministry of Information and Industry Technology Banking sector IT rules. Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) data show slowing inward foreign direct investment (FDI) growth in February versus the prior year. Shanghai Gao Tong Semiconductor chips away at Qualcomm with a trademark violation suit. Yahoo will shut its China research center. Foreign businesses find nothing to celebrate in China Central Television’s (CCTV) China’s Consumer Rights Day show. Chinese government lends a financing hand to Chinese companies pursuing overseas projects. China will audit its largest state-owned enterprises to limit excess competition, losses, and corruption. Limits of China-South Korea FTA will result in expansion of South Korea car firms in China. The Consumer Union of Korea pans IKEA’s pricing practices in Korea.