Is Business
Higher pay no deterrent in China
Chinese workers' demands for higher wages are not deterring Japanese companies from maintaining production facilities in China, although it was low labor costs that initially attracted them to the country. Now they see the increased spending power of consumers as an incentive to become more deeply involved in the economy.
(Jul 29, '10) China tries realistic ratings
China's Dagong rating agency makes clear that it sees the world without the rose-colored glasses of its US-based counterparts, which failed so dismally in their work ahead of the world's recent financial crises. For a start, the Chinese outfit gives due recognition to the grim long-term outlook of the US and UK economies.
(Jul 27, '10) China carries Bhutto's dream
President Asif Ali Zardari, now a frequent visitor to Beijing, wants to make real the dream of his assassinated wife Benazir Bhutto to have gas pipelines, railways and highways running between Pakistan and China. New Delhi is watching to see that this does not turn into a nightmare for India.
(Jul 26, '10) China turns on demand power
The scale of China's demand for commodities, from iron ore to oil, is now sufficient to make it an arbiter of other countries' destinies. Loss of independence to a new Chinese dominion is not inevitable, but determination is required in the face of the "vampire squid" of the commodities world.
(Jul 23, '10) China on a razor's edge
Money is pouring back into Chinese stocks on hopes that signs of a cooling economy will prompt the government to relax tightening measures. Yet with inflation still close to 3% and other indicators ambiguous, the recent optimism might soon be dashed. The one big cloud over the market, fear of a property crash, remains.
(Jul 22, '10) Greater China
SUN WUKONG
Beijing seeks a fresh start in Xinjiang
The media-friendly new Communist Party chief of China's Xinjiang province has reinstated the Internet after it was cut following last July's deadly riots, while Beijing has promised to raise the region's profile to the benefit of ethnic Uyghurs. The central leaders have taken pains to ensure a smooth transition of power from the party chief who presided over the violence, conscious that disgracing him would cause more instability.- Wu Zhong (May 18, '10)
Political farce in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp suffered a blow at a by-election on Sunday that had been dubbed a ''de facto referendum on democracy", with just 17.1% of eligible voters turning out. The five legislators who precipitated the poll by resigning and then standing for re-election saw themselves as winners, while the city had to pick up the tab of US$19.3 million.- Kent Ewing (May 17, '10)
Beijing changes tune on nuclear Kim
China has softened its approach to North Korea after deciding that tough tactics weren't working. Beijing may be banking on economic ties and Kim Jong-il's reliance on its blessing for the continuance of his dynasty to ensure its interests won't be hurt as Pyongyang joins the nuclear club. Acquiescence to Kim's nuclear brinksmanship could, however, antagonize the West and South Korea.- Willy Lam (May 17, '10)
COMMENT
Argumentative Chinese step forward
Stronger person-to-person links in the Indian-Sino relationship may never be forged as long as the critical self-reflection of Amartya Sen's The Argumentative Indian lacks a counterpart in a Chinese society that has internalized self-censorship and regimentation.- Sreeram Chaulia (May 17, '10)
China and the West step into Nepal crisis
Observing the crippling strike the Maoists held last week in Kathmandu and the helplessness of the pro-India government to end it, Western powers have intervened with the idea that the Nepal brief would be removed from New Delhi's hands and the Maoists would return to government. China, which has positioned itself as a generous provider of aid and promoter of stability, finds itself in a highly satisfactory position.- Peter Lee (May 14, '10)
Macau's Ho bubbles ahead with Oceanus
From its evocative architecture to knockout location, the latest casino from market leader Sociedad de Jogos de Macau shows that 88-year-old managing director Stanley Ho and company remain unsinkable in their home waters.- Muhammad Cohen (May 13, '10)
US, China: A green security blanket?
A high-level second round of the United States-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue will be held this month, with the security implications of climate change a hot topic. It's an area of promising bilateral cooperation - by focusing on scientific research and disaster preparedness, Washington and Beijing could reframe the focus of existing military exchanges.- Michael Davidson (May 13, '10)
SINOGRAPH
Superpower dreams interrupted
The Chinese dream of becoming the biggest superpower requires not only growing economic prowess, producing military and political muscle. China must unfetter innovation to usurp America's technological dominance, and embrace democracy to win the new friends and alliances necessary to inherit the US's political reach.- Francesco Sisci (May 12, '10)
US satellites shadow China's submarines
The next wave of United States spy satellites will likely include advanced technology to detect newer, quieter Chinese submarines that are difficult to track with sonar. By linking its powerful space-based sensors with those mounted on warships, submarines and underwater and airborne drones, the US could form a frighteningly clear picture of the traffic under the world's oceans.- Peter J Brown (May 12, '10)
SUN WUKONG
The writing's on the board
Efforts by a local authority to preserve the blackboard writings of President Hu Jintao have raised some eyebrows, with critics saying the money would be better spent on safeguarding schoolchildren. The officials behind the move might have their own interests in mind, but then so too might Hu.- Wu Zhong (May 11, '10)
Beijing agonizes over urban regeneration
Beijing's historical Gulou area and its hip Caochangdi art district have been slated for redevelopment, re-awakening a heated debate on urban renewal in the Chinese capital. While Western commentators accuse an oppressive elite of culturally degrading the city for economic reasons, a more accurate picture is that of an ancient city struggling to balance rapid urbanization with the preservation of its physical and emotional essence.- Iain Mills (May 10, '10)
Down and out in China
A homeless man named Cheng Guorong, better known as "Brother Sharp", captured the imagination of China's vast Internet population to such an extent that a shopping portal came up with a jacket inspired by the tramp's motley wardrobe, priced at nearly US$1,300. It turned out Brother Sharp was schizophrenic. His tale ended happily, but for millions of other sufferers, it's a different story.
- Kent Ewing (May 07, '10)
China in the catbird seat on Iran
China has risen above the fray on the Iran nuclear crisis, endorsing United States President Barack Obama's ambitions for a world free of nuclear weapons on one hand while establishing a privileged position as Iran's only genuine superpower friend on the other.This is an extensively updated version of the article that ran in ATol on May 5.
- Peter Lee (May 05, '10)
China leery of Sarkozy's hand
On his state visit to China last week, French President Nicolas Sarkozy emphasized the common economic and strategic interests that both countries can foster through cooperation. Beijing, offended by Sarkozy's former stance on Tibet, is likely to wait to see if his change of heart represents a fresh start, or smacks of caprice and the need to secure a statesman's profile ahead of international conferences he is due to host next year.- Jian Junbo (May 04, '10)
China has good reason to stay quiet
Often accused of lacking transparency, China could easily put the US in the hot seat over its secretive tests of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle and a "hypersonic" unmanned glider capable of travelling at some 14,000 kilometers an hour. The vehicles are likely linked to US plans for a "prompt global strike" capability, but Beijing is tempering its criticism, likely because of reports it too has successfully launched a prototype "space fighter".- Peter J Brown (May 03, '10)
Page 6 of 42
Contents
Customize ATOL:
You may save an unlimited number of customized pages. Your pages will appear as menu items when you put your cursor on MY PAGES in the menu bar on the left side of all pages. Just click on the page you want.
Make your selections in the panels on the left, and delete unwanted selections in the panel below.
Your Customized Pages
- 1 . Go Delete
- 2 . Go Delete
- 3 . Go Delete
- 4 . Go Delete
- 5 . Go Delete
- 6 . Go Delete
- 7 . Go Delete
- 8 . Go Delete
- 9 . Go Delete
- 10 . Go Delete
Your News
The Coverage You Want
SELECT a WRITER and/or COUNTRY ..
SAVE THIS SELECTION for future visits 
Selection will appear in the "YOUR CUSTOMIZED PAGES" panel below right
Selection will appear in the "YOUR CUSTOMIZED PAGES" panel below right
Your Business
SELECT a SECTOR and/or COUNTRY ..
SAVE THIS SELECTION for future visits
Selection will appear in the "YOUR CUSTOMIZED PAGES" panel below right
Selection will appear in the "YOUR CUSTOMIZED PAGES" panel below right
SPENGLER
CHAN AKYA
ASIA HAND 
SUN WUKONG 
THE 
THE 
HENRY C K 
SINOGRAPH Francesco Sisci