From the first issue in 1974 and well into the 2010s, the China Business Review was an indispensable resource for businesses, researchers, and policymakers who needed a first-hand account of the challenges and the tremendous opportunities posed by the China market.
China’s ranking on Transparency International’s (TI) 2016 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) continues to improve, moving up four places to 79. The latest CPI is a reminder for companies that rely on its rankings to review their global compliance programs and make regional adjustments. Companies should pay attention to those countries and regions that have dropped significantly in the their rankings and scores, and identify compliance risks that were previously undetected.
As China’s 385 million people aged 18 to 35 reach adulthood, these Millennials are taking control of the world’s second-largest economy. While China’s economic growth has slowed in recent years, it remains well over 6 percent. As that growth continues and the country’s economy becomes an even greater force in the international marketplace, these Millennials will have influence in not only China, but the world as a whole. Watching and learning from them, and anticipating their needs and tendencies should already be high on international corporations’ agendas as they consider the future of business.
Chinese companies collectively spent nearly $200 billion buying their foreign counterparts in the first nine months of 2016, with an additional increase in spending expected in the final quarter of the year. China’s historical emphasis on resources has been replaced with a desire to diversify its risk and asset base, with a host of deals this year across multiple sectors ranging from technology to distribution and agriculture.
The Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is vigorously pursuing civil and criminal actions against individuals—not simply the companies they run. The issues raised by the DOJ’s enhanced enforcement directive aimed at individual culpability is perhaps most acute for companies in Asia with current operations or plans to enter the US market.
Drones are a young and multifaceted industry that have only recently begun to show their true potential. In China, drones are now being used to change the business landscape and alter how companies conduct their operations in a wide variety of commercial sectors, from agriculture to mining to cinematography.
Cold chain logistics form the foundation to supply perishable products—fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy, aquaculture products, fresh flowers—and medical products—drugs, reagents, vaccines, biological products—that have strict temperature, humidity, and other environmental requirements.
This sixth priorities statement issued by USCBC’s board of directors comes at an important time. The United States has a new administration that is developing its policy approach to manage the US-China relationship. China’s reforms are entering their fourth year, but the slow pace and mixed signals of economic reforms so far are leaving the American business community uncertain about policy direction and undermining confidence.
With the TPP’s future uncertain as a result of the withdrawal of the United States, its largest member, and with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations entering their fifth year, Asia’s trade landscape is at a critical juncture. In evaluating the trade and investment trends and prospects in the region and around the world, members of the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Independent Commission on Trade Policy arrived at a central finding: regional trade agreements offer the best path forward to liberalize trade, raise standards, and promote broad reforms.
On April 16, 2016, China’s State Administration of Taxation (SAT) published amended measures to what is known as the blacklist system against tax illegalities. The amended measures, which came into effect on June 1, 2016, add a credit repair mechanism to the original system.
Labor disputes often arise due to companies underestimation or ignorance of China’s strict labor laws. Keeping up to date with China’s labor regulations and taking proper precautions to prevent disputes from occurring can save employers immeasurable stress.
