New guidelines for FDI creating confusion, uncertainty in real estate sector
By Andy Scott SHANGHAI, Nov. 15 – The new catalogue for foreign investment, released on November 7, aims to address some of what Beijing perceives as structural problems in China’s economic development. Chief among these is limiting the inflow of foreign direct investment into industries that do little to tackle some of Beijing’s major problem […]
China, top producer of greenhouse gases, looks to tap potential resource
By Andy Scott and Lucy Brady Nov. 2 – The Methane to Markets Partnership Expo that concluded yesterday in Beijing was a chance for China, fast becoming the world’s largest polluter, to grab some favorable press and promote alternative energy resources in a city where the air-quality is still a thorny issue for the upcoming Olympics. […]
China’s troubled skies
China’s airlines are losing their place in the global competition for air travel. While air traffic in China rose 15 percent last year due largely to the rising affordability of air travel and an increasingly wealthy population, China’s top three airlines, Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, have seen a combined […]
Foreign-funded food enterprises in China to see more oversight
China’s foreign-funded food enterprises and branch offices – 25,570 according to the latest government figures – can expect increased oversight as Beijing moves to clean up its food safety record. China’s food safety has been the focus of intense international media attention following several cases of tainted exports earlier this year including toothpaste, dog food and […]
Hainan Airlines taking off to the future
It’s always a pleasure to fly with Hainan Airlines, as I just did last week from Shanghai to Beijing – a clean cabin, an on time departure when other airlines were having delays, and entertainment on board from lottery games, to acceptable food, and a good drinks trolley. But Hainan Airlines has always been […]
House of cards: the Beijing property market
By Andy Scott Just how sustainable is the property market in Beijing? Rental and sales rates have gone through the roof in the past two years and only look to go higher as the Olympics nears. Land owners have already pushed the average rental rates 10 times more than normal. Don’t expect it to last. […]
Property tax may take effect in 2008
China is expected to levy a property tax in 10 regions on a trial basis next year; the China Securities Journal reported yesterday quoting what it said was a well-informed source. The State Administration of Taxation picked 10 provinces and cities, including Beijing, Shenzhen, Dalian, Jiangsu and Chongqing who may start paying taxes on property […]
Macau to host mega trade show
Macau is taking yet another page from Las Vegas and turning to the lucrative trade show circuit as yet another way of boosting profits in this money-driven metropolis. Having surpassed Las Vegas in gambling revenue last year, Macau is looking to broaden its economic base by keeping tourists in the city for longer periods of […]