The Financial Times: China bank chiefs hit at Communist party role
“Two senior Chinese bank executives have made a provocative public call for the role of the ruling Communist party in financial institutions to be curbed.”
Much of the article’s source material is a feature in the current issue of Caijing magazine. There is an English translation of the Caijing piece here.
The Financial Times: China’s corporate cost advantage is a myth
“China’s costs of labour and land are low and its currency is regarded as undervalued and competitive. Yet Chinese companies are making relatively little money and the domestic stock market is at a six-year low. The reason lies in the country’s high – and rising – costs of doing business.”
The Financial Times: Jobs before protests for Chinese workers
Wuxi is a town near Shanghai, where workers would rather keep their jobs at Japanese factories than participate in anti-Japanese marches.
Caijing magazine: Japanese Goods: Keeping the Door Open (in English)
“Mature, modern civilizations must make clear distinctions between economics and politics, between personal decisions and public sentiment, between popular demands and laws – and require the same of its citizens. In the face of the Japan problem, we must as a society figure out how to remain calm and rational, and express our desires in a legal, orderly manner. It is a test of our national character.”
Ripping Off Good Reads in China
Fake management books by fake authors. (Thanks to Ellen for the link).
Interfax: Google to open Shanghai office (link via China Herald)
Xinhua: Ice cream born in China 3,000 years ago
The Chinese invented ice cream, which was taken to Italy by Marco Polo along with pasta, pizza, Vespa scooters etc.
Xinhua: “Miss Bikini” to be AIDS prevention publicists
“China will have beautiful girls from more than 50 countries in July and August to spread knowledge of AIDS prevention and control, according to sponsors of “China International ‘Red Ribbon’ is Acting” here Thursday.”
Amazingly enough, this Xinhua article is NOT illustrated with babe photos.