Chinese Economics Thread

[ahho]

In regarding to shipping items to China, there is a small industry where foreign Chinese, HK and Taiwan people, that are going abroad or have citizenship abroad, help people of that 3 above mention location to buy milk, brand name bags and apparel. The are called “代购‘ which literally means replacement purchaser. They act as middle man to purchase stuff customer wants. They usually display photos through Taobao or WeChat and they earn the difference on the price they purchased and sell.

Recently (past year or two), Chinese delivery companies, such as 顺丰 (S.F.) and other are starting to appear in North America. I have seen the bigger one 顺丰 (S.F.) in USA through picture that my niece took and smaller ones in Canada. They opened small shops, around 3 meters by 5 meters, to process the documents (mainly address and payment) and pack the items that people want to send back to China (mostly from the middle men mentioned above). I don't know if they the delivery company actually picks it up or if the small shop (franchise) store those item in the Van and ship it to a depot. They operate very similar to their Chinese counterpart and I believe it is much faster and cheaper than your regular post or express delivery.

In regarding to tariffs, that is where the grey area lies when things get shipped to China. They are not always charged.

 

[ahho]

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Yeah and do you know who doesn't think lifting people out of poverty is a human right? The people who like using sanctions as a weapon so they can make life difficult for the average citizen in those countries hoping on hope alone that it will start a revolution and the government is taken over and the new government will be friendlier (not at all guaranteed) to the instigator of sanctions' interests. The rulers are always the last people to suffer from sanctions. That's why they don't consider economic stability as a human right because they would be high-end violators of that right.

Well said, I really never fully understand economic sanctions. I can understand weapon sanctions, since it can limit the sanctioned countries' military threat, but making the citizens weak does not help them overthrow a government or change things. If you look at Chinese history, the rich always played quite a major role in acquiring weapons and men to fight for a cause. Near the end of the cold war, when you show a totalitarian country the benefit of a freer market, where standard of living increase (especially for the ruling group) they gradually open up and the rule become freer. With the increase wealth, they do not want to loose it. With more economic dialogue, it will naturally change (although not completely) the way a country is being ruled.



On another topic in regarding to Japanese electronics such as cellphone, I think the reason why they are not at the top is because, as other mentioned, the company higher management being out of date, and the Japanese mass are slow at adopting newer technology. When the rest of the world was using smartphones, Japan was still using flip phones and apps that were designed for WAP, although they have a useful apps just like our smartphones, the technology itself is aging and the room for improvement is limited. The other issue for Japan to develop new or improved consumer electronic is the cost for the Japanese to buy it is too high. Japan used to be the place where Asian go there to buy brand name electronics at a lower price, when compared at buying the same brand domestically. The price of a Sony laptop with the same specs in Canada is cheaper than Japan (few years ago). When I saw Japanese students wearing their uniform and touring Vancouver, they always have a new computer or other electronics purchased from nearby shops.

It is quite sad to see the Japanese are falling behind at some of the major consumer technology. They have some ingenious breakthrough and design, but the company management failed to capitalize it in the long run.

 

[vesicles]

Not small bumps. The regulations are in place to prevent a domestic billion dollar industry. One cant afford to have a loosely overseen industry where overnight cowboys create a another melamine type scandal.

That's why I specifically mentioned political will from both the US and China at the end of my post. I know that there are many such limiting regulations. And you need political will from both parties to change them. As I mentioned before, now seems to be the time to change since both nations seem to agree that there needs to be changes.

No one says changes will be easy. You need visionary and people with strong will to plow through obstacles. Naysayers always point out how difficult things are and point out the obstacles. I see them as excuses, excuses for not moving forward.

 

[taxiya]

Don't know where this news should go. So I try here, it is a great idea if done carefully.

Reuters:

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From solarlove.org:

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. It quotes from the bidding company as saying the project will begin in 2017.

Zerohedge:

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. It also mentioned a German biding project of 500MW plant besides the Chinese 1GW project.

 

[B.I.B.]

Well said, I really never fully understand economic sanctions. I can understand weapon sanctions, since it can limit the sanctioned countries' military threat, but making the citizens weak does not help them overthrow a government or change things. If you look at Chinese history, the rich always played quite a major role in acquiring weapons and men to fight for a cause. Near the end of the cold war, when you show a totalitarian country the benefit of a freer market, where standard of living increase (especially for the ruling group) they gradually open up and the rule become freer. With the increase wealth, they do not want to loose it. With more economic dialogue, it will naturally change (although not completely) the way a country is being ruled.



On another topic in regarding to Japanese electronics such as cellphone, I think the reason why they are not at the top is because, as other mentioned, the company higher management being out of date, and the Japanese mass are slow at adopting newer technology. When the rest of the world was using smartphones, Japan was still using flip phones and apps that were designed for WAP, although they have a useful apps just like our smartphones, the technology itself is aging and the room for improvement is limited. The other issue for Japan to develop new or improved consumer electronic is the cost for the Japanese to buy it is too high. Japan used to be the place where Asian go there to buy brand name electronics at a lower price, when compared at buying the same brand domestically. The price of a Sony laptop with the same specs in Canada is cheaper than Japan (few years ago). When I saw Japanese students wearing their uniform and touring Vancouver, they always have a new computer or other electronics purchased from nearby shops.

It is quite sad to see the Japanese are falling behind at some of the major consumer technology. They have some ingenious breakthrough and design, but the company management failed to capitalize it in the long run.

However I still think Japanese cars are still the yard stick by which Asian car manufacturers measure their cars buy.

 

[advill]

Prez Trump has declared as promised, that the US has now become Protectionist in Trade, Investments etc. Most countries in the World have strongly reacted with great disappointment, that the US "Champion of Free Trade" since the end of WW II, has now drastically reversed its stance. China and Europe have diplomatically responded; cautioning against an inward looking/protectionist US . There are NO winners in any Trade War. Let's observe how long a Trump Presidency can progress with its isolationist trade/economic policies. Attempts at US bullying and being aggressive will not work, as there will be robust retaliations. Trump unfortunately believes that geo-politics, economics and security are similar to business deals. He will discover soon enough how wrong he is. Already their are protests (by women, racial and various groups etc.) against Trump's Presidency in the US as well as in several countries in Europe, Asia, Australia & NZ. Hopefully, Trump Administration will be awakened to realities soon enough, & not be tempted to drag the US and the World to disaster.

 

[Ultra]

Trade Wars with China seems imminent now that Trump is officially in power.
I hope China is prepared. Brain drain (due to population outflow), stagnation, military conflicts ( against US, and potentially Japan, Russia and India), internal market instability will be what's coming for China.

 

[manqiangrexue]

Trade Wars with China seems imminent now that Trump is officially in power.
I hope China is prepared. Brain drain (due to population outflow), stagnation, military conflicts ( against US, and potentially Japan, Russia and India), internal market instability will be what's coming for China.

Why are you so dramatic all the time? Get nukes to blow yourself up to prevent invasion, once COMAC makes good planes Airbus and Boeing won't sell a single one, China build-up more than 7,000 nukes to counter Trump, what's up with you and all this crazy shiet every time you post? I bet you none of that's gonna happen. Some leaders will talk, maybe some unpleasant conversations, but in the end, I'll bet you get just a bit more or less of the same thing. Probably there will be some (non-catastrophic) loss of trust in the US among the international community which will last 4-8 years until someone sane once again assumes the US presidency. (Military conflict against Russia? Are you kidding me?)

 

[taxiya]

Trade Wars with China seems imminent now that Trump is officially in power.
I hope China is prepared. Brain drain (due to population outflow), stagnation, military conflicts ( against US, and potentially Japan, Russia and India), internal market instability will be what's coming for China.

Now you are revealing yourself what you are. You are the one who want to see U.S. and China to clash to certain death. Also from the notion that you pit China against not only US, but also Japan, Russia and India, I am sure you want China to collapse, but you are willing to sacrifise US first as the only able one. That tells everybody here that you hate China the first, US the second, so much so that you want both dead tomorrow.

I have two suspected places where you may be from. No, it is not suspicion, it is certain. Unfortunately for you, none of the two worth the breathes of U.S. or China so long as they two keep their heads clear which is a given.

Edit: I forgot your "nuke myself" proposal, that nailed where you are.

 

[manqiangrexue]

Now you are revealing yourself what you are. You are the one who want to see U.S. and China to clash to certain death. Also from the notion that you pit China against not only US, but also Japan, Russia and India, I am sure you want China to collapse, but you are willing to sacrifise US first as the only able one. That tells everybody here that you hate China the first, US the second, so much so that you want both dead tomorrow.

I have two suspected places where you may be from. No, it is not suspicion, it is certain. Unfortunately for you, none of the two worth the breathes of U.S. or China so long as they two keep their heads clear which is a given.

Edit: I forgot your "nuke myself" proposal, that nailed where you are.

He's already said he's from ROC but don't try to make sense of the stuff he writes. He makes no sense.

Yeah, everyone's out for their own interest; ROC wouldn't care if the US, Russia, China, anyone destroyed each other if it means ROC can get what it wants (independence? I dunno what most of them want and I have no idea why someone would want to be a country so small and unable to command respect that the Philippines dares sink their fishing ships). And Trump is really just trying to trade the ROC for a good deal from China. Sell the little trouble-makers for a shiny dollar; only problem is, they're trying to sell China's property to China so any price is inappropriate.