Miscellaneous News

t2contra said:

Whatever happened to their own lithium batteries the media had been glowing in the beginning? They are now sourcing from CATL and the Korean companies.

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Well, I thought it was vaporware but because he's a tall rich white guy from a famous university and speaks with absolute authority he can't be wrong!

Just like Elizabeth Holmes, a tall rich blonde woman from a famous university, also couldn't have possibly been wrong... Right?


And let's not get started on Peter Zeihan, another uh, genius of geopolitics...

t2contra said:

You don't think the state still has authority over their SOEs operating in other countries?

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Why SOEs? The vast majority of Chinese businesses in Africa are private enterprises.

SOEs at least have some kind of document trail you can audit, but how do you expect the Chinese state to police private enterprises in other countries?

solarz said:

Why SOEs? The vast majority of Chinese businesses in Africa are private enterprises.

SOEs at least have some kind of document trail you can audit, but how do you expect the Chinese state to police private enterprises in other countries?

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Regardless of whether they are SOEs or private enterprises, the state could have circulated reminders to uphold to high standards and conform to local laws. As for the SOEs, make it a standing policy of not tolerating briberies.

Other than that, leave them to subject to local justices.

Don't just do nothing.

t2contra said:

Don't just do nothing.

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This can be applied to both sides.

t2contra said:

Regardless of whether they are SOEs or private enterprises, the state could have circulated reminders to uphold to high standards and conform to local laws. As for the SOEs, make it a standing policy of not tolerating briberies.

Other than that, leave them to subject to local justices.

Don't just do nothing.

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I am quite certain that this is what's already happening. The problem is that certain members claim China needs to "crack down" on corruption in Kenya, or that Xi can magically order all corruption to stop even among Chinese businesses in foreign countries. This is the kind of argument Western media loves to make: first imagining some kind of omnipotence for China, then blaming China for failing to exercise this imaginary omnipotence to stop all sorts of social ills that are, quite frankly, none of China's concern.

t2contra said:

Regardless of whether they are SOEs or private enterprises, the state could have circulated reminders to uphold to high standards and conform to local laws. As for the SOEs, make it a standing policy of not tolerating briberies.

Other than that, leave them to subject to local justices.

Don't just do nothing.

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Reminders yes. And yes with SOEs, there is already progress being made here.
But China cannot force private businesses on how to behave outside the country.

Chinese bussinesmen are very cunning and wont hesitate to take advantage of whatever loophole other countries have when operating there.

Xi cannot monitor every business 24/7.
If countries want Chinese companies to follow their laws then its up to them. Maybe they are willing to allow Chinese police and judges to come in their countries to enforce Chinese laws /s

But then the locals would be screaming "China is colonising us! China will assimilate us"...

So how exactly do you think that China can enforce good behaviour thousands of km away from it?

Five years sounds very pessimistic to me. He makes it sound like China is going to shut herself from the rest of the world.

solarz said:

I am quite certain that this is what's already happening. The problem is that certain members claim China needs to "crack down" on corruption in Kenya, or that Xi can magically order all corruption to stop even among Chinese businesses in foreign countries. This is the kind of argument Western media loves to make: first imagining some kind of omnipotence for China, then blaming China for failing to exercise this imaginary omnipotence to stop all sorts of social ills that are, quite frankly, none of China's concern.

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No one in his right mind thinks anyone can magically stop corruption. But having a deterrent system in place is a good start. We I have not heard of such a system in place or else it would have been reported here or elsewhere. What has been reported is corruption involving Chinese firms and the locals in Africa. Tanzania reportedly did not get the Chinese SOEs to build their railway after what they saw in Kenya. And of course, there are the rife reports of Chinese SOEs whitewashing for Najib in Malaysia.

While China has been promoting itself as a genuine investor, it should not give the West a chance to slur China as a new form of colonialists.

Overbom said:

Reminders yes. And yes with SOEs, there is already progress being made here.
But China cannot force private businesses on how to behave outside the country.

Chinese bussinesmen are very cunning and wont hesitate to take advantage of whatever loophole other countries have when operating there.

Xi cannot monitor every business 24/7.
If countries want Chinese companies to follow their laws then its up to them. Maybe they are willing to allow Chinese police and judges to come in their countries to enforce Chinese laws /s

But then the locals would be screaming "China is colonising us! China will assimilate us"...

So how exactly do you think that China can enforce good behaviour thousands of km away from it?

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Read my reply to solarz.

It's not about reducing to zero.