A Smattering of Media
May 15, 2009 5 min. read

I just wanted to flag what I thought were some pretty good items out and about in the media lately. China and Climate Change – One of the go-to guys for progressive economics, Paul Krugman, has a column today, Empire of Carbon, that is both pessimistic and optimistic.  (Boy, do I know that feeling when […]

Read more
How China Censors Free Speech
May 4, 2009 4 min. read

A recent analysis of China’s media censorship practices deftly analyzes and explains the country’s system of repression and control of the media by using the threat of economically punishment. The piece, published on May 2 in the Far Eastern Economic Review, is aptly titled “China’s Commercialization of Censorship“. The piece not only explains how China […]

Read more
Asian oil consumers and Opec members meet, but little action
April 27, 2009 2 min. read

OPEC and large Asian oil consuming countries led by Japan, India and China met on Sunday for the third Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable. The group’s goal is to To foster dialogue between Asia’s resource producers, primarily Middle East countries, and consumers, such as China and India, and to send a message to the world that […]

Read more
In China, a "Netizen Journalist" is Better than No Journalist at All
April 3, 2009 2 min. read

In a country like China that is already so restrictive of press freedoms, it’s surprising that the grip of control could be tightened any further. Yet, according to a new press release from the non-governmental organization Freedom House, that’s exactly what is happening. Freedom House says it is “dismayed by new Chinese Internet restrictions,” which […]

Read more
China Solar Subsidies Address Economic, not Environmental, Problems
April 2, 2009 5 min. read

Last week’s news of a sizable and unprecedented subsidy for solar installations in China generated noteworthy commotion in the market, as Chinese solar companies’ share price soared as investors’ rush to snatch up solar stocks, followed by confusion over the terms of the subsidies, disenchantment at the likelihood of eligibility restrictions, and finally malaise as […]

Read more
A Chinese Addition to U.S. Media
March 24, 2009 3 min. read

A recent New York Times article explores a quizzical addition to the U.S. media scene: Chinese state-run media. Several, in fact the largest, state-controlled media plan to spend a small fortune in order to expand overseas. In the midst of what looks like a major crisis for journalists and readers,  media companies and outlets left […]

Read more
China: Replace the Greenback as Global Currency Standard
March 24, 2009 7 min. read

China called for the creation of a new currency to eventually replace the dollar as the world’s standard, proposing a sweeping overhaul of global finance that reflects developing nations’ growing unhappiness with the U.S. role in the world economy.

Read more
What happens when Uncle Sam wants his money back?
March 20, 2009 5 min. read

Question: What happens when an 80% shareholder of a company decides that the $165 million in bonuses contracted to employees prior to the purchase of shares are an abuse of the over $170 billion given in taxpayer bailout? Answer: American International Group CEO, Edward Liddy, asks bonus recipients who received $100,000 or more to return […]

Read more
Is China the key to North Korea?
March 18, 2009 2 min. read

It’s no secret that North Korea and China are close.  Of all Pyongyang’s neighbors, it has the most intricate and rosy relationship with Beijing.  Today Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao welcomed North Korean Prime Minister Kim Yong-Il (not to be confused with Dear Leader Kim Jong-Il) to Beijing.  The two men held a very cordial conversation […]

Read more
NYT Thinks Crisis Good For China?
March 17, 2009 2 min. read

In a strange piece of spin, the New York Times says today that the financial crisis will wind up being good for China. It’s an unconvincing position to say the least. It’s true that, unlike the West, China has no trouble with currency exchange or stock markets, which are state regulated, or bank failure, because […]

Read more
China's Space Program and its Moon Landing
March 2, 2009 3 min. read

On Sunday, Chinese authorties reported that the Chang’e-1 space probe made a successful and planned crash landing on the Moon. This is the first time any Chinese spacecraft has touched the Moon. China’s Xinhua state-controlled news service explains that the Chang’e probes are part of an extended mission aimed at eventually sending recoverable and manned missions to the Moon. Xinhua reports:

Read more
Sino-U.S. Relations: A Marriage of Convenience?
March 2, 2009 3 min. read

In his inaugural speech, President Barack Obama asserted that the United States remains “the most prosperous, powerful nation on earth.” No matter how powerful a nation is, however, its priorities still need to be rearranged and sometimes compromised, especially when dealing with key allies and partners. This much was evident by U.S. Secretary of State […]

Read more

Popular from Press