Latest Articles about Economics
Smoke and Mirrors in China’s Oil Statistics
In recent years, oil product shortages in China have frequently caught the attention of the world. In August 2005, China’s southern manufacturing heartland of Guandong was plagued by closed service stations, fuel rationing and hours-long gas queues, and authorities were forced to send thousands of... MORE
Economy Weighs in on Sichuan Quake Reconstruction Planning
Nearly a month after the devastating 8.0-magnitude earthquake on May 12 left Sichuan in ruins—with massive relief operations still on-going—Beijing is beginning to grapple with the arduous task of post-quake reconstruction and assessing its costs to the Chinese economy. The State Wenchuan Earthquake Reconstruction Planning... MORE
The Long Term Risks of China’s Inflation Problem
China’s tolerance of inflation has a low threshold because of the risks it poses to social and political stability. That is why the government and the people have been worried about a steep rise in the consumer price index (CPI) since the first half of... MORE
China’s New National Energy Commission and Energy Policy
The long-anticipated plan for Beijing to undertake major structural reforms to the energy sector by merging a number of central-level ministries, commissions and departments to form a so-called energy “super-ministry" or "super-commission" passed, albeit with some tweaks to satisfy the powerful vested interests that dominate... MORE
China’s Nuclear Gambit
Economic factors are clearly driving Chinese interest in strengthening their country’s underdeveloped nuclear energy sector. At present, China’s 11 operating nuclear reactors produce less than 2 percent of the country’s electricity, compared with over 25 percent in Japan and approximately 75 percent in France [1].... MORE
Guarded Walls within the Chinese Stock Market
The Chinese stock market continues to intrigue and perplex international spectators [1]. While Beijing is experimenting with some corrective measures at a macro level to avoid overheating and bubbles, now seems to be a good time to revisit the fundamentals and study the structure and... MORE
China’s Looming Financial Reform Challenges
China’s admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in December 2001 increased foreign participation in and advanced the reform of China’s financial sector, but critical issues, not covered by the terms of accession, are still outstanding. For example, how and how fast should China liberalize... MORE
China’s Looming Financial Reform Challenges
China’s admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in December 2001 increased foreign participation in and advanced the reform of China’s financial sector, but critical issues, not covered by the terms of accession, are still outstanding. For example, how and how fast should China liberalize... MORE
China Flexes Its Muscles on Wall Street Redux
While China and the United States are increasingly deepening their economic, trade and financial interdependence, Beijing’s experiment on the global stage is being closely monitored by Washington for its national security implications. Such is the case concerning China’s newly established sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) under... MORE
China Flexes Its Muscles on Wall Street Redux
While China and the United States are increasingly deepening their economic, trade and financial interdependence, Beijing’s experiment on the global stage is being closely monitored by Washington for its national security implications. Such is the case concerning China’s newly established sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) under... MORE