CHINA AT NO.2

China has outstripped Japan as the world＇s second-biggest economy after three decades of spectacular growth. Second-quarter GDP figures from Japan released on August 16 show that its economic output, at US$1.288 Ctrillion, fell short of the US$1.339 trillion China reported for the three months ended in June, which suggests that outpacing Japan in an early quarter is seen as a good indication that China has the momentum to past Japan for the full year.     

Rice Price under Pressure

Early in April, the FOB (Free on Board) value of rice exported from Bangkok, Thailand, the biggest rice exporter of the world, surged to a new high of US$730per ton, representing an increase of 70 percent in recent years, and setting a new record over the past 34 years of Thailand rice exports.     

Is the High-price Era Coming？——Oil Price Breaks US$100

Now,at the beginoing of 2008,a big event has occurred in the international market that has shocked the world： On January 2, the first trade day of the New Year, the crude oil price jumped to US$ 100 per barrel, creating a new record and surpassing the previous record high of US$ 99.29 a barrel from 2007. Whether the increase can be attributed to tensions in Pakistan or the Middle East,     

Lenovo reports US$80 min quarterly profits on strong sales

Lenovo Group., the world＇s fourth largest personal computer manufacturer,posted a net profit of US$80 million in its third fiscal quarter from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, compared with a US$97 million loss in the same period of 2008.     

The Global Finance Banquet Will Be Served

Oil and finance,the most two vivid and changeable expres- sions in the world,attracted more and more concerning and tingled people's nerves from time to time. Globally,the oil price has experi- enced a great turbulence in the first half year—the oil price rose from US$100 at the beginning of the year and then broke a series of record highs on concerns over supply.In domestic market,although the Chinese government still takes macro control to refine the price at present,a     

Retail sales： 17.9% ↑ in Q1

China＇s retail sales, the main gauge of consumer spending in the world＇s fastest-growing economy, rose 17.9 percent year on year to RMB 3.64 trillion （US$532.56 billion） in the first quarter this year, the National Bureau of Statistics （NBS） said on April 15.     

The Foreign Trade of China Surpasses US$1.4 Trillion

Since 2002, China foreign trade development has been keeping a20% growth for 4 consecutive years, listed the 3rd in the world. General Administration of Customs of P. R. China has promulgated the 2005 for eign trade situation of China.The statistics show that the foreign trade of China surmounted US$1 trillion in 2004, and reached up to US$1.42 trillion in 2005, with a growth rate of 23.2%,which was 2.8 times the number of 2001,the beginning of the period of the tenth five-year plan. The export was US$762billion, with a growth rate of 28.4%; the import was US$660.12 billion, with a growth rate of 17.6%.     

Chinese Opportunity for Outhound Investment？

Global economic crisis shrinks the world wealth,as well as the enterprises value.Many companies in foreign lands are facing a tough time China,with the world No.1 foreign exchange reserve, US$1953.74 billion up to March,2009,according to State Administration of Foreign Exchange of China,is claimed to possess strong outbound investment capacity in the crisis.     

To becomes a furniture kingdom, China has to go another 10 to 20 years

Is it possible for China to become a world furniture kingdom? Xu Meiqi, vice president of Shanghai Furniture Institute has recently pointed out that, China has become a globally recognized furniture production country, but it has another 10 to 20 years to go before becoming so-called "world furniture plant" According to relevant statistics, China's furniture export volume last year reached US$5 billion, US$1.4 billion more than the     

More Going Out than Coming in

China's FDI suffered a downturn again this March,with actual use of foreign capital of US$11.757 billion,6.1％ decrease year on year.It was the fifth continuous month that China suffered a fall in absorbing foreign investment.In the first quarter of 2012,China's FDI dropped by 2.8％ to US$29.48 billion,according to the Ministry of Commerce at its regular press conference on April 17. However,we found another interesting comparison figure,in the same first quarter of this year China's overseas investment witnessed an impressive growth of 94.5％ and reached US$16.55 billion.     

Average out-of-pocket healthcare and work-loss costs of traffic injuries in Karachi, Pakistan

The objective of this study was to assess the average out-of-pocket healthcare and work-loss costs of road traffic injuries (RTI) in Karachi. In this cross-sectional study, RTI patients presenting to the five trauma centres in Karachi were contacted using stratified sampling to report their inpatient and outpatient expenses, the time spent in hospital and their average monthly income. These costs were compared among different categories of patient-related variables using analysis of variance test. Out of 341 RTI victims, two wheelers accounted for the majority of injuries (77.2%, N?=?256) followed by pedestrians (14.2%, N?=?48). Almost half of the sample patients were breadwinners (N?=?135, 45.2%), with 87.4% (N?=?118) earning less than US$ 248. Average out-of-pocket healthcare costs were US$ 271 (SD?=?440.9), which were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.026) for pedestrians (US$ 442), moderate (US$ 341.7) or severe (US$ 553.8) injury, and treatment in private hospitals (US$ 451.7). Similarly, average work loss was US$ 67.1 (SD?=?132.1), which were significantly higher (P?=?0.001) for breadwinners (US$ 99.1), moderate (US$ 130.0) or severe (US$ 157.1) injury, and treatment in private hospitals (US$ 150.0). Study results clearly showed the need to advocate RTI prevention measures in Pakistan as any such event could lead to a difficult economic situation for those involved and their family.     

Trade Performance： Highlights in the Crisis

On January 13, China Customs issued the annual profile of China＇s foreign trade, including import and export, in 2008. According to the Customs statistics, trade volume last year amounted to US$2.562 trillion, a year-on-year growth of 17.8%. In the total amount, value of US$1.42 trillion goes for China＇s export growth, 17.2% up, while the import takes up US$1.13 trillion, 18.5% up. The trade surplus stood at US$295.47 billion in 2008, increased by 12.5% year-on-year, with the net increase value ofUS$32.83 billion.     

April,Another Recovering Month for Im/Ex

China＇s import and export in April,2009 continued to be another month of decreasing trade, the consecutive sixth month from last November.On May 12,General Administration of Customs of the People＇s Republic of China announced the profile of China foreign trade import and export in the first 4 months of this year.According to the customs＇ statistics,the total     

China’s Approval Regime on Outbound Investment——Overview on the First Chinese Judgment Recognized and Enforced by the United States Courts

On February 26, 2010, the Ministry of Commerce of China (MOFCOM) issued the Guiding Opinions on 2010 Outbound Investment and     

Seeking Chance in the Crisis--China Mould Industry

Mould Industry is seen as the ＂mother＂ of other industries. In recent years, this industry .in China has had a fast development. From 1996 to 2002, the production value of die and mould industry increased at a rate averaged 14% per year or so. In 2003, the production value increased by 25% from a year ago, to RMB 45.0 billion, amounting to US$5.0 billion and ranking the third in the world. According to the data from CDMIA,     

Flower consumption lures investment

In the Netherlands the annual fresh flower consumption is 150 items per person, in France it is 80, in the US it is 30, in Japan the money involved amounts to US$11 billion, but in urban China, this is less than I0. Globally when per capita GDP in a country or region goes up to US$6,000, flower consumption will go up too. As per capita GDP in Shanghai isgoing from US$5,000 to US$7,500, the municipal government should include the construction of floral markets as part of its infrastructural development, just as the construction of urban forests, urban parks, urban greenery, and urban environmental investment. The fostering of local floral markets also require joint efforts from the society at large in terms of finance.     

China Eximbank to Offer Consortium Loan

Foreigners working in China have to pay personal income tax only if their monthly pay is above 4,800 yuan （US$592）, up from the previous threshold of 4,000 yuan （US$493）, Xinhua reported on Feb.9.     

China's Auto Industry Steps Forward

Last year,the volume of China's auto trade reached US$66.878 bil- lion,of which imports accounted for US$25.982 billion,a year-on- year increase of 24.45 percent;while ex- ports totaled US$40.896 billion,growing by 45.31 percent.The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers(CAAM) predicts that the number of autos sold in 2008 will break the 1 million barrier for the first time in history,representing an increase of about 20 percent.     

Im/Ex in Feb Continues to Fall

February of 2009 witnessed the fourth consecutive months of shrinking trade value of China. On March 11, General Administration of Customs of the People＇s Republic of China announced the profile of China foreign trade import and export in the first two months of this year. According to the customs＇ statistics, the total import and export value for the first two months amounted to US$266.77 billion, 27.2% decreasing compared with the same period last year. Among the total value, the export value amounted to US$155.33 billion, down 21.1% year-on-year, while the import US$111.44 billion, 34.2% decreased year-on-year. And the trade surplus in January and February achieved US$43.89 billion, 59.6% growth year-on-year.