Upcoming Conference

The Globalization of Chinese Enterprises
Transformational Politics, Business Strategies, and Future Paths
October 9-10, 2008
Harvard University, Cambridge, USA

Overview
Among scholars and students of China, whether from economics, management or politics, a question looms: whither China? Will China replace the US economic, political and business leadership in the 21st Century? China is not only the world's most populous nation, but is also the world's third largest trader, second largest economy in PPP GDP, and the largest recipient of foreign direct investment, surpassing even the United States of America. China has 170 cities with more than 1 million people, 400 million subscribers to wireless phone services, and accounts for over 12% of the world's luxury goods. Also, China has over a trillion dollars in foreign reserves. On the other hand, China fast economic growth is unbalanced and, perhaps, unsustainable. New or modified models for the globalization of Chinese enterprises are needed given the unique position of China's emergence into the world stage. Can Western models of economic and political theory help explain China's current trajectory, either on a macro or a micro level?

Topics
This conference is about the Globalization of Chinese companies and the political and business contexts.
List of proposed topics include:
· Outward Direct Investment (ODI) of China and Chinese companies
· Impacts of Chinese outward investment on host markets
· Chinese global competitiveness and export performance
· The impact of Chinese business and firms on global business environment
· New models for global enterprise in the Chinese context
· Political transformation, institutional change, and globalization of China
· Organizational design, structure, and outcomes of globalization related to China
· Dissemination of knowledge on the emergence of globalizing Chinese firms
· Chinese forms of business, family ownership, and state-owned enterprises
· Forms of engagement with foreign firms used by internationalizing Chinese firms (e.g. partnerships, acquisitions, OEM, ODM, OBM, etc)
· China's policies towards acquisition of natural and strategic resources

Organized and Sponsored by
Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Asia Programs
Rollins College, Crummer Graduate School of Business & Rollins China Center
Georgia Institute of Technology, Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER)
University of Potsdam, Corporate Governance & E-Commerce

Co-Sponsor
Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung - TransCoop Program
Journal of Management and Organization Review (MOR)

Register for this conference at http://www.chinagoesglobal.com/services.html

15 - 18 July 2008
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Hong Kong, China

The Broadband World Forum Asia www.iec.org/events/2008/bbwf_asia is designed to help service providers meet the challenges of offering revenue-driving broadband-enabled services while evolving their networks, operations, and business models in a new world of competition.

Session programming will examine the range of broadband content, entertainment, applications, access strategies, service management, and integration that form the backbone of the profitable network operator while providing a unique venue to evaluate strategy and make informed decisions. Programming is complemented by a cutting-edge technology exhibition where attendees can receive a firsthand look at the latest broadband applications, solutions and services from leading technology organizations.

As a member of ICA, enter code VIPICA when registering to receive complimentary Exhibits PLUS access or 30% discount from standard conference rates. Register

Invitation to participate in the Indo US Green Building Initiative

July 10th Kick-off Meeting
Thursday, July 10, 2008
6:30-7:30pm
NYiT New Technology Building 16
W. 61st St @ Broadway
11th Floor Auditorium
New York, NY 10023

Register for meetings and updates by e-mailing Mak Bhoot, Indo-US Green Building Council, info@P-A-T-H.org

Corruption? India ranks 74 (Rediff India Abroad, Jun 26)
India has been ranked a lowly 74, two steps down since last year, among 180 countries of the world on the worldwide Corruption Perceptions Index, prepared by independent international agency Transparency International. However, corruption is much higher in Pakistan which occupies 140th place, a little below Iran, Libya and Nepal which are ranked 133, 134 and 135 respectively. Meanwhile, China which was ranked a joint 72 with India in 2007, slided a step down to occupy a place above its neighbour this year.

Shaolin Temple launches on-line shop amid controversy (China Daily, Jun 26)
You do not have to live an ascetic life in the famed Shaolin Temple to learn martial arts - you can now buy the secrets of kung fu online, in a move that has caused controversy. The Shaolin Temple in China's Henan Province has come under fire for selling "Shaolin Kung Fu and Medicine Secret", a series kung fu instruction manuals. Priced at 9,999 yuan (1,450 US dollars), it is the most expensive item in the temple's online shop. The series, allegedly complied by Shi Yongxin, the celebrity abbot of Shaolin, has been questioned as to its authenticity and originality, with some Chinese netizens saying parts of the new series could be found in other older books.

There's more to Indo-US ties than just 123 Agreement (Rediff India Abroad, Jun 26)
head of his visit to New Delhi next week, senior US Congressman Gary Ackerman has said he looked forward to Indian government completing its 'internal processes' on the historic nuclear deal so that the accord can be approved by the American Congress. Maintaining that it would be foolish to squander away the gains in the bilateral relationship of the last decade, especially over the last three years, the New York Democrat, who is Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Sub Committee on Middle East and South Asia, said he strongly supported the 123 Agreement, which will operationalise the nuclear deal.

China passes Japan as No. 2 crude importer in May (Forbes.com, Jun 25)
China overtook Japan as the world's second-largest crude oil importer in May, according to data on Friday that showed an 8 percent rise in purchases by Japan, where power plants have been forced to burn more crude. "It's a symbol of the era," said Akira Kamiyama, derivatives trader at Mitsui & Co. "Japan's imports will be capped, but China's imports will grow fast, with no end in sight."

No end seen on reliance on oil, fossil fuels (AP, Jun 26)
World energy demand will grow 50 percent over the next two decades, oil prices could rise to $186 a barrel and coal will remain the biggest source of electricity despite its effect on global warming, government experts predict. The Energy Information Administration's long-range forecast to 2030 said the world is not close to abandoning fossil fuels. They will continue to be at the core of energy production in transportation and electricity generation, according to the report released Wednesday. It said the steepest increases in energy use will come in China and other developing economies, including some in the Middle East and Africa, where energy demand is expected to be 85 percent greater in 2030 than it is today.

Bush not losing sleep over nuke deal (The Times of India, Jun 26)
President Bush "keeps regularly updated" on the developments regarding the US-India nuclear deal which he thinks is a very important agreement, the White House said on Tuesday, amid strenuous efforts in New Delhi to break the political logjam and move the issue forward. In a brief comment on the subject - in response to a question - the White House spokesperson Dana Perino said at the daily briefing that the US would "like to see progress in India (on the nuclear deal) and that would certainly help our Congress (proceed with the deal)". But the administration isn't holding its breath waiting for New Delhi to get it through. In fact, the state department has lately begun to suggest that it might be too late for the US Congress to process the deal and it might be left to the next administration to take the ball forward.

Hong Kong's New Oil Futures Market (Business Week, Jun 25)
In a move aimed at strengthening Hong Kong as the financial capital of China, the Hong Kong Mercantile Exchange on June 25 unveiled plans to launch its first product, oil contracts, by early next year. The exchange wants to capitalize on the booming demand for commodities in resource-hungry China. "There is a huge opportunity to develop a commodities futures market that can cater to the mainland," said John Tsang, Hong Kong's financial secretary, in a statement accompanying the announcement of the new plan. Hong Kong's exchange isn't the only one looking to capitalize on Chinese demand. The announcement came just days after the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) opened its new Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong. The new CME office, opened June 20, illustrates the growing importance of the region for commodities trading. For example, crude oil consumption in China grew at a compound annualized rate of 7.7% between 2001 and 2007.

China's mobile phone accounts reach 592 million (Business Week, Jun 26)
China's fast-growing number of mobile phone accounts has risen more than 8 percent since the start of the year to 592 million, while demand for traditional fixed-line service is falling, a state news agency reported Thursday. The figures reflect a growing trend for Chinese customers to opt solely for mobile service. The shift has hurt fixed-line carriers, prompting Beijing to launch a massive industry reorganization to revive competition.

Asia-Pacific countries sign Delhi Declaration on Sustainable Livelihood (Newstrack India, Jun 26)
Officials from the Asia-Pacific countries signed the Delhi Declaration on Sustainable Livelihood during a Ministerial Retreat held in New Delhi on Wednesday. The Ministerial Retreat on Rural Development for the Asia Pacific region was jointly organised by the Government of India and the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) and was held at the Vigyan Bhavan in the capital. The focal point was the development of rural livelihood, empowerment of rural women and so the theme of the retreat as "Sustainable Livelihood with special focuses on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Women Empowerment".

China builds supercomputer rivaling world's 7th fastest (China View, June 25)
Although missing the world's most extensive rankings for the best supercomputers, a Chinese-made high performance server rivals the 7th fastest for computing speed.

India, Spain need to enhance agricultural trade (Business Standard, Jun 25)
ndia and Spain need to enhance trade in agricultural products, which currently account for only two per cent of their total bilateral trade, a top Spanish diplomat said. "There is a need to significantly increase the trade in agriculture products...It is because 98 per cent of trade between India and Spain comprises of only industrial products," Spanish Consul General in Mumbai, Ceasar Alba, said at a function here today.

Food agency: Prices to remain high, more production needed (USA Today, June 25)
The head of the U.N.'s food agency on Wednesday warned that food prices will remain high and has called for a boost in production. Food and Agriculture Organization Director-General Jacques Diouf said prices are expected to remain high due climate change, continued demand for bioenergy, low food stocks and greater demand in emerging countries such as China and India.

Manufacturing investment? India set to be No. 1 (Rediff, June 23)
India is likely to see the largest growth in its share of foreign investment overall, and should become the world leader for investment in manufacturing, says a recent KPMG survey.

Birla Cotsyn plans Rs 320-cr forward integrated textile unit (The Economic Times, June 25)
The Rs 2,300-crore Yash Birla group's textile manufacturing company, Birla Cotsyn (India), plans to raise about Rs 144 crore through an initial public offering. As a part of its expansion plans, Birla Cotsyn is setting up an integrated textile unit estimated at a cost of Rs 320 crore at Khamgaon, Ghatanji and Malkapur in Maharashtra.

Satellite to study climate change (The Hindu, June 25)
Few issues have taken the global centre stage as did climate change recently, and images of melting polar ice caps and rising sea levels are now all too ubiquitous to ignore. But how much do we really know about global warming? What is the quantity of greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane - in our atmosphere? How are they distributed around the world?

China has much to teach about tackling pollution (Mercury News, June 25)
In the wake of Congress' recent failure to pass the first real climate-change bill in U.S. history, many officials pointed a finger at China and said the Chinese should move first. Similar sentiment exists here in the Bay Area. Despite some local counties having a greater ecological footprint per capita than nearly any other place on the planet, heads shake at the thought of "polluted China."

Int'l organization names Chinese climate group "center of excellence"(China View, June 24)
An international academic organization said here on Tuesday it had chosen a Chinese research body with a focus on climate and environmental change as one of its centers of excellence.

UNDP Promotes CSR Development In China (China CSR, June 26)
United Nations Development Programme, China International Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges under Ministry of Commerce and Yunnan Metallurgical General Company joined forces in a unique partnership that brings together development experiences of an international agency, support from the government, and commitment of Chinese enterprises to promote sustainable development in China.

New CSR rules in offing (The Times of India, June 23)
Mere lip service to crucial aspects on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) may not be enough as steps are being initiated in setting standards to make India Inc a socially and environmentally responsible citizen.

India way behind China in filing patent applications (The Economic Times, June 25)
India and China might be the competing economic giants globally, but when it comes to innovation, the land of dragon is way ahead, filing nearly seven times more patent applications compared to our country.

Encourage financial innovation (The Economic Times, June 24)
The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) decision to defer issuing final guidelines on credit derivatives (financial instruments whose value is derived from the creditworthiness of a third party), for the second time in five years, is not surprising. The central bank has long harboured serious reservations about credit derivatives. After issuing draft guidelines in March 2003, it decided the time was not apposite to take the plunge.

Microbix Brokers Deal for Flu Manufacturing Facility in China (AHC Media, June 25)
After a year of negotiations, Toronto-based Microbix Biosystems Inc. signed a definitive agreement with the Hunan Provincial Government for the construction of a $200 million flu vaccine manufacturing facility. Costs and ownership of the facility will be split 50-50, but Microbix plans to sell its interest in the joint venture to a big pharma.

U.S. Health Insurers Look To China For Growth (Hartford Courant, June 25)
Aetna and other U.S. health insurers are wide-eyed over business opportunities in China now that the sleeping giant has lifted its own lids. Hartford-based Aetna plans to announce today that it has opened a "representative office" in Shanghai. That is the first step of a lengthy process for foreign companies interested in doing business in the People's Republic of China.

Publisher: L. Roxanne Russell
Editor of Academic Resources: Dr. S.V. Char
Co-Editor: Abhijit Agrawal
Co-Editor: RJ Paulsick