We have been here before with baby milk, pet food and Sudan Red (see more here). Not to mention the execution of the former head of the State Food and Drug Administration. But the current baby milk powder crisis shows that there is still a serious supply chain risk, and that companies need to proactively […]

While most eyes are on Beijing, more of Beijing’s eyes are now focused on environmental protection, according to Xinhua: “The Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) has expanded, with three new departments. These are the Department for Control of Pollutant Discharge, the Environment Monitoring Department, and the Department of Publicity and Education. “The reshuffle is conducive […]

As the scale of the tragedy in Sichuan has become apparent – with over 40,000 killed, and millions now homeless – people around the world have responded with generous support for the victims and their families, and for all of China. Donations have been coming thick and fast – most of it from within China […]

We wish all our clients, partners and friends a very happy holiday – and thank everyone for their support during the past year (our 5th!). As has become a tradition, we will again be supporting two children’s charities in lieu of sending lots of pretty (but pretty short-lived) Christmas cards. Instead we will support the […]

As reports emerge – out of thick smog in Beijing – of worries about the 2008 Olympics (despite over US$10 billion being spent on pollution control measures), China has announced a major environmental clean-up project, with investment of US$14.5 billion. IHT reports: “The 108.5 billion yuan (US$14.5 billion; €10 billion) plan to clean up Lake […]

With the many column inches dedicated to dangerous / poisonous / badly designed / recalled toys that were “made in China”, one might think that there was a global crisis, with children suffering from every interaction with their Thomas tank engines, Pooh bears and other favorite playthings. However, while the risks are obvious, the actual […]

Two stories caught my eye recently, both relating to protectionism – a risk issue that has been highlighted for some time by “China Shakes the World” author, James Kynge. In the first story Reuters reports of protectionism in China’s energy sector: “A strong bias toward local producers and rigid price controls hinder European investors from […]

In a recent announcement (reported in the FT) Premier Wen Jiabao publicly called for better environmental protection – especially better implementation from local officials – and more energy efficiency in heavy industries (specifically: power, steel, oil refining, chemicals, construction materials and metals). While the leaders make speeches, and regulators start to have an impact, the […]

The People’s Daily reports that Chinese enterprises are becoming more socially responsible. On the up-side: “The results of a questionnaire distributed by the Chinese Entrepreneur Survey System (CESS) to 4586 enterprise operators were published on April 14. Some 95.8 percent of them believe that “a good enterprise must have a strong sense of social responsibility”, […]

The spotlight has been on big-name MNCs in China again over the past couple of weeks. As mentioned in a recent post on corporate social responsibility (“CSR”), three big, foreign fast-food chains were accused of paying staff below the minimum wage in Guangzhou. Despite all the noise the initial investigation created, it has now been […]