Chindia Alert | CHINDIA ALERT: You'll be living in their world, very soon

25/01/2013

* China’s Huawei Creeps up on Apple, Samsung

WSJ: “As Samsung Electronics Co. and Apple Inc. try to defend their dominance in the smartphone market, the latest data show China’s Huawei Technologies Co. coming third in terms of market share for the first time, indicating that a rapid increase of smartphone users in China and other emerging markets may be starting to alter the global landscape.

According to research firm IDC, Samsung’s smartphone market share in the fourth quarter through December rose to 29% from 22.5% a year earlier, while Apple’s share dropped slightly to 21.8% from 23%. Meanwhile, Huawei’s share rose to 4.9% from 3.5%, ahead of Japan’s Sony Corp. , whose share also increased to 4.5% from 3.9% a year earlier. Another Chinese company ZTE Corp., came fifth with 4.3%.

“The fact that Huawei and ZTE now find themselves among the Top 5 smartphone vendors marks a significant shift for the global market,” said IDC research manager Ramon Llamas.

via China’s Huawei Creeps up on Apple, Samsung – China Real Time Report – WSJ.

Posted in Affluence, China alert, Digital communications, Economics, innovation, patents | Leave a Comment »

Tags: android, Apple, China, gadgets, Huawei, huawei technologies, International Data Corporation, mobile, Samsung, samsung electronics co, Smartphone, technology, ZTE

25/01/2013

* License plates for automobiles in Shanghai can cost as much the cars

WSJ: “A Shanghai license plate now costs as much as a new mid-range sedan.

The average price for a Shanghai plate soared to 75,000 yuan ($12,000) at the city’s license plate auction over the weekend, roughly equal to the retail price of a brand new, fully loaded Geely MK-II sedan. Shanghai plates went for an average of 50,000 yuan a year ago, meaning prices have risen nearly 2,000 yuan a month.

Yolanda Dong, a market manager at a Japanese firm, paid 77,000 yuan for her plate. By comparison, her Peugeot 307 cost her 100,000 yuan.

“I had to buy the plate no matter what,” said Ms. Dong, who bought her car four months ago and has been bidding to get a Shanghai plate since then. “I can’t have my car sitting there doing nothing.””

via License plates for automobiles in Shanghai can cost as much the cars they are intended to adorn. – China Real Time Report – WSJ.

Posted in Affluence, China alert, Economics | Leave a Comment »

Tags: Automobile, license plate, Shanghai, transportation, Vehicle registration plate

25/01/2013

* China detains woman at disused mortuary for three years

BBC News: “China detains woman at disused mortuary for three year

A Chinese woman who petitioned the authorities over the treatment of her husband at a labour camp has been detained at a disused mortuary for the past three years, state media report.

An SVG map of China with Heilongjiang province highlighted in orange and Yichun city highlighted in red Legend: File:China map legend.png (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chen Qingxia had already served 18 months at a re-education camp for her campaign, but continued to fight and so was confined to the mortuary.

Reports of her ordeal in the province of Heilongjiang have triggered an outcry on social media.

Ms Chen is said to be in poor health.

But correspondents say that it looks likely that restrictions on her will be relaxed soon – a committee has been formed in the city of Yichun to re-examine her case.

There has also been some speculation in recent weeks that the Chinese authorities might reform or rethink its system of re-education through labour.

Ms Chen’s ordeal began in 2003 when her husband was imprisoned for attempting to breach a quarantine during a Sars epidemic, according to the Global Times newspaper.

After he was freed, media reports say, his body was bruised and his mental health had deteriorated so much that Ms Chen decided to travel to the capital, Beijing, to complain to the central authorities about the treatment he had received.

The move led to her being put through a re-education camp for 18 months. After finishing the sentence, she was kept in the mortuary because she was still determined to continue her campaign.

A China National Radio report says that Mrs Chen has been allowed minimal contact with relatives.

Her husband was eventually admitted to hospital for treatment for his mental-health problems, the Global Times said.

The Communist Party’s district chief has been quoted by local television as saying local officials should bear responsibility for Mrs Chen’s treatment.”

via BBC News – China detains woman at disused mortuary for three years.

Posted in China alert, Human rights, Illegal practices, Justice, Petition, Politics, Reform, Rule of law, social media | Leave a Comment »

Tags: Beijing, China, China National Radio, Heilongjiang

25/01/2013

* China, Japan move to cool down territorial dispute

Reuters: “China and Japan sought to cool down tensions over a chafing territorial dispute on Friday, with Communist Party chief Xi Jinping telling an envoy from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that he was committed to developing bilateral ties.

Natsuo Yamaguchi (L), leader of Japan's New Komeito party, delivers a personal letter from Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to China's president-in-waiting Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, January 25, 2013. REUTERS-Ng Han Guan-Pool

Xi will consider holding a summit meeting with Abe, Natsuo Yamaguchi, a senior lawmaker and head of the junior partner in Japan’s ruling coalition, told reporters after his talks with the Chinese leader.

The meeting came as China took the dispute over a series of uninhabited islands to the United Nations.

It was not immediately clear if the U.N. involvement would increase the likelihood the row would be resolved peacefully. But launching an international legal process could reduce the temperature for now.

At China’s request, the United Nations will, later this year, consider the scientific validity of a claim by Beijing that the islands, called the Diaoyu in Chinese and the Senkaku by Japan, are part of its territory. Japan says the world body should not be involved.”

via China, Japan move to cool down territorial dispute | Reuters.

Tags: Beijing, China, Japan, Natsuo Yamaguchi, Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzō Abe, United Nations, Xi JinPing

25/01/2013

* U.N. to consider validity of China’s claim over disputed islands

Strange that a few days ago China objected to the Philippines taking their disputed islands to the UN, but now it is taking a similar action over islands in dispute with Japan.

Reuters: “The United Nations is planning to consider later this year the scientific validity of a claim by China that a group of disputed islands in the East China Sea are part of its territory, although Japan says the world body should not be involved.

A handout photograph taken on a marine surveillance plane B-3837 shows the disputed islets, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, December 13, 2012. Picture taken December 13, 2012. REUTERS/State Oceanic Administration of People's Republic of China/Handout

Tensions over the uninhabited islands – located near rich fishing grounds and potentially huge oil and gas reserves – flared after Japan’s government purchased them from a private Japanese owner in September, sparking violent anti-Japanese protests across China and a military standoff.

Taiwan also claims the islands, known as the Diaoyu islands in China, the Senkaku islands in Japan and Tiaoyutai in Taiwan.

It was not immediately clear if the U.N. involvement would increase the likelihood the China-Japan dispute would be resolved peacefully. But launching an international legal process that should yield a neutral scientific opinion could reduce the temperature for now in Beijing’s spat with Tokyo.

In a submission to the U.N. Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, China says the continental shelf in the East China Sea is a natural prolongation of China’s land territory and that it includes the disputed islands.

Under the U.N. convention, a country can extend its 200-nautical-mile economic zone if it can prove that the continental shelf is a natural extension of its land mass. The U.N. commission assesses the scientific validity of claims, but any disputes have to be resolved between states, not by the commission.

China said the “Diaoyu Dao upfold zone” – the islands – is located between the East China Sea shelf basin and the Okinawa Trough. “The Okinawa Trough is the natural termination of the continental shelf of (the East China Sea),” it said.

China also told the commission that it was still negotiating with other states on the delimitation of the continental shelf.

“Recommendations of the commission with regard to the submission will not prejudice future delimitation of the continental shelf between China and the states concerned,” said the executive summary of China’s submission published on the commission’s website.”

via U.N. to consider validity of China’s claim over disputed islands | Reuters.

Tags: Beijing, China, Continental Shelf, diaoyu islands, East China Sea, Japan, military standoff, Okinawa Trough, Senkaku Islands, United Nations

23/01/2013

* Middle-class Chinese snap up overseas luxury

China Daily: “An increasing number of middle-class Chinese are buying luxury goods outside the Chinese mainland, with more overseas travel driving the trend, a KPMG report said on Tuesday.

Seventy-one percent of survey respondents ― middle-class mainland residents ― traveled overseas in 2012, compared with 53 percent in 2008. And 72 percent of them said they bought luxury items during such trips, with cosmetics, watches and handbags being the most popular items.

Brand recognition continues to rise as consumers become more discerning and seek experiential luxury as well as one-of-a-kind luxury brands and products. Respondents said they recognize 59 luxury brands, from 45 in survey conducted in 2010.

The report ― The Global Reach of China Luxury ― is based on a survey of 1,200 middle-class Chinese consumers in 24 cities. Market research firm TNS conducted the study.

Respondents were 20 to 44 years old, with a minimum household income of 7,500 yuan ($1,205) a month in tier-one cities and 5,500 yuan elsewhere.

Chinese consumers associate certain countries with particular products. For example, Switzerland is recognized for its luxury watches, while France scores highest for cosmetics and perfumes.”

via Middle-class Chinese snap up overseas luxury[1]|chinadaily.com.cn.

China’s luxury shopping gets fillip from metrosexual men (thehimalayantimes.com)
Global luxury brands cash in on more Mainland Chinese travelers (cnn.com)
Could Learning Mandarin Be the New Key to Succeeding in the Fashion Industry? (fashionista.com)
Chinese Shoppers Overtake U.S. as Top Luxury Buyers – Bloomberg (bloomberg.com)
Poor service the key complaint from Chinese luxury shoppers (wantchinatimes.com)
Burj Al Arab ushers in the Year of the Snake (prweb.com)

Posted in Affluence, China alert, Economics, luxury brand, middle class | Leave a Comment »

Tags: Asia, China, Chinese, chinese shoppers, Hong Kong, KPMG, kpmg report, Louis Vuitton, Luxury good, Mainland China

23/01/2013

* Mahindra Sees IT Revival

WSJ: “It is good to do the first interview in Davos with someone who can feel the pulse of the global economy, and Anand Mahindra, chairman and managing director Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. 500520.BY -0.19%, can to an extent do that.

Sure, the giant Mahindra federation of companies—don’t call it a conglomerate, please—has many large businesses focused on its home market of India. But its information technology business relies on the investment decisions taken in the boardrooms of New York, London and Frankfurt—and the feeling of Mr. Mahindra is positive.

“The IT companies are going to see a revival,” says the Harvard-educated Mr. Mahindra. “I have been surprised at how strong the recovery has been.”

“What we are seeing is that customers in the west, by which I mean U.S., U.K. and Western Europe, these companies have not shied away in the last year from making the necessary investments in IT that they need to improve their businesses.”

That would be good news for the broader IT sector in India, which started the year with upbeat corporate results from some of the big players, but then some of the shine diminished when No. 3 player Wipro Ltd. 507685.BY +0.75% said it didn’t see any significant increase in demand.

It would also be good news for the broader global economy. Mr. Mahindra says, “I don’t think anyone in the world uses Indian IT companies as a barometer, but I think it’s a very interesting one.”

Mahindra & Mahindra has an incredibly diverse range of businesses, from tractors to parts for jet fighters to rural lending.

Mahindra Group has two software services companies—Tech Mahindra Ltd. and Satyam Computer Services Ltd. 500376.BY -0.30% The two companies have already announced a merger, which will create the fifth biggest Indian software services company by sales.

For the domestic business environment, he says he is more optimistic now than he has been for a couple of years.”

via Mahindra Sees IT Revival – India Real Time – WSJ.

* Mahindra to Launch Sun-Powered Car (chindia-alert.org)
Mahindra Introduces Two New Models in Motorcycle Return – Bloomberg (bloomberg.com)
Mahindra Unveils New Visual Identity From 2013 (sys-con.com)
Mahindras plan wind power foray (panchabuta.com)
MM Financial hits record high amid heavy volumes, up 5% (moneycontrol.com)

Posted in Digital communications, Economics, Good news, India alert | Leave a Comment »

Tags: Anand Mahindra, Asia, Business and Economy, computer services ltd, Davos, India, Mahindra, Mahindra Group, Mahindra Limited, satyam computer services, satyam computer services ltd

22/01/2013

* Chinese student in France sick of buying luxury goods for other people

SCMP: “Li Yuandong, 23, remembers buying 10 Burberry scarfs, two Burberry handbags, two Louis Vuitton handbags and some luxury perfumes in one day in Paris without blinking an eye.

“Then I blew my ‘millionaire’ identity by hopping on a crowded subway train heading home”, wrote Li, a Chinese graduate student studying engineering in France on his blog.

Li’s post went viral on China’s social media, including Sina Weibo, China’s popular twitter-like service.

In a humorous tone, Li wrote about his side job of buying luxury goods for friends in China, and complained the burden was growing too heavy.

“I became so popular after moving to France,” said Li in his post. “Suddenly everyone wanted to talk to me.”

But the conversations all ended with the same question: “Can you buy me a Louis Vuitton”?

“My bank upgraded me to VIP after seeing the amount of money sent by friends in China,“ he said, “I would easily spend 10,000 euros in a month on hand bags.””

via Chinese student in France sick of buying luxury goods for other people | South China Morning Post.

French luxury goods group PPR buys Chinese jewellery brand Qeelin (independent.co.uk)
Global luxury brands cash in on more Mainland Chinese travelers (cnn.com)

Posted in Affluence, China alert, Economics | Leave a Comment »

Tags: Burberry, China, France, Hong Kong, Louis Vuitton, Luxury good, Paris, Sina Weibo

22/01/2013

* China Pushes Industry Consolidation

WSJ: “China’s industry ministry on Tuesday set an aggressive goal of forging global giants in the electronics sector within the next two years through mergers and alliances, and reiterated a longstanding push for Chinese companies to explore overseas acquisitions.

The target for the electronics sector is part of a wider plan to consolidate China’s fragmented major industries, including steel, shipping, automotives, cement and aluminum. Overcapacity in heavy industries has been blamed for amplifying a sharp slowdown in growth in the last two years.”

via China Pushes Industry Consolidation – WSJ.com.

Posted in China alert, Digital communications, Economics | Leave a Comment »

Tags: Asia, Business and Economy, China, Electronics, Mergers and acquisitions, science, Southeast Asia

22/01/2013

* Chidambaram: See ‘First Green Shoots’ of Recovery

WSJ: “India’s finance minister said the “first green shoots” of the country’s economic revival are evident but growth isn’t expected to surpass 5.7% this year, the bottom end of the government’s revised growth target.

English: India’s Minister of Finance Palaniappan Chidambaram is the special guest at a plenary session titled Risks to India’s Economy in a Post-Crisis World held at the World Economic Forum’s India Economic Summit 2008 in New Delhi, 16-18 November 2008. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In Hong Kong to meet investors ahead of the budget presentation for fiscal 2013, P. Chidambaram told reporters that growth next year should be in the upper ranges of the 6%-7% target and that the economy should return to its potential growth rate, around 8%, by the following year.”

via Chidambaram: See ‘First Green Shoots’ of Recovery – WSJ.com.

Public sector banks need Rs.1 trillion capital infusion: Chidambaram (news.in.msn.com)
Train fare hike sound decision: Chidambaram (vancouverdesi.com)
Chidambaram hints at duty hike on gold import (profit.ndtv.com)

Posted in Economics, India alert | 1 Comment »

Tags: Asia, Business, Foreign direct investment, Government budget deficit, India, manmohan singh, p chidambaram

CHINDIA ALERT: You'll be living in their world, very soon

Chindia Alert: You’ll be Living in their World Very Soon

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* China’s Huawei Creeps up on Apple, Samsung

* License plates for automobiles in Shanghai can cost as much the cars

* China, Japan move to cool down territorial dispute

* U.N. to consider validity of China’s claim over disputed islands

* Middle-class Chinese snap up overseas luxury

* Mahindra Sees IT Revival

* Chinese student in France sick of buying luxury goods for other people

* China Pushes Industry Consolidation

* Chidambaram: See ‘First Green Shoots’ of Recovery

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