Cup of Cha
This is China

American leaders like Senators Chuck Schumer and Lindsay Graham have long argued that China has an unfair trade advantage based on the historically undervalued Renminbi. While they were right to a small degree, these policymakers long failed to identify a much more problematic issue. Chinese manufacturers have had an edge over their counterparts in America [...]

Continue reading “China Continues to Fall Short of Market Economy” »

When the American northeast went black in August of 2003, the official version of events was that a tree branch crippled a huge chunk of the American and Canadian power grids. This either seemed far-fetched, or utterly terrifying, depending on your point of view. Well, a new report from National Journal says that China’s “cyber-militia” [...]

Continue reading “Did China Cause 2003 American Blackout?” »

In an AP article I found via ESPN.com I zeroed in on a quotation from a torch bearer name Fu Shenfeng seems to have unintentionally summed up the disconnect between Western and Chinese views on Olympic torch protests:
“Foreigners don’t understand China,” said torch bearer Fu Shenfeng before the relay started. “They still think we’re stuck [...]

Continue reading “Torch Protest Misunderstanding: Why Chinese and Foreigners Don’t Get Each Other” »

In the LA Times today, Francis Fukuyama argues that the greatest tyranny in China today is local, rather than the central, government. While his argument is essentially correct, it also oversimplifies the picture and implicitly absolves the country’s top leaders of their role in the country’s ills, while at the same time misunderstanding the uniqueness [...]

Continue reading “Does the Central Government Run China?” »

You may not have noticed this, but the Renminbi has now surpassed the 7:1 ratio to the US Dollar. Bank of China is now listing the official rate at 6.99:1. The symbolism of this barrier is more important than the actual change, but it shows the long trend that has significantly sped up, particularly this [...]

Continue reading “Renminbi Passes 7:1 Mark Against US Dollar” »

If you want to realize just how scary the neocons are, then you might want to check out John Bolton’s piece in the LA Times in which he argues that the way to ensure peace in East Asia is for the US to recognize Taiwan diplomatically. He seems to think this would be the [...]

Continue reading “Neocon Arrogance on Taiwan” »

It is great political fodder to talk about the horrors of outsourcing, and indeed it can be a major problem when there are no corresponding training programs to give workers skills they need to be competitive when their jobs go elsewhere. On the other hand, sometimes outsourcing part of the production line makes it possible [...]

Continue reading “How Big a Problem is Outsourcing?” »

It’s amazing the things you learn from your old landlords. For example, did you know that the 103 square meters that are officially included in the floor space in my old apartment included the hallway and the lobby on the first floor? It’s true. It may even have included the courtyard for my complex. Of [...]

Continue reading “Put Your Guests in the Hallway” »

It’s getting to the point where you can’t find a product in China that doesn’t come from the US. The cars are Ford, the computers Apple, and the financial services are from New York. The artificially weak US Dollar has upset the natural balance of trade and distorted markets. Cup of Cha urges Congress to [...]

Continue reading “Message to US: Stop Manipulating the Dollar” »

As consumers around the country panicked in the face of rocketing prices for food, oil and other essential items, the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 29th Olympic Games sought to soothe frayed nerves. Xinhua reports:
The Beijing Organizing Committee of the 29th Olympic Games (BOCOG) Wednesday vowed to maintain the licensed Olympic product prices at present [...]

Continue reading “Crappy Olympic Gifts Unaffected by CPI Jump” »