Opinion | Why China’s supply chains face threats beyond Trump tariffs
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China has reoriented its supply chains to reduce dependence on the US; On January 20, 2025, Trump announced the creation of the External Revenue Service to collect tariffs; Trump vowed to impose tariffs as high as 60% on Chinese imports; Most Chinese goods likely to see tariffs of about 20%; Trump threatened an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods for enabling fentanyl flow; China has strengthened trade relations with Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America; Thailand attracted over US$1.4 billion from Chinese carmakers; Geely plans to invest US$10 billion in Malaysia for an auto-making hub; Chinese inputs integrated into products sold worldwide without 'Made in China' labels.
#China #Us #Tariffs #SupplyChains #TradeRelations #BeltAndRoadInitiative #Investment #Economy #Trump #Fentanyl
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Hongkongers’ travel needs key in developing ride-hailing regulations: minister
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Mable Chan, Hong Kong's new transport minister, prioritizes residents' travel needs in developing ride-hailing regulations; acknowledges popularity of ride-hailing services and issues with current taxi licensing system; illegal for private vehicle drivers to accept paid customers without a hire-car permit; previous minister proposed stricter penalties for illegal ride-hailing; Chan aims to establish a regulatory framework by 2025; she has experience from her time as commissioner for transport (Oct 2017 - Jul 2020); Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu reshuffled ministers, firing Lam Sai-hung and Kevin Yeung; Chan emphasizes the need for innovation in the transport sector; mentions interest from mainland operators like Didi Chuxing and Amap; plans to focus on rail projects and international aviation status.
#HongKong #Transport #Ridehailing #MableChan #TaxiRegulations #JohnLee #DidiChuxing #Amap #Innovation #PublicTransport
Will Myanmar’s junta chief face justice for crimes against Rohingya?
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) requested an arrest warrant for Myanmar's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing on November 27, 2024, citing his likely criminal responsibility for crimes against humanity against the Rohingya; nearly 1 million Rohingya fled to Bangladesh during the military's crackdown in 2017; analysts doubt Hlaing will be arrested while in power, as Myanmar is not an ICC member; the warrant symbolizes recognition of Rohingya suffering; the ICC has jurisdiction over Bangladesh, where victims were displaced; Hlaing's travel could lead to arrest in ICC member states; the situation remains complex with the Arakan Army's actions against Rohingya; the Rohingya continue to seek safety, with recent rescues off Indonesia; calls for accountability may provoke further junta crackdowns.
#Myanmar #Rohingya #Icc #MinAungHlaing #HumanRights #Justice #Bangladesh #ArakanArmy #InternationalLaw #SoutheastAsia
China’s Russia imports, hampered by payment sanctions, drop as exports swell
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China's exports to Russia reached a record high of US$11.25 billion in September 2024, a 16.6% year-on-year increase; imports from Russia fell by 9.2% year-on-year in yuan terms; sanctions from the US and EU complicate Russia's international payments; Chinese state-owned banks halted large-scale transactions with Russia in August 2024; trade between China and Russia hit a record US$240 billion in 2023, a 26.3% increase; China purchased 45% of Russia's coal and 47% of its crude oil exports from December 2022 to September 2024; the Canton Fair highlighted payment risks, with upfront payments now required by Chinese exporters; Russia is seeking a new payment system at the upcoming Brics summit.
#China #Russia #Trade #Sanctions #Economy #Exports #Imports #Brics #CantonFair #Energy
Israel intensifies bombardment of Gaza, Lebanon on eve of October 7 anniversary
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Israel intensified bombardment of northern Gaza and southern Lebanon on October 6, 2024; at least 24 people killed in strikes on a mosque and school in Gaza; over 30 strikes reported in Beirut; conflict risks drawing in the US, which supports Israel; Iran's Quds Force chief reportedly out of contact; Netanyahu vows retribution against Iran after missile attacks; 1,400 Lebanese casualties reported; nearly 42,000 Palestinians killed since war began; Macron calls for partial arms embargo on Israel, met with Netanyahu's criticism.
#Israel #Gaza #Lebanon #Bombardment #October7 #Netanyahu #Hezbollah #Iran #Conflict #Casualties
Middle East turns to non-alcoholic beers, healthier than colas and not tainted by Gaza war
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Mohammad Abdelazeem, a 35-year-old Egyptian, switched from 7-8 cans of Pepsi daily to 3-4 cans of Moussy and Fayrouz, non-alcoholic beers; Alcohol-free beer sales are rising in the Middle East due to health concerns and perceptions of US brands like Pepsi and Coca-Cola as pro-Israel amid the Gaza conflict; AB InBev launched Corona Cero in Saudi Arabia in Q1 2024; Heineken's revenue in Egypt grew by over 40% in H1 2024, partly due to Fayrouz; Carlsberg began local production of Moussy in Egypt in 2023; Executives note that zero-alcohol beers are still a small revenue segment but present growth opportunities; Cultural acceptance of non-alcoholic beer is expected to take time.
#NonalcoholicBeer #MiddleEast #HealthTrends #GazaConflict #ConsumerBehavior #Carlsberg #AbInbev #Heineken #Moussy #Fayrouz
How this sea-view, high-rise flat in Hong Kong was transformed into a private sanctuary for 2
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Leon and Astrid Tsang transformed their 700 sq ft Sai Wan Ho flat into a private sanctuary; Architect Michael Liu Tsz-yeung of Millimeter Interior Design led the redesign; The flat was previously a three-bedroom, two-bathroom unit; Key features include a functional kitchen, a movable island, and a wellness-inspired en suite with a steam room; The couple desired a space for work without a dedicated office; The design emphasizes open-plan living, enhancing interaction; The project was completed in summer 2023; Custom elements include a hydraulic lift-up bed and bespoke racking for vinyl records; The couple sacrificed a guest bathroom for a larger en suite; The design incorporates a monochrome color palette with walnut accents.
#HongKong #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #Architecture #MillimeterInteriorDesign #PrivateSanctuary #OpenPlan #Wellness #CustomFurniture #SeaView
US wants to decouple military supplies from China – but can it?
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The US wants to decouple its military supplies from China due to worsening relations, but it faces challenges. China plays a central role in the global economy as a leading producer of materials and components used in weapons. China's dominance in the global supply chain means that removing all made-in-China parts and components would have chaotic consequences for arms manufacturers worldwide. China's control over rare earth materials, gallium, and other critical minerals used in military technologies poses a significant challenge. The US government is making efforts to relocate production from China to friendlier countries and reduce vulnerabilities in the supply chain. China, on the other hand, faces vulnerabilities in the semiconductor chip industry, as it imports nearly half of the world's chips, many of which come from Taiwan. The US defense supply chain already has reasons to avoid Chinese components, but achieving complete military decoupling is a complex task.
#Us #China #MilitarySupplies #GlobalSupplyChain #Weapons #RareEarthMaterials #SemiconductorChips