Unicom’s unlimited data plan comes with limits
In addition to spotty cellular coverage, a host of unlimited plans are not exactly “unlimited.” For example, users of Verizon’s unlimited plan face the risk of throttling their data speeds after going over 22 gigabyte of data, and the plan also stipulates mobile hotspot will be reduced to 3G speeds after 10 gigabyte of data usage per month.
Trump needs to be realistic about NAFTA talks
First, it may be hard for the US to launch a renegotiation, which requires a go-ahead from Canadian and Mexican leaders.
Possible early rate hike highlights US risks
Therefore, whether the Fed raises interest rates in March or not, investors should be cautious toward buying into dollar assets in the short term.
Sansha shouldn’t be developed as tourism venue
A reasonable level of tourism development is a must, but by no means should the city turn into a paradise for tourists or a hot place for development. Otherwise, the natural ecological environment of the surrounding waters will be ruined. The possible set-up of Sansha as a role model for environmental protection in the South China Sea is therefore of vital importance for green efforts in the entire South China Sea.
Sino-Russian relations require mutual trust
If China wants to push forward the B&R initiative in Eurasia, a key priority is to enhance mutual trust between China and Russia.
China should focus on benefits of ‘One Road’
China’s One Belt and One Road initiative, or the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road initiative, should prioritize the development of the “One Road.”
Mixed-ownership reform needs to level playing field
As long as market monopoly is removed and SOEs and private companies are treated equally by the law, market competition will automatically enable the survival of the fittest and force SOEs to implement institutional reforms.
China must address African rail project risk
Furthermore, diversified ways of financing need to be developed to offset risk and avoid passing debt risks onto Chinese policy banks.
China should open up to more foreign talent
At a discussion with foreign experts in Shanghai in May 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping noted that “the Chinese nation has the fine tradition of respecting and cherishing talent. Now we need to open a wider road for inviting talent worldwide than at any time in history. A more open policy for talent should be adopted,” according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Addressing issues in China-Europe service
While the China-Europe Railway Express service has expanded rapidly, the operation and performance of the lines varies considerably. The situation calls for an urgent need to address the problems that hinder the development of the China-Europe express service.
Chinese firms to overtake South Korean brands
Nevertheless, there’s an emerging trend that Chinese companies are posing challenges to their South Korean counterparts in home appliances products and smartphones, which is reminiscent of the rout of Japanese home appliances companies as a result of the rise of South Korean brands.
Dollar under Trump won’t damage yuan movements
Looking at China’s economic fundamentals, its economy is drawing an “L-shaped” growth. China is a major economy with a relatively strong growth and a surplus in its current accounts, which are beneficial to maintaining a comparatively stable yuan exchange rate.
China can aid stronger governance in Africa
After all, economics and politics are indivisible. By improving governance, African countries can attract more investment, which will help create a positive cycle of development.
Investing in China’s future amid uncertainties
Editor’s note:
At a forum held by China’s Quantum University in Hangzhou – a platform for spreading knowledge to entrepreneurs, legendary investor Jim Rogers (R) shared his insight on global uncertainties and ties between the US and China with Global Times (GT) reporter Wang Wei in an exclusive interview on February 17.
EU’s bureaucracy gets in way of China ties
According to recent media reports, the European Union (EU) is investigating a China-funded rail project which aims to link the Serbian capital of Belgrade with Hungary’s capital,Budapest. China will undoubtedly integrate cooperation with the Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) into the broader framework of China-EU infrastructure ties and comply with EU regulations. But we also hope that the EU will handle the issue fairly and remain farsighted. They should put the interests of the people first and seek cooperation with China that will bring tangible benefits to Hungarians and other Europeans instead of following bureaucratic instincts. China and the EU should also work together to find a model for infrastructure cooperation acceptable to both sides and avoid sowing distrust in the future.
The Financial Times reported on Monday that the EU was assessing the financial viability of the railway and looking into whether the project would breach the EU laws that require public tenders for large transport projects. The $2.89 billion project to modernize the Budapest-Belgrade railway was announced in 2013 and will serve as a European example of China’s One Belt, One Road initiative and will link both EU member countries and non-EU countries. Both Serbia and Hungary have been ready for construction to commence.
A Greek crisis could impact China’s market
While many are paying attention to US President Donald Trump’s slew of executive orders and tweets, we also need to remain aware of the hidden dangers from Europe, especially regarding the Greek debt problem or even a fresh outbreak of Greece debt crisis, which could impact countries across the globe, including China. The yield on two-year notes in Greece inched close to 10 percent recently, the highest level since last June. On February 7 the IMF warned that “Greece cannot be expected to grow out of its debt problem, even with full implementation of reforms,” and projected that the country’s debt and gross financing needs will “reach around 160 and 20 percent of GDP by 2030, respectively, but become explosive thereafter.” In addition, according to a Bloomberg report on February 8, “German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble ruled out a debt cut for Greece as a violation of European rules, saying the country would have to leave the euro area to do so.”
China should ensure Pakistan doesn't face financial crisis
While Pakistan’s fast growing economy has made it a darling for foreign investment, the surge in the country’s fiscal deficit and public debts has increasingly become a source of concern for international investors and has led to doubts about its capability to repay its debts. Given the massive investment that China has made in the country as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), China has a vested interest to ensure that the rising fiscal deficit in Pakistan not snowball into a major financial crisis. China should work closely with Pakistan to make sure that the projects it has invested in can generate tangible growth in Pakistan’s real economy, help the country properly manage its deficit level and put it on a sustainable growth path.
China should help build Africa e-commerce
Cross-border e-commerce is key to China’s drive to upgrade its foreign trade companies. Africa has increasingly become an emerging market for global cross-border e-commerce given its growing Internet access, rising number of cell phone users and consumers’ increased interest in online shopping. But the barriers to the African market cannot be ignored.