China Hearsay
China law, business and economics commentary



Worst IP Mistake I’ve Ever Seen. Some Editor Needs to be Fired. (Feb 6)
Sorry, but I really can’t let this one go. And unlike the usual articles where the nature of the intellectual property is unclear, or if the writer uses “patent” when he/she actually meant “trademark,” this one is even worse. The article in question is entitled “Apple Accused of Patent Infringement.” Unfortunately, it’s about the Proview [...]


China to Issue Medical Information Card (Feb 6)
If the U.S. government came up with a similar plan, the libertarians and conspiracy theory whackos would scream bloody murder and pressure Congress to drop it. Too bad, since this sounds like a pretty good idea: A card to store people’s health records and settle medical expenses will be launched nationwide by China’s Ministry of [...]


The Daily Twit (@chinahearsay Twitter feed) – 2012-02-06 (Feb 6)
Reuters: Citi gets approval to issue credit cards in China http://t.co/J37BFX07 Hope they issue to foreigners. -> NYT: Taking More Seats on Campus, Foreigners Also Pay the Freight http://t.co/T1Dt8ZrR -> AFP: Bitter exchanges highlight Hong Kong, China divide http://t.co/W2k7fQbN -> China Debate: ‘Why China’s Rise Will Not Be Peaceful’ by John J. Mearsheimer http://t.co/uGSQ59jI @chinadebate [...]


Is China Having Regrets About WTO Accession? (Feb 6)
Because it gave up so much when it joined WTO, China should not feel obligated to follow all the rules now. So says a very troubling Op/Ed.


The Daily Twit (@chinahearsay Twitter feed) – 2012-02-05 (Feb 5)
Nicholas Lardy: Sustaining economic growth in China http://t.co/WGe4BZc5 -> Reuters: China's Wen says farmers' rights flouted by land grabs http://t.co/sboZid8c -> Heated online spat goes to court http://t.co/D27ZcX0T I guess this is for real. Han Han vs. Fang Zhouzi -> China Media Project: Wukan: Inspirational example, or old news? http://t.co/rPnJT3Wt @cmphku -> NPR: Protesting Chinese [...]


Trump and Romney: A Match Made in China Policy Hell (Feb 3)
Last year, Romney was easily the biggest China basher on the Republican side, so Trump’s endorsement comes as no surprise. These guys believe that a combination of harsh language and illegal tariffs will balance U.S.-China trade. As I’ve said before, Romney doesn’t really believe in all this talk. Trump, on the other hand, does appear [...]


U.S.-China Trade: An Adult Conversation (Feb 3)
A rare Op/Ed that takes a balanced approach to U.S.-Trade, acknowledging the problems without falling into the usual protectionist traps.


Irresponsible Reporting on Apple-Foxconn (Feb 3)
Working conditions at electronics supplier Foxconn is a valid issue. Too bad some of the reporting is melodramatic and incorrect, which really skews the discussion in which we’re engaged. Check out this language from ZDNet: So we should cut to the chase that Apple is absolutely not unique in having products made by workers which are [...]


Hong Kong vs. Mainland: Choosing Sides (Feb 3)
The battle rages on between Hong Kongers, pissed off at the swarm of “locusts” from the Mainland that have descended on their precious shopping malls and luxury boutiques, and folks from up North, annoyed at the haughty attitude of their Southern neighbors. The Ministry of Tofu blog has a good writeup of what’s going on: [...]


The Daily Twit (@chinahearsay Twitter feed) – 2012-02-03 (Feb 3)
Global Times: Hotpot chain offers video conferencing http://t.co/SwUmdifj Apparently manicures wasn't enough. -> NYT: China Weighs Helping a European Debt Rescue http://t.co/DYssbfAU -> Draft on occupational illness published http://t.co/RG7gLfMj -> Ministry of Tofu: Despite ugly tension between Hong Kong and mainland China, HK’s accusatory ad becomes Internet meme http://t.co/uSfwJ5vp -> ZDNet: Happy Chinese workers spell [...]