Ojito, ojito con China

Image courtesy of Wikicommons

[Source] : Semanaeconomica.pe

09 Sep, 2012 07:132 comentarios

Uno tras otro, los indicadores de la economía china han venido confirmando un proceso marcado de desaceleración no anticipado por los mercados, pues han estado acostumbrados a resultados siempre superiores a los pronosticados. Si, como anticipan las principales proyecciones del consenso de economía, el crecimiento 2012 se ubicará cerca al 7,5%, estaríamos hablando del nivel record de baja expansión de las últimas dos décadas.

Los datos de producción industrial se han desmoronado, reflejando las debilidades de los sectores exportadores, la demanda interna y externa. La prensa china recoge cada vez con mayor frecuencia los graves problemas que enfrentan determinadas ramas líderes de la actividad. Por ejemplo, ya es inocultable la crisis del sector acerero, antes sostén del dinamismo productivo chino, apoyando el desarrollo de infraestructuras. De hecho, durante el plan de estímulo diseñado por el gobierno chino en el 2008, que alcanzó los 600 mil millones de dólares, una proporción importante fue entregada a esta industria, que ahora se encuentra sobre endeudada, en un contexto donde la demanda, y los precios se han desplomado, y donde ha salido a relucir que un porcentaje de los recursos captados, derivaron en otras inversiones de alto riesgo, que no era el centro del plan de estímulo, ni de estas empresas. El sector financiero del gigante asiático, ha sentido el golpe directamente en sus cuentas, y hay actualmente presiones fuertes por parte de las autoridades para ajustar los préstamos en este sector, con lo que la crisis ahí se ahondará más.

Otra de las ramas que también recoge el efecto de la crisis es el rubro exportador de juguetes, que concentra una masa importante de la fuerza laboral. Esta se ha visto impactada por una fuerte reducción de la demanda externa de Europa y Estados Unidos, que se pronostica en casi 30%, para este año. Pero no todo el efecto de esta caída responde sólo a la crisis que enfrentan los países desarrollados, sino también a factores de costos percibido por sus clientes externos, concentrado sobre todo en los ya no tan bajos costos de la mano de obra china. Este incremento del salario , ha llevado a que las órdenes de compra se estén trasladando a otros países en el sudeste asiático o a Bangladesh.

Haga clic aquí para leer el artículo completo

Book Review, The Final War: Avoiding It through a New Harmonic Society

Being distracted by the blitzkrieg onslaught of “news stories,” makes it quite easy to get distracted in this day and age. To name a few headlines from around the world sucking in people’s limited attention span we have –>

• Election season in the US, along with Hurricane Isaac and drought in much of the US heartland of farming
• Droughts in Russia and India as well, causing a rise in fear around the world of a possible repeat of the 2007-2008 food crisis.
• Eurozone Crisis, will the Eurozone survive? Will the PIGS be forced to leave? Etc…
• Talk of leadership change in Canada and a possible referendum on succession of the French Speaking regions.
• The beginning stages transition of power in China
• … and many more which deserve mention but as the title of this entry states, this is a book review, not a recap of Global News. You can tune into any 24/7 news station or open your chosen News App on your tablet or phone to be blitzed with more “global news.”

Image courtesy of http://thefinalwar.net/

This entry is about a new book which has just hit the presses: The Final War: Avoiding It through a New Harmonic Society. Co-authored by Fernando Morote Solari (a military hero, expert in geopolitics, professor), Dr. Sofia Morote (his daughter and also a professor and expert in geopolitics), and a colleague of theirs Patricia Bowens McCarthy.

I am a professor at Dowling College (www.internationalprofessor.com), and I wrote this book in a team with my father Fernando Morote Solari (a military hero, expert in geopolitics, professor) and my colleague Patricia Bowens McCarthy.

The first part of the book discusses the role of several countries in a possible World War and why we may have one. The second part, discusses a way to impending a world war through creating a new Harmonic Society. The book also praises China president statements in the UN about Harmonious World, instead of dismissing them as US Media often does as simply political jargon.

The authors initially discuss the precarious and ongoing situations throughout the Middle East- Israel – Pakistan and finally how the emergence of China begins to factor in. It also encompasses Africa, Central and South America (Latin America), where Chinese interests are growing.  The authors asset that the projected confrontation can be avoided by The Law of Universal Harmony, which is undergirded by Judeo-Christian precepts, Eastern concepts and principles such as dynamic balance, static equilibrium, ascending and descending transformation, and synchronized movements. 

The goals are objects of Universal Harmony as discusses in the book are achievable when nations take ownership for development strategies, policies and programs.  In sum, The Final War: Avoiding It through a New Harmonic Society, reveals the realities of what a confrontation could mean for the world, and offers solutions and steps which can be taken to prevent. Overall a very worthwhile and interesting read for geopolitical intellectuals out there, specifically ones interested in transpacific relations.

The book is currently available through multiple mediums in both English and Spanish.  Please visit the home of the page of the book http://thefinalwar.net/ to learn how to purchase wither E-Book or hard copies ranging from $7 USD – $20 USD in price.

Chian South America Announcement

As summarized in a sub-section of my previous post on Vietnam, I Bennett Reiss (your author and the webmaster of China South America) has decided to formally announce that China South America will officially expand it’s horizons beyond just the scope of China and South America.

As any long time or frequent readers would have already observed I on occasion stray from “China-South America News.”  From now on expect more of the following:

- Articles, news and commentary involving North America, Russia, Australia and New Zealand (Oceania) because of their respective connection and roles in the greater Pacific Region (APEC).

- From Europe, Spain will likely have quite a presence on this site.  Due to its long term influence in the region, FDI, and from the influx of Spaniards arriving in the region seeking opportunities as Spain’s economy falters.

- Lastly, expects posts from time to tome on any news CSA believes is appropriate for the site involving South-South Cooperation – such as the increasing connections Brazil, China and India’s have with Africa, India-Latin America, ASEAN – Latin Ameirca, etc.

- MicroFinance News

Vietnam – Agro Exports in Focus

[Source] Written by Bennett A. Reiss Iberico

South Central Vietnam

From the few days I’ve been traveling the Vietnamese countryside (in large part to investigate their agricultural sector), I’ve thus far come to believe Vietnam can grow to become an agricultural power house with the potential similar to many countries in South America.  In today’s world of 7+ billion people, this untapped agro-potential is invaluable.  Especially in the context of the emergence of a 2nd world food crisis within the short span of 5 years (the first being back in 2008).

Vietnam’s agricultural potential, if nurtured in a sustainable and efficient manner could conceivably catalyze Vietnam into becoming a major agricultural center, capable of feeding its own people and exporting food to countries around the world whose geographic limitations inhibit them from doing so themselves.

Despite this website (blog)’s original purpose which was to focus on China and South America, it’s become apparently obvious doing so is nearly impossible without including the rest of Asia (specifically South East Asia), and the rest of Latin America (from Panama up to Mexico and the Caribbean). Also my inherent interest and passion for MicroFinance, which frequent readers probably are aware of.

China South America, from this point forward has officially expanded it’s own horizons and will now include the Pan-Asia and Latin American regions.  Along with the following:

- At times North America, Russia, Australia and New Zealand (Oceania) because of their respective connection and roles in the greater Pacific Region and APEC.

- From Europe, Spain will likely have quite a presence on this site due to its long term influence in the region, FDI, and because of the influx of Spaniards arriving in the region seeking opportunities as Spain’s economy falters.

- Lastly, expect posts from time to tome on any news CSA believes is appropriate for the site involving South-South Cooperation – such as the increasing connections the countries of Brazil, China and India’s have with Africa, India-Latin America, ASEAN – Latin Ameirca, etc.

To conclude, I hope you enjoy my rare, personal on the ground experiences of the places I travel in the ASIA – LATIN AMERICA REGION. I personally think Vietnam is a country worthy to keep tabs on, and to visit of course. Vietnam is a country, which for the first time in living memory of its people that a generation is going to be able to grow up without having to suffer and fight a war.  Come visit this beautiful country, get to know its people, history, and expand your horizons.

To all regular readers please be patient. Normal news flows will return once I’m back in Ho Chi Mihn City (Saigon).

Shrimp farms, helping to feed global (and local) demand for sea food.

Ride paddies. Vietnam is the world’s 2nd largest exporter of rice after Thailand.

Do you like chocolate? Vietnam is alao a growing powerhouse in Cacao production.

We do indeed live in an interconnected world. Rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis), originally from the Amazon in South America now flourish throughout SE Asia. They also were a major reason the Japanese invaded Vietnam during WWII

Now it’s time to find me some coffee plantations, as Vietnam is also the #2 exporter of coffee beans after Brazil (yes they even top Colombia)

Cruising the South-Central Vietnamese countryside on motorcycle. After about 20 minutes of riding solo and realizing I’d probably kill myself over the course of the next 48 hours I opted to hop on the back seat of a local Vietnamese driver.

Tomorrow my search of the Vietnamese South-Central countryside continues and i’ll find those coffee bean plantations even if it takes me all day!

Documental incredible de los paises – BRIC

Documental incredible de los paises – BRIC-episodio-1

Del canal Argentino – Infinito

BBC Documentary: “The Chinese Are Coming” (Part 1 and 2)

Part 3 and 4 will be uploaded tomorrow.

All courtesy of the BBC

China’s centralised top-down approach to business in the outside world

The Sydney Morning Herald published a great piece on how China’s quest for mineral and energy wealth outside its borders is not coming along as easy as some media would suggest.

Chinese investors are finding that the centralised, top-down approach does not work in the rest of the world.

The map of China’s overseas resource investments is not a pretty picture. In the developed world, Chinese investors are tangling with unfamiliar regulations, labour markets and technologies.

In unstable nations, particularly in Africa, they are aligning themselves with transient regimes. In South America and the Pacific Islands, which have pugnacious traditions of local community rights, they are finding that doing cozy deals at the state level does not solve grassroots problems.

Click here to read the complete article direct from the Sydney Morning Herald

New Silk Road Built by China Connects Asia to Latin America – Bloomberg

Bloomberg just published a fascinating article about the growth of inter-emerging market trade.   I highly recommend read the complete story, direct from Bloomberg’s website.  Below, CSA presents a few excerpts from the article, which highlight some of the exchange between fellow emerging markets.

“There are now massive trade connections within the emerging markets and they’re becoming increasingly important,” said King in a telephone interview. “It means in one sense the emerging world is protected from the worst ravages of the developed world.”

Shenzen-based Huawei Technologies Co., its biggest maker of phone equipment, had orders of $1.7 billion from India in 2008 and said in January that it will invest $500 million in its research center in Bangalore.

China Mobile Ltd. of Hong Kong, the world’s biggest phone carrier, is “interested in doing business in Africa,” where it can boost services in rural areas, Chairman Wang Jianzhou said in a June 26 interview.

Vale in 2009 acquired stakes in three copper projects, in Zambia, Africa’s largest producer of the metal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In April this year, the company agreed to pay $2.5 billion for iron ore deposits in Guinea, including assets the country confiscated from the Rio Tinto Group.

There is still scope for ties to strengthen. In a study released last week, the Washington-based Inter-American Development Bank concluded “massive bilateral trade” could develop between Latin America and India if tariffs are cut.

Click here to access the complete article from Bloomberg

Asia in Focus

APEC nations call for free trade

Nov 14 (REUTERS) – APEC leaders tackle climate change negotiations and economic integration, as Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama stresses the need for free trade zone.
Penny Tweedie, Reuters

Obama seeks stronger links in Asia

Nov 14 (REUTERS) – United States President Barack Obama pushes for greater U.S. involvement in Asia, welcoming a “strong, prosperous” China.
Penny Tweedie, Reuters.

China to lead Somalia piracy fight

Nov 13 (REUTERS) – China will assume a leadership role in an international coalition fighting maritime piracy off Somalia, signaling its navy’s growing ambitions beyond Chinese waters.
Stefanie McIntyre reports.

Sino-African Cooperation in focus

Two serparate newsbites have just hit the Reuters wire.  The first, describes the success many African immigrants in China have experienced since moving to the Middle Kingdom (China).  The second outlines how China’s trade with Africa is increasing and how China will likely a extend a new $5 billion credit line to Africa.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Africans in China look for success

Nov 4 (Reuters) – A news anchorwoman and a nightclub DJ join other young Africans finding success in China.

Kitty Bu reports.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

China-Africa trade, ties grow

Nov 5 (Reuters) – Chinese President Wen Jiabao is expected to offer Africa at least $5 billion in credit and loans at an upcoming summit.

Kirsty Basset reports.