Archive for November, 2009

Chinese online gaming nurtures Hackers (网游饲黑客)

hackerOnline Gaming in China is one of the biggest in the world, mainly thanks to the record number of Chinese people who use internet. According to a latest estimate, there are more than 300 million People in China who use Internet and the online gaming is a market with a total revenue of $2.7 Billion (See ARticle from China Daily). Such a big market attracts not only online game providers, but also hackers. Using a trojan horse program, a hacker can control the hacked computer from a remote server and log into the computer users’ online gaming account. With the hacke account the hacker can profit from selling the possession in the victim’s virtual account and also turn it over to other potential buyers. At the same time, such a situation also provides great market potential for Anti-virus programs and software providers. China’s Internet is like a giant jungle full of opportunities but only the fittest survive.

网上游戏在中国特别受欢迎。据估计中国的网民已经突破了3亿。这是什么概念?差不多是美国和加拿大的人口总数。 Continue (继续)

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Overcapacity reflected in China’s Shipping Industry (造船业的寒冬)

shipyardsThe Baltic Drybulk Index (BDI, which is the indicator for the freight industry worldwide) collapsed from its peak in mid 08. Since then, the ship builders are entering into a tough period of life. That includes the yards in China (See ARticle from China Daily). One of the big ship builders in China, Liaoning Marine, is reported to slash the price of new ship order by 40% to compete for business. Most shipping lines across the world are reporting losses as the world container spaces are reported to be at least 10% idle (See Article from Chinatells). In addition, Chinese ship builders are hit by a double whammy of A) drastic increase in capacity; B) economic downturn globally. China’s shipping industry is one of the typical sectors bearing an obvious over capacity that could suffer in the forseeable future. Continue (继续)

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Are Chinese buying more cars to drive less? (买了车却不开?)

car parkChina is a big country with a lot of mysteries and wonders. It is no exception in the reading of car sales data. China has surpassed USA to be world’s biggest new car sales market in 2009 (See Graph from Chinatells). However, at the same time the sale of petrol products has not increased accordingly (See Article from Economist). There are a lot of potential explanations to such discrepancy: 1) the data is not accurate; 2) Chinese are buying more fuel efficient cars and driving less (advised by Stephen Green of Standard Chartered Bank); 3) Conspiracy theory that Chinese government is buying the cars and store them in the car park (advised by Gordon Chang). Continue (继续)

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Chinese Garlic top performing Asset (大蒜引领涨价潮)

garlicThere are some concerns about the inflation threat in China. The CPI and PPI have been watched closely but not shown any sign of inflation yet (See Graph from Chinatells). However, few people would have forseen that the best performing asset in China of 2009 is Garlic (See ARticle from Economist). Apparently the price of Garlic in JinXiang, which is the main Garlic growing and exporting area of China, has increased by 40 times since March. In addition, the wholesale garlic price in big cities has increased by ten times. No other asset class is even remotely comparable to the price gain in Garlic (See ARticle from the Australian). There are different explanations on the volatility of Chinese garlic’s price. Some refer to the monetary liquidity in China, others point out that it is due to the under invesment in garlic industry in the previous years. Continue (继续)

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China’s potential danger of overcapacity (产能过剩是定时炸弹)

production lineChina and America’s economies are closely interwined with each other in a lot of ways. China’s export sector is highly dependeng on the demand from America’s private sector, while America’s public sector is highly financed by Chinese (See Article from NYT). Such a balance, however, is vulnerable to collapse if China’s over capacity of production has no way out. The consequence of such a collapse is hard to imagine: cheap chinese goods have to be liquidated at lower than cost and companies suffer from loss in selling. The unemployment rate in both China and outside world would suffer and American government’s borrow cost would increase due to less reserve from China government. One thing seems to be clear that two countries are dependent on each other so much that if any one has a major economic shock the other is unlikely to be detached. Continue (继续)

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中国真的需要减排么(Is it really necessary to reduce CO2 emission)

CO2 emission中国政府近日宣布,在2020年以前将碳排放量降低到2005年的40%-45%,以兑现对世界环境的承诺。该承诺是为年底在哥本哈根的联合国气候大会铺路。对此许多有识之士提出了拥护或者质疑的看法(点击此处阅读天涯观点)。中国虽然是碳排放总量和美国并驾齐驱的最大的两个国家之一(点击此处观看图表), 但是人均排放量远远低于世界平均水平,更只有美国的1/4,凭什么要把矛头指向中国?同时二氧化碳排放量的增加对地球大气造成的伤害到底是否存在有多严重还很难讲。中国的弱势在于地球大气方面的研究都是西方引领,因此用来做政策性结论所依据的科学资料也都是从西方借来,自然在道理上讲不过人家。当然每件事情都有两面性,比如政府在西方压力下减排,对某些污染严重的城市也是好消息,毕竟环境好了对老百姓的健康也是好事。

China Government recently announced to reduce CO2 emission to 40% of the 2005′s level by 2020. Such an announcement is welcome by most countries, but also arouses suspicion within the country. Continue (继续)

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China’s Life Insurance Premium keeps growing (生命险险金持续上升)

China Life Insurance PremiumChina’s Life Insurance Premium keeps growing every year. It increased from about 100 RMB/year in 1999 to almost 800 RMB/year in 2008. The y-o-y growth from 2007 to 2008 is almost 50%. Continue (继续)

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China’s Stimulus to continue in 2010 (明年继续刺激)

politiburoThe world’s greatest stimulus program in terms of scale, China’s government’s loose monetary policy, is likely to continue in 2010. According to a politiburo meeting held this week, the top 25 government officials confirmed the government’s intention to continue such a policy (See Article from WSJ). China government started its record 4 trillion stimulus program in Q1 of 2009. Such a policy seems to have saved China’s falling retail price (See Graph from Chinatells), fixed asset investment (See Graph from Chinatells) and import growth (See Graph from Chinatells). However, economists have expressed worry on the long term implication in such a policy particularly in inflation.

中国政治局最高领导在最近的会议上讨论了中国的经济问题,同时做出结论目前的经济复苏还很脆弱,所以今年第一季度开始的刺激政策在2010年应该还会继续。在这一波的刺激中,央行将利率下降并且政府大手采购,致使中国经济在全球萧条的背景下不至于受损太严重。

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China Banks in good shape (银行很健康)

China Bank NPLRecently the low CAR of China Banks has been questioned (See Article from Chinatells). Due to the lower than average ratio of Capital Adequecy, the health state of China banks are in doubt. However, such doubts are unfounded. Continue (继续)

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China Banks CAR among the lower end in Asia (中国银行资本充足率偏低)

Asia Bank CAR 2009China Banks’ CAR has been discussed extensively recently and aroused strong reaction from the Asian stock markets (See Article from Chinatells). It probably helps to compare the CAR of China Banks to the rest in Asia. Continue (继续)

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China Banks Profit Superior (中国银行业利润可喜)

China Bank ProfitChina Banking Sector’s Profitability is superior compared to other sectors starting from 2008. In 2009 Banking sector’s profitability in A Share stock market acheived 19.1%, which is about 6% on average higher than other sectors. Continue (继续)

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Made in China to swamp world trade (产能过剩带来隐患)

steelAccording to a report released by European Union Chamber of Commerce, China’s over capacity of production encouraged by the domestic stimulus program could bring more conflicts in international trade and drive down profit margin worldwide (See ARticle from WSJ). China’s production of Steel, Aluminum, and Cement had a record year of growth in 2009 thanks to domestic recovery. However, worry emerges from foreign countries that such a production boost might result in an over capacity of supply and flood the world market with cheap products. After all, Chinese producers need to find market through export with their increased capacity. Such a trend could cause collision between major trading partners in the international community. Continue (继续)

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China shall reconsider its FX Policy (人民币政策再论)

China shall reconsider its FX Policy (人民币政策再论)During President Obama’s visit to Beijing, one of top priority topics that he discussed with President Hu Jingtao is the exchange rate of RMB. Due to the fact that RMB is pegged to USD, so claims Obama, it is artificially under valued and does not reflect the true Purchasing Power Parity. Such an under valuation is one of the major causes for a global imbalance: China accumulates huge surplus and USA accumulates huge deficit. In fact, according to the latest figure from National Bureau of Statistics, China’s trade surplus reached 24 Billion USD in October 09, which is a fifth month of consecutive increase y-o-y in its trade surplus (See Graph below). Therefore, to address such an imbalance, so goes the logic, China government need to revalue RMB or loosen the peg. Continue (继续)

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China leads spending on Iron Ore (铁矿砂资源争夺战)

Iron-OreChina is leading the world in making record spendings in the iron ore sector. CITIC Pacific, one of the biggest state owned investment company, spends about USD 16.6 Billion on Australian magnetite project, which is 36 percent higher than that of last year (See Article from China Daily). China is one of the world’s fastest growing economy with a giant appetite for commodities including iron ore. The investment in iron ore is a Chinese way to benefit from the rise in commodity price and also secure supply. Every year China’s steel makers have tough negotiation with world’s biggest iron ore suppliers (See Article from Chinatells). Continue (继续)

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China Banks urged to raise capital (银行也缺钱)

China Bank CAR Q3 09China’s Five Biggest Banks recently announced intentions to raise capital and improve their capital adequacy ratio (See Article from Bloomberg). Continue (继续)

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70% and 1% (一部分人富起来了)

high net worthAccording to a latest estimate from BCG, 70% of China’s wealth is in the hands of less than 1% of the richest population. Such a wealth distribution makes China a highly uneven country such as USA (See Graph from Chinatells). In addition, it is estimated that the wealth of such 1% (13 million people) is going to grow more than 10% in the next 2 years, which makes China the second largest country of billionaires only after USA (See Article from Chinatells). Such a country naturally is a perfect market for most banks’ wealth management and private banking division (See Article from Economist). Obviously HSBC, Citi and Standard Chartered are among the leaders of foreign banks to tap the Chinese market, followed by many others. Continue (继续)

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Platinum is the new wedding trend (爱我就给我买白金戒)

platinum_ringsWhat is wedding all about? Love, pure, and eternity? That is exactly how the jewellery shop sales markets their platinum rings. It seems that the wedding boom in China goes hand by hand with the spike in international platinum price (See Article from FT). It is estimated that China will likely absorb 1.75 million ounce of platinum in this year, which is an increase of 80% compared to that of last year. Such growth is in sharp contrast to that of auto industry, who usually is the biggest user of platinum. It seems that due to global recession auto industry’s demand for platinum is likely to decrease by 33% this year. Reminds me of the old saying: Buy what Chinese need – the price will just go up. Continue (继续)

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Haitong Security expands in HK (海通证券扩张香港)

haitong securtyHaitong Security is the first China brokerage house to acquire an overseas stake in Taifook Securities of Hongkong, for a total amount of USD 235 mil (See Article from FT). Such a move is an important step for the Chinese firm to be prepared for regulation loosening in the coming future to relax mainland capital investment overseas. Hongkong equity market is expected to be the first beneficiary if such policy relaxation goes through. With the funds raised from domestic stock market, Haitong Security is expected to lead the wayof domestic security companies to expand overseas. Continue (继续)

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Does China need more green cars? (要车还是环境)

shanghai trafficChina is a potentially biggest market for green energy development. Due to its large population of vehicles, and its dramatic momentum of increasing car sales every day, there is a great need from China to convert the fuel usage to more ‘green’ side to reduce the oil consumption and dependence on world market. The question, however, is whether we shall focus on turning cars into green, or reducing the cars overall (See Article from NYT). It seems that in a lot of cities, the traffic jam has not become a serious problem that affects people’s daily life, and a deadly hazard to people walking on the street. Instead of paying so much attention on bringing down the fuel usage per car, maybe more thoughts should be put into how to devise the city structure in a smarter way to make everyone live more comfortably. After all, it is the quality of people’s life that matters most. Continue (继续)

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Is Money leaking out of the Country (金钱大逃亡)

money flowThe world is feeling the impact of Chinese, especially rich ones fully loaded with hard Cash (See Article from WSJ). Starting from Q2 of 2009, significant volume of mainland cash finds its way into nearby more open cities such as Hong Kong and Macau, pushing up the price of local property (See Article from chinatells). It is against the will of Beijing as there are regualtions to limit the capital outflow. However, there are countless ways to bypass such regulations and it is literally impossible to stop the flow. On the other hand, it reflects the need of Chinese rich to find an international city with first class infrastructure and decent education and healthcare system. Hong Kong ticks the boxes on the list and becomes one of the hot spot.

中国大陆富人云集。基于13亿人口基数,即使0。1%的富人人口也足以震撼全世界。至少香港明确感觉到了这种震撼。香港的高档住宅在09年上升了30%,主要就是由大陆富人撑起的一片天。大陆有有关政策限制资本外流,但是上有政策下有对策,香港由于其国际的开放性和较好的教育体系成为大陆富人向往的移民居所。

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CIC to invest $710 Mil in GCL Poly (中投继续投资能源股)

CIC InvestmentCIC decides to take a 20% equity stake holding in the hong kong listed power company: GCL Poly (See Article from Finance Asia). Continue (继续)

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China National Housing Price on Fire (房价节节攀升)

China National Housing PriceChina’s National Housing Price sees a strong boost in Q3 and Q4 of 2009. The average housing price in 31 cities across the country is about 6800 RMB/square meter, which is about USD 1000/square meter. Continue (继续)

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RMB to be progressively internationalized (人民币国际化步步为营)

rmbIt is not a secret that China government wants to push the internationalization process of RMB and change the USD dominated world trade. It is easier said than done. However, there are material steps being taken through Hong Kong, which serves as a bridge between China and international community (See Article from Fortune). As Hong Kong Dollar is freely convertible to world currencies, it is a perfect channel for RMB to go through a progressive journey for afloatation in the end. Continue (继续)

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Adam Smith receives welcome in China (亚当斯密热)

adam_smithAdam Smith is one of the greatest Western Economists in history. His master piece Wealth of Nation has been translated to multiple languages and receives serious attention in a lot of countreis, including China (See Article from Times Online). One of the most famous quotes from the book is the ‘invisible hands’ from the market to allocate resource and beneft human society to a greatest extent. Few people, however, notice that Adam Smith does not believe that market can solve 100% of all the issues. In his another book Theory of Moral Sentiments, Smith stressted the importance of share the benefit of economic development and care for the poor. Such a view is greatly appreciated by China’s prime minister, Wen Jiabao. Continue (继续)

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RMB passively depreciated in 09 (人民币被动贬值)

Appreciation against USD 09Sometimes if we view the same thing from different perspectives, we arrive at totally opposite conclusions. The exchange rate of RMB is suh an example. Continue (继续)

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