Region

China’s Power Shortage: Challenges Today, Opportunities Tomorrow

May 19 – Enterprises in China are suffering the most serious off-season power shortage since 2004, bringing about great concern that the power supply deficiency will be exacerbated during the coming summer. East China’s Yangtze River Delta region, one of the country’s primary economic growth engines, has been forced to slow itself down due to […]

Beijing Government Issues Circular on Collection of Union Fees

The General Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality has issued the “Circular on the Commencement of the Pilot Work with regard to the Collection of Union Contributions and Preparation Fees by the Beijing Local Tax Bureau (Jingzhengbanhan [2010] No. 34).”

Getting Your Employees a Hukou – An Unavoidable HR Issue in China

Among the numerous lessons foreign employers need to learn about as they establish a business in China, getting their employees a hukou – the official household registration record that enables immigrants to enjoy treatment equal to that of a city’s permanent resident – is one of the unavoidable issues that they have to understand and tackle.

Shenzhen to Raise Fuel Surcharge for Red Taxis

Effective from April 23, 2011, the fuel surcharge for red Shenzhen taxis was raised from RMB2 to RMB3 per ride, making Shenzhen the city with the most expensive fuel surcharge in the country.

An Introduction to Kunshan, China’s Richest County-Level City

While investors may have learned abundant information on key cities in Jiangsu Province such as Nanjing, Suzhou and Wuxi from China Briefing’s City Guide series, they should now also put the city of Kunshan – China’s richest county-level city – on their list when considering expanding or relocating their businesses.

Photo: Flickr/M. KJ

Hong Kong Promoted to Prime Center for Arbitration

The new Hong Kong Arbitration Ordinance enacted in November last year will take effect on June 1, 2011, the Department of Justice announced. The new will largely benefit arbitration parties and make Hong Kong a more preferred location for arbitration in the Asia Pacific Region.

Hong Kong Statutory Minimum Wage to Come into Force

The Minimum Wage Ordinance was passed by Hong Kong’s Legislative Counsel and will come into force on May 1, 2011. The initial statutory minimum wage rate is HK$28 per hour.

Xinjiang to Become More Accessible for Foreign Investors

Xinjiang, the massive autonomous region in northwestern China offering many lucrative investment opportunities, is relaxing the approval procedures for foreign investors. Under the new policy, local authorities will gain more decision power and investors will find it easier to start up projects in the region.