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Starbucks in China: Grande Mao Lattes?

Thomas MuchaApril 13, 2010 08:45

There's a fascinating story in today's Wall Street Journal about Starbucks' plans to open "thousands" of new coffee shops across China. Here are the basics: Starbucks, which entered the dragon in 1999, now has 376 stores on the Chinese mainland.

China: The yuan diaries

Jonathan AdamsApril 13, 2010 06:32Updated May 30, 2010 13:28

TAIPEI, Taiwan — To get the scoop on China's currency, follow the "hot" money. So says Shanghai-based independent economist Andy Xie, a highly regarded maverick who used to be Morgan Stanley's chief Asia economist. Economists like Xie are locked in a fierce debate over the simple question: is the Chinese currency too cheap? "Hot money" — or speculative foreign money — is the key to the answer, he says.

Is the iPad a killer app?

Thomas MuchaApril 9, 2010 07:21

The media coverage this week has been breathless: "Four suicide attempts in a month at Foxconn, the makers of the iPad," screamed the headline of a Telegraph article. "Is Pressure at iPad Maker Foxconn Behind Four Recent Suicide Tries?" wondered Fast Company.

Analysis: Obama refocuses his diplomacy

C.M. SennottApril 9, 2010 06:33Updated May 30, 2010 13:28

BOSTON — Real diplomacy doesn’t happen to the sound of applause. It is a quiet, complex, back-channel enterprise and one that requires a personal relationship between individual heads of state. In recent weeks, it seems President Barack Obama has come to understand this and has shown a change in the White House’s game plan when it comes to international affairs.

Sweden to host first Think Global School trimester

Marcus OscarssonApril 8, 2010 08:45Updated May 30, 2010 14:46

Photo caption: Youth take part in the world's largest LAN (Local Area Network) party, a gathering of computer enthusiasts playing games, browsing the web and developing software on November 26, 2009 in Jonkoping, Sweden. Sweden is the first stop for the tech-savvy students of Think Global School. (Jan Johannessen/Getty Images) STOCKHOLM, Sweden — For the first time in history, a parent will actually be proud that their child attended three different high schools in one year.

Cop v. betel nut beauty

Jonathan AdamsApril 8, 2010 05:04

The talk of Taiwan this week is a confrontation between a cop and a scantily-clad "betel nut beauty." I wrote about this uniquely Taiwanese sales technique here. It all started when a cop criticized the beauty for wearing too little. She objected, then hurled a stream of colorful Taiwanese profanity at him and attempted to lower the metal shutter to her shop.

Strait of confusion: China-Taiwan trade

Jonathan AdamsApril 6, 2010 06:12Updated May 30, 2010 13:27

TAIPEI, Taiwan — It may sound like an infectious disease. But for Taiwan's government, ECFA is the tonic the island's economy desperately needs. ECFA is a proposed trade deal — or economic cooperation framework agreement — between China and Taiwan. First mooted last year, it was in the news again in recent days as more talks were held at a swank resort south of Taipei. Taiwan hopes to ink the deal by June. Too bad most Taiwanese can't figure out what it's all about.

Opinion: More questions about China-Stan — and a few answers!

Michael Goldfarb April 3, 2010 10:07Updated May 30, 2010 13:27

LONDON, U.K. — You know, I don't like to worry an idea to death, but I feel like I need to reiterate ideas from a column two weeks ago. In that column I noted the irony that while America and its European allies endure a moment of perilous self-doubt about their economies and the strength of their political systems against a backdrop of war in Afghanistan, China is reaping the benefits of economic expansion unfettered by extra military spending.

iPhones for the dead

Jonathan AdamsApril 2, 2010 06:38

The Associated Press has a great feature out today on booming business for Taiwan firms that make paper products for the dead. According to folk beliefs, burning fake money and paper items in this world make them available to loved ones in the next. One firm, SKEA, is doing an especially good job of keeping up with the times.

Global economy: grease is the word

Thomas MuchaApril 3, 2010 09:26Updated May 30, 2010 13:27

BOSTON — The business world is abuzz with Apple's magical new iPad, set for worldwide release today. This column is not about that. That's because the real economic action this week took place not in Apple's shimmering and idealized high tech utopia, but rather, in the greasy and grimy world of manufacturing. No, it's not as sexy as a Steve Jobs marketing orgy. But it is more important. It turns out the world's factories are churning fiercely again, from the U.S., to China to Europe and beyond. And that's a very good thing.