China Insights Series
Turn News Into Insights
There’s a lot of buzz over China news, but significantly less understanding of the drivers behind China’s political economy. We’re here to bridge that gap.
At TCG we strive to ‘turn news into insight,’ which helps cut through the noise for rookies and experts, alike. Our team of China Watchers from across the globe weigh in on issues that impact critical business and investment decisions in the Chinese market. If we’ve piqued your interest, then don’t be shy and read on, below!
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Cut through the noise on China’s business landscape with TCG’s China Insights
China Insight Articles
- Policy |
- Technology |
What To Know About China’s Smart Cities and How They Use AI, 5G, and IoT
China is massively invested in the digital transformation of its cities. With the nation's top-down approach towards urban development, it has been able to efficiently rally its industries and resources to support its national goal of developing smart cities. By use of public-private partnerships and the promotion of targeted technological innovation, China has developed smart city infrastructure that has already been applied to many of its major metropolises and their industries.
- Business |
- Technology |
5 Trends To Watch in Chinese E-Commerce Livestreaming in 2021
China’s e-commerce livestreaming industry reached a value of over US$165 million in 2020. As more firms turn to livestreamers, the market has become overcrowded and ROI has been slipping. To remain competitive, brands must be alert of the latest developments. This article points out the top five trends that market players should know if they want to maximize their investment in China’s e-commerce livestreaming in 2021 and beyond.
- Industry |
- Technology |
The VR Market in China: Moving Toward the Metaverse
Virtual reality is quickly becoming the technology of the future. China has highlighted the VR industry as an important sector within its innovation strategy, and it is looking to position itself as a global leader in the technology's innovation, adoption, and production.
Cloud Village & Tencent Square Off in China’s Music Streaming Market
Chinese tech giant NetEase Inc. announced a spin-off of Cloud Village, its mobile music streaming service subsidiary, in late May. With a cult-like community that boasts strong user engagement and its unique Music Talent Initiative, Cloud Village stands out among digital music platforms. The company's IPO proposal comes amid a crackdown on Tencent, the champion of China's music streaming market, which offers a potential inroad to Cloud Village's future growth.
Chinese Aquaculture Grows Alongside Global Appetite for Fish
China is both the world’s largest consumer of seafood and largest producer of farmed fish. As incomes rise and consumer demand for seafood grows, overexploitation in the fishing industry is on track to become a major global issue. In this article, we explore how China’s aquaculture industry can adapt to ensure a high value yet environmentally sustainable end product.
Weighing the Opportunities & Risks Within China’s Biopharmaceutical Industry
China’s biopharmaceuticals is an often overlooked yet quickly growing industry. In recent years, various regulatory reforms have transformed the industry, nurturing it into a global competitor. Many foreign investors are interested in taking advantage of the local industry’s streamlined product registration process and robust development incentives. However, there are still risks that investors should remain cognizant of when planning their entrance strategy into the Chinese biopharmaceutical market.
- Industry |
- Technology |
Why China Has a Love-Hate Relationship with Cryptocurrency
China has a love-hate relationship with crypto. It loves the technology but hates the illicit activity. While blockchain will play a vital role as a strategic technology highlighted in national development goals, its ties to cryptocurrency challenge industry development. This has led to harsher regulation of the cryptocurrency space in the hopes that, by separating cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, policymakers can hasten the maturity of the blockchain industry without fear of the social or financial instability associated with crypto.
China’s Mobile Gaming Industry: An Interview with Todd Kuhns
With over 682 million mobile gamers, the Chinese mobile gaming market is one of the world’s largest. Together with Todd Kuhns at AppInChina, we explore the tips and tricks by which game developers can break into the lucrative Chinese mobile gaming industry.
Can the Three-Child Policy Fix China’s Future Labor Shortage?
Key industries such as construction and manufacturing have been pinpointed as weak links in the future Chinese economy. With an imminent aging population crisis on the horizon, Beijing has unveiled a new three-child policy that supersedes the current two-child policy. The question remains, 'can the three-child policy really fix this issue or are policymakers too little too late?'
- Finance |
- Technology |
China’s Digital Yuan Paves the Way for Global CBDCs
Central Bank Digital Currencies (“CBDCs”) could well be one of the most profound developments of the 21st century. This article takes a look at the impact, motivations, and policy choices available to Central Banks and contrasts them with how China's PBOC is proceeding.
Should I Stay or Should I Go? The Business Implications of Hong Kong’s NSL
From the introduction of a sweeping national security law to a major overhaul of the city's electoral system, Beijing's hardline approach against Hong Kong's democratic underbelly has largely been driven by national economic interests. Foreign companies will find that they are still welcome in the city as long as they comply with the new laws of the land.
- Industry |
- Technology |
Chinese Universities Chip In To Narrow Semiconductor Talent Gap
Semiconductor chips are at the crux of the US-China technology competition, and export controls from the ongoing trade war have impeded China’s semiconductor ambitions. Among other measures, China has been establishing integrated circuit schools, microelectronic colleges, and related programs to train qualified candidates for the semiconductor industry, all of which are backed by national domestic policy efforts. However, the efficacy of these initiatives to meaningfully contribute to China's long-term self-sufficiency efforts is yet to be proven.
- Industry |
- Technology |
The Rise of China’s Customer Service Robots
It’s no more the Great Leap Forward, but instead the “Robotic Leap Forward.” Automation at the industrial level is now expanding to the consumer level in China, and Beijing is looking to use investment in customer service robots as part of its push to market the nation as a global leader in technology and innovation.
The Fickle War Against China’s Credit Boom
Easy access to credit, a key pillar of China’s recovery, has helped lift the economy from the pits of the pandemic; however, cracks are beginning to show. Policymakers are now shifting their gaze towards systemic issues that could hinder the economy’s long-term recovery - and an unprecedented domestic credit boom is at the top of the list. Yet, as new monetary policy takes hold, many wonder if Beijing has introduced the very economic instability that it sought to avoid.
Starbucks and Luckin: Crafting a Coffee Culture in China
Both Starbucks and Luckin’s market strategies have taken China by storm. It can perhaps be most aptly said that Starbucks preferred to focus on cultural values while Luckin capitalized on societal trends. Regardless, both chains have defined their niche within the Chinese consumer lifestyle and are evidence that, so long as Chinese market strategies are culturally aware and data-driven, there is more than one road to success in the Chinese market.
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