China Freezes Lending to Curb Investing Frenzy
WSJ | JAMES T. AREDDY
Chinese authorities are slamming the brakes on bank lending, in their latest attempt to curb the runaway investment threatening to overheat what is soon to be the world's third-largest economy.
In recent weeks, regulators have quietly ordered China's commercial banks to freeze lending through the end of the year, according to bankers in several cities. The bankers say that to comply, they are canceling loans and credit lines with businesses and individuals.
A China Banking Regulatory Commission official here confirmed that local and Chinese subsidiaries of foreign banks have been asked to ensure that loans at the end of the year don't exceed the total outstanding on Oct. 31. The official described the request as "guidance aimed at supporting the macro-control measures being implemented."
Monday, November 19, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Congress to Yahoo: Boo! to You!
Yahoo execs defend role in arrest/jailing of Chinese journalist
Associated Press Erica Werner
WASHINGTON - Two top Yahoo Inc. officials on Tuesday defended their company's role in the jailing of a Chinese journalist but ran into withering criticism from lawmakers who accused them of complicity with an oppressive communist regime.
"While technologically and financially you are giants, morally you are pygmies," House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos, D-Calif., said angrily after hearing from the two Yahoo executives.
He angrily urged Yahoo Chief Executive Jerry Yang and General Counsel Michael Callahan to apologize to journalist Shi Tao's mother, who was sitting directly behind them.
Shi Tao was sent to jail for 10 years for engaging in pro-democracy efforts deemed subversive after Yahoo turned over information about his online activities requested by Chinese authorities.
Associated Press Erica Werner
WASHINGTON - Two top Yahoo Inc. officials on Tuesday defended their company's role in the jailing of a Chinese journalist but ran into withering criticism from lawmakers who accused them of complicity with an oppressive communist regime.
"While technologically and financially you are giants, morally you are pygmies," House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos, D-Calif., said angrily after hearing from the two Yahoo executives.
He angrily urged Yahoo Chief Executive Jerry Yang and General Counsel Michael Callahan to apologize to journalist Shi Tao's mother, who was sitting directly behind them.
Shi Tao was sent to jail for 10 years for engaging in pro-democracy efforts deemed subversive after Yahoo turned over information about his online activities requested by Chinese authorities.
Friday, September 21, 2007
1 million Chinese-made cribs recalled
1 million Chinese-made cribs recalled
Money | CNN
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- About one million Chinese-made, Simplicity brand cribs are being recalled after three infants died and seven were trapped when the drop side of cribs detached causing a dangerous gap, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Failures in the crib's drop side are due to a combination of hardware and design flaws that allow consumers to unintentionally install the drop side upside down. This installation could weaken the hardware and cause the drop side to detach from the crib, creating a gap that could lead to the entrapment and suffocation of infants.
The cribs, which were made in China, were sold in department stores, children’s stores and mass merchandisers nationwide from January 1998 through May 2007 for between $100 and $300.
The affected cribs include the following models: Aspen 3 in 1, Aspen 4 in 1, Nursery-in-a-Box, Crib N Changer Combo, Chelsea and Pooh 4 in 1. The recall also involves Simplicity cribs Aspen 3 in 1, Ultra 3 in 1, Ultra 4 in 1, Ultra 5 in 1, Whitney and the Trio using the Graco logo.
The recalled cribs have the model numbers 4600, 4605, 4705, 5000, 8000, 8324, 8800, 8740, 8910, 8994, 8050, 8750, 8760, and 8996, which can be found on the envelope attached to the mattress support and on the label attached to the headboard.
Money | CNN
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- About one million Chinese-made, Simplicity brand cribs are being recalled after three infants died and seven were trapped when the drop side of cribs detached causing a dangerous gap, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Failures in the crib's drop side are due to a combination of hardware and design flaws that allow consumers to unintentionally install the drop side upside down. This installation could weaken the hardware and cause the drop side to detach from the crib, creating a gap that could lead to the entrapment and suffocation of infants.
The cribs, which were made in China, were sold in department stores, children’s stores and mass merchandisers nationwide from January 1998 through May 2007 for between $100 and $300.
The affected cribs include the following models: Aspen 3 in 1, Aspen 4 in 1, Nursery-in-a-Box, Crib N Changer Combo, Chelsea and Pooh 4 in 1. The recall also involves Simplicity cribs Aspen 3 in 1, Ultra 3 in 1, Ultra 4 in 1, Ultra 5 in 1, Whitney and the Trio using the Graco logo.
The recalled cribs have the model numbers 4600, 4605, 4705, 5000, 8000, 8324, 8800, 8740, 8910, 8994, 8050, 8750, 8760, and 8996, which can be found on the envelope attached to the mattress support and on the label attached to the headboard.
Friday, August 17, 2007
China gets a consumer safety tsar
Jonathan Watts in Beijing
Guardian Unlimited
China's most respected troubleshooter, vice-premier Wu Yi, was appointed head of a new consumer safety panel today as Beijing attempted to reverse a growing trust deficit with overseas trade partners and domestic shoppers.
Guardian Unlimited
China's most respected troubleshooter, vice-premier Wu Yi, was appointed head of a new consumer safety panel today as Beijing attempted to reverse a growing trust deficit with overseas trade partners and domestic shoppers.
Johnson & Johnson tracks down maker of phony diabetes test
NEW YORK: A global manhunt begun by Johnson & Johnson has traced to China counterfeit versions of an at-home diabetes test used by 10 million Americans to take sensitive measurements of blood sugar levels.
Potentially dangerous copies of the OneTouch Test Strip sold by Johnson & Johnson's LifeScan unit surfaced in U.S. and Canadian pharmacies last year, according to federal court documents unsealed in June.
Court filings disclose, for the first time, that China is the source of about one million phony test strips, which have turned up in at least 35 states and in Canada, Greece, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
International Herald Tribune
Potentially dangerous copies of the OneTouch Test Strip sold by Johnson & Johnson's LifeScan unit surfaced in U.S. and Canadian pharmacies last year, according to federal court documents unsealed in June.
Court filings disclose, for the first time, that China is the source of about one million phony test strips, which have turned up in at least 35 states and in Canada, Greece, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
International Herald Tribune
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
China River Pollution Kills 88,000 Pounds of Fish
The Washington Post | Reuters
(BEIJING) - Waste water dumped by factories into a river in southwest China has poisoned and killed about 40,000 kg (88,180 lb) of fish, media said on Tuesday.
Eighty government officials went door to door in Chongan town, Guizhou province, to warn villagers not to eat, sell or transport the fish, state radio and news portal www.sina.com.cn reported.
Dead fish were found floating on a 5-km (3-mile) stretch of the murky and foul-smelling river on August 10, the media said, adding it would take another four to five days to clear them away.
Officials blamed the deaths on upstream factories dumping excessive levels of fluorine, phosphate and arsenium into the river, the media reports said
(BEIJING) - Waste water dumped by factories into a river in southwest China has poisoned and killed about 40,000 kg (88,180 lb) of fish, media said on Tuesday.
Eighty government officials went door to door in Chongan town, Guizhou province, to warn villagers not to eat, sell or transport the fish, state radio and news portal www.sina.com.cn reported.
Dead fish were found floating on a 5-km (3-mile) stretch of the murky and foul-smelling river on August 10, the media said, adding it would take another four to five days to clear them away.
Officials blamed the deaths on upstream factories dumping excessive levels of fluorine, phosphate and arsenium into the river, the media reports said
China and Potato Farming
China Studies Humble Potato As Way To Beat Drought
Reuters
(BEIJING) - Chinese farming experts are considering planting potatoes instead of rice and wheat as a way to beat crippling drought each year, state media said on Tuesday.
But the government would have to provide subsidies to persuade farmers to make the switch, they said.
"The potato is more drought-resistant than rice and wheat, which suits China better as 60 percent of the country's arable land is dry," Qu Dongyu, a potato farming specialist with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying.
China, widely hit by summer floods, also suffers from a shortage of 30 billion cubic meters of water for irrigation every year.
Reuters
(BEIJING) - Chinese farming experts are considering planting potatoes instead of rice and wheat as a way to beat crippling drought each year, state media said on Tuesday.
But the government would have to provide subsidies to persuade farmers to make the switch, they said.
"The potato is more drought-resistant than rice and wheat, which suits China better as 60 percent of the country's arable land is dry," Qu Dongyu, a potato farming specialist with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying.
China, widely hit by summer floods, also suffers from a shortage of 30 billion cubic meters of water for irrigation every year.
College Football: Oregon vs Boise St. in 2009?
Long-distance invite
BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- The University of Oregon is scheduled to travel to Boise State at the start of the 2009 season to play the Broncos on their blue turf, but the Ducks have suggested playing the game elsewhere -- in China.
Jeff Hawkins, Oregon's director of football operations, said that Oregon athletic director Pat Kilkenny made the invitation to Boise State athletic director Gene Bleymaier last spring.
Boise State is considering the invitation.
Read more::: sportsillustrated.cnn.com
BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- The University of Oregon is scheduled to travel to Boise State at the start of the 2009 season to play the Broncos on their blue turf, but the Ducks have suggested playing the game elsewhere -- in China.
Jeff Hawkins, Oregon's director of football operations, said that Oregon athletic director Pat Kilkenny made the invitation to Boise State athletic director Gene Bleymaier last spring.
Boise State is considering the invitation.
Read more::: sportsillustrated.cnn.com
Friday, August 10, 2007
Recall: Raleigh bikes made in China
1,200 Raleigh bicycles recalled
komotv.com | AP
By Associated Press About 1,200 Raleigh Cadent bicycles with Carbonage carbon forks, manufactured by Carbonage Technology in China have been recalled.
Manufacturers say the forks on the bike can break during use, causing the rider to lose control, fall and suffer injuries. Raleigh America has received three reports of forks breaking, resulting in injuries, including a dislocated shoulder, a concussion and a broken jaw.
The recall includes the 2007 Raleigh Cadent 1.0, Cadent 2.0 and Cadent Carbon bicycle models with carbon forks.
komotv.com | AP
By Associated Press About 1,200 Raleigh Cadent bicycles with Carbonage carbon forks, manufactured by Carbonage Technology in China have been recalled.
Manufacturers say the forks on the bike can break during use, causing the rider to lose control, fall and suffer injuries. Raleigh America has received three reports of forks breaking, resulting in injuries, including a dislocated shoulder, a concussion and a broken jaw.
The recall includes the 2007 Raleigh Cadent 1.0, Cadent 2.0 and Cadent Carbon bicycle models with carbon forks.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
China threatens 'nuclear option' of dollar sales
UK Telegraph | Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
The Chinese government has begun a concerted campaign of economic threats against the United States, hinting that it may liquidate its vast holding of US treasuries if Washington imposes trade sanctions to force a yuan revaluation.
Blog - Dollar to collapse? Fistful of dollars - China's trade surplus reached $26.9bn in June
Two officials at leading Communist Party bodies have given interviews in recent days warning - for the first time - that Beijing may use its $1.33 trillion (£658bn) of foreign reserves as a political weapon to counter pressure from the US Congress.
Poll: Americans extremely wary of China goods
Zogby: 2/3 for boycotting Chinese goods
U.S. consumers are extremely wary of products made in China in the wake of a series of safety scandals, with nearly two-thirds saying they would support a boycott of Chinese goods, a poll showed on Tuesday.
Asked by pollster Zogby International whether they were concerned about buying Chinese products, 82 percent of respondents said yes and only 30 percent said they believed food imports from China were safe.
U.S. consumers are extremely wary of products made in China in the wake of a series of safety scandals, with nearly two-thirds saying they would support a boycott of Chinese goods, a poll showed on Tuesday.
Asked by pollster Zogby International whether they were concerned about buying Chinese products, 82 percent of respondents said yes and only 30 percent said they believed food imports from China were safe.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Chinese Commerce Minister: over 99 per cent of China’s exports are safe
In the face of a growing crisis of confidence in Chinese goods, Bo Xilai, Commerce Minister, said that “over 99 per cent of China’s export products are good and safe”. In comments published on Thursday on the ministry’s website, “We hope that all parties can treat Chinese products objectively, fairly and rationally. Don’t let this damage the normal development of trade.”
Financial Times
Financial Times
Recall: Fisher-Price toys
Toymaker Fisher Price is to recall almost one million Chinese-made toys over fears that their paint contains too much lead.
read::: Washington Post
read::: Washington Post
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Chinese authorities clamp down on media reports about food safety
Japan Today | staff
HONG KONG — China is tightening its grip on media reporting food safety problems in Beijing following a recent rebuff by the government of a pork-bun report, the South China Morning Post said Tuesday.
The Hong Kong daily said several media in China's capital city have been warned or ordered to cut down on political news coverage, especially regarding unsafe food. The report said the hardest hit was the tabloid Beijing Daily Messenger, which was told by the Publicity Department of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee to "scrap its political and social pages and cover only entertainment and lifestyle stories."
HONG KONG — China is tightening its grip on media reporting food safety problems in Beijing following a recent rebuff by the government of a pork-bun report, the South China Morning Post said Tuesday.
The Hong Kong daily said several media in China's capital city have been warned or ordered to cut down on political news coverage, especially regarding unsafe food. The report said the hardest hit was the tabloid Beijing Daily Messenger, which was told by the Publicity Department of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee to "scrap its political and social pages and cover only entertainment and lifestyle stories."
US Administration Officials Condemn Senate China Currency Bills
WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- A trio of Bush administration officials Tuesday condemned Senate legislation aimed at pressuring China to change its currency regime, saying the bills amounted to the "wrong approach."
In a letter signed by U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab, the officials said two Senate measures "would substantially weaken the position of the United States in our ongoing efforts to achieve essential economic reforms in China and around the world, while jeopardizing our rapidly growing exports that have benefited American workers and farmers."
Last week, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee approved a bill that would open the way for punishing China over monetary policy.
article::: FXStreet
http://www.djnewswires.com/eu
In a letter signed by U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab, the officials said two Senate measures "would substantially weaken the position of the United States in our ongoing efforts to achieve essential economic reforms in China and around the world, while jeopardizing our rapidly growing exports that have benefited American workers and farmers."
Last week, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee approved a bill that would open the way for punishing China over monetary policy.
article::: FXStreet
http://www.djnewswires.com/eu
On sale sale in Beijing
Beijing street scene. The guy seated on the top of the ladder shows a sign that means "Forced to move by the city council, sale with weeping tears."creative commons flickr photo via dave_italy
about Mia, Steven, the Olympics and the Sudan
This is one of the odder stories involving the Chinese Olympics, but it’s an archetype we will probably be seeing more of as the ‘08 Olympics approach. Sometimes, with all the charm of Chinglish, Yao Ming and Pandas, we forget that sometimes China isn’t exactly the best behaved nation. And sometimes we forget that Steven Spielberg is Jewish.
read::: dejuiced
read::: dejuiced
the Yahoo!-China censorship case
Journalist Rebecca MacKinnon reports, with new findings, on the Yahoo!-China censorship case at the RConversation blog. MacKinnon reports on who knew what when.
Monday, July 30, 2007
California Department of Public Health Warns Consumers Not to Eat Fresh Ginger From China
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Sacramento, CA -- July 29, 2007 -- Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), today warned consumers not to eat fresh ginger imported from China after the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s residue monitoring program detected the presence of aldicarb sulfoxide in some batches of imported ginger. Aldicarb sulfoxide is a pesticide that is not approved for use on ginger.
The product is known to have been distributed to Albertson's stores and Save Mart stores in northern California by Christopher Ranch of Gilroy, California.
CDPH and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are tracing the imported ginger from the importer (Modern Trading Inc. in Alhambra, California) to determine the full distribution of the product and to identify other retail stores that may have received the product.
Currently, there are no reports of illness associated with the contaminated ginger.
Consumers who may have purchased this product from Albertson's stores and Save Mart stores in northern California should discard it.
Symptoms of aldicarb poisoning in humans are likely to occur within the first hour following exposure. Ingestion of foods contaminated with aldicarb at low levels can cause flu-like symptoms (nausea, headache, blurred vision) which disappear quickly, usually within 5 or 6 hours. However, at higher levels, ingestion of aldicarb contaminated food can also cause dizziness, salivation, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle stiffness and twitching, and difficulty in breathing.
Individuals who may have consumed this product and have any of the above symptoms should contact their health care provider immediately.
####
FDA's Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts Page: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html
The product is known to have been distributed to Albertson's stores and Save Mart stores in northern California by Christopher Ranch of Gilroy, California.
CDPH and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are tracing the imported ginger from the importer (Modern Trading Inc. in Alhambra, California) to determine the full distribution of the product and to identify other retail stores that may have received the product.
Currently, there are no reports of illness associated with the contaminated ginger.
Consumers who may have purchased this product from Albertson's stores and Save Mart stores in northern California should discard it.
Symptoms of aldicarb poisoning in humans are likely to occur within the first hour following exposure. Ingestion of foods contaminated with aldicarb at low levels can cause flu-like symptoms (nausea, headache, blurred vision) which disappear quickly, usually within 5 or 6 hours. However, at higher levels, ingestion of aldicarb contaminated food can also cause dizziness, salivation, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle stiffness and twitching, and difficulty in breathing.
Individuals who may have consumed this product and have any of the above symptoms should contact their health care provider immediately.
####
FDA's Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts Page: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html
Pollution story of the day from China
Thousands clash with police over polluting Chinese brewery
Channel News Asia
BEIJING: Thousands of protesters accusing a brewery in southwest China of polluting water supplies clashed with armed police, a human rights group said on Sunday, the latest violence sparked by environmental worries.
Channel News Asia
BEIJING: Thousands of protesters accusing a brewery in southwest China of polluting water supplies clashed with armed police, a human rights group said on Sunday, the latest violence sparked by environmental worries.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson in China for trade talks
US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson heads to Beijing on Monday to discuss the US-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) launched in 2006.
articles -
Boston Globe
Bloomberg
Reuters
Friday, July 27, 2007
China's economy
Jul 26th 2007 | HONG KONG
From The Economist print edition
Fears that China's economy is overheating are exaggerated
CHINESE students may come top of the world league in mathematics, yet the country's economic numbers are notoriously dodgy. New figures showing that China's GDP growth quickened to 11.9% in the year to the second quarter, its fastest since the mid-1990s, while inflation jumped to 4.4% in June from 3.4% in May, have fuelled concerns that its economy is now seriously overheating. However, a closer inspection of the numbers suggests there is no need to panic—yet.
China: No More Mister Nice Guy
By John E. Carey
Peace and Freedom
July 26, 2007
On July 25, 2007, the International Monetary Fund released its 2007 projections. Those numbers indicate that China, this year for the first time, has dislodged the United States from its long reign as the main engine of global economic growth, with its more than 11 percent growth eclipsing sputtering U.S. growth of about 2 percent.
full article
Peace and Freedom
July 26, 2007
On July 25, 2007, the International Monetary Fund released its 2007 projections. Those numbers indicate that China, this year for the first time, has dislodged the United States from its long reign as the main engine of global economic growth, with its more than 11 percent growth eclipsing sputtering U.S. growth of about 2 percent.
full article
Friday, July 20, 2007
Twitching Fish 'Is Popular Dish In China
Sky News
A chef in Taiwan has been criticised for reportedly serving a deep fried fish with its head still twitching.
The chef presents the carp with its body cooked and covered with sweet and sour sauce, the newspaper United Daily News said.
"When eaters pick the fresh meat with their chopsticks, they can watch the fish's stirring mouth," the paper continued.
Animal lovers have criticised the practice, saying deep frying the fish while alive puts it through extreme pain.
A chef in Taiwan has been criticised for reportedly serving a deep fried fish with its head still twitching.
The chef presents the carp with its body cooked and covered with sweet and sour sauce, the newspaper United Daily News said.
"When eaters pick the fresh meat with their chopsticks, they can watch the fish's stirring mouth," the paper continued.
Animal lovers have criticised the practice, saying deep frying the fish while alive puts it through extreme pain.
New Chinese Missiles
The Washington Times | Bill Gertz
China's military this week quietly showed a new medium-range missile ... Chinese Internet sites posted a photograph of what specialists say is the new Dong Feng-25 missile that could be used by China in a conflict with Taiwan, or to target U.S. forces in Japan and the region ...
"The apparent new medium- to intermediate-range missile constitutes another surprise" from China's military.
China's military this week quietly showed a new medium-range missile ... Chinese Internet sites posted a photograph of what specialists say is the new Dong Feng-25 missile that could be used by China in a conflict with Taiwan, or to target U.S. forces in Japan and the region ...
"The apparent new medium- to intermediate-range missile constitutes another surprise" from China's military.
China: Organic, With Pesticides
Business Week | By Chi-Chu Tschang
Some farmers in China are taking advantage of confusing rules to falsely label food.
The word "wholesome" doesn't exactly spring to mind when describing Chinese exports these days. But for years now, Chinese farmers have fed soaring global demand for organic foods. China's organic exports totaled $350 million in 2005 (the most recent data available)—up from $150 million the previous year—according to China's largest organic food certification agency. The country now represents 5% of global trade in such products, up to this level today from 1.2% in 2004. And that share is bound to grow as more land is converted to chemical-free farming. China now ranks third worldwide in organic farmland, after Australia and Argentina, up from 45th in 2000.
Some farmers in China are taking advantage of confusing rules to falsely label food.
The word "wholesome" doesn't exactly spring to mind when describing Chinese exports these days. But for years now, Chinese farmers have fed soaring global demand for organic foods. China's organic exports totaled $350 million in 2005 (the most recent data available)—up from $150 million the previous year—according to China's largest organic food certification agency. The country now represents 5% of global trade in such products, up to this level today from 1.2% in 2004. And that share is bound to grow as more land is converted to chemical-free farming. China now ranks third worldwide in organic farmland, after Australia and Argentina, up from 45th in 2000.
China, U.S. plan 5-day meeting on food safety
msnbc.com | DancesWithCats
Embalming agent formaldehyde found in Chinese cookies in Philippines
BEIJING - China and the U.S. will meet at the end of July to discuss the safety of China's seafood exports, an official said Wednesday, while news reports said tires that were the subject of a huge U.S. recall were found to meet American safety standards.
Meanwhile, Philippine authorities said they were testing more Chinese products after ordering several candy and cookie brands withdrawn from store shelves because they tested positive for a harmful embalming chemical.
Embalming agent formaldehyde found in Chinese cookies in Philippines
BEIJING - China and the U.S. will meet at the end of July to discuss the safety of China's seafood exports, an official said Wednesday, while news reports said tires that were the subject of a huge U.S. recall were found to meet American safety standards.
Meanwhile, Philippine authorities said they were testing more Chinese products after ordering several candy and cookie brands withdrawn from store shelves because they tested positive for a harmful embalming chemical.
Made (badly) in China
The Los Angeles Times | By Oliver August
One Chinese-made product after another has been taken off U.S. shelves in the last four months. Lethal pet food. Toxic toothpaste. Contaminated seafood. The list is likely to grow longer still. But forcing Beijing to adopt stringent safety regulations, as Washington is trying to do, will make little difference.
The reason so many Chinese products sold in American malls are faulty is not a lack of regulation (who would accuse a communist regime of not being bureaucratic enough?) but corruption. I learned as much on a trip to southern China last year when I was detained by who I initially thought were the local police.
One Chinese-made product after another has been taken off U.S. shelves in the last four months. Lethal pet food. Toxic toothpaste. Contaminated seafood. The list is likely to grow longer still. But forcing Beijing to adopt stringent safety regulations, as Washington is trying to do, will make little difference.
The reason so many Chinese products sold in American malls are faulty is not a lack of regulation (who would accuse a communist regime of not being bureaucratic enough?) but corruption. I learned as much on a trip to southern China last year when I was detained by who I initially thought were the local police.
Bay Area May See Shrinking Seafood Supply
(CBS 5) SAN FRANCISCO | By Sue Kwon
Bay Area retailers and restaurants that rely on large quantities of frozen seafood from China could see a dwindling supply as large importers report that seafood container ships are not leaving Chinese docks.
Seattle-based Tai Foong USA has products in Bay Area stores and said the supply of shrimp is already disrupted. That's because Chinese suppliers are choosing not to export while they test the catch.
The Chinese government, fighting a tsunami of bad publicity is now conducting lab tests on seafood exports for banned antibiotics and chemicals suspected of causing cancer.
Bay Area retailers and restaurants that rely on large quantities of frozen seafood from China could see a dwindling supply as large importers report that seafood container ships are not leaving Chinese docks.
Seattle-based Tai Foong USA has products in Bay Area stores and said the supply of shrimp is already disrupted. That's because Chinese suppliers are choosing not to export while they test the catch.
The Chinese government, fighting a tsunami of bad publicity is now conducting lab tests on seafood exports for banned antibiotics and chemicals suspected of causing cancer.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
China reporter held for fake cardboard-in-buns story
Alertnet
BEIJING, July 19 (Reuters) - Beijing police have detained a television reporter for fabricating an investigative story about steamed buns stuffed with cardboard at a time when China's food safety is under intense international scrutiny.
A report directed by Beijing TV and played on state-run national broadcaster China Central Television last Thursday said an unlicensed snack vendor in eastern Beijing was selling steamed dumplings stuffed with cardboard soaked in caustic soda and seasoned with pork flavouring.
BEIJING, July 19 (Reuters) - Beijing police have detained a television reporter for fabricating an investigative story about steamed buns stuffed with cardboard at a time when China's food safety is under intense international scrutiny.
A report directed by Beijing TV and played on state-run national broadcaster China Central Television last Thursday said an unlicensed snack vendor in eastern Beijing was selling steamed dumplings stuffed with cardboard soaked in caustic soda and seasoned with pork flavouring.
China Quietly Muscles In on the Organic Food Market
The New York Sun | By Josh Gerstein
Consumers turning to organic food in the wake of warnings about antifreeze-laden toothpaste, poisoned pet food, and antibiotic-laced fish may be in for a surprise. The same country blamed for those scares, China, is quietly muscling in on the organic market.
Upscale grocery chains like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods now import popular organic snacks such as edamame and canned staples such as kidney beans from China. That has made some buyers looking for pristine, all-natural food a bit skittish.
Consumers turning to organic food in the wake of warnings about antifreeze-laden toothpaste, poisoned pet food, and antibiotic-laced fish may be in for a surprise. The same country blamed for those scares, China, is quietly muscling in on the organic market.
Upscale grocery chains like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods now import popular organic snacks such as edamame and canned staples such as kidney beans from China. That has made some buyers looking for pristine, all-natural food a bit skittish.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Food Scare Puts Chinese Media On The Defensive
Taipei Times | By Howard French
A majority of the Chinese media still view foreign coverage of the tainted food scandal as Western efforts to put down their country.
For weeks, as questions have multiplied over the safety of China's exports of food and other consumer goods, the Chinese media have had a consistent refrain.
US complaints about China's products are part of a mounting trade war. They are the expression of efforts by Westerners to keep China down, to invent what the Chinese media have called a "China threat" to manipulate public opinion.
A majority of the Chinese media still view foreign coverage of the tainted food scandal as Western efforts to put down their country.
For weeks, as questions have multiplied over the safety of China's exports of food and other consumer goods, the Chinese media have had a consistent refrain.
US complaints about China's products are part of a mounting trade war. They are the expression of efforts by Westerners to keep China down, to invent what the Chinese media have called a "China threat" to manipulate public opinion.
China Says It’s Food Not Safe To Eat
The West Australian
An alarming admission by Beijing’s food safety boss that the country’s food industry is so unhygienic that consumers risked disease has sparked calls for tougher testing of the $400 million worth of Chinese produce eaten each year by Australians.
China’s food safety department head Sun Xiande issued the unprecedented warning to Chinese media that hidden threats would “gradually emerge and disease will likely gradually occur due to the harmful ingredients in food” in light of a series of food safety scares in the US.
“Food safety accidents or events will not only affect the healthy development of the entire (food) industry, but also possibly affect the local economy and social stability,” he was reported as saying.
An alarming admission by Beijing’s food safety boss that the country’s food industry is so unhygienic that consumers risked disease has sparked calls for tougher testing of the $400 million worth of Chinese produce eaten each year by Australians.
China’s food safety department head Sun Xiande issued the unprecedented warning to Chinese media that hidden threats would “gradually emerge and disease will likely gradually occur due to the harmful ingredients in food” in light of a series of food safety scares in the US.
“Food safety accidents or events will not only affect the healthy development of the entire (food) industry, but also possibly affect the local economy and social stability,” he was reported as saying.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
China assures food safety for athletes at 2008 Beijing Olympics
BEIJING (AP) -- Despite food safety problems, China says athletes, coaches and officials at the 2008 Beijing Olympics can be assured of healthy meals."All the procedures involving Olympic food, including production, processing, packaging, storing and transporting will be closely monitored," Sun Wenxu, an official with the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, said Tuesday.
China has come under international pressure to boost food safety and monitoring mechanisms following repeated scandals over contaminated Chinese food exports.
That has underscored chronic problems with adulterated ingredients and fake products in the domestic food supply, raising questions of how well China can guarantee the purity of food for the games.
China Planning a Surreal Facade for Summer Olympic Games: Beijing 2008
Peace and Freedom - Policy and World Ideas | John E. Carey
Few could have anticipated the run of bad publicity, crises and scandals that China has weathered since about last winter or spring. First, pets in America became sick and many died. The illness was traced to Chinese-made pet food laced with a fertilizer component named melamine. Companies in China had illegally added melamine to wheat gluten and rice protein in a bid to meet the contractual demand for the amount of protein in the pet food products.
After that, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States began to take a harder look at a host of Chinese products imported into the U.S.
The FDA ended up barring most seafood from China (where we in the U.S. get about 1/3 of our shrimp, much of our catfish and other “farm raised” seafood products) because much of it contained drugs, bacteria or other suspicious or obviously harmful products.
Few could have anticipated the run of bad publicity, crises and scandals that China has weathered since about last winter or spring. First, pets in America became sick and many died. The illness was traced to Chinese-made pet food laced with a fertilizer component named melamine. Companies in China had illegally added melamine to wheat gluten and rice protein in a bid to meet the contractual demand for the amount of protein in the pet food products.
After that, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States began to take a harder look at a host of Chinese products imported into the U.S.
The FDA ended up barring most seafood from China (where we in the U.S. get about 1/3 of our shrimp, much of our catfish and other “farm raised” seafood products) because much of it contained drugs, bacteria or other suspicious or obviously harmful products.
China Executes Ex-Food and Drug Chief
AP via MyWay.com | ALEXA OLESEN
BEIJING (AP) - China executed the former head of its food and drug watchdog on Tuesday for approving untested medicine in exchange for cash, the strongest signal yet from Beijing that it is serious about tackling its product safety crisis.
The execution of former State Food and Drug Administration director Zheng Xiaoyu was confirmed by state television and the official Xinhua News Agency.
During Zheng's tenure from 1998 to 2005, his agency approved six medicines that turned out to be fake, and the drug-makers used falsified documents to apply for approvals, according to previous state media reports. One antibiotic caused the deaths of at least 10 people.
Spain withdraws contaminated toothpaste of Chinese origin
europa.eu
The European Commission today confirmed reception of a formal notification from the Spanish Authorities relating to a decision to withdraw from the Spanish market two brands of toothpaste of Chinese origin because of a risk to public health. The formal notification is part of the EU wide Rapid Alert System for non-food dangerous products (RAPEX), that alerts and co-ordinates an EU wide response to dangerous consumer goods found in the Single Market. The notification relates to two brands of toothpaste: Spearmint and Trileaf Spearmint. Spanish laboratory tests have detected the presence of DEG (diethylene glycol) a substance used in antifreeze and as a solvent. The measures adopted are compulsory – a withdrawal from the Spanish Market.
The European Commission today confirmed reception of a formal notification from the Spanish Authorities relating to a decision to withdraw from the Spanish market two brands of toothpaste of Chinese origin because of a risk to public health. The formal notification is part of the EU wide Rapid Alert System for non-food dangerous products (RAPEX), that alerts and co-ordinates an EU wide response to dangerous consumer goods found in the Single Market. The notification relates to two brands of toothpaste: Spearmint and Trileaf Spearmint. Spanish laboratory tests have detected the presence of DEG (diethylene glycol) a substance used in antifreeze and as a solvent. The measures adopted are compulsory – a withdrawal from the Spanish Market.
China may hold key to payday for millions of graying Americans
Centre Daily | KEVIN G. HALL
SHANGHAI, China --It may come as a surprise to many Americans, but their retirement security may depend in large measure on China's development of capital markets and the willingness of Chinese savers to buy the stocks and bonds that baby boomers will unload in coming years.
SHANGHAI, China --It may come as a surprise to many Americans, but their retirement security may depend in large measure on China's development of capital markets and the willingness of Chinese savers to buy the stocks and bonds that baby boomers will unload in coming years.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Bribery helps China buy new friends overseas
NOT long ago China had almost no investments abroad. Today Chinese companies are big foreign investors, particularly in developing countries in Africa, South America and Asia. How do they do it?
One factor is that China now has a lot of cash and is happy to pay top dollar, particularly for resource investments. Another is that Chinese officials and business people do business in the way that they do it at home: they pay bribes. In fact, evidence suggests they behave even more corruptly abroad.
read::: The Age
One factor is that China now has a lot of cash and is happy to pay top dollar, particularly for resource investments. Another is that Chinese officials and business people do business in the way that they do it at home: they pay bribes. In fact, evidence suggests they behave even more corruptly abroad.
read::: The Age
Friday, July 6, 2007
Made in China, recalled in U.S.
WASHINGTON – Despite promises by China to clean up its act with regard to unsafe exports, every product recalled by the federal government so far this month is a Chinese import.
Last month, 17 of 28 products recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission were Chinese imports.
read::: Jack's Newswatch
Last month, 17 of 28 products recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission were Chinese imports.
read::: Jack's Newswatch
Online gamers in China making $50 per hour
"With an estimated online gaming population of more than 30 million last year and growing, there is no shortage of Chinese who are willing to play for profit," says a new report.
read::: PCWorld
read::: PCWorld
Secretary of State Rice: "China doesn't play fair"
WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday that China "doesn't play fair" on trade and currency issues.Rice called for China to allow better market access, currency reform and stronger protection of copyrighted materials.
"On balance, a growing, strong Chinese economy is going to be a good thing for the international system. But it has to be a growing, strong Chinese economy that plays within the rules," Rice said in an interview with CNBC television to be aired Friday, according to a transcript provided by the network.
"China doesn't play fair," she said.
read::: International Herald Tribune
Brilliance China Automotive To Delist From NYSE
Brilliance China Automotive Holdings, the first Chinese auto company to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange, said it plans to withdraw that listing from the NYSE because of a decline in trading volume and a concurrent rise in administrative costs.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Taking Marxism to China
Marxism is a bore in China, but tie-dyed American socialists are trying to revive it. Apparently it's easier to believe in socialism if you haven't actually tried to live under it.
The Los Angeles Times reports:
It isn't easy teaching Marxism in China these days.
"It's a big challenge," acknowledged Tao, a likable man who demonstrates remarkable patience in the face of students more interested in capitalism than "Das Kapital." The students say he isn't the problem.
read::: The Guardian
94 Die in Panama From Tainted Medicine
A top Panamanian prosecutor said tests show at least 94 people have died from taking medicine contaminated with diethylene glycol since July 2006 and that 293 more deaths are under investigation.
Prosecutor Dimas Guevara said Wednesday that people have continued to die this year even though the tainted medicine was pulled from shelves in October.
Previously Panamanian authorities had confirmed only 51 deaths from the medicine.
A chemical commonly found in antifreeze and brake fluid, diethylene glycol was used in cough syrup, antihistamine tablets, calamine lotion and rash ointment made in a Panama government laboratory.
Investigations revealed the chemical was made by a Chinese company that fraudulently passed it off as 99.5 percent pure glycerin, a sweetener commonly used in drugs, to a Spanish company. That company sold it to Panama's Medicom SA, which sold it to a government laboratory.
read::: 1010wins
related -
Prosecutor Dimas Guevara said Wednesday that people have continued to die this year even though the tainted medicine was pulled from shelves in October.
Previously Panamanian authorities had confirmed only 51 deaths from the medicine.
A chemical commonly found in antifreeze and brake fluid, diethylene glycol was used in cough syrup, antihistamine tablets, calamine lotion and rash ointment made in a Panama government laboratory.
Investigations revealed the chemical was made by a Chinese company that fraudulently passed it off as 99.5 percent pure glycerin, a sweetener commonly used in drugs, to a Spanish company. That company sold it to Panama's Medicom SA, which sold it to a government laboratory.
read::: 1010wins
related -
http://www.fda.gov/oc/history/elixir.html
Excerpt:
Sulfanilamide, a drug used to treat streptococcal infections, had been shown to have dramatic curative effects and had been used safely for some time in tablet and powder form. In June 1937, however, a salesman for the S.E. Massengill Co., in Bristol, Tenn., reported a demand in the southern states for the drug in liquid form. The company’s chief chemist and pharmacist, Harold Cole Watkins, experimented and found that sulfanilamide would dissolve in diethylene glycol. The company control lab tested the mixture for flavor, appearance, and fragrance and found it satisfactory. Immediately, the company compounded a quantity of the elixir and sent shipments—633 of them—all over the country.
The new formulation had not been tested for toxicity. At the time the food and drugs law did not require that safety studies be done on new drugs. Selling toxic drugs was, undoubtedly, bad for business and could damage a firm’s reputation, but it was not illegal.
Because no pharmacological studies had been done on the new sulfanilamide preparation, Watkins failed to note one characteristic of the solution. Diethylene glycol, a chemical normally used as an antifreeze, is a deadly poison.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Chery and Chrysler Group Finalize Cooperative Agreement
Chery and Chrysler Group forge new model of international cooperation
CHRYSLER PRESS RELEASE
BEIJING, July 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda joined Chery Automobile Co. Chairman and President Yin Tongyue today to finalize the highly anticipated cooperative agreement between the two automakers.
Chinese governmental authorities from the State Development and Reform Commission officially approved the agreement and marked the occasion by hosting a first-of-its-kind signing event. The ceremony was held at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
Under the agreement, Chery, based in Wuhu, Anhui Province, China and Chrysler, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA will work together to develop, manufacture and distribute Chery-made small and sub-compact cars in North America, Europe and other major automotive markets under the Chrysler Group brands.
"This is a win-win for both of our companies, and I am confident this will be a successful relationship," said Yin. "Chrysler brands are very well known in the U.S. and Europe. We're prepared to work with Chrysler Group to expand their small-vehicle lineup with competitive products and accelerate both our companies' international competitiveness."
Chrysler will identify several small-car models now being developed by Chery in China and work collaboratively to make any necessary branding and regulatory modifications prior to their entry into other markets. Both companies also will jointly develop new globally competitive products based on future Chery small-car platforms.
Strategic growth in international markets - while defending market share in North America - is an important part of Chrysler Group's Recovery and Transformation Plan.
"This is the start of a very long relationship between Chrysler and Chery," said LaSorda. "Chery's participation in this agreement and their focus on small and sub-compact cars will have a nearly immediate effect on Chrysler Group's offerings in the small-vehicle segments. This strategic partnership is part of a new business model that is allowing us to introduce all-new products more quickly, with less capital spending."
Today's announcement is not the first milestone for Chrysler in China. Chrysler's relationship with China began 25 years ago when it formed Beijing Jeep Corp., the first international automotive joint venture in the country.
The DaimlerChrysler Supervisory Board approved the framework for the Agreement earlier this year.
Profile of Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.
Since the foundation of Chery in 1997, Chery has always been pursuing independent innovation, after ten years development, Chery now is endowed with systematic new products research and development, manufacture and sales. Its products have been sold to more than 50 countries and regions, and it has become the pacesetter of Chinese independent auto brands with its average annual growing rate at 169%.
Profile of Chrysler Group
The Chrysler Group is the Auburn, Hills, Michigan-based unit of DaimlerChrysler AG. Employing more than 84,000 people worldwide, Chrysler Group designs, manufactures, markets, distributes and - through its Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers - sells cars, trucks, minivans and sport-utility vehicles to customers in more than 125 countries worldwide. Its brands feature some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Dodge Viper, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Chrysler 300C. In 2006, Chrysler Group sold 2.8 million vehicles globally.
Website: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
Website: http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
update:::
General Motors noticed that the brand name used by Chinese automaker looks an awfully like Chevy. Chery Automotive has big plans with Malcolm Bricklin at the helm in the U.S. but GM has threatened Chery with legal action if it uses the brand name in the America. Bricklin told the Financial Times that he would use the name anyway. GM already slapped Chery with a lawsuit over intellectual property stating the Chery QQ is a direct copy of the GM-Daewoo Matiz sold in China as the Chevy Spark. Chevy. Chery.
CHRYSLER PRESS RELEASE
BEIJING, July 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda joined Chery Automobile Co. Chairman and President Yin Tongyue today to finalize the highly anticipated cooperative agreement between the two automakers.
Chinese governmental authorities from the State Development and Reform Commission officially approved the agreement and marked the occasion by hosting a first-of-its-kind signing event. The ceremony was held at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
Under the agreement, Chery, based in Wuhu, Anhui Province, China and Chrysler, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA will work together to develop, manufacture and distribute Chery-made small and sub-compact cars in North America, Europe and other major automotive markets under the Chrysler Group brands.
"This is a win-win for both of our companies, and I am confident this will be a successful relationship," said Yin. "Chrysler brands are very well known in the U.S. and Europe. We're prepared to work with Chrysler Group to expand their small-vehicle lineup with competitive products and accelerate both our companies' international competitiveness."
Chrysler will identify several small-car models now being developed by Chery in China and work collaboratively to make any necessary branding and regulatory modifications prior to their entry into other markets. Both companies also will jointly develop new globally competitive products based on future Chery small-car platforms.
Strategic growth in international markets - while defending market share in North America - is an important part of Chrysler Group's Recovery and Transformation Plan.
"This is the start of a very long relationship between Chrysler and Chery," said LaSorda. "Chery's participation in this agreement and their focus on small and sub-compact cars will have a nearly immediate effect on Chrysler Group's offerings in the small-vehicle segments. This strategic partnership is part of a new business model that is allowing us to introduce all-new products more quickly, with less capital spending."
Today's announcement is not the first milestone for Chrysler in China. Chrysler's relationship with China began 25 years ago when it formed Beijing Jeep Corp., the first international automotive joint venture in the country.
The DaimlerChrysler Supervisory Board approved the framework for the Agreement earlier this year.
Profile of Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.
Since the foundation of Chery in 1997, Chery has always been pursuing independent innovation, after ten years development, Chery now is endowed with systematic new products research and development, manufacture and sales. Its products have been sold to more than 50 countries and regions, and it has become the pacesetter of Chinese independent auto brands with its average annual growing rate at 169%.
Profile of Chrysler Group
The Chrysler Group is the Auburn, Hills, Michigan-based unit of DaimlerChrysler AG. Employing more than 84,000 people worldwide, Chrysler Group designs, manufactures, markets, distributes and - through its Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers - sells cars, trucks, minivans and sport-utility vehicles to customers in more than 125 countries worldwide. Its brands feature some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Dodge Viper, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Chrysler 300C. In 2006, Chrysler Group sold 2.8 million vehicles globally.
Website: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
Website: http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
update:::
General Motors noticed that the brand name used by Chinese automaker looks an awfully like Chevy. Chery Automotive has big plans with Malcolm Bricklin at the helm in the U.S. but GM has threatened Chery with legal action if it uses the brand name in the America. Bricklin told the Financial Times that he would use the name anyway. GM already slapped Chery with a lawsuit over intellectual property stating the Chery QQ is a direct copy of the GM-Daewoo Matiz sold in China as the Chevy Spark. Chevy. Chery.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
China's environment close to 'breakdown': govt official
BEIJING (AFP) - China's environment is close to breaking point and the situation is endangering people's lives, one of the nation's top anti-pollution officials said in comments published Wednesday.
Pan Yue, an outspoken vice minister at the State Environmental Protection Administration, said campaigns to clean-up the environment were going backwards because the country's primary focus continued to be on economic growth.
"Pursuit of short-term goals is leading to ever increasing pollution despite various measures," Pan told the China Daily in an interview.
"Traditional ways of development have caused the near breakdown of China's resources and environment, and people's lives are in great danger."
read::: AFP
Pan Yue, an outspoken vice minister at the State Environmental Protection Administration, said campaigns to clean-up the environment were going backwards because the country's primary focus continued to be on economic growth.
"Pursuit of short-term goals is leading to ever increasing pollution despite various measures," Pan told the China Daily in an interview.
"Traditional ways of development have caused the near breakdown of China's resources and environment, and people's lives are in great danger."
read::: AFP
China pressured World Bank to cut deadly pollution figures
Research showing that 750,000 people die prematurely in China each year from pollution was cut from a World Bank report following pressure from Beijing, the Financial Times said Tuesday.
Beijing successfully lobbied for the removal of a third of the report, entitled the "Cost of Pollution in China," arguing the contents could lead to social unrest, the London-based newspaper said.
China's State Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and health ministry asked the World Bank to remove the figures from a draft of the report finished last year that stated about 750,000 people die prematurely each year from pollution.
China also successfully pushed for the removal of a detailed map showing which parts of the country suffered the most deaths, the newspaper said.
"The World Bank was told that it could not publish this information. It was too sensitive and could cause social unrest," the Financial Times quoted one adviser to the study as saying.
The draft was released at a conference on sustainable development in Beijing in March, and remains available on the Internet, without the sensitive data.
AFP
Friday, June 29, 2007
Kyoto: Not For All The Coal In China
INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
Pollution Control: China's booming economy has made it the world's biggest polluter. So why is it exempt from Kyoto, and why are the greenies so silent? Should we stop buying Chinese goods to fight global warming?
read::: INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY editorial
Pollution Control: China's booming economy has made it the world's biggest polluter. So why is it exempt from Kyoto, and why are the greenies so silent? Should we stop buying Chinese goods to fight global warming?
read::: INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY editorial
Boeing Awards China Firms $500 Mln Supply Contracts
Boeing Co. said on Friday it had awarded commercial airplane parts and components supply contracts worth $500 million to Chinese firms, including Hafei Aviation Industry Co. Supply contracts, including for parts for the jumbo 747-8 aircraft, were also agreed with subsidiaries of state-owned Chinese aircraft makers AVIC I and AVIC II. Both Boeing and its European rival, Airbus, have awarded sizeable parts contracts to Chinese manufacturers while also seeking to secure aircraft orders in the nation's fast-growing aviation sector.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
FOXNEWS: Possibly Tainted Fish From China Detained by FDA for Inspection
WASHINGTON — Imports of five species of farmed Chinese seafood will be detained until they can be shown free of potentially dangerous antibiotics, U.S. government health officials said Thursday.
The Food and Drug Administration said it would detain the catfish, basa, shrimp, dace and eel after repeated testing has turned up contamination with drugs unapproved in the United States for use in farmed seafood.
The announcement was only the latest in an expanding series of problems with imported Chinese products that seemingly permeate U.S. society, from its playrooms to its prisons.
Beyond the fish, federal regulators have warned consumers in recent weeks about lead paint in toy trains, defective tires and toothpaste made with diethylene glycol, a toxic ingredient more commonly found in antifreeze. All the products were imported from China.
FoxNews story
The Food and Drug Administration said it would detain the catfish, basa, shrimp, dace and eel after repeated testing has turned up contamination with drugs unapproved in the United States for use in farmed seafood.
The announcement was only the latest in an expanding series of problems with imported Chinese products that seemingly permeate U.S. society, from its playrooms to its prisons.
Beyond the fish, federal regulators have warned consumers in recent weeks about lead paint in toy trains, defective tires and toothpaste made with diethylene glycol, a toxic ingredient more commonly found in antifreeze. All the products were imported from China.
FoxNews story
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
China shuts 180 food factories for using illegal chemicals
BEIJING, China (AP) -- China has closed 180 food factories after inspectors found industrial chemicals being used in products from candy to seafood, state media said Wednesday.
The closures came amid a nationwide crackdown on shoddy and dangerous products launched in December that also uncovered use of recycled or expired food, the China Daily said.
Formaldehyde, illegal dyes, and industrial wax were found being used to make candy, pickles, crackers and seafood, it said, citing Han Yi, an official with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, which is responsible for food safety.
"These are not isolated cases," Han, director of the administration's quality control and inspection department, was quoted as saying.
CNN
The closures came amid a nationwide crackdown on shoddy and dangerous products launched in December that also uncovered use of recycled or expired food, the China Daily said.
Formaldehyde, illegal dyes, and industrial wax were found being used to make candy, pickles, crackers and seafood, it said, citing Han Yi, an official with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, which is responsible for food safety.
"These are not isolated cases," Han, director of the administration's quality control and inspection department, was quoted as saying.
CNN
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
WSJ: Accident Raises Safety Concerns On Chinese Tires
A fatal auto accident in Pennsylvania has stirred concerns about another potentially hazardous Chinese product in wide use in the U.S.: tires.
About 450,000 Chinese-made tires sold in the U.S. -- and possibly many more -- may lack an important safety feature, according to federal regulators and the U.S. distributor that helped design them. But the task of identifying who bought the defective tires and getting them off the road has been complicated by litigation and holes in the nation's product-recall system.
The tire defect comes in the wake of several other high-profile safety problems involving Chinese products, including the discovery of lead paint on children's toys and hazardous materials in Chinese-made toothpaste and in wheat gluten used in pet food.
"As imports grow -- and China is the largest exporter to the U.S. -- it's essential" that all manufacturers comply with U.S. safety regulations, said Daniel Zielinski, a spokesman for the Rubber Manufacturers Association, the tire industry's main trade group.
The tires in question were distributed by Foreign Tire Sales Inc. of Union, N.J., and sold under the brand names Westlake, Telluride, Compass and YKS in a range of sizes used on sport-utility vehicles, pickups and other light trucks. All were sold as replacement tires and not as original equipment on new vehicles.
FTS said an unknown portion of the tires either lacked a safety feature designed to make them more durable or had it in an insufficient degree. The company, which said it doesn't have the money to pay for a recall, estimates the defect could be present in as many as 450,000 tires imported from China's Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. since 2002. It said it believes other U.S. distributors have been selling virtually identical tires, which could account for as many as an additional half-million tires.
Wall Street Journal
related -
CBS News::: Feds Order At Least 4 Tire Brands Recalled
Consumeraffairs.com::: Feds Recall Chinese Tires Blamed for Fatal Van Accident
About 450,000 Chinese-made tires sold in the U.S. -- and possibly many more -- may lack an important safety feature, according to federal regulators and the U.S. distributor that helped design them. But the task of identifying who bought the defective tires and getting them off the road has been complicated by litigation and holes in the nation's product-recall system.
The tire defect comes in the wake of several other high-profile safety problems involving Chinese products, including the discovery of lead paint on children's toys and hazardous materials in Chinese-made toothpaste and in wheat gluten used in pet food.
"As imports grow -- and China is the largest exporter to the U.S. -- it's essential" that all manufacturers comply with U.S. safety regulations, said Daniel Zielinski, a spokesman for the Rubber Manufacturers Association, the tire industry's main trade group.
The tires in question were distributed by Foreign Tire Sales Inc. of Union, N.J., and sold under the brand names Westlake, Telluride, Compass and YKS in a range of sizes used on sport-utility vehicles, pickups and other light trucks. All were sold as replacement tires and not as original equipment on new vehicles.
FTS said an unknown portion of the tires either lacked a safety feature designed to make them more durable or had it in an insufficient degree. The company, which said it doesn't have the money to pay for a recall, estimates the defect could be present in as many as 450,000 tires imported from China's Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. since 2002. It said it believes other U.S. distributors have been selling virtually identical tires, which could account for as many as an additional half-million tires.
Wall Street Journal
related -
CBS News::: Feds Order At Least 4 Tire Brands Recalled
Consumeraffairs.com::: Feds Recall Chinese Tires Blamed for Fatal Van Accident
Monday, June 25, 2007
West told to stop blaming China for pollution
China Pollution, Beijing
Singapore, June 25 : Western countries were urged Monday to stop the China blame game and work with developing nations to fix global warming problems, said business and government leaders at the World Economic Forum on East Asia meeting in Singapore.
Singling out China is pointless, said Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Malaysia's second minister of finance. "It's wrong. There should not be hypocrisy," he added.
full article::: newkerala.com
Related -
NY Post::: CHINA: WORLD'S POLLUTER-AMA
Today's THV::: China Tops World In CO2 Emissions
Council on Foreign Relations::: China’s Environmental Crisis
Sunday, June 24, 2007
U.S. Apple Growers Brace for Expected Competition from China
(GETTYSBURG, PA) -- Farmers have been growing apples here since before the Civil War, and as times have changed they have changed with them, planting smaller trees to speed up harvests and growing popular new varieties to satisfy changing tastes. But the growers who have made this hilly region the core of apple-growing in Pennsylvania worry that they face a new challenge that may be too big to overcome and could change their way of life.
Like farmers in the bigger apple-producing states, they are becoming increasingly anxious about the prospect of China flooding the U.S. market with their fresh apples - an event many believe is inevitable, even if it could be years away.
The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Made-in-China Fears Grip U.S.
WASHINGTON -- China, a traditional source of cheap goods, has become an alarmingly top exporter of tainted and dangerous products to the United States, triggering concerns among consumers and regulators.
Reports of tainted pet foods, dangerous toys, fake drugs, toxin-coated monkfish and cosmetics, drug-laced frozen eel, illicit pesticide-laden mushrooms and other products have led to recalls and bans and potentially more stringent import and food safety laws.
Thousands of cats and dogs died recently after eating food made from wheat gluten spiked with melamine, a chemical used in fertilizers, prompting one of the largest pet-food recalls in US history. Made-in-China toothpaste have also been blacklisted, fearing it may contain a potentially deadly chemical reportedly found in tubes sold in Australia and elsewhere.
The Little Engine That Could Poison
by Christian Warren
FOR decades, Thomas the Tank Engine and his fellow trains have been teaching children important life lessons. Now the plucky locomotives — especially the haughty and sometimes naughty James the Red Engine — are serving up important lessons about regulating environmental poisons in the global economy.
Last week, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that a toy maker, RC2 Corporation of Oak Brook, Ill., was recalling some 1.5 million Thomas & Friends wooden railway toys because their bright red or yellow coatings contain lead.
NYTimes articleread also::: Made in China Inc. blog article - Thomas the Tank - RECALL
Friday, June 22, 2007
China Food Safety Issue Not Hurting Sales
SHANGHAI -- Controversy over the safety of Chinese food products is grabbing headlines around the world, but multinational companies which sell food from China said the issue was not threatening their business.
Executives attending an international food industry conference in Shanghai this week urged China to allay public fears by strengthening its regulation of the sector.
Careful what you wish for, China may grant it
By Julian Delasantellis
In Greek mythology, one of the most effective methods the gods used to punish impudent and hubristic humans was to grant them their most fervent desires.
Inevitably, the weak and feckless mortals would find that getting everything they ever desired would lead to their total ruination, as befell King Midas when granted the wish to have everything he touched turn to gold. The implicit lesson to be learned from these stories was that mortals must temper their wishes and desires, lest they suffer the same fate.
Asia Times Online
In Greek mythology, one of the most effective methods the gods used to punish impudent and hubristic humans was to grant them their most fervent desires.
Inevitably, the weak and feckless mortals would find that getting everything they ever desired would lead to their total ruination, as befell King Midas when granted the wish to have everything he touched turn to gold. The implicit lesson to be learned from these stories was that mortals must temper their wishes and desires, lest they suffer the same fate.
Asia Times Online
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
WP: "Cause for Concern In Chinese Bulbs?"
...Most of us buy garlic at a supermarket. We don't know what kind it is, how fresh it is or where it's grown. But there's a good chance it comes from China, which produces 75 percent of the world's supply...
Garlic is the United States' biggest fresh-vegetable import from China, which sent us 138 million pounds of it worth more than $70 million last year. We also get small amounts from Mexico, Argentina and about 15 other countries. We eat a lot of garlic -- about three pounds per person a year.
Although most of our fresh garlic comes from halfway around the world, it's cheaper than garlic grown in California...
Washington Post articleTuesday, June 19, 2007
China's 'Great Firewall': Flickr is censored
Flickr.com is the latest website to be banned by China's censors.
read News.com::: Web users rage against China's 'Great Firewall'
read News.com::: Web users rage against China's 'Great Firewall'
China overtakes US as world's biggest CO2 emitter
The Guardian [UK] | John Vidal and David Adam
China has overtaken the United States as the world's biggest producer of carbon dioxide, the chief greenhouse gas, figures released today show.
The surprising announcement will increase anxiety about China's growing role in driving man-made global warming and will pile pressure onto world politicians to agree a new global agreement on climate change that includes the booming Chinese economy. China's emissions had not been expected to overtake those from the US, formerly the world's biggest polluter, for several years, although some reports predicted it could happen as early as next year.
China has overtaken the United States as the world's biggest producer of carbon dioxide, the chief greenhouse gas, figures released today show.
The surprising announcement will increase anxiety about China's growing role in driving man-made global warming and will pile pressure onto world politicians to agree a new global agreement on climate change that includes the booming Chinese economy. China's emissions had not been expected to overtake those from the US, formerly the world's biggest polluter, for several years, although some reports predicted it could happen as early as next year.
Monday, June 18, 2007
UPDATE: FDA Warning Expands List of Contaminated Toothpaste from China
Introduction: FDA has found a poisonous chemical, diethylene glycol (DEG), in certain toothpastes imported from China. The agency increased its scrutiny and testing of imported toothpaste and dental products after receiving reports in late May 2007 of contaminated Chinese dental products found in several countries, including Panama.
Q: Why are consumers being warned about toothpaste?
FDA is strongly warning consumers to avoid using any toothpaste labeled as made in China because we have found levels as high as 3-4% of a poisonous chemical, diethylene glycol (DEG), in Chinese toothpaste.
Q: What is diethylene glycol, or DEG?
Diethylene glycol (DEG), also known as "diglycol" is a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze and as a solvent. It does not belong in toothpaste even at small concentrations.
The agency is warning consumers to avoid using tubes of toothpaste labeled as made in China and, through an import alert, is stopping all suspect toothpaste from entering the United States.
FDA continues to investigate this problem and will take further action, as appropriate, to address this important public safety issue.
List of Toothpaste Products FDA has identified the following brands of toothpaste from China that have been found to contain a poisonous chemical called diethylene glycol (DEG). The products typically are sold at low-cost, "bargain" retail outlets.
Manufacturer: Goldcredit International Enterprises LTD Products: (MainStar America, Selective Imports, Donnamax)
Dr. Cool Coolmint Superdent Coolmint Cooldent Coolmint Cooldent Spearmint Cooldent Fluoride Everfresh Assortment BrightMax DentaPro Dentakleen Dentakleen Junior Brand - Strawberry Dentakleen Junior Brand - Blueberry
Manufacturer: Gold Credit International Trading Co LTD Products:
Bright Max Peppermint Flavor Clean Rite Toothpaste Clean Rite Toothpaste Kit Oralmax Extreme Action Kit Oral Bright Fresh Spearmint Flavor DentaKleen DentaKleen Junior DentaPro Manufacturer: Suzhou City Jinmao Daily Chemicals Co. Ltd. Product: (Gold City Enterprises/New Star, Miami, FL)
ShiR Fresh Mint Fluoride Paste ShiRFresh Toothpaste ShiRFresh Mint ShiRFresh Ice Mint Manufacturer Shanghai Light Industrial Products: Freshh Spearmint (Following up with Mandalay International, Ogden, UT)
MFR Unknown: Crescent Toothpaste (Dollar Ocean #4, Wheaton, MD and H&Y Trading Co, Capitol Heights, MD) Naturabella nino Dusanzo (Certejenas Inc., Cidra, PR)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FDA has identified the following counterfeit products:
Manufacturer: Unknown
counterfeit toothpaste falsely packaged as "Colgate," manufactured in South Africa counterfeit tooth gel falsely packaged as "Colgate," manufactured in South Africa (may not contain DEG)
Q: Why are consumers being warned about toothpaste?
FDA is strongly warning consumers to avoid using any toothpaste labeled as made in China because we have found levels as high as 3-4% of a poisonous chemical, diethylene glycol (DEG), in Chinese toothpaste.
Q: What is diethylene glycol, or DEG?
Diethylene glycol (DEG), also known as "diglycol" is a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze and as a solvent. It does not belong in toothpaste even at small concentrations.
The agency is warning consumers to avoid using tubes of toothpaste labeled as made in China and, through an import alert, is stopping all suspect toothpaste from entering the United States.
FDA continues to investigate this problem and will take further action, as appropriate, to address this important public safety issue.
List of Toothpaste Products FDA has identified the following brands of toothpaste from China that have been found to contain a poisonous chemical called diethylene glycol (DEG). The products typically are sold at low-cost, "bargain" retail outlets.
Manufacturer: Goldcredit International Enterprises LTD Products: (MainStar America, Selective Imports, Donnamax)
Dr. Cool Coolmint Superdent Coolmint Cooldent Coolmint Cooldent Spearmint Cooldent Fluoride Everfresh Assortment BrightMax DentaPro Dentakleen Dentakleen Junior Brand - Strawberry Dentakleen Junior Brand - Blueberry
Manufacturer: Gold Credit International Trading Co LTD Products:
Bright Max Peppermint Flavor Clean Rite Toothpaste Clean Rite Toothpaste Kit Oralmax Extreme Action Kit Oral Bright Fresh Spearmint Flavor DentaKleen DentaKleen Junior DentaPro Manufacturer: Suzhou City Jinmao Daily Chemicals Co. Ltd. Product: (Gold City Enterprises/New Star, Miami, FL)
ShiR Fresh Mint Fluoride Paste ShiRFresh Toothpaste ShiRFresh Mint ShiRFresh Ice Mint Manufacturer Shanghai Light Industrial Products: Freshh Spearmint (Following up with Mandalay International, Ogden, UT)
MFR Unknown: Crescent Toothpaste (Dollar Ocean #4, Wheaton, MD and H&Y Trading Co, Capitol Heights, MD) Naturabella nino Dusanzo (Certejenas Inc., Cidra, PR)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FDA has identified the following counterfeit products:
Manufacturer: Unknown
counterfeit toothpaste falsely packaged as "Colgate," manufactured in South Africa counterfeit tooth gel falsely packaged as "Colgate," manufactured in South Africa (may not contain DEG)
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Flaw in the ointment
It was perhaps inevitable that at some stage China would trip, given the speed at which it hurtles towards economic supremacy. That fall, in the glare of the world's media, has come with the humiliating revelations that fake food and medical ingredients have been exported, triggering mass poisonings in the West. With the Beijing Olympics just over a year away, Chinese officials have been forced into frantic damage control.
Brisbane Times
Brisbane Times
Chinese Cars to be Manufactured in Tijuana, Mexico
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Chamco Automotive, a company set up to import Chinese vehicles to the United States, will open a $300 million Tijuana assembly plant in 2009 that will produce the vehicles of Hebei Zhongxing Automobile.
China, by locating in Mexico can now take full advantage of NAFTA, bypassing any import duties to the USA.Lou Dobbs segment:
"Communist China is also, well, now exploiting a gapping loophole in that wonderful trade arrangement called NAFTA. Are you ready? One of China’s largest car makers is about to build an assembly plant in Tijuana, Mexico, the purpose? To build and export vehicles into the United States. And it will be duty-free."
full Lou Dobbs transcript
Friday, June 15, 2007
BBC News: Mass rescue of 'slaves' in China
More than 200 people, including 29 children, have been rescued after working as "slaves" in brick kilns in central China, state media reports.
Tens of thousands of police moved in on the kilns in Henan province, arresting 120 people, Xinhua news agency said.
They acted after media reports claimed that children were being forced to work in kilns in neighbouring Shanxi province, Xinhua said.
Related-
The Washington Times: Inside the Ring by Bill Gertz
China arming terrorists
New intelligence reveals China is covertly supplying large quantities of small arms and weapons to insurgents in Iraq and the Taliban militia in Afghanistan, through Iran.
U.S. government appeals to China to check some of the arms shipments in advance were met with stonewalling by Beijing, which insisted it knew nothing about the shipments and asked for additional intelligence on the transfers. The ploy has been used in the past by China to hide its arms-proliferation activities from the United States, according to U.S. officials with access to the intelligence reports.
Some arms were sent by aircraft directly from Chinese factories to Afghanistan and included large-caliber sniper rifles, millions of rounds of ammunition, rocket-propelled grenades and components for roadside bombs, as well as other small arms.
The Washington Times
New intelligence reveals China is covertly supplying large quantities of small arms and weapons to insurgents in Iraq and the Taliban militia in Afghanistan, through Iran.
U.S. government appeals to China to check some of the arms shipments in advance were met with stonewalling by Beijing, which insisted it knew nothing about the shipments and asked for additional intelligence on the transfers. The ploy has been used in the past by China to hide its arms-proliferation activities from the United States, according to U.S. officials with access to the intelligence reports.
Some arms were sent by aircraft directly from Chinese factories to Afghanistan and included large-caliber sniper rifles, millions of rounds of ammunition, rocket-propelled grenades and components for roadside bombs, as well as other small arms.
The Washington Times
First Business: Trade Tensions with China
First Business Morning News asks - "Does counterfeit Colgate, the latest tainted product from China, add pressure to growing trade tensions?"
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Thomas the Tank---RECALL
RC2 Corp., maker of the Thomas the Tank Engine toys, warned parents to keep their children away from 1.5 million Thomas & Friends toys (joining a growing list of Chinese-made products to be pulled from store shelves for safety reasons) because the surface paint contains lead--- a toxin that's dangerous if swallowed.
WBAY
Consumer Products Safety Commission
call toll-free 1-866-725-4407
"Consumers should take the recalled toys away from young children immediately," the Consumer Product Safety Commission said in the recall notice.
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