China's railroad macroeconomic model

China’s railway infrastructure investment may double in the second half of this year from the first six months, aiding efforts to reverse a slowdown in the world’s second-biggest economy.

Full-year spending will be 448.3 billion yuan ($70.3 billion), according to a statement dated July 6 on the website of the National Development and Reform Commission’s Anhui branch. The document indicates a 9 percent increase from a previous plan of 411.3 billion yuan. Spending was 148.7 billion yuan in the first half.

Bloomberg

Outrage at the Ralph Lauren Olympic Uniforms to China Event

Ralph Lauren issues statement

For more than 45 years Ralph Lauren has built a brand that embodies the best of American quality and design rooted in the rich heritage of our country. We are honored to continue our longstanding relationship with the United States Olympic Committee in the 2014 Olympic Games by serving as an Official Outfitter of the US Olympic and Paralympic teams. Ralph Lauren promises to lead the conversation within our industry and our government to address the issue to increase manufacturing in the United States. We have committed to producing the Opening and Closing Ceremony Team USA uniforms in the United States that will be worn for the 2014 Olympic Games.

Ralph Lauren Outsources Olympic Uniforms to China

China Macro Slowdown Continues

China, reports this week, that its 2nd quarter GDP grew at 7.6% compared to an 8.1% growth rate in the prior quarter.

This is starting to become a rather dramatic slowdown with all kinds of economic, social and political implications impacting the country on a real time basis.

FBI probes Chinese telecom giant ZTE

FBI probes the Chinese telecom group ZTE over trade deals where they allegedly sold U.S. technology to Iran.

China continues to be bullish on gold

From Bloomberg:

In May, imports by China from Hong Kong jumped sixfold to 75,635.7 kilograms (75.6 metric tons) from a year earlier, Hong Kong government data showed. The nation “remains the most important player on the global gold market,” Commerzbank AG said in a report. The dollar fell from a five-week high against a basket of currencies, boosting the appeal of the metal as an alternative investment. “Higher physical demand in China is good news for the market,” Sterling Smith, a commodity analyst at Citigroup Inc.’s institutional client group in Chicago, said in a telephone interview. “The mildly weak dollar is also positive.” The World Gold Council has forecast that China will top India this year as the world’s largest consumer because rising incomes will bolster demand.

The Obama trade war with China

President Obama tells unionized voters in Ohio about "unfair" Chinese trade duties. The same election script, it seems, that was read four years ago.

China HSBC PMI Hits 7-Month Low

The HSBC Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 48.2 after seasonal adjustments, its lowest since November 2011. The final reading in May was 48.4.