Author Archives: Bigdragon

Chinese Taboos

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Bigdragon

There are somethings which are better left out of any polite conversation with your Chinese colleagues. Politics isn’t necessarily one of them, unless you mention one of the two T words – Tibet and Taiwan. Both these issues hit at … Continue reading →

Posted in History, International Relations | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Dumping

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Bigdragon

Once again Chinese companies stand accused of dumping goods in Europe. This time it’s solar panels. What makes this incident different from the others is the value of the exports, some £16 billion plus. It will be almost another year … Continue reading →

Posted in Business | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Working in our own interest

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Bigdragon

The story that China is likely to be involved in developing Britain’s nuclear power capacity has been around for some time. It is an interesting thought, given that Home Secretary, Theressa May, recently expressed national security concerns over Chinese nationals. … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Culture, International Relations | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Vain?

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Bigdragon

Much of today’s press on China refers to the slowdown in the Chinese economy. Nine percent, it would seem, is something to be worried about. Yet it was earlier this year that the Chinese government announced a reduction in its … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Time to smell?

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Bigdragon

The Financial Times reports that Paul Smith announces he is returning to the Chinese market after pulling out some five years ago. Sir Paul must surely at least have slightly raised an eyebrow at reports from rival British firm Burberry, … Continue reading →

Posted in Business | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Blind Justice:? The case of Gu Kailai.

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Bigdragon

Gu Kailai, wife of the popularist politician, Bo Xilai, former Provincial Governor of Chongqing, has been given a suspended death sentence for the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood. Ms Gu had confessed to the murder, claiming that Mr Heywood … Continue reading →

Posted in Law, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Business sense versus the Yellow Peril.

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Bigdragon

The business case for encouraging more Chinese tourists to the UK appears not to be strong enough to convince Home Secretary Theressa May, to make it easier for Chinese tourists to enter the UK, worryingly raising the ghost of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Economics, International Relations, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When is a dragon not a dragon?

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Bigdragon

The Western concept of the dragon is that of a tyrannical beast that bringing fire and destruction; it is something to be killed: Indeed, killing a dragon may well be the way to sainthood! In the Chinese mind the dragon … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment