The Plan for Markets to Finance Chinese Sustainability

At China’s annual economic work conference last month, President Xi reiterated China’s commitment to being a world leader in green finance. Finding ways to use market mechanisms to help pay for the country’s ambitious program on environmental protection is essential to its success. To this end, nine Chinese ministries issued The Action Plan on Building A Market-oriented and Diversified Ecological Protection Compensation Mechanism (the Plan), as a road map for its intentions at the end of December.

Chinese explore new waters -- cruising

Chinese tourists are on the move, and they have a new passion – cruising. The number of Chinese taking to the high seas has grown 10 fold every year since 2011, and is expected to top 4.5 million cruisers by 2020. North American’s still dominate cruise holidays today with almost 14 million setting sail each year. Europeans follow with just over 6 million travelers, and the rest of the world accounts for 4 million. But these dynamics are changing as the Chinese explore new waters.

Green bonds can promote economic growth for Egypt

Sustainability has taken another step forward in Egypt this month. On July 18, the Egyptian government announced a regulatory framework for the issuance of green bonds to promote sustainable development. The challenge, however, will be finding projects qualified for the “green” designation, especially since the definition of what constitutes a sustainable project is yet to be standardized in Egypt – or in most markets for that matter. And implementation and enforcement mechanisms for these standards are even less defined.

How China is winning over the Middle East

As President Xi Jinping impels China to take a more active role internationally, the Middle East is becoming one of its key staging grounds. At a gathering of 21 Arab nations in Beijing this month, Xi pledged billions pledged billions in loans and financial aid to support economic development in these countries. At this Arab Summit, well attended by foreign ministers from across the Arab speaking world, the Chinese government successfully elevated their relationship with the region to a “strategic partnership.” Read more about this growing relationship.

Can China export fintech?

In China, a person can go a whole day without touching cash. One can grab breakfast from a food cart, jump on the subway, buy lunch at a restaurant and a drink from a vending machine, head back home again, stopping off at the grocery store to pick up food for dinner – just using one’s phone. More than 527 million Chinese citizens are doing this every day.

Driving down a new road: New energy vehicles in China’s green transition

China has rapidly emerged at the forefront of the new energy vehicles (NEV) market — not by choice, but by necessity. As the largest carbon emitter in the world, lowering energy emissions from transportation is a core part of its war against pollution.

Quick Take: China signals greater "opening up" is imminent

China has been sending strong signals that they intend to announce greater market opening for foreign firms as well as a crackdown on intellectual property rights violations to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the launch of China’s “reform and opening up” initiative.

Quick Take: Is China the star of Davos -- again?

Minister Liu He, the trusted economic adviser to President Xi Jinping, gave a much-anticipated speech to the Davos attendees. In keeping with the new normal in China post 19th Party Congress, Liu quoted President Xi: “As long as we keep to the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind and work hand in hand to fulfill our responsibilities and overcome difficulties, we will be able to create a better world and deliver better lives for our people."

Greening the Belt and Road: opportunities for Egypt

Much has been made of China’s grand building plan for the Belt and Road Initiative, but little attention is focused on the “green” standards that China is proposing to receive this investment. Launched in 2013 by China’s President Xi Jinping, the B&R is a one-trillion-dollar plan to finance infrastructure investments spanning over 60 countries and covering three quarters of the world’s population.

Trump's gains for U.S. businesses in China

President Trump's trip to China exemplifies what I call his "head of state" diplomacy: prioritizing personal relationships with his foreign counterparts. Trump's style has been criticized, but it is starting to yield real results for U.S. business interests.

Head of State Diplomacy

President Trump’s trip to China exemplifies what his doctrine should be called – Head of State Diplomacy. Establishing a personal relationship with his counterpart appears to be a top priority, and the Trump-Xi relationship is a definite bromance.

Potential next act for trusted Xi adviser

At last month's party congress, President Xi Jinping announced his new Politburo standing committee — China's seven most powerful men. Now attention has turned to the government appointments coming at the National People's Congress in March.

What's next for Xi's China

President Xi Jinping, center, presides over the opening ceremony of the 19th Party Congress held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. President Xi Jinping used the Communist Party's 19th Congress in Beijing to call for an invigorated economy at home and a stronger role for the party — of which he will now be "chairman," a title last held by Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China.

China flexes its economic muscles to push green finance on the New Silk Road

China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” is likely to transform trading routes from Asia to Africa, the Middle East to Russia. With the world’s largest foreign reserves and a determination to build political and economic ties with strategically important governments, China is helping finance much-needed major infrastructure projects along the modern Silk Road.

China’s new carbon market: A spot but no trades

China’s ambitious plan to develop a nationwide carbon market is moving forward – but with a whimper, not a bang. The launch, now expected in late November, will cover just a small fraction of the existing carbon market, and for all intents and purposes, will be an exchange in name only.

China opportunities series: Smart cities a smart bet for U.S. firms

China embarked upon a massive sustainable urbanization drive in 2013. It was announced that more than 100 million people would be moved from the countryside into cities by 2020 to alleviate poverty and grow the economy.

Quick Take: President Xi moves on financial reform

In another clear sign that President Xi is entering the 19th Plenum in a strong position, China has announced plans to open a number of previously restricted sectors to foreign firms. Important policy decisions continue to be made and announced.

China further tightens outbound investment

In early September, the Chinese government released a new guideline that further tightened the grip on outbound direct investment (ODI) in key sectors. This move to mitigate the financial stability risks posed by a frenzy of what the government calls "irrational overseas investment" followed on the heels of several strict controls on capital outflows.

Opportunities abound along the modern silk road

While China has announced it will restrict investments overseas to control capital outflows, it is encouraging investment projects that are linked to President Xi Jinping's One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative. Chinese investments in the OBOR countries totaled $33 billion in the first seven months of 2017, already $2 billion higher than all of 2016.

Quick Take: Trump announces trade action against China (maybe…)

President Trump did not announce the launch of a 301 investigation today; rather, he signed an Executive Order directing the U.S. Trade Representative to examine China’s intellectual property rights (IPR) protection practices to determine if a Special 301 trade investigation should be launched. T

The Middle East is the hub for China’s modern silk road

For nearly 600 years, under the imperial tributary system of the Ming and Qing dynasties, foreign “barbarians” travelled to Beijing to kowtow to the emperor in order to trade with China.

"Arab Fall: How the Muslim Brotherhood Won and Lost Egypt in 891 Days" by Eric Trager

In his detailed and well-researched book, Arab Fall: How the Muslim Brotherhood Won and Lost Egypt in 891 Days, Eric Trager tells the engaging true story of the Muslim Brotherhood’s rise and fall in the aftermath of the Egyptian January 2011 Revolution.

Quick Take: Finally, the financial work conference

The Chinese government has announced that the Financial Work Conference (FWC) will take place on July 14-15. Originally planned to convene last summer, it was postponed due to divisions over some of the key issues, including the creation of a super–regulator to help ensure consistent oversight between the three main financial regulators (the China Banking Regulation Commission (CBRC), the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), and the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC)).

Quick Take: Senator Cornyn details plans to modernize CFIUS

Yesterday at the Council on Foreign Relations, I had the honor of interviewing Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) on his plans to “modernize” the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). In his opening remarks, Mr. Cornyn admitted CFIUS is working reasonably well, but that there are many gaps being exploited by countries, such as China, in order to leapfrog technology.

Quick Take: Egypt's latest cabinet reshuffle: Implications for Egypt-China relations

This latest reshuffle was meant to demonstrate action and shore up investor confidence as the economy continues to sputter along. Devaluation of the currency has helped make exports cheaper, but rising inflation is a potential challenge.

China’s art market Is booming – but not for foreigners

In late 2010, an anonymous Chinese buyer snapped up a plundered 18th century Chinese imperial porcelain vase valued at $1.3 million for a stunning $86 million. A year later, a Chinese bidder purchased another vase from the Middle Kingdom for $18 million – more than 20,000 times the suggested price of $800.

Secretary Tillerson meets with Chinese counterpart -- could North Korea missile testing bring the two countries closer?

Meeting of the Ministers On the margins of the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting hosted under the German Presidency, Tillerson and Wang Yi were able to hold their first face-to-face meeting.

Chinese Provincial Leadership Changes

Landmark agreement protects Egypt’s #CultureUnderThreat

Secretary John Kerry and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry signed the first bilateral agreement between the U.S. and an Arab country to protect cultural heritage at a ceremony in the historic Treaty Room of the U.S. State Department this week.

In China, the changing of the guard is starting

The internationally popular Chinese finance minister, Lou Jiwei, was removed from his post unexpectedly this past week. Minister Lou, 65,  was part of the brain trust of economists brought in by then Premier Zhu Rongji to support his efforts to reform China’s economy in the 1990s.

Xi Jinping: The core of the party

The Communist Party of China, at its recent annual gathering in October, conferred on President Xi Jinping the status of the “core” of the Party. The position of “President” is largely titular, and the real power stems from the person holding the position of the General Secretary of the Party.

Why successful global green finance is all about the color of private money

As leaders in the global financial community gathered in Washington for the annual IMF/World Bank meetings, the hottest ticket in town was for a technical discussion on green finance.

Looted art helps fund jihadists in Europe

Brussels has long been a destination of choice for those illegally trafficking antiquities—a category that potentially includes the funders of terrorism that has taken lives throughout the West in recent months.

The potential dark side of China's art and antiquities boom

For Chen, the visionary CEO of Taikang and founder of China’s second largest auction house, culture is a highly profitable business. As other Chinese companies follow his lead, China will become the primary destination for the world’s culture.

Green finance: A strategic imperative for China

With last month’s high-profile signing ceremony of the Paris Agreement by 174 countries at the United Nations, the complicated process to turn these historic commitments on climate change into reality has begun. Yet away from the cameras, the more difficult process of financing implementation of these commitments is getting a boost from what may seem an unlikely source: the Chinese government.

For China, Green Finance is a strategic imperative

With last month’s high-profile signing ceremony of the Paris Agreement by 174 countries at the United Nations, the complicated process to turn these historic commitments on climate change into reality has begun. Yet away from the cameras, the more difficult process of financing implementation of these commitments is getting a boost from what may seem an unlikely source: the Chinese government.

In China’s great hall of the people, shoes speak louder than words

The armed police division of China’s army tests a new style of shoe Sinking into the plush chairs in the cavernous Fujian Room of China’s Great Hall of the People, I soak in my surroundings as President Xi Jinping’s interpreter artfully translates Xi’s Chinese aphorisms into poetic English.

Why CEOs are talking global responsibility with China’s president

In Seattle last week, the Paulson Institute, with its partner, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), brought together heads of leading U.S. and Chinese companies for a roundtable discussion with President Xi Jinping about economic and business relations between the two countries.

Fighting China’s environmental war one building at a time

As China’s President Xi Jinping prepares for his visit to the United States, pressure is mounting on both sides to identify potential areas of cooperation amid ongoing contention. Yet, intractable issues dominate the agenda for the two Presidents - accusations of cybertheft, military aggressiveness in the South China Seas and currency manipulation are among the hot topics.

How cleaning up China's environment can also be good for its economy

China's 13th five-year plan, due for release in 2016, will reportedly include the most ambitious environmental reform agenda attempted in history. A study by Goldman Sachs predicts that, as a result, the Chinese environmental market could be a multibillion-dollar opportunity.

China’s environmental crisis: A billion dollar opportunity

China is embarking on the most ambitious environmental reform program in history — by necessity. China’s environmental woes are nothing new, but they have hit an inflection point

Why the Bilateral Investment Treaty matters

China's trade negotiators were recently in Washington to continue negotiations towards a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) between their country and the United States. Much still remains to be hammered out: China plans to submit its "negative list" – sectors that will not be opened to foreign competition – after Spring Festival, and then tough negotiations will ensue.

Digging out of tourism downfalls: Egypt’s archaeology takes the stage

Finally, there is good news from Egypt. During a visit to Washington, D.C. last week, Egyptian Tourism Minister Hisham Zaazou announced that travel to Egypt is up 70 percent this year. Tourists are venturing back to the country despite political turmoil — casting a vote of confidence in President el-Sisi’s efforts to restore economic and political stability since taking office last June.