Quick Take: Huawei Under Pressure: Implications for Chinese Tech

The developments around the high-profile arrest of Huawei’s CFO has created a media frenzy, launched a range of conspiracy theories and increased speculation about the role of Chinese telecom equipment providers globally. The following is a succinct summary of the salient facts of the case and its potential implications.

Bloomberg Daybreak: From Bush's Relationship With China to the Present

Basilinna CEO Deborah Lehr is featured on Bloomberg Daybreak (starting from 26:05 of the video), to discuss the foreign policy of President George H.W. Bush and its connection to the current U.S.-China relationship.

Bloomberg Daybreak: President George H.W. Bush's Foreign Policy Legacy

Basilinna CEO Deborah Lehr is featured on Bloomberg Daybreak, to discuss the foreign policy of President George H.W. Bush and its connection to the current U.S.-China relationship.

Harvey Schwartz, former chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs: Responding to financial crisis leadership is critical

Mr. Schwartz, Former COO of Goldman Sachs: One of the most important take-aways from the crisis is the importance of strong leadership, the global coordination from individuals, institutions, governments and policy makers.

Harvey Schwartz, former president and co-chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs: China's deleveraging measures are better implemented. Opening is a major trend.

Mr. Schwartz said that for many decades interest rates have effectively been declining, creating very low interest rates, encouraging leverage and with the introduction of quantitative easing – ultimately helping to drive asset prices significantly higher. As we now see a shift to increasing interest rates or “quantitative tightening,” it is somewhat likely that certain institutions and countries may be impacted.

2018 Golden Week

Why Chinese Tourists Deserve Your Attention

For more than 20 years, I've worked with clients entering and expanding in the China market across all major business sectors and mainly Fortune 500 companies. Lately, there's been a major uptick in interest in capturing the China tourism market, and we have been working with new clients on how to tap into this formidable market

New business rules for China's new era

President Xi Jinping is China’s great disruptor. Emboldened by decades of breakneck economic growth and fresh off a consolidation of power, President Xi’s vision for the “new era” is upending domestic and international norms to reshape how business is done in China.

China Egypt tourism: forging new bonds

The Third Revolution by Liz Economy

China-Egypt Tourism surges solidifying bilateral ties

Few nations boast a richer cultural lineage than China or Egypt. To draw a line from their present to their past is to trace the evolution of human civilization. Despite this shared global relevance, until recently the two nations have remained isolated by geographical circumstance. Now that is beginning to change as Chinese tourists flock to Egypt in record numbers.

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.

China has cut back the "negative list" for foreign investment. See an overview of the changes on our infographic.

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.

US-China Trade Talks - Q&A With Deborah Lehr On What America's CEOs Can Expect Going Forward

Following threats of a trade war and new tariffs, the United States and China appear to have agreed on a framework for a trade agreement. Earlier this week I spoke with Deborah Lehr, the CEO of Basilinna, a close colleague of mine with deep expertise in China. Lehr is one of the world’s leading voices on US-China relations, having led US negotiations with China across all major sectors as a Deputy Assistant US Trade Representative during the Clinton Administration. Today she helps business executives solve problems and build successful partnerships in Chinese and Middle Eastern markets.

China's Vice Premier heads to U.S. for trade talks

Deborah Lehr, CEO of Basilinna, discusses trade relations between the United States and China as the nations prepare to resume trade talks. She speaks with Bloomberg's David Westin on "Bloomberg Daybreak: Americas."

Quick Take: U.S.-China Trade Talks, Where are we this week?

Vice Premier Liu He arrives next week for second round of trade talks, likely late next week Focus will be on reducing the trade deficit through increasing purchases, market access for key products, tech transfer, and intellectual property rights Finding some kind of resolution on ZTE will be a Chinese priority

中国能否出口金融科技？专家：埃及是个好选择

据环球网科技此前报道，中国互联网络信息中心1月31日发布的第四十一次《中国互联网络发展状况统计报告》显示，我国手机支付用户规模增长迅速，截至2017年12月，达到5.27亿。 工信部总工程师张峰表示，截至2017年10月底，我国移动支付交易规模近150万亿元，居全球首位。

Basilinna's CEO Lehr says China Is well prepared for any Trump trade action

Basilinna's CEO, Deborah Lehr, is interviewed on Bloomberg Markets: The Open.

Quick Take: Egypt's Presidential elections produces expected results. What does another Sisi term mean?

As expected, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi secured a second term this past March, receiving 97 percent of the votes but with only 41% voter turn out. Expect to see continued focus on growing the economy, including eliminating government subsidies, opening new sectors to foreign investment, and job creation. On foreign affairs, close ties will continue with the United States and China.

China's new leadership

Quick Take: China's new financial "Dream Team" signals opening up

What comes next after China's financial "Dream Team" was announced? Opening up of China's financial sector to foreign firms is a priority of the newly announced leadership coming out of the National People’s Congress. The financial sector leadership announced last week is the most Westernized and technically experienced to date.

China's new energy vehicles lead the pack

Global production of new energy vehicles (NEVs) reached an estimated whopping 1.2 million units in 2017, a growth in production of over 200,000 vehicles when compared to the 2016 number of 873,000. As nations such as the United Kingdom and France make announcements to reduce the use of traditional, internal-combusting engines (ICE) cars, it is clear that the world is beginning to further accept NEVs, with China being the leader of the pack.

NPC Update: At last, the new leadership announced

‍China announced its new state leadership today, with only a few surprises. The most interesting “statement” however, was that in all government-issued organizational charts, Vice President Wang Qishan is ranked as the number two in the government, ahead of Premier Li Keqiang. Totally unprecedented

NPC Update: China Reshuffles the Cabinet … in a Big Way

Significant restructuring of the government was announced this week at the National People’s Congress (NPC); biggest reform since former Premier Zhu Rongji’s in 1998. Eight ministries and seven commissions were eliminated or streamlined to create 26. This structure reflects President Xi’s priorities, allows for better coordination, and reduces turf wars.

NPC Update: Slow Start

The 13th session of the National People’s Congress (NPC)—China’s nearly 3,000-delegate parliament—began on Monday, March 5th with an address from Premier Li Keqiang about the state of the economy. In it, he cited a GDP growth target of “about 6.5 percent,” and a commitment to managing macro-level financial risks.

"The Party" - Understanding China's body politic

At a time when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is frequently in the news, we recommend reading Richard McGregor's authoritative book, “The Party: The Secret World of China’s Communist Rulers.” Written in 2011, McGregor, a former China based writer for the Financial Times, reveals the wide role of the Communist Party in aspects of Chinese life and society.

BBC: Deborah Lehr speaks on China, trade, and tariffs

Deborah Lehr speaks on BBC World on the possibility of tariffs and what that means for U.S.-China trade relations.

Bloomberg: What to watch for in China's National People's Congress

Deborah Lehr, CEO of Basilinna and vice chairman at Paulson Institute, discusses U.S. trade tariffs and the main issues to watch at China's National People's Congress. She speaks with Bloomberg's David Westin on "Bloomberg Daybreak: Americas."

Surveillance: We Are in a Reactive Phase, Alden Says

Deborah Lehr speaks with Bloomberg Surveillance on China markets and trade.

B&R helps China firms to expand in overseas markets

After years of development, the Belt and Road Initiative is increasingly helping Chinese companies to go global, besides driving regional and global economic growth, said the top executive of Basilinna, a US-based strategic business consulting firm. Deborah Lehr, CEO and founding partner of Basilinna and vice-chairman of The Paulson Institute, a Chicago-based think tank and research institution, said Chinese companies are now ramping up their efforts to expand overseas.

NPC Update: Fact Sheet

Each March, the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) convene to approve the work plans for the next year in what is commonly known as the “Two Meetings,” or Lianghui. The NPC annual meeting brings together 2,980 deputies from the provinces, the military, and the central government in Beijing. Given the significant personnel changes over the past five years, almost 75 percent of the delegates will be new.

Auspicious Eight: A Chinese New Year primer

Quick Take: What you need to know about the CFIUS and FIRRMA

Since being introduced by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) on November 8th, the House Financial Services Committee and the Senate Committee on Housing, Banking, and Urban Affairs held four hearings over the past two months on FIRRMA, the bill to expand CFIUS’s jurisdiction. A tone of tempered resolve to expand CFIUS was clear during the hearings.

China's "green teams" wrap up two-year, nationwide inspection

After two years traversing the country, China's green inspection teams are back in Beijing and the results are in: 2,900 businesses and more than 18,000 people have been held accountable for violating central-level edicts to clean up the environment. How did the "green teams" hit these staggering numbers?

Green team results

The U.S.-China Green Fund inaugurates the U.S.-China Green Baoye Smart Building Research Institute in Shanghai

The U.S.-China Green Baoye Smart Building Research Institute was inaugurated on January 26, 2018 by the U.S.-China Green Fund and Baoye Group. Basilinna was honored to have been represented by our President for China, Gracie Sun, who spoke at the event.

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.

A closer look: How CFIUS really works

No sooner had the New Year been pronounced in Times Square than a pronouncement of a different sort was coming out of Washington: the high profile $1.2 billion purchase of MoneyGram by China’s Ant Financial had officially been stymied by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) – after three chances at bat.

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.

Liu He speaks on reform and opening up at World Economic Forum

Liu He, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and the director of the office of the Central Finance Leading Group, delivered a speech on “China’s Economic Policy” at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on January 24th.

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."

Xi: Door to world remains open

China will not close its door to the world, and indeed will become increasingly open, such as in business, which will become more transparent and better regulated, President Xi Jinping said. He made the pledge in a message of congratulations at the start of the Fortune Global Forum in Guangzhou on Dec 6 in which more than 1,100 prominent political, economic and academic figures from around the world took part.

Graphics: China's economy expands 6.9 pct in 2017, beats forecasts

Egyptian drivers hold the key to cleaner air

As the slow wheels of government inch toward policies that lead to cleaner air, Egyptian drivers could hold the key to a faster result, with the answer provided by an unlikely partner – Chinese auto companies. The steadily growing demand for ground transportation has Egypt facing fast growing levels of greenhouse gas emissions, with 50 percent stemming just from vehicles.

Egyptian Drivers Hold The Key to Cleaner Air

China’s green capacity challenge

Last month I was asked by my former employer, the Paulson Institute (PI), to write a paper on how to build out Chinese capacity in green finance. PI launched a new series of papers tackling a number of key issues that if addressed could unlock the potential of green finance – which could be a game changer in China’s war on pollution.

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.

Here's how to move ‘Green Finance’ further into China's mainstream

“We need to start moving [sustainability] out of the philanthropic world into the mainstream world of finance,” Deborah Lehr, the CEO and founding partner of Basilinna and vice chairman of The Paulson Institute, told the Fortune Global Forum in Guangzhou, China, on Thursday. To that end, green finance—the financing of investments that generate environmental benefits—is key.

Deborah Lehr discusses key message sent by Chinese leaders at the Fortune Global Forum

Deborah Lehr discusses key message sent by Chinese leaders at the Fortune Global Forum in an Interview with CGTN America.

What they say

China has an intersection of craftsmanship and computer science, (which is) rarely found in other places. Many companies see China as a big market, but for us the main attraction is the quality of people. We have now about 2 million application developers in China (on Apple's App Store).

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.

Poverty alleviation In China

At the historic 19th Party Congress meeting earlier this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping talked about how China is entering a “new era” and can serve as a model for the developing world. In his sweeping three and a half hour address to the nation, he heralded their progress on achieving a “moderately prosperous society” and reaffirmed 2020 as the deadline for finally eradicating poverty.

Xi on the rise: Outcomes from the 19th Chinese Communist Party Congress

With all eyes on President Trump’s first state visit to the Middle Kingdom, the most salient recent development for the global business community may come from the Chinese Communist Party’s Congress.

Xi Jinping tackles center-provincial relations

The officials serving in China’s provinces have a saying to characterize their relationship with Beijing: “The sky is high and the emperor is far away.” This ancient adage means that officials customarily have plenty of leeway to conduct their business and implement the policies that are passed down from on high.

Basilinna's President for China joins Hank Paulson at Tsinghua to Speak on B&R

The Paulson Institute and the Center for Finance and Development of Tsinghua University National Institute of Financial Research co-hosted a roundtable discussion on Belt & Road and Green Finance in Beijing, which is one of a series of roundtable discussions on green finance.

China's 19th Communist Party Congress fact sheet

Policy priorities included continuing the anti-corruption campaign, economic reform and further market opening for foreign firms, restructuring and professionalization of the military, improving central-provincial relations, handling the corporate and provincial debt issues, legal reform, upgrading the environment, and improving the standard and quality of life, especially in rural areas.

Xi and his leading small groups

President Xi is building out his preferred policy making platform: the leading small groups. During this week’s historic 19th Party Congress, Mr. Xi added four new leading groups to his current roster of 26, of which he presides over eight, more than any of his predecessors.

Paulson Institute co-convenes fourth meeting of greening the financial system

On October 12, the Paulson Institute and partners—the UN Environment Inquiry, the Institute of International Finance (IIF), the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), the European Banking Federation (EBF), and Bloomberg Philanthropies—co-hosted the fourth meeting of the Greening the Financial System series in Washington DC.

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.

A Chinese helping hand

China is aggressively expanding in key regions and commercial sectors as the country seeks to become a global economic leader. Chinese President Xi Jinping has launched his signature foreign policy programme, the Belt and Road Initiative (B&R), to finance projects and programmes along a modern Silk Road and solidify ties with governments from Asia and Africa to the Middle East and Europe.

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 Infographic

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.

International green finance forum

China is leading the pack to become the global leader in green finance. At the annual The International Green Finance Forum, held in Beijing on September 5, Yin Yong, Vice Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC) declared China as the first country to establish a “relatively complete” green finance policy, and that it will now promote these standards abroad.

The China Carbon Market Roundtable

China's plans to launch a unified carbon market later this year will create the largest experiment to date in carbon trading. While it will start on a small scale with possibly just the power sectorcovered, it will eventually cover the major polluting sectors in China.

China-Arab political and economic ties strengthen, thanks to B&R

The China-Arab States Expo is a four-day event that has assembled executives from the countries along the Belt and Road. This year, more than 1,000 companies are being represented by executives at the conference, and nearly 5,000 exhibitors from 31 different industries, ranging from tech to transportation, are present as well.

Auspicious 8: A primer on how the chinese system really works

Chinese President Xi Jinping may be disrupting many of China’s old rules in order to solidify his power in advance of all-important 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China coming up this October, but the fundamentals of how the Chinese system functions in practice (rather than in theory) remain intact.

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

Eight Things to Know: Egypt-China Trade

Basilinna's CEO Discusses possible trade action with China

Basilinna's CEO Deborah Lehr discusses Trump's announcement on possible trade action with China on Bloomberg news.

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.

Small is the New Big in China

What to expect From U.S.-China economic dialogue

Basilinna's CEO speaks on the U.S.- China Economic Dialogue and what to expect.

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)).

Five things to know about new investor protection rules

After a decade of planning, market consultation and piecemeal execution, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has finally made it compulsory for all securities and futures brokerages and fund companies to perform a suitability assessment on investors starting July 1. The rules place the burden of assessing investor competence on the financial institutions.

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.

6 Tips for Small Businesses to Tap into the China Market

The siren song of the China market has lured many small businesses with the purchasing power of its one billion customers. Accessing the China market can be a costly, tricky, and time-consuming endeavor for even the savviest Fortune 500 companies

Basilinna's CEO Interview with Shenzhen Media Group

CEO and Founding Partner, Deborah Lehr, sat down for an interview with Shenzhen Media Group to discuss U.S. China Relations.

China’s power of culture in promoting perceptions: Lessons from the Qin and Han dynasties

The Council on Foreign Relations hosted an event with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Friday, May 5, 2017 to celebrate the historic exhibit, the Age of Empires: How the Qin and Han Dynasties are Shaping China’s Contemporary Identity.

Five Reasons Why Chinese Millennials are Driving the Tourism Market: #5

Five Reasons Why Chinese Millennials are Driving the Tourism Market: #4

Five Reasons Why Chinese Millennials are Driving the Tourism Market: #3

Five Reasons Why Chinese Millennials are Driving the Tourism Market: #2

Five Reasons Why Chinese Millennials are Driving the Tourism Market: #1

Chinese millennials are a huge and growing market. Currently, around half of all Chinese tourists who travel the world each year are millennials. In the coming years, however, the number of Chinese millennial tourists is expected to surge

Basilinna co-hosts "One-Belt-One-Road Investment: Historic Opportunities for Chinese Firms" roundtable in Beijing with CAETEC

In cooperation with the China Europe Association for Trade and Economic Cooperation, Basilinna hosted the Investment Roundtable in Beijing on May 18 to highlight investment opportunities in Egypt. The event featured Basilinna's partner, Income, Egypt's premier consultancy and investment advisory firm, which presented the incentives for foreign investment as well as specific investment opportunities in Egypt, Africa and the broader Middle East.

From the Middle Kingdom to the Middle East: Six Reasons Why Chinese Travelers Are Exploring MENA: # 6

From the Middle Kingdom to the Middle East: Six Reasons Why Chinese Travelers Are Exploring MENA: # 5

From the Middle Kingdom to the Middle East: Six Reasons Why Chinese Travelers Are Exploring MENA: # 4

6 Reasons Why Chinese Travelers Are Exploring MENA

From the Middle Kingdom to the Middle East: Six Reasons Why Chinese Travelers Are Exploring MENA: #3

From the Middle Kingdom to the Middle East: Six Reasons Why Chinese Travelers Are Exploring MENA: #2

From the Middle Kingdom to the Middle East: Six Reasons Why Chinese Travelers Are Exploring MENA: # 1

From the middle kingdom to the Middle East: Six reasons why Chinese travelers are exploring MENA

International travel to the Middle East took a major hit after the Arab Spring, falling by as much as one-third in Egypt, but Chinese tourists have proved to be the exception to the trend. Inbound travel to the region from China is sharply up, despite security risks and political uncertainty: more than half a million Chinese tourists visited Dubai last year, and the number of Chinese travelers to Egypt tripled to 200,000 over the past three years.