The World Bank estimates that up to 77% of jobs in China could be made redundant by machines in the long term. Investing in robots will become more attractive for manufacturers. The Chinese government also pledges to make China a “world factory” of robots. But real changes are much slower. Reports say that large numbers of workers are still used on production lines doing repetitive tasks such as scrubbing speaker systems with toothbrushes. Despite the fact that China’s labor costs are six times higher than 10 years ago, workers are often still cheaper than robots in short term.
Alan Krueger on Job Growth and US Recovery
Alan Krueger, former Chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, shares his thoughts on the labor market, US economic recovery and the interplay with China.
India-China Relations: Silk Road 2.0
Will India’s new Prime Minister Narendra Modi change India-China business relations?
Unemployment in China: Degree to Nowhere?
Official figures of unemployment in China may not be showing us the reality of joblessness for recent graduates and migrant workers. Recent graduate James Du has been searching for a job for four months in Beijing to no avail. The holder of a master’s degree in finance from Moscow University of Industry and Finance rationalizes: […]
The Business of Urbanization in China
The government is preparing to throw billions into urbanization in China, but has it thought through the hardware challenges? Perhaps the most striking way to take in China’s startling urbanization is to sit in front of a computer and click through to Google’s Earth Engine. A search for Shanghai on the website brings up time-lapsed images […]
China By Numbers: The China Data You Need to Know
A look at the China data that you should care about. From China’s burgeoning commodity exports to the changing profile of migrant workers. Also, a look at the apps that are gaining traction in this vibrant tech market and some good news there for caffeine addicts. Now, let’s reach out for that latte! (All the data pertains to the […]
CKGSB Knowledge Summer 2014 Issue: China’s Urban Pulse
The Summer 2014 issue of CKGSB Knowledge is out! It has articles and interviews like: COVER STORY: The Business of Urbanization: The government is preparing to throw billions into urbanizing China, but has it thought through the hardware challenges? CHINA BY NUMBERS: From the most popular apps to Chinaʼs metal imports. The numbers that matter. SNAPSHOT: Outbound Tourism: Where are […]
The Age of Micro-Multinational Companies
Low communication costs and improved access to global markets for talent, supply chain requirements and customers is paving the way for micro-multinational companies. In the old days, startups were usually formed by people who’d known each other for a long time–relatives, professional colleagues, or old school chums–a small team that got together and created something […]
China Roundup: China Powers US Business Growth; Fosun’s Silicon Valley Venture Arm; and China’s Manufacturing Woes
The week that was: China’s manufacturing activity is still in contraction; US multinationals report robust growth in Chinese operations; and Fosun sets up $100 million venture capital arm in Silicon Valley. China April flash PMI still below 50 A sneak peak of China’s manufacturing activity in April by Markit and HSBC shows that the sector […]
CHINA ROUND-UP: Workforce Shrinks Again; Lenovo Buys IBM Server; And Big Four Auditors Barred
The week that was: China workforce declines two years in a row; trust product distributed by ICBC faces default; Lenovo strikes China’s biggest tech deal by buying an IBM branch; and the Big Four’s China affiliates are barred from US businesses. Lenovo buys another piece of IBM Nine years after the iconic brand of ThinkPad changed […]
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