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The article reports on the social impacts of the coronavirus pandemic in China, particularly the strict lockdowns and other strategies imposed by the government to prevent the spread of the virus. Also cited are the number of deaths due to the pandemic, how the suffering of the Chinese citizens has affected their faith in President XI Jinping, and the claim by Freedom House's Sarah Cook that the government's downplaying of the severity of the crisis resulted in the loss of public trust. more...

The article reports on the efforts by Chinese President Xi Jinping to promote winter sports in the country and the key role played by American-born Chinese freestyle skier Eileen Gu in popularizing the sports in China. Also cited are China's hosting of the 2022 Winter Olympics, the growing number of ski resorts in China to 715 in 2020 from 568 in 2015, and Gu's accomplishments like winning the 2021 X Games and world championships. more...

The article reports on the worldwide phenomenon of lying flat. It mentions the numbers of millennials and Generation Z employees who have quit their jobs or want to resign, their desire for a better work-life balance, and how this may eventually affect the world economy. more...

The author presents an in-depth investigation of the cryptocurrency Tether. He mentions the mysteries surrounding the cryptocurrency and Tether Holdings Ltd. which issues it, the officials J. L. Van der Velde, Giancarlo Devasini, and Brock Pierce, and the question of whether the cryptocurrency has enough reserves to back it as well as claims of fraud. more...

The article explores the impact of the Chinese Communist Party's Covid-19 policies, led by leader Xi Jinping, on China's economy, noting that most Chinese live in cities of which one quarter are currently under quarantine rules or lockdowns in an attempt to have no active Covid-19 cases known as "Covid Zero." The policies include border controls, mass testing, and the quarantine of anyone who tests positive. Other economic policies that have been enacted during the pandemic are considered. more...

Apple CEO Tim Cook arrived in China to emphasize the country's importance as a market and production base, as the relationship between Apple and China shows signs of strain. Cook highlighted China's critical role in Apple's supply chain and its expansion in the country over the past 30 years. However, Apple has faced challenges in China, including a decline in demand for its products and competition from Huawei. Despite these challenges, Apple's new store in Shanghai demonstrates its commitment to the Chinese market, which is crucial for both Apple and the Chinese government. [Extracted from the article] more...

Apple CEO Tim Cook arrived in China to emphasize the country's importance as both a market and production base for the company. Cook acknowledged the critical role of China's supply chain for Apple and highlighted the company's expansion and increased investment in the country over the past three decades. However, Apple has faced challenges in recent years due to the US-China trade war and factory closures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. To diversify its operations, Apple is now working with manufacturing partners in India, Thailand, Malaysia, and other countries. Additionally, Apple has experienced a decline in demand for its products in China, with a 24% drop in phone sales in the first six weeks of the year. Despite these challenges, Apple is opening its eighth store in Shanghai, aiming to revitalize its brick-and-mortar outlets and tap into China's large consumer base. This move is also significant for the Chinese government, as it seeks to demonstrate that China remains open for business amidst regulatory crackdowns and national security concerns. [Extracted from the article] more...

The article reports that Chinese foreign students to American colleges and universities are being hosted at satellite campuses in China in response to issues with the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting travel restrictions. It focuses particularly on New York University's NYU Shanghai location. Topics include academic rigor, academic freedom, and the ability of Chinese students to take in-person classes as opposed to remote learning options. more...

The article focuses on Chinese livestream host Huang Wei, professionally known as Viya, and her e-commerce business called Qianxun Group. Topics include consumer growth in China between 2010 and 2017, the popularity of livestreaming in China due to the technology offered by Chinese technology company Alibaba, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted online shopping. more...

(Bloomberg) -- A bipartisan delegation of US senators arrived in China on Saturday, with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer saying America seeks competition and not conflict with the Asian superpower. "China-US is the most important relationship", Chen said, adding that "healthy and stable" ties are beneficial for both sides. [Extracted from the article] more...

The Hong Kong bullion market is cautiously anticipating Japan's plan to sell 90 metric tons of gold. Japan's intented transaction will affect global prices until the end of Mar, 1994. However, a materialized sale's long-term impact cannot be established. Tokyo plans to dispose of melted-down surplus gold coins amounting to 120 billion yen or US$1. 14 billion but will take steps to protect international markets. more...

I've never seen so many police gathered in one spot in China. (Bloomberg) -- In my almost 13 years in China, I've personally witnessed no more than a handful of protests: In Shanghai's People's Square during the Jasmine Revolution movement of 2011 and more recently last year in Shenzhen, where angry depositors demonstrated in front of distressed property developer Evergrande's headquarters in an attempt to get their money back. Many in China believe Covid restrictions prevented those inside from being rescued or escaping. [Extracted from the article] more...

China is in danger of losing potential foreign investors with its decision to curb the investment profits of foreign companies that are pursuing operations in the area. The idea surfaced following earlier reports that China will stop foreigners from making more than a 10% to 15% profit on investments in major power projects. Many foreign investors have warned that they may choose to operate in other Asian countries such as the Philippines once they feel that they can get better returns there. more...

Hong Kong's American Chamber of Commerce Pres. Frank Martin is optimistic that the US will renew China's most-favored-nation (MFN) trade status, although the final package may have some sanctions. Martin said that any Chinese move to improve its human rights record would encourage Pres. Clinton to renew its trade privileges. The business leader just arrived in Hong Kong from Washington to lobby for MFN renewal with no conditions. more...

(Bloomberg) -- Massive rainstorms lashing southern China have forced schools to close and threaten to damage wheat crops and halt stock trading in Hong Kong. Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong could see downpours of as much as 10 centimeters (4 inches) of rain an hour Wednesday and Thursday, with some areas potentially getting record totals of more than 50 centimeters from Tuesday through Friday, the China Meteorological Administration said. [Extracted from the article] more...

Whether or not Gu is helping Xi's international aims, much of China is still just starting to get used to the idea of winter sports. Canadians and Americans have traditionally dominated freestyle skiing, but since Gu started competing for China, she's won seven gold medals at international competitions, including at the World Championships and her rookie X Games. Gu is a freestyle skier whose victories at last year's X Games and world championships have made her a favorite to win three events at next month's Olympics. [Extracted from the article] more...

The Hong Kong government launched a disciplinary probe into the officials after they were found to be among the almosts 200 attendees at the party for the local representative of a mainland Chinese economic development agency. (Bloomberg) -- A senior Hong Kong government official is expected to be pushed out for attending a large birthday party that fueled complaints of double standards by authorities enforcing Covid-control measures. [Extracted from the article] more...

(Bloomberg) -- KFC and Pizza Hut operator Yum China Holdings Inc. is trying out new business lines like catering and delivering raw food for home-cooking to boost revenue as Chinese customers shun eating out amid the coronavirus pandemic. Last month, China's biggest fast-food chain operator began customizing menus for its corporate clients which allow employees to order food through KFC's mobile app tailored to their budget. [Extracted from the article] more...

(Bloomberg) -- KFC and Pizza Hut operator Yum China Holdings Inc. is trying out new business lines like catering and delivering raw food for home-cooking to boost revenue as Chinese customers shun eating out amid the coronavirus pandemic. Last month, China's biggest fast-food chain operator began customizing menus for its corporate clients which allow employees to order food through KFC's mobile app tailored to their budget. [Extracted from the article] more...

(Bloomberg) -- KFC and Pizza Hut operator Yum China Holdings Inc. is trying out new business lines like catering and delivering raw food for home-cooking to boost revenue as Chinese customers shun eating out amid the coronavirus pandemic. Last month, China's biggest fast-food chain operator began customizing menus for its corporate clients which allow employees to order food through KFC's mobile app tailored to their budget. [Extracted from the article] more...

(Bloomberg) -- The NBA is playing it safe in China. The NBA teams visiting China "have been placed into a complicated and unprecedented situation while abroad and we believe it would be unfair to ask them to address these matters in real time", the NBA spokeswoman said Friday in the statement on not holding media availability through the NBA. [Extracted from the article] more...

(Bloomberg) -- The NBA hopes another high-quality, low-stress exhibition game in China this weekend will remind the country's government and people what they love about American pro basketball -- and further diminish anger about a team executive's tweet they hated. The Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets are squaring off in a preseason game on Saturday in the southern city of Shenzhen, after the Nets topped the Lakers in a game Thursday in Shanghai. [Extracted from the article] more...

"Adam Silver speaks for the NBA, I work for the NBA. The most popular U.S. sport in China, NBA basketball has been in damage control for days, trying to protect its multibillion-dollar business interests there and support Morey's right to express his opinion. The NBA was the first U.S. league to televise games in China, the first to put an office in China, and the first to play games in China. [Extracted from the article] more...

(Bloomberg Businessweek) -- Luxury Binge Buying Is Going Out of Style With Chinese Shoppers Zegna says it's kept prices in China stable despite the weakening currency, helping attract local shoppers who might have second thoughts about splurging while abroad. [Extracted from the article] more...

NEW YORK 6:00 p.m.: Say it with ink: There are tattoo artists, and then there is Scott Campbell of New York's Saved Tattoo, where Marc Jacobs goes. 10:00 p.m.: Back down to earth, grab a cab to the new Four Seasons hotel to settle into the rich leather and mahogany speakeasy vibes of the subterranean Charles H. James Beard Award-winning head bartender Chris Lowder (from New York's NoMad hotel) tweaks rakish 1900s-era tipples into the city's best cocktails with such Korean ingredients as chilli flakes, jujube, and grape molasses. To contact the authors of this story:Chris Rovzar in New York at crovzar@bloomberg.netJustin Ocean in New York at jocean1@bloomberg.netStephen Pulvirent in New York at Hannah Elliott in New York at helliott8@bloomberg.netJames Tarmy in New York at jtarmy@bloomberg.netAllen Wan in Shanghai at awan3@bloomberg.netTejal Rao in New York at Josh Petri in New York at jpetri4@bloomberg.netKathleen Chu in Tokyo at Myungshin Cho in Seoul at mcho38@bloomberg.netRichard Vines in London at rvines@bloomberg.net. [Extracted from the article] more...

Zhou Nushi, a retired factory worker in Shanghai, would like to buy shares of Alibaba Group Holding Inc. as the Chinese e-commerce company prepares to go public in what may be the biggest initial share sale ever. Harvest Fund Management Co., one of China's oldest and largest asset managers, has started Harvest Opportunities Target Fund 1 to give Chinese investors access to the Alibaba IPO. Shenzhen-based Rongtong Capital Management Co. will introduce a program that enables clients to buy Alibaba shares through the firm's special program for qualified investors, the China Daily reported July 4. [Extracted from the article] more...

The article discusses difficult investing options facing Chinese consumers. In April, 2010 China's inflation rate exceeded the interest paid on bank deposits. High property values have priced many people out of the real-estate market. Returns from stocks may not prove attractive if, as some believe, China's economy is due to slow down. more...