TOKYO -- Japan’s navy wants to buy its first oil tanker to carry fuel to Okinawa as it cranks up operations in the East China Sea to counter a growing Chinese naval presence, two sources familiar with plan said. The Maritime Self Defense Forces (MSDF) needs a tanker able to carry 300,000 barrels of fuel to White Beach port on Okinawa where it stores fuel for warships that patrol the region. The plan will be included in a defense review outlining equipment procurement for the five years beginning April 2019, the sources said. “It takes too long time for ships to return to their base in (mainland) Kyushu for refueling so more are stopping in Okinawa instead,” said one of the sources, who asked not to be identified because they are not authorized to talk to the media. Operations in the East China Sea, where Japan and China are locked in a territorial dispute over the ownership of a group of islands claimed as the Senkaku in Tokyo and Diaoyu in Beijing, are intensifying … [Read more...] about Japan’s navy to buy tanker to fuel ships patrolling East China Sea: sources
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Trump threatens China sanctions, vows to rework South Korea trade deal
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened retaliatory action against two major Asian trading partners Tuesday, warning of sanctions against China while vowing to revise or scrap a free trade deal with South Korea. Accusing Beijing of decimating American steel and aluminum industries, Trump said he was "considering all options," including tariffs and quotas. Trump recently received two Commerce Department reports concerning alleged Chinese subsidies for steel and aluminum exports -- materials that are vital for industries from construction to autos. He has another two months to decide on possible retaliatory action, but strongly indicated that he is leaning toward hitting back at Beijing. "I will make a decision that reflects the best interests of the United States, including the need to address overproduction in China and other countries," he said. Experts believe any U.S. sanctions would prompt China to respond with sanctions of its own, raising the specter of a trade war between … [Read more...] about Trump threatens China sanctions, vows to rework South Korea trade deal
China companies want farm trade centre in Vietnam
The China Business Association in HCM City wants to set up an agriculture trading centre to bypass third-parties so Vietnam's farmers and China's consumers can get a better deal. Preparing dragon fruit for export The idea to set up an agriculture trade centre in the Mekong Delta was discussed with the authorities of Can Tho City on June 17. The centre will be a place for all agriculture, aqua products and agriculture supplies, such as fertilizer and farm equipment. China's companies buy produce through traders, but prices are unstable. Though Vietnamese produce fetches high prices in China, the farmer is paid low prices. Professor Vo Tong Xuan, director of Nam Can Tho University, said the centre is a good idea because China has long been one of the biggest customers of Vietnam. "An outlet for agriculture products of the Mekong Delta will be ensured," he said, "If the centre goes ahead, trade will be more transparent and prices can be kept more stable." Son Van … [Read more...] about China companies want farm trade centre in Vietnam
Japan, Korea, Thailand oust China as Vietnamese consumers’ favorite foreign brands
Vietnamese consumers have shown a decreasing interest in and have purchased fewer locally made products over the last year, while Japanese, South Korean and Thai manufacturers have begun to replace Chinese counterparts as the preferred foreign brands for Vietnam. Only 51 percent of Vietnamese consumers surveyed by the Business Association of High-Quality Vietnamese Products said they still ‘love’ Vietnamese-made products, a 27 percent decrease from the 2017 poll. Sixty percent of respondents said they still purchase locally made goods on a frequent basis, a 32 percent decline compared to a year earlier. The Business Association of High-Quality Vietnamese Products grants the High-Quality Vietnamese Products Award every year to local businesses whose products are favored by local consumers. The association selected 640 local businesses for the award this year, after polling 3,000 retail outlets and 13,000 households in a 3.5 month-long survey. While the survey findings … [Read more...] about Japan, Korea, Thailand oust China as Vietnamese consumers’ favorite foreign brands
China to buy half of Vietnam litchi output
China to buy half of Vietnam litchi outputVu Yen HCMC – Vietnam is expected to ship half of its litchi output to China this year, while the remainder will be for local consumption and a tiny fraction for export to some choosy markets, said authorities of Bac Giang and Hai Duong provinces, the country’s key litchi-growing areas. Tran Quang Tan, director of Bac Giang’s Department of Industry and Trade, said the province has nearly 30,000 hectares under litchi cultivation in 2017 including 6,000 hectares of early harvest from May 20 to June 15, and 24,000 hectares of litchi of the main crop for harvest from June 15 to July 15. The province expects its litchi output at 100,000 tons this year, down 42,000 tons against last year due to unfavorable weather. This amount includes 26,000 tons of early-harvested litchi and 74,000 tons of litchi of the main crop, Tan said. Tan confirmed higher quality and thus better prices of the early-harvested fruit compared to last year. … [Read more...] about China to buy half of Vietnam litchi output
Ensuring security of Vietnam’s football fans in China
Vietnam's U23 team in Changzhou, China before the final match against Uzeberkistan Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggested supporters buy tickets only at the organizing board’s counters, bring warm clothes to protect from frozen weather, carefully retain their identity papers and belongings, and abide by local regulations. … [Read more...] about Ensuring security of Vietnam’s football fans in China
China’s second largest online retailer JD.com invests in Tiki
The Hanoitimes - JD.com, Chinese second largest online retailer behind Alibaba, has made an investment in Vietnam’s leading B2C e-commerce firm Tiki.vn, expanding its Southeast Asia business amid growing competition. JD.com didn't disclose the size of the investment but said that it would become one of the largest shareholders in Tiki after this deal, according to its statement released on January 16. As part of the deal, JD will partner with Tiki in a range of areas, including merchandising, cross-border trade, logistics and fulfillment, technology, financing, and operational capabilities, it said. With the investment in Tiki, JD.com adds Vietnam to its growing Southeast Asia presence “We are very excited to continue our Southeast Asia expansion with Tiki, a company that has a deep understanding of Vietnam and a reputation for outstanding customer service,” said Winston Cheng, president of JD.com’s international business, said in the … [Read more...] about China’s second largest online retailer JD.com invests in Tiki
Inside the growing backlash against China
China’s rise over the last generation has been impressive, with the country moving from the periphery to the center of the global system, and climbing from impoverished backwater to a position of substantial wealth and power. But the strategic environment in which China’s “lay low” approach to international affairs has helped to make it the world’s second-largest economy is changing – and a broader backlash against China is beginning. Under President Xi Jinping, Beijing has been pushing an increasingly aggressive and high-profile foreign policy, attracting the sort of attention that Xi’s predecessors had carefully avoided. Now, countries that only a few years ago welcomed Chinese investment and engagement are beginning to mobilize against Chinese influence. The global conditions that favored China’s rise began at the end of the Cold War. With the fall of the Soviet Union, the West in general and the United States in particular were eager … [Read more...] about Inside the growing backlash against China
Commentary: Inside the growing backlash against China
China’s rise over the last generation has been impressive, with the country moving from the periphery to the center of the global system, and climbing from impoverished backwater to a position of substantial wealth and power. But the strategic environment in which China’s “lay low” approach to international affairs has helped to make it the world’s second-largest economy is changing – and a broader backlash against China is beginning. Under President Xi Jinping, Beijing has been pushing an increasingly aggressive and high-profile foreign policy, attracting the sort of attention that Xi’s predecessors had carefully avoided. Now, countries that only a few years ago welcomed Chinese investment and engagement are beginning to mobilize against Chinese influence. The global conditions that favored China’s rise began at the end of the Cold War. With the fall of the Soviet Union, the West in general and the United States in particular were eager … [Read more...] about Commentary: Inside the growing backlash against China
Macron urges European unity to face rising China
French President Emmanuel Macron pleaded on Wednesday for European unity in the face of China's growing economic power as he wrapped up a visit to Beijing with several business deals. Macron, who has become the leading voice of the European Union, endorsed President Xi Jinping's massive $1 trillion programme to revive ancient Silk Road trading routes during his three-day trip. But the French leader also warned Europeans to stay on guard to protect strategic sectors as China makes inroads through the project, known in Beijing as One Belt One Road, which seeks to build rail, maritime and road links from Asia to Europe and Africa. "We must come up with a common position at the European level" regarding the Silk Road, Macron told a press conference. "We can't disregard this initiative. It would mean dealing with its consequences and would be a profound strategic mistake," he said, while noting that Europeans are divided about the Silk Road revival. "Some countries are much more open to … [Read more...] about Macron urges European unity to face rising China