They could seek to cement their dominant position in coming years, according to new research. The work by academic Xue Gong and published by Singapore’s ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute this week sheds light on a little-examined element of rising tensions across the vital trade route, showing extensive work by Chinese SOEs in developing infrastructure and tourism, as well as oil and gas, some in hotly disputed areas. Some experts and regional diplomats believe the strong commercial presence could further complicate any future regional solution should Beijing, which research shows has encouraged firms to operate, protect them politically and militarily. China’s state-owned enterprises operated in a complex and often opaque environment, serving national strategic interests as they sought new opportunities, Gong told Reuters. “They cannot operate independently but they are ultimately opportunists and when the policy environment is favorable, then they will go for it. And we … [Read more...] about China’s state firms cementing lucrative role in South China Sea, new research shows
Forming new company
HCM City focuses on transforming business households into companies
Ho Chi Minh City encourages business households to transform themselves into companies. Illustrative Image (Source: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City has applied several measures to boost the development of enterprises, including turning business households into companies. Experts said there are three main sources for business development –new startup firms, existing enterprises expanding their operation and business households developing into companies. However, the success ratio of startups is low, meaning they make modest contributions to growth in the number of businesses. Meanwhile, existing firms are likely to improve their quality rather than multiply in number. Therefore, the city has put much stock in switching business households into companies, a quick way to increase the quantity of local enterprises. Developing companies from business households has been integrated into business development policies of the city, including a programme to support new … [Read more...] about HCM City focuses on transforming business households into companies
Japan merger forms world’s 2nd largest steel firm
Two of Japan's biggest steelmakers will formally merge on Monday, creating the world's second largest firm in the sector as they look to outpace their Chinese and South Korean rivals. A converter process of Nippon Steel's Kimitsu iron mill plant at Kimitsu city in Chiba prefecture, suburban Tokyo. Nippon Steel, the nation's number one steel company and third-ranked rival Sumitomo Metal Industries will combine to form a giant second only to India's ArcelorMittal.Global competition in the steel industry has intensified in recent years even as demand has been spurred by emerging economies such as China, which are undertaking massive construction, infrastructure and manufacturing projects.But economic fears have weighed on steel demand and Japanese producers have struggled with an unfavourable exchange rate, which saw the yen hit record highs against the dollar late last year.Even with their economies of scale, … [Read more...] about Japan merger forms world’s 2nd largest steel firm
Most expensive cai luong to welcome the New Year
The legend of Co Loa Citadel and the love story of My Chau and Trong Thuy will be brought to the HCM City-based Military Zone 7 stage this lunar New Year, in the form of a VND2 billion (US$125,000) cai luong (southern folk opera) drama named “Swan Feather Coat”. VND2 billion is the biggest ever investment in a cai luong drama. Swan Feather Coat will feature the best ten well-known cai luong artists, including Diep Lang, Thanh Tong, Kim Tu Long, Thoai Mieu, Thanh Thanh Hien, Truong Son, Vu Luan, Tu Suong, Le Tu and Trinh Trinh. The drama has been organized by the HCM City-based Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Theatre and will debut on February 14, 2008 (8th of lunar January). The drama will dramatically portray the fight between Au Lac and Trieu Da as well as the collapse of Co Loa Citadel. The music of Swan Feather Coat was selected by Tran Vuong Thach and Duc Tri and will be played by the HCM City Symphony Orchestra. The general director is Honoured Artist Hoa Ha and … [Read more...] about Most expensive cai luong to welcome the New Year
Unique water puppetry form returns to prime time
Rotund and jolly looking, Teu, narrator of the play, invites the audience in the traditional way, offering them betel leaves and areca nuts to chew. The children are most excited at receiving the betel leaf and areca nut, though they cannot consume it. They are excited because Teu is walking on water, gliding rather, and even jumping/bobbing a bit to the cheerful, lively music in the background. Teu is a water puppet who can go farther than other traditional peers because his puppeteer uses a system of pulleys and wires rather than the stiff bamboo poles usually used in traditional water puppetry. This sophisticated technique, a precursor to the modern robot, is particular to Dong Ngu village in the northern province of Bac Ninh. The greater reach and flexibility of the technique also allows Teu to offer flowers to distinguished guests attending the play during ceremonies held before the play starts. Kids in the audience get basic lessons in water puppetry … [Read more...] about Unique water puppetry form returns to prime time
Martial arts eyed as new tourist attraction
Binh Dinh Province and HCM City leaders yesterday discussed plans to promote martial arts and other cultural activities in the province as a tourism attraction. "Though the province has carry out many activities to call for investment in tourism, the result has not corresponded with the resources," said Nguyen Thanh Son, deputy director of Binh Dinh's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. "The province wants to learn from and closely work with HCM City tourism officials as our province is an important link to south central coastal tourism." The development of tourism in Hue and Da Nang in the central region had been driving changes in Binh Dinh tourism, said La Quoc Khanh, deputy director of HCM City's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. "Thanks to the coordination with other regions nationwide, the three localities can coordinate more effectively than ever before," he said. Khanh added that HCM City would take advantage of its role as a major tourism destination to … [Read more...] about Martial arts eyed as new tourist attraction
The Central Reformed Theatre with a new play, named” the mark of the transitional period”
(Cinet)- Within a month and a half, artists of Company I from the Central Reformed Theatre has completed and perform a new play, named” the mark of the transitional period” in public. As one of two most excellent plays, it will attend a talented contest of the national stage directors in the mid-month of December 2007 in Ho Chi Minh City. In the final preview to officially publicize this work on 6th December, Hong Ha cinema had nearly 1000 overcrowded seats without ticket-selling organization. Audiences were so crowded that some had to stand about 2 hours. Clearly, in the market-oriented economy, Cai Luong still has consistent impression on audiences. With modern open-door mechanism, people have many chances to choose and enjoy various entertainment cultures. If artists are devoted to forming significant, value like the mark of the transitional period, audiences will be went back to their artistic passion “Cai Luong” The mark of the transitional period has … [Read more...] about The Central Reformed Theatre with a new play, named” the mark of the transitional period”
Japanese cultural festival to welcome New Year 2014 in Hanoi
(Cinet)- A Japanese cultural festival entitled “Ake Ome!” will take place at Giang Vo Exhibition Centre in Hanoi on December 29 to celebrate New Year’s Eve 2014. “Ake Ome” is the shortened form of “Akemashite Omedetou”, which means “Happy New Year”.The festival is expected to feature 40 booths offering Japanese specialties such as cold Soba noodles, traditional Japanese Kadomatsu New Year decorations, carp lanterns and Hamaya bows, ect, The festival will be held by the Vietnam Exhibition Fair Centre one-member limited liability company, funded from socialization sources. It aims to promote friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Japan. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions … [Read more...] about Japanese cultural festival to welcome New Year 2014 in Hanoi
Building Ca Pass Tunnel under BOT and BT forms
Building Ca Pass Tunnel under BOT and BT formsBy Song Nguyen - The Saigon Times DailyHCMC – A project to build the Ca Pass Tunnel in central Vietnam will be carried out under the BOT (build-operate-transfer) and BT (build-transfer) forms, according to a source from the Transport Ministry.The source told the Daily on Wednesday that in a statement issued by the Government Office, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung agreed with the Transport Ministry on first phase development plans for a tunnel under Ca Pass Under the instruction, the tunnel will be built under the BOT form while the approach roads to the tunnel under the BT form.Transportation experts said that building a tunnel under Ca Pass was of paramount importance. Linking Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa provinces will not only reduce traffic accidents but also boost transportation and link economies throughout the region.Phu My BOT Joint Stock Company (PMC) has applied to be the investor for the tunnel project with total investment of … [Read more...] about Building Ca Pass Tunnel under BOT and BT forms
Facebook livestreaming a new medium for celebrity ads in Vietnam
Brands in Vietnam are hiring celebrities or ‘social media influencers’ to promote their products via the Facebook Live feature, a new form of commercials allowing them to defy both the advertising and tax rules.Facebook Live, launched in August 2015, is a live video streaming service allowing users of the world’s largest social network to broadcast themselves live and communicate with their audience in real time.Many Vietnamese celebrities and key opinion leaders – individuals who are popular on social media – are being paid by companies to promote products and brands through carefully-scripted and well-executed Facebook Live broadcasts.This new form of publicity allows companies to promote products whose advertising is being banned as per the law, just like dietary supplements or alcohol.Many experts believe that companies also avoid tax obligations with those ‘live-streamed ads.' Livestreaming for advertisingIt is common for Vietnamese celebrities … [Read more...] about Facebook livestreaming a new medium for celebrity ads in Vietnam