Oriental Outlook

Issue No. 19， published on May 22， 2014

Rigid Demand for Elderly Services

Since 2008， when 10 Chinese ministries jointly released the Opinions on Advancing Home-based Old-age Care in an All-round Manner， in-home care for the elderly has been promoted as a key solution to Chinas aging society. A slew of experiments have been conducted in this regard， and home-based care centers established across the country.

There are， however， obstacles to bringing this service into effect which have been extensively discussed within academic circles. Oriental Outlook finds， through interviews with community leaders and elderly affairs workers in such cities as Lanzhou， Wenzhou， Ningbo， and Jinan， that the home-based elderly care system is hampered by limited resources. Compared with senior citizens residing in care homes， the requirements of those that live in their own apartments in different communities are more diverse and less easily defined. Only when their specific needs and conditions are understood can the envisioned “wall-less nursing home” perform its desired functions.

Xinmin Weekly

Issue No. 20， published on May 26， 2014

Chinas “Host Diplomacy”

The fourth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia（CICA） took place on May 20 and 21 in Shanghai. It marked Chinas assumption of the CICA rotating presidency and the first time the summit has been held in Shanghai.

In 2014 Chinas diplomatic efforts will focus on building a framework for its big-power relationships， improving its peripheral diplomacy， advancing cooperation with developing countries， putting into practice various economic initiatives， and making a success of its “host diplomacy，” the latter referring to diplomatic activities within China. As host of two major international events in 2014， the CICA in Shanghai and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation （APEC） summit in Beijing， China will use these opportunities to propose solutions to global and regional issues.

China has been taking greater responsibilities in the international arena. No matter dealing with the North Korea nuclear issue， problems in Syria and Ukraine， or the proposed building of the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road， China maintains a positive attitude in seeking solutions to international hotspot issues， so contributing to world peace and development.

China Economic Weekly

Issue No. 20， published on May 26， 2014

Chinese Enterprises in Vietnam

Since 2000， “investment in Vietnam” has been a popular option for certain Chinese enterprises.

In 2007， Vietnam became a member of the World Trade Organization （WTO）. In the wake of the 2008 international financial crisis， Vietnam unveiled several preferential policies for foreign capital that have attracted investment from more Chinese enterprises. Vietnam， known for its lower labor costs， has been regarded as the “bridgehead” for Chinese enterprises “going global.” In 2007 alone， 400-plus Chinese companies entered Vietnam.

China has been Vietnams No. 1 trade partner for 10 successive years. It is its largest import source and fourth largest export market.

Chinese enterprises have growing influence in the Vietnam market. Motorcycle brands like Lifan and Loncin recently occupied 80 percent of Vietnams market share. Chinese-made small household appliances， such as hair driers， electric irons and induction cookers， are attractive in both price and quality. Chinese engineering contractors also have a good reputation in Vietnam.

However， in view of the antiChina protests and riots last May against Chinese nationals and companies in Vietnam， the Chinese government and people have shown considerable concern for Chinese enterprises in Vietnam， their living conditions and their future.

CBN Weekly

Issue No. 19， published on May 26， 2014

Running Is Big Business

Statistics reveal that running is now a popular sport in China. In 2011， 22 marathons were held nationwide. This figure rose to 39 in 2013， when participants almost doubled to 750，000 from 400，000 in 2011. The popularity of this sport continues to grow. In 2014， it seems that entering a running competition is even harder than finishing the race itself. If the number of runners is considered equivalent to consumption capacity， this sport has indeed become a booming business in China.

Most running enthusiasts are from the growing middle classes in first-tier and emerging big cities. They enjoy running not only for healths sake but because they have reached an economic level sufficient to finance this hobby. This is good news for sports attire manufacturers amid an economic downturn. In the past two years， China has lost its appeal as an expanding sports equipment and clothing market， many companies dealing in such goods having suffered a decline in net margin. Both domestic and overseas manufacturers now seek new growth points， and the running craze is expected to improve their balance sheets.

As the demand for running accoutrements rises， related consumption is expected to upgrade. Existent sports brands， start-up companies and new sports event operators now all have equal opportunities in a thriving market.