China
Alice Waters Does Organic American-Style at Dinner in Beijing
As U.S. chef and food activist Alice Waters rolled out a four-course meal meant to inspire China to eat organic and sustainable foods, something other than pesticides was missing. The founder of renowned Berkeley, Calif. restaurant Chez Panisse organized an elaborate dinner at the U.S. Embassy Wednesday night in Beijing as part of a move to spark a food revolution in China, helping Chinese consumers learn about eating organic foods that are in season and grown locally. But among the several hundred people to whom she dished out this meal—a carefully selected array of Beijing’s seasonal vegetables, followed by butternut squash tortellini, braised pork over mashed potatoes and apple strudel with ice cream—less than a third of the attendees were Chinese nationals. A press representative of the U.S. Embassy, which was in charge of the guest list, said many more Chinese had been invited to the dinner than had attended. Declines flowed in the days before. To be sure, there were some Chinese in attendance, many of whom were well-known. Ge You, one of China’s most famous actors, and Phoenix Television anchor Xu Gehui were both there. Ms. Waters hoped to inspire these cultural icons. “China is at a critical turning point,” Ms. Waters said ahead of the dinner. Fast food restaurants are popping up on every corner, and the pressure to speed up the pace of life, eating on the go, is increasing, she said. But at the dinner, the opening event of a four-day cultural forum sponsored by the Asia Society and Aspen Institute, little was uttered about eating foods free of chemicals and buying from nearby farms. Not a word of Chinese was said. Only a toast was offered as a tribute to a potential food movement in China. “Lift a glass of wine to the people taking care of the land,” Ms. Waters said. A food revolution is only at best in its infancy in China, says Zhang Yinghui, who is one of China’s more prominent food activists and also attended the dinner. Chinese have been buying organic foods, but they’ve largely been buying out of fear after countless food scandals have threatened the health and lives of average citizens. Ms. Zhang, while well-informed about China’s agricultural industry and green farming, is far less vocal than the organic and slow food backers in the West. “There’s less of push here because Chinese, after all, still care about food, even if it is under threat,” Ms. Zhang said. “Chinese families still eat together at a table every night,” said Ms. Zhang. There are some chefs around China who are contributing to a more conscious way of feeding people, sourcing their vegetables and meat locally. Dai Jianjiun, who runs his restaurant out of Hangzhou, an affluent city south of Shanghai, is one. “Unfortunately, these kinds of restaurants are made available only to the wealthy and the government,” Ms Zhang said, adding that the growth of the organic industry in China has largely been propelled by this subset of the population. Critics of the organic movement in West have made similar statements, which could have been applied to Ms. Waters’ dinner in China, where the U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke sat across from author Amy Tan on Wednesday, feasting on organic bread and carrots that had been plucked from a nearby farm only hours before. – Laurie Burkitt. Follow her on Twitter @lburkitt
As U.S. chef and food activist Alice Waters rolled out a four-course meal meant to inspire China to eat organic and sustainable foods, something other than pesticides was missing. The founder of renowned Berkeley, Calif. restaurant Chez Panisse organized an elaborate dinner at the U.S. Embassy Wednesday night in Beijing as part of a move to spark a food revolution in China, helping Chinese consumers learn about eating organic foods that are in season and grown locally. But among the several hundred people to whom she dished out this meal—a carefully selected array of Beijing’s seasonal vegetables, followed by butternut squash tortellini, braised pork over mashed potatoes and apple strudel with ice cream—less than a third of the attendees were Chinese nationals. A press representative of the U.S. Embassy, which was in charge of the guest list, said many more Chinese had been invited to the dinner than had attended. Declines flowed in the days before. To be sure, there were some Chinese in attendance, many of whom were well-known. Ge You, one of China’s most famous actors, and Phoenix Television anchor Xu Gehui were both there. Ms. Waters hoped to inspire these cultural icons. “China is at a critical turning point,” Ms. Waters said ahead of the dinner. Fast food restaurants are popping up on every corner, and the pressure to speed up the pace of life, eating on the go, is increasing, she said. But at the dinner, the opening event of a four-day cultural forum sponsored by the Asia Society and Aspen Institute, little was uttered about eating foods free of chemicals and buying from nearby farms. Not a word of Chinese was said. Only a toast was offered as a tribute to a potential food movement in China. “Lift a glass of wine to the people taking care of the land,” Ms. Waters said. A food revolution is only at best in its infancy in China, says Zhang Yinghui, who is one of China’s more prominent food activists and also attended the dinner. Chinese have been buying organic foods, but they’ve largely been buying out of fear after countless food scandals have threatened the health and lives of average citizens. Ms. Zhang, while well-informed about China’s agricultural industry and green farming, is far less vocal than the organic and slow food backers in the West. “There’s less of push here because Chinese, after all, still care about food, even if it is under threat,” Ms. Zhang said. “Chinese families still eat together at a table every night,” said Ms. Zhang. There are some chefs around China who are contributing to a more conscious way of feeding people, sourcing their vegetables and meat locally. Dai Jianjiun, who runs his restaurant out of Hangzhou, an affluent city south of Shanghai, is one. “Unfortunately, these kinds of restaurants are made available only to the wealthy and the government,” Ms Zhang said, adding that the growth of the organic industry in China has largely been propelled by this subset of the population. Critics of the organic movement in West have made similar statements, which could have been applied to Ms. Waters’ dinner in China, where the U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke sat across from author Amy Tan on Wednesday, feasting on organic bread and carrots that had been plucked from a nearby farm only hours before. – Laurie Burkitt. Follow her on Twitter @lburkitt
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Alice Waters Does Organic American-Style at Dinner in Beijing
China
Outlook on Bilateral Trade and Investment between China and United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE and China have a strong partnership, with the UAE being China’s top trade partner in the Arab world. Both countries collaborate on various sectors like logistics and technology, showcasing mutual commitment to economic growth and global cooperation. High-level trade and investments continue to drive their relationship.
The UAE and China share a robust partnership integral to both countries’ development and foreign policy goals, exemplifying a model of collaboration. Bilateral trade thrives, with the UAE as China’s top trade partner in the Arab world, while investments span key sectors like logistics and technology. This comprehensive strategic partnership continues to evolve, showcasing mutual commitment to economic growth and global cooperation.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) holds a significant position in China’s trade and commercial connections within the Middle East, particularly in the Arab Gulf region. This partnership is integral to China’s broader strategic initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which the UAE actively supports.
Additionally, the UAE plays a crucial role in advancing China’s foreign policy objectives, such as enhancing South-South cooperation, particularly in technical collaboration among developing nations and the Global South in areas like resources and technology.
In this article, we delve into the dynamics of bilateral trade and investment between the UAE and China, exploring the key factors driving their economic relationship and the opportunities it presents for mutual growth and prosperity.
China and the UAE first established their diplomatic relations in 1984. While China has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate general in Dubai, the UAE has a consulate general in Hong Kong and an embassy in Beijing. China and the UAE have long been close partners, collaborating extensively on economic, political, and cultural fronts.
In 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping went on a state visit to the UAE, making history as the first Chinese head of state to visit the country in the previous 29 years. The visit was instrumental in lifting bilateral relations to a ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’.
High-level trade has always been the foundation of bilateral ties. Bilateral commerce between China and the UAE reached new heights in 2021, surpassing US$75.6 billion. Additionally, as of 2022, about 6,000 Chinese businesses operate in the UAE, with a sizable Chinese population working primarily in the infrastructure and energy sectors. The UAE is also China’s second-largest economic partner in the Middle East, after Saudi Arabia.
This article is republished from China Briefing. Read the rest of the original article.
China Briefing is written and produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The practice assists foreign investors into China and has done since 1992 through offices in Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Qingdao, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Suzhou, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. Please contact the firm for assistance in China at china@dezshira.com.
China
2024 Tax Incentives for Manufacturing Companies in China
China offers various tax incentives to boost the manufacturing industry. The Ministry of Finance and State Tax Administration provide guidelines on eligibility and policies. VAT exemptions and refunds are available for companies producing specific goods or services, with a monthly refund option for deferred taxes.
China implements a wide range of preferential tax policies to encourage the development of the country’s manufacturing industry. We summarize some of the main manufacturing tax incentives in China and explain the basic eligibility requirements that companies must meet to enjoy them.
China’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) and State Tax Administration (STA) have released guidelines on the main preferential tax and fee policies available to the manufacturing industry in China. The guidelines consolidate the main preferential policies currently in force and explain the main eligibility requirements to enjoy them.
To further assist companies in identifying the preferential policies available to them, we have outlined some of the main policies currently available in the manufacturing industry, including links to further resources.
For instance, VAT is exempted for:
Companies providing the following products and services can enjoy immediate VAT refunds:
Companies in the manufacturing industry that meet the conditions for deferring tax refunds can enjoy a VAT credit refund policy. The policy allows companies to receive the accumulated deferred tax amount every month and the remaining deferred tax amount in a lump sum.
The policy is not exclusive to the manufacturing industry and is also available to companies in scientific research and technical services, utilities production and supply, software and IT services, and many more.
This article is republished from China Briefing. Read the rest of the original article.
China Briefing is written and produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The practice assists foreign investors into China and has done since 1992 through offices in Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Qingdao, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Suzhou, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. Please contact the firm for assistance in China at china@dezshira.com.
China
Exploring the Revamped China Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) Program: Potential Benefits for International Businesses
Companies in China must navigate compliance, trading, and reporting within the CCER framework, impacting operations and strategic objectives. The program focuses on afforestation, solar, wind power, and mangrove creation, offering opportunities for innovation and revenue streams while ensuring transparency and accuracy. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment oversees the program.
As companies navigate the complexities of compliance, trading, and reporting within the CCER framework, they must also contend with the broader implications for their operations, finances, and strategic objectives.
This article explores the multifaceted impact of the CCER program on companies operating in China, examining both the opportunities for innovation and growth, as well as the potential risks and compliance considerations.
Initially, the CCER will focus on four sectors: afforestation, solar thermal power, offshore wind power, and mangrove vegetation creation. Companies operating within these sectors can register their accredited carbon reduction credits in the CCER system for trading purposes. These sectors were chosen due to their reliance on carbon credit sales for profitability. For instance, offshore wind power generation, as more costly than onshore alternatives, stands to benefit from additional revenue streams facilitated by CCER transactions.
Currently, primary buyers are expected to be high-emission enterprises seeking to offset their excess emissions and companies aiming to demonstrate corporate social responsibility by contributing to environmental conservation. Eventually, the program aims to allow individuals to purchase credits to offset their carbon footprints. Unlike the mandatory national ETS, the revamped CCER scheme permits any enterprise to buy carbon credits, thereby expanding the market scope.
The Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) oversees the CCER program, having assumed responsibility for climate change initiatives from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) in 2018. Verification agencies and project operators are mandated to ensure transparency and accuracy in disclosing project details and carbon reduction practices.
On the second day after the launch on January 23, the first transaction in China’s voluntary carbon market saw the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), the country’s largest offshore oil and gas producer, purchase 250,000 tons of carbon credits to offset its emissions.
This article is republished from China Briefing. Read the rest of the original article.
China Briefing is written and produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The practice assists foreign investors into China and has done since 1992 through offices in Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Qingdao, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Suzhou, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. Please contact the firm for assistance in China at china@dezshira.com.
- Outlook on Bilateral Trade and Investment between China and United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- 2024 Tax Incentives for Manufacturing Companies in China
- Exploring the Revamped China Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) Program: Potential Benefits for International Businesses
- China Implements New Policies to Boost Foreign Investment in Science and Technology Companies
- Q1 2024 Brief on Transfer Pricing in Asia
- New Report from Dezan Shira & Associates: China Takes the Lead in Emerging Asia Manufacturing Index 2024
