In the Atlantic by James Fallows (How the West Was Wired) October, 2008. The article details the difficulties of surviving in western China. The authors list several obstacles such as isolationism, poverty and a lack of education. Mr. Fallows highlights the work of college classmates Sayling Wen and Kenny Lin and their lofty goal of modernizing western China by connecting isolated areas with major cities via the internet. The duo succeeded on many fronts including the construction of a major business resort and the creation of a “Town and Talent” center focused on training citizens for life in major eastern cities. The “Town and Talent “centers have accomplished some goals. Abstract by Traci Turreo

In the National Geographic by Charles C. Mann (The future rests on the soil beneath our feet), 19 August, 2008. In the developing world, far more arable land is being lost to human-induced erosion and desertification that is directly affecting the lives of 250 million people; this year alone food shortages is being caused in part by the diminishing quantity and quality of the world’s soil. China’s Loess Plateau is about the size of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands combined. For centuries the silt piles have been washing down the Yellow River; a natural process that has exacerbated. China has responded by developing Sloping Land Conversion Programs that directs farmers to convert most of their steep fields back to grassland.

On the Atlantic.com by Robert D. Kaplan (Lifting the Bamboo Curtain), August, 2008. Burma became a strategic battleground when China and India began influencing the country. Burma, inhabited by peaceful people has beautiful landscape that is littered with Teak trees, coconut palms, black and ocher mud from the heavy rains, and tall, chaotic grasses. The Thai military has been on the lookout for Karen soldiers, who have been fighting the Burmese government since 1948. Endless conflict and gross, regime-inflicted poverty have kept Burma primitive enough to maintain an aura of romance. Only a small region in the north, inhabited largely by the Kachin tribe, was completely free from bandits or insurgent armies. Burma is a prize to be contested, and China and India are not-so-subtly vying for it.

In the Bestlife by Karen Hube (Fighting financial shrinkage) 17, 2008. The rise of an affluent middle class in China, Thailand and Vietnam is contributing to worldwide inflation. Ms. Hube details five steps that can be used to offset the effects of inflation on your retirement fund: 1) change your mindset and invest more; 2) invest in inflation busters such as energy, health care and materials; 3) hire a pro with a proven record; 4) find safe bonds such as a global bond fund, savings bonds or more expensive treasury-inflation-protected securities; and 5) look beyond stocks and bonds and invest in an “diversity basket” of commodities, and real estate opportunities. Abstract by Ben Clack

On The American Prospect by Harold Meyerson (The Drums of Change) 15, August, 2008. Mr. Meyerson details the symbolism of the opening ceremony of the Olympics in China with the invasion of Georgia by Russia. He concludes that what Russia did was consistent with what most powers have done to their neighbors and in the end will have no impact on the pillars of democracy. The Olympic opening on the other hand attempted to highlight the growth of China as a power while stressing the Chinese people’s ‘harmonious’ relationship with the rest of the world poses much more of a threat to the internal workings of democracies around the world. Abstract by Tom Terrance

In the Wall Street Journal by Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan (Fashion’s Latest Comeback Attempt) 17, August, 2008. The article profiles the comeback of fashion designer Mr. Christian Francis Roth. Mr. Roth stormed the fashion world as a young 21 year-old with his pioneering grunge-inspired looks. His company thrived for a short time until production costs forced him to close his operations. Mr. Roth has since partnered with Peonie Ng, owner of Gold Palace Corp. LDT., a Hong Kong company. The new clothing line will be produced in China and will be priced well below high-end lables. The duo is also looking at launching a lower-end clothing line in China and Korea. Abstract by Si Martin

On Money.com by Emily Maltby, (Vietnam? India? The search for the new China) 14, 2008. The rising costs of doing business in China are forcing companies to look for cheaper alternatives. Several factors are contributing to the increased cost including higher living standards, more stringent labor and environmental controls, and higher land and commodity prices. The Chinese government is also ending or reducing the once attractive tax incentives. Several advantages of doing business in Vietnam are listed including cheap labor and land prices and tax-free zones. The article also offers counter points to moving a business out of China such as increased fuel costs and product lead times. (Abstract by Ben Stevens)

On Chinadaily.com by Hong Liang, 03 June, 2008. “It is time we stopped wasting food.” Those words are prevalent throughout the China Daily article. Mr. Liang believes that the amount of food wasted by people in developed countries, not the increase in demand from China and India is to blame for escalating food prices. To support his theory, Mr. Liang provides examples of food waste, one in Beijing and one in the United States and details a U.S. Department of Agriculture study. Mr. Liand concludes that it would be inappropriate for people in developed countries to ask people in developing countries to cutback on food consumption. (There isn’t enough food to waste.)

On Chinadaily.com by Hong Liang, 12 August, 2008. Mr. Liand puts forth the reasons Hong Kong needs to adopt a minimum wage scale for workers. Examples listed include the exodus of lower skilled positions to other parts of China, outsourcing to other countries, and the economic downturn in the Asian economy. Since the 2003 economic recovery was centered more on finance and tourism very few lower skilled workers benefited. Mr. Liand concludes that a minimum wage will help children from these families move up socially. (Time HK had a minimum wage law.)

In the New York Times by Floyd Norris, 08 August, 2008. Mr. Norris reports that the countries using the Euro will be the first major economies to fall into a recession. Mr. Norris relies on data and the expertise of chief European economist for Capital Economics, Mr. Jonathan Loynes.  Mr. Loynes relies on the most commonly used definition of a recession in supporting his economic forecast. Mr. Norris espouses that Europe, Japan and the U.S. are all experiencing downturn economies, a reality that is impacting the budding economies of China and India, where economic growth continues to gain strength.

On China daily.com by Tong Hao, 07 August, 2008. In eight short years China’s equivalent to Wall Street nears completion. The Beijing Central Business District (CBD) is home to 117 fortune 500 businesses, 60 percent of all overseas-funded companies and 50% of all luxury hotels. The area is also becoming the preferred home of foreign embassies. The area caters to white-collar workers looking for office space in architectural landmarks. The designers have also saved 50% of the area for upscale apartments and recreational activities. Mr. Tong Hao skillfully illustrates how the various entities in Beijing worked together to help put CBD and Beijing on the world financial map.