#Investment Law Firms in China

[internationalmaritimelawyers]

Top Law Firms In China: Legal Expertise And Services

This is a double-edged sword when it comes to doing business and transactions. Amidst it all, the law firms in China play an important role there with experienced lawyers representing them. This is not just legal representation but also some form of a strategic partner in making one successful in the great China market. Are you someone who wants to gather more facts about the Law Firms in China, Lawyers in China? If Yes. This is the best place where people can gather more facts about the Law Firms in China, Lawyers in China.

Multi-faceted Legal Expertise

It is not easy to navigate Chinese regulations for foreign investors. Skilled legal professionals fill that gap by combining deep local knowledge with an understanding of global practices. Tailor-made solutions be it drafting contracts, managing mergers or resolving disputes formulate risk mitigation and smooth operation. There are many things about the Law Firms in Chinathat you must know.

Law Firms in China

Lawyers in China are the actual sources of knowledge on the legal system of the country, hence aiding clients in preparation for a far-reaching challenge. This can be done through the protection of intellectual property or even through labor law compliance. They are also experts in dispute resolution and can offer formidable advocacy in negotiation, mediation, or litigation processes. The aim of the practitioners is not just to resolve an issue but also to safeguard their clients' interests adequately and timely.

Having a reputable Law Firms in China or lawyer in China means more than legal support; it is having peace of mind. Keeping up to date with all the changes in the regulations and proactive strategies provided enable businesses and individuals to stay on track with their goals without a care for possible pitfalls.

In a very competitive and complex market like China, there must be proper access to legal expertise for all clients involved.

[robertreich]

The Silent Revolution in American Economics

I don't think you're expecting what I'm about to say, because I have never seen anything like this in fifty years in politics.

For decades I've been sounding an alarm about how our economy has become increasingly rigged for the rich. I've watched it get worse under both Republicans and Democrats, but what President Biden has done in his first term gives me hope I haven't felt in years. It’s a complete sea change.

Here are three key areas where Biden is fundamentally reshaping our economy to make it better for working people.

#1 Trade and industrial policy

Biden is breaking with decades of reliance on free-trade deals and free-market philosophies. He’s instead focusing on domestic policies designed to revive American manufacturing and fortify our own supply chains.

Take three of his signature pieces of legislation so far — the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS Act, and his infrastructure package. This flood of government investment has brought about a new wave in American manufacturing.

Unlike Trump, who just levied tariffs on Chinese imports and used it as a campaign slogan, Biden is actually investing in America’s manufacturing capacity so we don’t have to rely on China in the first place.

He’s turning the tide against deals made by previous administrations, both Democratic and Republican, that helped Wall Street but ended up costing American jobs and lowering American wages.

#2 Monopoly power

Biden is the first president in living memory to take on big monopolies.

Giant firms have come to dominate almost every industry. Four beef packers now control over 80 percent of the market, domestic air travel is dominated by four airlines, and most Americans have no real choice of internet providers.

In a monopolized economy, corporate profits rise, consumers pay higher prices, and workers’ wages shrink.

But under the Biden, the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the Justice Department have become the most aggressive monopoly fighters in more than a half century. They’re going after Amazon and Google, Ticketmaster and Live Nation, JetBlue and Spirit, and a wide range of other giant corporations.  

#3 Labor

Biden is also the most pro-union president I’ve ever seen.

A big reason for the surge in workers organizing and striking for higher wages is the pro-labor course Biden is charting.

The Reagan years blew in a typhoon of union busting across America. Corporations routinely sunk unions and fired workers who attempted to form them. They offshored production or moved to so-called “right-to-work” states that enacted laws making it hard to form unions.

Even though Democratic presidents promised labor law reforms that would strengthen unions, they didn’t follow through. But under Joe Biden, organized labor has received a vital lifeboat. Unionizing has been protected and encouraged. Biden is even the first sitting president to walk a picket line.

Biden’s National Labor Relations Board is stemming the tide of unfair labor practices, requiring companies to bargain with their employees, speeding the period between union petitions and elections, and making it harder to fire workers for organizing.

Americans have every reason to be outraged at how decades of policies that prioritized corporations over people have thrown our economy off-keel.

But these three waves of change — a worker-centered trade and industrial policy, strong anti-monopoly enforcement, and moves to strengthen labor unions — are navigating towards a more equitable economy.

It’s a sea change that’s long overdue.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Supreme Court poised to appoint federal judges to run the US economy.

January 18, 2024

ROBERT B. HUBBELL

JAN 17, 2024

The Supreme Court heard oral argument on two cases that provide the Court with the opportunity to overturn the “Chevron deference doctrine.” Based on comments from the Justices, it seems likely that the justices will overturn judicial precedent that has been settled for forty years. If they do, their decision will reshape the balance of power between the three branches of government by appointing federal judges as regulators of the world’s largest economy, supplanting the expertise of federal agencies (a.k.a. the “administrative state”).

Although the Chevron doctrine seems like an arcane area of the law, it strikes at the heart of the US economy. If the Court were to invalidate the doctrine, it would do so in service of the conservative billionaires who have bought and paid for four of the justices on the Court. The losers would be the American people, who rely on the expertise of federal regulators to protect their water, food, working conditions, financial systems, public markets, transportation, product safety, health care services, and more.

The potential overruling of the Chevron doctrine is a proxy for a broader effort by the reactionary majority to pare the power of the executive branch and Congress while empowering the courts. Let’s take a moment to examine the context of that effort.

But I will not bury the lead (or the lede): The reactionary majority on the Court is out of control. In disregarding precedent that conflicts with the conservative legal agenda of its Federalist Society overlords, the Court is acting in a lawless manner. It is squandering hard-earned legitimacy. It is time to expand the Court—the only solution that requires a simple majority in two chambers of Congress and the signature of the president.

The “administrative state” sounds bad. Is it?

No. The administrative state is good. It refers to the collective body of federal employees, regulators, and experts who help maintain an orderly US economy. Conservatives use the term “administrative state” to denigrate federal regulation and expertise. They want corporations to operate free of all federal restraint—free to pollute, free to defraud, free to impose dangerous and unfair working conditions, free to release dangerous products into the marketplace, and free to engage in deceptive practices in public markets.

The US economy is the largest, most robust economy in the world because federal regulators impose standards for safety, honesty, transparency, and accountability. Not only is the US economy the largest in the world (as measured by nominal GDP), but its GDP per capita ($76,398) overshadows that of the second largest economy, China ($12,270). The US dollar is the reserve currency for the world and its markets are a haven for foreign investment and capital formation. See The Top 25 Economies in the World (investopedia.com)

US consumers, banks, investment firms, and foreign investors are attracted to the US economy because it is regulated. US corporations want all the benefits of regulations—until regulations get in the way of making more money. It is at that point that the “administrative state” is seen as “the enemy” by conservatives who value profit maximization above human health, safety, and solvency.

It is difficult to comprehend how big the US economy is. To paraphrase Douglas Adams’s quote about space, “It’s big. Really big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mindbogglingly big it is.” Suffice to say, the US economy is so big it cannot be regulated by several hundred federal judges with dockets filled with criminal cases and major business disputes.

Nor can Congress pass enough legislation to keep pace with ever changing technological and financial developments. Congress can’t pass a budget on time; the notion that it would be able to keep up with regulations necessary to regulate Bitcoin trading in public markets is risible.

What is the Chevron deference doctrine?

Managing the US economy requires hundreds of thousands of subject matter experts—a.k.a. “regulators”—who bring order, transparency, and honesty to the US economy. Those experts must make millions of judgments each year in creating, implementing and applying federal regulations.

And this is where the “Chevron deference doctrine” comes in. When federal experts and regulators interpret federal regulations in esoteric areas such as maintaining healthy fisheries, their decisions should be entitled to a certain amount of deference. And they have received such deference since 1984, when the US Supreme Court created a rule of judicial deference to decisions by federal regulators in the case of Chevron v. NRDC.

What happened at oral argument?

In a pair of cases, the US Supreme Court heard argument on Tuesday as to whether the Chevron deference doctrine should continue—or whether the Court should overturn the doctrine and effectively throw out 17,000 federal court decisions applying the doctrine. According to Court observers, including Mark Joseph Stern of Slate, the answer is “Yes, the Court is poised to appoint federal judges as regulators of the US economy.” See Mark Joseph Stern in Slate, The Supreme Court is seizing more power from Democratic presidents. (slate.com)

I recommend Stern’s article for a description of the grim atmosphere at the oral argument—kind of “pre-demise” wake for the Chevron deference doctrine. Stern does a superb job of explaining the effects of overruling Chevron:

Here’s the bottom line: Without Chevron deference, it’ll be open season on each and every regulation, with underinformed courts playing pretend scientist, economist, and policymaker all at once. Securities fraud, banking secrecy, mercury pollution, asylum applications, health care funding, plus all manner of civil rights laws: They are ultravulnerable to judicial attack in Chevron’s absence. That’s why the medical establishment has lined up in support of Chevron, explaining that its demise would mark a “tremendous disruption” for patients and providers; just rinse and repeat for every other area of law to see the convulsive disruptions on the horizon.

The Kochs and the Federalist Society have bought and paid for this sad outcome. The chaos that will follow will hurt consumers, travelers, investors, patients and—ultimately—American businesses, who will no longer be able to rely on federal regulators for guidance as to the meaning of federal regulations. Instead, businesses will get an answer to their questions after lengthy, expensive litigation before overworked and ill-prepared judges implement a political agenda.

Expand the Court. Disband the reactionary majority by relegating it to an irrelevant minority. If we win control of both chambers of Congress in 2024 and reelect Joe Biden, expanding the Court should be the first order of business.

[Robert B. Hubbell Newsletter]

[willy2bastiajaccio]

I'm from France and I support Donald Trump for his concrete actions and significant impact during his presidency, where he worked tirelessly for the benefit of America and its people. Firstly, his economic policies led to historic growth, creating millions of jobs and reducing unemployment to record lows, especially among African American and Hispanic communities. His tax reforms lowered taxes for workers and businesses, spurring investments and allowing families to retain more of their income.

In national security, Trump reinforced the borders by implementing measures to protect the country from illegal entries and trafficking, thereby contributing to the safety of citizens. The construction of new border wall segments discouraged illegal entries and reduced cross-border crime. Additionally, he supported law enforcement, allocating extra resources to ensure the security of American communities.

On the foreign policy front, Trump pursued a peace-through-strength approach, negotiating historic agreements such as the Abraham Accords, which paved the way for unprecedented normalization between Israel and several Arab countries, promoting stability in the Middle East. He also took a firm stance against international threats, imposing sanctions on Iran and negotiating fairer trade deals with China.

Donald Trump also championed Americans' rights in the face of a rising federal bureaucracy and over-regulation. He cut red tape and relaxed regulations to empower small businesses, granting greater freedom for entrepreneurship. His defense of conservative values, especially regarding religious freedom and the protection of life, resonated with many Americans who view him as a defender of the nation's foundational principles.

Finally, his approach to the COVID-19 pandemic was swift and decisive. Through Operation Warp Speed, he accelerated the development of vaccines at an unprecedented rate, saving countless lives and equipping America with the tools needed to effectively combat the pandemic.

As a leader, Trump has been a symbol of courage and conviction, and he remains committed to defending the interests of America and its citizens. For all these reasons, we stand with his vision for a strong, prosperous, and sovereign country.

[eretzyisrael]

Hamas didn’t invade Israel on Oct. 7 for its amusement. The barbaric sneak attack is a part of the pogrom intended to wipe out the Jewish state. It was a crime against humanity, and not just because of its savagery. We would all be worse off if Israel ceased to exist. The same cannot be said for Islamic terrorists.

Israel’s contributions to the modern world are momentous. When not dodging bullets, rockets, and homicide bombers, Israelis have since 1948 developed:

Copaxone and Rebif, drugs that treat multiple sclerosis, and Exelon, which treats mild to moderate dementia in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients.

The PillCam, “a minimally invasive ingestible camera in a capsule that allows visualization of the small bowel.”

The water desalination process.

The Sniffphone, “that can actually ‘sniff out’ diseases.”

And SpineAssist, “​​the first-ever spine robot” that has the “ability to provide real-time intraoperative navigation.”

The Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, responsible for some of the inventions listed above, has also produced diabetes and flu vaccines, is using T-cells to treat damaged spines, and is a pioneer in industrial — and medical — uses nano materials. 

Other impactful Israeli products include drip irrigation, a revolutionary microprocessor called the 8088, the ​​NIR heart stent, voice-over-internet protocol, the ​​USB flash drive, the Waze navigation app, ReWalk, “a commercial bionic walking assistance system,” and “the first commercially viable firewall software.” 

Our own security has benefited from Israel’s labor and work ethic.

“Many Israeli innovations are present in upgrades to U.S. Air Force fighters and Army equipment,” says the international law firm Smith, Gambrell & Russell. One important advance in particular is the helmet-mounted display system for the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

So we have a country of 9.23 million, mostly desert, that is only 75 years old, is “surrounded by enemies” and in a constant state of war, which has “no natural resources,” yet “produces more start-up companies on a per capita basis than large, peaceful, and stable nations and regions like Japan, China, India, Korea, Canada, and all of Europe.” It is the only nation outside of the U.S. that Warren Buffet invests in.

Have the Palestinians or Hamas, currently at war with Israel, done anything that compares to what the Israelis have achieved? More broadly, beyond the Allahista terrorist groups, what has Islam contributed to the modern world?

Not much.

Since 1901, Jews, who total 0.2% of the world’s population, have won 189 Nobel prizes for physics, medicine, chemistry and economics. Over that same period, Muslims, who make up nearly a quarter of the global population, have won four.

If it seems as Islamic groups, Hamas and Hezbollah prominent among them, are more interested in spreading nihilism, committing atrocities, and destroying civilization than making the world a better place, well, then there’s a good reason for it. That is exactly what the heroes of an increasingly large number foolish Westerners are aiming for.

Meanwhile, Israelis see themselves “as having a role in the world to repair the world,” says Chemi Peres, managing partner and co-founder of the venture capital firm Pitango, chairman of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, and son of the late Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres.

“We call it tikkun olam, and here at the Peres Center we have a mission statement, which is to introduce innovation and new ideas and new technologies, not only for ourselves but to solve the problems of the world.”

Islam is part of that world, but too many of its adherents live to do just the opposite. 

— Written by the I&I Editorial Board

[rauthschild]

Communist History Of V. P. Kamala Harris

 This is a really revealing history of of this nation's Vice President and presidential candidate. It is a long article but is necessary because it is so very important for you to know. This editorial is by Major General Higginbotham U.S. Marines (Ret)

This timely editorial that exposes the hidden background of Kamala Harris is from the Combat Veterans for Congress Political Action Committee. It is posted here with permission of the author. CVFC PAC supports the election of US military combat veterans to the US Senate and House of Representatives.

The editorial begins:

Kamala Harris' father was an avowed Marxist professor in the Economics Department at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. Both of Harris' parents were active in the Berkeley based Afro-American Association; Fidel Castro and Che Guevara were the heroes of the Afro-American Association. The group's leader, Donald Warden (aka Khalid al-Mansour), mentored two young Afro-American Association members, Huey Newton and Bobby Seale; they created the Maoist inspired Black Panther Party which gained strong support from Communist China; the Black Panther Party served as the model for creation of the Black Lives Matter Marxist organization Khalid al-Mansour subsequently went on to arrange financing and facilitated for Barack Hussein Obama to be accepted as a student to matriculate at Harvard Law School.

Following her graduation from college, Harris returned to California and subsequently became the mistress of the 60-year-old married Speaker of the California Assembly, Willie Brown, Jr. Brown's political campaigns were supported and funded by Dr. Carlton Goodlett, the owner of The Sun Reporter and several other pro-Communist newspapers. Brown was elected as Mayor of San Francisco, and strongly endorsed Harris' Marxist political philosophy; he guided Harris' political rise in California politics, leading to her election as California's Attorney General. Willie Brown, Jr. is a well-known long-time Communist sympathizer.

Willie Brown, Jr. was initially elected to public office with substantial help of the Communist Party USA. Today, Willie Brown is widely regarded as one of the Chinese Communist Party's best friends in the San Francisco Bay Area. While serving as San Francisco District Attorney, Kamala Harris mentored a young San Francisco Radical Maoist activist, Lateefah Simon, who was a member of the STORM Revolutionary Movement; Simon currently chairs the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board. Simon has always been close friends with the founder of Black Lives Matter Marxist Domestic Terrorists, Alicia Garza, as well as STORM member and avowed Communist, Van Jones. Harris has been openly and aggressively supporting Black Lives Matter Marxists; Kamala Harris is still closely associated with Maoist Lateefah Simon and Marxist Alicia Garza.

 Kamala Harris's sister Maya Harris was a student activist at Stanford University. She was a closely associated with Steve Phillips, one of the leading Marxist-Leninists on campus and a long-time affiliate with the League of Revolutionary Struggle, a pro-Chinese Communist group. Phillips came out of the Left, and in college he studied Marx, Mao, and Lenin, and maintained close associations with fellow Communists. Phillips married into the multi billion dollar Sandler family of the Golden West Savings and Loan Fortune. He funded many leftist political campaigns, and the voter registration drives in the Southern and South Western states in order to help his friend, Barack Hussein Obama, defeat Hillary Clinton.

Phillips has been a major financial sponsor for Kamala Harris's political campaigns for various California elective offices. Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff works for the law firm DLA Piper, which "boasts nearly 30 years of experience in Communist China with over 140 lawyers dedicated to its 'Communist China investment Services' branch. He was just appointed to Professor at Yale to school future lawyers in the fine points of Communism. When she was elected to the US Senate,Kamala Harris appointed a Pro-Communist Senate Chief of Staff, Karine Jean-Pierre. Jean-Pierre was active with the New York-based Haiti Support Network. The organization worked closely with the pro-Communist China/Communist North Korea Workers World Party and supported Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the far-left Communist former president of Haiti and the radical Lavalas movement.

Fortunately for Harris, but potentially disastrous for the Republic, elected office holders are not subject to the security clearance process. If the FBI did a Background Investigation on Kamala Harris, she never would have passed, because of her 40-year close ties with Marxists, Communists, Maoists, and Communist China. Harris would never have been approved for acceptance to any of the 5 Military Service Academies, been appointed to a U.S. Government Sub-Cabinet position, or would have been approved to fill a sensitive position for a high security defense contractor. Yet, since Joe Biden was elected, Harris could be a heartbeat away from being President. The U.S. constitutional Republic is being threatened by the People's Republic of Communist China (PPC) externally, and by their very active espionage operations within the United States. The People's Republic of Communist China (PPC), with 1.4 billion people, is governed by the 90 million member Chinese Communist Party (CCP), that has been working with Russia to destroy the U.S. Constitutional Republic for over 70 years.

 If the American voters read the background information (in Trevor Loudon's article) on Kamala Harris, they would never support her election as Vice President of the United States. Joe Biden is suffering from the early onset of dementia and will continue to decline in cerebral awareness; he will never be able to fill out a four-year term of office. Since Biden was elected, the Socialists, Marxists, and Communist who control Kamala Harris, are planning to enact provisions of the 25th Amendment, in order to remove Joe Biden from office, so Harris can become the first Communist President of the United States. Since Biden was elected, because Biden would not be up to it,

Kamala Harris would lead the effort to appoint very dangerous anti-American Leftist, Communist, Socialists, and Marxists to fill highly sensitive positions in the Washington Deep State Bureaucracy. She would fill all appointive positions in the US Intelligence Agencies, in the Department of Homeland Security, in the Department of Defense, in The Justice Department, the Department of State, the FBI, the CIA, most cabinet positions, the National Security Council, and in the White House Staff. American voters must alert their fellow Americans that Kamala Harris is a very serious National Security threat to the very survival of the US Constitutional Republic; she has been a fellow traveler of Marxists, Communists, Maoists, Socialists, Progressives, and Chinese Communists for over 35 years.

President Trump had much more background information on Kamala Harris than we presented here, and he was correct, when he accused Kamala Harris of being a Communist subverter.

Geoffrey B. Higginbotham Major General, USMC (Ret).

Ernest Rauthschild's Response

Further, Geoffrey B. Higginbotham is standing in front of the foreign corporate British Territorial United States and Vatican Municipal United States BANNER; and not our Autochthonous Preamble Posterity General Government Flag enacted by the General Congress Assembled July 14th, 1777.

None of the "presidents of the United States" in my lifetime have been elected either in accord with Art. 2, Section 1 or Amendment 12 of the United States Constitution. There is no Constitutional provision that allows the Winners of the partisan conventions, who somehow become a candidate the Electoral College Select from, to choose or pick the candidate for Vice' President.

Since Congress has never declared war during Higginbotham tenure and lifetime, his resume is merely that of a foreign corporate Indentured 13th and 14th Amendment White Negro Slave in a foreign corporate Mercenary uniform.

[mariacallous]

VSquare SPICY SCOOPS

BUDAPEST–BEIJING SECURITY PACT COVERTLY INCLUDES CHINESE SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY

Fresh details regarding Xi Jinping’s May visit to Budapest have begun to surface. As it was widely reported, a new security pact between Hungary and the People's Republic of China (PRC) allows for Chinese law enforcement officers to conduct patrols within Hungary—which is to say, within a European Union member state. Chinese dissidents living in the EU fear that the PRC may abuse this agreement: Chinese policemen “can even go to European countries to perform secret missions and arbitrarily arrest dissidents,” as I reported in a previous Goulash newsletter. However, there's an additional as yet undisclosed aspect of this security arrangement. According to reliable sources familiar with recent Chinese-Hungarian negotiations, a provision permits the PRC to deploy surveillance cameras equipped with advanced AI capabilities, such as facial recognition software, on Hungarian territory.  The Orbán government already maintains a significant surveillance infrastructure, including CCTV systems, and there are indications that, besides the Pegasus spyware, they may have acquired Israeli-developed facial recognition technology as well. Nevertheless, allowing the PRC to establish their own surveillance apparatus within Hungary raises distinct concerns. Even if purportedly intended to monitor Chinese investments, institutions, and personnel, the potential involvement of Chinese technology firms, some of which have ties to the People’s Liberation Army or Chinese intelligence and are subject to Western sanctions, could complicate Hungary's relations with its NATO allies. The Hungarian government, when approached for comment, redirected inquiries to the Hungarian police, who claimed that Chinese policemen won’t be authorized to investigate or take any kind of action on their own. My questions on surveillance cameras and AI technology remained unanswered.   

CHINA FURTHER SPLITS THE VISEGRÁD GROUP

One of the factors enabling Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's maneuvers is the deep-seated divisions among its official allies, particularly evident within the Visegrád Group, regarding China. While Slovakia largely aligns with Hungary’s amicable stance towards both China and Russia, Poland adopts a more nuanced position, vehemently opposing the Kremlin while maintaining a softer approach towards China, as previously discussed in this newsletter. Conversely, the Czech Republic takes a hawkish stance towards both China and Russia. During a recent off-the-record discussion with journalists in Prague, a senior Czech official specializing in foreign policy candidly expressed skepticism about the efficacy of the V4 platform. “At this moment, it’s not possible to have a V4 common stance on China. I thought we already learned our lesson with the pandemic and how our supply chains [too dependent on China] were disrupted,” the Czech official said, adding that “I don’t know what needs to happen” for countries to realize the dangers of relying too heavily on China. The Czech official said Xi Jinping’s recent diplomatic visits to Paris, Belgrade, and Budapest was proof China is using the "divide and conquer" tactic. The Czech official felt that it isn’t only Hungary and Slovakia that are neglecting national security risks associated with Beijing, noting that “France doesn’t want to discuss China in NATO,” underscoring a broader reluctance among European nations to confront the challenges posed by China's growing influence.  

CZECHS REMAIN STEADFAST IN SUPPORT OF TAIWAN, OTHERS MAY JOIN THEIR RANKS

In discussions with government officials and China experts both in Prague and Taipei, the Czech Republic and Lithuania emerged as the sole countries openly supportive of Taiwan. This is partly attributed to the currently limited presence of Chinese investments and trade in these nations, affording them the freedom to adopt a more assertive stance. Tomáš Kopečný, the Czech government’s envoy for the reconstruction of Ukraine, emphasized in a conversation with journalists in Prague that regardless of which parties are in power, the Czech Republic’s policy toward China and Taiwan is unlikely to waver. When queried about the stance of the Czech opposition, Kopečný replied, “You could not have heard much anti-Taiwanese stance. Courting [China] was done by the Social Democrats, but not by the [strongest opposition party] ANO party. I don’t see a major player in Czech politics having pro-Chinese policies. It’s not a major domestic political issue.” This suggests that even in the event of an Andrej Babis-led coalition, a shift in allegiance is improbable. In Taipei, both a Western security expert and a senior legislator from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) asserted that numerous Western countries covertly provide support to Taiwan to avoid antagonizing China. The DPP legislator hinted that the training of a Taiwanese air force officer at the NATO Defence College in Rome is “just the tip of the iceberg.” The legislator quickly added with a smile, “the media reported it already, so I can say that.” Delving deeper, the Western expert disclosed that since Russia's aggression in Ukraine, there has been increased communication between Taiwan and EU countries, particularly those closely monitoring Russia, including on military matters. “There is a lot going on behind the scenes,” the expert noted, with the caveat that certain specifics remain confidential. When asked which Western countries might follow the lead of the Czechs and Lithuanians in openly supporting Taiwan, the expert suggested that most Central and Eastern European nations might be open to such alliances.

MCCONNELL’S CRITICISM OF ORBÁN PRECEDED BY KEY AIDE’S VISIT

In a significant setback to the Orbán government’s lobbying efforts aimed at US Republicans, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell condemned Orbán's government for its close ties with China, Russia, and Iran during a recent Senate floor speech (watch it here or read it here). “Orban’s government has cultivated the PRC as its top trading partner outside the EU. It’s given Beijing sweeping law enforcement authorities to hunt dissidents on Hungarian soil. It was the first European country to join Beijing’s Belt-and-Road Initiative, which other European governments – like Prime Minister Meloni’s in Italy – have wisely decided to leave,” McConnell stated. This speech appeared to come out of the blue, as there had been no prior indications of McConnell’s interest in Hungary. However, in reality, McConnell’s key aide on national security, Robert Karem, made an official trip to Budapest last October and held multiple meetings, according to a source familiar with the visit. Before working for McConnell, Karem served as an advisor to former Vice President Dick Cheney and as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs under the Trump administration. Multiple sources closely following US-Hungarian relations suggest that McConnell’s outspoken criticism of Orbán, despite the Hungarian Prime Minister’s recent visit to Donald Trump in Florida, is the clearest indication yet that Orbán may have crossed a red line by courting nearly all of the main adversaries of the US.  

RUSSIAN PRESENCE FOR PAKS TO EXCEED 1,000 IN HUNGARY BY 2025

Russia’s nuclear industry is not yet under EU sanctions, and as a result, Rosatom’s Hungarian nuclear power plant project, Paks II, is still moving forward. While construction of the plant faces numerous regulatory hurdles, significant Russian involvement is anticipated in the city of Paks. A source directly engaged in the project revealed that the current contingent of Rosatom personnel and other Russian "experts" working on Paks II is projected to double or even triple in the coming year. "Presently, approximately 400 Russians are engaged in the Paks project, with expectations for this figure to surpass 1,000 by 2025," the source disclosed. This disclosure is particularly noteworthy given the lack of precise public data on the exact number of Russians in Paks. Previous estimates, reportedly from the security apparatus of a certain Central European country, suggested a figure around 700 – a number that appears somewhat inflated to me. However, it is anticipated to escalate rapidly. Notably, the staunchly anti-immigration Orbán government recently granted exemptions for "migrant workers" involved in both the Russian Paks II and the Chinese Belt and Road projects, such as the Budapest-Belgrade railway reconstruction, allowing them to obtain 5-year residency permits more easily. Central European security experts I’ve asked view the anticipated influx of Russian – and Chinese – workers into Hungary as a security concern for the entire region. Specifically, there are fears that Russia might deploy numerous new undercover intelligence operatives to the Paks II project, who could subsequently traverse other Schengen zone countries with ease. These concerns are not unfounded, as Russia has a history of leveraging state-owned enterprises like Rosatom to cloak its intelligence activities, according to Péter Buda, a former senior Hungarian counterintelligence officer. We reached out for comment, but the Hungarian government has yet to respond to inquiries regarding this matter. (For further insights into the Orbán government's involvement in the Rosatom project, read "How Orbán saved Russia’s Hungarian nuclear power plant project" by my esteemed Direkt36 colleagues.)

[rjzimmerman]

U.S. solar companies, imperiled by price collapse, demand protection. (Washington Post)

Several of the largest American solar manufacturing companies are demanding aggressive action against cheap imports, arguing in a petition filed Wednesday with the Commerce Department that firms in four Asian countries are illegally flooding the U.S. market with Chinese-subsidized panels.

Though the panels are not produced in China, the petitioners allege many are made in factories linked to China-based companies that benefit from massive price supports.

The complaint comes amid a glut of solar panels on the global market that has driven prices down by 50 percent over the past year, with the International Energy Agency projecting prices will fall even further. Manufacturers are currently making two solar panels for every one that is getting installed, according to the IEA. The oversupply is imperiling a boom in U.S. manufacturing driven by President Biden’s signature climate bill, the Inflation Reduction Act.

“We are seeking to enforce the rules, remedy the injury to our domestic solar industry and signal that the U.S. will not be a dumping ground for foreign solar products,” said Tim Brightbill, an attorney for the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, the group of U.S. firms that filed the petition. The group includes such industry giants as Ohio-based First Solar and Qcells, which has used Inflation Reduction Act subsidies to invest in huge new manufacturing facilities in Georgia.

In an email to The Washington Post, Chinese Embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu said his country’s “leading edge in new energy is gained through strong performance and full-on market competition, not government subsidies.”

“China has been and will always be open to industrial cooperation,” the statement said. “We hope relevant countries will embrace fair competition and work with China to contribute to a world-class, market-oriented and law-based environment for trade and economic cooperation.”

But the petition is also renewing tensions in the American solar industry, as installers of panels and developers of large solar farms warn that placing restrictions on imports could hurt consumers and raise prices. If the petitioners succeed, companies that buy solar panels from businesses in any of the four nations cited could be subject to steep penalties, which federal trade officials could enforce retroactively.

The industry only recently emerged from a bruising battle over the enforcement of trade laws, after the administration found Chinese companies were illegally sidestepping them by producing panels in China but then finishing assembly in other countries to avoid tariffs.

[sharrell22]

CH. 1 YOUR TURN FIELDWORK

2. On April 1, 1985, the first Air Jordan sneaker was made for basketball legend and Hall of Famer Michael Jordan while he was playing for the Chicago Bulls in late 1984. Tinker Hatfield, Bruce Kilgore, and Peter Moore created the sneakers for Nike. As part of his contract, Falk was required to launch his own shoe brand and adhere to a one-new-shoe-per-year release schedule. Falk believed the name "Air Jordan" would be appropriate for the line because Jordan spent a lot of playing time in the air, scoring thrilling dunks, and Nike had just released its new "air sole" technology.

3. The American company Nike, Inc. manufactures the Air Jordan brand of basketball shoes and sportswear. Air Jordans are made by the multinational American firm known as Nike the giant Swoosh. Since 1985, they have been manufacturing Jordan and have amassed a full-fledged Jordan empire. Consequently, the conclusion is that they are manufactured in China.

4. Since I was young, Air Jordan sneakers have had a significant influence on my life. Growing up, I always had a pair of Jordans, but it wasn't until sixth grade that I truly discovered my passion for them. I've been buying and collecting shoes ever since. They are a terrific investment for those who maintain their shoes spotless or hardly ever wear them because they hold a lot of value. Shoes are becoming more and more valuable every day. Therefore, spending a lot of money on shoes is not a waste because they will be worth ten times as much as I paid for them in a few months to a year. Additionally, everyone needs shoes, and they are quite trendy.

5. Direct Chinese labor is used in the production of Air Jordans. They are all quite young, ranging in age from 18 to 25, and many of them have only recently started working at the firm. Both Chinese labor law and the Nike Code of Conduct are broken by the workers' 11-hour workdays. All must put in additional overtime hours on top of this demanding schedule. Forcibly living in slums close to open sewers while being paid $1.25 per day, the laborers shared bathrooms and showers with other families.

Sources: https://www.aiobot.com/where-are-jordans-made/ , https://www.lofficielusa.com/men/michael-jordan-air-jordan-sneaker-history-nike , https://www.newidea.com.au/nike-sweatshops-the-truth-about-the-nike-factory-scandal , https://www.corpwatch.org/article/working-conditions-sports-shoe-factories-china

[chinalawyerxu]

 How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer in China?

Hiring a lawyer in China can be a valuable investment for foreign businesses and individuals navigating the complexities of the Chinese legal system. The costs associated with hiring legal representation can vary significantly based on numerous factors, including the nature of the legal services required, the lawyer's experience and expertise, the firm's reputation, and the geographical location of the practice. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the costs associated with hiring a lawyer in China, tailored to help foreign clients make informed decisions.

 1. Understanding the Legal Fee Structure in China

In China, lawyers typically charge fees based on one of three main structures:

 1.1. Hourly Rates

Many lawyers in China charge clients based on hourly rates. This approach is common for legal services that require ongoing consultation or those that involve complex issues needing significant time and expertise. Hourly rates can vary widely depending on the lawyer’s experience, the complexity of the case, and the region in which the lawyer operates.

Average Rates: In major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, hourly rates may range from RMB 1,000 to RMB 5,000 (approximately USD 150 to USD 750), while in smaller cities, rates could be lower, ranging from RMB 500 to RMB 2,000 (approximately USD 75 to USD 300).

 1.2. Flat Fees

For certain legal services, particularly those that are straightforward or can be routinely performed, lawyers often charge a flat fee. This fee structure is common for services such as drafting contracts, trademark registrations, or routine legal consultations.

Common Examples:

  Drafting a standard business contract may cost between RMB 3,000 and RMB 10,000 (USD 450 to USD 1,500).

  Trademark registration may cost from RMB 1,000 to RMB 5,000 (USD 150 to USD 750).

 1.3. Contingency Fees

Although less common in China compared to Western countries, some lawyers may operate on a contingency fee basis, especially for personal injury cases or disputes where the lawyer’s payment is contingent upon winning the case. The fee is typically a percentage of the recovered amount.

Typical Arrangement: Contingency fees can range from 20% to 40% of the awarded amount, depending on the complexity of the case and the agreement between the lawyer and the client.

 2. Factors Affecting Legal Costs

Various elements can influence the total cost of hiring a lawyer in China:

 2.1. Type of Legal Service Required

The nature of the legal issue significantly affects costs. Specialized fields such as intellectual property law, corporate law, or international trade law often demand higher fees due to the expertise required.

Corporate Legal Services: Companies planning to enter the Chinese market may require services related to business formation, compliance, and contracts, which can lead to significant legal fees due to the complexity of Chinese regulations.

 2.2. Lawyer’s Experience and Reputation

The experience and reputation of the attorney or law firm can also affect pricing. Established firms with a proven track record or specialized expertise in a specific legal area may charge higher fees.

Premium Services: Reputable international law firms in China often have experience dealing with foreign clients and high-stakes cases, with fees reflecting their prestige and the quality of service provided.

 2.3. Location

Legal fees also vary by geographical location. Legal services in tier-one cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen) are typically more expensive than those in smaller cities or rural areas.

Cost Disparities: A firm in Beijing might charge significantly more for legal services than a similar firm in a third-tier city, reflecting local economic conditions and the cost of living.

 3. Additional Costs

When budgeting for legal services in China, it's crucial to consider potential additional costs that may arise during the legal process.

 3.1. Administrative Fees and Disbursements

In addition to the lawyer’s fees, clients may incur administrative costs related to filing documents, court fees, or other expenses incurred in the course of representation.

Typical Examples: Court filing fees in civil cases can range from RMB 100 to RMB 1,000 (USD 15 to USD 150), depending on the case type and the amount in dispute.

 3.2. Translation and Notarization

For foreign clients, translation and notarization services may also be necessary, particularly when dealing with legal documents. Both services can add to the overall cost.

Estimated Costs: Professional translation services can range from RMB 200 to RMB 800 (USD 30 to USD 120) per page, while notarization can cost between RMB 300 and RMB 1,000 (USD 45 to USD 150).

 4. Payment Terms and Agreements

Before hiring a lawyer, it’s essential to discuss and clarify payment terms. Written agreements detailing fee structures, expected services, and payment schedules can help avoid misunderstandings later.

 4.1. Retainer Agreements

Some lawyers may ask for a retainer fee, which is an upfront cost that secures the lawyer’s services and is often applied toward future billable hours.

 4.2. Invoice Processes

Law firms typically bill clients monthly or upon completion of specific tasks. It is advisable to review and question any charges on an invoice to ensure transparency.

 5. Conclusion

Hiring a lawyer in China can range from relatively affordable to prohibitively expensive, depending on the complexities involved and the services required. For foreign businesses and individuals, understanding the cost structure, considering the factors influencing pricing, and anticipating additional expenses are critical steps toward making informed legal decisions. By obtaining multiple quotes and thoroughly discussing fees and agreements upfront, clients can ensure they receive the best possible legal representation suited to their needs.

In a rapidly changing legal environment, investing in quality legal services can provide peace of mind and help safeguard interests in China’s dynamic marketplace. As such, it is essential to approach the hiring process with due diligence to ensure that the chosen legal counsel aligns with both financial and strategic objectives in the Chinese context.

[internationalmaritimelawyers]

Arbitration Law Firms In China– What To Consider Today

Actually, arbitration and shipping law are important parts of the overall legal system in China because this country is one of the leading trading economies in the world. Chinese arbitration law guarding firms and shipping specialized law firms assume a central role in global commerce, protection of interest and proper disposition of disputes within the international maritime trade. ​ China has undergone a massive reform in the arbitration sector, as major arbitration bodies gained international acceptance. The Arbitration Law Firms in China provide legal services in clauses as well as arbitration agreement, appearing for the parties and enforcement of domestic and international awards.

These firms are also capable of dealing with multiple and large and cross border commercial disputes that cut across the different fields such as trade and investment, construction, and intellectual property. They practice law in China and understand all Chinese laws pertaining to arbitration and at the same time, they understand different international arbitration systems, thus, can competently handle cases involving multinational firms.

Equally significant as Shipping Law Firms in China are because the country handles significant world standard ports and operates a dynamic shipping line. These firms provide focused legal advice concerning issues regarding maritime contracts, ship registration, cargo loss and other issues related to IMMs. They also help extend to their client in negotiating and providing legal advice pertinent to contentious matters such as charter partied, Ship collusions as well as insurance policy claims.

The opportunity to work with a firm that specializes in Shipping Law Firms in China is therefore very useful for businesses dealing with international commerce. These firms combine their technological and manufacturing experience to create adaptive systems that eliminate pitfalls, meet legal requirements, and safeguard businesses’ profit margins. ​ Working with Arbitration Law Firms in China and Shipping Law Firms in China can become the crucial advantage for appearing successful on the international market, avoiding potential challenges, and preserving the continuity of successfully developing operations.

[infohub-24]

Foreign businesses facing mounting Chinese market problem

For much of the past two decades, China has been a central destination for business and foreign investment — mainly due to its sheer size as a market but also because of its prolific manufacturing base and bulging middle class. However, the climate for foreign companies in China has been steadily worsening in recent years. Foreign companies have faced an increasingly challenging environment as rising geopolitical tensions, tightening regulations, and a shifting competitive landscape present fresh hurdles. With an increasingly demanding market, and the political, economic, and legal roller coasters that Beijing often presents to foreigners in China; you may be left wondering how your firm can compete in a market that is becoming more difficult to navigate every day.

Regulatory Headwinds and National Security Concerns

Russia and China operate in very different environments, but one of the few things they have in common is that foreign firms have a tough time getting and staying there—and as Beijing quashes more industries, it gets even harder. Recent Chinese laws and regulations that appeared to target national security, data protection, and indigenous industrial Read more...

[cksmart-world]

SMART BOMB

The Completely Unnecessary News Analysis

By Christopher Smart

January 21, 2025

LDS TITHING FRAUD CASE — LET THE LORD DECIDE

Well, this could be difficult. Attorneys for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints argued in federal court that allegations of fraud involving billions of dollars in tithing collected over two decades cannot be decided in a secular court. That's right Wilson, it means sending it up to a higher power: Let the Lord decide. Which, if you think about it, is a pretty good defense — if it works. Tithing is a sacred obligation, the Mormon attorneys argued, and as such is off limits under the protections of the First Amendment. It amounts to an intrusion of religious thought. No Wilson, church founder Joseph Smith's Urim and Thummim did not foresee this. Nine plaintiffs are suing the church claiming that Ensign Peak Advisors, the church's investment arm, amassed $100 billion from investing tithing, while not spending any of it on charity or religious efforts. Meanwhile, they say the church spent $1.4 billion on the City Creek Center mall in Salt Lake City. This could get a little tricky for God's real estate angels: is money made by investing tithing the same as tithing — or not. The $100 billion investment portfolio came to light in 2019 by an IRS whistleblower. By hiding the largesse, plaintiffs say church leaders defrauded the faithful so they would not stop donating. But as an apostle once said, ignorance is bliss.

TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK... IS TIME RUNNING OUT FOR TIKTOK?

It's off. It's back on. Trump says he'll save it. We'll see. Four years ago, Trump wanted it banned. Now he loves it. Funny how money can change minds. Some 170 million Americans use the app owned by Chinese company ByteDance. Worldwide that number is in excess of 2 billion. TikTok, a video-hosting service, is a whole world unto itself. It connects creators and influences with new audiences and pushes trends in food, fashion and music and just about everything. It also spreads hate speech, far right extremism, antisemitism islamophobia, racism and xenophobia. It added $2 billion to the U.S. economy last year. Originally designed to sell Chinese goods to people all over the world, it has morphed into the globe's most popular website. In 2022, Mark Zuckerberg and his Meta platforms hired a high-powered lobby firm to create strategies and campaigns portraying TikTok as “a danger to American children and society.” It worked and in 2024 Congress passed a law banning the app unless it was sold from Chinese interests. The Supreme Court upheld the law ruling it did not violate TikTok's First Amendment rights. Yes, and money is speech and corporations are people. So now let's see if it's possible to close Pandora's Box.

THIS TIME AMERICA REALLY IS GOING TO BE GREAT AGAIN

This is going to be so much fun. The 47th President of the United States issued something like 100 executive orders on his first day back in the White House. It was planned to overwhelm regulators, Congress, the news media and everyone else. Gone are the days when Republicans, like Utah Sen. Mike Lee, complained that the executive branch had too much power. Here's part of the to-do list: deport everyone with brown skin; end birthright citizenship to keep them brown people from spawning Americans; close the border to avocado trucks, pardon all those Jan. 6 patriots; end the war in Ukraine, maybe now, maybe later; make Canada the 51st state; put tariffs on everything from China, including Hot Wheels; drill baby drill, lower the price of eggs, keep transgender women out of sports; make polluting great again; cut funding to “woke” schools; cut funding to everything else “woke”; make DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs a felony; ban travel to Gaza, Yemen and California; outlaw teaching of critical race theory (CRT) in middle schools; extend tax cuts for billionaires; replace Obamacare with Trumpcare; weaponize the Justice Department to prosecute any and all Trump naysayers. Well, it's a start, anyway. Nobody said making America great again for certain groups was going to be easy.

Post script — That's a wrap for another historic week here at Smart Bomb where we keep track of the Village People so you don't have to. Hey Wilson, remember the Village People?They were a late-70s disco group who dressed up as various macho gay-fantasy characters — an Indian chief, a cop, a construction worker, a cowboy. Their name comes from Greenwich Village in Manhattan that had a reputation as a gayborhood. Donald Trump adopted one of the Village People's hits, Y.M.C.A. as a theme for is campaign, although it was known as a gay anthem. The band in 2020 asked him not to use the song after he threatened to shoot Black Lives Matter protestors. They later reversed their decision. The Village People are having another moment and performed at some of Trump's inauguration festivities. The only original member of the band, 73-year-old Victor Willis, said Trump really likes Y.M.C.A. "We know this [won't] make some of you happy to hear, however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics. Our song Y.M.C.A. is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost." Trump took the stage with the band at a rally on the eve of his inauguration and danced as they sang their 1978 hit. You can't unsee it.

Well Wilson, you and the band can guess what's coming next. Tell the guys to dress the part and take us out with a rousing rendition of Y.M.C.A.:

Young man, there's no need to feel down. I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground. I said, young man, 'cause you're in a new town There's no need to be unhappy. Young man, there's a place you can go. I said, young man, when you're short on your dough. You can stay there, and I'm sure you will find Many ways to have a good time. It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A. It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A. They have everything for young men to enjoy, You can hang out with all the boys... It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A. It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A. You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal, You can do whatever you feel... Young man, are you listening to me? I said, young man, what do you wanna be? I said, young man, you can make real your dreams. But you got to know this one thing! No man does it all by himself. I said, young man, put your pride on the shelf, And just go there, to the Y.M.C.A. I'm sure they can help you today. It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A. It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.

(Y.M.C.A. — Village People)

[lizseyi]

India-Gibraltar Finance Ties Strengthen: Opportunities for Growth - Acquarius

Discover Gibraltar’s expanding financial ties with India, offering key opportunities and a gateway for Indian businesses into Europe and the UK.

Gibraltar’s financial services sector is critically important to the jurisdiction’s overall success with its contribution accounting for some 20% of annual GDP. It should come as no surprise that local firms look overseas for new opportunities as the sector could not have grown purely based on Gibraltar-sourced business.

‍Firms, including Acquarius, benefit from local connections that bring in overseas work. However, the sector must increasingly take the initiative by seeking new, sustainable business opportunities abroad. Acquarius’ peers include those focused on markets like Israel and Morocco, where they have made substantial progress. Most, however, are likely to prioritise the UK where part of the business sourced may involve UK-based individuals and companies, but by no means all of it. Intermediaries, especially in the City, attract clients globally, many of whom are directed to Gibraltar or (say this quietly) to competing jurisdictions such as the Crown Dependencies.

‍Wouldn’t it be ideal if there were a country to which Gibraltar could relate because of its history and where entrepreneurs could expand into the UK, Europe and beyond using Gibraltar-based company or trust structures? 

‍Clearly, India meets these criteria at all levels. According to the United Nations, in April 2023 she became the world’s most populous country, overtaking China. At 1.45bn today, India’s population grows by close to 1% annually. That equates to around 14m extra people every year – or more than the entire population of Belgium!

‍Aside from enormous human resources, India’s non-aligned approach allows her to trade freely with almost every country worldwide. Today, Indian-owned businesses investing in Britain include Tata’s Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Hamley’s, owned by India’s largest retail group Reliance. And there are countless more examples. 

What a prize then for Gibraltar-based firms. I have written in the past about the benefits of establishing holding or headquarters companies in Gibraltar that themselves own subsidiaries elsewhere, including the UK. Tie that in with an attractive residency scheme in Gibraltar (under either the “Category 2” or HEPSS regime) and one can see how attractive Gibraltar might be for India businessmen considering market entry into Europe, and elsewhere and one should not ignore Gibraltar’s well-deserved reputation as a safe environment in which to live. 

‍Moreover, Gibraltar boasts some 600 residents of Indian Hindu heritage, predominantly Sindhi, many of whom are prominent public figures. The community includes several in senior positions across the financial services sector. 

‍The building blocks are thus very much in place. This is particularly important at a time when business from the UK is somewhat more challenging given proposed changes to the non-UK domiciled regime, among other areas of concern. 

‍Thus, it was most timely that the Indian High Commission in London recently hosted a seminar at their iconic Aldwych location as part of Gibraltar Finance’s hugely successful #GIBLDN24. The venue is magnificent.  But it was the content that impressed me. There is real momentum and a deep-seated desire to facilitate business between the two countries. 

‍One of the guests at the event, Hilesh Chavda, Private Client partner at international law firm Spencer West LLP, was delighted to have attended the event. “The seminar was my first visit to the High Commission” he said enthusiastically, explaining that: “Indian clients are the fastest growing with huge potential”.  

‍The event was well supported by the Gibraltar Government including the Chief Minister the Hon Fabian Picardo KC and the Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry the Hon Nigel Feetham KC. Minister Feetham commented “I was deeply impressed by India House event, and His Excellency, the High Commissioner, stood out not only for his vast knowledge but also for his warm hospitality and engaging demeanour. I am confident that we can build on this momentum to further strengthen and expand our trading relationship with India in the financial services and gaming sectors under my Ministerial responsibility.”

‍Aside from other advantages, the Gibraltar Authorisation Regime (GAR) – an agreement unique among Britain’s Overseas Territories – provides reciprocal market access for UK and Gibraltar financial services firms. Regulated in Gibraltar, electronic money institution Ribbon is a case in point.  Ashesh Jani, Co-founder & CEO, shares, "Our experience of setting up a licensed Electronic Money Institution in Gibraltar has been immensely rewarding. It has significantly reduced our time to market, enabling a faster launch. We encourage other Indian firms with global aspirations to #ThinkGibraltar, leveraging it as a gateway to access the UK market and capital. Stay tuned as we unveil GIB Connections, an exciting initiative to foster India-Gibraltar partnerships.”

‍A new world of business opportunities awaits, but we must put in significant effort to seize them. There are clear needs in India that Gibraltar firms can address with effective solutions. The joint initiative between the Indian High Commission and the Government of Gibraltar demonstrates strong top-level support. Let us build on this momentum and actively pursue business opportunities before others do.

[darkmaga-returns]

1. Interview with Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO:

Josh Tyrangiel: What’s the threshold where you’re going to say, “OK, we’ve achieved AGI now”? Sam Altman: The very rough way I try to think about it is when an AI system can do what very skilled humans in important jobs can do—I’d call that AGI. There’s then a bunch of follow-on questions like, well, is it the full job or only part of it? Can it start as a computer program and decide it wants to become a doctor? Can it do what the best people in the field can do or the 98th percentile? How autonomous is it? I don’t have deep, precise answers there yet, but if you could hire an AI as a remote employee to be a great software engineer, I think a lot of people would say, “OK, that’s AGI-ish.” Now we’re going to move the goalposts, always, which is why this is hard, but I’ll stick with that as an answer. And then when I think about superintelligence, the key thing to me is, can this system rapidly increase the rate of scientific discovery that happens on planet Earth? (Source: bloomberg.com)

2. More from the interview:

Tyrangiel: What’s the most helpful thing the Trump administration can do for AI in 2025? Altman: US-built infrastructure and lots of it. The thing I really deeply agree with the president on is, it is wild how difficult it has become to build things in the United States. Power plants, data centers, any of that kind of stuff. I understand how bureaucratic cruft builds up, but it’s not helpful to the country in general. It’s particularly not helpful when you think about what needs to happen for the US to lead AI. And the US really needs to lead AI. (Source: bloomberg.com)

3. A two-hour conversation with an artificial intelligence (AI) model is all it takes to make an accurate replica of someones’ personality, researchers have discovered. In a new study published Nov. 15 to the preprint database arXiv, researchers from Google and Stanford University created "simulation agents" — essentially, AI replicas — of 1,052 individuals based on two-hour interviews with each participant. These interviews were used to train a generative AI model designed to mimic human behavior. To evaluate the accuracy of the AI replicas, each participant completed two rounds of personality tests, social surveys and logic games, and were asked to repeat the process two weeks later. When the AI replicas underwent the same tests, they matched the responses of their human counterparts with 85% accuracy. (Source: livescience.com, Pre-print is here.)

4. Chinese venture capitalists are hounding failed founders, pursuing personal assets and adding them to a national debtor blacklist when they fail to pay up, in moves that are throwing the country’s start-up funding ecosystem into crisis. The hard-nosed tactics by risk capital providers have been facilitated by clauses known as redemption rights, included in nearly all the financing deals struck during China’s boom times. “My investors verbally promised they wouldn’t enforce them, that they had never enforced them before — and in ’17 and ’18 that was true — no one was enforcing them,” said Neuroo Education founder Wang Ronghui, who now owes investors millions of dollars after her childcare chain stumbled during the pandemic. While they are relatively rare in US venture investing, Shanghai-based law firm Lifeng Partners estimates that more than 80 per cent of venture and private equity deals in China contain redemption provisions. (Source: ft.com)

[leam1983]

What I've always found awkward about this is that the whole concept of using Real Estate as an investment is a very Modern-Day Han Chinese idea, and it's rooted in parts of Chinese folklore that aren't inherently toxic. What is is that some unscrupulous investors realized that folklore and economics could undergo a weird shift in China's specific case - and the rest of the world's Real Estate scene more or less caught the bug.

I'll explain: in China, it's considered bad luck for a Real Estate promoter to sell a fully-furnished lot, or a lot that's so much as ready to decorate. It's commonplace for only "demo" flats to be fully finished and for the rest of a complex's units to be left as bare concrete and exposed wires - because the purchaser will want to finish it themselves. Folklore demands that you "finish off" your new house, essentially, so only your energies influence its final form.

Consequently, it isn't unusual for architectural firms in China to erect what effectively looks like gigantic chicken coops, as you're looking at the concrete bones of an unfinished apartment complex that's waiting to be wholly purchased. Immigrants move to Canada, they realize that our Real Estate market, pre-pandemic, was extremely favorable, and so they opt to try and do as close to this as possible, within the limits of Canada's own laws regarding new residential developments. What they can do amounts to buying entire towers and sitting on them as an investment.

That gets you something that's now common well outside of the Han Chinese diaspora, which is someone swiping entire projects off the map and nodding their heads no once the city's administration steps in, demanding lot access for a few Public Housing programs.

The responses are usually infuriating. "Nope, I'm holding onto these units for my family" is a common one, when a little digging makes it obvious that nobody who's close to the promoter has any intention of emigrating to Canada. The groups that started it can at least claim a focus on folklore or good luck or what have you, but the more recent ones are entirely and knowingly treating entire blocks like crypto wallets.

The message is pretty clear: "Fuck your housing crisis, I'm holding out for the whales that're going to give me six million a pop for these units in three to four years."

Under the new rules, homes that are not occupied for at least six months of the year are subject to a tax of one per cent of the property’s assessed value. The deadline to rent out empty dwellings was July 1.

Fazli said many of the people he has talked to are thinking of renting or selling their properties. He recently met with a woman who owns three empty properties in Vancouver — and says one of them is now listed for rent, another will be listed shortly and she is thinking of selling the third.

“This is a scenario of someone who is kind of in a panic now and needs to rent them out,” he said. […]

amazing