November 2, 2009
ANNOUNCEMENT: Publication of China Labor and Employment Law Resource
Ron Brown, friend of this blog, has authored UNDERSTANDING LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW IN CHINA, published by Cambridge U.P.
Continued economic prosperity in China and its international competitive advantage have been due in large part to the labor of workers in China, who for many years toiled in under-regulated workplaces. Now, there are new labor law reforms raising the rights and standards of workers throughout China. These new laws have been praised for their progressive measures and at the same time blamed for placing too many economic burdens on companies, especially those operating on the margins and those that have caused business failures. This, combined with the recent global downturn and the millions of displaced and unemployed Chinese migrant laborers, has created ongoing debate about the new labor laws.
Meanwhile the Chinese Union has organized Wal-Mart and many of the Global Fortune 500 companies and a form of collective bargaining is occurring. Workers are pursuing their legal labor rights in increasing numbers.
This book provides a clear overview of the current labor and employment law environment in China and its legal requirements, as well as current practices under these laws used to deal with growing labor issues. Never has there been a time when understanding China s labor and employment laws is more important.
Our thanks to Ron for sharing an announcement of this new book with us!
October 16, 2009
Apologies for the Radio Silence
I've been busy preparing to open a second location for my law practice and have not written much. But let me give you something to read in the meantime:
After 11 years of trial, New Taiwan Dollar/RMB exchange, based in bank branches and open to the public, has expanded to the entire province of Fujian. Very doubtful that this is of much importance to any but the tourist, as, evidently, only smaller quantities of cash may be exchanged, Surely not benefiting Taiwanese manufacturers or investors. However, this appears to be a further indication of the generally positive interaction between government officials in Taipei and Beijing. Perhaps this will put a dent in the black-market operators who often hang out around local bank branches offering slightly better rates of exchange than the branches do themselves.
A Sina.com article here.
Posted by Richard at 7:52 PM | Comments (0)October 6, 2009
Can China Lead a Recovery? Right...
More pie-in-the-sky dreams about a consumer economy in China. Note this paragraph, buried in the article:
It remains unclear whether the Chinese have abandoned their traditional caution [to spend]. "Over the past decade or so, the growth of China's household consumption has been outpaced by fixed investment growth and exports, and consumption as a percentage of GDP is low and has been on the decline," said Morgan Stanley analysts Qing Wang and Steven Zhang in a report last month.
The topic is a long-standing Western fantasy about which I have written often over the past 10 years on this blog and will not spend any more time on.
Posted by Richard at 2:23 PM | Comments (0)September 22, 2009
EVENT: U.S.-China High Technology Working Group
On September 29, 2009, the U.S.-China High Technology Working Group, sponsored by NAM, MOFCOM and the Dept of Commerce, will hold a "Public-Private Sector Dialogue," described as follows:
The U.S.-China High Technology Working Group (HTWG) was established to facilitate high-technology exports to civilian end-users in China, in accordance with U.S. export control requirements. In furtherance of this effort, the Department of Commerceʼs Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and the Peopleʼs Republic of Chinaʼs Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) are pleased to announce that the 2009 HTWG meetings will include a public-private dialogue on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.
In this public-private HTWG event, participants will focus on identifying barriers to U.S.-China high technology trade, particularly in two of the largest categories of bilateral advanced technology trade: civil aviation-aerospace and information technology. This all-day event will provide ample opportunity for two-way dialogue. The principal goals of this dialogue are to offer an opportunity for U.S. and Chinese companies to interact with each other and with government officials directly on these issues, and to learn from individual U.S. and Chinese companies about the ways in which the two governments can further support high technology trade for civilian end-uses in China.
A number of interesting speakers. In light of the tire tariff decision, this meeting might prove worthwhile if only to witness the sparks that might be generated.
I attended something similar to this in the mid-1980s when China was first eagerly developing its approach to technology transfer. And the US was eagerly divesting itself of its design and manufacturing capabilities in a vast swath of technology products. How the world has changed...
Note the last sentence of the indented paragraphs: "...for civilian end-uses in China." Ah, yes, creating the consumer economy of China. When will they wake up? Better asked, will they? What of American technology manufacturing?
Register here.
Posted by Richard at 1:50 PM | Comments (0)September 10, 2009
Patent Attorney Position, Head of Patents, China
[Editor's Note: As a public service, Asiabizblog is pleased to post the folllowing opportunity.]
By way of introduction, I am a principal and founder of The PeterSan Group (www.petersan.com
The candidate will provide patent support for facilities and personnel in Shanghai, and provide further patent support as necessary for the remainder of Northeast Asia (NEA). At least eight years of experience directly interfacing with clients in the preparation and prosecution of patent applications; clearance assessments and related counseling; agreement work; due diligence; inter-parties dispute matters, e.g. oppositions, invalidity proceedings, reexaminations and litigation; patent strategy development and general client counseling. The candidate must be fluent in English and have significant corporate experience working for a multinational company. Full qualification to practice in the EPO or the US or a comparable jurisdiction will be required, along with a desire to live and work in Shanghai. A degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or the food or life sciences (biology, microbiology, biochemistry or comparable degree) is required. Excellent oral and written communication skills are needed. Works independently, thinks strategically, acts assertively when necessary, and handles ambiguity. The candidate will be expected to develop strong relationships with personnel throughout NEA, particularly with the scientists and R&D leadership in Shanghai.
The ideal candidate will be fluent in Chinese with work experience in Europe or the US for a multinational corporation. At least twelve years of directly relevant work experience would be highly desired, and international experience living outside the candidate's home country would be a plus. An advanced degree will be favored, and relevant consumer market segment experience would be helpful. Experience with the protection and registration of designs in multiple jurisdictions would also be helpful. Demonstrated leadership skills will also be considered favorably. Lastly, if the candidate is not currently registered to practice in China, then a willingness to become qualified in China would be desirable.
If you should know of anyone who you think might be interested in learning more about this opportunity, I urge you to contact me at your earliest convenience.
Thanks, in advance, for your time and efforts.
Sandy Friedman
Managing Director
The PeterSan Group
212/981-4500
sfriedman AT petersan.com
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