China Inc by BBW

China-built Battery Plant Hits the Skids in U.S., and Pet Site Boqii Bows from NYSE

Ford has put the brakes on a battery plant being built for it in the U.S. by China’s CATL. Is this the end of the road for Chinese EV investments in the U.S.? And pet community operator Boqii is leaving the NYSE after a “ruff” three years. Are more Chinese companies likely to follow Boqii’s lead?

Another foreign worker barred from leaving China, and a data security reversal

China has barred a top executive from U.S. risk control firm Kroll from leaving the country. Will this send more chills through foreign companies in China? And after implementing a strict new law on cross-border data transfers, China rolls out a new draft rule rolling back some of the toughest requirements. Will that be enough to ease concerns of jittery foreign companies?

Dida Makes New IPO Bid, and Moutai Chases the Young Crowd

Ride sharing company Dida has filed a fourth time for a Hong Kong IPO. Will this Chinese Uber knock-off finally win over skeptical investors? And after trying its hand as a flavoring for milk and then coffee, traditional spirits maker Moutai is in yet another new tie-up with U.S. chocolate maker Dove. But will the young people who enjoy coffee and chocolate really want a shot of hard liquor in their favorite treats?

The EU investigates Chinese EVs, and foreign investors flee China

The European Union has launched an anti dumping probe into Chinese EVs, saying they may benefit from unfair government support. Will this kill a recent boom in China’s EV exports? And foreign stock buyers and businesses are heading for the China exit door in droves. What will that mean for Chinese stocks and foreign direct investment?

Baidu launches its ERNIE chatbot, and Baozun in a major new foreign tie-up

Baidu has officially made its ERNIE chatbot available to the public, a half year after it first unveiled its answer to the ChatGPT sensation. But will ERNIE and other Chinese chatbots be ignored by local consumers due to China’s strict content controls? And e-commerce software tools maker Baozun announces a tie-up to bring a major American sportswear brand to China and Southeast Asia. But will this company with little or no experience in brand management be able to convince consumers to buy its products?

China’s steps up the stimulus, and U.S. Commerce secretary comes calling

China sharply stepped up its economic stimulus efforts last week, rolling out new initiatives to boost the stock market and support small businesses and the property market. But will the efforts be enough to jumpstart the slowing economy? And U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo paid visits on Beijing and Shanghai, where she raised eyebrows by saying China is quickly becoming “uninvestable.” Will Beijing take Raimondo’s words to heart and become friendlier to foreign businesses?

China kills a global chip deal, and a leading bubble tea maker goes to London

China has vetoed the purchase of Israel’s Tower Semiconductor by U.S. chip giant Intel by failing to give its approval for the deal. Is this retaliation for recent U.S. moves to stifle China’s chip development, and what are the implications for future global M&A? And bubble tea maker HeyTea has opened its first store in London, joining a growing number of peers looking for growth in the West. But is the bubble tea trend getting ready to burst in these places? And as many of these companies explore potential IPOs, will international investors still be interested in them in the current economic environment?

China’s central bank gets busy, and disappearing youth unemployment data

China’s central bank has been on a roll lately, first lowering several key interest rates, and then announcing its policy will be “precise and forceful.” Are these kinds of strong words and actions from the usually conservative central bank cause for concern? And the National Bureau of Statistics announces it will stop publishing youth unemployment data. Why would it do that? Might it be related to its most recent data showing youth unemployment at record highs over 20%?

China’s coffee comeback kid passes new milestone, and Miniso launches dividend policy

The unlikely comeback for scandal-tainted coffee chain Luckin marches on, as the company passed rival Starbucks in revenues for their China business. But is Luckin expanding too quickly? And low-cost retailer Miniso announces a dividend policy, saying it will return 50% or more of its profits to shareholders. Will more new economy Chinese companies follow suit as investors lose interest such stocks simply for the “China growth story”?

China calls for public participation in anti-spying campaign, and a China stock see-saw

China has called on the public to report any suspicious activity to assist in its latest campaign to root out espionage. That has foreign businesses worried, since some of the market data they routinely collect to make decisions might be considered national secrets under China’s new data security law. How will all this affect foreign business in China? And offshore-listed China stocks have fallen into a see-saw pattern lately, rallying one week, only to fall the next. What’s driving the trend, and how long will it last?