Alibaba’s Jack Ma Predicts Hard Times Ahead

admin — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:46:31 +0000

On July 23, Jack Ma, founder and chairman of the Alibaba Group, a leading Chinese ecommerce company, published an internal email to Alibaba employees. This email found its way to Sina (h/t to Bill Bishop) and I have translated it here.

The company is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under the 1688 symbol. In typical Chinese fashion, the numbers are propitious for making money and sound like 一路发发 The original email includes exclamation marks at the end of almost every sentence. In an attempt to be faithful to the original text, I have also kept the original exclamation marks. I have added some extra hyperlinks where I think it would be helpful to understanding.

Fellow Alibaba employees:

When it comes to the

Learning Chinese by yourself :: Simon in China

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:46:00 +0000

In my spare time (hahahaha) I have been occupying myself with a bit of Chinese study. Haven’t really used the flash cards for a long time, but I still recognise about 200 characters instantly. Have to start studying them some more. And learn how to write them properly! To improve my nearly non-existent knowledge of Chinese vocabulary, grammar, and - most importantly - pronunciation, I have been doing some Pimsleur method language courses (12 half-hour courses so far) and I have discovered that this particular self-studying method is perhaps the best way to learn languages I’ve discovered so far. You can’t use it completely by itself, obviously, but I already know Pinyin and I’m learning characters on the side. I feel like I’m taking big strides in Chinese with this tool.

India's global ambition and the nuclear deal (The Christian Science Monitor)

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:39:28 +0000

Unlike China, India doesn't have a clear vision for its role in the world.

An Indepth Pollution Analysis of the China Steel Industry 2007-2008: Including the Current Situation, Key Industry ... (Centre Daily Times)

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:25:30 +0000

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/92da82/pollution_report_o) has announced the addition of the "Pollution Report of China Steel Industry, 2007-2008" report to their offering.

New Zealand passes law to ratify free trade deal with China; first for developed economy

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:07:00 +0000

New Zealand's Parliament on Thursday passed into law the first bilateral free trade deal between China and a developed western economy, in a move that will give the country fresh advantage in one of the world's biggest markets.

China Sets Zones for Olympics Protests

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:17:41 +0000

The Chinese government will permit public protests inside three city parks, but demonstrators must obtain permits and abide by laws that usually make political demonstration nearly impossible.

Laos, where rubber hits the road to China

sfgate.com — Sun, 11 May 2008 16:42:33 +0000

The rice fields that blanketed this remote mountain village for generations are gone. In their place rise neat rows of young rubber trees -- their sap destined for China. As Beijing scrambles to feed its galloping economy, it has already scoured the world for mining and logging concessions. Now it is turning to crops to feed its people and industries. Chinese enterprises are snapping up vast tracts of land abroad and forging contract farming deals. (sfgate.com)

IMF cuts Chinese economic growth forecasts to about 9%

China Daily — Fri, 09 May 2008 06:15:22 +0000

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Thursday it has adjusted its forecasts for the global economic growth in 2008 downward to below 4 percent, with a growth of just above 9 percent for the Chinese economy. (China Daily)

In battle with China for allies, Taiwan resorts to riskier tactics

International Herald Tribune — Fri, 09 May 2008 06:15:22 +0000

A scandal here over a bungled Taiwan attempt to forge official ties with Papua New Guinea has thrown a spotlight on the long-running, shadowy war between China and Taiwan for allies. (International Herald Tribune)

China's submarine progress alarms India

Asia Times — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:06:52 +0000

Reports of China building a massive strategic naval base capable of housing nuclear-powered submarines on Hainan island in the South China Sea have India on red alert. The fear is not so much that China will launch any offensive against India, but that India is falling far behind in the race to dominate the region's seas. (Asia Times)

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