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☆ China sees foreign threats ‘everywhere’ as powerful spy agency takes center stage
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

But among the crowds you and I together are protecting national security,” the narrator concludes. Chinese soldiers look at a poster promoting national security in the southwestern city of Beihai on National Security Education Day on April 15, 2024. CFOTO/Future Publishing/Getty ImagesAccording to the MSS, foreign spies are omnipresent and infiltrating everything – from mapping apps to weather stations. But China’s spy agency has gradually stepped out of the shadows as Xi makes national security a key priority. “Shenyin Special Investigation Squad” is a comic series based on real-life counterespionage operations, according to China's spy agency.

Persons: –, “, ”, Xi, Xuezhi Guo, Sheena Chestnut Greitens, Xi Jinping, Greg Baker, Mao Zedong, Greitens, Chen Yixin, Chen, “ Chen, ” Greitens, Xi –, denigrate, Bain, Alex Plavevski, Guo, influencers, China’s, can’t, James Zimmerman, Perkins Coie, Zimmerman, ” Zimmerman Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, National Security Education, “, Ministry of State Security, National Security, Publishing, CIA, National, Education, Capitol, Guilford College, Asia, University of Texas, Getty, Communist Party, FBI, National Security Propaganda, CCTV, Ministry of State, China’s National Security Commission, Group, China Development Forum, Perkins Coie LLP, ”, MSS Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beihai, British, American, Beijing, Austin, AFP, Zhejiang province, Shanghai, New York, overreaching

☆ Article 23: Hong Kong passes second national security law aligning city more closely with mainland China
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Coming into effect on Saturday, the law introduces 39 new national security crimes, adding to an already powerful national security law that was directly imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong in 2020 after huge and sometimes violent democracy protests the year before. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Lee described it as a “historical moment for Hong Kong.”Lawmakers attend a meeting for Basic Law Article 23 legislation at the Legislative Council on March 19, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. They argue their legislation is similar to other national security laws around the world. “This will surely increase the doubt, anxiety, and uncertainty of foreign businesses in Hong Kong.”In mainland China, national security laws have often ensnared both local and foreign businesses in opaque investigations. That is something Emily Lau, a former pro-democracy lawmaker, also worries about, that what made Hong Kong distinct is fast fading.

Persons: –, John Lee, Hong, Lee, Chen Yongnuo, ”, Hong Kong’s, Eric Lai, Lai, ” Lai, Hung Ho, fung, Capvision, Sarah Brooks, “, ” Brooks, ” Johannes Hack, Emily Lau, I’ve Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong, ” Lawmakers, Legislative, China News Service, China’s Communist Party, CNN, Georgetown Center, Asian Law, Johns Hopkins University, Amnesty International, German Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong Locations: Hong Kong, Hong Kong’s, Beijing, China, Amnesty International China, ”, Hong

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and China are the two global economic heavyweights. The meeting will bring together 21 Pacific Rim countries, which collectively represent 40% of the world’s people and nearly half of global trade. Indeed, imports of Chinese goods to the United States were down 24% through September compared with the same period of 2022. Xi, too, has reason to try to restore economic cooperation with the United States. “This will not be an easy sell.’’Complicating matters is that the tensions between Washington and Beijing go well beyond economics.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi, Eswar Prasad, “, Prasad, Donald Trump, Trump, Biden, Chad Bown, Janet Yellen, Lifeng, —, ” Yellen, ’ ’, Wendy Cutler, Raja Krishnamoorthi, ’ ’ Krishnamoorthi, ’ Organizations: WASHINGTON, International Monetary Fund, “, Cornell University, Economic Cooperation, Biden, World Trade Organization, U.S, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Prosperity, Trump, Group, Bain & Co, Micron, IMF, United, Asia Society Institute, Chinese Communist Party, Republicans, Pew Research Center, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Rep, Illinois Democrat Locations: United States, China, Washington, Beijing, U.S, Ukraine, Gaza, Asia, San Francisco, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, India, Philippines, South China, Taiwan, Chinese, Kenya, Nigeria, Illinois

☆ WPP fires executive detained in China on suspicion of bribery
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Advertising giant WPP says it has fired an executive detained in China on suspicion of bribery. Last week, news emerged that the Chinese police had raided the Shanghai office of advertising agency GroupM, owned by WPP. WPP said Tuesday it had fired an executive detained in China on suspicion of bribery. The police didn’t name the company, but the Financial Times and Chinese state media linked it to GroupM. The announcement came a month after police questioned employees at the Shanghai office of top consultancy Bain.

Persons: ”, Terry Gou, wouldn’t, Mintz Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, WPP, CNN, Reuters, Shanghai, Financial Times, drugmaker Astellas Pharma, China, Mintz Group, Bain Locations: China, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing

Branding signage for WPP, the largest global advertising and public relations agency at their offices in London, Britain, July 17, 2019. The fourth, GroupM China’s CEO and country managing director for WPP China, Patrick Xu, was questioned by police but not detained, the person said. An employee stationed in the closest police precinct to WPP's Shanghai office said police could not comment. "As our fourth largest market globally, China will continue to play a crucial role in WPP's long-term growth strategy. Police visited U.S. management consultancy Bain & Co's Shanghai office in April, then in May, state TV aired a program showing a raid of consultancy Capvision Partners' offices.

Persons: Toby Melville, GroupM, Patrick Xu, Xu, Mark Read, Mintz, Capvision, Bain, Casey, Laurie Chen, Alison Williams Organizations: WPP, REUTERS, Rights, WPP China, Financial Times, Outdoor Holdings, SEC, Police, Bain, Co's, TV, Capvision Partners, Casey Hall, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Shanghai, China, Beijing, Co's Shanghai

Branding signage for WPP, the largest global advertising and public relations agency at their offices in London, Britain, July 17, 2019. The fourth, GroupM China’s CEO and country managing director for WPP China, Patrick Xu, was questioned by police but not detained, the person said. Calls to GroupM's office in Shanghai to seek comment went unanswered and Xu did not immediately respond to an email requesting a response. An employee stationed in the closest police precinct to WPP's Shanghai office said police could not comment. Police visited U.S. management consultancy Bain & Co's Shanghai office in April, then in May, state TV aired a program showing a raid of consultancy Capvision Partners' offices.

Tokyo CNN —China has formally arrested a Japanese man who was detained in March, according to officials from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Japanese Embassy in Beijing. The arrest of the Japanese national, who was reportedly an employee of a Tokyo-based pharmaceutical firm, could further rattle foreign businesses in China, which have reported feeling more unsettled this year amid a crackdown on international consulting firms on national security grounds. According to Japanese public broadcaster NHK, the man was an employee of drugmaker Astellas Pharma and was detained in March by Chinese security authorities in Beijing on suspicion of violating the country’s criminal law and anti-espionage law. In May, state security authorities said they had raided several offices of Capvision, an advisory network. The issue has been cited as headache for foreign businesses, some of which were already having trouble convincing workers to relocate to China.

Persons: Hirokazu Matsuno, Japan’s MOFA, Mao Ning, “, ”, Weeks, Bain, — CNN’s Michelle Toh, Sophie Jeong, Mengchen Zhang Organizations: Tokyo CNN, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy, NHK, drugmaker, Pharma, CNN, Foreign Ministry, Ministry of State Security, Mintz Group, American Chamber of Commerce, China’s Commerce Ministry, State Administration of Foreign Exchange Locations: China, Tokyo, Beijing, MOFA, Shanghai, Hong Kong

Hong Kong CNN —Capvision, an international advisory firm whose offices in China were raided by officials, says it has successfully completed a national security inspection overseen by the Chinese government. The raids were part of a broader crackdown on the consulting industry by Beijing as it seeks to tighten control over what it considers sensitive information related to national security. “We have deeply realized that the consulting sector must step up the awareness of safety and security. The fine came to light months after authorities closed the firm’s Beijing office in March and detained five of its local employees. In April, police questioned staff at the Shanghai offices of global consulting giant Bain & Company.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, ” Capvision, Capvision, Mintz Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN, Mintz Group, Bain & Company Locations: China, Hong Kong, Shanghai, New York, Beijing, American

☆ US companies in China struggle with raids, slow deal approvals, anti-espionage law
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo delivers her speech at a reception with U.S. Industry and Chinese Government Officials hosted by U.S. Ambassador to China Nick Burns, in Beijing, China, August 28, 2023. Below are details on some of the bigger hurdles for doing business in China in recent years. Counterespionage law:Chinese lawmakers passed a wide-ranging update to Beijing's anti-espionage legislation in April, banning the transfer of any information related to national security and broadening the definition of spying. The law does not define what falls under China's national security or interests.

Persons: Gina Raimondo, China Nick Burns, Andy Wong, Mintz, Raimondo, Chris Sanders, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: . Commerce, . Industry, Government, U.S, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Bain, Capvision Partners, Beijing Municipal Bureau, Statistics, China's, Intel Corp, chipmaker Semiconductor, DuPont De Nemours Inc, Rogers Corp, Xinhua, chipmaker Micron Technology, Beijing, Thomson Locations: China, Beijing, Shanghai, United States

☆ The US needs a stable Chinese economy. Will Biden’s commerce secretary offer help?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Hong Kong CNN —US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will travel to China next week, a visit that coincides with a worsening slowdown in the world’s second largest economy. Gina Raimondo, US commerce secretary, speaks during the SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, US, on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. The Commerce Department announced on Monday that it was removing 27 Chinese companies from US export controls. China’s Ministry of Commerce welcomed the decision, saying it was conducive to trade and reflected the interests of both sides. That was followed earlier this month by President Biden signing an executive order that limits US investment in certain tech sectors of the Chinese economy, including AI and quantum computing.

Persons: Gina Raimondo, Raimondo, ”, Craig Singleton, Ting Shen, Trump, Biden, “, Washington, Donald Trump, It’s, Xi, Singleton, — Kylie Atwood, Jeremy Diamond Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — US, Washington, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Commerce Department, Beijing, SelectUSA Investment, Bloomberg, Getty, China’s Ministry of Commerce, ” Eurasia Group, Apple, Nike, Intel, Microsoft, General Motors, US Treasury Department, Mintz Group, Bain & Company, Communist Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Washington, Shanghai, National Harbor , Maryland, United States, Europe, Japan, New York, court

☆ China fines Mintz $1.5 mln for 'unapproved' work, after raiding its Beijing office
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Yew Lun Tian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The U.S. corporate due diligence firm Mintz Group's office is seen in Hong Kong, China, May 18, 2023. REUTERS/James Pomfret/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Aug 22 (Reuters) - China fined U.S. firm Mintz Group about $1.5 million for doing "unapproved statistical work", said a Beijing Municipal Bureau of Statistics notice, after a raid of its Beijing office sparked worries about China's openness to foreign investment. In a further notice on its website dated July 14, the bureau said Mintz conducted 37 such investigations from March 2019 to July 2022. The firm has previously said it is licensed to conduct legitimate business in China and that it has always operated lawfully. Chinese authorities raided Mintz's Beijing office in March and detained all five local staff, in what turned out to be the beginning of a sweeping crackdown on consultancy and due diligence firms, including Bain & Company's office in Shanghai and Capvision Partners.

Persons: Mintz, James Pomfret, Xi Jinping, Yew Lun Tian, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, China, U.S, Mintz Group, Beijing Municipal Bureau, Beijing's, Statistics, Wall Street Journal, Bain, Capvision Partners, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, Rights BEIJING, Beijing, Shanghai

☆ China fines Mintz Group $1.5 million for 'unapproved' investigations
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —China has fined Mintz Group, an American corporate due diligence firm, about $1.5 million for allegedly conducting unapproved statistical work in the country, as it continues with a nationwide crackdown on consulting firms in the name of national security. The fine came to light months after authorities closed the firm’s Beijing office in March and detained five of its local employees. Mintz’s Beijing office had carried out “foreign-related statistical investigations” without seeking and obtaining approvals, which violated two Chinese regulations, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Statistics said in a statement on its website dated July 14. The authorities imposed a fine totaling 10.69 million yuan ($1.49 million) on the company and ordered it to stop conducting such investigations in the country. Days after the raid occurred, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said Mintz was suspected of “illegal business operations.”Since then, Chinese regulators launched a broader crackdown on consulting firms.

Persons: Mintz, Mintz didn’t, Capvision Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, China, Mintz Group, Beijing Municipal Bureau, Statistics, CNN, Wall Street, Bain & Company Locations: Hong Kong, American, Beijing, Shanghai, New York, United States, Washington, chipmaking, China

☆ Dentons: Global law firm splits off Dacheng, its China business
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Dentons, the world’s biggest law firm by number of employees, is distancing itself from its business in China in response to intensifying regulation in the country. The firm notified clients of the move this week in an internal memo shared with CNN Tuesday. Dentons said that starting this month, its China unit would operate as a standalone legal entity. Its China business operates independently under its Chinese name Hongshan. Leaders of the Silicon Valley firm said at the time that it had “become increasingly complex to run a decentralized global investment business.”

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Dentons, Dentons, ” Dentons, Bain, “ who’s, ” Michael Hart, “, ” Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN, Hong, Dentons, Group, American Chamber of Commerce, British, of Commerce, European Union Chamber of Commerce, Sequoia Locations: Hong Kong, China, Dentons, ”, Shanghai, New York, Beijing, Europe, United States, India, Southeast Asia

☆ China has a new foreign relations law. Here's what it means for business
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty ImagesBEIJING — For foreign businesses in China, geopolitics hold more sway than new Chinese laws, according to analysts. Two new laws, one on espionage and the other on foreign relations, took effect July 1. In strictly legal terms, however, the legislative changes themselves don't increase the risk for foreign businesses in China, said Jeremy Daum, senior fellow at Yale Law School's Paul Tsai China Center. The website's translation of the Foreign Relations Law notes that foreign organizations in China "must not endanger China's national security, harm the societal public interest, or undermine societal public order." A House committee delegation discussed China business in their meeting with executives of high-profile U.S. tech and media companies in California in April.

Persons: Jeremy Daum, Yale Law School's Paul Tsai, Antony Blinken's, Michael House, Perkins, Daum, Mintz, It's, Alex Liang Anjie, Michael Hart, he's, Hart, Janet Yellen, Jens Eskelund, Alex Liang Organizations: Visual China, Getty, Yale Law, Yale Law School's Paul Tsai China Center, U.S, China, Foreign Relations, Mintz Group, Bain, Capvision Partners, Reuters, American Chamber of Commerce, Treasury, Companies, EU Chamber of Commerce Locations: BEIJING, China, Beijing, Washington, U.S, Shanghai, California, Broad

On Monday, China imposed curbs on overseas sales of gallium and germanium, elements essential to making semiconductors, which have become a growing source of friction between the world’s top two economies. The move was widely seen as a response to the Biden administration’s ban on advanced chip sales to China, which was announced last October. “I am … concerned about new export controls recently announced by China on two critical minerals used in technologies like semiconductors,” Yellen told a meeting of business people hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing. “I’ve been particularly troubled by punitive actions that have been taken against US firms in recent months,” Yellen added. Along with other US officials, Yellen has long signaled the Biden administration’s desire to deepen communication and lower the temperature between the world’s top two economies.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Janet Yellen, Biden, “, Yellen, ”, “ I’ve, ” Yellen, Capvision, Liu He, Yi Gang, Joe Biden’s, Xi Jiping Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, American Chamber of Commerce, Bain & Company, Group, US Treasury, Treasury Department, Biden Locations: Beijing, Hong Kong, China, Shanghai, New York, China’s, United States

☆ 4 things making it harder for Janet Yellen to repair the US-China relationship
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The global economy stands to gain if Washington and Beijing can mend fences, but analysts say this appears unlikely. Here are four things likely to make it harder for Yellen to repair US-China ties, and one thing keeping the relationship going. Sequoia’s executives said in a statement that it has become “increasingly complex” to run a decentralized global investment business. On Wednesday, US pharmaceutical firm Moderna (MRNA)signed a deal to make its first major investment in China. “Both sides are ramping up commercial restrictions in the name of national security and national interests,” she said.

Persons: Janet Yellen, China, ” Wei Jianguo, ”, Anna Ashton, Biden, Beijing’s, Wei, Capvision, Xi Jinping’s, “, Li Qiang, Xi, Alex Capri, ” Ashton, —, Jennifer Hansler, Wayne Chang, Bryan Mena Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Eurasia Group, Micron Technology, China Daily, Analysts, China, Capvision, Bain & Company, Group, Forrester Research, Ontario, Republicans, Hawks, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Xinhua, US Commerce Department, “, National University of Singapore Business School, Moderna Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, China, Chinese, Washington, Japan, Europe, Shanghai, New York, decouple, Moscow, Ukraine, Russia, Taiwan, Tianjin

☆ US stocks are in the firing line if China’s economy stalls further
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Recent data shows that China is also contending with worse-than-expected consumer spending, slowing manufacturing and weak home sales. What it means for markets: US-based companies doing business in China stand to lose if the economy continues on a downward trajectory. Qualcomm (QCOM), with a 67% exposure rate to China, issued disappointing forward guidance during earnings last month, citing China’s slow recovery. JD.com (JD), one of the largest Chinese companies trading in the United States, has fallen by nearly 36% this year. The air purifier market is poised to grow as climate change increases air pollution and exacerbates breathing difficulties.

Persons: That’s, China —, Capvision, China Nicholas Burns, ”, Goldman Sachs, Dow, JD.com, Morgan Stanley, Goldman, Ayaz Ebrahim, CARR, Johnson, Ivan Menezes, Diageo, Menezes ’, Menezes, King Charles III, Debra Crew, Johnnie Walker, Ivan, Javier Ferrán, “ Ivan Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, International Monetary Fund, Factories, Bain, Group, Micron Technology, Nasdaq, Apple, Intel, Starbucks, Nike, Bank of America, Las, Qualcomm, Nvidia, Wynn Resorts, WYNN, MGM Resorts, MGM, China . Companies, Dragon, Goldman Sachs Group, Nomura, Barclays, JPMorgan, Asia Pacific, Bloomberg, Google, Carrier Global, Johnson Controls, Economic Co, Diageo, India, Business, ”, Whisky Association, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management Locations: New York, China, Washington, Beijing, United States, Hong Kong, Dragon China, Canada, Pune, India

☆ Elon Musk: CEOs flock to China as risks to trade and investment rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

To drum up business, Chinese leaders have urged foreign companies to invest more in the country, promising them an open and level playing field. “The interests of the United States and China are intertwined like conjoined twins,” he was quoted as saying by the foreign ministry. Over time, “there will be less trade” between China and the United States, Dimon predicted. The move was seen as retaliation for restrictions the United States has imposed on Chinese chipmakers. The interests of the United States and China are intertwined like conjoined twins.

Persons: Elon, Laxman, Jamie Dimon, Qin Gang, Tesla, Elon Musk, Musk, ”, Warren Buffett, Dimon’s, Dimon, That’s, Bain, “ who’s, ” Michael Hart, Ben Cavender, Nick Marro, Tim Cook, Cook, Marro, ‘, ” —, Sophie Jeong, Martha Zhou Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Tesla, Starbucks, JPMorgan, Apple, Samsung, Aramco, Volkswagen, HSBC, Standard Chartered, Foreign, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Reuters, China’s Foreign, Shanghai’s Communist Party, Bloomberg, Group, American Chamber of Commerce, CNN, British, of Commerce, China Market Research Group, US, Micron, Economist Intelligence Unit, “ Companies, China Development Forum Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, United States, Shanghai, Taiwan, Washington, New York, American, Xinjiang

☆ China's tech feud with the US is heating up
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Joe Mcdonald | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

China is clamping down on the use of computer chips from US tech giant Micron Technologies. China's government claims Micron products have unspecified "serious network security risks." It's the latest development in the United States' tech feud with China. They import more than $300 billion worth of foreign chips every year. Beijing is pouring billions of dollars into trying to accelerate chip development and reduce the need for foreign technology.

No one was present when Reuters visited the Hong Kong office of Mintz during business hours, with the doors locked and lights off. China's State Council Information Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. The Hong Kong government said it did not comment on individual business decisions. Rights groups accuse Beijing of abuses against mainly Muslim Uyghurs in the western region of Xinjiang, including the mass use of forced labour. Reporting by James Pomfret in Hong Kong, Engen Than in Shanghai and Hong Kong Newsroom; Editing by Lincoln FeastOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/3] The U.S. corporate due diligence firm Mintz Group's office is seen in Hong Kong, China, May 18, 2023. No one was present when Reuters visited the Hong Kong office of Mintz during business hours, with the doors locked and lights off. China's State Council Information Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. The Hong Kong government said it did not comment on individual business decisions. Reporting by James Pomfret in Hong Kong, Engen Than in Shanghai and Hong Kong Newsroom; Editing by Lincoln FeastOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China's economy is growing again. So why are investors dumping stocks?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Investors trimmed their exposure to China amid economic uncertainty in the country, rising geopolitical tensions and Beijing’s crackdown on international consulting firms. The Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index has lost more than 5% since April 18. Another concern for global investors is the country’s “fundamental investability,” he said, referring to geopolitical and Chinese policy risks. Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, one of the world’s largest pension funds, has closed its Hong Kong-based China equity investment team. “The more cracks appear in Western economies,” the more global investors will need to put money into Chinese assets, he added.

But, given the hopes invested in China's economic growth and liberalisation, foreign firms' demand for expert knowledge about the Chinese market, the regulatory landscape, potential business partners and opportunities will inevitably keep growing. Smaller firms saw opportunity to fill the space left by any rivals, like Capvision, that fall foul of China's authorities. China's expert network market, however, will suffer from bad publicity in the short-term, as "no one wants to be associated with police crackdown," said Max Friberg, CEO of Inex One, a Stockholm-based marketplace connecting investors with expert networks. For now though, the trade in expert information clearly has become more cautious. "It's unfortunate that the expert network business gets into the public limelight in such a way," China Insights Consultancy (CIC), the country's second largest expert network company, said in a statement to Reuters.

☆ China's security crackdown could signal new realities for foreign investors
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Last Monday, state broadcaster CCTV singled out a consulting company for not complying with China's national security laws. "It may seem a paradox," said Chong Ja Ian, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore who studies Chinese foreign policy. So much of what is now regarded as national security or state secrets is not sufficiently defined or classified. This includes passing a data security law in 2021 on the protection of information involving national and economic security and on issues of important public interest. "To have multiple companies involved now in this crackdown and the restriction of financial data to foreigners, it appears that Chinese security departments are on to something larger."

These consultancies thrived by providing investors - from global hedge funds to private equity firms - access to industry experts and investigators who could obtain valuable corporate information. One private credit investor who used to join Capvision's calls with "industry experts" said clients did not want to pay top dollar for easily available public information. Many China-based consultancy firms also outsourced on the ground investigations to local contractors. Even before the latest raids on consultancy firms, some due-diligence firms were warned to stay away from Xinjiang related projects, sometimes by security authorities, according to industry sources. China denies abuses in Xinjiang, a major cotton producer that also supplies much of the world's materials for solar panels.

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