Grady McGregor - The Wire China

Articles

Aluminum Foiled

In 2000, the U.S. was the world’s top producer of aluminum. Today, it’s the ninth-largest. The toppling, of course, is due to China, which came on the aluminum scene fast and furious, dumping its cheap excess capacity on global markets and causing chaos in its...

The Consultant Crackdown

At first glance, the recent raid on Capvision, a Shanghai consultancy, looks similar to the raids on foreign firms Mintz Group and Bain & Company. But there are reasons to separate Beijing's crackdown on Capvision. For starters, Capvision is Chinese and its shareholders and investors...

New Oriental’s New Direction

The onetime online education giant has reinvented itself as an e-commerce site — and has become profitable again.

The Renminbi’s New Role: Sanctions Busting

The Chinese currency remains far from supplanting the U.S. dollar in global trade, but its increasing usage abroad is helping its allies and friends get around U.S.-led economic measures.

Hong Kong’s New Crypto Creditor

A look at ZA Bank: the firm’s ties to Chinese online insurer Zhongan Insurance, potential parallels with Silvergate Bank, and what Hong Kong’s crypto openness says about Beijing’s stance on crypto.

Buying the Heartland

Does the U.S. need to worry about China encroaching on its territory? Many states used to court Chinese investors, but in recent months, more than two dozen states have considered or passed new legislation to restrict Chinese ownership of farmland. With the federal government getting...

Golden Grip

Golden shares are giving Beijing more control over Chinese tech companies, and stoking concern in Washington.

China’s Crane Reign

A look at ZPMC: how it came to dominate ports around the world; its role in Chinese foreign policy; and the consequences of its links to the Chinese state.

China’s Data Drive

Beijing is stepping up its efforts to both control and exploit Big Data.

Without a Trace

A look at Bao Fan's disappearance and others like it.

Huawei Hunting

The Chinese telecoms giant faces a new existential threat from U.S. sanctions. But Washington is still finding international support for its campaign against Huawei hard to come by.

China’s mRNA Blockade

China had high hopes the pandemic would launch its domestic pharmaceutical industry. That didn't happen.