2005 in Review
2005 in China – here are some of the issues that threw China, often unwillingly, into the world’s headlines last year.
Chemical spills…
Chemical-spills around the country drew world attention to the fact that most Chinese companies are yet to learn the value of open and honest communications when things go wrong. At least three Chinese companies found themselves in the spot-light and very much on the back foot during 2005 for failing to communicate with the public after industrial accidents, the worst of which saw the Songhua river in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang polluted.
Take-over bids…
China’s rising economic power during 2005 saw Lenovo take over IBM’s computer manufacturing business. But other high profile takeover bids, such as Haier’s tilt at Maytag and CNOOC’s at UNOCAL, failed due to the “China Inc.” perception.
Anti-Japanese sentiment…
Japanese companies felt the brunt of Chinese anger at Prime Minister Juinichi Koizumi’s persistent visits to the Yakasuni Shrineand at national and history text books which gloss over Japan’s WWII atrocities. A wave of protests swamped Japan’s embassy, consulates and businesses during April.
Olympic mascots…
China launched its mascot for the 2008 Olympics – actually it launched five of them, going against conventional wisdom. Foreign visitors to Beijing will need to remember the names of the five mascots, the elements of nature that they symbolize, and the sentence their names spell. Good luck!
Bird flu…
In contrast to its handling of SARS in 2003, Beijing has taken a more proactive approach to communications with respect to the deadly N5H1 bird flu virus. China had reported eight human deaths (at the time of publication) and has commenced a programme to vaccinate domestic poultry nationwide.
Trade wars…
Trade jargon was thrown around last year with China fighting on the side of “free trade”, the West more often talking about “fair trade” and “anti-dumping measures”; all the while the media was just having fun writing about “bra wars.” With more trade tensions on the horizon, the minor revaluation of the Renminbi, which signaled a cautious flexibility by Chinese authorities, did little to stifle protectionist wails from US columnists and Congress.
Increasing Chinese leadership…
China continued to increase its leadership role in world affairs, hosting several rounds of discussions of the Six-Party Talks aimed at breaking the deadlock over North Korea’s nuclear program. By playing a constructive and steadfast role, China is filling out its position in the international community.
That was 2005, but now its 2006 – in the year of the dog, go China, Wang Wang!?
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