19th February 09

The Age

China probes transplant tourism

CHINA is investigating whether 17 Japanese tourists received illegal kidney and liver transplants in China. China has banned all transplants for foreigners — so-called "organ tourists" — because an estimated 1.5 million Chinese are on waiting lists for transplants.

The Sydney Morning Herald

Recession looms as Chinese get tough
John Garnaut Herald Correspondent in Beijing

AUSTRALIA'S once-triumphant iron ore and coal miners face price cuts of between 30 and 50 per cent, which would slash export income by the equivalent of 4 per cent of gross domestic product and increase the likelihood of recession. Secret annual iron ore contract negotiations are under way at Baosteel's Shanghai steelworks and Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton are on the back foot for the first time in six years.

Asia Times Online

China seeks road back to growth
By Pieter Bottelier

The economic slowdown in China started in the second half of 2007, well before the effects of the subprime crisis in the United States began to be felt internationally. The initial downturn was orchestrated by the Chinese government, which aimed at cooling an overheating economy (gross domestic product growth in 2007 was recently adjusted upward to 13%!) and at controlling a property market bubble that was considered potentially dangerous.

Deciphering the Sino-Africa saga
By Bright B Simons

ACCRA, Ghana - Analysts looking for grand, coherent patterns in Chinese President Hu Jintao's first overseas tripin the Year of the Ox are tearing their hair out in frustration. There are just too many to choose from and bind together.