Chinese Trade Research Articles

A Quiet Convergence of Interests: Makassar as an Emporium for Chinese Trade, 1613–1669

A Quiet Convergence of Interests: Makassar as an Emporium for Chinese Trade, 1613–1669

Can Chinese‐style trade unions promote corporate philanthropy? A stakeholder theory perspective

AbstractCorporate philanthropy is an important form of fulfilling social responsibility and improving social income distribution systems. Unlike Western trade unions, Chinese trade unions have government‐like functions. This study discusses whether Chinese‐style trade unions help promote corporate philanthropy. Based on stakeholder theory, this study examines the philanthropic effects of Chinese‐style trade unions using data from the Chinese Private Enterprises Survey and employs methods such as the Treatment Effect Model, Instrumental Variables Method, and Propensity Score Matching. The results show that unions with government‐like functions can significantly incentivize firms to engage in philanthropic activities and that this effect encourages start‐ups and well‐funded firms, which enriches and expands the research on the functions of unions. Trade unions can help enterprises gain political connections and promote a sense of corporate social responsibility, thus enhance corporate philanthropy. In addition, female leaders are more likely than male leaders to promote the positive impact of unions on corporate philanthropy. This study not only expands the literature on union functions and the antecedents of corporate philanthropy, but also enriches the discussion on the synergies among multiple stakeholders in stakeholder theory and the role of gender in the field of management.

Trade in Liushun (Port Arthur) at the Turn of the 19th and 20th Centuries

The history of the city of Port Arthur at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries in the literature is revealed primarily from the military point of view, which led to the emergence of numerous studies and works, while the role of the city as a commercial center has not received proper coverage either in Russian or Chinese historiography. The fact that contemporaries themselves perceived Port Arthur only as a military fortress also played an important role in this. This circumstance explains the fragmentary nature of the source base. The article reconstructs the history of trade in the city of Liushun during the Qing dynasty (until 1898) on the basis of archival materials, sources of personal origin and periodicals. The author concludes that the importance of Port Arthur as a temporary trading port was quite high before the foundation of Dalniy city. The construction of a military port in the 1880s stimulated the development of the city and promoted local Chinese trade. After Port Arthur was leased to the Russian Empire in 1898, the city became dominated by Russian capital. During the period of Russian rule, changes were made in the city's life that allowed Port Arthur to develop along Western lines and attracted immigrants and investment that further developed the city's industry and commerce. However, the purpose of such changes was to establish Port Arthur as a military stronghold of the Russian Empire in the Far East, which made the development of trade in the city unbalanced.

Chinese cemeteries in Indonesian colonial and post-colonial urban areas: Resistance, urban expansion, nationalistic aspiration, and post-colonial governmentality

Chinese quarters played a significant role in numerous Southeast Asian port cities, with Chinese trading communities thriving for hundreds of years. The proof of the importance of these communities is evident in the presence of Chinatowns and Chinese cemeteries, serving as places for both living and death, in several coastal cities in Southeast Asia. This study investigates Chinese cemeteries in Semarang’s spatial city structure during the colonial period and the gradual transformation of these cemeteries in post-colonial Indonesia amidst turbulent urban development and political conditions. In post-colonial Southeast Asia, city development serves as a platform for nationalistic aspirations. This article explores the roles of Chinese cemeteries as an act of subversion against colonial laws and their gradual disappearance due to city expansion in post-colonial Indonesia. The exploration through the colonial policies concerning land and the placement of the Chinese community, followed by post-colonial policies and urban governmentality on city development and real urban growth practices, provides an opportunity to discuss the roles of Chinese cemeteries for the Indonesian Chinese community in Semarang and their fate in post-colonial urban areas of Indonesia.

Fried. Krupp’s ‘Chinese Trade’ prior to the First World War, 1895–1914

Abstract The German arms company Fried. Krupp exported weapons and military material to China beginning in the early 1870s. It achieved marked success during the 1880s and 1890s. The Sino-Japanese War (1894/95) represented an important milestone for the company’s ‘Chinese trade’. Because the Chinese government had to pay war reparations to Japan, it did not have the funds for purchasing weapons. As a result, not even the posting of German advisors to China saw particularly positive results. Following the Boxer Rebellion (1899–1901), an embargo on the import of weapons to China was declared. After the embargo was revoked in 1903, the German manufacturer never again achieved the results it had attained in 1884 and 1894. The Germans were negatively affected by the rise of Japanese influence in China following Japan’s victory in its war with Russia. Additionally, some of China’s plans were not in line with Krupp’s capabilities. The Essen company’s managers, for example, considered entirely unrealistic China’s plan to form thirty-six new divisions equipped with modern weapons, which Krupp would supply, by funding the construction of a huge munitions factory in Central China. Although China remained a major purchaser primarily of Krupp’s guns until the First World War, it was no longer one of its main customers. The outbreak of the First World War marked an end to Krupp’s activities in China and the entire Far East.

Chinese and Hungarian Financial Relations

Banking and financial relations sometimes precede, sometimes follow, but in all cases reinforce economic and political cooperation. This is also the case between China and Hungary. China, which is increasingly assuming its role as a world power, is - for obvious pragmatic reasons - open towards the Central and Eastern European countries wedged between Asia and Western Europe. It is doing so along traditional Chinese trade routes, as part of the 'One Belt, One Road' programme. In this programme, Hungary can build on its known Eastern origins, its deeper understanding of different political systems, and its multifaceted personal relationships to establish successful economic and political cooperation with the financial sector playing its part.

Trade Diversion effects of China`s Vat Export Rebates

AbstractThe utilization of value-added tax (VAT) export rebates serves as a key component of Chinese trade policy. While existing literature extensively demonstrates the positive impact of these rebates on Chinese exports, the potential negative repercussions for global trade, widely debated in the media, have remained relatively unexplored. This study assesses the trade diversion effects of China's VAT rebates within a "four-way" fixed effects Poisson Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood structural gravity framework spanning 75 countries over the period 2004–2018. The results indicate that, on average, a 1% increase in the rebate leads to a 2.62% reduction in third-country exports. The impact varies significantly at the country level. Wealthier nations with greater trade liberalization and diversified exports at the intensive margin are less susceptible to the effects of China’s export rebate policy. Additionally, there is evidence that countries exporting higher-quality goods experience more significant negative effects. Finally, the negative effects are driven by machinery and equipment sector and intensive margin.

Making a Case for Trade: Shi Shipiao’s Map of the Eastern and Southern Oceans

Abstract In the early eighteenth century, the Kangxi emperor was presented with two maps in Chinese, one each from the officials Gioro Mamboo and Shi Shipiao. The maps showed southern China and Southeast Asia and were based on Dutch charts. The officials presented the maps at a time when the emperor had recently issued a law restricting Chinese trade in Southeast Asia. The map presented by Shi Shipiao adds information about sailing routes and export goods that were subject to the trade restrictions imposed by the emperor. This article argues that rather than being intended to provide a representation of seafaring knowledge, Shi aimed to use the map he presented to convince the emperor to lift the restrictions he had imposed on trade. This therefore provides an example of how maps could be used for political ends. In contrast to many other Chinese maps influenced by European sciences, these two maps show no Jesuit involvement but resemble the Selden Map as well as Japanese and Buginese charts, representing a maritime perspective in the history of knowledge exchange.

Beyond revolutions: Mao-era China’s market entry strategies in Latin America

How did the People’s Republic of China develop commercial relations with the Global South during its Maoist years? This paper aims to explore the question through China’s market entry strategies in Latin America. Latin America posed significant challenges for Mao-era China in establishing robust relations. Under intense US pressure and the dominance of conservative politics, most Latin American nations maintained minimal commercial and political ties with China until 1971 when Beijing replaced Taipei in the UN. Notable exceptions were Cuba, following its armed revolution in 1959, and Chile, after its peaceful revolution in 1970, which formally recognised the PRC, leading to substantial trade agreements. This paper examines Chinese trade promotion in the region during the 1960s and early 1970s, contending that commercial ties, particularly Chinese exports to Latin America, were not simply the inevitable outcome of these revolutions and the establishment of diplomatic relations. Policy makers in Beijing and Chinese commercial representatives in Latin America strategically navigated market entry by leveraging cultural promotions, focusing on competitive Chinese products, notably processed foods, and tapping into the Chinese Overseas community as intermediaries. These strategies not only cultivated a favourable image of China in the region but also acquainted Latin American consumers with Chinese brands and products. Moreover, the paper analyzes how Chinese trade promoters recognised and addressed the nuances and disparities among Latin American countries, comprehended the significance of Cuba and Chile within the region, and contextualised Latin America’s position in the global market.

К вопросу о зарождении и расширении социальных сетей китайских пограничных предпринимателей (на примере Хэйхэ и Благовещенска)

This article examines the stages, characteristics and influence of the social networks constructed by Chinese border traders in Heihe and Blagoveshchensk. In the early stages of business, Chinese traders can quickly and easily obtain capital, information, market and technologies with the help of their relatives or home fellows. However, in order to pursue longer-term business development and expand the Russian market, they later build more open, flexible, and heterogeneous social relationships based on economic rationality, especially expanding cross-border social networks with the Russian partners. With the increasingly close cooperation be-tween the border people of the two countries, the prosperity and stability of the border between the two coun-tries have been effectively guaranteed, and the social basis of Sino-Russian relations has become more solid.

China’s Due Diligence Legislation for Environmental Governance on Transnational Corporations: History and Future

Environmental governance of transnational corporations is a global challenge. On one hand, these corporations can contribute to environmental protection through ecofriendly technologies and equipment. On the other hand, their activities can lead to environmental degradation and pollution. This article explores China’s due diligence legislation for environmental governance, including historical perspectives and future prospects. Chinese administrative law, relevant regulations, and the guidelines issued by Chinese trade associations are included.

ALA LAMPUNG RASA PALEMBANG: STRATEGI PEMASARAN “PEMPEK TARISA” HALAL

Pempek is very synonymous with Palembang, it is said that it was first sold by Chinese traders in 1916 in Palembang. However, with the large diaspora of Palembang people nationally and internationally, Lampung is now also producing Pempek with flavors that are very competitive with the original producing city in Palembang. The research uses a mixed-method, with descriptive analysis to determine the existence of the company's survival ability "Pempek Tarisa Lampung." A special business strategy is needed in this halal-certified industry. Using the SWOT analysis measuring tool, internal-external weighting, the Four Step Strategy, determines the most appropriate strategy, in order to be able to overcome challenges by taking advantage of all possible opportunities. The results show several weaknesses that must be immediately corrected in order to optimize revenue potential, in the form of more extensive digital marketing, innovation in product variants, including embracing more public figures as catalysts to leverage. "PTL" will be more powerful in expanding marketing reach and increasing engagement with its customers. Apart from that, innovation in product variants is also needed to maintain the attractiveness and relevance of the business, so that it is able to continue to attract old customers, as well as attract the interest of new consumers. The cost leadership strategy, which had been successful previously, was maintained. In particular, by combining digital marketing strategies, product innovation, embracing more public figures, and cost leadership strategies, halal SMEs "PTL" can continue to develop and succeed in the halal SME culinary market which is now increasingly competitive. MSMEs (halal) are indeed an industry that saves the nation's economy, 10.79 million people (7.71 percent) of the Indonesian population work in providing accommodation and food and drink (BPS, 2023). So knowing the survival ability of industry players on a micro scale is very important to think about for sustainability.

America’s decoupling from China narrative: development, determinants, and policy implications

ABSTRACT America’s decoupling from China debate started after July 2018, reached its peak in August 2020, and is likely to continue even if it may not be a high priority for the Biden administration. Many studies have examined various aspects of this topic. Unlike previous research, using Google Trends data, this study creatively created a high-frequency weekly dataset to measure the narrative of decoupling from China in the US. Based on this dataset from January 2020 to June 2021, three issues are examined from a novel perspective. First, this study provides a quantitative description of its development. Second, for the first time in the academic literature, this study provides empirical evidence on the determinants of the decoupling narrative, including Chinese trade, Chinese investment, Chinese students, Chinese technology, Chinese companies, and Covid-19. Third, this study also discusses the policy implications of these findings. In particular, if the US government wants to adopt an aggressive strategy of decoupling from China in the future, COVID-19 is one tool that could be used. While this study makes original contributions to policy-makers, it also contributes to academia by presenting a (still) new quantitative approach to international relations.

The legislative history of the EU’s anti-coercion instrument

In the last couple of years, the EU and its Member States have increasingly been the target of a number of third-country measures, including US extra-territorial sanctions and Chinese trade embargoes. Some of these measures are ‘caught’ by the Blocking Statute but some have caused headaches to EU policy-makers on how to best tackle them. The Anti-Coercion Instrument, adopted in 2023, is one of the latest tools at the European Union’s (EU) disposal to tackle economic coercion. The aim of this article is to show the legislative history of this new EU instrument and how it came about. The key role of preparing this legislation was played by the so-called ‘geopolitical Commission’ that is nowadays committed to assertively use the EU’s trade competences to advance foreign and security policy objectives. Due to the foreign and security policy implications of the Anti-Coercion Instrument, the article includes some political and security policy statements to better contextualise the need to adopt such a legislation.

Chinese trade sanctions against Australia: Quantifying the impact

AbstractAustralian exports of important goods have been hit by sanctions imposed by the Chinese Government in recent years. This paper seeks to estimate the losses to Australian exports from these sanctions. Commodities affected include coal, copper ores and concentrates, frozen beef, wine, cotton, barley, rough wood, rock lobster and hay. Based on declines in Australia's share of the import market for the sanctioned commodities, the paper finds that gross export losses to Australia in the China market rose from AU $3 billion in 2020 to AU $31 billion in 2022 at current prices. This differs appreciably from previous estimates. Net losses, which take into account the diversion of sanctioned trade to third country markets, are estimated, very approximately, at AU $11 billion in 2022 and at AU $20 billion over 2020–2022, at 2019 prices. Future losses in the China market will depend heavily on whether the recent improvement in relations between the Australian and Chinese Governments can be maintained. It will also depend on the intensity of US–China tensions since they will tend to shape Australian responses to issues of interest to China. Business commitments to new customers in third country markets, and assessments of the risk that the Chinese market will close again are likely to be among other factors.

Trade, institutional quality and economic growth in Africa: does China and United States trade matter?

We investigate the relationship between China and the United States’ trade with sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the region's economic growth (EG). The research analyzes trade dynamics, distinguishing between the effects of exports and imports, while highlighting the significant role of institutional quality (IQ) in shaping EG within the context of China–US trade with Africa. Despite increasing trade with China and the US, SSA’s growth has lagged, prompting exploration into the specific trade forms contributing to EG and the role of IQ. Using data from 30 SSA countries from 2002-2020, we employed AMG and IV-2SLS estimations for our analysis. The study reveals that IQ complements Chinese and US trade to promote EG. Importantly, Chinese and US imports from Africa consistently boost growth, with the impact of exports diminishing. Chinese trade proves influential in countries with strong institutions but lacks impact in those with weaker institutions at higher levels of IQ. In contrast, US trade benefits growth in both strong and weak institutional contexts. These findings are instrumental for policymakers, offering insights into the specific trade activities that drive growth in SSA. Additionally, we emphasize the pivotal role of robust institutions in ensuring the positive impact of trade on growth.

VALJANOST UGOVORA O KUPOPRODAJI ROBE – KARAKTERISTIKE KINESKOG PRAVA

The paper presents the development of Chinese contract law, which underwent significant legislative changes from the 1980s until the adoption of the Civil Code of China in 2020. Although the legislative models of Croatian and Chinese legislators largely overlap, the paper discusses whether Chinese law comprises any specific solutions, particularly influenced by the ideological philosophies, of Confucianism and communism, which prevail in Chinese culture and legal system. The paper examines the specifics of concluding the sale of goods contracts between Croatian and Chinese traders. The research questions deal with the implementation of the UN Convention on the International Sale of Goods and legal challenges to the validity of contracts when Chinese law applies. The author identifies two key challenges to the validity of the contract according to Chinese law, namely its form and content, as well as the scope of application of the principle of party autonomy. Contractual solutions are proposed to avoid some dubious interpretations before the Chinese courts. In conclusion, this article contributes to understanding the context of Chinese commercial contract law and its legal framework, and enhances thereby the party’s legitimate expectations and the quality of drafting sales of goods contract when engaging in business with Chinese traders.

Перспективы экспорта продукции растениеводства России в Китай и продовольственная безопасность КНР

The article makes a contribution to academic discussion about the actual global problem of providing world’s population with the food. The paper focuses on cooperation between Russia and China in the context of economic development of Russian border regions and food security in China which is both largest food producer and food consumer. The main research question is how the situation with the food security in China influences cooperation between Russia in China in agriculture production and trade (especially grain trade) and could Russia benefit from it. And otherwise, what makes it difficult to cope with China in this aspect: alarmist sentiments, bureaucratic troubles or lack of food in Russia itself. On the basis of the analysis of sources about Russian production, Chinese consumption and the flow of goods via Russo-Chinese border the author concludes that import of Russian products (especially soybeans) has important but not crucial role for China’s food security while the demand for Russian production would maintain in the future. It is becoming more profitable for Russian agriculture business to produce food for Chinese market in recent years so now large-scale Russian corporations displace small-scale Chinese farmers from the Russian Far East soil but involvement of Chinese trade companies maintains crucial. There are good prospects for development of agriculture in the eastern regions of Russian (not only Far East but Siberia as well) while increasing of export to China could be provided only after the construction of special port terminal in the Russian Far East. Author proposes several variants for location of such a port terminal and analyzes actual situation in this sphere.

Examining inequities in species loss due to land use in China from an interregional trade perspective

The escalating impact of land use pressures indicates we've exceeded the proposed safe planetary boundary. Economic shifts and increased trade drive China's demand for agricultural and forestry products, land-use changes, and subsequent biodiversity damage often occur far from where they are consumed. Given many species in China are endemic or endangered, neglecting these interconnected economic trends threatens its biodiversity conservation targets. Here, we first quantify species loss due to six land use types embodied in the life cycle at the Chinese sub-national level. Then, a Chinese high-resolution multi-regional input-output (MRIO) model was used to link threatened species to key industrial sectors in the supply chain, tracking the spatiotemporal patterns of land use species loss embodied in Chinese trade from 2007 to 2017. Our results reveal a 6% increase in aggregated species loss in China during the study period. This subtle change in species loss footprints in recent years is partially due to increases in consumption levels being offset by reductions in species loss intensity, though drivers vary by region. Notably, the Northwest and Southwest, known for their high species richness, suffer the greatest inequalities in species loss. The domestic species loss transfer most apparent in the outsourcing from the Eastern Coast to the Southwest. The Southwest registered the highest territory-based species loss, particularly for amphibians, while the highest impacts in the supply chain are associated with Forestry, logging, and related activities. Our analysis underscores the need for enhanced provincial dialogue to systematically value and monitor biodiversity, a key natural capital, and encourage its conservation. Our study effectively monitors the consumption-based species losses across China, which can further improve knowledge and dialogue on ecological challenges associated with trade.

PLANNING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL TOURISM PRODUCTS ON THE NORTH COAST OF JAVA

As one of the Chinese Traders, Cheng Ho’s Naval Route serves Cirebon, Semarang, and Surabaya to have a cultural identity that could be seen today. Now, the existence of cultural heritage that spread akong the Javanese Nort Coast serve tourist to learn about the cultural heritage that was shaped by Cheng Ho's Naval Route. On the other hand, the existence of this cultural heritage could be developed into alternative tourism that gives a new trend of tourism attraction yet supports cultural preservation. Through adopting the model of the Cultural Route that was advanced and developed in Europe, this research is titled “Planning of Cultural Tourism Product Development of Cheng Ho Naval Route along Javanese North Coast”. This research utilizes the qualitative approach and descriptive method as the analyzing method. The result of the research covers the Tourism Attraction and Activities aspect as a component of tourism products that attract tourists, Transportation Facilities and Services as a component that serves the movement of tourists, and Institutional Elements as an organization that manages the network of transboundary tourism attractions. The recommendation of Planning of Cultural Tourism Product Development of Cheng Ho Naval Route along the Javanese North Coast can be the reference for the stakeholders to invest in tourism development that supports the preservation of Cultural Heritage